AJC TO HOST "BIMP-EAGA TOURISM WEBINAR -JAPANESE MARKET INSIGHTS AND TRENDS POST-COVID-19-" ON JANUARY 12, 2022

TOKYO, Jan 6 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- The ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) will organize a webinar for tourism stakeholders in Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area or BIMP-EAGA on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. The webinar is designed to offer the latest information on the Japanese travel market and introduce how to promote tourism attractions of BIMP-EAGA to Japan.

The BIMP-EAGA was launched in 1994 to spur development in remote and less developed areas in the four participating Southeast Asian countries. These countries are geographically far from the national capitals, yet strategically close to each other. These states and provinces account for over 60% of the land area of the BIMP-EAGA countries; yet they make up less than 20% of their population and 18% of the labor force.

The five strategic pillars of BIMP-EAGA VISION 2025 are Connectivity, Food Basket, Environment, and Socio-cultural & Education, and Tourism. AJC held a series of symposiums focusing on the four pillars beside Tourism from November to December 2021. With this tourism webinar, it is covering all the strategic pillars of the VISION.

The upcoming tourism webinar will introduce interesting updates and trends of the Japanese market such as consumer sentiments of Japanese travelers and focus on ecotourism, one of the strengths of the region. It will also provide information on the digital marketing for tourism promotion.

BIMP-EAGA Tourism Webinar
-Japanese market insights and trends post-COVID-19-

Date/Time:

Wednesday, 12 January 2022, 3:00PM – 5:00PM (Japan time)

Venue:

Zoom

Program:

Opening Remarks

• Dr. Kunihiko Chris Hirabayashi, Secretary General of ASEAN-Japan Centre
• Mr. Shu Kawano, Director, Second Southeast Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan
• Ms. Salinah Md. Salleh, Acting Director of Tourism Department, Brunei Darussalam/Chair of BIMP-EAGA Joint Tourism Development Cluster

Presentations

1. How do Japanese travelers view BIMP countries?
   – Reading trends through ASEAN travel awareness survey¹ –
   Speaker: Ms. Haruna Chinzei, Account Manager, Marketing Voice Ltd.
    
2. The new chapter of ecotourism post COVID-19
   – Cases of Japan and beyond –
   Speaker: Mr. Masaru Takayama, Chairperson, Asian Ecotourism Network
    
3. How to attract Japanese travelers through effective digital marketing
   Speaker: Mr. Kei Shibata, Co-founder & CEO, Venture Republic – TRAVEL jp & Trip101

Organizer:

ASEAN-Japan Centre

Supporting organization:

BIMP-EAGA Facilitation Center

Language:

English

Registration:

Free
Please register from the link below to participate:
https://bit.ly/3rLorpu
(Click on “English” on the top right corner of the website)
 

 

¹ ASEAN travel awareness survey was conducted by AJC in January 2021 for Japanese in their 20s-60s. The report for ASEAN (overall) and each ASEAN Member States are available on AJC website at the bottom of the following URL: https://www.asean.or.jp/en/tourism-info/20210617/.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220105006054/en/

Contact

ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) PR Unit
Tomoko Miyauchi (MS)
URL: https://www.asean.or.jp/en/
TEL: +81-3-5402-8118
E-mail: toiawase_ga@asean.or.jp

Source : ASEAN-Japan Centre

EZEK UNVEILS JAY’S TRENDY BRAND PHANTA BEAR NFT ENTRY INTO BLOCKCHAIN MARKET

(Photo: Business Wire)

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- In 2021, the co-operation of celebrities and NFT was actually becoming more and more frequent in the global entertainment industry, as Mandopop King Jay, who helped to raise a total of 846 million HKD (109 million USD) in Sotheby's auctions, recently made a move. (US$1 = RM4.197)

The Ezek platform, founded by Will Liu & Mark G, together with Ed Ow (pioneer of NFT and Crypto technology for HTC and FullDive) and producer Johnson Chiang, also announced the launch of Phanta Bear NFT on Jan 1 on their official website.

The global release is limited to 10,000 units only, according to a statement.

The Ezek platform is also currently in preparation for virtual concerts, owners of NFT who have planned the Ezek platform will become members of the Ezek Club and will be able to use their NFT tickets to access VR/XR virtual concerts, which are made with the latest technology, and the related virtual properties in the future.

The Ezek club was launched on Discord and reached over 30,000 participants in just five days. This activity is not only a testament to Jay's charisma, but also to the support of the community for the Ezek club’s operational concept.

More details at https://ezek.io.

-- BERNAMA

CHANGES TO CHINA'S SOLVENCY FRAMEWORK CREDIT POSITIVE FOR INSURANCE MARKET - AM BEST

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best expects the revised quantitative and qualitative requirements under the China Risk-Oriented Solvency System Phase II (C-ROSS Phase II) to have significant impacts on the various insurance market segments.

The Best’s Commentary, ‘Changes to China’s Solvency Framework to be Credit Positive for Insurance Market’, states that this recent revision to China’s solvency regime should allow for greater transparency in risks and capital quality.

Most insurance companies are likely to observe various degrees of decline immediately in solvency ratios, depending on their product mix, capital structure, and aggressiveness investment strategy. Under the updated solvency regime, capital recognition has been tightened and the industry is expected to see a drop in admitted capital in solvency calculations.

Insurers will also face higher capital requirements arising from long-term equity investments, particularly for investments in non-insurance subsidiaries that give the insurer controllership, which will be 100 per cent risk charged.

“AM Best views these changes to be credit positive as they drive a more thorough understanding and accurate assessment of investment risk, and seek to improve insurers’ capital management strategies,” said Christie Lee, senior director, analytics, AM Best in a statement.

The report notes that the implementation of C-ROSS Phase II will extend greater support to small and medium-sized non-life companies in the form of relatively smaller increases in the motor insurance risk charge amid the challenges from the motor comprehensive reform.

The regulator has abolished favourable treatment for large insurers based on the premium size on the motor insurance risk base factor, allowing for fairer competition between large and smaller insurers in terms of the capital requirement to support business growth.

For life insurers, C-ROSS Phase II will lead to more stringent admitted capital recognition from long-term policies’ expected future profits.

AM Best, while noting that asset-liability management is likely to become more important in solvency management under the revised regime, is also of the view the industry is able to mitigate the solvency pressure, given its current strong solvency.

For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

-- BERNAMA

EXPEREO APPOINTS BEN ELMS AS CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

New addition strengthens executive management team of Amsterdam based global network company


AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, Jan 5 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Expereo, the world’s leading provider of Global Internet, Cloud Access Optimization, SASE, and SD-WAN services, has today announced the appointment of Ben Elms as Chief Revenue Officer. Elms’ s overarching brief is to lead the Sales and go-to-market transformation across all channels and drive the expansion and adoption of Expereo’s services globally.

Elms brings more than 20 years of operational expertise and leadership in the telecommunications industry. Most recently, he served as the Group Director (CEO) at Vodafone Global Enterprise, a division of Vodafone Group Plc, a leading international wireless and wireline operator. Whilst there, he was responsible for leading global team managing relationships with multinational customers around the globe. During his tenure, the business outperformed the market with strong EBITDA performance and delivered significant improvements in customer and employee satisfaction whilst driving a program of operational efficiencies.

With his strong market experience, customer track record, and breadth of international expertise, he is a significant hire for the company as it continues its global growth and development.

Commenting on the appointment Irwin Fouwels, CEO at Expereo, said,

“Ben exhibits all the trademarks of a great leader, a true team player with super-strong commercial acumen and operational experience whilst demonstrating a relentless focus on the needs of the customer. Over the last few years, we see enterprises becoming even more cloud and internet-centric. Expereo has established a global leadership position in the highly attractive global cloud and software-defined networking market. I am very excited to have Ben join our company to continue our global go-to-market transformation. I am looking forward to a great partnership to take Expereo to further heights.”

On joining the Expereo, Elms said:

“I am honored to be appointed as Expereo's first Chief Revenue Officer and to lead the next phase of growth. Expereo is on an exciting journey and has developed a unique market leadership position. My immediate focus will be on serving our customers as we continue to invest and expand our market position and in building operational excellence in our go-to-market. I look forward to speaking and meeting with employees, customers, and partners and working with Irwin and the team to take the business forward in a market that has a huge opportunity.”

Elms’ appointment comes after a sustained period of acquisition and expansion for Expereo, which will continue into 2022. With Elms added to its executive management team, the business will look to further consolidate its position as a leading player in the market - delivering simplified global networks while delighting customers with the seamless delivery of complementary services from one trusted supplier

About Expereo
Expereo is the leading provider of managed network solutions, including Global internet connectivity, SD-WAN, SASE, and Cloud Access Optimization services. Expereo is the trusted partner of 30% of Fortune 500 companies and powers enterprise and government sites worldwide, helping to enhance every business’ productivity with flexible and optimal Internet performance. In Feb 2021, Vitruvian Partners international growth capital and buyout firm acquired a majority stakeholding in Expereo, alongside the leading European private equity firm Apax Partners SAS and company management.

LinkedIn | Twitter |

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sofia Pensado
Account Director
sofia@grammatikagency.com
+447540221914 

SOURCE : Expereo

HONG KONG RINGS 2022 WITH MAIDEN ARTS SPECTACULAR AT VICTORIA HARBOUR

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 4 (Bernama) -- As promised, Hong Kong’s iconic Victoria Harbour showcased an electrifying experience on New Year’s Eve, with a three-part countdown spectacular presented by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), bringing the island’s thriving art scene right to the global centre-stage.

The newly-opened M+ amplified the brilliant lights around Victoria Harbour as Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture in the West Kowloon Cultural District lends its 65.8-metre-tall LED facade for a grand visual countdown display.

Beginning New Year’s Eve evening, the facade showcased a sweeping, high-contrast visual tale created by talented local digital artists as homage to the city’s various landmarks, neighbourhoods, and vibrant arts and culture scene.

The M+ Facade was transformed into a countdown clock travelling across the rich cityscape of Hong Kong during the final minute of 2021, building perceptible excitement about the year ahead.

As the clock struck midnight, the numerals ‘2022’ and New Year greetings were splashed across the screen to deliver blessings to the world, according to a statement.

The dazzling light art extravaganza, featuring the facades of numerous prominent skyscrapers cheering brightly for the New Year along the entire Victoria Harbour, was further enhanced by an outdoor concert in the West Kowloon Cultural District, led by the city’s flagship orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil). 

More details on the Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations at https://www.discoverhongkong.com/countdown.

-- BERNAMA

CELLTRION ANNOUNCES POSITIVE RESULTS FOR ITS COCKTAIL THERAPY CANDIDATES INCLUDING NEUTRALISATION DATA AGAINST OMICRON VARIANT

 

• CT-P63 demonstrated a well- established safety profile in the global Phase I trial
• CT-P63 maintained strong neutralising ability against the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) based on structural analysis by X-ray crystallography and neutralisation data from pseudo- virus testing
• Celltrion plans to provide dual treatment options for COVID-19; Regkirona™ for hospitalised patients and a nebulised cocktail therapy (CT-P63 in combination with Regkirona™) for at- home settings

 
INCHEON, South Korea, Jan 4 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Celltrion Group announced today results for its cocktail therapy candidates including neutralisation data against the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529).

The Phase I clinical trial is a randomised, double- blind and placebo- controlled trial designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of CT-P63 in 24 healthy subjects in Poland.¹ The study met its primary objectives with data showing CT-P63 to be safe and well tolerated, with no significant drug- related adverse events (AEs).

In an experiment conducted in partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), CT-P63 showed strong neutralising activity against the Omicron variant based on structural analysis by X- ray crystallography and neutralisation data from pseudo- virus testing. Celltrion anticipates results of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant assays and animal model studies by the end of the first quarter this year.

In order to elicit potent neutralising antibody response against the new emerging variants, Celltrion previously identified a total of 38 potent neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in which antibody candidate No. 32 (CT-P63) produced high neutralisation titres against new emerging strains. CT-P63 has previously been demonstrated to have neutralising activity against the most common variants, including the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta variants.

“The positive results demonstrate the potential of our cocktail therapy to retain neutralising ability against the Omicron variant” said Dr. HoUng Kim, Ph.D., Head of Medical and Marketing Division at Celltrion Healthcare. “We are confident that our antibody platform including Regkirona and CT-P63 will provide significant benefit for patients with COVID-19. Regkirona is given to a patient intravenously, so the drug could effectively treat patients hospitalised with COVID-19 at an early stage, while the nebulised cocktail therapy could address patients’ unmet needs for at- home treatment. We plan to discuss large- scale clinical trial for our nebulised cocktail therapy (CT-P63 in combination with Regkirona™) with regulatory agencies worldwide in the near future.”

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

About Celltrion Healthcare

Celltrion Healthcare is committed to delivering innovative and affordable medications to promote patients’ access to advanced therapies. Its products are manufactured at state-of-the-art mammalian cell culture facilities, designed and built to comply with the US FDA cGMP and the EU GMP guidelines. Celltrion Healthcare endeavours to offer high-quality cost-effective solutions through an extensive global network that spans more than 110 different countries. For more information please visit: https://www.celltrionhealthcare.com/en-us.

About regdanvimab (CT-P59)

CT-P59 was identified as a potential treatment for COVID-19 through screening of antibody candidates and selecting those that showed the highest potency in neutralising the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In vitro and in vivo pre- clinical studies showed that CT-P59 strongly binds to SARS-CoV-2 RBD and significantly neutralises the wild type and mutant variants of concern. In in vivo models, CT-P59 effectively reduced the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 and inflammation in lung. Results from the global phase I and phase II/III clinical trials of CT-P59 demonstrated a promising safety, tolerability, antiviral effect and efficacy profile in patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms of COVID-19.² The EC granted marketing authorisation for Celltrion’s regdanvimab following positive opinion by the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) in November 2021.

About CT-P63

CT-P63 is a monoclonal antibody targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain (RBD) as a treatment for COVID-19 infection. CT-P63 is currently being developed as a potential treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

About nebulised formulation

The nebulised formulation of the monoclonal antibody not only targets SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain (RBD) and elicit neutralising antibody response but it also has ‘trapping’ mechanism of action and thereby neutralises and traps in mucus with exceptional potency. The muco-trapping antibody platform directly traps the virus in airway mucus, preventing the local spread of the infection, and quickly eliminating the virus from the lungs through the body's natural ability to clear mucus. Nebulized formulation can be readily self-administered by patients, extend critical drug supplies to more patients by reducing the dosage needed, and does not place excessive demands on healthcare staff and infusion clinic space that intravenous (IV) drugs do.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT

Certain information set forth in this press release contains statements related to our future business and financial performance and future events or developments involving Celltrion/Celltrion Healthcare that may constitute forward-looking statements, under pertinent securities laws.

These statements may be identified by words such as “prepares”, “hopes to”, “upcoming”, ”plans to”, “aims to”, “to be launched”, “is preparing, “once gained”, “could”, “with the aim of”, “may”, “once identified”, “will”, “working towards”, “is due”, “become available”, “has potential to”, the negative of these words or such other variations thereon or comparable terminology.

In addition, our representatives may make oral forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the current expectations and certain assumptions of Celltrion/Celltrion Healthcare's management, of which many are beyond its control.

Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management’s beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them.

Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of Celltrion/Celltrion Healthcare believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Celltrion/Celltrion Healthcare undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

References
____________________________
¹ ClinicalTrials.gov. To Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of CT-P63 in Healthy Subjects. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05017168#wrapper [Last Accessed January 2022]
² Celltrion Data on file


View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220102005042/en/

Contact

Holly Barber
hbarber@hanovercomms.com  
+44 (0) 07759 301620 

Donna Curran
dcurran@hanovercomms.com
+44 (0) 7984 550312

Source : Celltrion Healthcare

[INVNT GROUP]™ unveils strategic acquisitions of 4 historied live event production companies

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 -- [INVNT GROUP] THE GLOBAL BRANDSTORY PROJECT™ has announced the strategic acquisitions of four historied live event production companies: ITP LIVE, InSync Production Services, Thunder Audio, and Morpheus Lights. 

Led by President and Chief Executive Officer, Scott Cullather, [INVNT GROUP] represents a growing portfolio of complementary disciplines designed to help forward thinking brands everywhere, impact the audiences that matter anywhere, according to a statement.

“The dedicated search for these four companies has been in development for over 18 months. These acquisitions will expand our innovation capabilities, allowing INVNT, our live events business, to offer our customers the ultimate in live events and experiential activations,” said Cullather.

[INVNT GROUP] consists of modern brand strategy firm, Folk Hero; creative-led culture consultancy, Meaning; branded content studio and content marketing agency HEVĒ; collegiate events and experiences, INVNT Higher Education, the original global live brand storytelling agency, INVNT and now ITP LIVE consisting of: InSync Production Services, Thunder Audio and Morpheus Lights.

The companies will continue to operate under their current names and service their existing roster of clients, seek new clients, and provide services to synergistic INVNT opportunities and projects.

Rooted in experiential marketing, [INVNT GROUP]’s expansion comes as part of a strategic, yet natural evolution. This business partnership creates a unique offering in the market, and enhances the group’s abilities to fulfill creative, technological, and strategic designs in dynamic new ways.

This transaction was structured by Wolf Karbe, CFO of [INVNT GROUP] and represented by Evergreen Advisors Capital and Center Rock Advisors. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

More details at www.invntgroup.com.

-- BERNAMA