Black & Veatch To Support Malaysia's Decarbonisation Journey, Green Hydrogen Advancement

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 (Bernama) -- Black & Veatch has been appointed by Malaysia energy companies Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and PETRONAS to conduct study on green hydrogen commercialisation pathways as part of efforts to realise the country’s low-carbon energy ambitions.

The objectives of the study are to validate the findings of a joint feasibility study conducted by TNB and PETRONAS to develop hydrogen in Malaysia and provide strategic, technical and commercial insights on the generation, transportation, distribution and demand of green hydrogen.

According to Black & Veatch in a statement, this strategic collaboration affirms the partners’ commitment to support the country's vision for a flourishing green hydrogen economy.

Black & Veatch Director, South & Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Jerin Raj said with Malaysia’s abundant renewable resources including solar and hydropower, this feasibility study has the potential to shape the development of a hydrogen economy in Malaysia over the next decade.

“Black & Veatch has been working with hydrogen and ammonia production for over 80 years. Since developing the first hydrogen power generation conversion project and the first major hydrogen fuelling station in the United States, the company has continued to deliver reliable innovation and first-of-a-kind solutions across the hydrogen value chain,” he said.

Black & Veatch, a global leader in critical infrastructure solutions, is meeting Asia Pacific’s rapidly rising energy needs with low and no-carbon energy sources, including green hydrogen.

The company has engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) experience across the value chain of green hydrogen development, technical knowledge, and business and regulatory experience across power, transport and bunkering value chain elements.

-- BERNAMA

Novel Antibody Therapy Holds Potential For Kidney Cancer Treatment

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 (Bernama) -- Even with new immunotherapies, only around one in 10 patients ultimately survive from advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), a deadly form of kidney cancer with few treatment options.

Currently, The Wistar Institute scientists have built upon bispecific T cell engagers (BTEs) technology to develop new and improved recombinant and synthetic DNA versions of therapeutic antibodies that target CA9, called Persistent Multivalent T Cell Engager (CA9-PMTE), that shows promise in pre-clinical models as a potent, long-lasting treatment against ccRCC.

While BTEs are a promising new antibody therapy for many difficult-to-treat cancers, they do have some limitations, including a short half-life, with most BTE drugs break down quickly, sometimes within a matter of hours, which means they are only effective for a short time.

Senior author David Weiner, who is also the executive vice president of The Wistar Institute and director of the Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, said the new format represents the potential for an important new tool for enhancing cancer therapy.

According to a statement, in this study, the researchers also demonstrated that the more potent therapy could be delivered using synthetic DNA, allowing therapeutic production directly in patients.

In preclinical models, the team tested the efficacy of novelly designed anti-ccRCC BTE variants developed to enhance the interactions between T cells and the targeted cancer. These were developed to be delivered using synthetic DNA technology.

The researchers compared traditional BTEs with a newer format design termed persistent BTEs (PBTEs), which have a longer half-life but use the same targeting system as older BTEs and found that, while the initial PBTEs did last longer than the traditional BTEs, the new design reduced the overall anticancer potency.

The research team then created a new molecule by taking an existing PBTE and adding additional binding domains to better “see” and bind to the cancer, whereby this novel, alternative design, called a persistent multivalent T cell engager (PMTE), proved to be highly potent while also maintaining a longer half-life than the traditional BTE design.

The researchers are now studying these new PMTEs in combination with other immunotherapies as well as expanding designs to additional difficult-to-treat cancers.

-- BERNAMA

HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY PARTNERS EMCC GLOBAL TO ELEVATE COACHING STANDARDS WORLDWIDE

Source: HWU

PUTRAJAYA, June 6 (Bernama) -- Heriot-Watt University (HWU) has become the first UK university to partner with EMCC Global, a leading professional body in coaching, mentoring, and supervision.

Coaching and mentoring are increasingly popular for career development across various sectors such as business, human resources, and science. HWU’s Coaching Lab, which supports staff and students at campuses in Scotland, Dubai, and Malaysia, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EMCC Global and its respective geographical affiliates. The signing took place at HWU’s Edinburgh Business School.

The partnership aims to develop joint research projects and establish continuing professional development by combining research and practice. Students will benefit from networking events with industry leaders, training sessions, workshops, and a pathway to becoming registered coaches and fully accredited members of EMCC Global.

Professor Angus Laing, Executive Dean of the Edinburgh School and the School of Social Sciences, signed the MoU alongside representatives from EMCC Global and its affiliates.

Professor Laing said: “Our partnership with the EMCC marks a significant milestone in the field of coaching. By bridging academia with industry expertise, this collaboration not only amplifies opportunities for students but also enhances the landscape of professional development. Together, we’re shaping the future of coaching equipping individuals to reach their potential and driving career advancement.”

Dr Ke Guek-Nee, Director of the Heriot-Watt University Coaching Lab and a driving force behind the MoU, highlighted the growing interest in coaching and mentoring.

She said: “This MoU marks a pivotal stride in propelling forward the Coaching Lab’s goals, and our Master’s programmes in coaching psychology theory and practice. Our approach, blending academic rigour with practical expertise, is designed to empower and elevate the impact of both students and staff coaches on personal and organisational development. This strategic collaboration harmonises seamlessly with the University’s vision of being a pioneer in education, collectively working towards fostering a globally connected university.”

The MoU promises to create new opportunities for collaboration between all parties, leveraging the global reach of Heriot-Watt’s Coaching Lab, which is a central point for coaching psychology and coaching research across the University.

Alison Mitchell, Head of EMCC Global Centre for Excellence in Research who led on behalf of EMCC Global, said: “It is vital for the future reputation of coaching practice that it is underpinned by evidence-based research. This agreement brings us closer to empowering practitioners to engage with research.”

Dr Riza Kadilar, President of EMCC Global, said: “I’m thrilled with this great step forward, hopefully marking a significant stride towards enhancing global coaching and mentoring standards. This collaboration symbolises our commitment to developing research informed practice fostering excellence and innovation in coaching and mentoring across the world. Together, we aim to develop our collaboration that will empower professionals in our field to better meet the challenges facing our stakeholders now and in the future.”

For more information on Heriot-Watt University Malaysia and its world-class programmes, kindly visit https://www.hw.ac.uk/malaysia/about/campus.html

SOURCE: Mnair PR Consultancy Sdn Bhd

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Diyana Kamar
Email: N.Shamsul_Kamar@hw.ac.uk

--BERNAMA

IDENTIFLIGHT V5 TECHNOLOGY PROTECTING AVIAN SPECIES IN WIND FARMS

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 (Bernama) -- IdentiFlight, a leader in avian anti-collision systems for wind farms, has launched its V5 technology, representing a significant advancement in both performance and reliability.


Building upon the company’s proven track record of safeguarding avian species while supporting the expansion of renewable energy, IdentiFlight V5 sets a new standard for efficiency and effectiveness in avian detection systems.


According to a statement, Boulder Imaging is the company responsible for developing IdentiFlight, and the debut deployment of V5 will take place at the Musselroe Wind Farm in Tasmania, in collaboration with Woolnorth Renewables.


“We are thrilled to unveil our V5 technology, representing a significant leap forward in species protection at wind farms.


“This milestone reflects our unwavering dedication to a sustainable future, where clean energy flourishes alongside thriving ecosystems,” said Boulder Imaging Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer, Carlos Jorquera.


With enhanced performance, V5 boasts improved detection accuracy and efficiency, ensuring swift and reliable identification and classification of bird species, particularly raptors such as eagles, hawks, and falcons, expanding detection to a 1.3 kilometres range.


In addition, with ruggedised control cabinets capable of withstanding harsh environmental conditions, V5 is optimised for deployment in diverse landscapes, now including coastal areas.


Furthermore, the new design of V5 facilitates easier maintenance and serviceability, minimising downtime and optimising operational efficiency for wind farm operators.


Deployed globally since 2016 and independently validated over multiple years, the IdentiFlight system now protects for hundreds of wind turbines worldwide.


-- BERNAMA

FORTREA WRAPS UP DIVESTITURE OF TWO BUSINESSES TO ARSENAL CAPITAL PARTNERS

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 (Bernama) -- Fortrea, a global contract research organisation (CRO), has completed the divestiture of assets relating to its Enabling Services segment, namely Endpoint Clinical (Endpoint) and Fortrea Patient Access (FPA) businesses, to Arsenal Capital Partners (Arsenal), a private equity investment firm.

Arsenal has appointed Fortrea’s Enabling Services segment former president, Sam Osman, to serve as chief executive officer (CEO) of the new entities, while Raymond (Ray) H. Hill, an operating partner within Arsenal’s healthcare team, will serve as chairman of the board.

Fortrea Chairman and CEO, Tom Pike in a statement said the successful closing of this transaction is a testament to the calibre of the teams involved, who have planned a smooth transition for colleagues, customers and the patients it served.

“This transaction enables both organisations to focus their leadership and resources on delivering optimal solutions for our customers. As previously disclosed, the net proceeds from this divestiture will be used to reduce a portion of Fortrea’s overall debt structure,” he said.

Meanwhile, Osman said: “With Arsenal as our partner, I am confident that both our businesses and our teams will benefit from accelerated growth opportunities as well as investment and executive focus, resulting in enhanced capabilities and solutions for customers.”

Endpoint and FPA provide best-in-class Randomization and Trial Supply Management (RTSM) and patient access solutions respectively.

Both entities represent strategically differentiated entry points within the pharmaceutical services value chain, where Arsenal holds significant domain, scientific and technical knowledge.

-- BERNAMA

CYBER ACOUSTICS AND ES CONNECT PARTNER TO DELIVER CYBER ACOUSTICS SOLUTIONS ACROSS MALAYSIA

Partnership poises both companies to meet the rapid growth of call center industry in the region

VANCOUVER, Wash., June 4 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cyber Acoustics, a leading manufacturer of reliable and affordable computer peripherals used in schools, businesses, contact centers, and homes, today announced a strategic partnership with ES Connect, a distributor providing tailored business solutions to clients spanning industries. Together Cyber Acoustics and ES Connect will meet the needs of Malaysia's commercial business marketplace, delivering competitive and leading-edge technology solutions to the region’s rapidly growing call center industry.

“ES Connect is the perfect partner for us as they bring a wealth of experience in telecommunications and have a strong reputation for outstanding customer service,” said Steve Erickson, COO at Cyber Acoustics. “Their reach and expertise allow us to support global customers with call centers in Malaysia while ensuring both our companies are successfully poised for the growth of the call center industry in the country.”

Working collaboratively on technology and design with some of the world’s largest business process outsourcing (BPOs) companies, Cyber Acoustics has developed a suite of solutions tailored to solve some of the industry’s biggest pain points, including loud work environments and outdated agent training systems.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=48749

BIOGNOSYS LAUNCHES GROUNDBREAKING P2 PLASMA ENRICHMENT TECHNOLOGY FOR UNBIASED, DEEP PLASMA PROTEOMICS AT ASMS 2024

·  The proprietary P2 Plasma Enrichment method leverages a novel single-well, single particle-type enrichment method to achieve market-leading performance for unbiased, deep mass spectrometry-based plasma proteomics

·  P2 now offers excellent quantitation and higher throughput for large-cohort biomarker or drug discovery studies, and clinical, epidemiological or population proteomics research

·  P2 Plasma Enrichment is available as a CRO service via Biognosys’ TrueDiscovery^® platform, or as an in-house method for high-performance mass spectrometry end-users via licensing

·  With the optional additional combination of TrueDiscovery^® unbiased, deep mass spectrometry proteomics workflows with targeted Alamar NULISA affinity-based ultra-high sensitivity proteomics panels, Biognosys now enables the most quantitative and complete access to the human plasma proteome
 
ZURICH, Switzerland and NEWTON, Mass., May 31 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biognosys, a leader in next-generation proteomics services, software and kits for life sciences research and drug development, today announced the launch of the novel, proprietary P2 Plasma Enrichment method for single-well, single particle-type enrichment with market leading performance and sensible, superior economics. P2-based plasma proteomics can be used for human or for animal-model proteomics studies and clinical research.

This novel P2 plasma proteomics method achieves a proteome coverage of 7,000 proteins in a previously published five-cancer plasma sample set, demonstrating highest reproducibility, unprecedented enrichment of low abundant proteins, and unparalleled throughput on Bruker timsTOF® HT mass spectrometers. The technical features and performance data will be presented at the American Society of Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) Annual Conference in Anaheim, CA on Monday, June 3^rd during Biognosys’ Breakfast Seminar, “Accelerating Drug Discovery and Development with Biognosys’ Next-Generation Proteomics Services,” and on Wednesday, June 5^th during the WP 084 poster session.

“With our proprietary P2 Plasma Enrichment method, Biognosys can now significantly enhance the depth and throughput in plasma proteomics beyond what existing methods could achieve,” explains Dr. Oliver Rinner, CEO and founder of Biognosys. “Most importantly, this advancement comes with exceptional reproducibility, which is crucial for quantitative studies. It also provides superior economics and achieves a false discovery rate of less than 1%, that cannot be matched with expensive, high-plex affinity-based methods. Additionally, our optional licensing model now also opens a new avenue for advanced proteomics mass spectrometry end-users to access our cutting-edge methods and software for in-house use.”

Dr. Rohan Thakur, President Bruker LSMS Division, says: “Biognosys' state-of-the-art P2 Plasma method enables profiling of the plasma proteome with rigor, providing deep insights into protein expression, and uniquely leverages the proven robustness of the timsTOF HT. A powerful combination that will provide superior data-completeness with simplicity, both of significant value for large cohort studies.” 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=48714