HONG KONG, March 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Akeso, Inc. (9926.HK) (“Akeso” or the “Company”) is excited to announce that the groundbreaking results of the Phase III clinical study (HARMONi-2/AK112-303) of its first-in-class PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, ivonescimab, as a monotherapy compared to pembrolizumab monotherapy in the first-line treatment of PD-L1 positive (PD-L1 TPS ≥1%) locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have been published in The Lancet.

The Lancet is a prestigious international medical journal, and the publication of the HARMONi-2 study results in The Lancet is a strong recognition by the academic community to the breakthrough clinical potential of ivonescimab.  Previously, clinical research on using ivonescimab for the treatment of various malignant tumors has been published in renowned international medical journals such as JAMA, Journal of Thoracic Oncology, eClinical Medicine (a sub-journal of The Lancet), and Drugs.

At the 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), the results of the HARMONi-2 study were presented as an oral report by the principal investigator of the study, Professor Zhou Caicun, a renowned oncology expert who is the President-Elect of IASLC, and the director of the Department of Oncology at the Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University.

The HARMONi-2 study demonstrated that in the intent-to-treat population, ivonescimab monotherapy significantly extended progression-free survival (PFS) compared to pembrolizumab monotherapy, reducing the risk of disease progression by 49% (PFS HR 0.51, P<0.0001). Subgroup analyses revealed that regardless of patients' age, gender, ECOG performance status, PD-L1 expression, histological type, or the presence of liver or brain metastases, the ivonescimab group showed significant improvement in efficacy compared to the pembrolizumab group. The ivonescimab HARMONi-2 study is the world's first randomized, double-blind, controlled Phase III clinical trial to achieve significantly positive results compared to pembrolizumab.

Based on these promising results, the sNDA for ivonescimab monotherapy as a first-line treatment for PD-L1 positive NSCLC is under review with priority status in China. Ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy for EGFR-TKI-resistant non-squamous NSCLC, has already been approved and included in the 2024 China National Reimbursement Drug List. The growing body of clinical evidence from multiple Phase II and Phase III studies continues to validate ivonescimab’s efficacy benefit and safety profile. These results are often published in major international conferences and in top-tier journals, providing oncologists strong scientific basis for treatment decisions.

Akeso has strategically positioned ivonescimab within a comprehensive development plan, aiming to reshape the landscape of cancer immunotherapy and establish a new global standard of care. Ivonescimab, in combination with chemotherapy, has been approved in China for the treatment of EGFR-TKI-resistant, non-squamous NSCLC. The New Drug Application (sNDA) for ivonescimab monotherapy as a first-line treatment for PD-L1-positive NSCLC (in comparison to pembrolizumab) is currently under review and has been granted priority status in China.

Three international multicenter Phase III clinical trials, led by our partner Summit Therapeutics, are progressing efficiently or are being initiated:

• The HARMONi study, an international multicenter Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy for non-squamous NSCLC with progression after third-generation EGFR-TKI treatment, has had patient enrollment completed and has received Fast Track Designation (FTD) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
• The HARMONi-3 study, an international multicenter Phase III clinical trial comparing ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for both squamous and non-squamous NSCLC (versus pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy),
• The HARMONi-7 study, an international multicenter Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab monotherapy as first-line treatment for PD-L1 high-expressing NSCLC (versus pembrolizumab).

Several Phase III clinical trials are progressing efficiently or are being initiated in China, including:

• Ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for squamous NSCLC (vs. tislelizumab combined with chemotherapy, HARMONi-6/AK112-306),
• Ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for biliary tract cancer (vs. durvalumab combined with chemotherapy, HARMONi-GI1/AK112-309),
• Ivonescimab combined with AK117 (CD47) as first-line treatment for PD-L1 positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (vs. pembrolizumab, SOLO-10/AK117-302),
• First-line treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (HARMONi-BC1/AK112-308).

MELBOURNE, Australia, March 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hauton Rd Childcare Pty Ltd ACN 681 910 707 is seeking to raise a total of AUD 6,454,165 in funds by the issue of loan notes, according to an announcement today by the underwriter Banner Capital Management Limited (the Arranger/Underwriter).  The issue comprises progressively drawn notes as detailed below.

The following is a text of the announcement:

Banner Capital Management Limited as Arranger and Underwriter has announced today that the Issuer is seeking to raise AUD 6,454,165 through an offer of a series of debentures (in the form of loan notes) for the purposes set out below.  

The loan notes (the Notes) to the issued represent a loan commitment of up to AUD 6,454,165.

The offer is made to investors who are qualified as ‘wholesale investors’ as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).  The Underwriter has agreed to initially subscribe for the issued Notes on 28 February 2025 and will underwrite the issue for progressive draws.     

This open letter constitutes an offer of the Notes for the purposes of the ‘public offer test’ in section 128F(3)(d) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth), for exemption from Australian interest withholding tax.

Financiers and those in the business of dealing in debentures, or the buying and selling of loan notes or other debt interests and who are interested in subscribing for the Notes will be required to give customary representations, warranties and information about their status, to assist the Issuer to demonstrate compliance with section 128F of the Income Tax Assessment Act (Cth). 

KEY FEATURES OF THE OFFER

The Issuer reserves the right in its absolute discretion to vary the terms set out above and accept or reject any offer.  This offer will expire on 7 May 2025.

For further information please contact Brett Macgillivray at Banner Capital Management Limited – on +61 (3) 9929 6400 Email: enquiries@bannerassetmanagement.com 

Restrictions in certain jurisdictions, including Australia

The distribution of this announcement and the offering and sale of the Notes in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. This message does not constitute an offer, invitation or solicitation to participate in the offer and be issued Notes in any jurisdiction where, or to any person or entity to whom, it would be unlawful to make such an offer, invitation or solicitation.

This message is not a prospectus or disclosure document and it has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act). The offer of Notes is only available to domestic and foreign investors who are qualified as “professional investors” or “sophisticated investors” as defined under the Corporations Act (Wholesale Investors). By accepting the offer, an offeree represents that the offeree is a Wholesale Investor. No Notes will be issued or sold in circumstances that would require the giving of a disclosure document under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.

The Notes referred to in this message have not been nor will they be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. There will be no public offering of the Notes referred to in this message in the United States.

About Banner

Banner Capital Management Limited is an Australian based alternate asset manager specialising in actively managed property debt and has provided attractive risk-adjusted returns to its investors since 2012.

Xinjiang: Region ‘filled with changes and vitality’

BEIJING, March 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report from Chinadaily.com.cn

The Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region has made “unprecedented” efforts in expanding multilevel practical cooperation with Central Asian countries in recent years, as part of China’s efforts to boost high-level opening-up, the chairman of the region said.

Under the framework of jointly building the Belt and Road, Xinjiang, as a frontier area of China neighboring Central Asia, has adopted a more proactive opening-up strategy with the countries in that region by developing itself as the core area of the Belt and Road Initiative and the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, said Erkin Tuniyaz, chairman of Xinjiang, in an exclusive interview with China Daily.

“We have been pushing forward multilevel exchanges and practical cooperation with Central Asian countries with unprecedented efforts,” he said, adding that the region will continue to strengthen in-depth cooperation in key areas including economic and trade investment, energy resources and cultural tourism.

By enhancing such cooperation, Xinjiang has committed to building itself into a golden corridor linking Asia and Europe and to serving as a gateway for opening-up efforts in western China, he said.

In particular, the Xinjiang pilot FTZ, established in November 2023, has become a hub for reform and opening-up in the region, which has strengthened top-level design and promoted the high-standard development of the pilot FTZ, Erkin Tuniyaz said.

“By continuously releasing policy dividends, it has effectively promoted the high-quality development of Xin­jiang’s economy and society,” he added.

The Xinjiang pilot FTZ encompasses three iconic areas — Urumqi, Kashgar and Horgos — and is the first FTZ in China’s northwestern border region.

From 2022 to 2024, the annual total import and export volume in Xinjiang reached 246.36 billion yuan ($34 billion), 357.33 billion yuan and 435.11 billion yuan, respectively. Furthermore, the import and export volume of the Xinjiang pilot FTZ reached about 189.98 billion yuan last year, accounting for 43.66 percent of Xinjiang’s total volume.

Besides continuing to develop the Xinjiang pilot FTZ, the region will also accelerate the process of developing itself as the core area of the BRI, Erkin Tuniyaz said.

“We will step up efforts to build the regional capital of Urumqi into a regional center for international trade and logistics, an international inbound cargo distribution center, and a multifunctional international aviation hub geared toward Central and West Asia,” he said.

The economy of the region has continued to develop rapidly, and social undertakings have progressed comprehensively, he said.

“Xinjiang has embarked on a great journey from backwardness to progress, from poverty to prosperity, and from isolation to openness. The vast land of over 1.6 million square kilometers is filled with changes and vitality,” said Erkin Tuniyaz.

In particular, since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, efforts have been made to vigorously promote high-quality development, expand high-level opening-up, create a high-quality life for the people, adopt efficient governance, ensure high-level security, and drive historic changes in all undertakings in Xinjiang, he said.

He added that the region, which this year is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its establishment, enjoys a good situation of social stability and people living and working in peace and contentment, while China’s modernization has made solid new strides in Xinjiang.

The region’s GDP has increased from 930.69 billion yuan in 2015 to 2.05 trillion yuan in 2024, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1 percent. The average annual per capita disposable income of residents increased from 16,859 yuan to 30,899 yuan in that same period, with an average annual growth rate of 7 percent.

Meanwhile, the construction of transportation infrastructure in the region has been comprehensively accelerated, with the total operating mileage of railways reaching 9,092 kilometers and the total mileage of first-class expressways reaching 12,400 km. The region also has 27 civil airports.

The improved transportation network has made traveling to and within Xinjiang easier and faster than ever, Erkin Tuniyaz said.

Furthermore, the region has continuously increased investment in people’s livelihoods, with over 77 percent of the regional government’s financial expenditure being used for that purpose, he said.

He added that developing new quality productive forces has become an important focus for promoting high-quality development, and the region has made plans to further develop in areas such as new and clean energy as well as computing power.

BEIJING, March 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report from People’s Daily: China stands at a pivotal juncture as its demographic landscape shifts: birth rates continue to fall while the proportion of citizens aged 60 or older has surpassed 20% of the total population, according to its National Bureau of Statistics. This “silver wave” coincides with the nation’s push toward common prosperity, yet it raises a pressing paradox—how to reconcile rapid ageing with the challenge of achieving widespread affluence.

Does this demographic transition signal the erosion of China’s famed population dividend? Or can evolving definitions of productivity and innovation redefine its economic trajectory?

The answer lies in untangling the interplay between demographic trends, policy frameworks, and economic resilience. While China’s meteoric rise since the 1980s was undeniably fueled by its vast labor pool, analysts argue that institutional strengths—from socialist governance with Chinese characteristics to decades of reform and opening-up—unleashed an economic miracle no less critical than sheer workforce size.

Quantity alone no longer dictates prosperity. Even as the working-age population contracts, policymakers emphasize that technology investment, upskilling initiatives, and capital inflows can mitigate labour shortages. A case in point is China’s burgeoning talent reservoir: over 240 million citizens now hold higher education qualifications, fostering a skilled workforce driving sectors from AI to green energy.

This pivot from “population dividend” to “talent dividend” underscores a strategic bet—that quality, not just numbers, will sustain China’s modernization. As automation and innovation hubs like the Greater Bay Area expand, the narrative shifts from demographic anxiety to human capital’s transformative potential. The ultimate test? Whether high-quality development can turn an ageing society into an engine of sustainable progress.

The correlation between population structures and economic dividends defies reductionist arithmetic. It demands the analytical rigour of multivariate calculus, where shifting age coefficients interact with technological vectors and institutional constants. This complexity necessitates a systems-level perspective to truly decipher the demographic dividend equation.

Contemporary economic modelling reveals a paradigm shift: the dividend manifests not merely through crude growth metrics, but through strategic activation of latent human capital. While youth demographics remain crucial, a silent revolution is emerging from an unexpected quadrant – silver-haired populations redefining post-retirement economic agency.

Historical anxieties about elderly technological alienation now confront empirical contradictions. The digital metamorphosis of China’s elderly cohort has become a socioeconomic epiphany. Where pundits once predicted generational obsolescence, silver-haired netizens now dominate Douyin livestreams, orchestrate Taobao storefronts, and curate Xiaohongshu tutorials with the acuity of digital natives.

China’s silver wave of 170 million senior netizens is reinvigorating the digital ecosystem, proving the nation’s demographic dividend maintains potent socioeconomic currency.

This cohort’s renaissance extends far beyond screens. From mist-shrouded Huangshan peaks where septuagenarians clad in Arc’teryx gear deploy DSLR rigs, to Beijing’s frost-kissed ski slopes where grandmothers carve parallel turns, their vitality mirrors youth culture’s intensity. The lifelong learning revolution sees retired accountants mastering Python through digital lecture while former teachers monetize calligraphy tutorials – wisdom economies thriving.

Official metrics quantify the movement: China’s post-retirement cohort channels over 700 billion yuan ($96.31 billion) yearly into cultural pursuits and wanderlust, with 35 million silver-haired scholars crowding digital academies and marathon finish lines witnessing a surge of septuagenarian sprinters – concrete manifestations of a nation where sunset years glow brightest.

China’s sunset years fuel economic engines rather than brake them, as evidenced by the phenomenon achieving statecraft recognition. The codified “silver economy” now anchors national policy blueprints, while its lexical zeitgeist cousin “silver power” penetrated mainstream discourse through annual buzzword rankings. Concurrently, medical chaperone services and biographical scribing emerge as legitimate professions among youth entrepreneurs – tangible proof that demographic shifts birth new economic ecosystems.

China has unveiled a national geriatric framework blueprint, mandating creation of multi-tiered, equitable geriatric care apparatus spanning megacities to agrarian counties. The policy white paper prioritizes market-driven eldercare industrialization to address China’s “grey wave” – the coalescing demands of pensioners seeking tailored retirement ecosystems.

By tapping into the potential of an aging society, China aims to generate new economic dividends. The country’s top-level policy design is providing clear direction for future development.

A broader perspective reveals that addressing both the declining birth rate and population aging requires a balanced approach. Further deepening reforms and expanding opening up will provide fresh momentum for Chinese modernization, even amid demographic shifts.

In today’s China, whether young or old, the common goal is to move forward with confidence and live a better life.