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SOGAGEM Expands Global Distribution Network to Drive K-Jewelry Exports

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Korean fashion jewelry company SOGAGEM Co., Ltd. is accelerating its global distribution expansion, leveraging its AI and data-driven trade platform to open new export channels across Japan, the U.S., China, and Southeast Asia. The company’s strategy centers on building a next-generation global B2B ecosystem that integrates manufacturing, logistics, and digital marketing.

At the core of this initiative are SOGAGEM’s proprietary AI Jewelry Modular Designer (JMD) and Fulfillment Business Network (FBN). These systems automate product registration, recommend customized items for buyers, and connect to localized logistics services — enabling overseas partners to source Korean jewelry easily and deliver efficiently through regional fulfillment centers.

SOGAGEM has already established strategic partnerships in Japan, the U.S., and Vietnam, introducing innovative export models such as dropshipping and B2B marketplace integration. In collaboration with the Namdaemun Jewelry Association, the company also manages exclusive design IP content, offering verified product information that builds buyer trust and increases conversion rates.

CEO Moon Kyu-sik said, “SOGAGEM is more than a jewelry brand — it’s a technology-driven trade infrastructure company. By combining AI-based product matching and logistics optimization, we’re strengthening K-jewelry’s global export competitiveness.”

SOGAGEM plans to expand its fulfillment hubs across Southeast Asia and North America by 2026, while broadening its business scope beyond jewelry to beauty, fashion, and lifestyle sectors. Through these efforts, the company aims to evolve into a comprehensive AI-based digital trade ecosystem platform that connects Korean creators with the global market.

Indoor Air Pollution Cannot Be Ignored Clean Air Network Supports Businesses in Meeting the Challenge


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 October 2025 – The World Health Organization reports that over 3 million people worldwide die each year from indoor air pollution. In Hong Kong, people spend nearly 90% of their time indoors.[1] For office workers who often have long working hours, the air quality in workplaces directly affects their health, work efficiency, and, ultimately, corporate productivity. Environmental group Clean Air Network is currently driving various programs to raise public awareness about the threats of indoor air pollution. The organization also collaborates with businesses to create safe and healthy working environments.

Many people believe that staying indoors protects them from outdoor vehicle emissions and poor air quality. However, a variety of harmful indoor air pollutants may also be present, such as suspended particulates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), biological contaminants like mold and dust mites, among others. Prolonged exposure may lead to cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, asthma, skin allergies, and more. The causes of indoor air pollution are complex and can be influenced by factors such as building use, chemical substances in the environment, ventilation, temperature, and humidity.

Patrick Fung, Chief Executive Officer of Clean Air Network, said, “There are already feasible solutions in the market to help businesses manage indoor air quality. Although the Hong Kong Stock Exchange does not currently require companies to disclose indoor air quality information in ESG reports, we firmly believe that the health and wellbeing of employees, consumers, and tenants are central to the core values of most companies. Therefore, we encourage more businesses to actively manage indoor air quality as a demonstration of their commitment.”

Common indoor air pollution threats faced by office workers include VOCs released from printing equipment[2] and formaldehyde emitted from office renovation materials and furniture[3]. In addition, studies have found that due to poor ventilation in some Hong Kong buildings, carbon dioxide exhaled by employees can accumulate and become a source of pollution.[4] Extended exposure to high levels of carbon dioxide can cause fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and even headaches.

Currently, there are no laws in Hong Kong regulating indoor air quality. The government promotes indoor air management through the voluntary Indoor Air Quality Certification Scheme. Patrick Fung believes that the general public places great importance on physical and mental health, and encourages businesses to actively respond to employees’ concerns by creating safe breathing environments. To this end, Clean Air Network has launched a Partnership Program to help businesses and NGOs monitor indoor air quality and explore improvement measures.

Meanwhile, to enhance public awareness of indoor air quality, Clean Air Network will invite citizens over the next two months to measure air pollutants in frequently visited places such as gyms, shopping malls, and restaurants using portable instruments. The data collected will be used to create an online interactive map for public reference.

For more information, please visit Clean Air Network’s website: https://hongkongcan.org/indoor-air-quality-iaq/ .


[1] Chau C K, Tu E Y, Chan D W T and Burnett J. Estimating the total exposure to air pollutants for different population age groups in Hong Kong. Environment International, Vol. 27, p.617-630, 2002.
[2] Hui, P.-S., K.-W. Mui, and L.-T. Wong, Influence of indoor air quality (IAQ) objectives on air-conditioned offices in Hong Kong. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2008. 144: p.315-322.
[3] Lee, S.-C., et al., Inter-comparison of air pollutant concentrations in different indoor environments in Hong Kong. Atmospheric Environment, 2002. 36(12): p. 1929-1940.
[4] Zhou, Y., et al., Airborne Bacteria in Outdoor Air and Air of Mechanically Ventilated Buildings at City Scale in Hong Kong across Seasons. Environmental Science & Technology, 2020. 54(19):p.11732-11743.

Hashtag: #IAQ #publichealth #indoorairpollution #ESG #environment #wellbeing




The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Clean Air Network (https://hongkongcan.org)

(‘CAN’) is the only non-governmental organisation in Hong Kong focused on air issues. We seek to achieve our vision ‘Clean Air for All’ in Hong Kong through constructive dialogue and integrating various resources.

Raythink Technology Showcases Next-Generation All-Round Security Systems at 2025 CPSE Expo

YANTAI, China, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 20th China Public Security Expo (CPSE), recognised as the world’s premier security exhibition, commenced in Shenzhen on October 28, drawing over 1,000 exhibitors. Raythink Technology Co., Ltd. (“Raythink”), a pioneer in thermal imaging, drew significant attention at Booth 1A31, showcasing its advanced infrared products and system solutions centred on its innovative All-Round Security Systems.

Raythink showcasing its latest innovations at CPSE 2025 (Booth1-A31)
Raythink showcasing its latest innovations at CPSE 2025 (Booth1-A31)

A Product Matrix for All-Round Security

At the core of the showcase was Raythink’s integrated product matrix, engineered to create a seamless security ecosystem spanning land, sea, and air domains.

  • 360°Infrared Panoramic Camera

The SilentW-U series provides 360° panoramic monitoring and can be seamlessly integrated with multi-spectrum PTZ cameras, enabling detailed and automatic target tracking.

These cameras integrate infrared, visible light, and LRF for comprehensive coverage. Designed for reliability, they deliver precise imaging in extreme weather and low visibility, ensuring 24/7 security.

  • 360° Dual-Spectrum Search & Track System

The SI4 system combines panoramic search and PTZ tracking in one unit. Its infrared layer provides all-weather detection, while the dual-spectrum PTZ camera enables immediate visual confirmation, completing the workflow from alert to identification.

From Multi-Dimensional Perception to Cognitive Intelligence

Moving beyond standalone hardware, Raythink’s competitive edge lies in the deep fusion of multi-spectral sensing technologies and AI empowerment. By leveraging its latest AI classification algorithms, Raythink’s security systems can intelligently detect and track various targets, including people, vehicles, and vessels, with exceptional precision while significantly reducing false alarms. These systems also support advanced innovative functions such as fire point detection, tripwire intrusion alerts, and area intrusion monitoring. This deep integration enables solutions that not only perceive but truly understand complex environments.

From Reactive Monitoring to Proactive Threat Detection

Powered by a robust product matrix and intelligent technology, Raythink delivers comprehensive solutions for critical applications, including forest fire prevention and perimeter security. The system establishes a complete “Perception-Tracking-Analysis” management mechanism. Devices act as perception nodes, collecting real-time data. Upon detecting anomalies, the system locks onto targets and evaluates threats using AI, generating early warnings. This system shifts security from passive monitoring to proactive threat detection, improving efficiency and precision.

As a leader in thermal imaging innovation, Raythink remains dedicated to advancing security technologies, empowering industries with intelligent, reliable, and future-ready solutions.

For more information:
Email: sales@raythink-tech.com
Website: https://www.raythink-tech.com/

Latham & Watkins Names New Partners and Counsel

The annual promotion of associates highlights the firm’s depth of talent and strengths in key practice areas and markets around the world.

NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Latham & Watkins LLP1 is pleased to announce that 40 associates have been elected to the partnership and another 56 associates have been promoted to the role of counsel, effective January 1, 2026. The associate promotions announced today follow the election of 19 counsel to the partnership earlier this year.

“Today is an important and exciting day for our firm as we recognize and celebrate an amazing group of lawyers, welcoming them as partners and counsel. I am extremely proud of them,” said Rich Trobman, Chair and Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins. “They have contributed significantly to the growth, success, and culture of Latham, and their promotions highlight the incredible depth of talent we have at our firm. Each lawyer embodies our hallmark values of teamwork, dedication, and exceptional client service — and each is committed to our shared pursuit of excellence in delivering outstanding results for our clients.”

“This milestone recognizes the talent and skills of the attorneys being promoted. And this robust class reflects the value we place on building client teams and cultivating the best legal talent in the industry,” added partner Michelle Carpenter, Chair of the firm’s Associates Committee. A signature Latham tradition, the Associates Committee consists of both partners and associates who collaborate on key responsibilities, including recommending promotions to partner and counsel each year.

The 40 associates elected to the partnership are:

EUROPE

Brett Carr (London) is a member of the Emerging Companies & Growth Practice. He advises payment service providers, payment system operators, stablecoin and electronic money issuers, technology companies, fintech investors, and lenders on regulatory issues at the intersection of payments, lending, and digital assets.

Michael Colle (Paris) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. He advises private equity firms, their portfolio companies, and corporates on a range of M&A and private equity transactions, hybrid capital, and initial public offerings (IPOs) across industries.

Chris Cox (London) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. He represents sponsors, fund vehicles, and corporates on acquisitions, exits, and majority and minority investments across asset classes, with a focus on real estate and infrastructure.

Calum Docherty (London) is a member of the Data & Technology Transactions Practice. He advises clients on technology and data issues, with a focus on data protection and information law, artificial intelligence, digital regulation, product counselling, incident response, and multijurisdictional regulatory compliance and investigations.

Tamryn Gallagher (London) is a member of the Banking & Private Credit Practice. She advises private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies, and corporate borrowers on a wide range of financings, including domestic and cross-border acquisition and leveraged financings, bridge financings, refinancings, restructurings, and other secured lending transactions.

Jonathan Ritson-Candler (London) is a member of the Capital Markets Practice. He advises financial institutions and market infrastructure providers on UK and cross-border financial regulatory issues, including legal and regulatory risk management, asset management and financial institution M&A, and compliance with UK and European regulatory matters.

Harriet Stephenson (London) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. She advises corporates and investors on cross-border transactions and events across the corporate life cycle, including UK and international M&A transactions, public takeovers, board advice in takeover situations, joint ventures, corporate reorganizations, and corporate law and governance matters.

Andrea Stincardini (Milan) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. He represents private equity funds, their portfolio companies, and Italian corporations in M&A, joint venture, private equity, divestiture, strategic commercial contracts, corporate governance, and venture capital transactions.

Julie Van der Meersche (London) is a member of the Banking & Private Credit Practice. She represents private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies, and corporate borrowers in cross-border debt finance transactions, including leveraged buyouts, refinancings, restructurings, and other secured lending transactions at every level of the capital structure.

Dominik Waldvogel (Frankfurt) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. He advises private equity and other financial investors as well as corporates on German and cross-border M&A transactions across industries.

UNITED STATES

Shane Alexander (Los Angeles) is a member of the Banking & Private Credit Practice. He represents private equity sponsors and corporate borrowers in complex domestic and cross-border financing transactions, including syndicated and private credit financings, acquisition and carve-out financings, asset-based and cash flow facilities, liability management transactions, debt restructurings, and workouts.

Savannah Burgoyne (Washington, D.C.) is a member of the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice. She advises institutional and individual clients on government and internal investigations and regulatory and compliance matters, including enforcement, compliance, and litigation involving the FCPA, Bank Secrecy Act, securities laws, anti-kickback statutes, and federal civil rights laws, as well as in response to congressional inquiries.

Shannon Cheng (Orange County) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. She advises public and private companies in the technology, healthcare and life sciences, and aerospace industries on M&A transactions and corporate governance matters.

Shanta Chirravuri (New York) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. She advises private equity funds, their portfolio companies, and other strategic investors on M&A, dispositions, leveraged buyouts, joint ventures, carve-outs, and general corporate matters.

Michael Cromer (New York) is a member of the Real Estate Practice. He represents banks and institutional investors in commercial real estate financings and transactions across asset classes, including with respect to construction loans, mezzanine financings, workouts, and restructurings.

Abigail Friedman (Washington, D.C.) is a member of the Transactional Tax Practice. She advises public and private companies, partnerships, investors, and financial institutions on transactional tax matters, particularly those involving strategic cross-border and private equity M&A, capital markets offerings, and financing transactions.

Daniel Gherardi (Bay Area) is a member of the Securities and M&A Litigation Practice. He represents and advises public and private companies, executives, and boards of directors in securities class actions, shareholder derivative litigation, contract disputes, government investigations, and other complex litigation matters.

Ryan Gold (New York) is a member of the Capital Markets Practice. He represents corporate, private equity, and banking clients on capital markets, securities, and corporate governance matters, with a focus on equity-linked securities offerings, complex corporate financings, and debt and capital restructuring transactions.

Brad Guest (Washington, D.C.) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. He represents private equity firms and their portfolio companies, as well as private and public companies, in mergers, acquisitions and other complex domestic and cross-border business transactions, including leveraged buyouts, carve-outs, add-on transactions, divestitures, restructurings, and controlling and minority investments, as well as general corporate and governance matters.

Robin Gushman (Bay Area) is a member of the Antitrust & Competition Practice. She represents public and private companies in antitrust litigation, government investigations, and complex commercial disputes, including consumer class actions and matters involving monopolization, conspiracy, unfair competition, and merger-related claims.

Alisa Hand (New York) is a member of the Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits Practice. She advises companies, sponsors, and executives on employee benefits and executive compensation matters, including employment agreements, severance agreements, and equity-based and other incentive compensation arrangements, as well as compensation and benefits issues in corporate transactions.

Mike Hart-Slattery (Washington, D.C.) is a member of the Investment Funds Practice. He advises private equity sponsors, sovereign wealth funds, and investment advisers on SEC regulation, M&A involving asset managers, fund formation, management team spinouts, minority stake investments, and cross-border regulatory matters.

Clayton Heery (Houston) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. He advises public and private companies, boards of directors, and senior management across a range of M&A, capital markets, corporate governance, and other strategic transactions in a variety of industries, with a particular focus on energy, infrastructure, and technology.

Deborah Hinck (Boston) is a member of the Data & Technology Transactions Practice. She advises clients on intellectual property, privacy, and data security matters, including the IP, technology, and data privacy aspects of commercial contracts, licensing agreements, M&A, commercial transactions, and capital markets financings, with a focus on AI, digital health, and technology transactions.

Christian Hollweg (San Diego) is a member of the Emerging Companies & Growth Practice. He advises emerging growth companies and venture capital investors on transactional and operational matters throughout the company life cycle, including formation and structuring, equity and debt financings, corporate governance, and exit strategies.

David Johnson (Washington, D.C.) is a member of the Antitrust & Competition Practice. He represents clients in antitrust trials, private antitrust litigation, and government antitrust investigations, including trials and litigation regarding business mergers, claims of anticompetitive conduct, and monopolization.

Sandy Kugbei (New York) is a member of the Capital Markets Practice. He advises issuers and investment banking firms on domestic and cross-border capital markets transactions, including IPOs, direct listings, follow-on equity offerings, and investment grade and high-yield debt offerings, and on general corporate and US securities law matters.

Lauren Lefcoe (Bay Area) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. She represents publicly traded and privately held companies at all stages on M&A, dispositions, carve-outs, controlling and minority investments, and other strategic corporate transactions across a range of industries, with a particular focus on the technology and life sciences sectors.

Anne Malinee (Washington, D.C.) is a member of the Complex Commercial Litigation Practice. She represents individuals, private equity firms, and public companies as both plaintiffs and defendants in business disputes involving breach of contract, copyright infringement, unfair competition, trademark infringement, fraud, trade secret misappropriation, restrictive covenant violations, and equitable claims.

Kaj Nielsen (New York) is a member of the Capital Markets Practice. He represents issuers and underwriters in equity and debt capital markets transactions, including IPOs, public and private offerings of equity and debt securities, and other corporate finance transactions.

Samuel Niles (Boston) is a member of the Capital Markets Practice. He advises boards of directors, management teams, and financial institutions on corporate, securities, and finance matters, including IPOs, equity and equity-linked public offerings, PIPEs, and at-the-market offerings, as well as emerging company venture financing, corporate governance, and strategic matters, with a focus on the life sciences and technology industries.

Alice Parker (Houston) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. She represents energy companies, private equity funds and their portfolio companies, and private capital clients in private M&A transactions, joint ventures, and commercial agreements, with a particular focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Harris (Hai) Pham (Los Angeles) is a member of the Banking & Private Credit Practice. He represents banks, direct lenders, and corporate borrowers on a range of complex financing transactions, including acquisition financings, recurring-revenue based financings, cross-border transactions, and restructurings.

Nathan Sandals (Boston) is a member of the Complex Commercial Litigation Practice. He represents companies in commercial litigation arising from corporate transactions, consumer class actions, founder disputes, False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute claims, and insurance coverage disputes, with a focus on the life sciences and technology sectors.

Will Schildknecht (Los Angeles) is a member of the Connectivity, Privacy & Information Practice. He advises companies on managing risk in the development of innovative technology, maintaining effective compliance programs, and navigating government and internal investigations, with a focus on AI, privacy, cybersecurity, and consumer protection.

Samuel Steinman (New York) is a member of the Real Estate Practice. He advises public and private clients, including private equity funds, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, REITs, and public companies, on complex commercial real estate transactions such as joint ventures, preferred equity transactions, financings, acquisitions, dispositions, restructurings, and M&A transactions.

Jennifer Tian (Chicago) is a member of the Investment Funds Practice. She advises private equity sponsors on regulatory matters, including compliance with the Investment Advisers Act and Investment Company Act, investment structuring, SEC examinations and enforcement, M&A transactions involving registered investment advisers, and ongoing reporting requirements.

Laki Triantafylidis (Boston) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. He represents private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies, and strategic buyers and sellers in private equity investments, acquisitions, dispositions, growth equity and venture capital financings, healthcare and life sciences transactions, corporate governance, and portfolio company management.

Aida Vajzovic (New York) is a member of the Real Estate Practice. She represents public and private clients in commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and financings involving a variety of asset classes, in particular multifamily, office, hotel, retail, industrial, and mixed-use properties.

Michael Zucker (Chicago) is a member of the Transactional Tax Practice. He advises private equity firms and public and private companies on the tax aspects of commercial transactions, including M&A, joint ventures, debt and equity financings, tax-free reorganizations, and energy transition matters such as renewable energy tax credits.

The 56 associates promoted to counsel are: 

ASIA

Esha Goel (Singapore) is a member of the Capital Markets Practice. She advises issuers and underwriters on capital markets transactions, with a focus on India, as well as on US and international securities offerings and public and private debt and equity offerings across industries and jurisdictions.

Kelly Teoh (Singapore) is a member of the Capital Markets Practice. She advises clients on capital markets transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic investments, as well as on corporate governance and compliance matters for listed companies.

Rob Thompson (Singapore) is a member of the Project Development & Finance Practice. He represents lenders, export credit agencies, development finance institutions, sponsors, and borrowers on large-scale, cross-border project development, financing, and M&A in the energy and infrastructure industry, including oil and gas, mining, power, energy transition, digital infrastructure, and transport projects.

Yanyan Yang (Hong Kong) is a member of the Antitrust & Competition Practice. She advises clients on global merger control and antitrust investigations, particularly in matters before China’s antitrust authority and other Asian antitrust agencies, and across sectors including semiconductors, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, industrial, entertainment, and telecommunications. 

Yao Yang (Hong Kong) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. She represents private equity firms and corporate clients in private equity investments and M&A transactions in Asia and globally, including control acquisitions, carve-outs, joint ventures, and growth capital and minority investments.

Elena Yeung (Singapore) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. She advises private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, as well as corporate clients, on complex cross-border M&A and joint ventures in the Asia Pacific region.

EUROPE

Steffen Augschill (Düsseldorf) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. He advises clients on M&A, with a focus on going-private transactions and reorganizations, and on stock corporation law matters across a range of industries.

Carlos Betoret (Madrid) is a member of the Antitrust & Competition Practice. He advises international companies on global, EU, and Spanish competition law, representing clients before the European Commission and the Spanish Competition Authority in matters involving merger control, cartel, and abuse of dominance investigations, as well as horizontal and vertical agreements.

Charlie Bowden (London) is a member of the Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits Practice. He advises clients on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious UK employment law, including in relation to employee restructuring exercises, restrictive covenant disputes, cross-border investigations, board-level exits, and the intersection between employment law and financial services regulatory compliance.

Niklas Brüggemann (Munich) is a member of the Antitrust & Competition Practice. He advises companies on the full spectrum of competition law, including EU and German antitrust law, tech regulation, merger control, foreign direct investment control, and civil antitrust litigation.

Jennifer Cadet (London) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. She represents clients in cross-border corporate transactions, including M&A and de-SPAC transactions, reorganizations, joint ventures, and general corporate matters across a range of industries, including technology, retail, entertainment, and healthcare.

Elva Cullen (London) is a member of the Data & Technology Transactions Practice. She advises clients on intellectual property, information technology, and commercial contracts, including in the context of M&A and private equity transactions, with a focus on large-scale, multi-jurisdictional matters.

Kamal Dalal (London) is a member of the Structured Finance Practice. She advises clients on a range of structured finance transactions with a focus on credit solutions, including traditional and synthetic securitization, repacks, and receivables financings, particularly with regard to digital infrastructure and emerging assets, including data centers and GPUs.

Rebecca Fielding (London) is a member of the Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits Practice. She advises multinational corporations on employment matters, including workforce management, compliance, workplace discrimination, executive compensation, and cross-border employment challenges.

Louise Gurly (Paris) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. She advises clients on a range of M&A and private equity transactions, as well as corporate law. 

Katharina Intfeld (Düsseldorf) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. She advises clients on domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, as well as on corporate law.

Thomas Lane (London) is a member of the International Arbitration Practice. He advises clients on international arbitration, complex commercial litigation, export controls, economic sanctions, and customs matters, representing both states and private companies in high-value disputes and regulatory matters.d

Lina Le Roux (London) is a member of the Transactional Tax Practice. She advises clients on UK and international tax aspects of corporate and finance transactions, with emphasis on structured finance, restructurings, multijurisdictional tax planning, and tax-related financing and structuring.

Giuseppe Liotine (Brussels) is a member of the Antitrust & Competition Practice. He advises on the full range of EU and global competition issues, including merger control, cartels, and abuse of dominance, in the technology, life sciences, energy (including renewables), and consumer goods sectors, with experience coordinating deals across Europe, the Middle East, and US.

Aurélien Lorenzi (Paris) is a member of the Banking & Private Credit Practice. He advises clients on complex financings, with a particular emphasis on leveraged finance and debt capital market transactions and restructurings.

Felicitas Mayer-Theobald (Munich) is a member of the Transactional Tax Practice. She advises clients on international and transactional tax law, particularly involving investment fund matters, M&A and private equity transactions, and private equity fund structures and taxation.

Vanessa McLellan (London) is a member of the Project Development & Finance Practice. She advises project developers and financial investors on all aspects of the development of complex energy and infrastructure projects across all major industry sectors.

Oliver Mobasser (London) is a member of the Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice. He advises clients on a range of technology, IP, and data-focused transactions and matters in the healthcare and life sciences industry, including emerging and established multinational pharmaceutical, biotechnology, digital health, and medical technology companies and their investors. 

Samantha Peacock (London) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. She advises clients on corporate matters, including M&A, venture capital investments, and private equity transactions, with a focus on the healthcare and life sciences sectors.

Virginie Terzic (Paris) is a member of the Banking & Private Credit Practice. She advises clients on financing matters, with particular emphasis on leveraged finance and debt capital market transactions.

Simon Troch (Brussels) is a member of the Antitrust & Competition Practice. He advises clients on Belgian and EU competition law, including abuse of dominance, cartel matters, foreign subsidies, merger control, and general EU law, with a focus on complex litigious matters before the EU courts in Luxembourg.

UNITED STATES

Thomas Alcorn (Austin/Los Angeles) is a member of the Banking & Private Credit Practice. He represents institutional arrangers, lenders, and equity sponsors in cross-border financing transactions, restructurings, and acquisition and recapitalization, asset-based, NAV, recurring revenue-based, subscription line, and working capital financings.

Lucas Balchun (Washington, D.C.) is a member of the Capital Markets Practice. He advises clients including private equity firms, investment banks, and companies on a broad range of complex corporate finance, securities regulation, and general securities and corporate matters.

Molly Barron (Washington, D.C.) is a member of the Antitrust & Competition Practice. She represents corporate clients in complex civil antitrust litigation in state and federal courts, including multidistrict litigation, class actions, and business-to-business litigation involving claims of monopolization, monopsonization, price-fixing, conspiracy, refusal to deal, fraud, and state unfair competition laws.

Ali Beidoun (Chicago) is a member of the Investment Funds Practice. He advises private fund sponsors, investors, and joint venture participants on all aspects of forming, investing in, and operating private investment funds across multiple investment areas and asset classes, including buyout funds, credit and debt, growth equity, fund of funds, real estate, energy and power, and infrastructure

Daniel Bop (Chicago) is a member of the Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits Practice. He advises privately held and publicly traded companies, private equity sponsors, and executives on compensation and benefits matters, including issues arising in M&A, IPOs, employment and separation agreements, equity-based compensation, and deferred compensation arrangements.

Natasha Burnett (New York) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. She advises private equity funds and companies on mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, co-investments, carve-outs, and corporate matters. 

Maeve Chandler (New York) is a member of the Structured Finance Practice. She represents banks, issuers, underwriters, investors, placement agents, borrowers, lenders, funds, and other financial institutions in structured finance, securitization, and secured financing transactions, including asset-backed securities, warehouse facilities, and revolving credit facilities.

Chen Chen (Bay Area) is a member of the Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice. She represents public and private life sciences companies in strategic and commercial transactions involving complex intellectual property issues, with a focus on licensing, partnering, and collaboration transactions.

Jiyeon Chun (New York) is a member of the Project Development & Finance Practice. She represents sponsors, developers, equity investors, commercial banks, and other financial institutions in the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects, including solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects.

Ryan Clore (Washington, D.C.) is a member of the Data & Technology Transactions Practice. He advises clients on technology transactions involving intellectual property development and licensing, information technology, strategic relationships, complex services agreements, and mergers and acquisitions, with a particular focus on the video game industry.

Christopher D’Agostino (Washington, D.C.) is a member of the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice. He advises clients on white collar defense, corporate compliance, and internal and government-facing investigations, including in the areas of anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, consumer protection, healthcare fraud, and drug enforcement.

Nicole Goldman (New York) is a member of the Project Development & Finance Practice. She represents financial institutions, private equity firms, strategic sponsors, and developers in project financings, acquisition financings, and other energy and infrastructure-related secured lending transactions.

Melanie Grindle (San Diego) is a member of the Intellectual Property Litigation Practice. She represents clients in IP disputes, with a particular focus on trademark, trade dress, and trade secret litigation, across industry sectors.

Zuzanna (Zuza) Gruca (Bay Area) is a member of the Capital Markets Practice. She advises public and private companies and investment banks on capital-raising transactions, including IPOs, follow-on equity offerings, notes offerings, and financings, and on securities, disclosure, and corporate governance matters.

Kathryn Harrington (Los Angeles) is a member of the Transactional Tax Practice. She advises clients on the US federal income tax consequences of structured financings, securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and bank and private credit financings.

Alexis Kellert Godfrey (New York) is a member of the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice. She represents clients in a range of high-stakes white collar matters, complex commercial and securities litigation, and sensitive internal investigations across industries.

Evan Kirsch (New York) is a member of the Emerging Companies & Growth Practice. He advises private and public companies, venture capital investors, and private equity firms involved in the technology, life sciences and other growth industries on a broad range of complex transactional and operational matters, including venture, growth capital, and private equity financings, M&A, joint ventures, company formation, and corporate governance matters.

Denny Lee (Houston) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. He advises public and private companies, private equity sponsors, financial advisors, and special committees on mergers and acquisitions, take-privates, spinoff and carve-out transactions, joint ventures, corporate finance transactions, and corporate matters.

Cory Lewis (Boston) is a member of the M&A and Private Equity Practice. He advises private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on transactions and corporate matters, including leveraged buyouts, carve-outs, spinoffs, joint ventures, recapitalizations, restructurings, and ongoing general corporate matters.

Corey McGehee (San Diego) is a member of the Complex Commercial Litigation Practice. He represents clients in insurance coverage disputes, bad-faith litigation, and environmental and regulatory disputes, including first- and third-party insurance disputes, business interruption, commercial general liability, director and officer liability, product liability, toxic tort, and complex commercial matters.

Julia Miller (New York) is a member of the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice. She represents clients in white collar defense and investigations, as well as in complex commercial and securities litigation, including government investigations, enforcement actions, internal corporate investigations, securities class actions, and commercial litigation, with particular experience advising cryptocurrency and AI companies.

Jessica Saba (Washington, D.C.) is a member of the Complex Commercial Litigation Practice. She represents clients in state and federal courts at the trial and appellate level, with a focus on trade secrets litigation and related forensic investigations, as well as in other complex commercial and corporate disputes, including false advertising, copyright, business torts, and breach of contract cases.

Joseph Sung (Chicago) is a member of the Banking & Private Credit Practice. He represents financial institutions, private equity firms, and corporate borrowers in leveraged finance transactions, including acquisition financings, recapitalizations, working capital financings, and domestic, cross-border, and multicurrency financings.

Greg Swartz (Los Angeles) is a member of the Complex Commercial Litigation Practice. He represents clients in commercial disputes and regulatory enforcement proceedings, including contract disputes, unfair competition claims, corporate governance and partnership disputes, government investigations, and antitrust litigation across a range of industries.

Adam Tamzoke (New York) is a member of the Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defense and M&A and Private Equity Practices. He advises US and foreign public companies and their boards on shareholder activism, hostile takeover bids, crisis management, and corporate governance matters.

Margaret Upshaw (Washington, D.C.) is a member of the Supreme Court & Appellate Practice. She represents clients in appellate litigation and complex matters before all levels of the judiciary, including the US Supreme Court, involving class actions, data privacy, contracts, and constitutional law.

Katherine Webb (New York/Los Angeles) is a member of the Banking & Private Credit Practice. She represents direct lenders, banks, and other financial institutions, as well as corporate borrowers and other private and public entities in financing transactions, including cross-border and domestic facilities, investment grade facilities, direct lending transactions, acquisition financings, syndicated loans, secured transactions, asset-based loans, and margin loan financings.

Roland Young (Los Angeles) is a member of the Structured Finance Practice. He represents asset managers, business development companies, and financial institutions in financing transactions, including fund financings, asset-backed lending facilities, collateralized loan obligations, direct lending and origination platforms, asset securitizations, and joint venture financings. 

Laura Zabele (Boston/Los Angeles) is a member of the Complex Commercial Litigation Practice. She advises and represents clients in litigation involving employment law matters, pay equity, whistleblower retaliation, discrimination and harassment, breach of contract and wrongful termination, employee mobility and IP, leave and accommodation, wage/hour issues, and the California Private Attorneys General Act.

Yanyan Zhou (Los Angeles) is a member of the Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice. She advises private equity firms, physician practices, life sciences and digital health companies, hospitals, and strategic investors on transactions and regulatory matters in the healthcare industry, including mergers and acquisitions, strategic affiliations, joint ventures, regulatory approvals, licensing, and compliance.

Contact: pr@lw.com

About Latham & Watkins 

Latham & Watkins is a leading global law firm that brings together exceptional legal talent in financial centers around the world to advise on complex transactions, litigation, and regulatory matters. The firm’s deep market and product knowledge, industry experience, vast scale, and commitment to innovation and excellence help clients navigate their most critical challenges and achieve their goals.

Notes to Editors

  1. Latham & Watkins operates worldwide as a limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (USA) with affiliated limited liability partnerships conducting the practice in France, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, and the United Kingdom and as an affiliated partnership conducting the practice in Japan. Latham & Watkins operates in Israel through a limited liability company, in South Korea as a Foreign Legal Consultant Office, and in Saudi Arabia through a limited liability company.

The 138th Canton Fair Highlights Agricultural Tech and Global Cooperation Amid World Food Day Milestone

GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Phase 1 of the 138th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) was held from October 15 to 19, which coincides meaningfully with World Food Day, commemorated globally on October 16. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which reinforces the global call for unity, innovation, and sustainable development in agriculture. Echoing these themes, the Canton Fair’s Agricultural Machinery section features exhibitors presenting technologies that enhance efficiency, safety, adaptability, and sustainability across diverse terrains and farming environments.

A long-time Canton Fair exhibitor, known for its product innovation, displayed its latest electric and fuel-powered utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), designed for use in farms, mines, and rugged environments where standard vehicles cannot operate. The company’s Deputy General Manager of the Overseas Business Division emphasized that safety is a top priority in the development of its heavy-duty vehicles. Recognizing the critical role of human operators, the company is deeply committed to safeguarding drivers. This dedication is evident in every stage of the design and engineering process, which is guided by the highest safety standards.

With a strong foothold in Southeast Asia, the company views the Canton Fair as a strategic gateway for expanding into Europe, Africa, and other global markets. The Deputy General Manager praised the fair as a highly professional and effective platform for connecting with qualified international buyers.

An exhibitor from Shandong, recognized for its strong competitiveness in plant protection machinery, showcased its latest innovations in agricultural equipment, including lithium-powered lawn mowers, chainsaws, and a newly developed blower designed for forest firefighting, an area increasingly important to agricultural and forestry safety management.

With approximately 70% of core components manufactured in-house, the company has enhanced both quality control and product efficiency. Its recent investment in a new production facility in Thailand further supports expanding demand in the Southeast Asian market while reinforcing the brand’s commitment to localized manufacturing and global service capacity. 

By spotlighting technological innovation and sustainable practices, the Canton Fair reaffirms its role as a catalyst for global agricultural progress: bridging industries and inspiring collaborative solutions for a more sustainable and resilient future.

To register the 138th Canton Fair, please click https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16.


 

Ascletis Selects a Best-in-Class Once-Monthly Subcutaneously Administered Amylin Receptor Agonist, ASC36, for Clinical Development

In head-to-head non-human primate (NHP) studies, average observed half-life of ASC36 was approximately 15 days, 3-fold longer than petrelintide, which supports once-monthly subcutaneous (SQ) dosing in humans.

ASC36 demonstrated approximately 91% greater relative body weight reduction compared to petrelintide in a head-to-head diet-induced obese (DIO) rat study.

ASC36 has excellent chemical and physical stability with no fibrillation around neutral pH, allowing for co-formulation with other peptides including ASC35, a GLP-1R/GIPR dual agonist.

Submission of an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) for ASC36 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected in the second quarter of 2026.

The Company will host a conference call in Mandarin at 10:00 a.m. China Standard Time on October 30, 2025. 

HONG KONG, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ascletis Pharma Inc. (HKEX: 1672, “Ascletis”) announces that it has selected ASC36, a once-monthly, potentially best-in-class subcutaneously administered amylin receptor agonist, as a clinical development candidate. Ascletis expects to submit an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) for ASC36 for the treatment of obesity to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the second quarter of 2026.

ASC36, an amylin receptor peptide agonist, was discovered and developed in-house utilizing Ascletis’ Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Structure-Based Drug Discovery (AISBDD) and Ultra-Long-Acting Platform (ULAP) technologies. ASC36 is engineered for a longer observed half-life (as measured by time to 50% Cmax) and higher bioavailability per milligram of peptide to support once-monthly subcutaneous (SQ) dosing, with injection volume of one milliliter or less. These engineered properties also allow for scalability advantages in manufacturing. 

In head-to-head non-human primate (NHP) studies, ASC36 slow-release SQ depot formulations had an average observed half-life of approximately 15 days, 3-fold longer than petrelintide, supporting ASC36 as a potential once-monthly treatment for obesity in humans.

In a head-to-head diet-induced obese (DIO) rat study, which is well established as being highly predictive of human efficacy, dosed with equal molar concentrations of ASC36 and petrelintide, ASC36 reduced body weight by 10.01%, compared to 5.25% for petrelintide, a relative increase in efficacy of 91% (Table 1). This superior weight loss per milligram of peptide may also provide scalability advantages in manufacturing.

Table 1. ASC36 demonstrated statistically and significantly more weight loss than petrelintide in DIO rats after 7-day treatment

Group

Dosing

Total body weight change from baseline

Greater relative weight loss versus petrelintide

Obese rats treated with vehicle

Vehicle,

SQ, Q2D

1.05 %

Obese rats treated with ASC36

10 nmol/kg,

SQ, Q2D

-10.01%

(p <0.0001 vs vehicle)

91%

(p <0.0001 vs petrelintide)

Obese rats treated with petrelintide

10 nmol/kg,

SQ, Q2D

-5.25%

(p <0.0001 vs vehicle)

Note: DIO rats/Obese rats: diet-induced obese rats; SQ: subcutaneous; Q2D: once every two days. 

ASC36 has excellent chemical and physical stability with no fibrillation around neutral pH, allowing for co-formulation with other peptides including ASC35, a GLP-1R/GIPR dual agonist.

ASC36’s longer observed half-life, better SQ bioavailability and greater weight loss demonstrate its potential as a best-in-class once-monthly treatment for obesity.

“Our focus has always been on developing novel approaches to expand options for the treatment of obesity and other metabolic diseases,” said Jinzi Jason Wu, Ph.D., Founder, Chairman and CEO of Ascletis, “The preclinical characterization of ASC36 suggests potential best-in-class efficacy with once-monthly dosing resulting in superior weight loss and a more versatile and patient friendly titration schedule.”

Monotherapy and Combination Studies with ASC36

ASC36 monotherapy is being developed as a cornerstone therapy for the treatment of cardio-metabolic diseases including obesity, meanwhile ASC36-based combination therapies are being developed. Ascletis plans to combine ASC36, an amylin receptor agonist, with its once-monthly subcutaneously administered ASC35, a GLP-1R/GIPR dual agonist, to treat obesity.

Ascletis’ AISBDD and ULAP technologies enable the Company to design, optimize and develop multiple once-monthly SQ ultra-long-acting peptides, including ASC35 and ASC36. Based on the properties of peptides, the Company can design, through its proprietary ULAP technology, various slow-release constants (k) for peptides in SQ depots to precisely release injected peptides over desired dosing intervals to reduce peak-to-trough ratios and improve clinical outcomes.

Conference Call

Ascletis will host a conference call in Mandarin at 10:00 a.m. China Standard Time on October 30, 2025. A live webcast of the call will be available via Zoom, with the Meeting ID: 978 3932 9387, or access link of: https://zoom.us/j/97839329387.

About Ascletis Pharma Inc.

Ascletis Pharma Inc. is a fully integrated biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of potential best-in-class and first-in-class therapeutics to treat metabolic diseases. Utilizing its proprietary Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Structure-Based Drug Discovery (AISBDD) and Ultra-Long-Acting Platform (ULAP) technologies, Ascletis has developed multiple drug candidates in-house, including its lead program, ASC30, a small molecule GLP-1R agonist designed to be administered once daily orally and once monthly to once quarterly subcutaneously as a treatment therapy and a maintenance therapy for chronic weight management. Ascletis is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (1672.HK).

For more information, please visit www.ascletis.com.

Contact:

Peter Vozzo
ICR Healthcare
443-231-0505 (U.S.)
Peter.vozzo@icrhealthcare.com

Ascletis Pharma Inc. PR and IR teams
+86-181-0650-9129 (China)
pr@ascletis.com
ir@ascletis.com

 

Bybit’s bbSOL Gains Institutional Custody Support from Anchorage Digital, Reinforcing Its Institutional-Grade Standing

DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, today announced that its staked SOL token, bbSOL, is now supported for institutional custody by Anchorage Digital, home to the first federally chartered crypto bank in the United States.

This collaboration marks a significant step in positioning bbSOL as an institutional-grade liquid staking token (LST) within the Solana ecosystem, offering regulated entities a trusted pathway to participate in on-chain yield generation.

bbSOL, Bybit’s exchange-backed staked SOL asset, enables users and institutions to access Solana staking rewards while maintaining liquidity and flexibility. With Anchorage Digital Bank’s secure custody solution, bbSOL holders can now enjoy bank-grade security and compliance under U.S. federal oversight—building confidence among funds, asset managers, and enterprises seeking exposure to Solana DeFi.

“Anchorage Digital’s integration represents a major leap in bbSOL’s evolution as an institutional-ready product,” said Emily Bao, Head of Spot at Bybit and Founder of Byreal. “By combining liquidity with regulatory assurance, we’re offering institutions a compliant and transparent entry point into Solana’s DeFi landscape—anchored in the stability and integrity of Bybit.”

“We’re thrilled to unlock additional opportunities for institutions to participate in the Solana ecosystem through liquid staking, backed by Anchorage Digital’s security,” said Nathan McCauley, CEO and Co-Founder, Anchorage Digital.

Through Anchorage Digital’s infrastructure, bbSOL now bridges exchange-grade performance with institutional-grade protection. The partnership underscores Bybit’s commitment to shaping a secure, compliant, and yield-efficient gateway to decentralized finance for the next wave of institutional participants.

Bybit’s bbSOL Gains Institutional Custody Support from Anchorage Digital, Reinforcing Its Institutional-Grade Standing
Bybit’s bbSOL Gains Institutional Custody Support from Anchorage Digital, Reinforcing Its Institutional-Grade Standing

#Bybit / #CryptoArk 

About Bybit

Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

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Hamilton Lane Expands Presence in Taiwan, Launching Evergreen Private Markets Funds

TAIPEI, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Leading private markets investment firm Hamilton Lane (Nasdaq: HLNE) today announced its expansion into the Taiwan market with plans to launch evergreen investment vehicles. This strategic move into the private wealth sector builds on Hamilton Lane’s 15+ years of experience servicing institutional investors in the region.

The evergreen funds are designed to provide private markets access with a single allocation, monthly or quarterly limited liquidity, low investment minimums and immediate exposure. The Funds will be available to qualified investors, including affluent investors and their wealth advisors in Taiwan.

Taiwanese banks have historically supported Hamilton Lane’s evergreen products through their overseas offices across Asia. Building on this momentum, the firm will now partner directly with leading local banks, spanning a broad range of strategies, including credit, infrastructure, secondaries, co-investments, venture capital and Asia-focused investments.

As part of its expansion, Hamilton Lane intends to launch products through both the newly established Kaohsiung Zone of the Asian Asset Management Center and the traditional 2.0 route, further enhancing accessibility and alignment with Taiwan’s evolving financial ecosystem.

Shannon Chow, Head of Greater China at Hamilton Lane, commented: “We’re excited to deepen our footprint in Taiwan and introduce our evergreen solutions to the market. The launch of these funds underscores our commitment to expanding access for Taiwanese investors and delivering what we believe are attractive investment opportunities for individual investors.”

Hamilton Lane’s Global Evergreen Platform has $13.8 billion USD in assets under management as of 31 August 2025.

About Hamilton Lane

Hamilton Lane (Nasdaq: HLNE) is one of the largest private markets investment firms globally, providing innovative solutions to institutional and private wealth investors around the world. Dedicated exclusively to private markets investing for more than 30 years, the firm currently employs approximately 750 professionals operating in offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Hamilton Lane has approximately $986 billion in assets under management and supervision, composed of nearly $141 billion in discretionary assets and more than $845 billion in non-discretionary assets, as of June 30, 2025. Hamilton Lane specializes in building flexible investment programs that provide clients access to the full spectrum of private markets strategies, sectors and geographies. For more information, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn.