27.3 C
Vientiane
Monday, August 18, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 1016

Branch Unveils New Capabilities To Maximize Campaign ROI in a Privacy-First Era

The Only Mobile Measurement Partner (MMP) To Offer Advanced Data Protection Meeting HIPPA Requirements

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Branch, the industry’s leading linking and measurement partner for growth-focused teams, today announced innovations in its Performance offering, which provides growth marketers with privacy-centric attribution that connects user journeys across web, app and offline touchpoints.

Most notably, Branch now gives organizations in heavily regulated industries the ability to utilize ad integrations, data integrations and custom workbooks with encryption and decryption functionality — all while addressing their compliance with HIPPA and other regulatory requirements. The solution also features Predictive Aggregate Measurement (PAM) which provides accurate, granular insights into campaign performance while remaining privacy-focused.

“We’ve seen impressive results with Branch’s Performance Suite, particularly when it comes to predictive aggregate measurement,” said Valissa Warren, senior digital data analyst, ANZ Plus. “We’ve significantly reduced our reportable CPA in just a couple of months. Those types of improvements make a major impact on our business.”

These advances come at a time where marketers and advertisers face increased difficulty assessing campaign effectiveness amidst deprecation of tracking identifiers and evolving privacy regulations. A recent study showed that “88% of advertisers believe privacy laws will impact personalized targeting” with approximately 38% reporting “difficulty in keeping up with the implications of each new law” and 31% “experiencing an increase in costs due to changing privacy laws.”

“We’re all internet users and we all want our data protected — trusting brands that handle our personal data responsibly the most,” said Irina Bukatik, vice president of product at Branch. “Simultaneously, advertisers need insights to connect the dots across platforms and devices to ensure advertising dollars are being spent effectively. Branch Performance meets the needs of people and brands — delivering precise measurement for marketers while taking into account the ever-changing privacy landscape.”

Branch Performance provides actionable data for performance marketers to optimize campaigns, allows for seamless attribution across channels and adapts to privacy changes as new regulations emerge. When used alongside Branch’s pioneering deep linking solutions, it allows businesses to deliver unbroken experiences for users and fully measure customer engagement across channels, platforms and operating systems. With the new advancements in Branch Performance, organizations can fill in iOS measurement gaps in a privacy-safe way, eliminate connected TV (CTV) fragmentation and unify cost and attribution data in one solution.

Along with Advanced Compliance Encryption and PAM, other solution enhancements include:

  • Privacy-centric Attribution for comprehensive and enduring measurement, enabling robust coverage through advanced attribution approaches like PAM and SKAdNetwork (SKAN).
  • Household Measurement assessing ad performance across web, mobile and CTV devices, making it easier to measure return on advertising spend (ROAS), analyze cross-device performance and improve retargeting efforts.
  • ROI Hub featuring centralized analytics for campaign spend and earnings to enable better budget allocation decisions.

For more information about Branch Performance, visit branch.io/performance/.

For media inquiries, please contact jordan.mcmahon@branch.io.

About Branch

Branch is the linking and measurement partner for growth-focused teams, trusted to maximize the value of their evolving digital strategies. World-class brands like Instacart, Western Union, NBCUniversal, and Zocdoc rely on Branch to acquire users, retain customers and drive more conversions.

Logo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/branch_logo.jpg

A new report by McKinsey & Company and the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry explores the state of the industry and growth themes for 2025 and beyond

HOW SPORTING GOODS BRANDS CAN TURN UNCERTAINTY INTO OPPORTUNITY

BERN, Switzerland, March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — McKinsey & Company and the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) are pleased to announce the publication of ‘Sporting Goods 2025 – The new balancing act: Turning uncertainty into Opportunity’.

  • The fifth edition of the annual industry report offers an in-depth examination of the key trends shaping the global competitive landscape in sporting goods.
  • It features insights from two proprietary surveys, market research and analysis, and interviews with executives of Colnago, Decathlon, Lululemon, On, TRX, and Victory Group.
  • The report identifies physical inactivity as a major untapped market – sporting goods players have an opportunity to take targeted action to empower sedentary consumers to increase their physical activity levels.
  • Active lifestyle as identity: the fit are getting fitter, presenting an opportunity for sporting goods brands to develop products that meet the emotional and functional needs of active consumers and foster long-term loyalty.
  • A re-shuffling of the market share: challenger brands and new entrants expanding at a faster rate than main-players due to decline in barriers to market-entry.
  • Boom of blended live-sports and entertainment: opportunities lie in combining in-person and digital offerings and capitalizing on the intersection of sports and entertainment.
  • Global Sporting Goods Industry Report 2025
    https://prowly-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/78247/assets/726518/-4a9c3fd9441c8d032aedf8e50fcddc62.pdf
  • McKinsey & Company and WFSGI will host a webinar on March 17th, providing actionable insights and strategies to navigate industry complexities. Register here.

Report findings

Over the past year, the sporting goods industry has persevered through economic volatility, geopolitical tensions, and evolving consumer behavior. Softening growth—projected to be 6 percent annually from 2024 to 2029—is compelling executives to focus equally on the top and bottom lines. Still, the report found that 44 percent of industry executives are feeling ‘optimistic’ or ‘rather optimistic’ about 2025, signaling their cautious confidence in seizing opportunities amid pervasive challenges.

“Amid an uncertain terrain, our analysis highlights evolving consumer behavior and trends that offer growth opportunities for sporting goods brands,” said Alexander Thiel, Partner at McKinsey. “To thrive in 2025, executives should focus on balancing top-line and bottom-line growth, engaging diverse consumer segments, and integrating in-person and digital experiences.”

Emma Zwiebler, WFSGI CEO continued: “I’m pleased to see that this report highlights the opportunity to turn the inactivity crisis into a catalyst for positive change for health and business. While the statistics are significant and concerning, they also present a chance to engage the 1.8 billion inactive adults identified by the WHO. Encouraging movement is not just a health necessity but a major business opportunity. Our industry has the potential to improve global well-being by playing our part in making physical activity more accessible and creating a healthier, more active world for everyone. And in doing so, we will drive growth for the industry. It’s a win-win.”

The report explores key themes that will shape the market, and it highlights consumer trends that could represent paths to growth:

Physical inactivity as the biggest untapped market. Despite the significant benefits of physical activity, the share of inactive adults jumped from 26 percent in 2010 to 31 percent in 2022 and could reach 35 percent by 2030. The global adult population that is currently not meeting WHO’s recommended levels of physical activity totals 1.8 billion—an untapped market equivalent to twice the size of India’s adult population. Sporting goods players have an opportunity to take targeted action to empower sedentary consumers to increase their physical activity levels. They could seek to remove barriers to physical activity for more sedentary segments, including via product innovation, marketing campaigns to raise awareness, and enhanced youth engagement. The report also highlights that increased intersectoral collaboration is necessary as the challenge is too great for the industry to tackle alone.

Active lifestyle as identity. While physical inactivity has reached record levels around the world, there is also a consumer segment that is becoming increasingly active. For those who are already physically active, exercise has evolved from a casual pursuit into a linchpin of health regimens and a defining element of personal identity. Almost one in two active consumers and a significant portion of Gen Zers and millennials view fitness as their core identity. This trend presents an opportunity for sporting goods brands to develop products that meet the emotional and functional needs of active consumers and foster long-term loyalty.

Market share reshuffle. The sporting goods market has witnessed a proliferation of new entrants including both general apparel players, and specialized players for segments such as running, yoga, cycling, or gym attire. These challenger brands have benefited from declining barriers to market entry and a tightly focused value proposition for specific consumer segments. From 2019 to 2024, publicly traded challenger brands expanded at a faster rate than large incumbents, gaining three percentage points of market share.

Boom of blended live sports and entertainment. According to our consumer survey, 81 percent of respondents attended in-person fitness classes in the past year. The thirst for live experiences—McKinsey estimates the global live events ticketing market surpassed $100 billion in 2023 and could reach $150 billion by 2030—has led to more venues blending sports, entertainment, and retail; new sports formats featuring competition and spectacle; and more sports-based content. Brands could seek to effectively combine in-person and digital offerings and capitalize on the intersection of sports and entertainment by partnering with other players.

About the research

This report features insights and perspectives from several research efforts.

WFSGI Sporting Goods Industry Executives Pulse Check, December 2024 – a survey of 50 sporting goods executives to gauge their overall sentiment on the state of the industry and the factors that will matter most.

McKinsey Sporting Goods Report Consumer Survey, December 2024 – a survey of more than 3,600 consumers across Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States to explore their approach to physical activity, interaction with live sports and entertainment, and consumption of sportswear brands. Of this sample, we segmented 1,842 respondents who identified as active consumers to further understand this segment.

Additional research and analysis—including a review of publicly available sources (annual reports, company publications, and press releases) and financial analysis on publicly traded companies to evaluate their performance and market shares.

Global Sporting Goods Industry Report 2025
https://prowly-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/78247/assets/726518/-4a9c3fd9441c8d032aedf8e50fcddc62.pdf

 

A live webinar will take place on March 17th with McKinsey & Company and WFSGI CEO Emma Zwiebler. Register here.

About McKinsey & Company

McKinsey is a global management consulting firm committed to helping organizations accelerate sustainable and inclusive growth. We work with clients across the private, public, and social sectors to solve complex problems and create positive change for all their stakeholders. We combine bold strategies and transformative technologies to help organizations innovate more sustainably, achieve lasting gains in performance, and build workforces that will thrive for this generation and the next.

www.mckinsey.com 

About WFSGI

The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) is the global voice of the sporting goods industry. Representing brands, manufacturers, retailers, and national federations, WFSGI advocates for policies and initiatives that foster health, sustainability, and economic growth through sport and physical activity.

www.wfsgi.org 

Media Pack

A new report by McKinsey & Company and the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry explores the state of the industry and growth themes for 2025 and beyond

HOW SPORTING GOODS BRANDS CAN TURN UNCERTAINTY INTO OPPORTUNITY

BERN, Switzerland, March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — McKinsey & Company and the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) are pleased to announce the publication of ‘Sporting Goods 2025 – The new balancing act: Turning uncertainty into Opportunity’.

  • The fifth edition of the annual industry report offers an in-depth examination of the key trends shaping the global competitive landscape in sporting goods.
  • It features insights from two proprietary surveys, market research and analysis, and interviews with executives of Colnago, Decathlon, Lululemon, On, TRX, and Victory Group.
  • The report identifies physical inactivity as a major untapped market – sporting goods players have an opportunity to take targeted action to empower sedentary consumers to increase their physical activity levels.
  • Active lifestyle as identity: the fit are getting fitter, presenting an opportunity for sporting goods brands to develop products that meet the emotional and functional needs of active consumers and foster long-term loyalty.
  • A re-shuffling of the market share: challenger brands and new entrants expanding at a faster rate than main-players due to decline in barriers to market-entry.
  • Boom of blended live-sports and entertainment: opportunities lie in combining in-person and digital offerings and capitalizing on the intersection of sports and entertainment.
  • Global Sporting Goods Industry Report 2025
    https://prowly-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/78247/assets/726518/-4a9c3fd9441c8d032aedf8e50fcddc62.pdf
  • McKinsey & Company and WFSGI will host a webinar on March 17th, providing actionable insights and strategies to navigate industry complexities. Register here.

Report findings

Over the past year, the sporting goods industry has persevered through economic volatility, geopolitical tensions, and evolving consumer behavior. Softening growth—projected to be 6 percent annually from 2024 to 2029—is compelling executives to focus equally on the top and bottom lines. Still, the report found that 44 percent of industry executives are feeling ‘optimistic’ or ‘rather optimistic’ about 2025, signaling their cautious confidence in seizing opportunities amid pervasive challenges.

“Amid an uncertain terrain, our analysis highlights evolving consumer behavior and trends that offer growth opportunities for sporting goods brands,” said Alexander Thiel, Partner at McKinsey. “To thrive in 2025, executives should focus on balancing top-line and bottom-line growth, engaging diverse consumer segments, and integrating in-person and digital experiences.”

Emma Zwiebler, WFSGI CEO continued: “I’m pleased to see that this report highlights the opportunity to turn the inactivity crisis into a catalyst for positive change for health and business. While the statistics are significant and concerning, they also present a chance to engage the 1.8 billion inactive adults identified by the WHO. Encouraging movement is not just a health necessity but a major business opportunity. Our industry has the potential to improve global well-being by playing our part in making physical activity more accessible and creating a healthier, more active world for everyone. And in doing so, we will drive growth for the industry. It’s a win-win.”

The report explores key themes that will shape the market, and it highlights consumer trends that could represent paths to growth:

Physical inactivity as the biggest untapped market. Despite the significant benefits of physical activity, the share of inactive adults jumped from 26 percent in 2010 to 31 percent in 2022 and could reach 35 percent by 2030. The global adult population that is currently not meeting WHO’s recommended levels of physical activity totals 1.8 billion—an untapped market equivalent to twice the size of India’s adult population. Sporting goods players have an opportunity to take targeted action to empower sedentary consumers to increase their physical activity levels. They could seek to remove barriers to physical activity for more sedentary segments, including via product innovation, marketing campaigns to raise awareness, and enhanced youth engagement. The report also highlights that increased intersectoral collaboration is necessary as the challenge is too great for the industry to tackle alone.

Active lifestyle as identity. While physical inactivity has reached record levels around the world, there is also a consumer segment that is becoming increasingly active. For those who are already physically active, exercise has evolved from a casual pursuit into a linchpin of health regimens and a defining element of personal identity. Almost one in two active consumers and a significant portion of Gen Zers and millennials view fitness as their core identity. This trend presents an opportunity for sporting goods brands to develop products that meet the emotional and functional needs of active consumers and foster long-term loyalty.

Market share reshuffle. The sporting goods market has witnessed a proliferation of new entrants including both general apparel players, and specialized players for segments such as running, yoga, cycling, or gym attire. These challenger brands have benefited from declining barriers to market entry and a tightly focused value proposition for specific consumer segments. From 2019 to 2024, publicly traded challenger brands expanded at a faster rate than large incumbents, gaining three percentage points of market share.

Boom of blended live sports and entertainment. According to our consumer survey, 81 percent of respondents attended in-person fitness classes in the past year. The thirst for live experiences—McKinsey estimates the global live events ticketing market surpassed $100 billion in 2023 and could reach $150 billion by 2030—has led to more venues blending sports, entertainment, and retail; new sports formats featuring competition and spectacle; and more sports-based content. Brands could seek to effectively combine in-person and digital offerings and capitalize on the intersection of sports and entertainment by partnering with other players.

About the research

This report features insights and perspectives from several research efforts.

WFSGI Sporting Goods Industry Executives Pulse Check, December 2024 – a survey of 50 sporting goods executives to gauge their overall sentiment on the state of the industry and the factors that will matter most.

McKinsey Sporting Goods Report Consumer Survey, December 2024 – a survey of more than 3,600 consumers across Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States to explore their approach to physical activity, interaction with live sports and entertainment, and consumption of sportswear brands. Of this sample, we segmented 1,842 respondents who identified as active consumers to further understand this segment.

Additional research and analysis—including a review of publicly available sources (annual reports, company publications, and press releases) and financial analysis on publicly traded companies to evaluate their performance and market shares.

Global Sporting Goods Industry Report 2025
https://prowly-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/78247/assets/726518/-4a9c3fd9441c8d032aedf8e50fcddc62.pdf

A live webinar will take place on March 17th with McKinsey & Company and WFSGI CEO Emma Zwiebler. Register here.

About McKinsey & Company

McKinsey is a global management consulting firm committed to helping organizations accelerate sustainable and inclusive growth. We work with clients across the private, public, and social sectors to solve complex problems and create positive change for all their stakeholders. We combine bold strategies and transformative technologies to help organizations innovate more sustainably, achieve lasting gains in performance, and build workforces that will thrive for this generation and the next.

www.mckinsey.com 

About WFSGI

The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) is the global voice of the sporting goods industry. Representing brands, manufacturers, retailers, and national federations, WFSGI advocates for policies and initiatives that foster health, sustainability, and economic growth through sport and physical activity.

www.wfsgi.org 

Media Pack

Laminar Pharma Announces first open-label Progression-Free Survival data for LAM561 in combination with standard of Care in First-Line Therapy for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma MGMT-methylated patients

PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain, March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Laminar Pharma, a leader in the development of innovative cancer therapy based on membrane lipid therapy, announced today optimistic results from its ongoing clinical trial evaluating LAM561 for the treatment of newly diagnosed glioblastoma (ndGBM), the most aggressive form of brain cancer, that has seen limited clinical improvement in the last 20 years. The trial, partially funded with an EU H2020 Grant (ClinGlio), has shown an improvement trend in progression-free survival (PFS) in MGMT-methylated patients receiving LAM561 in combination with chemoradiotherapy (radiotherapy plus temozolomide) as the standard of care (SoC) compared to placebo plus SoC treatment. LAM561 is available for in-license for all territories. Laminar’s current fund raising round is still open, for a limited time, to additional investors.

The pivotal phase 2b/3 trial, “A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled adjuvant trial in newly diagnosed primary glioblastoma subjects to assess the efficacy and safety of LAM561 in combination with radiotherapy and temozolomide standard of care treatment” (NCT04250922), enrolled 144 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. In November 2024, After reaching 66 PFS events the independent data monitoring committee (IDMC) recommended: (1) Continue the trial without modifications until 90 OS events (overall survival), when the final analysis will be carried out, estimated for Q4 2026; (2) that the trial should not be stopped for reasons of safety or futility and (3) opening the study, that is, removing the blind. From that moment, patients, doctors and Laminar as sponsor are able to know if any patient received placebo or LAM561.

Although the main primary outcome of the interim analysis (Hazard Ratio of 0.5 for PFS) was not reached for the whole trial population, the unblinding of the trial has allowed Laminar to conduct an ongoing evaluation (non-statistically assessed and with data under monitoring review) considering the per protocol predefined stratification: methylation status of the MGMT promoter and RTOG score (3, 4 or 5), a scale describing the side effects caused by radiation therapy and the higher the RTOG score the worse the clinical position. By revising the data stratified by MGMT promoter methylation status and RTOG, and using data available on 18th February 2025, the median PFS for methylated patients RTOG3 was 56,7 weeks on the LAM561 treatment arm against 19 weeks on the placebo arm (n=9). Moreover, the median PFS for methylated patients RTOG4 was 86,4 weeks on the LAM561 treatment arm against 54,7 weeks on the placebo arm (n=39). With currently available data, methylated patients treated with LAM561 + SoC seem to experience a potentially clinically relevantimprovement in PFS (Hazard-ratio estimation of 0.53) compared to control group (placebo+SoC). PFS was not improved by LAM561 in unmethylated patients. This interim perspective should be taken with caution since the study is still ongoing and providing new information and the final interpretation will only be apparent once the study has completed after reaching 90 OS events; and, although progression of the disease is a relevant clinical event, overall survival is the primary outcome of the trial and conclusions on the final effect of the drug need to wait until the  final analysis is performed and data is reviewed by the IDMC. Laminar intends to perform an in-depth independent objective assessment of the findings.

The methylation status of the MGMT promoter is highly relevant in the prognosis of glioblastoma [Leske et al., 2023]. MGMT-methylated patients represent 35-50% of the total glioblastoma patients.

“We are encouraged by the progression-free survival results from this trial in MGMT-methylated patients, which, if reflected by positive overall survival results, may represent a significant advance in the treatment of glioblastoma, a condition with poor prognosis that affects more than 100,000 people every year”, said Dr. Pablo Escribà, CEO of Laminar Pharma. “Glioblastoma remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat, and these findings highlight the potential of LAM561 to improve outcomes for methylated patients, a considerable portion of the total glioblastoma population. Our team is committed to continuing the development of this promising therapy.”

The combination of LAM561 and SoC was well-tolerated. The safety data in the trial is consistent with the known safety profile of LAM561 studied in previous clinical trials, with no new safety signals observed in the combination arm.

Trial Details and Key Findings:

  • The study enrolled 144 patients with newly diagnosed, IDH-wildtype, glioblastoma.
  • MGMT-methylated patients treated with LAM561 and SoC currently show a trend towards longer progression-free survival (86,4 weeks) compared to placebo control SoC group (54,7 weeks, HR 0.53). The study will continue until 90 OS events when final analysis will be conducted, estimated by late 2026.
  • Safety data showed that the treatment was well-tolerated, with adverse events consistent with previous trials and a well-known safety profile.

These results built on earlier preclinical and clinical data, which indicated that LAM561 could effectively target, through modification of the membrane lipid, the molecular pathways associated with glioblastoma growth. Further analysis and longer follow-up periods are underway to assess overall survival and other secondary endpoints.

About Glioblastoma: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor and accounts for nearly 50 percent of all gliomas and approximately 25 percent of all primary brain and CNS malignant tumors. The incidence of GBM in Europe is currently above 25,000 new cases each year, rising to over 100,000 cases per year worldwide. The prognosis for GBM patients is very poor, with a median survival time of about 14.5 months despite optimum chemo-radiation treatment. About 15% of patients survive two years after diagnosis and ca. 4% survive for five or more years. In this scenario, there is a desperate need for novel treatment alternatives that provide safe and more efficacious clinical outcomes.

About LAM561: LAM561 (2-hydroxyoleic acid (2-OHOA); idroxioleic acid, sodium) is a synthetic derivative of oleic acid and the most advanced Laminar’s R&D product which is taken orally. This drug alters the composition of the plasma membrane in cancer cells, reducing the activity of membrane-associated signaling proteins that are known to promote tumor growth and affecting tumors in the brain. LAM561 is in the process of completing its last clinical development phase and has shown promising preliminary clinical activity in the treatment of aggressive brain tumors, glioblastoma.

About Laminar Pharma: Laminar Pharmaceuticals S.A. (Laminar) is a Spanish biotechnological company created in 2006, committed to translational health research, for the rational design and development of drugs to treat oncological and other pathologies in the form of synthetic fatty acids considered “First-in-class Health Solutions” and based on a novel technology, the Melitherapy (MLT or Membrane Lipid Therapy). Laminar controls all the processes, from the rational design of the molecules to the clinical trials that lead to the launch of a new drug, with constant investment in R&D and high-quality standards. It is currently headquartered in Mallorca (Spain) with a subsidiary in Massachusetts (USA).

The development and commercialization of medicines involves a high degree of risk, and only a small number of research and development programs result in the commercialization of a product. This document contains forward-looking statements. These statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may be accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “conceivably” , “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may”, “potential,” “possible,” “will,” and other words of similar meaning. The results of clinical trials may not be indicative of the full results or the results of later-stage clinical trials and do not guarantee regulatory approval.

Media Contact: 
Javier Fernández Díaz
j.fernandez@laminarpharma.com

References:

Leske, H., Camenisch Gross, U., Hofer, S., Neidert, M. C., Leske, S., Weller, M., … & Rushing, E. J. (2023). MGMT methylation pattern of long-term and short-term survivors of glioblastoma reveals CpGs of the enhancer region to be of high prognostic value. Acta Neuropathologica Communications, 11(1), 139

Ascend Advanced Therapies Appoints John Chiminski as Chair and Karen Flynn as Independent Director

ROCKVILLE, Md., March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ascend Advanced Therapies (Ascend), a gene to GMP advanced therapy development partner, today announced the appointment of John Chiminski and Karen Flynn as non-executive members of its Board of Directors. John will serve as Chair of the Board and EW Healthcare Partners has designated Karen to serve on the Company’s board as one of its representatives. Their leadership and deep industry expertise will be pivotal as Ascend builds its capabilities and positions itself for growth.

 

 

John Chiminski brings more than three decades of leadership in healthcare and pharma services. He served as CEO of Catalent from 2009 to 2015, then as Chair and CEO from 2016 through 2022, and as Executive Chair until June 2023. Under his leadership, Catalent grew into a global Tier 1 CDMO, expanded its capabilities, and significantly increased its impact on the pharma and biotech development and manufacturing ecosystem. He currently serves as a board member for QuidelOrtho (QDEL) and is a Senior Advisor for Abingworth.

“Ascend is at a pivotal moment in its growth, and I am excited to support the team as we build a world-class gene therapy CDMO,” said Chiminski. “With the right strategy, investment, and operational excellence, Ascend is well-positioned to be a leading partner in advanced therapies.”

Karen Flynn brings more than three decades of commercial and operations experience to the board of Ascend. Most recently, she served as Interim President of BioModalities at Catalent. Preceding this role, Karen held positions as Chief Commercial Officer and President of Biologics at Catalent. Prior to her tenure at Catalent, she served as Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for West Pharmaceutical Services, also assuming the role of President of its Pharmaceutical Packaging Systems business. She currently serves on the boards of Quanterix Corporation (QTRX), Sotera Health Company (SHC), Stevanato Group, and Germfree Laboratories, a portfolio company of EW Healthcare Partners.

“With the addition of ABL, Inc. in late 2024 and investment by EW Healthcare Partners, the Ascend network can support gene therapy, oncolytic, vaccine, immunotherapy, and government customers at all stages of development through to fill/finish,” said Flynn. “Process development, optimization, and forthcoming GMP QC capabilities in Munich, Germany are complemented by the GMP facilities in Alachua, Florida, and the company’s headquarters in Rockville, MD. This is a world-class offering built to support customers long term.”

“We are excited to welcome John and Karen to the board. John and Karen bring tremendous leadership, strategic expertise, and industry knowledge that will help shape the future here,” said Mike Stella, CEO of Ascend. “Their counsel and extensive experience will be instrumental as we continue to manufacture advanced therapies and aggressively scale up the capabilities of the Company.”

Ascend specializes in high-quality, cost-effective gene therapy development and manufacturing. Following the partnership with EW healthcare Partners that contributed its portfolio company, ABL, Inc. in late 2024, Ascend offers expanded commercial manufacturing, process development, and analytical capabilities across multiple facilities in the U.S. and Europe.

To join us on the Ascend journey, please visit: www.ascend-adv.com or follow us on LinkedIn. To schedule some time to chat, email us at business@ascend-adv.com.

Ascend Advanced Therapies (Ascend) is a gene to GMP contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in high-quality, cost-effective advanced therapy development and manufacturing. The Company offers expanded commercial facilities and a versatile platform for gene therapies, oncolytics, vaccines and immunotherapies. A collaborative CMC approach backed by therapeutic development roots helps the team guide clients from clinic to commercialization while balancing yield, quality, and cost. Investors include EW Healthcare Partners, Monograph, Abingworth, Petrichor, DCVC Bio, 4BIO Capital, Cathay Health, Anjinomoto, Deerfield, and Digitalis Ventures. Learn more at www.ascend-adv.com.

 

Beyond Music Acquires Copyright Stake in BTS Hit Song “Butter”

SEOUL, South Korea, March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Beyond Music, Asia’s leading music intellectual properties (IPs) investment and data management company, has acquired a copyright stake in “Butter,” the global hit song by BTS. This deal was successfully made thanks to the support of Stephen Kirk, one of the songwriters of this song. With this new acquisition, the company has further cemented its presence in the global music IP market by adding one of K-pop’s most iconic tracks to its catalog.

Beyond Music
Beyond Music

“Butter” is one of BTS’s signature tracks and a defining global K-pop anthem. Upon its release in May 2021, the song set multiple records, including ‘The highest number of YouTube views within 24 hours’, ‘The most-streamed song in a single day on Spotify globally, earning a Guinness World Record’, and ‘Entry into Spotify’s prestigious “Billions Club,” underscoring its lasting streaming mega-success and global impact’.

Jinwoo Jo, CEO of Beyond Music, said, “Acquiring a copyright stake in BTS’s global hit ‘Butter’ is a major step forward in our music IP investment and value-up strategy. We will continue to expand our presence in the global market through strategic acquisitions, portfolio diversification, and innovative monetization strategies, securing sustainable growth for years to come.”

This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Beyond Music’s global expansion and its ongoing mission to enhance the value of music IP. It also represents the beginning of a broader initiative to honor and extend the musical legacies of Stephen Kirk and other world-renowned songwriters.

By securing a stake in “Butter,” Beyond Music continues to strengthen its presence in the global music IP landscape, ensuring that both artistic integrity and sustainable investor returns remain at the core of its strategy.

Beyond Music’s first major acquisition took place in 2022 with the catalog of notable Canadian GRAMMY-winning producer/songwriter Greg Wells. In 2024, the company also acquired the music catalog of internationally renowned Latin GRAMMY Award-winner, singer and songwriter Yandel including his publishing interests and royalties, his share of performance royalties and neighboring rights royalties.

Since its establishment in 2021, Beyond Music has consistently enhanced the value of music IP through optimized licensing and value-up strategies based on proprietary data analysis systems. To date, the company has closed over 100 large-scale music IP acquisitions both domestically and internationally, amassing a catalog of more than 35,000 copyrights including publishing and master rights, spanning from the 1990s to the present.

KOCCA Brings the Future of Entertainment to SXSW 2025 – AI, XR, and K-Content Innovation Take Center Stage

AUSTIN, Texas, March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — At SXSW 2025, the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) is set to showcase the next frontier of entertainment and technology, bringing 12 cutting-edge Korean companies to Austin. From AI-powered media to immersive experiences in XR and the metaverse, KOCCA Pavilion will be the hub for the latest innovations reshaping global content trends.

KOCCA Brings the Future of Entertainment to SXSW 2025 – AI, XR, and K-Content Innovation Take Center Stage
KOCCA Brings the Future of Entertainment to SXSW 2025 – AI, XR, and K-Content Innovation Take Center Stage

KOCCA will host three major events at SXSW 2025:

KOCCA Pavilion (March 9-12, Booth No. 1007, Austin Convention Center, Hall 3) – Experience firsthand how AI, virtual humans, immersive art, and game-tech are redefining storytelling and audience engagement.

KOCCA NEXT STAGE (March 10, 10 AM, Hall 4) – Industry leaders discuss the convergence of AI and entertainment, the rise of digital humans, and the future of interactive storytelling.

K-Content Night (March 10, 6-9 PM, Parlor & Yard, Downtown Austin) – An exclusive networking event where investors, creators, and tech pioneers connect over K-content’s impact on the global entertainment landscape.

Meet the Innovators at KOCCA Pavilion
Twelve visionary companies will present game-changing solutions in AI-driven media, metaverse experiences, immersive art, and next-gen music & gaming solutions. These companies include DATUMO, BRUSH Theatre, BEAM Studio, ShiningLab, Cuz Global, KAI, Minimap, GiiOii Immersive Studio, apoc, Stela, Neutune, and Gaudio Lab.

Visitors can expect to engage with groundbreaking advancements such as AI-generated storytelling, virtual human interactions, and next-gen music tech that is redefining how audiences consume content worldwide.

KOCCA NEXT STAGE – The Future of AI in Entertainment (March 10, 10 AM, Hall 4)
Beyond the exhibition, KOCCA will host NEXT STAGE, a must-attend panel exploring how AI, XR, and emerging tech are revolutionizing content creation and audience experiences. Featuring industry experts Michael Hwang (DATUMO), Youngbeom Jeong (BEAM Studio), Ellie Lee (apoc), and Sylvia Yang (BRUSH Theatre), this session will dive into the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI in storytelling and the lessons global industries can learn from Korea’s rapid innovation.

K-Content Night – Where Business Meets Creativity (March 10, 6-9 PM, Parlor & Yard, Austin)
KOCCA’s K-Content Night is an exclusive gathering that brings together investors, startups, and industry leaders to explore how Korean content is shaping the next wave of entertainment. Attendees will enjoy a high-impact networking session, speed pitches from innovative startups, and exclusive insights into one of the fastest-growing creative industries in the world.

This is more than just a networking event—it’s an opportunity to connect with visionaries redefining the future of media and entertainment.

Register Now:

KOCCA Pavilion: https://m.site.naver.com/1BCHG

KOCCA NEXT STAGE: https://forms.gle/ZGedEyUEAjxKsH4X8

K-Content Night: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/k-content-night-2025-sxsw-free-dinner-drinks-tickets-1238084777899?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join KOCCA at SXSW 2025 and witness the future of entertainment unfold.

 

2025 Call for Code Engages Developers to Build AI Solutions that Address Social and Humanitarian Issues

In its eighth year, Call for Code presents a series of SDG-focused hackathons throughout the year, kicking off with a competition to build AI agents

BOULDER, Colo., March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Call for Code Creator David Clark Cause, Founding Partner IBM (NYSE: IBM), Global Impact Partner United Nations Human Rights, and Program Affiliate the Linux Foundation invite developers and problem solvers to participate in the 2025 Call for Code program to create projects and solutions that use AI to help tackle United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

IBM Corporation logo.
IBM Corporation logo.

Since its launch in 2018, Call for Code has rallied developers globally to come together and create innovative solutions to help solve the world’s largest problems with technology. In 2025, the Call for Code Global Challenge will again ask how AI can address humanitarian issues to make a real difference for communities around the world.

“Call for Code is a unique global tech initiative, that inspires and empowers developers and problem-solvers from around the world to use their talent to innovate for social good,” said David Clark, Founder and CEO of Call for Code. “I am immensely proud that Call for Code, alongside its founding partner IBM, and with UN Human Rights, has helped ensure that technology serves as a catalyst for sustainability, climate and humanitarian action.”

This year, participants will have the opportunity to take part in five qualifying hackathon events as part of the year-long Call for Code Global Challenge in collaboration with IBM’s TechXchange Client Advocacy team. For each event, teams will build an original proof-of-concept solution based on a different SDG with technologies like watsonx, IBM’s portfolio of AI products, and IBM Cloud services. Each hackathon will include a different theme linked to one of the 17 SDGs.

The first qualifying hackathon will be held March 20 through March 31, 2025. In honor of UN World Water Day on March 22, it calls on participants to build a proof-of-concept for an AI virtual agent using watsonx.ai that can be put to work to address an issue that falls under the SDG6: Clean Water and Sanitation. In addition, Call for Code will host a hackathon to tackle SDG 13: Climate Action as part of the 2025 Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit, the world’s largest human rights-based climate forum, hosted by UN Human Rights, the University of Oxford, and co-hosted by leading universities worldwide.

“From the very beginning, UN Human Rights has been honored to support Call for Code, recognizing that technology—when grounded in human rights—can be a powerful force for good,” said Ansar Mahfoudh, head of the Innovation and Analytics Hub at UN Human Rights. “Since helping launch this groundbreaking initiative almost a decade ago, we have supported those projects that champion innovation that serves humanity. We remain committed to ensuring Call for Code grows from strength to strength, by drawing on a community of socially-minded coders who place humans at the centre of tech and innovation solutions.”

“Call for Code is a unique opportunity to get hands-on with AI, build new skills, network with a community of like-minded problem solvers, and create solutions,” said Dinesh Nirmal, IBM Senior Vice President, IBM Software. “This year, there’s no-cost access to industry leading, enterprise-grade IBM software like watsonx.ai for participants. I am excited to see what teams build to make a positive difference.”

Teams, made up of one to five developers, can compete for prizes awarded in each hackathon. The top Call for Code solution from each qualifying hackathon will win $5,000 USD and one conference pass per team member to the IBM TechXchange Conference 2025 in Orlando. This is IBM’s biggest technical learning conference of the year (official rules apply, tickets are non-transferable, and travel and lodging are not included). The qualifying teams will also have the chance to advance to compete for the 2025 Call for Code Global Challenge Grand Prizes, including a top cash prize of $50,000 USD. Top teams will also have the opportunity for open-source project support from the Linux Foundation. Grand prize winners will be announced in December.

Interested participants can register here before March 18, 2025 for the first hackathon, which runs from March 20 to 31, 2025. More details about each Call for Code qualifying hackathon will be shared on the Call for Code website as the year progresses.

About Call for Code Global Challenge
Developers have revolutionized the way people live and interact with virtually everyone and everything. Where most people see challenges, developers see possibilities. That’s why David Clark, the CEO of David Clark Cause, created Call for Code in 2018, and launched it alongside Founding Partner IBM and Global Impact Partner United Nations Human Rights. In 2022 Call for Code was selected as the preferred innovation platform for the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance, the largest public/private initiative in the world promoting climate justice.

Contact:
Laura Gallardo
Laura.Gallardo1@ibm.com