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Xlife Sciences AG (XLS DE): Breakthrough in Drug Development

First available holistic medical drug to treat Covid-19 and flu viruses

 

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – EQS Newswire – 10 June 2021 – As a project company of Xlife Sciences AG (XLS DE), inflamed pharma GmbH has developed a revolutionary and holistic therapeutic approach to treat both SARS-CoV-2 and flu viruses. The patented active substance ProcCluster(R) reduces the viral load by 90% and acts against infection-related inflammatory processes without developing a resistance. It is already used on humans.


The active pharmaceutical ingredient ProcCluster(R) developed by inflamed pharma GmbH is membrane permeable and is based on the active ingredient procaine. It acts both locally as well as systemically and is characterized by a wide range of applications in inflammatory diseases. ProcCluster(R) is already used for various prescription drugs for humans. In various case studies, renowned medical doctors have now been able to successfully demonstrate the effectiveness in the treatment of Covid-19 and Long-Covid patients. In studies with various cell lines, especially lung cells, the active ingredient was able to reduce the viral load by 90% in an early phase and effectively inhibit inflammation in a later phase. These effects can be transferred to other RNA viruses.

Oliver R. Baumann, CEO of Xlife Sciences AG, comments: “ProcCluster(R) has enormous market potential because, in contrast to other active ingredients, both the inflammatory processes and the viral load in the body are significantly reduced. This means that it can be used at different points in time during the course of the Covid-19 disease”. It is of inestimable value that this active ingredient is already produced by inflamed pharma GmbH in high quality at low cost. “Another key advantage compared to vaccines and antibodies is that ProcCluster(R) does not lead to resistance development and can also be used against virus mutants”, continues Baumann. In addition, ProcCluster(R) has a stimulating effect on the microcirculation, which is particularly important for Long-Covid patients. So far, no negative side effects have been observed either.

According to the management of Xlife, they are already in various discussions with possible industrial partners in order to have ProcCluster(R) industrially manufactured. The aim is for the active ingredient to be licensed out as quickly as possible.

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

About Xlife Sciences AG

Xlife Sciences AG is a Swiss company with focus on investing in promising technologies in the life science industry. Xlife Sciences AG is building the bridge from research and development to healthcare markets by supporting researchers and entrepreneurs in positioning, structuring, developing and implementing their concepts. Together with industrial partners or universities, Xlife Sciences AG leads projects through the proof-of-concept phase after an invention disclosure or start-up. Subsequently, the firm focuses on out-licensing or selling the company, often with a combination of a strategic partnership. Xlife Sciences AG offers its investors direct access to the further development of innovative and future-oriented technologies at a very early stage. For more information, please visit: www.xlifesciences.ch

#XlifeSciencesAG

Missing Covid Patient Found and Admitted to Hospital

Covid patient

A Covid-19 patient who tested positive in Vientiane Capital yesterday has now contacted health officials after medical professionals failed to locate him.

Laos Confirms Four New Cases of Covid-19

Covid-19 update

Laos has confirmed four new cases of Covid-19 following yesterday’s single case.

Lumpy Skin Disease Kills More Than 100 Cattle in Laos

Lumpy Skin Disease Kills over 100 cattle in Laos
Lumpy Skin Disease (Photo: Vientiane Mai)

Over 100 cows and buffalo have died from lumpy skin disease infections across 126 villages in seven provinces as the disease spreads across Laos.

Sanrio characters back as handy silicone zip pouches exclusively by 7-Eleven’s Shop and Earn stamps programme

Adorable and super useful — these unique pouches that do not mind a squish here and there hold keys, coins, hand sanitisers and even lipsticks

 

  • Earn a stamp with every $5 spent; five stamps and a top-up of $8.90 get you one randomly packed zip pouch
  • Stamp issuance and merchandise redemption begin 9 June; stamp issuance ends 3 August and redemption ends 10 August, or while stocks last
  • Eight characters of the Sanrio family including Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Cinnamoroll are featured in this series of collectibles
  • Made with treated silicone, the zip pouches are washable and anti-bacterial – perfect in a time where personal hygiene is more important than ever

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 10 June 2021 – Yet again, Singapore’s favourite convenience store 7-Eleven brings fans of the Sanrio family much joy by welcoming back eight wildly popular characters. From 7-Eleven’s Shop and Earn stamps programme, Sanrio returns as mini pouches of fun, or handy silicone zip pouches! Perfectly functional and irresistibly adorable, the zip pouches are available for redemption island-wide from 9 June. Begin by earning stamps – every $5 spent earns you a stamp, and a randomly-packed zip pouch may be redeemed for either 20 stamps, or 5 stamps and a top-up of $8.90. Also look out for selected Star products that will earn you two stamps instead of one!

Stamps can be earned for eight weeks between 9 June and 3 August; randomly-packed zip pouches can be redeemed until 10 August, or while stocks last.

Full series of Sanrio zip pouches exclusively by 7-Eleven’s Shop and Earn stamps programme

Sweet and stylish for the kawaii at heart

Designed with minimalism in mind, each silicone zip pouch brings together just two delicate pastel tones with clean lines, and is reusable and washable, perfect in a time where hygiene is of paramount importance. A balance of ara-ara and UwU, the 12-cm tall zip pouches would suit chic grown-up fans of Sanrio just as much as kawaii schoolchildren. The durable zip pouches also have a loop at the top for easy hooking onto bag straps or holding on to when you do a coffee run. Because they are made with soft, treated silicon, it would only take moments to locate them in the bag without having to rummage.

The world-famous Hello Kitty comes in spotless white and soft pink, and My Melody is in a beautiful blush and sky blue. The line-up also features Sanrio’s genial frog Keroppi in lime green, the affable Little Twin Stars sunshine yellow, and innocent Cinnamoroll in a refreshing mint green and pale pink. Three more characters make the collection whole! Also featuring laidback Pompompurin, grumpy yakuza chicken Badtz Maru, and silly Pekkle Duck, kidults should take care not to melt from their cuteness when it is so easy to collect them all!

Snag all eight, while stocks last!

Especially for frequent patrons of the ubiquitous 7-Eleven, it is easy to pick up a zip pouch or two to surprise loved ones who are into cutesy merchandise. In true 7-Eleven spirit, there is indeed something for everyone – even if you’re looking for a small gesture of appreciation and love. Get your Sanrio silicone zip pouch once it launches on 9 June 2021!

Can’t get enough? 7-Eleven gives Sanrio fans more reasons to smile! In addition to pouches, you can also get their hands on nifty merchandise such as lunch boxes, tumblers, tote bags, and even head-turning umbrellas. These will be available in over 340 7-Eleven stores across Singapore.

Please note that transactions involving items such as cigarettes, parking coupons, bill payments and top-up services, lottery sales, pre-orders, food delivery app orders, and figurine redemptions with a cash top-up do not qualify for stamp collection.

High-res images are available in this link.

About 7-Eleven

Established in Singapore in 1983, 7-Eleven has since expanded to more than 400 stores island-wide to become the leading 24-hour convenience chain store. We take pride in serving the Singapore community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 7-Eleven emphasises convenience and value by offering a wide array of quality products, food and services to satisfy the needs of its customers. Think 7-Eleven and what comes to mind are the refreshing Slurpee, 7Café as well as a wide range of quality Ready Meals and sandwiches under 7-Select. 7-Eleven is also a 24/7 one-stop destination for customers who need to access bill payment services in their own time. Our services cover payment of utilities, courier services, and even cash withdrawal.

For more information, visit www.7-eleven.com.sg

#7Eleven

Azbil to Develop Digital Solutions for Intelligent Building Management Systems

TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach – 10 June 2021 – Azbil Corporation (Tokyo Stock Exchange Code: 6845) announced that it has started developing new digital solutions for use with intelligent building management systems (IBMS), with support from the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).

Azbil’s Singapore showroom

In recent years, as modern cities are being transformed into smart cities, solutions are being developed in siloes—in other words, in isolation—which hinders both cross-sector information-sharing and the overall benefit such solutions can offer society. Against this backdrop, Azbil has started a technological development project for developing new IBMS digital solutions that combine AI and big data.

The new digital solutions aim to share and visualize information comprehensively, contribute to a sustainable society, and improve people’s quality of life. Specifically, they aim to improve the safety of buildings and occupants, increase convenience and energy efficiency, and reduce operational costs and buildings’ impact on the environment. This will be accomplished through an infrastructure that enables the status of the building and occupants to be checked and managed remotely.

“We are pleased that Azbil Corporation is advancing its innovation and digitalization capabilities in Singapore,” said Ms. Linda Sein, Senior Vice President, Investment Facilitation, EDB. “Azbil’s development of smart technologies and infrastructure in Singapore reflects the country’s strengths in innovation and R&D for urban solutions and demonstrates our value in helping companies innovate and test-bed solutions for smart cities.”

“I am so excited to announce that, in Singapore, Azbil Corporation will invest and move forward with the state-of-the-art innovation project of developing digital solutions for lBMS, with such significant support from Singapore’s Economic Development Board in response to rapidly increasing demands for digital transformation and smart solutions that leverage AI and big data,” commented Mr. Takayuki Yokota, Azbil’s CFO and senior managing executive officer in charge of global corporate communication.

Azbil’s Singapore showroom is scheduled to exhibit conceptual images of the new digital solutions for IBMS as well as remote building operation and management.

Guided by the azbil Group philosophy of “human-centered automation,” Azbil continues to engage in initiatives that contributes “in series” to the achievement of a sustainable society and continual growth.


About Azbil Corporation

Azbil Corporation, formerly known as Yamatake Corporation, is a leading company in building and industrial automation, using its measurement and control technologies to provide customers with high value-added solutions to make their operations more efficient and sustainable. Founded in 1906, Azbil serves customers across the globe in a broad range of industries and aims to contribute to people’s safety, comfort and fulfilment, and global environmental preservation. At the end of March 2021, Azbil employed over 10,000 people worldwide and generated ¥246 billion in revenue.

For more information, please visit https://www.azbil.com/.

#Azbil

CUHK Business School Research Examines the Loopholes that Enable Companies to Greenwash Their Supply Chains

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 10 June 2021 – The days of running businesses solely for profit are long gone. Businesses, large or small, must make considerable efforts to be socially responsible and eco-friendly. A past survey shows that 91 percent of global consumers expect businesses to address social and environmental issues, and 90 percent of them would boycott a company if it were engaged in irresponsible business practices. In other words, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not only a buzzword, but vital for businesses to be successful nowadays. However, it is not always easy to tell whether a company is really doing good or just faking it, and as a recent research study looks at depth, some firms would voluntarily publish their supply chain relationships with “green” suppliers to to present a CSR image that fails to represent the whole truth.

Titled Corporate Social Responsibility in Supply Chain: Green or Greenwashing?, this research study is the first to examine greenwashing behaviour of firms by looking at the voluntary disclosure of their suppliers. It was co-conducted by Jing Wu, Assistant Professor in the Department of Decision Sciences and Managerial Economics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Business School, Yilin Shi, an incoming PhD student at the CUHK Business School, and Prof. Yu Zhang at Peking University. The researchers found greenwashing to be common in the more than 40 countries who are the world’s major economies. The team looked at around 7,600 public manufacturing firms globally and observed over 12,000 unique firm-supplier-year relationships from 2003 to 2017.

“It is just not enough for firms to show the ‘green’ image of themselves to the world to demonstrate their efforts in CSR. Our results show that firms now selectively reveal their ‘green’ suppliers to win customer trust,” Prof. Wu says.

To gauge greenwashing behaviour, the researchers first calculated a score for each of the companies in the sample based on their environmental performance. They found consistent evidence that a suppliers’ environment score is positively related to how likely their partner firm would disclose its supply chain relationship. Specifically, a one-standard-deviation increase in a supplier’s environment score would lead to a 4.2 percent higher chance of being disclosed by their customer firm. In addition, firms tend to not reveal their less eco-friendly suppliers.

To rule out the alternative explanation that firms may have chosen to disclose their relationship with a certain set of suppliers based on other favourable characteristics and that these suppliers also happen to possess strong CSR credentials, the researchers tested if firms displayed greenwashing behaviour more when their local weather was abnormally hotter, an indicator of global warming.

“For example, people google more about global warming in extremely hot days and even retail investors would sell stocks of firms that produce more carbon emissions and buy stocks of more eco-friendly firms,” Prof. Wu explains. “The same goes for our study. We think that if firms greenwash because they are concerned about their CSR image, then such behaviour would be more prominent in extreme weather conditions.”

Just as theorised, Prof. Wu and his co-authors found that firms are significantly more likely to fake good CSR image by greenwashing in extremely hot weather. “We also find that when other environmental concerns trigger people’s attention to climate warming, such as wildfire outbreaks, local firms are also more likely to greenwash their images,” Prof. Wu adds.

Who Does Greenwashing?

In terms of firm size and market share, the study found that small firms and those with less market share and usually lower CSR scores are more likely to greenwash in presenting a good CSR image. This is because unlike large firms, small firms may not have the resources to invest in substantial CSR efforts and they may need to leverage the power of their supplier’s images. For firms facing intensive competition, faking a green image without making real CSR efforts can be a convenient strategy. When small firms are under competitive pressure, a good CSR image may help them to stand out from their rivals.

Firms that are more concerned about their public image and reputation are also more likely to conduct greenwashing. In particular, firms that spend significantly more on advertising are found to be more aggressive in supply chain greenwashing, as the strategic disclosure of their “green” suppliers would help build a better CSR image.

The researchers also found that more profit-hungry firms are likely to engage in supply chain greenwashing. According to the study, firms seeking to chase a higher return on assets (ROA) tend to hide their “brown” or less environmentally-friendly suppliers to avoid being punished for having a low CSR affiliation. The same is true for firms that are owned more by institutional investors. A firm with a good CSR image is a profitable asset in investors’ portfolios, and therefore firms might want to maintain a positive image for institutional investors. On the other hand, some institutional investors might not care about greenwashing at all as long as it brings in profits.

The study highlights that if a supplier has more institutional ownership, then a firm using this supplier is more likely to selectively disclose the relationship based on the latter’s environmental performance. This is because a relationship with a supplier with good CSR credentials and large institutional ownership will receive more public attention, which would benefit the firm using this supplier in terms of publicity and recognition.

“If the ‘bright’ side to CSR is a world where firms are seeking to lower their carbon footprint, then what our study shows is the ‘dark’ side and how smaller and weaker firms are using it to greenwash their public image,” Prof. Wu says.

Short-term Benefit

Showing off a “green” image is not the only benefit that the firms can get out of greenwashing. The researchers found that sales in firms that disclose their suppliers with good environment ratings increased when compared with sales of the firms that disclose their “brown” suppliers. However, such an improvement in sales was short-lived. Similarly, disclosing “green” suppliers could have a positive effect on a firm’s ROA, but the effect would diminish in the long term.

Why is that? Prof. Wu explains that the public can be slow in familiarising themselves with the manufacturing process of products or the details of supply chains, so it is easy for firms to lure people with their seemingly “green” efforts in the supply chain. But, in the long run, the general public would realise that what the firms did was a mere publicity stunt. Therefore, the boosted sales and ROA would not last.

“Everyone wants to drive a Tesla, but not all of them know how the cars are made and where the parts come from. If a manufacturer tells the public that they only work with eco-friendly suppliers, then people might just fall for it,” Prof. Wu says. “Just like how retail customers are now increasingly sceptical of so-called ‘green’ products, the public would become sophisticated enough to tell whether the firms are dedicating real efforts in protecting the planet. It just takes time.”

Real-world Implications

Prof. Wu and his co-authors point out that there is a way to put a damper on firms’ greenwashing behaviour. In examining environment-related disclosure regulations around the world launched between 2003 and 2016, they found that supply chain greenwashing typically reduces after CSR reporting and disclosure regulations are tightened.

The researchers also say that since, more often than not, environmental legislation tends to focus on the green credentials of a company’s own production and operations and pay less attention to its suppliers, it can be easy for firms to hide environmentally polluting production processes in complex supply chains.

To enhance the effectiveness of regulations, they suggest countries expand their scope in requiring the disclosure of suppliers. This way, firms would not be able to only disclose the “green” suppliers and hide the bad ones. Policymakers should also consider improving the transparency of supply chains in the current regulatory framework and they should always beware of firms’ strategic and selective disclosure to boost a “green” image.

For managers, the researchers advise them to bear in mind that higher profits, either in the form of sales or ROA, brought about by greenwashing practices only last for a very short term. When people find out that a firm engaged in greenwashing their CSR efforts and with no actual interest in being socially responsible, then the short-term gains would likely disappear.

“For investors, they should make an effort to detect when strategic disclosure of ‘green’ suppliers purely for CSR image purposes is happening, and realise that only truly greener supply chains can improve firms’ capital market valuation in the long term,” Prof. Wu comments. “The public can also get in on the action and help out by monitoring any suspicious supply chain greenwashing behaviour.”

Reference:

Shi, Yilin and Wu, Jing and Zhang, Yu, Corporate Social Responsibility in Supply Chain: Green or Greenwashing? (July 25, 2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3700310 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3700310

This article was first published in the China Business Knowledge (CBK) website by CUHK Business School: https://bit.ly/3fFpu3S.

About CUHK Business School

CUHK Business School comprises two schools – Accountancy and Hotel and Tourism Management – and four departments – Decision Sciences and Managerial Economics, Finance, Management and Marketing. Established in Hong Kong in 1963, it is the first business school to offer BBA, MBA and Executive MBA programmes in the region. Today, CUHK Business School offers 10 undergraduate programmes and 18 graduate programmes including MBA, EMBA, Master, MSc, MPhil and Ph.D. The School currently has more than 4,800 undergraduate and postgraduate students from 20+ countries/regions.

In the Financial Times Executive MBA ranking 2020, CUHK EMBA is ranked 15th in the world. In FT‘s 2021 Global MBA Ranking, CUHK MBA is ranked 48th. CUHK Business School has the largest number of business alumni (40,000+) among universities/business schools in Hong Kong – many of whom are key business leaders.

More information is available at http://www.bschool.cuhk.edu.hk or by connecting with CUHK Business School on:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cuhkbschool

Instagram: www.instagram.com/cuhkbusinessschool

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/school/cuhkbusinessschool

WeChat: CUHKBusinessSchool

#CUHKBusinessSchool

Windflower Florist Announces New Brand Story and Product Offerings

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 10 June 2021 – Windflower Florist, one of Singapore’s leading online florists, unveiled a new brand story along with fresh product offerings in response to changing tides in the industry of gifting.

Windflower Florist has expanded its product offerings, tailoring its range to the ever-evolving needs and wants of its customers. As celebrations and gatherings are tightly regulated amidst the pandemic, the company seeks to provide a one-stop gifting solution, saving customers from the hassle of shopping from multiple stores.

The company has partnered with reputable vendors in Singapore to offer a wide selection of gift bundles featuring their flower arrangements with products such as cakes, bird’s nests, home & living and wellness products. The brand also modernized their gift hampers by introducing sustainable packaging which can be reused many times over. With e-learning and work-from-home arrangements being the norm, the team also curated a selection of DIY kits for all to enjoy from the comfort of their homes.

Windflower Florist made its way into the minds and hearts of its customers back in 2005 when Stanley Tan, a fresh polytechnic graduate then, took the trade online and revitalised the 20 year-old family business.

As the business grew, so did the team.

Naturally, the essence of the company changed as its people refined its culture and DNA throughout the past 16 years. Despite high turnover rates in the industry, the Windflower team has remained united, weathering the uncertainties that came with a global pandemic.

The team consists of florists and floral enthusiasts, determined to help build a brand that they believe in. They are from very diverse backgrounds and many took a leap of faith to step back from what society perceived as stable careers to pursue their passion.

About Windflower Florist

Windflower Florist started its operations in 1997. Since then, the company has grown into one of Singapore’s most popular online florists — a far cry from its humble beginnings.

A modern gifting company helmed by a team of passionate florists and flower enthusiasts, these individuals come from all walks of life where they took the courage to take a step back from what society perceived as stable careers to pursue their passion. Windflower florist offers a variety of flowers and gifts such as dried flower bouquets, rustic flower bouquets, graduation bouquets, lily bouquets, baby hampers, and hydrangeas.

Most recently, the florist has also expanded its offerings, collaborating with vendors to offer its customers cakes, hampers, candles, and more.

The florist has a dedicated wedding arm, O’hara Weddings, and flower subscription arm, Urban Meadow Flowers, that specialises in weddings and weekly/bi-weekly flower subscription services respectively.

For more information, please visit: https://windflowerflorist.com/

#WindflowerFlorist