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Agoda Reveals 55% Increase in Hari Raya Accommodation Searches with Japan and China Among Top Searched Markets

Signalling broader festive travel consideration beyond familiar destinations, this shift in travel preference underscores the value of localized listings for hotels

SINGAPORE, March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As Hari Raya approaches, digital travel platform Agoda marks a 55% month-on-month increase in accommodation searches from travelers in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore for check-ins during the festive period of 20 to 23 March 2026. Bali remains the most searched destination amongst travelers from these origins with Yogyakarta, Bandung, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo following closely.

Hari Raya, or Eid al-Fitr, marks the end of Ramadan and is a time for reunion, celebration and meaningful time with loved ones. Travel demand typically rises as people return to hometowns, visit family, or plan a short break after a month of spiritual focus. During this festive season, while close-to-home destinations, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand remain popular, Agoda is also observing increased interest in destinations that offer a different kind of festive getaway, including Japan and China.

“Traditionally, travel during cultural festive periods meant returning home, but we’re observing a change in preference as many look beyond familiar destinations. Japan and China, for example, are growing in appeal this festive season as they become more accessible through measures like eased visa rules and new, unique experiences,” said Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President, Supply, Agoda. “When travel is made easier, interest follows. Hotels that recognise these trends and remove booking friction – by offering localised experiences, tailored content in the traveler’s language and convenient local payment options – will be best placed to capture growth this festive season.”

China ranked as one of the top five destinations for travelers from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, with a 7% year‑on‑year increase in accommodation searches during the Hari Raya festive period. This momentum amplified by the market’s recent expansion of visa‑exemption and eased transit rules, which have reduced friction for travelers, according to China’s State Council, increases China’s appeal for festive getaways. Meanwhile, in Japan, their broader appeal comes as the country looks to grow inbound tourism over the longer term. According to reports by the World Economic Forum, the shift comes as the government has set a target of attracting 60 million foreign tourists annually by 2030, alongside wider efforts to welcome a broader range of travelers.

The upcoming festive travel season presents hoteliers with the chance to fine tune their localization strategies to better accommodate various travelers needs such as implementing Halal-friendly options. Agoda’s Tailored to Win report shows that reflecting cultural, linguistic and behavioral preferences is increasingly vital for hotels and accommodation partners looking to stand out. Hoteliers can strengthen appeal this Hari Raya season by clearly highlighting halal-certified meals, prayer facilities and other Muslim-friendly amenities. The report also found that hotels implementing advanced localization strategies saw a 59% positive impact on Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR).

As Hari Raya travel planning accelerates, the seasonal uplift is a timely prompt for accommodation partners to review whether their listings answer the questions travelers tend to decide on first, including meal options, prayer access, family suitability and proximity to relevant attractions. Agoda continues to support partners with data-led insights and localized tools that help them present the right information to the right travelers.

See More of Korea: T’way Air Offers Deals to Seoul, Daegu, Busan, and Jeju

Exclusive savings on flights to Seoul, Daegu, Busan, and Jeju—travel available through Oct. 24, 2026

TAIPEI, March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — T’way Air, Korea’s leading low-cost carrier, announced spring travel deals to Korea available through March 31, making it easier for travelers to plan trips to Korea through October 24, 2026.

See More of Korea: T’way Air Offers Deals to Seoul, Daegu, Busan, and Jeju
See More of Korea: T’way Air Offers Deals to Seoul, Daegu, Busan, and Jeju

To connect travelers in Taiwan with more destinations across Korea, T’way Air currently operates eight routes including Kaohsiung–Busan, which will launch on March 29: Taipei (Songshan)–Seoul (Gimpo), Taipei (Taoyuan)–Jeju, Taipei (Taoyuan)–Daegu, Taichung–Seoul (Incheon), Kaohsiung–Seoul (Gimpo), Kaohsiung–Seoul (Incheon), Kaohsiung–Jeju, and Kaohsiung–Busan.

The following offers are available through March 31:

  • Up to 12% Off Promo Code: enter MAR26 when booking, for travel through October 24, 2026.
  • Regular Coupon (up to TWD 400 off): bookings of TWD 4,000 or more, for travel through October 24, 2026.
  • Regular Coupon (up to TWD 800 off): bookings of TWD 8,000 or more, for travel through October 24, 2026.
  • TWD 500 Early Bird Coupon: bookings of TWD 4,000 or more, for travel May 1– October 24, 2026.
  • TWD 1,000 Early Bird Coupon: bookings of TWD 8,000 or more, for travel May 1– October 24, 2026.

Seoul offers a wide range of cultural attractions and modern city experiences, while Daegu and Busan provide additional regional options with distinctive local character. Jeju is also accessible via direct flights from Taiwan, offering travelers greater flexibility when planning multi-city itineraries.

For full flight schedules, coupon terms, and booking details, visit twayair.com. T’way Air currently serves 60 destinations worldwide and continues to expand its network.

About T’way Air

T’way Air Co., Ltd. is a South Korea based low-cost carrier (LCC) providing reliable air travel services since 2010. The airline operates a fleet that includes Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft, as well as Airbus A330, A320 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, serving customers across East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia, as well as Oceania, Europe and North America. T’way Air continues to expand its network and enhance connectivity for travelers. For more information, visit www.twayair.com

Media Contact
T’WAY AIR Public Relations
twaypr@twayair.com

ASRock Industrial Launches AI BOX-A395, Compact AI Workstation Powered by AMD Ryzen™ AI Max

TAIPEI, March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the era of pervasive AI reshapes industries worldwide, ASRock Industrial today announced the AI BOX-A395, a compact yet powerful AI box that brings the performance of an ultimate AI workstation into a single system. Powered by AMD Ryzen™ AI Max+ 395 processors, delivering up to 50 TOPS of AI acceleration while integrating CPU, GPU, and NPU within a compact system. With support for up to 128GB LPDDR5x-8000 unified memory, it enables large AI models and data-intensive workloads to run directly on-device, delivering responsive AI processing while reducing reliance on cloud infrastructure. Designed for enterprises, developers, and system integrators, the AI BOX-A395 supports the AI everywhere ecosystem by translating large-scale AI capabilities into practical local deployment. By combining high compute density, integrated AI acceleration, and rich I/O connectivity, the system provides a scalable foundation for applications ranging from AI model and application development, engineering and 3D design, and high-resolution content creation and media production.

AI BOX-A395: Compact AI Box, Ultimate AI Workstation
AI BOX-A395: Compact AI Box, Ultimate AI Workstation

  • AMD Ryzen™ AI Max+ 395 Processors – The Most Powerful x86 APU

The AI BOX-A395 features AMD Ryzen™ AI Max+ 395 processors with Zen 5 CPUs of up to 16 cores and 32 threads, AMD Radeon™ 8060S Series GPU, and AMD XDNA™ 2 NPU delivering up to 50 TOPS AI acceleration. Supporting both Windows and Linux OS, the system brings ultimate AI workstation performance in a compact form factor, enabling advanced local AI inference, content creation, and AI development workloads.

  • Up to 128GB LPDDR5x Unified Memory Power Your AI Performance

Supporting up to 128GB LPDDR5x-8000 unified memory, the system is engineered to handle large AI models and memory-intensive workloads efficiently on-device, enabling smooth AI inference and fast data processing without reliance on external accelerators.

  • Run Large AI Models at the Edge

Bring AI closer to where data lives. AI BOX-A395 enables large language models, generative AI, and vision AI to run locally, delivering instant AI responses, lower cloud costs, and full control oversensitive data.

  • 10GbE and USB4 Power High-Speed Edge AI

The platform offers comprehensive I/O, including two USB4, one USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, two USB 3.2 Gen2, and two USB 2.0 ports, along with dual Ethernet featuring one 10GbE and one 2.5GbE LAN. This high-bandwidth connectivity enables fast data transfer for demanding local AI workloads. The system also supports quad-display output through two HDMI 2.1 and three DisplayPort 2.1 interfaces, delivering resolutions up to 8K.

  • Dual Storage and Wi-Fi 7 for High-Speed AI Workloads

The platform provides two M.2 Key M slots (2242/2280) with PCIe Gen4 x4 support for SSDs and RAID 0/1, along with one M.2 Key E slot supporting Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. This configuration ensures scalable storage performance and flexible wireless expansion for diverse deployment scenarios.

  • Advanced Thermal Architecture for Sustained AI Performance

AI BOX-A395 features 6 heat pipes thermal architecture with a copper base and optimized airflow design to efficiently dissipate heat from high-performance AI workloads. This advanced cooling system enables sustained AI processing while maintaining low acoustic levels, delivering stable and quiet operation for demanding AI development and content creation environments.

  • Enterprise-ready Reliability

Housed in a compact 200 x 100 x 232mm (L x W x H) aluminum chassis with a handle accessory for easy portability, the system includes onboard TPM 2.0, redundant BIOS support, and enterprise-ready reliability and security features to support long-term deployment requirements.

For further information on the AI BOX-A395, please visit our website or reach out via product Inquiry.

About ASRock Industrial

ASRock Industrial Computer Corporation, established as an independent entity in July 2018, is a prominent industry player specializing in the development of motherboards, edge computers, and related solutions for the manufacturing, business, and retail sectors. As the world-leading provider of Industrial PC systems and motherboards, our customers base spans the globe. Previously, it had been a business unit of ASRock Inc. (est. 2002) which was set up in 2011. ASRock Industrial now operates autonomously, allowing us to devote all resources to delivering exceptional B2B solutions.

Our vision is to cocreate an intelligent world, aligning with ASRock Industrial’s core dedication to CARES (Commerce/Automation/Robot/Entertainment/Security) industries. With a central R&D design team comprising nearly 58% of our total staff, ASRock Industrial has the resources and expertise to develop cutting-edge, reliable products tailored to meet your business requirements. Our product portfolio encompasses both off-the-shelf offerings and customized solutions catered to the specific needs of OEMs/ODMs.

SORTIE Agency Honours Content Innovation with Kam Fan Bronze Award for Heroes in White

Redefining Brand Integration: A Strategic Narrative That Resonates with Audiences and Industry Alike

HONG KONG, March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SORTIE Agency has emerged as a standout at the 41st Kam Fan Awards, one of the advertising industry’s most prestigious annual events, securing a Bronze award for its integrated marketing campaign centred around the TVB prime-time drama Heroes in White, created for the brand Herbalgy.

SORTIE Agency broke the traditional framework of brand placement by embedding brand messaging into the very fabric of the TVB prime-time drama Heroes in White. The series was inspired by the true story of Herbalgy’s founder, Professor Tinly Wong Tin-chee, a respected Practitioner of Chinese Medicine, transforming the brand’s ‘Pain Management’ philosophy into the core narrative of the drama. Throughout the viewing experience, audiences naturally absorbed the professional solutions offered by Herbalgy and its sub-brands, Touch-Cool, Herbalgy, and Tibet Red, which target the upper, central, and lower body respectively, as characters encountered relatable situations involving headaches, back pain, and sports injuries.

Innovative Content Marketing: Narrative-Driven Brand Education

The Kam Fan Awards, established in 1984 by the Hong Kong Association of Advertising Agencies, are renowned for their rigorous judging standards and are widely regarded as one of the most influential creative awards in the Asia-Pacific region. SORTIE Agency’s recognition underscores the exceptional calibre of its content marketing strategy, excelling in both creative vision and measurable impact.

SORTIE Agency’s approach centred on ‘non-intrusive’ content integration, allowing the motivations for product use to be driven by the narrative itself. Each episode outro concluded with Professor Wong personally sharing his expertise in Chinese medicine, transforming what could have been a conventional hard sell into a credible educational experience. This strategy not only reinforced Herbalgy’s professional positioning as a ‘Pain Management Expert’ but also successfully elevated the brand from a traditional medicated oil into a systematic provider of wellness knowledge.

11.8 Million Viewers Witness a Market Phenomenon: Herbalgy Sales Surge

The campaign’s market performance garnered significant recognition from the judging panel. Heroes in White achieved a peak viewership rating of 24.2 points, reaching over 11.8 million viewers. In the first week of its broadcast, Herbalgy recorded an extraordinary 1,500% surge in product sales. Through this initiative, SORTIE Agency demonstrated how brand storytelling can itself become the content medium, creating immediate commercial returns while simultaneously building enduring brand value.

Heroes in White was made possible through the unwavering support and trust of the TVB team, who partnered with SORTIE Agency to break new ground and seamlessly integrate brand content into a prime-time drama. Sincere gratitude is also extended to Herbalgy for their courage and trust, entrusting the agency with the opportunity to transform the founder’s authentic story into a narrative that resonated deeply with audiences. This award affirms that when brand, creative partner, and media platform unite to innovate, the result is an exceptional viewing and communications experience of market value.

About SORTIE Agency

SORTIE Agency is a strategy-led integrated marketing firm that specialises in aligning brand objectives with cultural narratives. The agency develops campaigns that combine cultural relevance with measurable business outcomes. Its comprehensive suite of premium integrated marketing services includes strategic branding, creative marketing, digital transformation, event production, photo and video content, influencer marketing, and public relations and media management. Whether operating in local or global markets, SORTIE Agency applies international standards to broaden brand perspectives and extend market influence.

The agency operates on the principle that strong brands are not limited by geography. With extensive experience in international marketing, SORTIE Agency navigates diverse markets and cultural contexts to help clients expand their global presence across language and regional boundaries. The team possesses strong cross-cultural communication capabilities and market insight, supported by a deep understanding of consumer behaviour and psychology. Strategies are tailored to engage target audiences with precision and relevance.

SORTIE Agency is driven by challenge and defined by results. Each project reflects a commitment to quality and a focused execution approach. The agency strives to ensure that a brand’s message is not only communicated effectively but also resonates on a deeper level with its intended audience.

Media Enquiries:
SORTIE Agency Limited
Tel: (852) 2855 6896
Email: info@sortieagency.com

Milken Institute Kicks Off Third Global Investors’ Symposium in Hong Kong

This year’s event accentuates the megatrends shaping capital in an evolving world.

HONG KONG, March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Milken Institute’s Global Investors’ Symposium, the premier gathering platform for investment leaders and decision-makers, returns to Hong Kong for the third edition today, at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. With a full day of well-curated programming, this year’s agenda examines the megatrends that shape the flow of global capital across the Asia Pacific region.

Under the theme “Capital in a Changing World,” the Symposium will welcome more than 500 business leaders and senior executives from investment, banking, finance, technology, and the consumer sector to interact and engage in panel discussions, fireside conversations, and private roundtables. All public panel discussions will also be broadcast live on Milken Institute’s livestream page for audience tuning in online.

“As global markets grow ever more volatile, the demand for trusted forums for dialogue and collaboration has never been greater,” said Laura Deal Lacey, Executive Vice President of International at the Milken Institute. “Hong Kong stands tall as the only international financial center that bridges the capital markets of China and the rest of the world. It felt natural for us to bring back the Global Investors’ Symposium to the region in order to meet the growing demand among our community of global investors.”

“Hong Kong sits at the intersection of where global capital meets Asia’s most dynamic markets. It’s integration with China and the global economy remains a key engine that continues to boost trade and investment flow in and outside of the Asia Pacific region,” said Dr. Kevin Lu, Chair of Asia, Milken Institute. “I am proud that the Milken Institute is returning to Hong Kong for the third edition of the Global Investors’ Symposium. We look forward to inspiring our community of leaders, investors, and policymakers to form a new business narrative for China and Asia through insightful, engaging panel discussions.”

For information about the 2026 Milken Institute Global Investors’ Symposium in Hong Kong, please visit https://milkeninstitute.org/events/global-investors-symposium-hong-kong-2026. For media inquiries, please reach out to Yeen Chong at ychong@milkeninstitute.org

About the Milken Institute

The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental, and environmental health, we bring together the best ideas and innovative resourcing to develop blueprints for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what’s pressing now and what’s coming next. For more information, visit www.milkeninstitute.org.

QBit Semiconductor Plans Taiwan IPO in 2026

TAIPEI, March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — QBit Semiconductor LTD. (“QBit”) announced that it has completed its Series B fundraising round with participation from an affiliate of Arm Holdings plc. Following this investment, QBit plans to apply for an initial public offering in Taiwan by the fourth quarter of 2026.

Simon Shen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of QBit Semiconductor
Simon Shen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of QBit Semiconductor

Founded in 2016, QBit is a fabless semiconductor design company headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, with additional offices in Boston, United States, and Tokyo, Japan. The founding team has extensive industry experience originating from Qualcomm and CSR, bringing deep expertise in semiconductor design and system integration.

QBit is one of very few semiconductor companies that have successfully developed and integrated three core technologies: Intelligent Image Process, Precision Motion Control, and Energy-Aware Sensing Management. These technologies form the foundation of QBit’s differentiated system-on-chip (SoC) platforms.

QBit’s primary products include SoCs for multifunction printers, which are widely adopted by major tier-one international printer brands. In addition, the company’s solutions are also widely used across a broad range of imaging-related applications, including medical printers, photo printers, scanners, barcode printers, and industrial printers. Looking ahead, QBit plans to leverage its SoC expertise to expand into emerging application areas such as kiosks, robotics, and drones.

Besides Arm’s investment, the Taiwan government currently also holds more than 6% stake in QBit, reflecting institutional support for the company’s long-term development and strategic positioning within Taiwan’s semiconductor ecosystem.

QBit plans to apply for its IPO on the Taiwan Stock Exchange by the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approval and market conditions.

Will Abbey, Executive VP and Chief Commercial Officer, Arm, added, “Through our collaboration with QBit, we’re bringing together advanced image processing, control, and security capabilities to support innovation across the printing market. Partnerships like this reflect Arm’s broader strategy to enable differentiated solutions that scale from high-performance systems to more cost-effective devices, while creating a foundation for growth across product categories.”

“We are very proud to become the only Taiwanese semiconductor design company invested in by Arm,” said Simon Shen, Founder and CEO of QBit. “We deeply appreciate Arm’s recognition of QBit’s technology and product potential. Our goal is not only to strengthen our leadership position in the printer imaging market, but also to expand across the broader imaging-related product landscape.”

Media Contact
Email: media@qbitsemi.com
Tel: +886-2-7755-7688 #11068

QBit’ s Official Website: https://qbitsemi.com/
ARM’s Official Website: https://www.arm.com/ 

Discover the Future of Automotive Manufacturing Technology in AMTS 2026, Shanghai, China – Register Now for Free Pass

SHANGHAI, March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AMTS (Shanghai International Automotive Manufacturing Technology & Materials Show) is the leading one-stop platform showcasing the latest technologies and solutions in automotive engineering and manufacturing. Keeping up with the trend of new energy vehicles, the exhibition will focus on the innovative design and manufacturing processes of auto parts for new energy vehicles, and the newly designed TechShow Arena will gather cutting-edge automotive technology.

Mark your calendar for July 8-10, 2026, as AMTS returns to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. The exhibition is set to host 850+ global exhibitors and welcome 70,000 professional visits, with a strong international contingent of 2,000 attendees.

AMTS 2025 Onsite
AMTS 2025 Onsite

Why visit?

Source Innovative Solutions Directly from China

Tackle high manufacturing costs and supply chain vulnerabilities head‑on. At AMTS you will gain direct access to the latest automotive manufacturing technologies and solutions from China – the global epicenter of NEV and intelligent vehicle innovation. Discover competitive products and processes that help you increase efficiency, reduce costs, and rebuild supply chain robustness.

Explore over 20 specialized zones covering every aspect of automotive manufacturing:

  • Future Car Development
  • Vehicle Design and R&D
  • Material & Lightweight
  • Design, Modeling, Trial Production, Measurement and Testing
  • Product Development + Simultaneous Engineering
  • TechShow Arena
  • Powertrain Engineering | Battery, Motor and Electric Control System Engineering
  • Auto Parts Engineering
  • Gigacasting
  • Automotive Interior and Exterior Design & Manufacturing
  • Automotive Mold Design & Manufacturing
  • Parts to Clean Engineering
  • Quality Control & Test Engineering
  • Welding and Joining Engineering
  • Stamping Engineering
  • Laser Engineering
  • Painting Engineering”
  • Assembly Engineering + Sealing Engineering
  • Smart Factory Logistics
  • Assembly and Automation Technology
  • Robots
  • Assembly System Integration

Immerse Yourself in Events Covering Every Aspect of Automotive Manufacturing

From R&D and testing to production, the all‑new Workshop by AMTS breaks the traditional conference mold. Led by top technology suppliers and OEM experts, these deep‑dive sessions use real‑world case studies and hands‑on simulations to deliver ready‑to‑apply solutions to your most pressing technical challenges. Complementing the workshops, more than 50 concurrent events provide unparalleled opportunities for technology exchange, business matching, and ecosystem building.

  • New Energy Vehicle Engineering 2026
  • eCar Body Welding & Joining Engineering 2026
  • eCar Body Forming Engineering 2026
  • eCar Body Painting Engineering 2026
  • eCar Assembly Engineering 2026
  • Workshop: Future Car Testing and Validation Technology
  • Workshop: Future Car Design Innovation Frontier, Future Car Prototyping and Pilot Development, NexTech Mobility
  • Workshop: Auto Parts Painting Engineering
  • Auto Parts Machine Engineering and Quality Control Technology
  • Automotive Hot Stamping Forming
  • Automotive Interior and Exterior Design & Manufacturing
  • Assembly System Integration and Application Technology
  • Solid-State Battery Technology Development Forum 2026
  • Electric Drive Technology Conference 2026
  • Battery Shell Design and Manufacturing Technology Forum 2026
  • New Energy Vehicle Thermal Management Technology Forum 2026

Connect Seamlessly Anytime, Anywhere

Through A+ CONNECT – AMTS’ year‑round business matching platform – you can discover cutting‑edge technologies, solve manufacturing problems, build long‑term partnerships, and optimize your supply chain via integrated online and onsite engagement, 365 days a year.

Who should visit?

  • Automotive OEM Executives
  • R&D and Manufacturing Engineers
  • Procurement and Sourcing Managers
  • System Integrators and Tier 1/2 Suppliers
  • Technology and Innovation Leaders
  • Investors and Business Developers
  • Industry Associations and Media

Visitor Pre-registration Now Open – Save CNY 100!
Pre-register via the link or scan the QR code to get a free pass to AMTS 2026.

https://www.shanghaiamts.com.cn/links?id=9029


Contact us

amts-visitor@rxglobal.com

Innovent Announces First Participant Dosed of IBI128 (Tigulixostat, XOI) in Phase 3 Clinical Study

SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Innovent Biologics, Inc. (“Innovent”, HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune, ophthalmology and other major diseases, announced that the xanthine oxidase inhibitor (XOI) Tigulixostat(R&D code: IBI128) have the first participant dosed in a Phase 3 clinical study in head-to-head comparison of febuxostat, aiming to provide a better treatment option for Chinese gout patients. In a previous Phase 2 clinical study, tigulixostat showed a more significant urate-lowering effect and a good safety profile compared with the febuxostat group. The Phase 2 clinical data were published at the Asia-Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) conference in 2025.

This study adopts a randomized, double-blind, multi-center Phase 3 design, and plans to enroll 600 Chinese patients who meet the 2015 ACR/EULAR gout diagnostic criteria, and randomize them in a 1:1 ratio to receive tigulixostat 100 mg or febuxostat 40 mg for 24 weeks. The treatment period of the trial was one year. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with serum uric acid (sUA) < 360 μmol/L at week 24.

The Principal Investigator of the Study, Professor Zou Hejian from Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, said: “Current gout treatment has dual challenges of drug safety concerns and insufficient efficacy. The Phase 2 data of IBI128 have shown significant advantages in lowering uric acid. This Phase 3 study, through head-to-head design and long-term observation, is expected to provide high-level evidence-based evidence for clinical practice. As a metabolic disease with the fastest growth rate in prevalence in China, gout also has multiple unmet medical needs, including the safety risks of existing drugs, such as cardiovascular risks, hypersensitivity reactions limiting clinical application, and the risk of acute kidney injury caused by excessive uric acid excretion load; the lack of efficacy, such as insufficient drug compliance rate and medication restrictions for patients with renal impairment. Tigulixostat is expected to provide a new treatment option to better meet the above needs. As a new-generation highly selective XOI, the 100 mg dose group in the Phase 2 study (CIBI128A201) had a sUA compliance rate (< 360 μmol/L) of 81% at 16 weeks, which was significantly better than that in the febuxostat 40 mg group. In addition, it showed good safety characteristics in previous clinical studies, with good renal and cardiovascular safety. This Phase 3 study will further verify its long-term therapeutic benefits and fill the unmet medical needs. "

Dr. Lei Qian, Chief R&D Officer of General Biomedicine of Innovent Biologics, stated, “Gout is one of the largest chronic diseases in China, which has long brought a sustained health burden to millions of patients. However, compared with chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, the current therapeutic options are still relatively limited. Gout patients urgently need innovative drugs that have potent uric acid-lowering effects and good safety, and the development of IBI128 reflects Innovent Biologics’ proactive response, as an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company, to address this significant unmet medical need. At the same time, Innovent has established a systematic pipeline strategy in the field of gout and hyperuricemia. In addition to IBI128, the company is advancing multiple innovative programs, including IBI3011, an IL-1RAP monoclonal antibody designed to control acute gout flares, as well as mazdutide, a globally innovative GCG/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist that may provide therapeutic benefits for patients with obesity complicated by hyperuricemia. By building a product portfolio covering different disease stages and patient needs, Innovent Biologics is expected to significantly enhance its comprehensive competitiveness in this therapeutic field and provide patients with a more comprehensive and personalized treatment option. “

About Tigulixostat (IBI128)

IBI128 (tigulixostat) is a novel non-purine selective xanthine oxidase inhibitor (XOI) for the treatment of hyperuricemia associated with gout.[1] Preclinical studies have confirmed its unique mechanism of action, while early clinical trials (including Phase 1 and Phase 2) have shown significant urate-lowering efficacy and good safety, and the Phase 2 results have actively promoted the initiation of Phase 3 studies. 

In December 2022, Innovent Biologics entered a strategic collaboration with LG Chem, in-licensing exclusive development and commercialization rights for tigulixostat in China.

About Gout

The prevalence of gout is increasing rapidly worldwide and in China, with prominent characteristics of younger age. According to the latest research, the overall prevalence of hyperuricemia in China is 17.7%, and the prevalence of gout is 3.2%. The patient base is large, with approximately 177 million people in hyperuricemia, including more than tens of millions of patients with gout.[4] The young population has become a high-incidence population: nearly 60% of the patients are between the ages of 18 and 35 years, and the average age of onset has decreased to 48.28 years, which is closely related to high-purine diet, intake of sugar-containing beverages, and sedentary lifestyle. The harm of gout far exceeds that of joint pain, and it has been identified as a systemic disease. Long-term uncontrolled gout can lead to irreversible organ damage and serious complications, including joint and motor function damage, kidney and metabolic system risks, socioeconomic burden, etc.[1,2,4], which may lead to a decline in the quality of life of patients, as well as negative effects such as labor loss.

About Innovent Biologics

Innovent is a leading biopharmaceutical company founded in 2011 with the mission to empower patients worldwide with affordable, high-quality biopharmaceuticals. The company discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes innovative medicines that target some of the most intractable diseases. Its pioneering therapies treat cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune and eye diseases. Innovent has launched 18 products in the market. It has 5 assets in Phase 3 or pivotal clinical trials and 14 more molecules in early clinical stage. Innovent partners with over 30 global healthcare companies, including Eli Lilly, Roche, Takeda, Sanofi, Incyte, LG Chem and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Guided by the motto, “Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action” Innovent maintains the highest standard of industry practices and works collaboratively to advance the biopharmaceutical industry so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible. For more information, visit www.innoventbio.com, or follow Innovent on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Statement: Innovent Biologics does not recommend the use of unapproved drugs/indications. 

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to Innovent, are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. Innovent does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly.

These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of Innovent with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond Innovent’s control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, Innovent’s competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions.

Innovent, the Directors and the employees of Innovent assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialize or turn out to be incorrect.

References

  1. Chinese Society of Endocrinology, Chinese Medical Association. 2019 Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hyperuricemia and Gout. Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2020, 36(01): 1-13.
  2. Martillo MA, Nazzal L, Crittenden DB. (2014). The crystallization of monosodium urate. Current Rheumatol Rep.16(2):400.
  3. Lisa K Stamp et al., (2021). Association between serum urate and flares in peoplewith gout and evidence for surrogate status: a secondary analysis of tworandomised controlled trials. The Lancet Rheumatology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2665-9913(21)00319-2.
  4. Front lmmunol.2022 Feb 712:791983.eCollection 2021