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Akeso Announces First ADC Drug Clinical Trial, Marking a New Era for “IO 2.0 + ADC” Strategy

HONG KONG, Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Akeso, Inc. (9926.HK) announced the first patient has been enrolled in the Phase I clinical trial of AK138 D1 for the treatment of advanced malignancies in Australia. AK138D1,  a self-developed and differentiated HER3-targeting ADC (antibody-drug conjugate),  is Akeso’s first ADC drug to enter clinical studies.

Akeso is dedicated to transforming the global oncology treatment landscape by establishing new standards of care for cancer patients worldwide. A key element of this mission is the company’s “IO 2.0 + ADC” strategy. Akeso’s self-developed, first-in-class bispecific antibodies, cadonilimab (PD-1/CTLA-4) and ivonescimab (PD-1/VEGF), have both received regulatory approval and are now available to patients in China. Akeso is the only global biopharmaceutical company with two approved bispecific checkpoint antibodies for cancer immunotherapy.

The continued development of differentiated ADC therapies, such as AK138D1, further extend Akeso’s ability to explore the full clinical potential of its innovative in-house pipeline and to create synergistic new combination treatment options includes that multiple checkpoints and tumor targets.

Dr. Xia Yu, Founder, Chairwoman, President and CEO of Akeso said,

“The initiation of the clinical study for AK138D1 in Australia marks a pivotal moment in Akeso’s strategic advancement into next-generation ADC therapies. Building on our global prominence in bispecific antibodies and a robust pipeline of high-potential drug candidates, the development of AK138D1 and subsequent ADCs/bispecific ADCs will significantly bolster our product offering. This is part of Akeso’s continued effort to redefine standard of care in cancer treatment.

Following our achievements in bispecific antibody development, ADC therapies have emerged as a strategic priority for Akeso. Based on our extensive experience in bispecific antibody development, we are excited by the potential of our proprietary ADCs and bispecific ADCs.  Our goal is to enhance drug efficacy while minimizing ADC toxicity, offering transformative treatment alternatives for patients worldwide.

Moreover, Akeso has established cutting-edge ADC research, pilot production, and manufacturing facilities.  These investments position us for high-quality clinical development and for global market expansion of our ADC portfolio.”

HER3 has emerged as an active target in cancer drug development and is the focus of ongoing research. Although experimental drugs targeting HER3 have not shown satisfactory antitumor effects over the past 30 years, studies indicate that HER3 is expressed or overexpressed in various malignancies, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancers, cervical cancer, and prostate cancer. Additionally, upregulation of HER3 and its synergistic interactions with other receptors contribute to tumor initiation, metastasis, and resistance to certain anticancer treatments, such as resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies, endocrine therapy in breast cancer, HER2-targeted therapies, and chemotherapy.

About AK138D1

Injectable AK138D1 is a HER3-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), with a fully humanized anti-HER3 IgG1 antibody, patritumab. It is conjugated to the topoisomerase I inhibitor DXd through a cleavable linker, MC-AAA (maleimide-alanine-alanine-alanine). After binding to HER3 on tumor cells, the ADC is internalized into the tumor cells, where the linker is cleaved, releasing the membrane-permeable DXd. This leads to DNA damage and subsequent cell apoptosis. Currently, Akeso has initiated patient enrollment for a Phase I dose-escalation and expansion clinical study in Australia. This study will investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of AK138D1 for the treatment of advanced malignancies.

About Akeso
Akeso (HKEX: 9926.HK) is a leading biopharmaceutical company committed to the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of the world’s first or best-in-class innovative biological medicines. Founded in 2012, the company has created a unique integrated R&D innovation system with the comprehensive end-to-end drug development platform (ACE Platform) and bi-specific antibody drug development technology (Tetrabody) as the core, a GMP-compliant manufacturing system and a commercialization system with an advanced operation mode, and has gradually developed into a globally competitive biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative solutions. With fully integrated multi-functional platform, Akeso is internally working on a robust pipeline of over 50 innovative assets in the fields of cancer, autoimmune disease, inflammation, metabolic disease and other major diseases. Among them, 23 candidates have entered clinical trials (including 11 bispecific/multispecific antibodies and bispecific antibody-drug conjugates). Additionally, 5 new drugs are commercially available, and 5 new drugs across 7 indications are currently under regulatory review for approval. Through efficient and breakthrough R&D innovation, Akeso always integrates superior global resources, develops the first-in-class and best-in-class new drugs, provides affordable therapeutic antibodies for patients worldwide, and continuously creates more commercial and social values to become a global leading biopharmaceutical enterprise.

For more information, please visit https://www.akesobio.com/en/about-us/corporate-profile/ and follow us on Linkedin, and X (formerly Twitter).

Kuaishou Technology to Report 2024 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results on March 25, 2025

HONG KONG, Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kuaishou Technology (“Kuaishou” or the “Company”; HKD Counter Stock Code: 01024 / RMB Counter Stock Code: 81024), a leading content community and social platform, today announced that it will report its financial results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, after the Hong Kong market closes on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

The Company’s management will host a conference call on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM Beijing Time (7:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time) to discuss the results.

Participants are required to pre-register for the conference call at:

Chinese Line (Mandarin):
https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10044868-7ge83ff.html

English Simultaneous Interpretation Line (listen-only mode):
https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10044869-r5fl2o.html

Participants can choose between the Chinese and English simultaneous interpretation options for pre-registration above. Please note that the English simultaneous interpretation option will be in listen-only mode. Upon registration, participants will receive an email containing conference call dial-in details, event passcode, and a unique registrant ID. This information will allow you to gain immediate access to the call. Participants may pre-register at any time, including up to and after the call start time.

Additionally, live, and archived webcasts of the conference call, for both Chinese and English simultaneous interpretation, will be available on the Company’s investor relations website at https://ir.kuaishou.com.

Replays of the conference call will be available until April 1, 2025 via the following dial-in details:

Dial-in Numbers

Mainland China:

400 1209 216

Hong Kong:

800 930 639

US/Canada:

1855 883 1031

Chinese conference ID:

10044868

English simultaneous interpretation conference ID:           

10044869

 

About Kuaishou

Kuaishou is a leading content community and social platform in China and globally, committed to becoming the most customer-obsessed company in the world. Kuaishou uses its technological backbone, powered by cutting-edge AI technology, to continuously drive innovation and product enhancements that enrich its service offerings and application scenarios, creating exceptional customer value. Through short videos and live streams on Kuaishou’s platform, users can share their lives, discover goods and services they need and showcase their talent. By partnering closely with content creators and businesses, Kuaishou provides technologies, products, and services that cater to diverse user needs across a broad spectrum of entertainment, online marketing services, e-commerce, local services, gaming, and much more. For more information, please visit https://ir.kuaishou.com.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Kuaishou Technology
Investor Relations
Email: ir@kuaishou.com

Japan Aids Xieng Khouang with Clean Water Supply Grant

The assignment ceremony between Chandy Navixay and Ambassador Koizumi Tsutomu. (Photo: Vientiane Times)

Xieng Khouang Province is set to improve access to clean water with support from the Japanese government, which has provided a grant of USD 67,900 for a water supply project under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

Sinch Makes RCS Accessible for All Businesses with Simple and Fast Set-Up and Launch

STOCKHOLM, Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sinch (Sinch AB (publ)) – (XSTO: SINCH), which is pioneering the way the world communicates through its Customer Communications Cloud, is set to demonstrate its latest innovations with Rich Communication Services (RCS) for Business at Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2025. Taking place at Hall 5, Booth 5J53 from March 3-6, Sinch will highlight how businesses of all sizes—from global enterprises to local SMBs—can effortlessly adopt RCS for rich, verified, and branded customer communications.

Sinch has enhanced its Sinch Build dashboard, introducing an upgraded provisioning wizard that allows businesses to register and launch an RCS Agent in just a few clicks. An RCS Agent is the interface where a brand and consumer interact. It is like a Sender Agent for SMS but contains more details. The name of the RCS Agent will appear in the consumers’ messaging inbox along with other SMS and RCS messages.

This improvement significantly reduces onboarding time, making it faster and easier for businesses to get started. For those looking for programmatic solutions, Sinch’s Provisioning API offers the flexibility needed to scale RCS operations efficiently across global markets. Sinch offers tailored solutions for enterprises and partners, including marketing cloud providers and Application Service Providers (ASPs) managing large customer bases.

Along with our strong partnership with Google and deep, long-established operator relations, Sinch’s scalable tools simplify the process of enabling RCS, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can adopt and expand their messaging capabilities quickly and seamlessly – whether working directly with Sinch or through channel partners. Clients using Sinch’s RCS solutions have reported 3 to 7 times higher click-through rates compared to Rich SMS and a 2.5 times higher conversion rate, highlighting the channel’s ability to drive meaningful engagement and measurable results.

Miriam Liszewski, RCS Commercial Product Manager at Sinch, emphasized the company’s commitment to accessibility. “RCS is an engaging channel that empowers businesses of all sizes to connect with their customers in more interactive, personalized, and meaningful ways. As a market leader, we are listening to businesses’ needs and working to simplify new technology adoption. That’s why we’ve built an even simpler process to make launching RCS as quick as possible—whether you’re a reseller, an SMB looking for out-of-the-box solutions, or an enterprise needing robust APIs. With Sinch, you’re not just adopting a new messaging channel; you’re supercharging digital customer communications and engagement with solutions tailored to how businesses operate today.”

Visitors to the Sinch booth at MWC will have the opportunity to experience live RCS demonstrations showcasing RCS Agent registration and some real-world use cases. These demos will highlight how businesses can get started and how they can use RCS for interactive customer service, personalized marketing campaigns, and secure communications that enhance customer loyalty. Sinch experts will be available to discuss the company’s comprehensive suite of solutions – including applications, APIs, and platform integrations, as well as our RCS Business Enablement service for MNOs to successfully launch RCS for Business – designed to meet a wide range of business needs while simplifying the adoption process.

Liszewski added, “Businesses today need more than just communication tools—they need solutions that are flexible, fast to deploy, and capable of transforming how they connect with customers. At Sinch, we’re committed to making that transformation not just possible but seamless.”

MWC Barcelona attendees are invited to visit Sinch at Hall 5, Booth 5J53, to explore how RCS can elevate their customer communications and engage directly with Sinch’s team of experts.

See the Sinch RCS agent registration demo video and for more information about Sinch and its comprehensive suite of digital communication solutions, please visit Sinch.com 

For more information, please contact:
Janet Lennon, Director of Global PR & Communications
janet.lennon@sinch.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

Ericsson Annual Report 2024 published

  • The Annual Report 2024 available for download and printed version available for order
  • The Annual Report 2024 publication consists of Ericsson’s Financial report 2024, the Corporate Governance report 2024, the Remuneration report 2024 and the Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility report 2024

STOCKHOLM, Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) Annual Report 2024 in Swedish as well as an English translation are now available to download from the Ericsson website: www.ericsson.com/en/investors. Printed copies of the Annual Report 2024 will be available for order by filling in the form on this page: https://www.ericsson.com/en/investors/financial-reports/order-annual-report

The Swedish Annual Report 2024 is also available on Ericsson’s website in European Single Electronic Format (ESEF).

For further information, please visit the Investor Relations pages: https://www.ericsson.com/en/investors

NOTES TO EDITORS:

FOLLOW US:

Subscribe to Ericsson press releases here

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/ericsson

MORE INFORMATION AT:

Ericsson Newsroom

media.relations@ericsson.com  (+46 10 719 69 92)

investor.relations@ericsson.com  (+46 10 719 00 00)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Contact person

Investors
Daniel Morris, Vice President, Head of Investor Relations
Phone: +44 7386 657217
E-mail: investor.relations@ericsson.com
Lena Häggblom, Director, Investor Relations
Phone: +46 72 593 27 78
E-mail: lena.haggblom@ericsson.com
Alan Ganson, Director, Investor Relations
Phone: +46 70 267 27 30E-m
ail: alan.ganson@ericsson.com

Media
Ralf Bagner, Head of Media Relations
Phone: +46761284789
E-mail: ralf.bagner@ericsson.com
Media Relations
Phone: +46 10 719 69 92
E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com

ABOUT ERICSSON:

Ericsson’s high-performing networks provide connectivity for billions of people every day. For nearly 150 years, we’ve been pioneers in creating technology for communication. We offer mobile communication and connectivity solutions for service providers and enterprises. Together with our customers and partners, we make the digital world of tomorrow a reality. www.ericsson.com

This information is information that Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson is obliged to make public pursuant to the Swedish Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication at 08:30 AM CET on February 27, 2025.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/ericsson/r/ericsson-annual-report-2024-published,c4111351

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QNB Group Strengthens Innovation and Fintech Ecosystem with Strategic MoUs at Web Summit Qatar 2025

DOHA, Qatar, Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As the second edition of Web Summit Qatar 2025 concludes, QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, reaffirms its commitment to driving innovation and fostering financial technology growth through the signing of three strategic MoUs. These agreements, signed with Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), Qatar Development Bank (QDB), and Rasmal Ventures, underscore QNB’s role in shaping the future of finance and strengthening Qatar’s position as a hub for fintech and digital transformation.

Mr. Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa, QNB Group GCEO and Mr. Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, QFC CEO and Board Member sign an MoU at Web Summit 2025.
Mr. Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa, QNB Group GCEO and Mr. Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, QFC CEO and Board Member sign an MoU at Web Summit 2025.

Through these MoUs, QNB is unlocking new opportunities for startups, SMEs, and technology-driven enterprises, reinforcing its position as a Catalyst for Digital Innovation. The agreements focus on accelerating fintech adoption, promoting investment, and fostering partnerships that enable financial inclusion and economic growth.

  • With QFC, QNB aims to facilitate the growth of fintech firms by providing them access to banking infrastructure, supporting innovation in digital assets, tokenization, and embedded finance.
  • With QDB, the bank will collaborate on initiatives that promote Qatar’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, including funding opportunities for fintech startups and alternative financing models.
  • With Rasmal Ventures, QNB is creating new pathways for venture capital investment, enhancing support for high-potential startups and driving the adoption of cutting-edge financial technologies.

Speaking about the partnerships, Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Group Chief Executive Officer of QNB, said: “Our strategic collaborations at Web Summit Qatar 2025 reflect our commitment to advancing digital finance and fostering a dynamic fintech ecosystem. By working closely with key financial and investment partners, QNB is strengthening Qatar’s role as a global financial hub and unlocking new opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.”

Web Summit Qatar 2025 provided an ideal platform for QNB to engage with global industry leaders, exchange insights, and showcase its commitment to innovation and sustainability. Through thought leadership sessions, interactive activations, and strategic partnerships, QNB has reinforced its role as a trusted financial partner driving the next wave of banking transformation.

QNB Group is one of the leading financial institutions in the MEA region and among the most valuable banking brands in the regional market. Present in over 28 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa, it offers tailored products and services supported by innovation and backed by a team of over 31,000 professionals dedicated to driving banking excellence worldwide.

Mr. Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa, QNB Group GCEO and Mr. Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, QFC CEO and Board Member sign an MoU at Web Summit 2025.
Mr. Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa, QNB Group GCEO and Mr. Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, QFC CEO and Board Member sign an MoU at Web Summit 2025.

   

 

SKF: Notice of Annual General Meeting

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Aktiebolaget SKF will be held at Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Södra Hamngatan 59, Gothenburg, Sweden, at 14.00 on Tuesday, 1 April 2025. The doors are open from 13.00. Light refreshments will be served prior to the Annual General Meeting between 13.00 and 14.00.

A summary of the President’s address will be available at the company’s website, www.skf.com, after the Annual General Meeting.

Preconditions for participation

A. Shareholders who wish to participate at the Annual General Meeting by postal voting must

  • be recorded in the shareholders’ register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB as per Monday, 24 March 2025, and
  • notify its intention to participate by casting its postal vote in accordance with the instructions under the heading Postal voting below so that the postal voting is received by Computershare AB no later than Wednesday, 26 March 2025.

B. Shareholders who wish to participate at the Annual General Meeting in person or by proxy in the meeting room must

  • be recorded in the shareholders’ register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB as per Monday, 24 March 2025, and
  • notify the company of its intention to participate no later than Wednesday, 26 March 2025,
    • via the company’s website, www.skf.com, or
    • by phone +46 31 337 25 50 (weekdays between 09.00 and 16.00), or
    • via e-mail to proxy@computershare.se (use “AGM 2025 of AB SKF” as subject), or
    • by letter to Computershare AB, “AGM 2025 of AB SKF”, Gustav III:s Boulevard 34, SE- 169 73 Solna, Sweden.

When notifying the company include details of name, address, telephone number, social security number and number of advisors, if any.

To be entitled to participate in the Annual General Meeting, a shareholder whose shares are held in the name of a nominee must, in addition to providing notification of participation, register its shares in its own name so that the shareholder is recorded in the shareholder’s register as per Monday, 24 March 2025. Such registration may be temporary (so-called voting right registration) and is requested from the nominee in accordance with the nominee’s procedures and in such time in advance as the nominee determines. Voting right registrations completed by the nominee not later than Wednesday 26 March 2025 are taken into account when preparing the shareholder’s register.

Participation in person or by proxy

Shareholders who wish to attend in person in the meeting room, in person or by proxy, must notify its intention in accordance with B) above. This means that notice by postal voting only is not enough for anyone who wishes to attend in the meeting room.

Where representation is being made by proxy, the proxy form shall be sent to the company to the above address or by e-mail to proxy@computershare.se before the Annual General Meeting. If the shareholder is a legal entity, a certificate of incorporation or a corresponding document of authority shall be enclosed.

Postal voting

A special form shall be used for postal voting. The form is available on the company’s website, www.skf.com.

The completed and signed voting form must be received by SKF through Computershare AB no later than Wednesday, 26 March 2025. Shareholders may cast their postal votes electronically through Swedish BankID verification via SKF’s website www.skf.com. The form may also be submitted by post to Computershare AB, “AGM 2025 of AB SKF”, Gustav III:s Boulevard 34, SE- 169 73 Solna or via e-mail to proxy@computershare.se. Shareholders who are represented by a proxy holder shall submit a proxy form enclosed to the voting form. If the shareholder is a legal entity, a certificate of incorporation or a corresponding document of authority shall be enclosed to the form. 

Shareholders are not permitted to add special instructions or conditions to their postal votes. If this is done, the vote (i.e. the postal vote in its entirety) will be invalid. Further instructions and conditions can be found on the postal voting form.

For questions about the meeting or to have the postal voting form sent by post, please contact Computershare AB on telephone +46 31-337 25 50 or via e-mail to proxy@computershare.se

Agenda

  1. Opening of the Annual General Meeting
  2. Election of a Chair for the Annual General Meeting
  3. Drawing up and approval of the voting list
  4. Approval of agenda
  5. Election of persons to verify the minutes
  6. Consideration of whether the Annual General Meeting has been duly convened
  7. Presentation of annual report and audit report as well as consolidated accounts and audit report for the Group
  8. Address by the President
  9. Matter of adoption of the income statement and balance sheet and consolidated income statement and consolidated balance sheet for the Group
  10. Resolution regarding distribution of profits and record date
  11. Matter of discharge of the Board members and the President from liability
  12. Determination of number of Board members and deputy members
  13. Determination of the fee to the Board members
  14. Election of Board members and deputy Board members
    The Nomination Committee’s proposal for Board members:
    14.1 Hans Stråberg
    14.2 Hock Goh
    14.3 Geert Follens
    14.4 Håkan Buskhe
    14.5 Susanna Schneeberger
    14.6 Rickard Gustafson
    14.7 Beth Ferreira
    14.8 Therese Friberg
    14.9 Richard Nilsson
    14.10 Niko Pakalén
    14.11 Mats Rahmström
  15. Election of Chair of the Board of Directors
  16. The Board of Director’s proposal for amendment of the Articles of Association
  17. Determination of number of auditors and deputy auditors
  18. Determination of the fee to the auditors
  19. Election of auditors and deputy auditors
  20. Presentation and approval of the Board of Directors’ remuneration report
  21. The Board of Directors’ proposal for a resolution on SKF’s Performance Share Programme 2025

Proposal under item 10

The Board of Directors proposes a dividend of SEK 7.75 per share. It is proposed that shareholders with holdings recorded on Thursday, 3 April 2025 be entitled to receive the proposed dividend. Subject to resolution by the Annual General Meeting in accordance with this proposal, it is expected that Euroclear will distribute the dividend on Tuesday, 8 April 2025.

Proposals under items 2, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19

The Nomination Committee formed according to a resolution of the Annual General Meeting 2020 to represent all shareholders of the company consists of, besides the Chair of the Board of Directors, members elected by FAM, Cevian Capital, AFA Försäkring and Skandia, shareholders who together represent around 40% of the total number of votes in the company. The Nomination Committee proposes the following:

  • Item 2 – that advokat Erik Sjöman is elected Chair of the Annual General Meeting;
  • Item 12 – that the Board of Directors shall consist of eleven members and no deputy members;
  • Item 13 – that the Board members elected by the Annual General Meeting and not employed by the company, for the period up to the end of the next Annual General Meeting, receive a fee according to the following:
  1. a. SEK 3,025,000 to the Chair of the Board of Directors,
        SEK 1,515,000 to the Vice Chair(s) of the Board of Directors, and
        SEK 990,000 to each of the other Board members; and
  1. b. SEK 385,000 to the Chair of the Audit Committee,
        SEK 275,000 to each of the other members of the Audit Committee,
        SEK 220,000 to each of the Chairs of the other Committees, and
        SEK 165,000 to each of the other members of the other Committees;

The Nomination Committee proposes that 30 percent of the above Board fee (excluding the Committee fees) should be converted and consist of a variable Board fee (so-called synthetic shares). The purpose is to strengthen the connection between the Board and the shareholders, and the possibility for the Board members to influence the size of the Board fee through the company’s value development. A synthetic share refers to a non-transferable right to, four years after the Board election, receive payment of an amount based on the stock price at the time of payment of a Series B share in the company. The payment amount is determined based on the average stock price of the Series B share during the five trading days immediately following the publication of the quarterly report for the first quarter 2029. Proposed complete terms for the variable Board fee (synthetic shares) 2025 are available on the company’s website www.skf.com, among the Board’s complete proposals.

The Nomination Committee proposes that a special meeting fee be paid to Board members residing outside Sweden for travel to a physical Board meeting in Sweden, of EUR 2,000 for travel within Europe and EUR 5,000 for intercontinental travel, as compensation for time spent. For travel to physical board meetings outside of Sweden, it is proposed that the aforementioned meeting fees also apply to Board members residing in Sweden.

  • Item 14 – that Hans Stråberg, Hock Goh, Geert Follens, Håkan Buskhe, Susanna Schneeberger, Rickard Gustafson, Beth Ferreira, Therese Friberg, Richard Nilsson and Niko Pakalén are re-elected as members of the Board of Directors. It is proposed that Mats Rahmström is newly elected.
  • Item 15 – that Hans Stråberg is re-elected as the Chair of the Board of Directors.
    A presentation of the proposed Board can be found at the company’s website www.skf.com.
  • Item 17 – that, which under item 16 is proposed to be the rule of the Articles of Association, one auditor without deputy auditor shall be appointed;
  • Item 18 – that the auditor is paid for work performed according to approved invoice; and;
  • Item 19 – that, in accordance with the Audit Committee’s recommendation and the Nomination Committee’s proposal, the registered firm of auditors Deloitte AB is appointed as auditor for a period of one year until the close of the Annual General Meeting 2026.

Proposal under item 16

The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolve to amend the Articles of Association to adjust the term of office for the appointed auditor through adjustments to § 9. Furthermore, a number of minor, primarily editorial, amendments are proposed, to modernize the Articles of Association and to reflect certain legislative changes. Among the proposed amendments is the exclusion of the possibility to appoint Board deputies, since the Swedish Corporate Governance Code states that deputies for directors elected by the shareholders’ meeting are not to be appointed. All proposed changes are outlined in the proposal for the new Articles of Association, which is available on the company’s website, www.skf.com, among the Board’s complete proposals.

Proposal under item 20

The Board of Directors has prepared a Remuneration report which is presented and proposed to be approved by the Annual General Meeting. The Remuneration report is available on the company’s website, www.skf.com.

Proposal under item 21

The main contents of the Board of Directors’ proposal are stated below. The complete proposal is available at the company’s website, www.skf.com.

At the Annual General Meeting in 2008 the SKF Group introduced a long-term performance share programme for senior managers and key employees. Since then, the Annual General Meeting has resolved each year upon a performance share programme.

The Board proposes – in order to continue to link the long-term interests of the participants and the shareholders, strengthening the SKF Group’s ability to attract and retain the best people and to contribute to the SKF Group’s business strategy, its long-term interests and sustainability – that a decision be taken at the Annual General Meeting 2025 on SKF’s Performance Share Programme 2025.

The programme is proposed to cover senior managers and key employees in the SKF Group with an opportunity to be allotted, free of charge, SKF B shares in accordance with the following principal terms and guidelines. Under the programme, not more than in total 1,000,000 SKF B shares may be allotted.

The allotment of shares shall be related to the level of achievement of the Total Value Added (TVA) target, as defined by the Board, and SKF’s CDP Climate Change score target. The TVA performance measure is weighted 80% and the CDP Climate Change score performance measure is weighted 20%.

TVA performance measure

TVA is a simplified, economic value-added model promoting greater operating profit, capital efficiency and profitable growth. TVA is the operating profit, less the pre-tax cost of capital.

Over the three-year programme period (2025-2027), the TVA performance target range is set annually by the Board against the baseline of the actual TVA achieved in the previous year. The overall performance achievement for the TVA performance measure of the programme is the average of achievements of the annual TVA targets. In order for allocation of shares to take place, the average TVA development must exceed a certain minimum level (the threshold level). In addition to the threshold level, a target level is set. Maximum allotment is awarded if the target level is reached or exceeded. By way of example, if the TVA achievement year 1 is 80%, year 2 is 100% and year 3 is 0%, the overall performance achievement of the programme would then be 60% (80%+100%+0% / 3).

CDP Climate Change score performance measure

CDP is a global non-profit organization known for its assessments and scoring methodology to evaluate companies’ disclosure and performance relating to climate change and environmental impact. The CDP Climate Change score is based on an extensive questionnaire requiring disclosure and performance in the following categories: Business strategy, Financial planning & scenario analysis, Emissions reduction initiatives, Energy, Governance, Opportunity disclosure, Risk disclosure, Risk management processes, Scope 1 & 2 emissions, Scope 3 emissions, Targets and Value chain engagement.

This comprehensive assessment and the resulting score is known across the investor and customer communities as a credible third-party view on companies’ approaches to climate change. The score ranges from A (leadership level) to D- (disclosure level). SKF received an A- score in 2024. The score is set annually, and the bar is raised every year, reflecting increasing stakeholder expectations. SKF’s performance achievement and CDP score will therefore require continuous improvements.

The overall performance achievement for the CDP Climate Change score is the weighted average of the annual performance achievement, based on the following criteria: 

SKF’s CDP Climate Change score

Performance achievement

A

100 %

A-

75 %

B

50 %

0 %

For example, if SKF’s CDP score is B year 1, A- year 2 and A year 3, the overall performance achievement for the full programme period is 75% (50%+75%+100% / 3). 

Provided that the performance measures of the programme are fully met, the participants of the programme may be allotted up to the following maximum number of shares per person within the various key groups:

  • CEO and President –shares corresponding to a value of 75% of the fixed base salary
  • Other members of Group Management – shares corresponding to 55% of the fixed base salary or 13,000 shares, whichever is higher
  • Managers of large business units and similar – 4,500 shares
  • Other senior managers – 3,000 shares
  • Other key persons – 1,250 shares

If the total outcome of the programme exceeds the threshold level for allotment of shares but the final allotment is below 5% of the target level, payment will be made in cash instead of shares, whereupon the amount of the cash payment shall correspond to the value of the shares calculated on the basis of the closing price for SKF’s B share the day before settlement.

If all the conditions included in SKF’s Performance Share Programme 2025 are met, allotment of shares shall be made free of charge following the expiry of the three-year calculation period, i.e. during 2028.

Before the number of shares to be allotted is finally determined, the Board shall examine whether the allotment is reasonable considering SKF’s financial results and position, the conditions on the stock market as well as other circumstances, and if not, as determined by the Board, reduce the number of shares to be awarded to the lower number of shares deemed appropriate by the Board.

The Board is furthermore entitled to introduce an alternative incentive solution for employees in countries where participation in SKF’s Performance Share Programme 2025 is not appropriate. Such alternative incentive solution shall, as far as practicable, be formulated employing the same conditions as SKF’s Performance Share Programme 2025.

The company has 455,351,068 shares in issue when this notice is issued. In order to comply with the obligations of SKF’s Performance Share Programme 2025, a maximum number of 1,000,000 B shares are required, corresponding to approximately 0.2% of the total number of outstanding shares.

Assuming maximum allocation under the Performance Share Programme 2025 and a share price of SEK 200, the cost, including social security cost, is estimated at approximately MSEK 240. On the basis of a share price of SEK 315 the cost, including social security cost, is estimated at approximately MSEK 378. In addition, the administrative costs are estimated at approximately MSEK 2. For information on allotment under previous programmes, please see the Board’s full proposal on the company’s webpage www.skf.com.

The Board does not propose for the time being to take any action to hedge SKF’s obligations under the programme. Delivery of shares under the programme shall not take place until 2028.

Number of shares and votes, and documentation

When this notice is issued, the total number of shares in the company are 455,351,068, represented by 28,938,999 series A shares and 426,412,069 series B shares, with a total number of votes of 71,580,205.9. The company holds no own shares.

The annual report including the sustainability report, the audit and assurance report, the remuneration report, statements of the auditor, the Board of Directors’ complete proposals according to items 16, 20 and 21 of the agenda together with the Nomination Committee’s reasoned statement and terms for variable Board fees (synthetic shares) will be available at the company’s headquarters at Sven Wingquists gata 2, 415 50 Gothenburg, and at the company’s website, www.skf.com, no later than from 11 March 2025 and will be sent to shareholders who request this and state their address. Such request shall be made to Computershare AB by phone, email, or letter as set out under the heading “Preconditions for participation”, section B) above.

Information at the Annual General Meeting, etc.

The Board of Directors and the President shall, upon request by any shareholder and where the Board of Directors believes that it may take place without significant harm to the company, provide information in respect of any circumstances which may affect the assessment of a matter on the agenda, any circumstances which may affect the assessment of the company’s or a subsidiary’s financial position and the company’s relationship to other group companies. Anyone who wishes to dispatch questions in advance may do so to AB SKF, Att. General Counsel, SE-415 50 Gothenburg, Sweden, or by e-mail: chair@skf.com.

SKF’s web-based annual report in English will be made public on 7 March 2025.

Proxy forms will be available at the company’s website, www.skf.com, and may also be requested by letter to Computershare AB, “AGM 2025 of AB SKF”, Box 5267, SE-102 46 Stockholm, Sweden or by phone +46 31-337 25 50.

Gothenburg, February 2025
Aktiebolaget SKF
(publ)
Reg. no 556007-3495
The Board of Directors

Visit to SKF’s factory in Gamlestaden, Gothenburg

Shareholders are welcome to visit SKF’s factory in Gamlestaden, Gothenburg, in connection with the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 1 April 2025 at 10.00. Shareholders that wish to participate shall notify his/her name and contact details (preferably email address alternatively a cell phone number) to: SKF Sverige AB, Att: Lars Werner, 415 50 Gothenburg alternatively via email to: Lars.Werner@skf.com. Please note that the number of participants is limited.

Processing of Personal Data

Personal data related to a shareholder which is gathered from the shareholders’ register, notification on participation in the Annual General Meeting and information about advisors that are to participate or any other information that is otherwise given as set out above, will be processed mainly to register the shareholder, form part of the voting list at the Annual General Meeting and if necessary, the minutes from the Annual General Meeting. The personal data is processed in accordance with the Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council. For complete information on the company’s processing of your personal data in connection with the Annual General Meeting and your rights, see SKF’s website www.skf.com under the heading “About AGM” (which is located under the section “Investors” and “Corporate Governance”). 

For further information, please contact:
PRESS: Carl Bjernstam, Head of Media Relations
tel: 46 31-337 2517; mobile: 46 722-201 893; e-mail: carl.bjernstam@skf.com 

INVESTOR RELATIONS: Sophie Arnius, Head of Investor Relations
tel: 46 31-337 8072; mobile: 46 705-908 072; e-mail: sophie.arnius@skf.com 

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/skf/r/notice-of-annual-general-meeting,c4111169

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Clarivate Report Explores Opportunities for Innovation and Market Expansion in Latin America

New insights from Clarivate examine strategic partnerships, API production, and innovation in the region

LONDON, Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Clarivate Plc (NYSE: CLVT) a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, has released a new white paper, How is Latin America Growing?, shedding light on the pharmaceutical industry’s evolution in the region. The report explores critical challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships, local API production, and regulatory modernization to drive sustainable growth.

Latin America’s pharmaceutical market, valued at $98 billion, is projected to grow by 10.1% between 2021 and 20251. Discussions at the 2023 Summit LATAM in Barcelona and the 2024 Summit LATAM at CPhI Milan underscored the need for collaboration among industry stakeholders, government agencies, and academia to strengthen regional innovation and competitiveness. With increasing global demand for pharmaceuticals, Latin America has the potential to become a key player in the industry by leveraging its manufacturing capabilities and investing in research and development. Addressing regulatory challenges and fostering a robust innovation ecosystem will be essential in ensuring long-term success and sustainability for the region.

Henry Levy, President, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Clarivate, said: “The Latin American pharmaceutical sector is at a pivotal moment. By fostering collaboration across key stakeholders—including regulators, manufacturers, and researchers—we can unlock new opportunities for growth and development in the region. Strengthening the local pharmaceutical ecosystem through strategic partnerships and data-driven insights will not only enhance supply chain resilience but also ensure that life-changing therapies reach patients more efficiently. At Clarivate, we are committed to providing the necessary intelligence to support this transformation.”

The Brazilian Pharmaceutical Industry Association (ABIQUIFI), a non-profit organization uniting pharmaceutical companies to advance the development and production of pharmaceutical ingredients in Brazil, plays a pivotal role as a key partner in these discussions. Norberto Prestes, CEO, ABIQUIFI, stated, “The industry’s evolution in Latin America depends on fostering transparency and trust in partnerships. By investing in local API production and strengthening regional supply chains, we can reduce dependency on external markets and drive economic growth. Moreover, innovation and regulatory modernization are crucial to positioning Latin America as a competitive player in the global pharmaceutical industry. These efforts will require sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors, and we look forward to continuing to lead these critical discussions. We’ll continue working closely with Clarivate to drive innovation, leveraging valuable data to build the right path for sustainable growth and advancement.”

The report highlights key findings from recent discussions, including:

  • The need for greater transparency and collaboration in strategic partnerships
  • The potential of local API production to reduce reliance on imports and enhance supply chain security
  • The role of artificial intelligence in modernizing regulatory processes and improving efficiency
  • The importance of consistent, long-term policies to encourage investment and innovation

Clarivate remains committed to supporting the region’s life sciences and healthcare sectors by providing reliable, data-driven insights. By fostering industry-wide dialogue and collaboration, the company aims to contribute to an ecosystem of sustainable innovation in Latin America.

To access the full Clarivate report, How is Latin America Growing?, visit here.

To learn more about how Clarivate can help healthcare companies inform and shape the drug discovery, development and delivery process, visit here.

About Clarivate
Clarivate is a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. We offer enriched data, insights & analytics, workflow solutions and expert services in the areas of Academia & Government, Intellectual Property and Life Sciences & Healthcare. For more information, please visit www.clarivate.com

Media Contact:
Catherine Daniel
Director External Communications, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Clarivate
newsroom@clarivate.com

1 Source: InFigures: Latin America 2022. Pharma Boardroom. https://pharmaboardroom.com/country-reports/infigures-latin-america-2022/