33 C
Vientiane
Friday, May 2, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 291

Artificial intelligence advances green solutions

BEIJING, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from China Daily: Experts highlighted the role of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in accelerating green industrial upgrades and advancing global sustainable development at the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum.

Speaking at the Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality Science and Technology Forum, Ding Chibiao, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said AI is reshaping energy systems and driving China’s dual carbon goals.

“AI is a cornerstone of innovation for future energy structures, driving green transitions,” Ding said. China aims to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and reach carbon neutrality before 2060.

Ding noted that AI adoption has already improved efficiency in high-carbon industries such as chemicals, aligning with the academy’s strategic action plan for science and technology supporting carbon peak and carbon neutrality released in 2022. He pledged deeper interdisciplinary collaboration to advance AI-enabled low-carbon energy solutions.

Ye Mao, a researcher at the academy’s Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics and head of its intelligent chemical engineering team, detailed progress in AI-driven chemical engineering.

Since 2016, a team led by Liu Zhongmin, the institute’s director and an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, has pioneered AI applications in the field. Last year, they launched Chem-ELLM, a large model for autonomous chemical process design, followed by an upgraded Chem-ELLM 2.0 in November.

“The new version significantly improves capabilities in catalysis, safety and foundational chemistry, broadening industrial applicability,” Ye said.

More than 50 chemical companies have tested the model, with adoption growing steadily. However, Ye said traditional engineering and AI-human collaboration will continue during the transition.

“Building an intelligent chemical ecosystem requires time, but it will boost efficiency, safety and support China’s energy revolution,” he said.

At the International Forum on Sciences for Sustainable Development — part of UNESCO’s International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033) — global experts examined digital technology’s role in achieving the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Guo Huadong, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals, unveiled the Beijing Initiative on Digital Science and Technology for Sustainable Development. The plan calls for scaling AI, big data, the internet of things and space technology to combat climate change, biodiversity loss and poverty.

“Digital tools are key to optimizing energy use, cutting emissions and improving resource management,” Guo said. The initiative also advocates global platforms for sharing digital resources, integrating technology into policymaking and boosting public sustainability literacy.

Highlighting China’s contributions, Guo said SDGSAT-1, the world’s first science satellite dedicated to the 2030 agenda, has delivered more than 420,000 datasets to 104 countries since its 2021 launch. The data aids in monitoring urban heat islands, assessing emissions and disaster response.

Bybit x Block Scholes: BTC fell after touching $88K but bearish derivatives trend holds

DUBAI, UAE, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, released the latest weekly crypto derivatives analytics report in collaboration with Block Scholes. The report provides insights into macroeconomic developments, the state of crypto spot and derivatives markets, and emerging trading signals.

Key insights

Since bottoming out on March 11, crypto asset prices have climbed steadily over a two-week period, with BTC briefly surpassing $87,000 and ETH recovering above $2,000. XRP has remained relatively stable, while BTC, ETH, and SOL continue to trade below their year-opening levels. SOL, which hit an all-time high in January following Cboe’s Solana Spot ETF filing, also remains down year-to-date. While the broader market has shown signs of recovery, derivatives activity reflects lingering caution. Demand for BTC and ETH put options remains elevated, signaling ongoing hedging behavior.

Cautious rebound in perpetuals

Perpetual open interest stayed flat for most of the week, underscoring a cautious, risk-off tone. A brief market rebound saw BTC rise to $88,000 — a two-week high — triggering modest increases in perpetual trade volume, primarily driven by BTC. Still, volumes remain significantly below those recorded earlier this month, when U.S. President Donald Trump proposed a national crypto reserve centered on the four largest tokens.

Sources: Bybit, Block Scholes
Sources: Bybit, Block Scholes

Funding rates suggest persistent bearish sentiment

Despite lower realized volatility and positive price movement among major assets, BTC and ETH perpetual contracts continued to post negative funding rates. This indicates that short sellers are still paying long positions, an ongoing sign of bearish sentiment. In contrast, large-cap altcoins showed more mixed positioning, with funding rates fluctuating between positive and negative without a clear directional bias.

Volatility retreats to yearly lows

Implied volatility declined by 3 to 5 points over the past week, with 30-day options now trading at their lowest levels since the beginning of the year. Realized volatility is also nearing the 30% floor last seen in February. As typically observed in low-volatility periods, options market activity has slowed, with open interest remaining low and relatively balanced between puts and calls. Around $40 million in options expired during the week.

Access the full report

For detailed insights, readers may download the full report.

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk /#BybitResearch

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

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

UK project-based businesses see AI as key to meeting ambitious 2025 targets, Deltek research finds

  • Technology and automation seen as potential top drivers of profitability for UK project-based businesses
  • Digital transformation is being fast-tracked, with many professional services firms already achieving a level of digital maturity that they had not expected to reach until 2027
  • 76% of project-based UK businesses entered 2025 planning to expand their workforce

LONDON, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — New research released today from Deltek, the leading global provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses, finds the UK’s project-based businesses started the year optimistic about how technology can help them reach their growth targets in 2025. Despite economic headwinds, firms are ambitious, with 83% looking to increase profit growth this year and 42% expecting to increase headcount significantly. In terms of predicted gross profit margins (GPM) this year, engineering firms started 2025 the most confident about GPM increases, with 60% predicting increases of 10% or more compared to 2024.

UK project-based businesses see AI as key to meeting ambitious 2025 targets, according to Deltek research
UK project-based businesses see AI as key to meeting ambitious 2025 targets, according to Deltek research

The research, conducted across UK-based architecture, engineering and consultancy firms, identifies technology and automation as the top potential drivers of attaining these goals. The top two priorities for firms are investing in new technology e.g. adopting AI (39%) and the effective implementation of new innovations e.g. AI (37%).

Consultancy firms are most likely to tie profitability to the successful implementation of AI, with 64% anticipating increased profits following successful AI implementation. However, architecture firms are leading the way in the focus of automation and robotic process automation (RPA), with over half (53%) of architecture firms placing it as imperative to the success of UK firms. Cybersecurity is also a high priority, with over a third (36%) of project-based firms now citing it as a top three priority for their business, compared to less than a quarter (23%) last year.

As a result of the focus on technology advancements, over half of UK project-based firms (56%) are now at a “Mature” or “Advanced” stage of their digital transformation development, up from less than a third (32%) in 2024. This indicates that firms are prioritising digital transformation and maturing more rapidly. In fact, compared to 2024 predictions on how fast they would achieve maturity in digital transformation, timelines have been brought forward two years with many professional services already achieving a level of digital maturity that they had not expected to reach until 2027. Again, Architecture firms are currently leading the way in digital transformation with nearly two-thirds (64%) at a mature or advanced stage of their journey.

The use of AI and automation are also pivotal this year in attaining key performance indicators (KPIs) for project-based businesses in the UK. Rising competition for talent (30%) and project complexity (28%) in 2025 are key pressures identified for project management in the next three years. However, 40% of firms are addressing this by prioritising the adoption of AI and automation for streamlining project processes. In 2025, confidence in tracking key project metrics (profitability, budget, and client satisfaction) has risen to 75% in 2025, up from 59% in 2024.

Neil Davidson, Group Vice President, Professional Services Sector at Deltek comments, “Professional services firms are already recognising the efficiency savings and growth opportunities provided by digital transformation. This year is a pivotal time for realising the benefits technology can bring, as firms still look to grow in 2025.”

“It’s promising to see that the shift in the use of technology is also underpinning greater  confidence in tracking project metrics – something we have not seen in our past Clarity reports. The strides professional services firms have made in implementing advancements in technology, ahead of schedule, are further improving their ability to manage the factors that contribute to attaining KPIs. Successful tracking is vital for providing insight into core business metrics, the optimisation of processes, and supporting productivity to help firms ensure they stay on-track to meet their goals.

As well as investing in technology, project-based UK businesses are also expanding their workforce, with 76% planning to increase headcount in 2025. This is a significant increase from last year, where just 58% of firms expected to expand their workforce. Engineering firms are the most ambitious in this area in terms of significant headcount increase, with 42% planning to igrow their talent pool by more than 10% this year (compared to the average 34% expecting the same level of growth across all professional services firms). However, organisations are conscious that a lack of upskilling investment (48%) and a lack of employee engagement (34%) are still detrimentally impacting their organisation. To address this and empower young professionals in 2025, firms are concentrating on promoting a culture of collaboration and innovation in the workplace (51%), encouraging continuous learning (49%), and providing access to advanced technologies (45%).

To download the full report, visit deltek.com/en-gb/clarity-report-emea.

Methodology

  • Based on an independent, self-completion online survey, conducted by 3Gem Media Group in January 2025, with 200 senior strategic decision-makers in UK Architecture, Engineering or Consulting firms.
  • To qualify, respondents had to be at a senior level including CEOs/Managing Directors (MDs), C-suite level directors, and heads of relevant departments such as finance, operations, delivery and projects, and work in firms of 20+ employees.
  • The sample consisted of 37% Architecture or A/E (architecture-led engineering), 26% Engineering (or engineering-led architecture) and 37% Consulting (management/market research) firms, and was made up of 6% small (20-50 employees), 29% medium (51-250 employees), 25% large (251 to 500 employees) and 40% very large (501+ employees) sizes of organisations.

Company Type:
This year’s survey included architecture, engineering, and consulting firms. The term ‘architecture and engineering’ (A&E) refers to all architecture, engineering, and allied firms. The term ‘consulting’ refers to management consulting and market research companies. Throughout this report, the total sample results are referred to as professional services firms.

About Deltek
Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for project-based businesses. More than 30,000 organizations and millions of users in over 80 countries around the world rely on Deltek for superior levels of project intelligence, management and collaboration. Our industry-focused expertise powers project success by helping firms achieve performance that maximizes productivity and revenue. Learn more at www.deltek.com.

CONTACT: Deltek Media Relations Team, press@Deltek.com 

YOFC Unveils Game-Changing Hollow-Core Fibre Advances at OFC 2025

SAN FRANCISCO, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — At the OFC Conference, from March 30 to April 3, 2025, at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company (YOFC) (stock tickers: 601869. SH, 06869.HK) highlighted several new developments in hollow-core fibre technology. During a workshop entitled “How will future submarine systems look like”, Dr. LUO Jie, YOFC’s Chief Technology Officer, presented groundbreaking advances in the field of hollow-core fibre technology.

YOFC’s presentation focused on its latest strides in reducing attenuation to a record-low of 0.05dB/km and extending the manufacturing length of single fibres to over 20 kilometers—achievements that not only set new global benchmarks but also starkly outperform traditional solid-core fibres. These technological advancements were demonstrated through a 21.7 km long hollow-core fibre with a proprietary supporting tube structure (ST-HCF). This drew considerable attention at the exhibition for its potential implications in optical communications.

Hollow-core fibre technology represents a paradigm shift in optical communications, enabling light to be transmitted through an air core. The design facilitates a 47% increase in transmission speed and a 31% reduction in latency compared to conventional fibres, showcasing the significant potential for applications requiring rapid and efficient data transmission such as in data centers, AI models, and financial trading. Additionally, the technology’s exceptionally low attenuation and nonlinearity could potentially address the capacity bottlenecks faced by submarine communication networks and long-distance terrestrial communication lines.

In his presentation, Dr. LUO Jie explored both the practical and theoretical enhancements that hollow-core fibres could bring to submarine cable systems, emphasizing their ability to increase data throughput and reduce transmission times in future deployments.

YOFC has been at the forefront of hollow-core fibre technology development, leveraging its comprehensive research capabilities and autonomous raw material research system to overcome significant industrial challenges. As the digital economy grows, YOFC’s continued innovation in hollow-core fibre technology is set to play a crucial role in supporting the evolution of global digital infrastructure, ensuring it is robust, efficient, and equipped to meet future demands.

Synagistics and HKT Unveil ShopHK: Empowering Hong Kong SMEs and Enterprises To Target Southeast Asia’s Thriving E-commerce Market

  • Tapping Southeast Asia’s USD 600 Billion E-Commerce Boom: Southeast Asia’s e-commerce market is projected to reach USD 295 billion in 2025 and on track to hit USD 600 billion by 2030, creating significant opportunities for Hong Kong brands seeking international expansion.
  • AI-Powered, Seamless Cross-Border Solutions: ShopHK, www.synagie.com/shophk combines AI-powered Synagie’s SaaS and CaaS tech, over 50 on-demand digital commerce services and cross-border logistics. This is further enhanced by HKT’s client network, providing robust, end-to-end support for Hong Kong businesses.
  • Expansion Goals: ShopHK aims to attract the 200,000 SMEs in Hong Kong currently actively seeking overseas expansion, targeting to onboard at least 500 brands by the end of this year.
  • Try Now for Free. Take advantage of Synagie’s exclusive 30-day free trial from April 1 to April 15 2025.

HONG KONG and SINGAPORE, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Synagie, the digital commerce arm of Synagistics Limited (HKEX: 2562.HK), has launched ShopHK with the support of HKT. ShopHK is a cutting-edge platform that enables Hong Kong brands to tap into Southeast Asia’s booming e-commerce market. ShopHK leverages Synagie’s AI-powered technology, 50+ on-demand services, cross-border logistics, and HKT’s client network to help businesses scale globally.

Left to Right: Catherine Chung, Vice-President, SME Market, Commercial Group, HKT; Olive Tai, Co-Founder & CEO, Synagistics Ltd; Clive Chow, Chief Operating Officer, The Club, HKT
Left to Right: Catherine Chung, Vice-President, SME Market, Commercial Group, HKT; Olive Tai, Co-Founder & CEO, Synagistics Ltd; Clive Chow, Chief Operating Officer, The Club, HKT

Seizing Southeast Asia’s USD 600 Billion E-Commerce Opportunity

Southeast Asia’s e-commerce market is poised for explosive growth, projected to reach approximately USD 295 billion in 2025 and on track to hit USD 600 billion by 2030. This is driven by the region’s tech-savvy population, rising incomes, and widespread smartphone ownership. Indonesia leads as the primary growth market with Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines, expected to double their e-commerce market values by 2030.

ShopHK: Empowering Hong Kong Businesses to Expand Globally

“The Synagie-HKT collaboration is a game-changer for Hong Kong businesses looking to expand globally,” said Olive Tai, Co-Founder and CEO of Synagistics Limited. “As someone originally from Hong Kong, I’m especially proud of ShopHK’s mission, to help businesses of all sizes reach new customers in Southeast Asia.

She added,Hong Kong’s SME sector is known to be incredibly diverse and vibrant. According to various surveys over 60%, or about 200,000 SMEs, in Hong Kong are actively seeking expansion overseas. The launch of ShopHK by Synagie, with the support of HKT, is a major step in supporting these Hong Kong SMEs to thrive in the Southeast Asian marketplace.”

ShopHK aims to onboard at least 500 brands by the end of 2025. To encourage businesses to try the program and experience the benefits of the platform, Synagie is offering an exclusive 30-day free trial from 01 Apr – 15 Apr 2025.

Synagistics first made history in Hong Kong in 2024 as the first successful De-SPAC listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In 2025, Synagistics launched Geene, an innovative AI platform that integrates Generative AI, Blockchain, and Big Data, establishing the company as a leader in enterprise AI innovation.

ShopHK is also proud to receive support from key organisations including the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), a close ecosystem partner and Hong Kong’s largest Innovation & Technology hub, home to over 2,200 pioneering tech companies.

“This partnership underscores our shared commitment to strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a global innovation gateway,” said Gladys Oon, Director of Partnerships and Account Management at HKSTP. “By aligning HKSTP’s vibrant tech community – especially Green-tech and Health-tech products and services – with ShopHK, we can accelerate cross-border growth for Hong Kong’s most promising tech startups and SMEs.

Rising Demand for Hong Kong Products in Southeast Asia

Discerning consumers across Southeast Asia’s are increasingly drawn to Hong Kong brands. According to a recent Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) report, nearly 70% of online shoppers in the region have purchased Hong Kong-sourced products in the past year. Hong Kong brands are particularly popular among younger ASEAN consumers (ages 18-29), who value their affordability (35%), unique blend of Chinese and Western elements (33%), and trendiness (32%).

Ready Support and Early Adoption for ShopHK

The HKSAR Government has also recently announced plans in its 2024 Policy Address, to expand its E-Commerce Easy initiative to cover all ASEAN countries within Southeast Asia. This initiative, part of the BUD Fund, further facilitates SME growth by expanding into the 10-nation ASEAN bloc.

“The potential to reach millions of tech-savvy Southeast Asian consumers is incredible. We’re excited to be among the first local brands to join ShopHK,” said Joseph Tsang, Founder and Managing Director at FSL Group.

Henry Poon, Sales & Marketing Manager at On Kee Dry Seafood Co. Ltd, another early brand adopter of ShopHK, added “As a Hong Kong-based brand with a strong local presence, expanding into Southeast Asian markets has always been a priority for us. ShopHK’s affordable, no-fuss and one-stop platform provides the tools and solutions for us to scale our business rapidly across Southeast Asia.”

Ready to take your Hong Kong Brand Global?

Visit www.synagie.com/shophk today to join ShopHK and start your digital commerce expansion into one of the world’s fastest growth markets.

About Synagistics Limited (HKEX: 2562.HK)

Synagistics is a Singapore-based AI & big data company listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, recognised for completing the first-ever De-SPAC transaction in Hong Kong. With Alibaba, Gobi Partners and HKT as its key strategic shareholders, Synagistics benefits from strong industry backing, enabling it to drive innovation and expand its influence in Asia’s rapidly evolving digital ecosystem. Synagistics is recognised as one of the top digital solutions provider in Southeast Asia and has provided its data-driven digital commerce platform Synagie to over 600 enterprises and renowned brands in the Southeast Asian market. With the launch of Geene in early March 2025, Synagistics has firmly established itself as a frontrunner in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence, solidifying its position as a key leader in the global Al ecosystem and accelerating enterprise Al adoption and innovation. The Company continues to expand its footprint across multiple markets including the Greater China region while championing digital and artificial intelligence transformation.

Invitation to media and analyst briefing for Ericsson Q1 2025 report

  • Report to be released at approximately 7:00 AM CEST on April 15, 2025
  • One live video webcast for analysts, investors and journalists at 9:00 AM CEST

STOCKHOLM, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ericsson’s (NASDAQ: ERIC) financial report for the first quarter 2025 will be published at approximately 7:00 AM CEST on April 15, 2025. The company will issue a press release with the complete financial report attached, including tables, in PDF format. Following publication of the press release, the financial report will be available on Ericsson’s website: www.ericsson.com/en/investors/financial-reports/interim-reports

President and CEO Börje Ekholm and CFO Lars Sandström will comment on the report and take questions at a live video webcast at 9:00 AM CEST (8:00 AM BST London, 3:00 AM EDT New York).

Join the webcast or please go to www.ericsson.com/investors

To ask a question: Access dial-in information here

The webcast will be available on-demand after the event and can be viewed on our website.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

FOLLOW US:

Subscribe to Ericsson press releases here
Subscribe to Ericsson blog posts here
https://twitter.com/ericsson
https://www.facebook.com/ericsson
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ericsson

MORE INFORMATION AT:
Ericsson Newsroom
media.relations@ericsson.com (+46 10 719 69 92)
investor.relations@ericsson.com (+46 10 719 00 00)

ABOUT ERICSSON:
Ericsson’s high-performing networks provide connectivity for billions of people every day. For nearly 150 years, we’ve been pioneers in creating technology for communication. We offer mobile communication and connectivity solutions for service providers and enterprises. Together with our customers and partners, we make the digital world of tomorrow a reality. www.ericsson.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/ericsson/r/invitation-to-media-and-analyst-briefing-for-ericsson-q1-2025-report,c4128145

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/15448/4128145/3357255.pdf

Invitation to media and analyst briefing for Ericsson Q1 2025 report

 

Bossjob Deepens Campus Recruitment Efforts to Fast-Track Careers for Singaporean Students

MANILA, Philippines, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In recent years, the hotel, restaurant, and service industries in Singapore have faced increasing challenges in recruiting blue-collar workers. These challenges stem from the interplay of economic, social, and structural factors, with the gap between wages and the cost of living emerging as a significant issue between employers and jobseekers.

To tackle the recruitment difficulties within Singapore’s hotel and restaurant service industries and address the limited job-seeking channels for students, the global leading job platform Bossjob has continued to advance its campus recruitment strategy. In the first quarter of 2025, Bossjob successfully implemented a series of campus recruitment events utilizing an innovative “online + offline” hybrid recruitment approach. This included the use of WhatsApp group communities to attract active student participation, which not only increased the number of registered users and engagement on the platform but also provided new job-seeking pathways for many college students.

By enhancing interaction and precise outreach, Bossjob recently carried out recruitment activities at Republic Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic, launching an attractive incentive system that significantly boosted student engagement. In this scheme, new users receive an instant cash reward of SGD 5 upon registration via PayNow; additionally, students who successfully gain employment through the platform have the chance to win an extra job-seeking bonus of up to SGD 1,500. Bossjob also provides exclusive services for students, establishing WhatsApp job-seeking communities where job postings and incentives are promoted, resulting in a near 100% message read rate and noticeable improvements in student engagement.

Bossjob App
Bossjob App

“The WhatsApp job-seeking community is very convenient. Not only did I get the registration bonus, but I also found a well-paying part-time restaurant job within three days,” shared Chen, a second-year student from Temasek Polytechnic.

Commenting on effectively connecting student and employer needs, Bernie Goh, Growth Marketing Manager at Bossjob Singapore, stated: “We have noticed that polytechnic students show great interest in part-time and internship opportunities, particularly in the F&B, retail, and service sectors. Based on this observation, Bossjob has optimized its job posting strategy and actively collaborates with employers such as LIHO Tea and Sukiya Japanese Restaurant to provide flexible, competitively compensated roles for students.”

According to Goh, Bossjob plans to expand this successful model to more institutions in the second quarter, including Nanyang Polytechnic and ITE, while offering customized services to students from various fields of study. The platform will also continue to work with renowned F&B companies to expand high-quality job resources, providing more valuable career development opportunities for students and helping employers find the right talent.

“Our goal is not only to help students find jobs but also to build a bridge for their career development,” Goh further emphasized. “In the future, we will introduce more career training resources to support the growth of young talents in Singapore.”

Founded in Singapore in 2017, Bossjob is a global AI-driven recruitment platform that has been launched in 13 countries worldwide. To date, the platform has attracted over 4.5 million registered job seekers, with more than 55,000 employers hiring from its extensive database. By leveraging advanced AI technology, Bossjob provides end-to-end services from job creation to automatically matching the most suitable candidates to employers.

PeptiGrowth Inc. is Launching a Novel Synthetic Peptide: KGF alternative peptide (FGFR2b agonist)

TOKYO, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — PeptiGrowth Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Junichiro Ishizuka) has successfully developed a novel synthetic peptide called “KGF alternative- peptide (FGFR2b agonist)” which is functionally equivalent to recombinant keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). This product will be on the market beginning April 2025.

Development of Synthetic Peptide Growth Factors by PeptiGrowth
Conventional growth factors and cytokines used in the manufacturing of regenerative medicine and cell therapy products face various quality challenges such as lot-to-lot variation, potential contamination with biological impurities, low stability, and high cost. PeptiGrowth has been working on the development of a series of synthetic peptides that can address these challenges while maintaining equivalent function to the conventional growth factors and cytokines on the market. Our peptides are completely chemically synthesized and animal component-free, enabling xeno-free and chemically defined cell culture media.

About KGF alternative peptide (FGFR2b agonist) [Product code: PG-012]

  • Mechanism of activating FGFR2b by the KGF alternative peptide (PG-012)

PG-012, KGF alternative peptide, is a dimeric peptide composed of cyclic peptides designed to bind specifically to FGFR2b. Like KGF, PG-012 effectively interacts with FGFR2b and exhibits agonistic activity against FGFR2b (see diagram below).

Mechanism of Action of PG-012, a KGF Alternative Peptide
Mechanism of Action of PG-012, a KGF Alternative Peptide

  • Comparable signal activation activity to recombinant KGF

"ERK phosphorylation and cell proliferation activity of PG-012 and KGF in FGFR2b-overexpressing BaF cells.
“ERK phosphorylation and cell proliferation activity of PG-012 and KGF in FGFR2b-overexpressing BaF cells.

We conducted a comparative study on the functions of KGF alternative peptide (PG-012) and commercially available recombinant KGF using FGFR2b-overexpressing BaF3 cells. We confirmed that the KGF alternative peptide activates ERK (upper left figure) and exhibits proliferation activity (upper right figure) in a manner similar to recombinant KGF at lower concentrations (ng/mL basis).

We anticipate that the KGF alternative peptide (PG-012) will be applicable in regenerative medicine and cell therapy, particularly in applications such as differentiation and proliferation of epidermal cells and cells derived from the endoderm, such as alveolar epithelial cells, islet cells, and hepatocytes, from pluripotent stem cells.

  • Product Overview

Product name: KGF alternative peptide (FGFR2b agonist)
Product code: PG-012
Product form: Lyophilized
Storage conditions: -20°C or less
Purity: ≥95% by HPLC
Molecular weight: 6018.40 (Acetate)
Size: 10 μg, 100 μg, 1 mg (volume per vial)
*This product can be provided with an Animal Component Free (ACF) certificate.
*This product is for testing and research use only (RUO).
*There is a possibility that the specifications can change.

  • Purchase Our Product

If you would like to purchase our products, please contact us using the information below.

For customers who would like to purchase GMP compliant products as well as the above PG products in bulk scale, please contact us using the information below.

Contact Information

PeptiGrowth Inc.
Tel: + 81-(0)70-7789-3905
E-mail: contact@peptigrowth.com 

Development of other peptides from PeptiGrowth
We have developed alternative peptides targeting numerous growth factors and cytokines. To date, we have launched 12 products and plan to launch additional growth-factor alternative peptides targeting PDGF-AA and IL-15 by the end of 2025.