Accommodation providers will have standout opportunity to participate in a major promotional event gaining exposure to millions of travelers

SINGAPORE, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Celebrating 20 years of Agoda, the digital travel platform is inviting hoteliers and accommodation providers across the region to participate in a landmark 20th Birthday sales campaign leading up to the special occasion on May 19.

The celebration promises to be the platform’s most ambitious strategic promotion yet, uniting partners and travelers through a raft of exclusive deals across accommodation, flights and activities. The special birthday sale will offer travelers worldwide exceptional savings of up to 60% from May 7-20, with exclusive discounts up to 70% on May 21.

Partners will be offered a significant opportunity to increase property visibility, attract and drive demand from high-intent guests, boost occupancy rates and capitalize on Agoda’s two decades of market expertise.

This initiative comes as Agoda customers show strong interest for international travel. 87% of travelers expect to take the same number of trips or more compared to 2024, with most of those journeys involving crossing international borders (52%).

“For 20 years, Agoda’s mission has been to make travel more accessible while delivering greater value to our partners who have been with us from the beginning and as we grew,” said Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President, Supply at Agoda. “This campaign is not just a celebration, it’s another way for our hotelier partners to connect with international travelers through our world-class technology and deep understanding of local markets.”

Over the years, Agoda’s journey has been defined by strong partnerships, with around 95,000 accommodations joining the platform in its early years, many of which remain active to this day. This reflects the trust placed in Agoda by its partners, as the platform has expanded to host over 5 million accommodation listings worldwide.

Smith added, “By generating excitement for this campaign, we aim to help hoteliers convert the buzz around our birthday into measurable results.”

Agoda’s partners are still growing decades later

From its first listing of a boutique hotel in Pattaya to today’s global network of 5 million properties, Agoda’s growth mirrors the ambition of its partners. The platform now connects customers with over 130,000 flight routes and 360,000 activity providers.

Agoda has spent the past decade building tools that help accommodation partners work smarter, not harder. Through its PartnerHub platform, properties now get access to a range of digital tools designed to help them fulfil their potential. On average, properties using tools like Agoda Intelligence secure 30% more bookings than competitors. By turning complex data into clear business strategies, Agoda helps partners stay visible, save time while growing revenue.

Daren Lee, Director of Revenue at Sunway Putra Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia said: “With 650 rooms to fill, we rely on partners who deliver results—and Agoda has done just that since we started working with them. From starting with just a few thousand nights, we’ve grown 16 times over the decade. Agoda’s consistent performance, data-driven campaigns and dedicated local team support have helped us scale significantly and stay competitive, including during COVID-19 when strong domestic support was critical.”

The engine behind the growth 

Behind every partner’s growth story lies Agoda’s digital infrastructure, a constantly evolving system processing vast amounts of data to achieve optimal results for accommodation providers including:

• 1 trillion daily price checks to match demand with the best deals.
• Analyzing over 2 billion user interactions daily to refine personalized travel recommendations.
• 12 petabytes of monthly data analyzed to forecast trends and tailor offers.

Over the past two decades, Agoda has redefined travel by empowering its partners and unlocking unforgettable experiences for explorers worldwide. This milestone celebrates the partnerships that have shaped its legacy and the technology driving its progress, ensuring that every journey remains effortlessly smooth and convenient.

Hoteliers interested in participating in Agoda’s 20th Birthday Campaign can enroll here.

SUZHOU, China, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Nexteer Automotive hosted an estimated 200 suppliers plus government dignitaries at its Global Supplier Conference in Changshu, Jiangsu Province, China, recently. The event aimed to strengthen agility, resilience and sustainability throughout the supply chain.

The conference aligned closely with Nexteer’s Auto Shanghai 2025 exhibition and highlighted the company’s recent expansion in Changshu to support continued robust growth alongside leading Chinese OEMs (COEMs). The event emphasized rapid go-to-market innovation and collaborative approaches to improving cost and time efficiencies, while reinforcing safety-critical quality as a core pillar of Nexteer’s business.

“A resilient and innovative supply chain is critical to ensuring mutual success for OEMs and suppliers alike, especially in today’s fast-changing world of mobility, accelerating technology advancements and ongoing uncertainties,” said Jacky Xu, Vice President and Chief Purchasing Officer at Nexteer Automotive. “By fostering agility, resiliency and sustainability across all tiers of our supply chain, we can better navigate disruptions, deliver cutting-edge solutions and drive out costs while accelerating development time. Ultimately, these collective efforts enhance value for both automakers and end-consumers.”

Designed to immerse supplier-partners in strategic discussions informed by a fast-changing industry, megatrends and the competitive landscape, Nexteer held its Global Supplier Conference at its Changshu facility during the Auto Shanghai 2025 event. 

As a strategic location, Nexteer’s state-of-the-art Changshu facility opened January 2025 and enhances the company’s ability to meet growing COEM demand while aligning with China’s New Quality Productive Forces initiative, which emphasizes high-end, intelligent and sustainable manufacturing. This expansion reinforces Nexteer’s commitment to advancing mobility solutions in step with local economic and technological development priorities.

For strategic timing, Auto Shanghai serves as a pivotal platform for suppliers to gain insights into the latest industry trends, helping them anticipate market shifts, adapt to emerging technologies and stay informed about evolving customer needs in the region and globally. 

Nexteer is currently exhibiting at Auto Shanghai and displaying cutting-edge motion control innovations under the theme “Pioneering Motion Control Globally at China Speed – Vision, Velocity and Value.” The company’s exhibit is located in Hall 1.2H at the National Convention and Exhibition Center from April 23 until May 2, 2025.   

ABOUT NEXTEER AUTOMOTIVE

Nexteer Automotive (HK 1316) is a global leading motion control technology company accelerating mobility to be safe, green and exciting. Our innovative portfolio supports “motion-by-wire” chassis control, including electric and hydraulic power steering systems, steer-by-wire and rear-wheel steering systems, steering columns and intermediate shafts, driveline systems, software solutions and brake-by-wire. The company solves motion control challenges across all megatrends – including electrification, software/connectivity, ADAS/automated driving and shared mobility – for more than 60 customers around the world including BMW, Ford, GM, RNM, Stellantis, Toyota and VW, as well as automakers in India and China including BYD, Xiaomi, ChangAn, Li Auto, Chery, Great Wall, Geely, Xpeng and others. www.nexteer.com

Link to Nexteer Media Center  

Logo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/nexteer_logo-5.jpg

SUZHOU, China, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Nexteer Automotive hosted an estimated 200 suppliers plus government dignitaries at its Global Supplier Conference in Changshu, Jiangsu Province, China, recently. The event aimed to strengthen agility, resilience and sustainability throughout the supply chain.

The conference aligned closely with Nexteer’s Auto Shanghai 2025 exhibition and highlighted the company’s recent expansion in Changshu to support continued robust growth alongside leading Chinese OEMs (COEMs). The event emphasized rapid go-to-market innovation and collaborative approaches to improving cost and time efficiencies, while reinforcing safety-critical quality as a core pillar of Nexteer’s business.

“A resilient and innovative supply chain is critical to ensuring mutual success for OEMs and suppliers alike, especially in today’s fast-changing world of mobility, accelerating technology advancements and ongoing uncertainties,” said Jacky Xu, Vice President and Chief Purchasing Officer at Nexteer Automotive. “By fostering agility, resiliency and sustainability across all tiers of our supply chain, we can better navigate disruptions, deliver cutting-edge solutions and drive out costs while accelerating development time. Ultimately, these collective efforts enhance value for both automakers and end-consumers.”

Designed to immerse supplier-partners in strategic discussions informed by a fast-changing industry, megatrends and the competitive landscape, Nexteer held its Global Supplier Conference at its Changshu facility during the Auto Shanghai 2025 event. 

As a strategic location, Nexteer’s state-of-the-art Changshu facility opened January 2025 and enhances the company’s ability to meet growing COEM demand while aligning with China’s New Quality Productive Forces initiative, which emphasizes high-end, intelligent and sustainable manufacturing. This expansion reinforces Nexteer’s commitment to advancing mobility solutions in step with local economic and technological development priorities.

For strategic timing, Auto Shanghai serves as a pivotal platform for suppliers to gain insights into the latest industry trends, helping them anticipate market shifts, adapt to emerging technologies and stay informed about evolving customer needs in the region and globally. 

Nexteer is currently exhibiting at Auto Shanghai and displaying cutting-edge motion control innovations under the theme “Pioneering Motion Control Globally at China Speed – Vision, Velocity and Value.” The company’s exhibit is located in Hall 1.2H at the National Convention and Exhibition Center from April 23 until May 2, 2025.   

ABOUT NEXTEER AUTOMOTIVE

Nexteer Automotive (HK 1316) is a global leading motion control technology company accelerating mobility to be safe, green and exciting. Our innovative portfolio supports “motion-by-wire” chassis control, including electric and hydraulic power steering systems, steer-by-wire and rear-wheel steering systems, steering columns and intermediate shafts, driveline systems, software solutions and brake-by-wire. The company solves motion control challenges across all megatrends – including electrification, software/connectivity, ADAS/automated driving and shared mobility – for more than 60 customers around the world including BMW, Ford, GM, RNM, Stellantis, Toyota and VW, as well as automakers in India and China including BYD, Xiaomi, ChangAn, Li Auto, Chery, Great Wall, Geely, Xpeng and others. www.nexteer.com

Link to Nexteer Media Center  

PARIS, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — HR Path, a global leader in HR consulting and HRIS solutions, is proud to announce its strategic acquisition of smahrt consulting AG, a Swiss-based company specializing in HR-IT consulting, implementation and outsourcing. Especially within the SAP product portfolio.

With a presence in 28 countries and a team of over 2,500 professionals, HR Path is a trusted partner for businesses navigating the complexities of Human Resources. Specializing in advisory, implementation, and operational services, HR Path delivers cutting-edge solutions designed to enhance efficiency and foster growth. Since its founding in 2001, the company has remained steadfast in its mission to transform HR practices globally.

Founded in 2007, smahrt has built a strong reputation for delivering high quality project with the solutions of SAP HCM, SAP SuccessFactors and suitable add-ons from third-party providers or smahrt’s own development. However, not only the depth solution expertise makes smahrt outstanding, but also the excellent know-how in integrating peripheral systems. This enables the HR department to focus on its core tasks and handle administrative tasks digitally and efficiently.

This acquisition represents a significant milestone for HR Path, solidifying its position as a leader in the HR industry and expanding its presence in Switzerland. smahrt’s specialized focus on HR-IT perfectly complements HR Path’s vision of driving organizational growth and excellence through strategic HR solutions.

According to Ato Anderson, Partner at HR Path, this move is “not just a strategic expansion, it’s a people-focused evolution.” He continues, “With smahrt joining HR Path, we are establishing a new powerhouse in the Swiss HR-IT landscape, combining depth of experience with a shared commitment to excellence. Together, we are expanding our service offering while unlocking exciting new opportunities for our clients and our people. This marks the beginning of a new chapter where innovation, impact, and growth will shape the future of HR in the region.”

PDF: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2673328/HR_Path_Expands.pdf  

CONTACT: Fabienne LATOUR – Fabienne.latour@hr-path.com 

European Commission converts conditional approval of FILSPARI (sparsentan)  into standard marketing authorization for the treatment of IgA Nephropathy (IgAN)

Decision follows positive recommendation from Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) from February 2025

EU approval is based on the complete data set from the phase-III PROTECT study

ST. GALLEN, Switzerland and SAN DIEGO, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CSL Vifor and Travere Therapeutics, Inc., (NASDAQ: TVTX) are pleased to announce that the European Commission has approved the conversion of the conditional marketing approval (CMA) into a standard marketing authorization (MA) for FILSPARI for the treatment of adults with primary IgA nephropathy with a urine protein excretion ≥1.0 g/day (or urine protein-to-creatinine ratio ≥0.75 g/g). Standard MA is granted for all member states of the European Union, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

“The decision by the European Commission is an important advancement for people living with IgAN in the EU”, said Dr. Vinicius Gomes De Lima, Head of Global Medical Affairs at CSL Vifor. “The standard approval, granted without changes to the indication, underscores the value of our clinical data, the dedication of our teams, and our ongoing commitment to deliver on our promise for patients. We look forward to continuing working closely with healthcare professionals, patient communities, and regulatory bodies to ensure access to FILSPARI across Europe.”

The European Commission’s standard approval of FILSPARI is a meaningful step forward for people living with IgA nephropathy across Europe,” said Dr. Jula Inrig, Chief Medical Officer at Travere Therapeutics.  “This decision not only validates the strength of the phase-III PROTECT study results but also reinforces our deep commitment to this rare kidney disease community. We remain dedicated to working with our partners, regulators, and healthcare providers to expand access and improve outcomes for those affected by IgAN.”

The European Commission’s decision follows CHMP’s recommendation to convert the CMA to standard MA from February 2025. The approval is based on a comprehensive clinical data set, including positive confirmatory results from the pivotal phase-III PROTECT study demonstrating that FILSPARI significantly slowed kidney function decline over two years compared to irbesartan.

FILSPARI is the only Dual Endothelin Angiotensin Receptor Antagonist (DEARA), a non-immunosuppressive therapy for the treatment of IgAN approved in Europe and is currently available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, following the European Commission’s conditional marketing authorization in April 2024

About CSL Vifor

CSL Vifor is a global partner of choice for pharmaceuticals and innovative, leading therapies in iron deficiency and nephrology. We specialize in strategic global partnering, in-licensing and developing, manufacturing and marketing pharmaceutical products for precision healthcare, aiming to help patients around the world lead better, healthier lives. Headquartered in St. Gallen, Switzerland, CSL Vifor also includes the joint company Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma (with Fresenius Medical Care).

The parent company, CSL (ASX: CSL; USOTC: CSLLY), headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, employs  32,000 people and delivers its lifesaving therapies to people in more than 100 countries. For more information about CSL Vifor visit, cslvifor.com.

About Travere Therapeutics

At Travere Therapeutics, we are in rare for life. We are a biopharmaceutical company that comes together every day to help patients, families and caregivers of all backgrounds as they navigate life with a rare disease. On this path, we know the need for treatment options is urgent – that is why our global team works with the rare disease community to identify, develop and deliver life-changing therapies. In pursuit of this mission, we continuously seek to understand the diverse perspectives of rare patients and to courageously forge new paths to make a difference in their lives and provide hope – today and tomorrow. For more information, visit travere.com.

About IgA Nephropathy (IgAN)

IgAN, also called Berger’s disease, is a rare progressive kidney disease characterized by the buildup of immunoglobulin A (IgA), a protein that helps the body fight infections, in the kidneys. The deposits of IgA cause a breakdown of the normal filtering mechanisms in the kidney, leading to blood in the urine (hematuria), protein in the urine (proteinuria) and a progressive loss of kidney function. Other symptoms of IgAN may include swelling (edema) and high blood pressure.

While rare, IgAN is the most common type of primary glomerular disease worldwide and a leading cause of kidney failure. IgAN is estimated to affect up to 250,000 people in the licensed territories (Europe, Australia and New Zealand).

About the PROTECT study

The PROTECT Study is one of the largest interventional studies to date in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and the only head-to-head vs. comparator trial in this rare kidney disease. It is a global, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, parallel-arm, active-controlled clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of 400 mg of sparsentan, compared to 300 mg of irbesartan (an angiotensin II receptor blocker(ARB)), in 404 patients ages 18 years and up with IgA nephropathy and persistent proteinuria despite receiving at least 50% of maximum label dose and maximally tolerated angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or ARB therapy.

The PROTECT study met its primary endpoint at the pre-specified interim analysis with statistical significance. After 36 weeks of treatment, patients receiving FILSPARI achieved a mean reduction in proteinuria from baseline of 49.8 percent, compared to a mean reduction in proteinuria from baseline of 15.1 percent for irbesartan-treated patients. The two-year confirmatory results from the study showed treatment with FILSPARI achieved statistical significance on the eGFR chronic slope endpoint versus irbesartan and demonstrated clinically meaningful kidney function preservation. eGFR is a blood test that measure how well kidneys filter waste products from blood. Treatment emergent adverse events were well-balanced between sparsentan and irbesartan, except for dizziness and hypotension.

About FILSPARI (sparsentan)

FILSPARI is an innovative, non-immunosuppressive, single-molecule, dual endothelin angiotensin receptor antagonist with high selectivity for the endothelin A receptor (ETAR) and the angiotensin II subtype 1 receptor (AT1R). 

FILSPARI was developed by Travere Therapeutics and has been granted Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of IgA nephropathy in the UK, Europe and the U.S. FILSPARI is currently available in the U.S. and first markets in Europe. CSL Vifor has been granted exclusive commercialization rights for FILSPARI in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

For more information, please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).

CSL Vifor Media Contact

Thomas Hutter
+41 79 957 96 73
media@viforpharma.com

Travere Therapeutics:

Investors
888-969-7879
ir@travere.com

Media
888-969-7879
mediarelations@travere.com