• CStone will receive upfront, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, and book revenue from SteinCares through the supply of sugemalimab in 10 Latin American (LATAM) countries.
• This marks CStone’s third major global commercialization partnership for sugemalimab, with additional deals in Western Europe, Southeast Asia, Canada, and other regions anticipated soon. CStone has received marketing approval for sugemalimab in the EU, EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), and the UK, while actively advancing regulatory submissions for additional indications.

SUZHOU, China, Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CStone Pharmaceuticals (“CStone”, HKEX: 2616), an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of anti-cancer therapies, today announced a strategic commercialization partnership with SteinCares, a leading pharmaceutical company with over 40 years of experience and a strong presence in Latin America. Under this agreement, SteinCares will gain the commercialization rights for sugemalimab in 10 LATAM countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Guatemala and Ecuador.

As part of this collaboration, SteinCares will be responsible for the regulatory affairs and commercialization activities of sugemalimab in these regions. CStone will supply sugemalimab and will receive upfront, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments as well as revenue from product supply.

Dr. Jason Yang, CEO, President of R&D and Executive Director at CStone, stated, “Following our successful market entries in Central and Eastern Europe, Switzerland, as well as the Middle East and Africa, we are excited to announce another key milestone in the global expansion of sugemalimab. As the first anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody approved in both the EU and UK for first-line, all-comer, Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), sugemalimab is well-positioned for success in Latin America. SteinCares’ extensive distribution network and deep marketing expertise will significantly enhance sugemalimab’s reach.

We are also actively discussing with international partners in Western Europe, Southeast Asia, and Canada, while advancing regulatory submissions for additional indications of sugemalimab. We are confident that these efforts will further unlock the therapeutic and commercial potential of sugemalimab, ultimately benefiting patients worldwide.”

Mitchell Waserstein, CEO of SteinCares, added: “This agreement with CStone represents a significant step forward in our mission to create healthcare opportunities for patients in LATAM. At SteinCares, we are committed to providing more Latin Americans with greater access to safe, innovative, and affordable therapies. With our extensive experience and established sales network across the region, we are confident in our ability to successfully commercialize sugemalimab in LATAM and make a meaningful impact on patients’ health and well-being.”

About Sugemalimab

The anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody sugemalimab was developed by CStone using OmniRat® transgenic animal platform, which allows creation of fully human antibodies in one step. Sugemalimab is a fully human, full-length anti-PD-L1 immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) monoclonal antibody, which may reduce the risk of immunogenicity and toxicity for patients, a unique advantage over similar drugs. Sugemalimab’s differentiated molecular design enables a dual mechanism of action that not only blocks PD-1/PD-L1 interaction, but also induces antibody dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) by cross-linking PD-L1 expressing tumor cells with tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) without harming Effector T-cells. This differentiation has resulted in competitive efficacy/safety across a variety of tumor types.

The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China has approved sugemalimab for five indications:

• In combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous and non-squamous NSCLC;
• For the treatment of patients with unresectable Stage III NSCLC whose disease has not progressed following concurrent or sequential platinum-based chemoradiotherapy;
• For the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma;
• In combination with fluorouracil and platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment of patients with unresectable locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic ESCC; and
• In combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy as first-line treatment for unresectable locally advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) adenocarcinoma with a PD-L1 expression (Combined Positive Score [CPS] ≥5).

The European Commission (EC) has approved sugemalimab (brand name: Cejemly®) in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC with no sensitizing EGFR mutations, or ALK, ROS1 or RET genomic tumor aberrations.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom has approved the marketing authorization application for sugemalimab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for first-line treatment of metastatic NSCLC with no sensitizing EGFR mutations, or ALK, ROS1 or RET genomic tumor aberrations.

About CStone 

CStone (HKEX: 2616), established in late 2015, is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of anti-cancer therapies. Dedicated to addressing patients’ unmet medical needs in China and globally, the Company has made significant strides since its inception. To date, the Company has successfully launched 4 innovative drugs and secured approvals for 16 new drug applications (NDAs) covering 9 indications. The company’s pipeline is balanced by 17 promising candidates, featuring potentially first-in-class or best-in-class antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), multispecific antibodies, immunotherapies and precision medicines. CStone also prides itself on a management team with comprehensive experiences and capabilities that span the entire drug development spectrum, from preclinical and translational research to clinical development, drug manufacturing, business development, and commercialization. For more information about CStone, please visit www.cstonepharma.com.

IR contact: ir@cstonepharma.com
PR contact: pr@cstonepharma.com

About SteinCares

SteinCares is a leader in commercializing and distributing specialty healthcare products in Latin America, including innovative pharmaceuticals, biosimilars, plasma-derived therapies and complex generics. With more than 40 years of progressive healthcare experience and operations in over 30 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, SteinCares serves as a bridge between global pharmaceutical companies and the region’s healthcare providers. The company is deeply committed to creating healthcare opportunities that positively impact the lives of patients and their families in Latin America, with a vision of increasing access to innovative and cost-effective healthcare for patients in the region.

For more information, visit http://www.steincares.com/ or follow the company on LinkedIn.

Forward-looking statements 

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HANGZHOU, China, Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On January 25, 2025, NetEase Cloud Music, a major player in China’s music streaming market, announced a crucial development on Friday in its ongoing copyright renewal discussions with SM Entertainment. The breakthrough agreement will keep the South Korean company’s music catalog available to fans past the impending January 31 deadline, allowing for extended negotiations.

The announcement, headlined “Latest Development in SM Copyright Renewal,” comes as a relief to countless fans who had previously faced the prospect of losing access to their favorite K-POP tracks. According to NetEase Cloud Music, the “overwhelming support and earnest pleas from fans” played a pivotal role in bringing the two companies to the negotiating table.

Just a day earlier, NetEase Cloud Music had issued a somber notice to fans warning that SM Entertainment’s unilateral decision to not renew the copyright could result in the removal of all its songs from the streaming service. The potential loss had sparked heated discussions online, with related hashtags trending on Weibo and other social media platforms, drawing significant public attention.

In its latest release, NetEase Cloud Music reaffirmed its dedication to forging a “longer-term and more stable copyright cooperation” with SM Entertainment, highlighting its sincerity in negotiations.

DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On the eve of the Arab Health Exhibition, Yuwell Medical held its 2025 Global Core Partner Conference in Dubai, and announced a strategic investment and partnership with Inogen, a leading U.S. company in respiratory health, highlighting our joint commitment to advancing medical device solutions and deeper collaboration.

Speaking at the Yuwell Medical 2025 Global Core Partner Conference, Alex WU, Chairman of Yuwell Medical, stated that as a leading enterprise in China’s home medical device industry, Yuwell will rely on internal growth and external mergers and acquisitions to promote internationalisation. The company has updated its new vision for the next five years: to become top three companies in the global home medical health market in the mid-to-long term. Among them, respiratory treatment solutions, diabetes care, and emergency service solutions are the three key strategic sectors. The company will further strengthen its globalization strategy from three aspects: organizational structure expansion, recruitment of outstanding overseas talents product R&D innovation, and supply chain integration innovation.

He further emphasized, “In the process of realizing the new vision, Yuwell will work hand in hand with global partners to provide users with more competitive products and better health solutions.”

During the conference, Yuwell Medical and the American company Inogen formalized their collaboration by signing a strategic investment and cooperation memorandum, further deepening their partnership in the respiratory segment.

As one of the world’s largest manufacturers of oxygen concentrators, Yuwell Medical is widely recognized for its strong R&D capabilities and advanced manufacturing capabilities.

Inogen, a leading U.S. manufacturer of oxygen concentrators, brings extensive experience in portable oxygen concentrator technology. Yuwell, through its whole-owned subsidiary Yuwell (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited, has agreed to invest approximately $27.2 million in Inogen, representing 9.9% of the outstanding shares of Inogen’s common stock upon closing of this investment.

The two companies seek to upgrade devices technology through deepened collaboration. By combining their expertise and brand in their respective industry segments and geographies, Yuwell and Inogen agree to carry out in-depth strategic cooperation based on business synergy in four aspects: international distribution business, trademark licensing and distribution business, joint research and development, and supply chain optimization.

Yuwell Medical and Inogen are excited to build a long-term strategic partnership, ready to take advantage of emerging opportunities in today’s market. Together, they aim to enhance their international competitiveness and deliver innovative products that improve lives worldwide.

Looking forward, Yuwell Medical will stay focused on innovation, driving breakthroughs in medical technology, and working with global partners to shape the future of healthcare.

Exclusive expressions blend ex-Bourbon casks across Fino sherry, rum, Manzanilla and brandy casks

TAIPEI, Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kavalan Distillery is proud to unveil The Distiller’s Reserve Series, an exclusive creation crafted for Jeju Island in collaboration with the Jeju Tourism Organization (Korea). This new series celebrates the harmony between Jeju’s pristine waters, lush landscapes, and Kavalan’s iconic Snow Mountain range.

Featuring a masterful core of ex-Bourbon casks, the series introduces two exceptional expressions that showcase Kavalan’s artistry. Distiller’s Reserve No. 1 marries ex-Bourbon casks with rare Spanish Fino sherry and rum casks, creating a luxurious profile with indulgent notes of strawberry shortcake, citrus, macadamia, and chocolate—a decadent journey for the senses. In contrast, Distiller’s Reserve No. 2 combines ex-Bourbon casks with rare Spanish Manzanilla sherry and brandy casks, unveiling tropical hints of vanilla ice cream, sea salt, and pineapple for a vibrant and refreshing flavour experience.

The series is exclusively available at Jeju duty-free and features packaging inspired by Yilan’s iconic Snow Mountain range, Kavalan’s pure water source. The green and blue design reflects Jeju Island’s untouched environment and its connection to nature’s purity.

Distiller’s Reserve No. 1 – 40% ABV, 1000 ml.

No. 1 in the series marries the influence of ex-Bourbon casks with the unique characteristics of Spanish Fino sherry and rum casks, presenting light, floral, and fruity aromas, along with subtle notes of creamy pastries and a touch of honeyed sweetness on the finish. This single malt whisky is vibrant, smooth, and effortlessly enjoyable.

Tasting Note

Colour: Gleaming light gold

Nose: Light mint envelops the nose, giving way to the soft sweetness of vanilla ice cream. This flavour mingles with citrus, pineapple, and red apple notes, creating a harmonious blend. The finish unveils woody spices, adding a deep layer of complexity.

Palate: The freshness of chamomile and green apple blends with the salty-sweet notes of sea salt chocolate. The finish is rounded out with warm, sweet aromas of almond, nuts, and honeyed cinnamon, offering rich layers and a lingering aftertaste.

Distiller’s Reserve No. 2 – 40% ABV, 1000 ml.

No. 2 in the series blends the distinctiveness of ex-Bourbon casks with the unique profiles of Spanish Manzanilla sherry and brandy casks. It opens with crisp vanilla cream and the sweetness of fresh fruits, followed by nutty and woody spice notes that enrich the flavour. The result is a smooth and intricately layered single malt whisky.

Tasting Note

Colour: Bright gold amber

Nose: Fresh gardenia, peach, and honeyed lemon deliver a refreshing sweetness. Hints of strawberry shortcake, vanilla cream, and a touch of caramel swirl emerge in a delightful finish.

Palate: Sweet apple, citrus, and rum-soaked lemon are accompanied by nutty aromas of macadamia and chocolate. The palate reveals a burst of honeyed sweetness, with a touch of caramel on the finish.

TURFAN, China, Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — “After the deployment of the automated remote workstations, we observed significant improvements in equipment operation efficiency and fault handling, as well as continuous monitoring of equipment status,” said Yuan Zongfan, an inspector from the Distribution and Transportation Inspection Class of Turfan Power Supply Company in Gaochang District, State Grid, while inspecting the operational status of the automated remote workstation equipment for the county distribution network on January 26.

In recent years, State Grid Turfan Power Supply Company has actively promoted the transformation and upgrading of distribution network automation. By installing 222 feeder automation devices, the company has achieved an 80% line coverage rate. In February 2024, the construction of automated remote workstations began, leading to the completion of a new generation of main stations and the extension of three sets of vertical isolation devices and three sets of electronic substations in County Area I. This initiative has enabled the sharing of fundamental functions such as data collection and monitoring of the distribution network, thereby significantly enhancing the efficiency of line fault handling and operation and maintenance.

Moving forward, State Grid Turfan Power Supply Company will continue to enhance the transformation of the distribution network, further expand the capabilities of the county main station, deepen the application of feeder automation, improve customer power experience, and contribute to local economic and social development.

HONG KONG, Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics, announced its official office relocation in Hong Kong SAR (HK) to Six Pacific Place, Wan Chai. The strategic move will enable Dun & Bradstreet in Hong Kong (D&B in HK) to accelerate its growth agenda, streamline its operations and better serve its clients in the heart of this vibrant city.

The new facility, situated at the heart of HK’s bustling business district with state-of-the-art facilities and quality space, will serve as a key hub, enabling D&B in HK to collaborate with partners and clients more effectively.

“We are thrilled to announce our move to this new facility,” said Andrew Wu, General Manager of D&B China. “This move represents our continued investment in HK and underscores our dedication to the HK market. By combining global data and local expertise, we aim to provide unparalleled services to our clients in the international market and make informed decisions that drive growth and success.”

D&B’s history in HK is longstanding since 1981, with a strategic presence to enhance HK’s position as a leading financial center. As the sole operator of the Commercial Credit Reference Agency (CCRA) in HK since 2004, appointed by the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the Hong Kong Association of Restricted License Banks and Deposit Taking Companies, D&B in HK has played a pivotal role in providing analytics and risk management solutions to empower financial institutions with decision-ready insights. Additionally, the company has contributed to the growth of cross-boundary financing by providing cross-boundary credit solutions that empower businesses operating in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to effectively access the credit and financing they require.

Over the years, D&B also actively supported HK’s position as a global trade hub. D&B’s partnership with Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation (HKECIC) has further supported SMEs and exporters in HK to navigate the complexities of international trade. Last year D&B launched a digital tool “D&B Risk Analytics – Compliance Intelligence” to further contribute to the development of HK’s trade ecosystem, allowing companies to automate and perform ongoing KYC (Know-Your-Customer) and KYB (Know-Your-Business) due diligence, empowering enterprises to better highlight material risk and greatly reduce workloads while improving the intelligence of risk decisions.

D&B has continually evolved, driving innovation for businesses across the region with a suite of innovative products and services. Recently, the company launched ChatD&B, a new Generative AI assistant that provides instant business insights using the power of D&B global data cloud to deliver reliable business data and actionable insights within seconds. This tool exemplifies D&B’s commitment to preserving digital trust, reliable data-driven decision-making, and the sustainability of data ecosystems.

As D&B embarks on this new chapter in HK, the company reaffirms its dedication to the market and its commitment to delivering world-class data and analytics solutions to support HK as a Financial and Trade Hub.

More information about D&B in HK’s new address and services can be found at https://www.dnb.com.hk/.

About Dun & Bradstreet

Dun & Bradstreet, a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics, enables companies around the world to improve their business performance. Dun & Bradstreet’s Data Cloud fuels solutions and delivers insights that empower customers to accelerate revenue, lower cost, mitigate risk, and transform their businesses. Since 1841, companies of every size have relied on Dun & Bradstreet to help them manage risk and reveal opportunity. We combine global data with local insights to help our clients to make smarter decisions. For more information on Dun & Bradstreet, please visit www.dnb.com.hk.