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Suvoda launches Sofia, a new AI assistant to simplify management of clinical trials

From many clicks to one query, drug supply managers can more quickly access, analyze, and visualize the trial supply data they need.

PHILADELPHIA, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Suvoda LLC, a global clinical trial technology company that specializes in complex studies in therapeutic areas like oncology, central nervous system (CNS), and rare disease, today announced the early adopter launch of Sofia, an artificial intelligence assistant designed to simplify how study teams access and review clinical trial information.

Sofia is available on the Suvoda Platform and can be enabled by sponsors looking to provide drug supply managers with efficient access to vital information through an intuitive chat interface, reducing what were once multi-screen, multi-click processes to simple conversations.

“When creating Sofia, we asked ourselves: What if clinical trial staff had an AI assistant that could alleviate their administrative burdens?” said E.K. Koh, Chief Product Officer at Suvoda. “Sofia became our answer. It’s an exciting opportunity to streamline the management of clinical trials.”

Built with Suvoda’s commitment to reliability and security, Sofia brings greater efficiency to clinical trial operations, while adhering to data privacy and other regulatory requirements in clinical research.

Sofia’s key capabilities include:

  • Streamlines Information Retrieval: Users access trial information through natural language queries that simplify navigation. They can now easily find answers that otherwise would span multiple screens, putting information they need at their fingertips.
  • Improves Productivity in Drug Supply Management: Drug supply managers can more quickly complete tasks like compare depot inventories, review drug lot releases for specific countries, check shipment details, and look over participant visit schedules, helping reduce workload and support operational efficiency.
  • Provides Reliable Responses: Sofia answers questions using expert instructions developed by subject matter experts with deep industry experience. It will “show its work” to users who wish to verify the results and will only answer questions that it has been trained on, helping avoid hallucinations in the answers that plague typical AI tools.
  • Includes Privacy Controls: Built specifically for clinical trials, Sofia operates with safeguards, including restrictions to study data based on user role which keeps customer data accessible to only authorized users and helps to maintain the study blind. Sofia also has guardrails to protect customer and patient data from exposure to public domain AI models.
  • Creates Visualizations: Sofia can create charts, graphs, and tables to help users more easily digest data.
  • Supports Global Operations: Individuals can converse with Sofia in their preferred language.

Sofia is currently optimized for drug supply managers using Suvoda Interactive Response Technology (IRT), with plans to expand to other users and products across the Suvoda Platform. This strategic rollout demonstrates Suvoda’s dedication to thoughtful innovation that prioritizes reliability and user experience in clinical trial technology.

“There is a lot of hype around AI, but there is also a lot of promise,” said Koh. “We’ve approached our work with Sofia with extreme diligence because in clinical trials there is no room for error.”

Named after a Greek word for “wisdom,” Sofia embodies Suvoda’s guiding principle to enable clinical trial sponsors, sites, and patients to Trial Wisely. It is one more example of Suvoda’s determination to smooth clinical trial complexity and give sponsors and sites the control over their trials to more efficiently bring life-saving therapies to those who need them most.

About Suvoda

Suvoda is a global clinical trial technology company specializing in complex, life-sustaining studies in therapeutic areas like oncology, central nervous system (CNS), and rare diseases. Founded in 2013 by experts in eClinical technologies, Suvoda empowers clinical trial professionals to manage the most urgent moments in the most urgent trials through advanced software solutions delivered on a single platform. Headquartered outside Philadelphia, Suvoda also maintains offices in Portland, OR, Barcelona, Spain, Bucharest and Iasi, Romania, and Tokyo, Japan. The company’s Net Promoter Score (NPS) consistently exceeds the technology industry average, contributing to the company being selected by trial sponsors and CROs to support more than 1,800 trials across 95 countries. To learn more, visit suvoda.com. Follow Suvoda on LinkedIn.

For additional information please contact:

Robin Abadia, Director External Communications, Suvoda
marketing@suvoda.com

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Doubleview Gold Corp Announces Collaboration with Her Excellency Sheikha Sara Nasser Al-Thani CEO of Qmission W.L.L. Qatar


VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Newsfile Corp. – 5 March 2025 – Doubleview Gold Corp. (TSXV: DBG) (OTCQB: DBLVF) (FSE: 1D4) (the “Company” or “Doubleview”) is pleased to announce that it has received a Statement of Interest from Her Excellency Sheikha Sara Nasser Al-Thani CEO of Qmission W.L.L. for the Company’s Polymetallic HAT Porphyry Deposit, located in northwestern British Columbia, Canada. Her Excellency and Doubleview have entered into an Emissary Agreement to build and foster a potential collaboration with the State of Qatar by way of the Qatar Investment Authority (“QIA”) as well as other Arab countries who are seeking to expand business relations, particularly investments in unique and critical mineral deposits that can deliver the resources needed for a sustainable future. Sheikha Sara Nasser Al-Thani is personally involved in seeking business opportunities and building strategic collaborations between different business sectors through her company Qmission that will benefit all parties involved.

The Middle Eastern country of Qatar is known for its wealth of natural resources, mainly natural gas (LNG) and oil. In 2005, the Qatar Investment Authority (“QIA”) was established. It is the nation’s sovereign wealth fund, renowned for its focus on exceptional, one-of-a-kind investments spanning all major global markets, asset classes, sectors and geographies. Her Excellency noted, “This opportunity extends beyond the oil and gas sector and holds significant potential benefits for Qatar. QMISSION’s focus is to explore diverse sectors, continuously seeking avenues for growth and innovation. Inspired by the words from the Emir of Qatar, His Royal Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, ‘Qatar deserves the best from its citizens,’ we remain committed to identifying groundbreaking prospects. Doubleview Gold and its HAT Deposit, with its abundance of copper, gold, cobalt and scandium, represents a golden opportunity in the mining industry.”

Farshad Shirvani, president & CEO states: “QIA’s vision corresponds perfectly with the Hat Project’s potential significance on the global stage, due to the deposit’s unique variety of critical minerals – copper, cobalt and scandium, in addition to gold and silver – and its size, which sets it apart. This presents a unique investment opportunity. I am honored to have Her Excellency Sheikha Sara Nasser Al Thani as an ally in our mission to develop this deposit and to share my vision with her.”

The Hat Project features a significant and unique combination of critical metals, including scandium, copper, and gold, among other valuable resources. The Hat Deposit’s 2024 maiden resource estimate (“HAT MRE 1.0”) reported the following commodities in both indicated and inferred categories, at a cut-off grade of 0.2% copper equivalent (“CuEq”*):

  • Gold: 929k ounces (indicated), 2.328 million ounces (inferred)
  • Copper: 733 million pounds (indicated), 1.945 billion pounds (inferred)
  • Silver: 2.045 million ounces (indicated), 7.575 million ounces (inferred)
  • Cobalt: 28 million pounds (indicated), 91 million pounds (inferred)
  • Scandium: The scandium potential for the Hat Deposit is estimated to be 300 to 500 million tonnes at an average grade of 40 ppm (0.004%) Sc2O3.

Note: For further details, please refer to the Company’s July 25, 2024, news release.

An update to the Company’s Maiden Resource Estimate (“HAT MRE 2.0”) is expected to be published in Q2, 2025. It will include more than 10,000 meters of additional drill hole information and will be used as part of the Preliminary Economic Assessment (“HAT PEA”) concurrently being completed. Updated Scandium metallurgy studies are underway which will be included in the HAT MRE 2.0 and HAT PEA once concluded.

* – Copper Equivalent (CuEq) currently does not include the Scandium.
– Metal equivalents should not be relied upon for future evaluations.
– Parameters used to calculate Copper Equivalent: Au price (US$/oz): 1900; Ag price (US$/oz): 24; Cu price (US$/lb): 4; Co price (US$/lb): 22. Au recovery: 89.0%; Ag recovery: 68.0%; Cu recovery: 84.0%; Co recovery: 78.0%. * Copper Equivalent Calculation CuEq in % = ([Ag grade in ppm] *24*0.68/31.1035 + [Au grade in ppm] *1900*.89/31.1035 + 0.0001* [Co grade in ppm] *22*0.78*22.0462 + 0.0001* [Cu grade in ppm] *4*0.84*22.0462)/(4*22.0462*0.84).

Doubleview maintains a website at www.doubleview.ca.

Qualified Persons:

Erik Ostensoe, P. Geo., a consulting geologist, and Doubleview’s Qualified Person with respect to the Hat Project as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed, and approved the technical contents of this news release. He is not independent of Doubleview as he is a shareholder in the company.

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

About Doubleview Gold Corp.

A mineral resource exploration and development company is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is publicly traded on the TSX-Venture Exchange (TSXV: DBG), (OTCQB: DBLVF), (WKN: LA1W038), and (FSE: 1D4). Doubleview focuses on identifying, acquiring, and financing precious and base metal exploration projects across North America, with a strong emphasis on British Columbia. The company enhances shareholder value through the acquisition and exploration of high-quality gold, copper, cobalt, scandium, and silver projects-collectively critical minerals-utilizing cutting-edge exploration techniques.

Doubleview’s success is deeply rooted in the unwavering support of its long-term shareholders, supporters, and institutional investors. Their ongoing commitment has been instrumental in advancing the company’s strategic initiatives. Doubleview looks forward to further collaborative growth and development, and continues to welcome active participation from its valued stakeholders as the company expands its portfolio and strengthens its position in the critical minerals sector.

About the Hat Polymetallic Deposit

The Hat Deposit, located in northwestern British Columbia, is a polymetallic porphyry project with major resources of copper, gold, cobalt, and the potential for scandium. As one of the region’s significant sources of critical minerals, the Hat deposit has undergone targeted exploration and development. The 0.2% CuEq cut-off resource estimate, as of the recently completed Mineral Resource Estimate and the Company’s July 25, 2024, news release, is summarized below:

Average Grade Metal Content
Open Pit Model Hat Resource Category Tonnage CuEq Cu Co Au Ag CuEq Cu Co Au Ag
Mt % % % g/t g/t million lb million lb million lb thousand oz thousand oz
In Pit Indicated 150 0.408 0.221 0.008 0.19 0.42 1,353 733 28 929 2,045
Inferred 477 0.344 0.185 0.009 0.15 0.49 3,619 1,945 91 2,328 7,575

Scandium potential for the Hat Deposit is estimated to be 300 to 500 million tonnes at an average grade of 40 ppm (0.004%) Sc2O3.

For further details, please refer to the Company’s July 25, 2024 news release.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may constitute “forward-looking information.” In particular references to the private placement and future work programs or expectations on the quality or results of such work programs are subject to risks associated with operations on the property, exploration activity generally, equipment limitations and availability, as well as other risks that we may not be currently aware of. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Branch Unveils New Capabilities To Maximize Campaign ROI in a Privacy-First Era

The Only Mobile Measurement Partner (MMP) To Offer Advanced Data Protection Meeting HIPPA Requirements

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Branch, the industry’s leading linking and measurement partner for growth-focused teams, today announced innovations in its Performance offering, which provides growth marketers with privacy-centric attribution that connects user journeys across web, app and offline touchpoints.

Most notably, Branch now gives organizations in heavily regulated industries the ability to utilize ad integrations, data integrations and custom workbooks with encryption and decryption functionality — all while addressing their compliance with HIPPA and other regulatory requirements. The solution also features Predictive Aggregate Measurement (PAM) which provides accurate, granular insights into campaign performance while remaining privacy-focused.

“We’ve seen impressive results with Branch’s Performance Suite, particularly when it comes to predictive aggregate measurement,” said Valissa Warren, senior digital data analyst, ANZ Plus. “We’ve significantly reduced our reportable CPA in just a couple of months. Those types of improvements make a major impact on our business.”

These advances come at a time where marketers and advertisers face increased difficulty assessing campaign effectiveness amidst deprecation of tracking identifiers and evolving privacy regulations. A recent study showed that “88% of advertisers believe privacy laws will impact personalized targeting” with approximately 38% reporting “difficulty in keeping up with the implications of each new law” and 31% “experiencing an increase in costs due to changing privacy laws.”

“We’re all internet users and we all want our data protected — trusting brands that handle our personal data responsibly the most,” said Irina Bukatik, vice president of product at Branch. “Simultaneously, advertisers need insights to connect the dots across platforms and devices to ensure advertising dollars are being spent effectively. Branch Performance meets the needs of people and brands — delivering precise measurement for marketers while taking into account the ever-changing privacy landscape.”

Branch Performance provides actionable data for performance marketers to optimize campaigns, allows for seamless attribution across channels and adapts to privacy changes as new regulations emerge. When used alongside Branch’s pioneering deep linking solutions, it allows businesses to deliver unbroken experiences for users and fully measure customer engagement across channels, platforms and operating systems. With the new advancements in Branch Performance, organizations can fill in iOS measurement gaps in a privacy-safe way, eliminate connected TV (CTV) fragmentation and unify cost and attribution data in one solution.

Along with Advanced Compliance Encryption and PAM, other solution enhancements include:

  • Privacy-centric Attribution for comprehensive and enduring measurement, enabling robust coverage through advanced attribution approaches like PAM and SKAdNetwork (SKAN).
  • Household Measurement assessing ad performance across web, mobile and CTV devices, making it easier to measure return on advertising spend (ROAS), analyze cross-device performance and improve retargeting efforts.
  • ROI Hub featuring centralized analytics for campaign spend and earnings to enable better budget allocation decisions.

For more information about Branch Performance, visit branch.io/performance/.

For media inquiries, please contact jordan.mcmahon@branch.io.

About Branch

Branch is the linking and measurement partner for growth-focused teams, trusted to maximize the value of their evolving digital strategies. World-class brands like Instacart, Western Union, NBCUniversal, and Zocdoc rely on Branch to acquire users, retain customers and drive more conversions.

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A new report by McKinsey & Company and the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry explores the state of the industry and growth themes for 2025 and beyond

HOW SPORTING GOODS BRANDS CAN TURN UNCERTAINTY INTO OPPORTUNITY

BERN, Switzerland, March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — McKinsey & Company and the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) are pleased to announce the publication of ‘Sporting Goods 2025 – The new balancing act: Turning uncertainty into Opportunity’.

  • The fifth edition of the annual industry report offers an in-depth examination of the key trends shaping the global competitive landscape in sporting goods.
  • It features insights from two proprietary surveys, market research and analysis, and interviews with executives of Colnago, Decathlon, Lululemon, On, TRX, and Victory Group.
  • The report identifies physical inactivity as a major untapped market – sporting goods players have an opportunity to take targeted action to empower sedentary consumers to increase their physical activity levels.
  • Active lifestyle as identity: the fit are getting fitter, presenting an opportunity for sporting goods brands to develop products that meet the emotional and functional needs of active consumers and foster long-term loyalty.
  • A re-shuffling of the market share: challenger brands and new entrants expanding at a faster rate than main-players due to decline in barriers to market-entry.
  • Boom of blended live-sports and entertainment: opportunities lie in combining in-person and digital offerings and capitalizing on the intersection of sports and entertainment.
  • Global Sporting Goods Industry Report 2025
    https://prowly-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/78247/assets/726518/-4a9c3fd9441c8d032aedf8e50fcddc62.pdf
  • McKinsey & Company and WFSGI will host a webinar on March 17th, providing actionable insights and strategies to navigate industry complexities. Register here.

Report findings

Over the past year, the sporting goods industry has persevered through economic volatility, geopolitical tensions, and evolving consumer behavior. Softening growth—projected to be 6 percent annually from 2024 to 2029—is compelling executives to focus equally on the top and bottom lines. Still, the report found that 44 percent of industry executives are feeling ‘optimistic’ or ‘rather optimistic’ about 2025, signaling their cautious confidence in seizing opportunities amid pervasive challenges.

“Amid an uncertain terrain, our analysis highlights evolving consumer behavior and trends that offer growth opportunities for sporting goods brands,” said Alexander Thiel, Partner at McKinsey. “To thrive in 2025, executives should focus on balancing top-line and bottom-line growth, engaging diverse consumer segments, and integrating in-person and digital experiences.”

Emma Zwiebler, WFSGI CEO continued: “I’m pleased to see that this report highlights the opportunity to turn the inactivity crisis into a catalyst for positive change for health and business. While the statistics are significant and concerning, they also present a chance to engage the 1.8 billion inactive adults identified by the WHO. Encouraging movement is not just a health necessity but a major business opportunity. Our industry has the potential to improve global well-being by playing our part in making physical activity more accessible and creating a healthier, more active world for everyone. And in doing so, we will drive growth for the industry. It’s a win-win.”

The report explores key themes that will shape the market, and it highlights consumer trends that could represent paths to growth:

Physical inactivity as the biggest untapped market. Despite the significant benefits of physical activity, the share of inactive adults jumped from 26 percent in 2010 to 31 percent in 2022 and could reach 35 percent by 2030. The global adult population that is currently not meeting WHO’s recommended levels of physical activity totals 1.8 billion—an untapped market equivalent to twice the size of India’s adult population. Sporting goods players have an opportunity to take targeted action to empower sedentary consumers to increase their physical activity levels. They could seek to remove barriers to physical activity for more sedentary segments, including via product innovation, marketing campaigns to raise awareness, and enhanced youth engagement. The report also highlights that increased intersectoral collaboration is necessary as the challenge is too great for the industry to tackle alone.

Active lifestyle as identity. While physical inactivity has reached record levels around the world, there is also a consumer segment that is becoming increasingly active. For those who are already physically active, exercise has evolved from a casual pursuit into a linchpin of health regimens and a defining element of personal identity. Almost one in two active consumers and a significant portion of Gen Zers and millennials view fitness as their core identity. This trend presents an opportunity for sporting goods brands to develop products that meet the emotional and functional needs of active consumers and foster long-term loyalty.

Market share reshuffle. The sporting goods market has witnessed a proliferation of new entrants including both general apparel players, and specialized players for segments such as running, yoga, cycling, or gym attire. These challenger brands have benefited from declining barriers to market entry and a tightly focused value proposition for specific consumer segments. From 2019 to 2024, publicly traded challenger brands expanded at a faster rate than large incumbents, gaining three percentage points of market share.

Boom of blended live sports and entertainment. According to our consumer survey, 81 percent of respondents attended in-person fitness classes in the past year. The thirst for live experiences—McKinsey estimates the global live events ticketing market surpassed $100 billion in 2023 and could reach $150 billion by 2030—has led to more venues blending sports, entertainment, and retail; new sports formats featuring competition and spectacle; and more sports-based content. Brands could seek to effectively combine in-person and digital offerings and capitalize on the intersection of sports and entertainment by partnering with other players.

About the research

This report features insights and perspectives from several research efforts.

WFSGI Sporting Goods Industry Executives Pulse Check, December 2024 – a survey of 50 sporting goods executives to gauge their overall sentiment on the state of the industry and the factors that will matter most.

McKinsey Sporting Goods Report Consumer Survey, December 2024 – a survey of more than 3,600 consumers across Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States to explore their approach to physical activity, interaction with live sports and entertainment, and consumption of sportswear brands. Of this sample, we segmented 1,842 respondents who identified as active consumers to further understand this segment.

Additional research and analysis—including a review of publicly available sources (annual reports, company publications, and press releases) and financial analysis on publicly traded companies to evaluate their performance and market shares.

Global Sporting Goods Industry Report 2025
https://prowly-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/78247/assets/726518/-4a9c3fd9441c8d032aedf8e50fcddc62.pdf

 

A live webinar will take place on March 17th with McKinsey & Company and WFSGI CEO Emma Zwiebler. Register here.

About McKinsey & Company

McKinsey is a global management consulting firm committed to helping organizations accelerate sustainable and inclusive growth. We work with clients across the private, public, and social sectors to solve complex problems and create positive change for all their stakeholders. We combine bold strategies and transformative technologies to help organizations innovate more sustainably, achieve lasting gains in performance, and build workforces that will thrive for this generation and the next.

www.mckinsey.com 

About WFSGI

The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) is the global voice of the sporting goods industry. Representing brands, manufacturers, retailers, and national federations, WFSGI advocates for policies and initiatives that foster health, sustainability, and economic growth through sport and physical activity.

www.wfsgi.org 

Media Pack

A new report by McKinsey & Company and the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry explores the state of the industry and growth themes for 2025 and beyond

HOW SPORTING GOODS BRANDS CAN TURN UNCERTAINTY INTO OPPORTUNITY

BERN, Switzerland, March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — McKinsey & Company and the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) are pleased to announce the publication of ‘Sporting Goods 2025 – The new balancing act: Turning uncertainty into Opportunity’.

  • The fifth edition of the annual industry report offers an in-depth examination of the key trends shaping the global competitive landscape in sporting goods.
  • It features insights from two proprietary surveys, market research and analysis, and interviews with executives of Colnago, Decathlon, Lululemon, On, TRX, and Victory Group.
  • The report identifies physical inactivity as a major untapped market – sporting goods players have an opportunity to take targeted action to empower sedentary consumers to increase their physical activity levels.
  • Active lifestyle as identity: the fit are getting fitter, presenting an opportunity for sporting goods brands to develop products that meet the emotional and functional needs of active consumers and foster long-term loyalty.
  • A re-shuffling of the market share: challenger brands and new entrants expanding at a faster rate than main-players due to decline in barriers to market-entry.
  • Boom of blended live-sports and entertainment: opportunities lie in combining in-person and digital offerings and capitalizing on the intersection of sports and entertainment.
  • Global Sporting Goods Industry Report 2025
    https://prowly-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/78247/assets/726518/-4a9c3fd9441c8d032aedf8e50fcddc62.pdf
  • McKinsey & Company and WFSGI will host a webinar on March 17th, providing actionable insights and strategies to navigate industry complexities. Register here.

Report findings

Over the past year, the sporting goods industry has persevered through economic volatility, geopolitical tensions, and evolving consumer behavior. Softening growth—projected to be 6 percent annually from 2024 to 2029—is compelling executives to focus equally on the top and bottom lines. Still, the report found that 44 percent of industry executives are feeling ‘optimistic’ or ‘rather optimistic’ about 2025, signaling their cautious confidence in seizing opportunities amid pervasive challenges.

“Amid an uncertain terrain, our analysis highlights evolving consumer behavior and trends that offer growth opportunities for sporting goods brands,” said Alexander Thiel, Partner at McKinsey. “To thrive in 2025, executives should focus on balancing top-line and bottom-line growth, engaging diverse consumer segments, and integrating in-person and digital experiences.”

Emma Zwiebler, WFSGI CEO continued: “I’m pleased to see that this report highlights the opportunity to turn the inactivity crisis into a catalyst for positive change for health and business. While the statistics are significant and concerning, they also present a chance to engage the 1.8 billion inactive adults identified by the WHO. Encouraging movement is not just a health necessity but a major business opportunity. Our industry has the potential to improve global well-being by playing our part in making physical activity more accessible and creating a healthier, more active world for everyone. And in doing so, we will drive growth for the industry. It’s a win-win.”

The report explores key themes that will shape the market, and it highlights consumer trends that could represent paths to growth:

Physical inactivity as the biggest untapped market. Despite the significant benefits of physical activity, the share of inactive adults jumped from 26 percent in 2010 to 31 percent in 2022 and could reach 35 percent by 2030. The global adult population that is currently not meeting WHO’s recommended levels of physical activity totals 1.8 billion—an untapped market equivalent to twice the size of India’s adult population. Sporting goods players have an opportunity to take targeted action to empower sedentary consumers to increase their physical activity levels. They could seek to remove barriers to physical activity for more sedentary segments, including via product innovation, marketing campaigns to raise awareness, and enhanced youth engagement. The report also highlights that increased intersectoral collaboration is necessary as the challenge is too great for the industry to tackle alone.

Active lifestyle as identity. While physical inactivity has reached record levels around the world, there is also a consumer segment that is becoming increasingly active. For those who are already physically active, exercise has evolved from a casual pursuit into a linchpin of health regimens and a defining element of personal identity. Almost one in two active consumers and a significant portion of Gen Zers and millennials view fitness as their core identity. This trend presents an opportunity for sporting goods brands to develop products that meet the emotional and functional needs of active consumers and foster long-term loyalty.

Market share reshuffle. The sporting goods market has witnessed a proliferation of new entrants including both general apparel players, and specialized players for segments such as running, yoga, cycling, or gym attire. These challenger brands have benefited from declining barriers to market entry and a tightly focused value proposition for specific consumer segments. From 2019 to 2024, publicly traded challenger brands expanded at a faster rate than large incumbents, gaining three percentage points of market share.

Boom of blended live sports and entertainment. According to our consumer survey, 81 percent of respondents attended in-person fitness classes in the past year. The thirst for live experiences—McKinsey estimates the global live events ticketing market surpassed $100 billion in 2023 and could reach $150 billion by 2030—has led to more venues blending sports, entertainment, and retail; new sports formats featuring competition and spectacle; and more sports-based content. Brands could seek to effectively combine in-person and digital offerings and capitalize on the intersection of sports and entertainment by partnering with other players.

About the research

This report features insights and perspectives from several research efforts.

WFSGI Sporting Goods Industry Executives Pulse Check, December 2024 – a survey of 50 sporting goods executives to gauge their overall sentiment on the state of the industry and the factors that will matter most.

McKinsey Sporting Goods Report Consumer Survey, December 2024 – a survey of more than 3,600 consumers across Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States to explore their approach to physical activity, interaction with live sports and entertainment, and consumption of sportswear brands. Of this sample, we segmented 1,842 respondents who identified as active consumers to further understand this segment.

Additional research and analysis—including a review of publicly available sources (annual reports, company publications, and press releases) and financial analysis on publicly traded companies to evaluate their performance and market shares.

Global Sporting Goods Industry Report 2025
https://prowly-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/78247/assets/726518/-4a9c3fd9441c8d032aedf8e50fcddc62.pdf

A live webinar will take place on March 17th with McKinsey & Company and WFSGI CEO Emma Zwiebler. Register here.

About McKinsey & Company

McKinsey is a global management consulting firm committed to helping organizations accelerate sustainable and inclusive growth. We work with clients across the private, public, and social sectors to solve complex problems and create positive change for all their stakeholders. We combine bold strategies and transformative technologies to help organizations innovate more sustainably, achieve lasting gains in performance, and build workforces that will thrive for this generation and the next.

www.mckinsey.com 

About WFSGI

The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) is the global voice of the sporting goods industry. Representing brands, manufacturers, retailers, and national federations, WFSGI advocates for policies and initiatives that foster health, sustainability, and economic growth through sport and physical activity.

www.wfsgi.org 

Media Pack

Laminar Pharma Announces first open-label Progression-Free Survival data for LAM561 in combination with standard of Care in First-Line Therapy for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma MGMT-methylated patients

PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain, March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Laminar Pharma, a leader in the development of innovative cancer therapy based on membrane lipid therapy, announced today optimistic results from its ongoing clinical trial evaluating LAM561 for the treatment of newly diagnosed glioblastoma (ndGBM), the most aggressive form of brain cancer, that has seen limited clinical improvement in the last 20 years. The trial, partially funded with an EU H2020 Grant (ClinGlio), has shown an improvement trend in progression-free survival (PFS) in MGMT-methylated patients receiving LAM561 in combination with chemoradiotherapy (radiotherapy plus temozolomide) as the standard of care (SoC) compared to placebo plus SoC treatment. LAM561 is available for in-license for all territories. Laminar’s current fund raising round is still open, for a limited time, to additional investors.

The pivotal phase 2b/3 trial, “A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled adjuvant trial in newly diagnosed primary glioblastoma subjects to assess the efficacy and safety of LAM561 in combination with radiotherapy and temozolomide standard of care treatment” (NCT04250922), enrolled 144 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. In November 2024, After reaching 66 PFS events the independent data monitoring committee (IDMC) recommended: (1) Continue the trial without modifications until 90 OS events (overall survival), when the final analysis will be carried out, estimated for Q4 2026; (2) that the trial should not be stopped for reasons of safety or futility and (3) opening the study, that is, removing the blind. From that moment, patients, doctors and Laminar as sponsor are able to know if any patient received placebo or LAM561.

Although the main primary outcome of the interim analysis (Hazard Ratio of 0.5 for PFS) was not reached for the whole trial population, the unblinding of the trial has allowed Laminar to conduct an ongoing evaluation (non-statistically assessed and with data under monitoring review) considering the per protocol predefined stratification: methylation status of the MGMT promoter and RTOG score (3, 4 or 5), a scale describing the side effects caused by radiation therapy and the higher the RTOG score the worse the clinical position. By revising the data stratified by MGMT promoter methylation status and RTOG, and using data available on 18th February 2025, the median PFS for methylated patients RTOG3 was 56,7 weeks on the LAM561 treatment arm against 19 weeks on the placebo arm (n=9). Moreover, the median PFS for methylated patients RTOG4 was 86,4 weeks on the LAM561 treatment arm against 54,7 weeks on the placebo arm (n=39). With currently available data, methylated patients treated with LAM561 + SoC seem to experience a potentially clinically relevantimprovement in PFS (Hazard-ratio estimation of 0.53) compared to control group (placebo+SoC). PFS was not improved by LAM561 in unmethylated patients. This interim perspective should be taken with caution since the study is still ongoing and providing new information and the final interpretation will only be apparent once the study has completed after reaching 90 OS events; and, although progression of the disease is a relevant clinical event, overall survival is the primary outcome of the trial and conclusions on the final effect of the drug need to wait until the  final analysis is performed and data is reviewed by the IDMC. Laminar intends to perform an in-depth independent objective assessment of the findings.

The methylation status of the MGMT promoter is highly relevant in the prognosis of glioblastoma [Leske et al., 2023]. MGMT-methylated patients represent 35-50% of the total glioblastoma patients.

“We are encouraged by the progression-free survival results from this trial in MGMT-methylated patients, which, if reflected by positive overall survival results, may represent a significant advance in the treatment of glioblastoma, a condition with poor prognosis that affects more than 100,000 people every year”, said Dr. Pablo Escribà, CEO of Laminar Pharma. “Glioblastoma remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat, and these findings highlight the potential of LAM561 to improve outcomes for methylated patients, a considerable portion of the total glioblastoma population. Our team is committed to continuing the development of this promising therapy.”

The combination of LAM561 and SoC was well-tolerated. The safety data in the trial is consistent with the known safety profile of LAM561 studied in previous clinical trials, with no new safety signals observed in the combination arm.

Trial Details and Key Findings:

  • The study enrolled 144 patients with newly diagnosed, IDH-wildtype, glioblastoma.
  • MGMT-methylated patients treated with LAM561 and SoC currently show a trend towards longer progression-free survival (86,4 weeks) compared to placebo control SoC group (54,7 weeks, HR 0.53). The study will continue until 90 OS events when final analysis will be conducted, estimated by late 2026.
  • Safety data showed that the treatment was well-tolerated, with adverse events consistent with previous trials and a well-known safety profile.

These results built on earlier preclinical and clinical data, which indicated that LAM561 could effectively target, through modification of the membrane lipid, the molecular pathways associated with glioblastoma growth. Further analysis and longer follow-up periods are underway to assess overall survival and other secondary endpoints.

About Glioblastoma: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor and accounts for nearly 50 percent of all gliomas and approximately 25 percent of all primary brain and CNS malignant tumors. The incidence of GBM in Europe is currently above 25,000 new cases each year, rising to over 100,000 cases per year worldwide. The prognosis for GBM patients is very poor, with a median survival time of about 14.5 months despite optimum chemo-radiation treatment. About 15% of patients survive two years after diagnosis and ca. 4% survive for five or more years. In this scenario, there is a desperate need for novel treatment alternatives that provide safe and more efficacious clinical outcomes.

About LAM561: LAM561 (2-hydroxyoleic acid (2-OHOA); idroxioleic acid, sodium) is a synthetic derivative of oleic acid and the most advanced Laminar’s R&D product which is taken orally. This drug alters the composition of the plasma membrane in cancer cells, reducing the activity of membrane-associated signaling proteins that are known to promote tumor growth and affecting tumors in the brain. LAM561 is in the process of completing its last clinical development phase and has shown promising preliminary clinical activity in the treatment of aggressive brain tumors, glioblastoma.

About Laminar Pharma: Laminar Pharmaceuticals S.A. (Laminar) is a Spanish biotechnological company created in 2006, committed to translational health research, for the rational design and development of drugs to treat oncological and other pathologies in the form of synthetic fatty acids considered “First-in-class Health Solutions” and based on a novel technology, the Melitherapy (MLT or Membrane Lipid Therapy). Laminar controls all the processes, from the rational design of the molecules to the clinical trials that lead to the launch of a new drug, with constant investment in R&D and high-quality standards. It is currently headquartered in Mallorca (Spain) with a subsidiary in Massachusetts (USA).

The development and commercialization of medicines involves a high degree of risk, and only a small number of research and development programs result in the commercialization of a product. This document contains forward-looking statements. These statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may be accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “conceivably” , “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may”, “potential,” “possible,” “will,” and other words of similar meaning. The results of clinical trials may not be indicative of the full results or the results of later-stage clinical trials and do not guarantee regulatory approval.

Media Contact: 
Javier Fernández Díaz
j.fernandez@laminarpharma.com

References:

Leske, H., Camenisch Gross, U., Hofer, S., Neidert, M. C., Leske, S., Weller, M., … & Rushing, E. J. (2023). MGMT methylation pattern of long-term and short-term survivors of glioblastoma reveals CpGs of the enhancer region to be of high prognostic value. Acta Neuropathologica Communications, 11(1), 139

Ascend Advanced Therapies Appoints John Chiminski as Chair and Karen Flynn as Independent Director

ROCKVILLE, Md., March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ascend Advanced Therapies (Ascend), a gene to GMP advanced therapy development partner, today announced the appointment of John Chiminski and Karen Flynn as non-executive members of its Board of Directors. John will serve as Chair of the Board and EW Healthcare Partners has designated Karen to serve on the Company’s board as one of its representatives. Their leadership and deep industry expertise will be pivotal as Ascend builds its capabilities and positions itself for growth.

 

 

John Chiminski brings more than three decades of leadership in healthcare and pharma services. He served as CEO of Catalent from 2009 to 2015, then as Chair and CEO from 2016 through 2022, and as Executive Chair until June 2023. Under his leadership, Catalent grew into a global Tier 1 CDMO, expanded its capabilities, and significantly increased its impact on the pharma and biotech development and manufacturing ecosystem. He currently serves as a board member for QuidelOrtho (QDEL) and is a Senior Advisor for Abingworth.

“Ascend is at a pivotal moment in its growth, and I am excited to support the team as we build a world-class gene therapy CDMO,” said Chiminski. “With the right strategy, investment, and operational excellence, Ascend is well-positioned to be a leading partner in advanced therapies.”

Karen Flynn brings more than three decades of commercial and operations experience to the board of Ascend. Most recently, she served as Interim President of BioModalities at Catalent. Preceding this role, Karen held positions as Chief Commercial Officer and President of Biologics at Catalent. Prior to her tenure at Catalent, she served as Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for West Pharmaceutical Services, also assuming the role of President of its Pharmaceutical Packaging Systems business. She currently serves on the boards of Quanterix Corporation (QTRX), Sotera Health Company (SHC), Stevanato Group, and Germfree Laboratories, a portfolio company of EW Healthcare Partners.

“With the addition of ABL, Inc. in late 2024 and investment by EW Healthcare Partners, the Ascend network can support gene therapy, oncolytic, vaccine, immunotherapy, and government customers at all stages of development through to fill/finish,” said Flynn. “Process development, optimization, and forthcoming GMP QC capabilities in Munich, Germany are complemented by the GMP facilities in Alachua, Florida, and the company’s headquarters in Rockville, MD. This is a world-class offering built to support customers long term.”

“We are excited to welcome John and Karen to the board. John and Karen bring tremendous leadership, strategic expertise, and industry knowledge that will help shape the future here,” said Mike Stella, CEO of Ascend. “Their counsel and extensive experience will be instrumental as we continue to manufacture advanced therapies and aggressively scale up the capabilities of the Company.”

Ascend specializes in high-quality, cost-effective gene therapy development and manufacturing. Following the partnership with EW healthcare Partners that contributed its portfolio company, ABL, Inc. in late 2024, Ascend offers expanded commercial manufacturing, process development, and analytical capabilities across multiple facilities in the U.S. and Europe.

To join us on the Ascend journey, please visit: www.ascend-adv.com or follow us on LinkedIn. To schedule some time to chat, email us at business@ascend-adv.com.

Ascend Advanced Therapies (Ascend) is a gene to GMP contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in high-quality, cost-effective advanced therapy development and manufacturing. The Company offers expanded commercial facilities and a versatile platform for gene therapies, oncolytics, vaccines and immunotherapies. A collaborative CMC approach backed by therapeutic development roots helps the team guide clients from clinic to commercialization while balancing yield, quality, and cost. Investors include EW Healthcare Partners, Monograph, Abingworth, Petrichor, DCVC Bio, 4BIO Capital, Cathay Health, Anjinomoto, Deerfield, and Digitalis Ventures. Learn more at www.ascend-adv.com.

 

Beyond Music Acquires Copyright Stake in BTS Hit Song “Butter”

SEOUL, South Korea, March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Beyond Music, Asia’s leading music intellectual properties (IPs) investment and data management company, has acquired a copyright stake in “Butter,” the global hit song by BTS. This deal was successfully made thanks to the support of Stephen Kirk, one of the songwriters of this song. With this new acquisition, the company has further cemented its presence in the global music IP market by adding one of K-pop’s most iconic tracks to its catalog.

Beyond Music
Beyond Music

“Butter” is one of BTS’s signature tracks and a defining global K-pop anthem. Upon its release in May 2021, the song set multiple records, including ‘The highest number of YouTube views within 24 hours’, ‘The most-streamed song in a single day on Spotify globally, earning a Guinness World Record’, and ‘Entry into Spotify’s prestigious “Billions Club,” underscoring its lasting streaming mega-success and global impact’.

Jinwoo Jo, CEO of Beyond Music, said, “Acquiring a copyright stake in BTS’s global hit ‘Butter’ is a major step forward in our music IP investment and value-up strategy. We will continue to expand our presence in the global market through strategic acquisitions, portfolio diversification, and innovative monetization strategies, securing sustainable growth for years to come.”

This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Beyond Music’s global expansion and its ongoing mission to enhance the value of music IP. It also represents the beginning of a broader initiative to honor and extend the musical legacies of Stephen Kirk and other world-renowned songwriters.

By securing a stake in “Butter,” Beyond Music continues to strengthen its presence in the global music IP landscape, ensuring that both artistic integrity and sustainable investor returns remain at the core of its strategy.

Beyond Music’s first major acquisition took place in 2022 with the catalog of notable Canadian GRAMMY-winning producer/songwriter Greg Wells. In 2024, the company also acquired the music catalog of internationally renowned Latin GRAMMY Award-winner, singer and songwriter Yandel including his publishing interests and royalties, his share of performance royalties and neighboring rights royalties.

Since its establishment in 2021, Beyond Music has consistently enhanced the value of music IP through optimized licensing and value-up strategies based on proprietary data analysis systems. To date, the company has closed over 100 large-scale music IP acquisitions both domestically and internationally, amassing a catalog of more than 35,000 copyrights including publishing and master rights, spanning from the 1990s to the present.