– 13-week U.S. Phase II study is evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of oral small molecule GLP-1R agonist ASC30, a once-daily tablet, in 100 participants with diabetes.

– Topline data from the Phase II study are expected in the third quarter of 2026.

HONG KONG, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ascletis Pharma Inc. (HKEX: 1672, “Ascletis”) announces today completion of enrollment in its 13-week U.S. Phase II study (NCT07321678) evaluating ASC30, an oral small molecule GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). T2D is the second indication for ASC30, following its first indication of obesity. Topline data from the Phase II study for the treatment of T2D are expected in the third quarter of 2026.

“ASC30 has potential to be the best-in-class oral small molecule GLP-1 for obesity, evidenced by its efficacy and tolerability demonstrated by the U.S. Phase II study in participants with obesity or overweight,” said Jinzi Jason Wu, Ph.D., Founder, Chairman and CEO of Ascletis, “Expanding ASC30’s clinical development into the large diabetes treatment market is a logical next step that provides us with another chance to highlight ASC30’s potential best-in-class profile as a once-daily oral treatment option for patients. We look forward to sharing topline data from the Phase II study in diabetes participants in the third quarter of 2026.”

Dr. Wu added, “Based on the positive clinical results announced in December 2025 from our 13-week U.S. Phase II study of ASC30 in participants with obesity or overweight, the Company expects to obtain the clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and initiate Phase III trials in the U.S. for obesity indication by the end of the third quarter 2026.”

ASC30 was discovered and developed in-house at Ascletis as a first and only investigational small molecule GLP-1R fully biased agonist that can be dosed once daily orally and once monthly to once quarterly subcutaneously for the treatment of obesity, diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

About the U.S. Phase II Study with ASC30 for the Treatment of Diabetes

The Phase II study is a 13-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and multi-center study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ASC30 tablets in participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The primary endpoint of the Phase II study is the mean change from baseline in HbA1c up to 13 weeks in the treatment group compared with the placebo group. Secondary endpoints include the mean change from baseline in fasting blood glucose up to 13 weeks in the treatment group compared with the placebo group, the mean change from baseline in body weight up to 13 weeks in the treatment group compared with placebo group, and safety and tolerability. The Phase II study enrolled 100 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus at multiple sites across the U.S. Participants were randomly assigned in a ratio of approximately 2:3:3:2 to 40 mg, 60 mg and 80 mg ASC30 tablets and matching placebo tablets, respectively. ASC30 was titrated weekly from 1 mg to target doses of 40 mg, 60 mg and 80 mg.

About Ascletis Pharma Inc.

Ascletis Pharma Inc. is a fully integrated biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of potential best-in-class and first-in-class therapeutics to treat metabolic diseases. Utilizing its proprietary Artificial Intelligence-assisted Structure-Based Drug Discovery (AISBDD) and Ultra-Long-Acting Platform (ULAP) technologies as well as Peptide Oral Transport ENhancement Technology (POTENT), Ascletis has developed multiple drug candidates in-house, including both small molecules and peptides, such as its lead program, ASC30, a small molecule GLP-1R agonist designed to be administered once daily orally and once monthly to once quarterly subcutaneously as a treatment therapy and a maintenance therapy for chronic weight management; ASC36, an amylin receptor peptide agonist, ASC35, a once-monthly subcutaneously administered GLP-1R/GIPR dual peptide agonist and ASC37, a GLP-1R/GIPR/GCGR triple peptide agonist, ASC39, a potent and amylin-selective oral small molecule amylin receptor agonist, and ASC30_39 FDC, a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of ASC30 and ASC39, for chronic weight management. Ascletis is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (1672.HK).

For more information, please visit www.ascletis.com.

Contact:

Peter Vozzo
ICR Healthcare
443-231-0505 (U.S.)
Peter.vozzo@icrhealthcare.com

Ascletis Pharma Inc. PR and IR Teams
+86-181-0650-9129 (China)
pr@ascletis.com
ir@ascletis.com 

• Signed a $348.9 million contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration for one icebreaker, to be delivered in 2029
• Won the order over leading icebreaker builders, including Finland and Norway
• “We plan to expand new export markets in the special-purpose ship sector based on our technological capabilities and integrated business expertise.”

SEOUL, South Korea, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has become the first Korean shipbuilder to secure an overseas order for a dedicated icebreaker.

The company said it has signed a $348.9 million contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration to build one icebreaker.

In the bidding process, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries received strong, well-rounded evaluations for price competitiveness, delivery schedules and technological capabilities. The icebreaker under this contract is scheduled for delivery in 2029 and will provide icebreaking support, fleet operations, towing services and ice management in the Baltic Sea off Sweden.

This order was secured amid growing global attention on Arctic shipping routes and Arctic Ocean exploration, after competing with leading icebreaker builders, including Finland and Norway. It is significant as it marks the first time a South Korean shipbuilder has entered the global icebreaker market.

The deal was also the result of strong public-private cooperation, with active support from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Sweden and the KOTRA Stockholm Trade Office.

An icebreaker is a specialized ship designed to navigate ice-covered seas by breaking sea ice to open navigable routes. It features a reinforced hull, strong icebreaking capability and a specially designed hull form that allows it to push through and clear ice.

The icebreaker ordered by Sweden from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will measure 126 meters in length and have a displacement of about 15,000 tons. It will feature Polar Class 4 (PC4) icebreaking capability and an electric propulsion system. PC4 generally refers to the ability to continuously break ice approximately 1 to 1.2 meters thick.

The United States has also significantly expanded its investment in icebreaker capabilities, passing legislation last year that increased related funding to about $9 billion. It has also formed the “ICE (Icebreaker Collaboration Effort) Pact” in cooperation with Canada and Finland as part of broader efforts to strengthen polar maritime operations.

According to the ICE Pact, the partners aim to build 70 to 90 icebreakers over the next 10 years.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries aims to actively expand into the global naval and special-purpose vessel markets that require icebreaking capability, leveraging its proven expertise in building icebreakers.

“Following this icebreaker order, global recognition has been given to the strengthened business capabilities achieved through the integration of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Mipo. We will continue to expand new export markets in the special-purpose ship segment based on our technological capabilities and integrated business expertise,” said Joo Won-ho, Head of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Naval and Medium Ship Business.

Participates in Korea-Vietnam Economic Delegation

• Accelerates development of an industrial park in Phu Tho Province near Hanoi, while attracting advanced manufacturing companies and building a supply chain ecosystem
• Plans parallel development of an Inland Container Depot (ICD) to strengthen logistics competitiveness
• Expands discussions with Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) on financial support measures and new business opportunities

HANOI, Vietnam and SEOUL, South Korea, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — iMarketKorea, a leading industrial materials distribution company led by CEO Kim Hak-jae, announced that it has signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Phu Tho Provincial People’s Committee and Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam during the MOU signing session at the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum, hosted by Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The company participated in the official Korea-Vietnam economic delegation.

As Vietnam’s investment environment continues to advance, cooperation in production infrastructure such as industrial parks has become increasingly important. Based on prior discussions with Phu Tho Province, iMarketKorea formalized this partnership through the latest agreements.

Located near Noi Bai International Airport, Phu Tho Province is emerging as a strategic logistics hub and an attractive production base for global companies. The province recorded 10.52% gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth in 2025, ranking fourth among Vietnam’s provinces.

Through the agreement, iMarketKorea plans to develop a national industrial park in Phu Tho Province and actively attract global manufacturing companies. The company also aims to build a supply chain-driven industrial ecosystem by strengthening collaboration among related businesses centered around the industrial complex.

To enhance logistics competitiveness, iMarketKorea will also pursue the development of an Inland Container Depot (ICD) with bonded warehousing functions. An ICD is an inland logistics hub enabling customs clearance and cargo handling. When integrated with the industrial park, it is expected to improve import-export efficiency and strengthen the region’s attractiveness to manufacturers.

Kim Hak-jae, CEO of iMarketKorea, said, “This agreement establishes the foundation for integrated production and logistics infrastructure. Through cooperation with the Phu Tho provincial government and BIDV, we plan to establish a one-stop support system covering administration, finance, legal matters, and taxation. We will also create an environment where high-tech parts and materials companies can effectively utilize local incentives and gradually expand future cooperation.”

LONDON, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Elliott Investment Management L.P. and Elliott Advisors (UK) Limited (“Elliott”), which advise funds that together own approximately 3% of Daikin Industries, Ltd. (“Daikin” or the “Company”), today released an investor presentation titled “Elliott’s Perspectives on Daikin.”

In the presentation, Elliott outlined the significant opportunity for Daikin to increase its profitability, improve its capital efficiency and drive a higher valuation for its shares by taking bold steps to close its margin gap versus its peers, launch an ambitious share repurchase program and conduct a strategic review of its non-core businesses. The presentation described a credible pathway for Daikin to achieve a 14% operating profit margin which, combined with targeted share repurchases, could see the Company’s earnings per share more than double.  

Elliott remains committed to working constructively with Daikin to deliver an ambitious, credible medium-term management plan that helps the Company close the performance and valuation gaps to its peers.

The presentation can be viewed at https://elliottletters.com.

About Elliott

Elliott Investment Management L.P. (together with its affiliates, “Elliott”) manages approximately $79.8 billion of assets as of December 31, 2025. Founded in 1977, it is one of the oldest funds under continuous management. The Elliott funds’ investors include pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, funds-of-funds, high net worth individuals and families, and employees of the firm. Elliott Advisors (UK) Limited is an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management L.P.

Media Contacts:

London
Stijn van de Grampel
Elliott Advisors (UK) Limited
T: +44 20 3009 1061
svdgrampel@elliottadvisors.co.uk

New York
Stephen Spruiell
Elliott Investment Management L.P.
T: +1 (212) 478-2017
sspruiell@elliottmgmt.com

Tokyo
Brett Wallbutton
Ashton Consulting
T: +81 (0) 3 5425-7220
b.wallbutton@ashton.jp

WUHU, China, April 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In April 2026, during the 2026 International Business Summit, CHERY completed a public three-vehicle composite crash validation of the TIGGO9 at the Chery Crash Safety Laboratory, witnessed on site by global dealers, international media and overseas user representatives. Designed around real-world high-risk traffic scenarios, the test used a composite crash setup to assess the safety performance of CHERY’s flagship SUV and further demonstrate the brand’s safety philosophy: Safety. For Family.

The test simulated a severe front-and-rear impact scenario. The TIGGO9, as the core test vehicle, sustained a 50 km/h frontal impact from a TIGGO7 while being simultaneously rear-ended by another vehicle at 40 km/h, placing its body structure, restraint systems and post-collision emergency response under comprehensive evaluation. After the crash, the passenger compartment remained intact, with no obvious deformation to the pillars and sufficient survival space preserved. The airbags and side curtain airbags deployed properly, the seat belt systems functioned effectively, the doors unlocked automatically and could be opened normally, the fuel system showed no leakage, and the hazard warning lights operated as intended.

This performance is supported by the TIGGO9’s systematic safety design, including a high-rigidity body structure with 85% high-strength steel and 21% hot-stamped steel, an optimized load-transfer path, and a 10-airbag system. With multiple global five-star safety certifications already earned, CHERY continues to strengthen its safety credentials through real-world validation. Looking ahead, CHERY will continue to raise safety standards and deliver reliable protection for families around the world.