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Liverpool FC showcases its leadership in sustainability with latest The Red Way report

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LIVERPOOL, UK – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 April 2025 – Liverpool FC published its latest The Red Way report today, celebrating the club’s continued sustainability progress in building a better future for its people, planet and communities.

Liverpool FC showcases its leadership in sustainability with latest The Red Way report
Liverpool FC showcases its leadership in sustainability with latest The Red Way report

The Red Way (TRW), which was launched in 2021, is the club’s award-winning sustainability strategy, and its third annual season report marks an important milestone in the club’s ongoing journey to becoming a more sustainable organisation.

Aligned to 16 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the strategy outlines the progress made on the club’s long-term commitment to driving positive change through governance, innovation and strategic and collective action.

The 2023/24 season saw TRW recognised with nine major sustainability awards in a 12-month period, including the Front Office Sports’ Most Sustainable in Sport award and the Sports Industry Awards for Environmental Sustainability. These accolades reflect the demonstrable progress being made across all areas of the club from Operations to Retail and Travel.

Environmental sustainability remains a central focus under the Planet pillar, with 96% of all energy used at club sites coming from renewable or low-carbon sources. During the 2023/24 season the club offset 100% of its football operations emissions, reduced its overall carbon emissions by 12.5% compared to the previous season (2022/23) and achieved a 15% reduction on its 2019/20 baseline.

Significant steps were also taken to reduce emissions from travel, including eliminating 100% of carbon emissions from domestic team flights through investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The club also continue to utilise Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to fuel its team buses, which creates a reduction in carbon emissions of up to 90 per cent from regular diesel.

Biodiversity efforts have flourished under the club’s award-winning grounds team with over 1,000 trees and hedges planted. Further initiatives include the installation of honeybee colonies and solitary bee habitats, the club now has 60,000 bees across all its sites. This helps to support local pollinators, attract new wildlife and plant species and the continued success of the club’s allotment, which produced half a tonne of food used within its busy kitchens.

The legendary Anfield pitch is now fully recyclable and has already been put to good use making benches for the club’s new orchard at the AXA Training Centre.

Liverpool FC also remains the first Premier League club to achieve ISO20121 (sustainability) and holds both ISO45001 (health and safety) and ISO50001 (energy) certifications – which reflects both its commitment and governance credentials in this space.

Under the People pillar, LFC continues to champion equality, diversity and inclusion through its Red Together initiative. The club hosted its first ever Iftar event at Anfield, welcoming over 2,800 people to break fast together during Ramadan. The club also created powerful and engaging content for International Day of Disabled Persons, with 12-year-old super fan Dáire Gorman helping to raise awareness of Crommelin Syndrome, leading to a surge in public interest and a 12-month high of worldwide online searches for the condition.

The club’s work in its local and global communities continues to expand through the club’s official charity, LFC Foundation. Last season, the Foundation supported more than 127,000 people and delivered an impressive social return of £13.70 for every £1 spent. More than 60% of participants came from the most deprived areas of the country, demonstrating the Foundation’s commitment to making a real difference where it matters most.

Jonathan Bamber, Liverpool FC Chief Legal and External Affairs Officer and Executive Sponsor of The Red Way, said: “Understanding the impact that we do – and can – have is critical if we are to continue to succeed, on and off the pitch.

“The landscape we work in, and the challenges we are facing, are increasingly complex and regularly shifting. Despite this, we remain as ambitious, determined and optimistic as ever. We do this work because we believe it is vital if we are to be the football club that we want to be. Our commitment to The Red Way is stronger than ever.”

The club has also played a key role in global sustainability conversations, attending 24 international events across the 2023/24 season, including COP28 and the UN’s Global Eradicate Hate Summit. This global engagement reinforces LFC’s growing influence as a sustainability leader not only in football, but across the wider sports industry.

Rishi Jain, director of impact at Liverpool FC, added: “The Red Way is more than a strategy – it’s a key priority for the club and is embedded into every aspect of the business. This is our third annual report and it’s incredible to see the progress that has been made and that we continue to make, thanks to the support from our fans, staff, partners, and communities who help us achieve our ambition to be a truly sustainable football club.

“We have set ambitious targets, including achieving net zero by 2040, and we understand that we are on a journey and there is still much more to do. This report is a celebration of how far we’ve come and confirms our commitment to go even further.”

To learn more about The Red Way and view the full 2023/24 season report, visit www.liverpoolfc.com/theredway.

Hashtag: #LiverpoolFC

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

Singapore cybersecurity companies pioneer AI and quantum computing solutions to combat global threats

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 April 2025 – The global cybersecurity landscape is rapidly evolving, with the annual cost of cybercrime projected to reach US$10.5 trillion by 2025, up from US$8 trillion in 20231. This sharp rise underscores the urgent need to address cyber risks, as malicious actors continue to exploit vulnerabilities across industries worldwide. In response, Singapore is accelerating the development of cybersecurity innovations, not only to protect its own infrastructure but also to address emerging risks globally.

Three homegrown companies, cloudsineAI, Cyber Sierra and pQCee, are leading this effort with specialized solutions to tackle some of the biggest threats today like GenAI-driven attacks2 and quantum decryption risks. These challenges remain difficult for traditional cybersecurity solutions to address. With 70 to 80 percent of existing tools being one-size-fits-all3, critical gaps in protection remain, leaving organizations vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated threats.

These Singapore-based innovators are supported by the US$15 million CyberSG Talent, Innovation, and Growth Collaboration Center, a joint initiative between the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA). By targeting high-impact, niche vulnerabilities, they help organizations worldwide stay ahead of emerging threats while ensuring the safe use of new technologies.

“Singapore’s CyberSG Talent, Innovation and Growth Collaboration Center, in conjunction with our National Cybersecurity R&D Program, aims to drive key innovations in the global cybersecurity landscape. We support companies developing advanced digital infrastructure protection, strengthening our nation’s defenses while empowering collaborative global efforts against a rising tide of cyberattacks, marked by a 30 percent increase in 2024,” said Associate Professor Benjamin Tee, Vice President (Ecosystem Building), NUS Enterprise.

cloudsineAI: Blocking malicious content in GenAI applications

As GenAI adoption rapidly increases, so do the risks they pose, from prompt injection to sensitive data leakage. According to the Big Four accounting firm Deloitte, it is expected that GenAI could enable fraud losses to reach $40 billion in the US by 20274. To address these emerging threats, cloudsineAI has launched a new GenAI firewall, built specifically to protect mission-critical GenAI applications. Unlike traditional firewalls that protect against standard network or web application threats, this solution is powered by its unique ShieldPrompt™ multi-layered defense that actively scans both user inputs and AI-generated outputs to prevent the injection and block harmful or sensitive content.

The GenAI firewall also complements any AI guardrails to provide an updated threat vector database, contextualized security controls and integration with other security tools such as SIEMs. This innovation ensures that organizations can safely and securely innovate with GenAI while mitigating advanced cyber threats.

Cyber Sierra: The AI platform with agentic infrastructure for comprehensive compliance and protection

Cyber Sierra’s AI platform and agentic infrastructure enables complete protection and compliance. By integrating Cyber Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC) as well as Continuous Controls Monitoring (CCM), the architecture is built to meet the evolving demands of security and compliance teams. By harnessing intelligent automation and AI agents into human teams, Cyber Sierra is transforming how organizations detect risks, accelerate response times, while maintaining comprehensive compliance.

Cyber Sierra is also the first cybersecurity company in Southeast Asia to be recognized as a Sample Vendor in two key categories, Cyber GRC and CCM, in the Gartner® Hype Cycle for Cyber Risk Management 2024.

pQCee: Futureproofing data against quantum threats

SafeQuard by pQCee is a lightweight security tool that protects documents from the growing risks posed by quantum computers. Hackers are already stealing encrypted data today, with plans to decrypt it once powerful quantum computers become available. As this technology advances, sensitive documents stored now could be compromised in the future, making quantum-safe encryption a critical need today.

Fully compliant with security standards set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, SafeQuard safeguards the long-term confidentiality of high-value documents, protecting sensitive personal data and proprietary business information well into the quantum future.

Debuting Singapore’s cybersecurity solutions at the RSA Conference 2025

These three cybersecurity companies (see Annex A for quotes), along with three others from the CyberSG Talent, Innovation, and Growth Collaboration Center (The Center), will showcase their solutions at Singapore’s first national pavilion at the RSA Conference 2025 held from 28 April to 1 May 2025 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco (see Annex B for more information on the companies).

Organized by the Center and SGTech, the Singapore Pavilion aims to position the country as both a leading hub for cybersecurity innovation and a strategic gateway to Asia’s rapidly expanding US$7.5 billion digital economy. For more information on the Centre, please visit tig.cybersg.sg.

Hashtag: #cybersecurity #singaporecybersme #CybersgTIG #nusenterprise #NUS

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

CyberSG Talent, Innovation and Growth Collaboration Centre

The CyberSG Talent, Innovation and Growth Collaboration Centre, established by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) in partnership with the National University of Singapore (NUS), will play a key role in achieving a comprehensive approach to ecosystem development which consolidates and enhances CSA’s existing talent and innovation initiatives. The Centre will enable synergies between cybersecurity talent, innovation and growth industry, by serving as a national node to integrate and create relevant programmes for industry and talent development. It will help build a vibrant cybersecurity ecosystem by bring together industry, academia, individual and government stakeholders to leverage the opportunities posed by digitalisation.

For more information on the Centre, please visit

National University of Singapore (NUS)

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore’s flagship university, which offers a global approach to education, research and entrepreneurship, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. We have 16 colleges, faculties and schools across three campuses in Singapore, with more than 40,000 students from 100 countries enriching our vibrant and diverse campus community. We have also established more than 20 NUS Overseas Colleges entrepreneurial hubs around the world.

Our multidisciplinary and real-world approach to education, research and entrepreneurship enables us to work closely with industry, governments and academia to address crucial and complex issues relevant to Asia and the world. Researchers in our faculties, research centres of excellence, corporate labs and more than 30 university-level research institutes focus on themes that include energy; environmental and urban sustainability; treatment and prevention of diseases; active ageing; advanced materials; risk management and resilience of financial systems; Asian studies; and Smart Nation capabilities such as artificial intelligence, data science, operations research and cybersecurity.

For more information on NUS, please visit .

NUS Enterprise

NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurial arm of the National University of Singapore (NUS), plays a pivotal role in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship at NUS and beyond. We actively promote entrepreneurship and cultivate global mind-sets and talents through the synergies of experiential learning, active industry partnerships, holistic entrepreneurship support and catalytic entrepreneurship outreach. Our initiatives and global connections support a range of entrepreneurial journeys and foster ecosystem building in new markets. We provide expertise and connections to create successful spin-offs and translate innovations into the marketplace through industry collaboration. These initiatives augment and complement the University’s academic programmes and act as a unique bridge to industries well beyond Singapore’s shores.

For more information on NUS Enterprise, please visit .

GenScript Biotech and NSG Bio Form Strategic Partnership to Drive Biotechnology Innovation

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SINGAPORE, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — GenScript Biotech Corporation, a global leader in biotechnology research services, and NSG Bio, Singapore’s premier biotech incubator, today announced a strategic partnership designed to accelerate innovation and growth within the biotechnology sector.

MoU signing ceremony between GenScript and NSG Bio
MoU signing ceremony between GenScript and NSG Bio

Through this partnership, GenScript will provide exclusive preferential rates along with technical guidance from experienced scientists across its extensive range of biotechnology services and products to NSG Bio residents. This initiative empowers startups and biotech firms within the NSG Bio community, facilitating easier access to state-of-the-art technologies and services, thereby enhancing innovation and speeding up the transition from research to commercialization.

Since its founding in 2019, NSG Bio has supported innovators in developing transformative solutions across health, biomedical, agrifood, and industrial biotechnology sectors. The incubator specializes in precision medicine, nucleic acid technologies, AI-driven drug discovery, synthetic biology, and other groundbreaking areas. With Singapore’s largest co-working biotech laboratory and office spaces and extensive networks of local and international partners, suppliers, and industry experts, NSG Bio has supported over 50 resident companies, fostering their growth and success.

“We are excited to partner with NSG Bio to bolster Singapore’s dynamic biotechnology ecosystem,” stated Dr. Janice Jin, President of GenScript Asia Pacific. “By extending preferential pricing and technical expertise to residents of NSG Bio, we aim to foster greater innovation among emerging biotechnology companies, allowing them to allocate more resources toward achieving scientific breakthroughs and market readiness.”

“NSG Bio is committed to fostering a thriving and world-class biotechnology ecosystem in Singapore. Our partnership with GenScript represents a significant step forward in enabling our resident companies to access cutting-edge scientific capabilities and industry expertise. By deepening collaboration between leading global service providers and local biotech innovators, we are helping to catalyze impactful scientific advancements and reinforce Singapore’s position as a global hub for biomedical innovation,” said Ms. Daphne Teo, Chairwoman of the Board & Founder of NSG Bio.

This partnership reflects a mutual commitment by both GenScript and NSG Bio to empowering biotechnology entrepreneurs and developing a vibrant and resilient biotechnology ecosystem.

About GenScript Biotech Corporation

Founded in 2002 in New Jersey, GenScript Biotech Corporation accelerates innovation in biotech and healthcare by providing researchers and companies with the building blocks needed to develop groundbreaking treatments and products. Guided by its mission to Make People and Nature Healthier Through Biotechnology, and its role as a trusted global leader, GenScript has a team of over 5,500 employees and has served more than 200,000 customers acrossover100 countries and regions.

Learn more here: https://www.genscript.com

About NSG Bio

Founded with a focus on supporting biotech innovation, NSG Bio offers state-of-the-art equipment, efficient operations, capital efficiency, the expertise of world-class teams and global networks to assist life sciences companies. The conducive R&D environment contains fully equipped, certified BSL-2 laboratory and office infrastructure across 70,000 sq ft in the prime location of Biopolis and Science Park in Singapore. By providing access to high-quality infrastructure, its extensive partner network, community, and value-add benefits, NSG Bio ensures that companies, ranging from emerging biotech startups to multinational companies, can rapidly and efficiently execute on their cutting-edge research and development ecosystem in Singapore, leading to the innovation of revolutionary technologies and products that translate into breakthrough biotech ventures and impact for patients.

For more information, visit www.nsgbio.com

CONTACT:
Hasyim Sim
hasyim.sim@nsgbio.com

 

project44 Expands Cross-Border Visibility for Over-the-Road Shipments Between China and Vietnam

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In an industry first, project44 compliantly connects real-time data across borders—empowering multinational corporations to navigate shifting trade dynamics.

CHICAGO, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — project44 today announced it successfully provided visibility for its first full-truckload shipment between China and Vietnam. This industry-first achievement unlocks significant new business opportunities and supply chain efficiencies for multinational corporations operating across the Asia-Pacific region—particularly as China and Vietnam rapidly expand bilateral trade in response to new tariffs.

Over-the-road (OTR) transportation is the dominant freight mode in Vietnam, now accounting for 77% of the country’s freight volume However, medium-to-low technology adoption among local carriers has historically limited visibility into cross-border movements. With bilateral trade between China and Vietnam reaching a record $205 billion USD in 2024 and manufacturing investments accelerating in Vietnam, enhanced transportation connectivity between these two nations is critical for organizations adapting to evolving tariff landscapes.

project44 is uniquely authorized as the only real-time visibility provider permitted to transfer logistics data cross-border from China. Working closely with the Lingang Special Area, project44 ensures its Movement by project44™ platform delivers secure, compliant, and seamless visibility into China-based supply chains. Building upon its China capabilities, project44 now integrates real-time GPS and electronic logging device (ELD) data from Vietnam with its existing China OTR visibility data. This unprecedented integration overcomes long-standing technology barriers, enabling cross-border visibility and empowering organizations to confidently seize emerging trade opportunities.

“As the multinational brands we partner with navigate fast-changing global trade dynamics, we’re committed to equipping them with supply chain resilience and agility,” said Jett McCandless, Founder and CEO of project44. “project44’s extensive partner network and advanced technology uniquely position us to break down connectivity barriers and accelerate cross-border trade.”

“Cross-border visibility is critical for maintaining efficiency in today’s dynamic logistics landscape,” said Antonio Pacciolla, Ground & Rail Leader IMECA & APAC at CEVA Logistics. “As trade between key markets continues to grow, especially in our Asia Pacific region, CEVA Logistics relies on our partners’ solutions to seamlessly coordinate operations across borders. By integrating real-time data from multiple regions with the support of project44, CEVA is able to improve supply chain performance, ensure reliability and meet the increasing demands of global trade.”

To learn more, request a demo here. 

About project44    
project44 is on a mission to make supply chains work. project44’s Movement AI platform enables shippers, LSPs and carriers across the globe to reduce costs, optimize operations, deliver an exceptional customer experience and drive greater resiliency and sustainability. Having built the industry’s largest and most connected ecosystem, project44 provides visibility into over 1 billion shipments annually for over 1,000 of the world’s leading brands within manufacturing, automotive, retail, life sciences, food & beverage, CPG, and oil, chemical & gas. Learn more at project44.com.

Media contact:

press@project44.com

 

Cathay United Bank Crowned Best Bank for Sustainable Finance for Outstanding ESG Achievements

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TAIPEI, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cathay United Bank, a longstanding advocate for energy transition, was recently crowned Best Bank for Sustainable Finance at the ESG Investing Awards by Global Markets Media. The Bank outperformed prominent global contenders such as Morgan Stanley, TD Bank Group, and the Bank of Nova Scotia, to be named the winner – the only Asian enterprise to claim such a title!

Cathay United Bank is a longstanding supporter of Earth Day, and was recently named Best Bank for Sustainable Finance.
Cathay United Bank is a longstanding supporter of Earth Day, and was recently named Best Bank for Sustainable Finance.

As the top sustainable finance brand in Taiwan, Cathay United Bank bases its energy transition policy on the Low-Carbon Economic Blueprint and the Environmental Sustainability Blueprint – covering Scope 1 to 3 emissions and the use of renewable energy – fully supporting Earth Day’s 2025 theme: “Our Power, Our Planet”. In addition to being the first in Taiwan’s financial sector to complete the energy transition of its head office in 2022, the Bank has been paving the way toward sustainability, providing financial solutions to all customers and stakeholders in pursuit of net zero.

Cathay United Bank noted that instead of viewing sustainable transition as a risk, it should be regarded as a positive force that drives business growth and transformation, while enhancing the risk resilience of businesses. The Bank introduced several innovations during its commitment to sustainable development, such as promoting internal carbon pricing for internal energy transition, and empowering employees to engage in their companies’ transition through sustainability performance-linked payroll services. With many companies inspired, the Bank is increasingly focused on transition strategies in its planning, aiming to create mutually beneficial long-term value for stakeholders.

To share experiences and explore solutions for sustainable transition with its partners, Cathay United Bank has established diverse collaboration models. For example, the Bank teamed up with the CDP, an international non-profit organization that helps companies disclose their environmental impact, to assist customers in understanding the importance of net zero and impact management. In 2024, thanks to the efforts of experts and the Bank’s staff, 121 among 150 companies invited by the Bank successfully obtained CDP scores, with the response rate of the CDP questionnaire exceeding 80 percent – landing high above the global supply chain’s average of 50 percent. The Bank also held forums and workshops with reputed organizations to share knowledge on achieving sustainable transition.

Furthermore, Cathay United Bank engaged with the Metal Industries Research and Development Centre, Taiwan’s first carbon footprint verification agency, to accelerate net zero transition by offering businesses transition technologies. The Bank has also created engagement models tailored to customers’ industry type, business scale, carbon emission level, and ESG development progress, aiming to enhance the customers’ ability to implement net zero transition. At the same time, the Bank continues to provide sustainability-linked loans, green deposits, sustainability performance-linked payroll services, and sustainable finance partnerships with small and medium enterprises. By offering technical and capital support, the Bank assists customers in achieving their sustainability goals.

Aside from achieving PAS 2060 certification for its head office and three green branches in 2024, Cathay United Bank further exemplified its role as a “green” landlord by signing a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA). This CPPA offers lessees with the option of renewable energy and marks a step further towards achieving sustainability. Looking ahead, the Bank remains committed to the idea of “Our Power, Our Planet”, and aspires to wield its influence to bring together employees, customers, and stakeholders in the pursuit of net zero – building a sustainable tomorrow.

THE KORE IMPACT SET TO INTRODUCE INNOVATIVE KOREAN “GONGGU” CONCEPT TO US CREATORS AT EXCLUSIVE LA EVENT

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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Kore Impact Inc., a pioneering marketing company headquartered in Beverly Hills, is set to revolutionize the US e-commerce landscape with the introduction of “gonggu,” an innovative Korean group purchasing concept. The company will host an exclusive event for 100 creators in the Los Angeles area to showcase this unique marketing approach and to preview Korean products soon to be available in the American market.

The invite-only event will offer influential content creators a first look at The Kore Impact’s groundbreaking platform, Keverything, scheduled to launch on May 24th, 2025.This platform aims to connect US consumers with a portfolio of Korean products through a strategic network of influencer partnerships.

At the heart of The Kore Impact is a bold and visionary mission: to spark a cultural movement through commerce. Keverything isn’t just a shopping platform—it’s a curated gateway into the soul of Korea. From the electrifying energy of K-pop, the storytelling magic of K-dramas and K-movies, to the bold creativity of K-Art. Let’s not forget about the advanced technology of K-Skincare, the world-renowned excellence of K-Medical and K-Plastic Surgery, and the unforgettable experiences of K-Tourism—every offering being designed to inspire, connect, and elevate.

For Gen Z and Millennials in the U.S., this is more than a transaction—it’s an invitation to explore identity, culture, and innovation in one immersive experience. It’s where style meets substance, culture meets commerce, and passion meets greater possibilities.

“Gonggu represents a transformative approach to group purchasing that maximizes reach while minimizing costs for both brands and consumers,” says Claudia Choi, CEO of The Kore Impact. “By bringing this concept to the US market, we’re creating an exciting opportunity for American creators to introduce their audiences to high-quality Korean products through a unique, community-driven shopping experience.”

The Kore Impact is actively building a global network of over 500,000 influencers who will collaborate through the Keverything platform to promote limited-time product campaigns using the gonggu model. This strategy has proven highly successful in the Korean market and is poised to capitalize on the growing popularity of K-culture in the United States.

The company’s goal is clear: to promote the Korean Wave (“Hallyu”) in the US and spark genuine connections between Korean brands and American consumers through the power of trusted creator voices. The upcoming LA event marks a major milestone in positioning gonggu as a revolutionary force in American e-commerce—and The Kore Impact as the bridge between the two cultures.

thekoreimpact.com

About The Kore Impact Inc.
The Kore Impact Inc. is an online marketing company based in Beverly Hills, California, dedicated to connecting Korean brands with US creators. Through the Keverything app, which is launching on May 24, 2025, the company introduces American consumers to premium Korean products via trusted influencer partnerships. With a mission to elevate K-culture and spark cross-cultural innovation, The Kore Impact is pioneering a new wave of commerce, driven by creativity, authenticity, and global connection.

 

DSC® Celebrates Earth Day With Tree Planting Participated by Nearly 1,000 Global Employees and Sustainable Material Innovation

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PORTLAND, Ore., April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — DSC®, a global leader in performance foam manufacturing, celebrates Earth Day from the ground up with its strong commitment to sustainable innovation,  waste and carbon emissions reduction, and reforestation efforts that contribute to a greener future. Today, DSC® launches another year of environmental stewardship with its annual tree planting initiative, nearly 1,000 employees around the globe are participating in this event, including in Vietnam, Indonesia, China, and U.S.

DSC® launches another year of environmental stewardship with its annual tree planting initiative. Nearly 1,000 DSC employees in Vietnam, Indonesia, China, and the U.S. are participating in the tree planting event.
DSC® launches another year of environmental stewardship with its annual tree planting initiative. Nearly 1,000 DSC employees in Vietnam, Indonesia, China, and the U.S. are participating in the tree planting event.

The initiative is part of DSC’s sustainability roadmap, Run the Relay – an ambitious plan powered by a zero-carbon, zero-waste mission. The long-term vision centers on reducing carbon emissions, cutting down waste, transitioning to renewable energy, fostering innovation, and employee engagement.

“We celebrate Earth Day today, but DSC® is committed to reducing our impact on the environment every day,” said Fennie Wei, COO of DSC®. “With sustainable materials and designing for a circular economy, we’re creating high-performance insoles that support a low-carbon future for both the planet and the people who wear them.”

Beyond its ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, DSC® continues to lead the industry in material innovation, introducing bio-based alternatives that reduce dependency on fossil fuels. One of its most notable breakthroughs, DREAMCELL® XPRESSO, is a foam made with spent coffee grounds (SCG). This innovation not only enhances comfort and durability but also helps reduce landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions. 

Another breakthrough supporting DSC®‘s vision of closed-loop manufacturing is DREAMCELL® ZERO – an insole made with 100% reused foam waste designed for comfort. By transforming foam waste into new products, DSC® takes a decisive step toward a circular economy in the footwear supply chain, closing the loop on waste, and creating a sustainable cycle of production and consumption.

Alongside its use of recycled or bio-based content, DSC® also pioneered the use of supercritical fluid foaming technology in large-scale insole production with its DURAPONTEX® N-Series. This method eliminates the use of harmful chemical blowing agents, and instead infusing nitrogen or carbon dioxide to create an innovative, high-performance foam. It creates ultra-lightweight insoles with evenly spaced microscopic bubbles and air pockets that offer superior cushioning and unmatched resilience.

For 80 years since its founding in 1945, Dahsheng Chemical (DSC®) has been a leader in foam innovation for the sports industries. Known for its premium comfort and performance foam DURAPONTEX® and DREAMCELL®, DSC® partners with top brands and footwear manufacturers worldwide. By advancing innovation and pushing the limits of foam manufacturing, DSC® is dedicated to creating eco-friendly and advanced foam solutions that set new standards in the industry.

Visit www.dahsheng.com to learn more about Dahsheng Chemical (DSC®) and its commitment to sustainability and eco-innovation.

Media Contact:
Erin Patterson
t: +1-323-422-0274
e: erin.patterson@writetheskycomms.com

 

Investment of Approx. USD 4.5 Million in Development of Diagnostics for Tuberculosis to Partners Including Fujirebio and University Hospital Heidelberg

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TOKYO, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund announced today an investment of approximately JPY 679 million (USD 4.5 million1) for the development of diagnostics for tuberculosis, in addition to an investment of approximately JPY 15.9 million (USD 0.1 million1) for a drug discovery project for Chagas disease and leishmaniasis.2 

Investment of approximately JPY 679 million (USD 4.5 million1) for the development of diagnostics for tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious infectious disease, with approximately 10.8 million cases and 1.25 million deaths reported in 2023, making it the leading causes of death from a single infectious agent.3 The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set a target to end TB by 2030, but achieving this goal requires accurate and accessible diagnostic technologies. Current TB tests face challenges such as low sensitivity, high costs, complexity, and the need for specialized equipment and sputum samples, making them unsuitable for all patients. In particular, children, people with conditions who cannot produce sputum, and those in resource-limited settings often struggle to receive timely diagnoses, causing the continued spread of the disease. To address this issue, the GHIT Fund has decided to invest approximately JPY 679 million (USD 4.5 million1) towards a new TB diagnostic development project by US-based diagnostic developer Fluxus, Inc., 4 in partnership with Fujirebio, Inc., a developer of clinical diagnostics in Japan,4 and Heidelberg University Hospital in Germany.

This project will leverage Fluxus’ cutting-edge ultrasensitive detection technology to develop and validate a urine-based TB biomarker lipoarabinomannan (LAM) assay on its automated benchtop immunoassay analyzer. Additionally, the project will design and develop critical components for a portable, ultrasensitive point-of-care (PoC) system that integrates the urine LAM test. This advanced technology will enable rapid, accurate, and accessible diagnosis across a broader patient population, contributing to improved clinical outcomes and reduced transmission.

In addition, the GHIT Fund will invest approximately JPY 15.9 million (USD 0.1 million1) in a screening project against Chagas disease and leishmaniasis by Kitasato University, Nagasaki University, University of Tokyo, and Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi).

Please refer to Appendix 1 for detailed descriptions on these projects and their development stages.

As of March 31, 2025, the GHIT Fund has invested in 36 projects, including 15 discovery projects, 12 preclinical projects, and 9 clinical trials.5 The total amount of investments since 2013 is JPY 38.2 billion (USD 255 million1) (Appendix 2).

1 USD1 = JPY149.53, the approximate exchange rate on March 31, 2025.
2 These awarded projects were selected and approved as new investments from among proposals to RFP2023-002 and RFP2024-001 for the Product Development Platform and the Screening Platform, which were open for applications from June 2023 to July 2024.
3 WHO: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis
4 Fluxus, Inc. and Fujirebio, Inc. are members of Fujirebio.
5 This number includes projects in the registration phase.

The GHIT Fund is a Japan-based international public-private partnership (PPP) fund that was formed between the Government of Japan, multiple pharmaceutical companies, the Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The GHIT Fund invests in and manages an R&D portfolio of development partnerships aimed at addressing neglected diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases, which afflict the world’s vulnerable and underserved populations. In collaboration with global partners, the GHIT Fund mobilizes Japanese industry, academia, and research institutes to create new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases.
https://www.ghitfund.org/en

Appendix 1. Project Details

ID: G2023-204

Project Title

Ultrasensitive Detection of Urine LAM for Point-of-Care Rapid Diagnosis of All Forms
of Tuberculosis

Collaboration

Partners

1. Fluxus, Inc. (USA)

2. Fujirebio, Inc. (Japan)

3. Heidelberg University Hospital (Germany)

Disease

Tuberculosis

Intervention

Diagnostics

Stage

Product Design, Product development

Awarded Amount

JPY 679,783,110 (USD 4.54 million)

Status

New project

Summary

[Project objective]

To develop a prototype portable point-of-care (PoC) system and integrated ultrasensitive
assay for detection of Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) in urine. The test will be benchmarked
to a fully-validated ultrasensitive urine LAM assay being developed on Fluxus’
automated benchtop immunoassay analyzer.

 

[Project design]The project objectives will be achieved by performing the following Specific Aims: 1)
Complete development and validation of an ultrasensitive urine LAM assay on an
existing benchtop immunoassay analyzer. This essay will be adapted and transferred to a
stable and cost-effective PoC cartridge format. 2) Design and development of critical
components for a portable, ultrasensitive PoC system, with functional cartridge and prototype PoC LAM assay.

Project Detail

https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/portfoliodetail/detail/240/en

ID: S2024-122

Project Title

Searching for Chagas disease therapeutic seed compounds from microbial cultures

Collaboration

Partners

1. Kitasato University (Japan)

2. Nagasaki University (Japan)

3. University of Tokyo (Japan)

4. Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) (Switzerland)

Disease

Chagas disease / Leishmaniasis

Intervention

Drug

Stage

Screening

Awarded Amount

JPY 15,945,864 (USD 106,639)

Status

New project

Summary

[Project objective]

The main objective of our proposed project is to identify novel T. cruzi active scaffolds
meeting GHIT/DNDi hit criteria and amenable for further development by screening
microbial cultured broths with a natural product chemistry approach. We aim at
characterizing at least five T. new chemical templates unprecedently associated with T.
cruzi activity over an 18-month work period. We will also opportunistically evaluate the
anti-Leishmania donovani activity of any antichagasic agent to be identified in the course
of the project.

 

[Project design]In this project, three academic institutions (Kitasato University, Nagasaki University, and
the University of Tokyo) and DNDi will utilize their expertise to identify at least five
seed compounds for Chagas disease therapeutics produced by microorganisms in a one-
and-a-half-year research period. The seed compounds for Chagas disease therapeutics to
be identified during the project will also be assessed for their activity against Leishmania
donovani, which causes visceral leishmaniasis, to verify their drug potential.

Project Detail

https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/portfoliodetail/detail/241/en

*All amounts are listed at an exchange rate of USD1 = JPY149.53, the approximate exchange rate on March 31, 2025.

Appendix 2. Investment Overview (as of March 31, 2025)

Investments to date
Total investments: 38.2 billion yen (USD 255 million1)
Total invested projects: 136 (36 active projects and 100 completed projects)

To learn more about the GHIT Fund’s investments, please visit
Investment Overview: https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/overview/en
Portfolio: https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/portfolio/en
Advancing Portfolio: https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/advancingportfolio/en
Clinical Candidates: https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/clinicalcandidates/en 

For more information, contact:
Katy Lenard at +1-301-280-5719 or klenard@burness.com
Mina Ohata at +81-36441-2032 or mina.ohata@ghitfund.org

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