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Agoda Unveils the Most Iconic Skylines in Asia

SINGAPORE, Nov. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda invites travelers to explore Asia’s most iconic cityscapes, each offering a distinct cultural and architectural experience. From towering skyscrapers to historic landmarks, these skylines are not just visually stunning but also culturally enriching, perfect for those eager to embark on city adventures.

Asia is home to some of the most diverse and iconic cityscapes in the world. Each skyline is a testament to the unique heritage of its market, offering awe-inspiring views to captivate any urban explorer. For travelers who are fans of futuristic architecture and historical landmarks alike, Asia’s skylines are a must-add to every travel bucket list.

1.       Singapore, Singapore

Singapore’s skyline is a harmonious mix of cutting-edge architecture and lush greenery. The Marina Bay Sands, with its iconic rooftop infinity pool, the futuristic Gardens by the Bay, and the mythical Merlion make it a must-see. The city’s commitment to more sustainable urban design is evident in its vertical gardens and eco-friendly buildings, making it a unique destination for travelers.

2.       Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Known for its dramatic skyline, Hong Kong offers a stunning view of towering skyscrapers set against the backdrop of Victoria Peak. The International Commerce Centre and the Bank of China Tower are architectural marvels that define the city’s skyline. The vibrant harbor and bustling city life make Hong Kong an exciting place to visit.

3.       Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is renowned for the Petronas Twin Towers, which dominate its skyline. The city’s architectural diversity is showcased in the mix of colonial buildings and modern skyscrapers. Kuala Lumpur’s skyline is a testament to its rich cultural heritage and rapid modernization, making it a captivating destination.

4.       Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok’s skyline is a vibrant mix of traditional and modern architecture. The Baiyoke Tower II and the MahaNakhon with its pixelated design stand out among the city’s high-rises. The juxtaposition of ancient temples and modern skyscrapers offers a unique cultural experience that is both captivating and enriching.

5.       Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo’s skyline is a blend of futuristic skyscrapers and historic sites. The Tokyo Skytree and the iconic Tokyo Tower offer panoramic views of the city. The seamless integration of technology and tradition in Tokyo’s architecture makes it a fascinating destination for travelers seeking a glimpse into the future.

6.       Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei’s skyline is defined by the towering Taipei 101, once the world’s tallest building. The city’s blend of traditional temples and modern architecture offers a unique cultural experience. Taipei’s vibrant night markets and rich history make it a must-visit for those seeking an authentic Asian adventure.

Jun Dong, Associate Vice President at Agoda, shared, ” Skylines reflect the heartbeat of a city, and our curated list spotlights the destinations where these architectural marvels showcase the most awe-inspiring of Asia’s cityscapes. From the soaring heights of Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers to Singapore’s landmark Marina Bay Sands, each skyline offers a captivating backdrop for those exploring Asia’s metropolises. Agoda is excited to lead adventurers to these stunning cityscapes, ensuring every journey is as inspiring as the views they encounter.”

For those looking for the perfect photo op with a spectacular skyline, Agoda offers over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, all of which can be combined in the same booking. Find the best deals on its mobile app and discover more at Agoda.com.

BECIS announces US$45 million in new equity financing from shareholders to drive next phase of scalable growth

SINGAPORE, Nov. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — BE C&I Solutions Holding Pte. Ltd. (“BECIS”) is pleased to announce US$45 million in new equity financing from existing shareholders, namely KLP Norfund Investments, Pula Investments (represented by Berkeley Energy) and Siemens Financial Services.

Operating in eight strategic markets across Southeast Asia, China, and India, BECIS specialises in a range of decarbonisation solutions that reduce risk and complexity for our customers while enabling them to achieve their key objectives of sustainability, cost efficiency, resilience and security in energy infrastructure.

The new equity financing enables BECIS to continue its strong growth trajectory and further strengthen its position as a leading Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) platform, demonstrating both scalability and operational efficiency across a wide range of energy solutions. BECIS is a reliable partner in supporting its clients on their sustainability journey through a comprehensive suite of energy solutions.

Anders Blom, Senior Vice President of Norfund said: “KLP and Norfund are proud to support BECIS in their mission to drive sustainable growth in the region. By providing climate-friendly services, BECIS empowers their clients to operate more sustainably with clean and reliable renewable energy.”

Richard Collenette, Chief Executive Officer of Pula Investments said: “Pula Investments is pleased to announce its continued support of BECIS and the common goal of global decarbonisation and ensuring a sustainable future.”

Steffen Grosse, Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Financial Services Equity said: “Siemens Financial Services is proud to increase our investment in BECIS as the company continues to scale and grow. With a commitment to advancing sustainable, resilient energy solutions across Asia, our investment supports our common goal of scaling decarbonisation and delivering critical energy solutions that help industries transition to a low-carbon future.”

Eren Ergin, Chief Executive Officer of BECIS commented: “We are pleased with the continued equity commitment from our existing shareholders, which demonstrates the confidence and support the shareholders have in the company’s performance and growth plans. With the new equity injection, BECIS is well positioned for its next phase of growth which will see further scaling up of our platform and solutions across the region.”  

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About KLP: 

KLP, the pension fund for Norway’s municipal employees, is the country’s biggest occupational pension fund with NOK1,147bn (USD114bn) under management as of 31 December 2024. KLP is a mutual company, owned by Norwegian municipalities, health trusts and publicly owned companies. KLP has strict self-imposed guidelines for responsible investments, climate, and sustainability, and has released one of the industry’s most ambitious net zero emissions roadmaps “The Road to Paris“.

About Norfund:

Norfund is the Norwegian Investment Fund for developing countries with a mission to create jobs and improve lives by investing in businesses that drive sustainable development. Owned and funded by the Norwegian Government, Norfund is the Government’s most important tool for strengthening the private sector in developing countries and reducing poverty. Norfund’s committed portfolio amounts to over USD 4 billion, with investments across Sub-Saharan Africa, South/Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Additionally, Norfund manages the USD 1 billion Norwegian Climate Investment Fund, which focuses on reducing or avoiding greenhouse gas emissions by investing in renewable energy in developing countries with large emissions from coal and other fossil fuel production. For more details, please visit: www.norfund.no.

About Pula Investments:

Pula Investments Limited is the family investment office (investing across several sectors and committed to sustainable practices) of Stephen Lansdown CBE, the co-founder of Hargreaves Lansdown, the UK’s largest retail investment service.

About Siemens Financial Services (SFS):

Siemens Financial Services (SFS) – the B2B financing arm of Siemens – provides financing that makes a difference. At SFS, we empower customers around the globe to access technology with purpose and increase their competitiveness. Based on our unique combination of financial expertise, risk management and industry know-how we provide tailored financing solutions – including flexible leasing and working capital products, project-related and structured financing, corporate lending, equity investments, finance advisory, as well as trade and receivables financing. With highly experienced and passionate teams in 20+ countries, SFS paves the way for industrial productivity, smart infrastructure and sustainable mobility, facilitates the energy transition and enables high-quality healthcare. SFS is also one of the leading providers in financing of renewable energy and resource-efficient industries. www.siemens.com/finance.

About BECIS

BECIS is a leading Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) provider to high-quality commercial and industrial customers. With the EaaS model, BECIS develops, constructs, operates and owns distributed energy solutions. This reduces the risk and complexity for our customers whilst achieving their key objectives of sustainability, increased cost efficiency, resilience, and security of their energy infrastructure. For more information: please visit https://be-cis.com/.

 

Biomom Reinvents “Snow” with Five-Layer Safety Packaging — Stronger Protection and Greater Convenience for Kids’ Probiotics

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Health supplement brand Biomom has introduced upgraded, hygienic packaging for its flagship probiotic “Biomom Snow.”

The renewal features five-layer safety stick and pillow packaging designed to enhance probiotic protection and ensure a more convenient, safer experience for consumers.

Biomom Snow contains 10 billion CFU probiotics per stick, formulated with 19 MFDS-approved strains, and is enriched with Vitamin B complex, Vitamin D, folic acid, biotin, and selenium to provide balanced nutrition for children.

Recognizing the sensitivity of probiotics to light, heat, and humidity, Biomom focused this renewal on improving storage safety and consumption convenience.

The newly adopted five-layer protective stick packaging effectively blocks air and moisture, preserving probiotic viability.

Meanwhile, the pillow-style individual packaging ensures hygienic handling and portability — ideal for children’s daily routines.

A Biomom official commented, “Packaging technology is just as crucial as ingredients when it comes to probiotics. We designed Biomom Snow so children can enjoy it safely anytime, anywhere, while parents have complete peace of mind.”

Biomom plans to continue enhancing its product safety and user experience through technology-driven innovation, establishing itself as a trusted brand in the children’s health supplement market.

 

Workers have a say on digital rules through collective bargaining

BEIJING, Nov. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from China Daily:

A nationwide initiative led by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions has made strides this year, using a “centralized collective bargaining” campaign between platform companies and their workers.

Delivery riders from Meituan deliver food in Shenyang, Liaoning province.
Delivery riders from Meituan deliver food in Shenyang, Liaoning province.

The campaign brings platform companies — businesses that coordinate work through digital apps — to the table to negotiate the algorithms managing their workforce, granting workers a say in their work rules.

To date, 15 out of 16 targeted major platform companies have completed negotiations, with outcomes expected to benefit over 20 million workers in new forms of employment.

Key agreements established across multiple platforms guarantee hourly remuneration not lower than local minimum wage standards, introduce subsidies for severe weather conditions, and outline the gradual elimination of penalties for exceeding time limits.

Within the ride-hailing sector, agreements include publishing clear pricing rules, reducing commission rates, and comprehensively upgrading anti-fatigue protocols with features like abnormal order interception and mandatory rest reminders.

Algorithms and labor regulations, which encompass aspects such as remuneration, rest periods, work intensity, and safety conditions for platform workers, are tied to the vital interests of workers. Conducting negotiations on the regulations is identified as crucial for addressing worker concerns and safeguarding their legitimate interests while supporting the sustainable development of platform enterprises.

By enabling workers to participate in adjusting and optimizing algorithm rules through signed agreements, the initiative enhances algorithmic transparency, safeguarding both workers’ core rights and companies’ operational needs.

Landmark deals

In April, following multiple rounds of negotiations between front-line delivery riders and platforms in Shanghai, China’s first platform algorithm and labor rules agreement — the 2025 Ele.me (Shanghai) on-demand delivery algorithm and labor rules agreement — was established, formulating multiple provisions that address riders’ core interests.

Advancing these efforts, a broader negotiation meeting was held by Ele.me in Shanghai on Sept 10. It gathered front-line delivery riders from across China to address widespread concerns regarding compensation, working hours, safety, and welfare benefits. The discussions resulted in a consensus and the execution of the 2025 labor rules agreement.

This agreement is reported to benefit over 4 million delivery riders on the Ele.me platform. It clarifies rights concerning rest and remuneration, phases out penalties for late deliveries, and optimizes route planning. In an industry-first initiative, Taobao Flash Shopping and Ele.me have joined hands to roll out pension and medical insurance subsidies with nationwide coverage.

The platforms and riders have established consensus on multiple fronts in the agreement including labor remuneration, rest periods, occupational protection, welfare benefits and negotiation mechanisms. Notably, under the upgraded scheme effective by year-end, Taobao Flash Shopping and Ele.me will subsidize at least 50 percent of insurance premiums for riders nationwide who maintain consistent order fulfillment and opt into pension and medical insurance schemes, while team leaders and award-winning riders will receive full subsidy coverage.

“Taobao Flash Shopping and Ele.me extend our respect and gratitude to every urban delivery rider. Through these concrete measures, we aim to strengthen support and services for riders, and promote delivery work as a skilled, socially protected and dignified profession within the modern service industry, where every rider can achieve better development and rewards,” said Xiao Shuixian, trade union chairman of Ele.me.

A similar negotiation process was carried out by Meituan (Hebei) in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, resulting in the platform’s first provincial-level agreement for 2025.

Following three negotiation rounds, the meetings’ minutes signed with seven rider representatives clearly define rights concerning income and compensation, rest periods and leave, occupational protection, care and benefits, career development and protections for female riders. A highlight is the pilot for pension insurance subsidies. Riders whose monthly income meets the local contribution base threshold for three out of six months will receive a 50 percent subsidy on insurance costs.

The platform will also require partners to provide heatstroke insurance and high-temperature care payments.

“This meeting has given us riders more security and peace of mind,” said rider representative Wang Yixuan.

An Zhihui, deputy secretary-general of the Hebei Online Delivery Industry Association, said the consensus reached in the meeting will serve as a foundation for future efforts, ensuring the platform and its partners fully implement the agreed-upon terms.

Local innovations

In recent years, trade unions across the country have aided “two-way negotiations” between enterprises and workers.

Jiangsu province has established a multiparty collaborative mechanism focusing on drivers’ core concerns like income and safety. Meanwhile, Guangdong province has employed a “higher-level union representing lower-level unions” approach to set negotiation agendas, addressing issues such as opaque pricing.

Additionally, Shanghai has focused on broad inclusivity, ensuring over 80 percent of negotiation representatives are front-line workers and creating a participatory framework involving government, consumers and experts.

Promoting algorithmic negotiation serves as a key measure for trade unions to advance a “technology for good” labor framework and strengthen protection for workers in new forms of employment, according to the report to the 20th Communist Party of China National Congress. Trade unions at all levels should build on their experience to advance algorithmic transparency, protect workers’ rights, and foster harmonious labor relations in new employment sectors.

GC Biopharma’s Recombinant Anthrax Vaccine, BARYTHRAX, Demonstrates Safety and Immunogenicity in Phase 2 Data, Published in ‘Vaccine’

YONGIN, South Korea, Nov. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — GC Biopharma, a leading global pharmaceutical company based in South Korea, announced today that the Phase 2 clinical trial results for its anthrax vaccine ‘BARYTHRAX inj. (GC1109)’ have been published in the international journal Vaccine. BARYTHRAX is the world’s first recombinant anthrax vaccine, jointly developed by GC Biopharma and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial, approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) was conducted to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine. A total of 240 healthy adult subjects were recruited across five hospitals in Korea: Seoul National University Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea St. Vincent’s Hospital, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital Seoul, and Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital. After administration of either BARYTHRAX or a placebo, the clinical research team assessed the participants for antibody production and any adverse reactions.

The Phase 2 clinical trial demonstrated that the vaccine elicited antibodies that neutralized the anthrax toxin at a level exceeding the pre-defined protective threshold. This finding indicates robust immunogenicity and suggests that BARYTHRAX can provide clinically meaningful protection against anthrax infection.

In addition, safety assessments showed that the adverse events in the BARYTHRAX group, such injection site pain, myalgia, fatigue, and malaise, were mostly mild and temporary. No cases of acute adverse reactions or deaths were reported, confirming a favorable safety profile for the vaccine.

GC Biopharma emphasized that, BARYTHRAX has the significant advantage of being more safe than traditional methods that use live attenuated bacteria and allowing for rapid mass production when needed.

Dr. Nam Joong Kim, the principal investigator of the clinical trial and a professor at Seoul National University Hospital, stated, “This clinical research exemplifies successful academia-industry collaboration and represents a significant milestone in the development of safe and effective vaccines.”

He added, “We anticipate that the successful development of Korea’s first recombinant anthrax vaccine will serve as a stepping stone for advancing research on infectious diseases and boosting vaccine localization.”

“We are thrilled to have our study result published in a globally renowned academic journal Vaccine, once again recognizing its clinical significance and value,” said Dr. Chang Kyung Kang of Seoul National University Hospital, the lead author of the publication.

“The clinical trial has successfully demonstrated the efficacy and safety of BARYTHRAX,” commented Jae-Uk Jeong, Head of R&D at GC Biopharma. “This domestically developed anthrax vaccine is poised to make a significant contribution to strengthening our national pandemic preparedness.”

[Reference]

Barythrax Inj.

This vaccine is the world’s first recombinant protein-based anthrax vaccine and Korea’s 39th New Drug and 3rd New Drug Vaccine.

The vaccine is produced using recombinant technology to express and purify solely the Protective Antigen (PA) protein from Bacillus anthracis, the key component of the anthrax toxin.

Anthrax

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease that can infect both humans and animals. It is classified as a potential bioterrorism agent as the aerosolized anthrax spores can cause fatal respiratory infections.

About GC Biopharma

GC Biopharma (formerly known as Green Cross Corporation) is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Yong-in, South Korea. The company has over half a century of experience in the development and manufacturing of plasma derivatives and vaccines, and is expanding its global presence with successful US market entry of Alyglo™(intravenous immunoglobulin G) in 2024. In line with its mission to meet the demands of future healthcare, GC Biopharma continues to drive innovation by leveraging its core R&D capabilities in engineering of proteins, mRNAs, and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) drug delivery platform to develop therapeutics for the field of rare disease as well as I&I (Immunology & Inflammation). To learn more about the company, visit https://www.gcbiopharma.com/eng/

This press release may contain biopharmaceuticals in forward-looking statements, which express the current beliefs and expectations of GC Biopharma’s management. Such statements do not represent any guarantee by GC Biopharma or its management of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors. GC Biopharma undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule.

GC Biopharma Contacts (Media)

Sohee Kim

shkim20@gccorp.com

Yelin Jun

yelin@gccorp.com

Yoonjae Na

yjy6520@gccorp.com

Mouser to Showcase Next-Gen Automation at VIMF 2025

SHANGHAI, Nov. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Mouser Electronics, Inc., the industry’s leading New Product Introduction (NPI) distributor with the widest selection of semiconductors and electronic components™, is pleased to announce its participation in the Vietnam Industrial & Manufacturing Fair (VIMF) 2025, along with its valued partners Analog Devices, BEL, Phoenix Contact, Samtec, and TE Connectivity, taking place from November 5 to 7, 2025, at the Kinh Bac Cultural Center in Bac Ninh, Vietnam. Join Mouser at Booth #824 to explore the latest advancements in automation and manufacturing that are redefining industrial operations worldwide.

Vietnam continues to stand out as one of the most dynamic and fast‑growing industrial economies in Asia, with the electronics sector playing a pivotal role in advancing the nation’s position in the global supply chain,” said Daphne Tien, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Mouser APAC. “VIMF 2025 provides an excellent platform to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, and inspire progress. Together with our trusted partners, Mouser is committed to empowering engineers and manufacturers with the products, insights, and technologies shaping automation across the automotive, consumer electronics, wearables, and high-tech sectors.”

At the Mouser booth, visitors can experience how the company supports automation and design advancement through its broad product portfolio and rich library of technical resources – from in-depth articles and blogs to expert-led videos. Attendees can also discover Mouser’s Empowering Innovation Together™  series, which features the latest trends and breakthroughs influencing the engineering world today.

Don’t miss your chance to learn, connect, and discover new technologies shaping the future of automation. To register, visit: https://www.mouser.com/vimf-vietnam/.

For more Mouser news and our latest new product introductions, visit https://www.mouser.com/newsroom/.

About Mouser Electronics

Mouser Electronics is an authorized semiconductor and electronic component distributor focused on New Product Introductions from its leading manufacturer partners. Serving the global electronic design engineer and buyer community, the global distributor’s website, mouser.com, is available in multiple languages and currencies and features more than 6.8 million products from over 1,200 manufacturer brands. Mouser offers 28 support locations worldwide to provide best-in-class customer service in local language, currency and time zone. The distributor ships to over 650,000 customers in 223 countries/territories from its 1 million-square-foot, state-of-the-art distribution facilities in the Dallas, Texas, metro area. For more information, visit https://www.mouser.com/.

HTX Wins “Web3 Venture Capital Fund of the Year” Award at Blockchain Life 2025

PANAMA CITY, Nov. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Global leading cryptocurrency exchange HTX made a commanding appearance at Blockchain Life 2025 in Dubai from October 28-29, serving as a Sapphire sponsor. The two-day summit gathered leaders, institutional investors, and innovators from blockchain, cryptocurrency, Web3, and mining sectors across more than 100 countries, to explore the latest trends shaping the future of the crypto industry.

HTX brand featured across the venue
HTX brand featured across the venue

As one of the industry’s leaders, HTX showcased its latest strategies in global market expansion and ecosystem innovation, earning strong recognition from both industry peers and international media for its vision, resilience, and influence in the global crypto landscape.

Crowds gathering at HTX's exhibition booth
Crowds gathering at HTX’s exhibition booth

HTX Ventures Head: “Rebuilding Market Confidence Requires Stable Liquidity and Security”

During the conference, Alec Goh, Head of HTX Ventures, joined a panel discussion titled “Crypto Market 2025: New Growth or Continued Stagnation?” where he shared in-depth insights on the structural shifts shaping the digital asset market.

Alec Goh at the roundtable
Alec Goh at the roundtable

Alec noted that the Oct 11 black swan event revealed the fragility of the current crypto market structure, from thin liquidity and excessive leverage by retail investors to overreliance on a few large market makers. The automated deleveraging mechanisms on exchanges, he said, triggered a domino effect that further deepened the market drawdown. “The market is now entering a post-speculation consolidation phase, similar to what we saw in 2016 or 2019,” Alec explained. “While short-term excitement has cooled, real builders are quietly expanding their share of the market. To restore retail confidence, the industry must return to fundamentals of stronger liquidity, safer trading systems, and higher-quality projects.”

Looking ahead, Alec identified AI and blockchain integration as the next major development cycle, drawing parallels to the early days of DeFi in 2018. “In the next two to three years, we may see AI Agents interacting directly with smart contracts, and Initial Model Offerings (IMOs) emerging as a new fundraising paradigm. That could mark the start of the next major wave.”

HTX Ventures Rises to the Top Tier, Focusing on Ease of Use and Practicality

At the conference’s awards ceremony, HTX Ventures, the investment arm of HTX, was honored with the title of “Web3 Venture Capital Fund of the Year.” The recognition highlights the firm’s global influence, forward-looking investment strategy, and consistent outperformance across the Web3 sector. Over the past three years, HTX Ventures has achieved a 2.25x multiple on invested capital (MOIC), reflecting its disciplined approach to identifying high-potential blockchain projects. In addition, HTX was ranked among the Top 3 centralized exchanges of the year, reaffirming its position as one of the most trusted and innovative platforms in the global crypto industry.

HTX Ventures' trophy at Blockchain Life 2025
HTX Ventures’ trophy at Blockchain Life 2025

These honors reflect the market’s confidence in HTX’s leadership in innovation, investment foresight, and industry advancements. As Alec emphasized, HTX Ventures remains committed to its mission of “making blockchain easier and more useful.” Moving forward, it will continue focusing on the DeFi, AI agents, RWA tokenization, and blockchain infrastructure sectors, accelerating the growth and adoption of quality Web3 projects worldwide.

With its steady strategic execution and sharp insight into industry trends, HTX continues to strengthen its dual role as a global leader in digital asset trading and a major Web3 venture investor. The company remains focused on advancing innovation in trading, investment, and governance, and on fostering a more open, efficient, and sustainable crypto ecosystem with more global builders and investors.

Akeso’s Ivonescimab Secures Fourth Breakthrough Therapy Designation in China for First-Line Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

HONG KONG, Nov. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Akeso (9926.HK) announced that its first-in-class bispecific antibody, ivonescimab (PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody), in combination with chemotherapy for first-line treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).

The Phase III multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trial (HARMONi-BC1/AK112-308) for this combination therapy is ongoing in China. The BTD designation is expected to further expedite the clinical development and regulatory approval process of ivonescimab for the treatment of TNBC. This marks the fourth BTD granted by the CDE for ivonescimab. The previous three designations include:

  • Ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC resistant to EGFR-TKI therapy, which has now been approved for marketing in China and added to China’s National Reimbursement Drug List.
  • First-line treatment of PD-L1-positive locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, which has also been approved for marketing in China.
  • Ivonescimab combined with docetaxel for locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients who have failed previous PD-1/L1 inhibitors and platinum-based chemotherapy. The Phase III clinical trial for this indication in China is currently ongoing.

Receiving four Breakthrough Therapy Designations affirms ivonescimab’s substantial clinical benefit across multiple major cancer types and reinforces Akeso’s commitment to addressing critical unmet medical needs. The therapy is currently advancing in 14 Phase III clinical trials worldwide, including four international multicenter studies. These large pivotal studies, backed by repeated regulatory recognition, position ivonescimab to deliver transformative, life-saving outcomes for patients worldwide.

Forward-Looking Statement of Akeso, Inc.
This announcement by Akeso, Inc. (9926.HK, “Akeso”) contains “forward-looking statements”. These statements reflect the current beliefs and expectations of Akeso’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any decision to purchase securities of Akeso. There can be no assurance that the drug candidate(s) indicated in this announcement or Akeso’s other pipeline candidates will obtain the required regulatory approvals or achieve commercial success. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in P.R.China, the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; Akeso’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the Akeso’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

Akeso does not undertake any obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law.

About 依达方® (PD-1/VEGF Bispecific, Ivonescimab)

Ivonescimab is a first-in-class, PD-1/VEGF bispecific immuno-oncology agent developed by Akeso. In May 2024, it received approval from the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (nsq-NSCLC) after EGFR-TKI therapy. This approval made ivonescimab the world’s first bispecific antibody based on a synergistic “immunotherapy plus anti-angiogenesis” mechanism. In November 2024, ivonescimab was also included in China’s National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL).

Additionally, ivonescimab has been approved as a first-line treatment for advanced NSCLC with positive PD-L1 expression. In the Phase III HARMONi-2 study, ivonescimab demonstrated superior efficacy compared to pembrolizumab, resulting in significantly improved clinical outcomes.

In 2025, the final overall survival (OS) analysis from the HARMONi-A study showed that ivonescimab met the OS endpoint, providing clinically meaningful and statistically significant OS benefits. As the first final OS analysis in a Phase III trial of ivonescimab, these results reaffirm the agent’s groundbreaking value in both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival for patients. Moreover, a head-to-head Phase III trial comparing ivonescimab plus chemotherapy to tislelizumab plus chemotherapy in first-line treatment for squamous NSCLC also yielded promising results. These findings position ivonescimab as a substantial clinical breakthrough whether in comparison to PD-1 monotherapy in immuno-oncology, the current standard of care (SOC) of PD-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy, or VEGF-targeted therapies in the anti-angiogenesis field. This underscores ivonescimab’s significant potential in cancer treatment.

As ivonescimab continues to demonstrate substantial clinical value and the potential to redefine treatment standards, its presence in key immuno-oncology indications is expanding rapidly. In lung cancer, the most prevalent cancer globally, ivonescimab is currently involved in 8 registrational/Phase III clinical studies, including:

  • First-line NSCLC (squamous and non-squamous, compared to pembrolizumab + chemotherapy, international multicenter)
  • First-line squamous NSCLC (compared to tislelizumab + chemotherapy)
  • NSCLC after EGFR-TKI progression (HARMONi-A and HARMONi)
  • First-line PD-L1-positive NSCLC (compared to pembrolizumab)
  • First-line PD-L1-highly expressed NSCLC (compared to pembrolizumab)
  • IO-resistant NSCLC
  • Consolidation therapy for limited-stage small cell lung cancer post-concurrent chemoradiotherapy

In other major tumor types, ivonescimab is rapidly advancing first-line indications with ongoing Phase III trials in:

  • First-line biliary tract cancer (compared to durvalumab + chemotherapy)
  • First-line PD-L1–positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in combination with ligufalimab (CD47) (compared to pembrolizumab)

In the challenging area of cold tumors, ivonescimab has received its fourth Breakthrough Therapy Designation for first-line triple-negative breast cancer. Additionally, Phase III studies are underway for first-line MSS/pMMR colorectal cancer (which accounts for 95% of CRC cases) and first-line pancreatic cancer. Further Phase III studies are also being prepared.

With nearly 20 Phase II studies across more than 10 additional indications, ivonescimab has established a robust data foundation to support the rapid global expansion of Phase III trials.

About Akeso
Akeso (HKEX: 9926.HK) is a leading biopharmaceutical company committed to the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of the world’s first or best-in-class innovative biological medicines. Founded in 2012, the company has created a unique integrated R&D innovation system with the comprehensive end-to-end drug development platform (ACE Platform) and bi-specific antibody drug development technology (Tetrabody) as the core, a GMP-compliant manufacturing system and a commercialization system with an advanced operation mode, and has gradually developed into a globally competitive biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative solutions. With fully integrated multi-functional platform, Akeso is internally working on a robust pipeline of over 50 innovative assets in the fields of cancer, autoimmune disease, inflammation, metabolic disease and other major diseases. Among them, 24 candidates have entered clinical trials (including 15 bispecific/multispecific antibodies and bispecific ADCs. Additionally, 7 new drugs are commercially available. Through efficient and breakthrough R&D innovation, Akeso always integrates superior global resources, develops the first-in-class and best-in-class new drugs, provides affordable therapeutic antibodies for patients worldwide, and continuously creates more commercial and social values to become a global leading biopharmaceutical enterprise.

For more information, please visit https://www.akesobio.com/en/about-us/corporate-profile/ and follow us on Linkedin.