36 C
Vientiane
Thursday, May 8, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 712

VINEXPO ASIA SHOWCASES IN SINGAPORE WITH A ROBUST AND DYNAMIC PROGRAMME

SINGAPORE, Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Vinexposium group is delighted to announce the return of Vinexpo Asia 2025 to Singapore. The successful debut in 2023 has confirmed Singapore as the gateway to the Asia-Pacific market and Vinexpo Asia 2025 will return to Singapore with an in-depth program designed to meet the challenges facing the industry today.

SINGAPORE, THE HUB OF SOUTHEAST ASIA’S GROWTH

Vinexpo Asia 2025 will take place from 27 – 29 May, set at the iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. This edition will bring together 1,100 exhibitors from over 20 countries and welcome 11,000 professional visitors from 70 countries, offering three days of unmatched business opportunities.

Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of the Vinexposium group, shares, “The global wine and spirits industry faces a pivotal geo-economic challenge with declining consumption worldwide. In this context, seizing commercial opportunities is imperative. Southeast Asia, with Singapore as its key business hub, is where growth happens. Vinexpo Asia in May will be the prime event for industry leaders to connect and thrive in this dynamic region”

This year’s Vinexpo Asia in Singapore will attract stakeholders from diverse markets in Asia Pacific, including mature wine markets like Japan, South Korea and China. The event is also well-positioned to open opportunities to emerging markets that promise great growth, such as Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

According to the IWSR, Asia Pacific accounts for 10% of global wine imports, with beverage alcohol consumption forecast to grow in 2025 by 1.5%, rising to 5.9% for the ready-to-drink segment. Singapore alone represents a mature yet dynamic market, with 3% growth in the wine sector projected by 2025. The city of Singapore alone represents an increasingly attractive market with a respective 2.18% CAGR in volume through 2028 for Wine and 3% for spirits. Gastronomy and wine are particularly dynamic, with 54 restaurants awarded Michelin stars in 2024 alone.

Singapore is also Asia’s most favorable region for the premium and above category with a market share of 60% in volume. Whilst highly competitive, the Singapore wine and spirits market gains ground year-on-year and constantly welcomes new products, provided their marketing strategy caters to its specific needs.

AN IN-DEPTH, DYNAMIC PROGRAMME

Vinexpo Asia 2025 will return to Singapore as an even more dynamic and robust trade show.

The exhibition will welcome exhibitors from such diverse producing regions as France, Italy and Australia (top 3 countries), along with Spain, New Zealand, South Africa, Mexico, United Kingdom, to name a few.

Asian producers from China and Japan are also set to make an impactful showing, while South American representation from Argentina and Chile will also be spotlighted.

Introduced in Singapore for the first time, the Welcome to the Organic World (WOW!) section will also offer visitors an opportunity to explore the diverse range of organic and biodynamic wines produced globally.

For the first time, the award-winning collective Wines Unearthed will make a debut at Vinexpo Asia, offering a unique one-stop showcase of boutique producers who are looking for distributors in the region.

At Vinexpo Asia 2025, spirits will also make a strong showing, with representation from Japan, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, France, and China, highlighting the current trends.

The highly anticipated Vinexpo Academy programme will once again offer visitors an opportunity to experience insightful high-level masterclasses, conferences, and discovery tastings. The line-up includes top sommeliers from around the globe, discussions on current-day issues in wine and spirits markets and rare opportunities to taste specialty wine vintages.

Reminder of key 2023 figures

  • Over 1,000 exhibitors
  • 3,512 pre-scheduled meetings
  • 9,989 trade visitors attended from 64 countries

Pre-registration for visitors to Vinexpo Asia can be accessed at:
https://vinexposium.mybadgeonline.com/Pro-Login-en-US?trk=GPRONEW

To view photos of the 2023 exhibition, click here:
https://public.joomeo.com/users/Vinexposium/albums/64468f379891f

About Vinexpo Asia

Vinexpo Asia is a premier event for wine and spirits professionals, offering exclusive access to key stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region. Taking place alternately in Singapore and Hong Kong, two major business hubs, it serves as a strategic platform for networking, discovering industry innovations, and fostering business opportunities in one of the most dynamic markets worldwide.

About Vinexposium

Vinexposium offers a cohesive focal point for every strand of the wine and spirits industry by designing a variety of relevant event formats, all year round and across the globe. By bringing together exhibitors and visitors at 8 events a year, Vinexposium is the industry’s ally, geared to developing its sales reach.
Vinexposium, creating momentum

VINEXPOSIUM MEDIA CONTACT

Camille Cordasco

Vinexposium

 Email : media@vinexposium.com

 

Amelia Kwek

Vinexposium

Email: amelia.kwek@comexposium.com

Tel: +65 9797 7712

Jenny Tan

FoodCult Pte Ltd

Email: words@foodcult.com.sg

Tel: +65 9836 7653

Penny Wu

FoodCult Ptd Ltd

Email: pr@foodcult.com.sg

 

Bedrock Wraps Up Boyco Campaign, Contributing 1,000 uniBTC to Berachain’s $3 Billion TVL

SINGAPORE, Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bedrock, the leading multi-asset restaking protocol in decentralized finance (DeFi) and part of GoldenBull Enterprise, has successfully concluded its participation in Berachain’s Boyco campaign—solidifying its position as one of the most active liquid restaking protocols within the Berachain’s ecosystem.

Over two weeks, Bedrock onboarded nearly 1,000 uniBTC to Berachain, contributing to Boyco’s total $3 billion in total value locked (TVL) and helping to bootstrap liquidity for the network’s upcoming mainnet launch.

Bedrock’s Role in the Boyco Campaign

The Boyco campaign, launched by Berachain and Royco, was designed to solve DeFi’s “cold start problem” by securing Day One liquidity for decentralized applications (dApps) before Berachain’s mainnet goes live.

As part of this effort, Bedrock introduced “The Year of The Bera,” a one-week pre-deposit initiative that rewarded participants from a 75 million Bedrock Diamond prize pool while strengthening Berachain’s liquidity infrastructure.

“We’re thrilled to have played a key role in the Boyco campaign,” said Zhuling Chen, Core Contributor at Bedrock. “By addressing liquidity challenges through innovative solutions, we’re building a strong foundation for decentralized applications to thrive while delivering meaningful incentives to our community. Bedrock is excited to continue expanding its presence in Berachain’s growing ecosystem.”

A Strategic Liquidity Network: Bedrock’s Six Markets on Boyco and uniBTC Berachain Vault

Bedrock contributed to the campaign by launching six high-yield uniBTC markets in collaboration with Beraborrow, Goldilocks, Kodiak, Dolomite, and SatLayer. These markets enabled Bitcoin restakers to optimize their yields while helping dApps secure sustainable liquidity.

Throughout the campaign, Bedrock’s liquidity markets attracted $86.57 million in TVL. To further drive participation, they offered an average APY of 8.99% and distributed 75 million Bedrock Diamonds.

Among Bedrock’s most successful initiatives was the uniBTC Berachain Vault, which initially launched with a 500 BTC cap but quickly filled 86% within two weeks. Due to strong demand, the cap was raised to 1,000 BTC, and within days, it reached 75% capacity.

“The integration of Bedrock’s uniBTC markets within Boyco highlights the technical innovation driving the DeFi—particularly Bitcoin DeFi—ecosystem forward,” said Calvin Zhou, Core Contributor at Bedrock. “By leveraging automated vaults, restaking mechanisms, and cross-chain interoperability, Bedrock is enabling BTC liquidity to power Berachain’s next-generation DeFi ecosystem.”

Bedrock’s success in the Boyco campaign stemmed from its multi-layered reward system, user-friendly design, and seamless integration across Berachain. Participants earned incentives on both Ethereum Mainnet and Berachain, including 3x Bedrock Diamonds, 2x Cian Points, Babylon Points, FBTC Sparks, and partner rewards on Ethereum, as well as BERA tokens and additional bonuses from Kodiak, Dolomite, Goldilocks, and Beraborrow on Berachain.

Bedrock also featured a Swap & Deposit tool in its uniBTC Berachain Vault. Powered by Enso, this feature enables users to deposit USDC, USDT, DAI, or ETH, which were automatically swapped into BTC derivatives and deposited into the vault. Furthermore, Bedrock’s 30% referral bonus fueled community-driven growth, boosting engagement and participation across the board.

Bedrock’s Expanding Footprint in the Berachain Ecosystem

The Boyco campaign is just one part of Bedrock’s larger role within Berachain’s DeFi landscape. As the most active Liquid Restaking Token (LRT) protocol, Bedrock has driven strong user engagement and adoption of uniBTC.

As of February 3, 2025, Bedrock recorded a TVL of 385.72 uniBTC, 29,839 holders, and 213,319 transactions.

What Sets Bedrock Apart?

Bedrock’s impact in the Boyco campaign and the Berachain ecosystem is driven by a combination of cutting-edge innovation, strong community engagement, and institutional-grade reliability. For instance, Bedrock’s Diamonds Rewards Program and Referral Program ensure that users are rewarded for participation, strengthening long-term engagement.

Additionally, Bedrock introduced a new paradigm in the Bitcoin DeFi segment called BTCFi 2.0, marked with the launch of brBTC, a unified Liquid Restaking Token (LRT) that eliminates liquidity fragmentation and optimizes Bitcoin-based yield strategies.

Furthermore, Bedrock places a strong emphasis on transparency and security. With reserves verified by Chainlink Proof of Reserve and data openly accessible on DeFiLlama, the protocol ensures financial integrity and trust among its users.

Beyond its innovations, Bedrock’s leadership team brings deep industry expertise. As a project founded by the RockX team, which manages $2.5 billion in assets, Bedrock has contributed to some of the most influential DeFi projects, including Lido, Obol, and SSV. This extensive experience reinforces Bedrock’s credibility and positions it as a driving force in the evolution of Bitcoin restaking within Berachain and beyond.

For more information, please contact lynn@rockx.com.

Official Links

Website | App | Documentation | Blog | X (Twitter) | Discord | Telegram

Coopers Hill Acquires Scape Design, Strengthening Its Global Leadership in Hospitality Landscape Architecture


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 February 2025 – Coopers Hill, an international consultancy specialising in landscape architecture, urban design and masterplanning, today announced its acquisition of Scape Design UK, Europe’s premier hospitality and luxury lifestyle landscape architects. With its new London studio, Coopers Hill establishes its first European office marking the firm’s seventh international office following its Dubai opening in 2023.

With a 40-year legacy of defining luxury hospitality landscape design, Coopers Hill has built an impressive portfolio of hotels and resorts across diverse environments and ecosystems. Under the leadership of Founder, Managing Partner and Design Director, Allen Kerton, the firm headquartered in Singapore, will unite with Scape Design in London, to create a formidable portfolio spanning luxury hotels, resorts and lifestyle projects across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. This strategic merger establishes Coopers Hill as an unrivalled force in hospitality landscape design, marking an exciting new chapter for the practice.

In the new organisational structure, Allen Kerton, whose distinguished global career spans hospitality design projects across Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, will continue to lead as Managing Partner and Design Director based in Singapore. Philip Jaffa will assume the role of Partner and Design Director, operating from London, where he will spearhead Coopers Hill’s expansion across Europe and North Africa, while strengthening the firm’s Middle Eastern operations.

Allen Kerton, Managing Partner & Design Director of Coopers Hill, said, “The merger with Scape represents a significant milestone, enabling us to realise our ambition of delivering a truly global service offering for our clients. Our combined intimate knowledge and in-depth expertise of local environments and cultural influences position us uniquely to create meaningful places, experiences and memories by balancing architecture, luxury and the wilderness of nature, regardless of a project’s location.”

Philip Jaffa, Partner & Design Director at Coopers Hill, added, “This marks the beginning of an exciting new era for Coopers Hill. The merger provides an incredible opportunity to drive sustainable and evocative landscape architecture solutions for the hospitality industry’s future, connecting humanity back to nature as the key touchpoint for health and well-being. Meeting Allen, a like-minded environmental landscape designer who shares my deep commitment to our planet’s future, was instrumental in my decision to merge our two practices.”

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

About Coopers Hill

Coopers Hill is an international consultancy specialising in landscape architecture, urban design, and masterplanning, with offices in Singapore, Bangkok, Bali, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City, Dubai and now London. With a design legacy and experience extending over four decades, our talented and passionate team combines contemporary design solutions and techniques to create exceptional environments that connect people to nature and vice versa – from remote islands to city centres, and from tropical forests to mountain valleys.

Our extensive portfolio includes landmark projects in more than 50 countries worldwide, including current projects in Saudi Arabia, Zanzibar, Dubai, India, Maldives, Oman, Mauritius and Thailand.

Coopers Hill’s expertise spans hotels, resorts, residential, commercial/mixed-use developments, environmental conservation, heritage sites and public realm projects. Our diverse portfolio features many of the world’s most iconic and photographed resort, hotel and luxury residential landscapes. Notable projects include Capella Singapore; Song Saa Private Island in the Koh Rong Archipelago, Cambodia; and InterContinental Phuket Resort in Thailand.

Current projects include collaborations with renowned brands such as Capella, Pagani, W Hotels, MGM Resorts International, Raffles Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, Six Senses, InterContinental, St. Regis, Banyan Tree and Lamborghini.

Globally, the practice will now comprise of over 120 landscape architects, planners, designers, artists, horticulturalists and ecologists, with experience of working in over 60 countries worldwide.

About Scape Design

Headquartered in London, Scape Design is a celebrated, award-winning boutique landscape architectural and environmental master planning practice specialising in the hospitality and luxury lifestyle markets. Led by Philip Jaffa, Scape Design’s tight-knit specialised team has a diverse portfolio that includes exclusive boutique eco-resorts, leading 5-star hotels, private homes, urban residential communities, mixed-use developments, and commercial properties spread over 50 countries.

Scape is on the select list of designers for most of the ‘who’s who’ of luxury operators – Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons, Six Senses, Banyan Tree, Accor brands (Fairmont & Raffles), Marriott brands (Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, JW Marriott, Marriott, W Hotels), Hilton International brands (Waldorf Astoria & Hilton) and InterContinental, as well as many independent brands.

Industry-leading projects created by Scape include the Ritz-Carlton Rabat, Morocco; W Costa Navarino, Greece; Fairmont & Raffles Hotels at Katara Towers, Doha – the flagship property for the 2022 World Cup – and COMO Laucala Island, Fiji. The firm’s exceptional landscape design at Mandarin Oriental Bodrum was garlanded by the UK Landscape Institute while, two years ago, Scape was celebrated as Winner at the AHEAD MEA Awards and AHEAD Europe Awards for its Fairmont Taghazout Bay and Grecotel Corfu Imperial projects respectively.

Current hospitality projects now under Coopers Hill London include Four Seasons Dubrovnik, Ritz-Carlton Rabat Morocco – Phase 2, Maxx Royal Resort Maldives and Ritz-Carlton Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

AI & Genomics Advances Bring New Hope to Lung Cancer Burden in Asia

SINGAPORE, Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Asia is the region most impacted by lung cancer, accounting for 63.1% of newly diagnosed lung cancers and 62.9% of lung cancer deaths worldwide(1).

Many countries have applied low-dose CT scans to screen for this deadly cancer to improve early detection and treatment outcomes. However, only the highest-risk population (heavy smokers) is advised to undergo low-dose CT scans routinely to minimize the risk of radiation-induced cancer during scanning rounds(2). Moreover, CT devices are not easily accessible for many people due to geographical and economic barriers.

Due to these limitations, multiple studies have pointed out surprising data: the current screening guidelines and eligibility criteria may miss over 50% of lung cancer cases in never-smokers(3); women are particularly vulnerable, with 83% of women in South-East Asia with lung cancer being never-smokers(4); non-smokers are diagnosed at a later stage than smokers (5); and about a third of lung cancer deaths occur in non-smokers(6).

New screening method leveraging AI and genomics technology advantages 

SPOT-MAS is a blood test developed by Gene Solutions to detect multiple features of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) released from cancer cells, indicating if someone may have cancer. Previously, SPOT-MAS was validated as a multi-cancer early detection test in a longitudinal study involving 9,024 healthy people. While detecting multiple cancers, including lung cancer, in a single blood test is an aspirational goal, the key challenge lies in making it affordable for a large population.

To address this challenge, Gene Solutions integrates a multiomics tumor ATLAS with AI-driven feature engineering and deep learning models to analyze genetic, epigenetic, and fragmentomic data. This methodology offers a precise, non-invasive, and affordable test specifically designed for lung cancer screening. Through enhanced AI analysis and the incorporation of lung-specific features, the SPOT-MAS Lung test has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness, achieving 90% sensitivity and 92% specificity(7).

A new hope for lung cancer burden in Asia

With extensive connections to healthcare providers across Asia, Gene Solutions aims to introduce this smart blood test to clinical practice in early 2025 to support the urgent need for accessible lung screening. In the long run, a convenient and precise test like SPOT-MAS can increase the chances of early detection for at-risk populations and potentially reduce the mortality rate associated with late diagnoses.

Furthermore, ctDNA screening tests can serve as a companion tool to low-dose CT scansIn real-life practice, many CT scans yield ambiguous results, such as small lung nodules classified under LUNG-RADS (8), which might leave clinicians and patients uncertain about the malignancy status and the appropriate follow-up surveillance path. ctDNA screening results can thus support and guide diagnosis and surveillance strategies.

At the January event Personalized cancer care in Asia: Advancing Genomics & AI in Singapore, Dr. Nguyen Hoai Nghia, Founder of Gene Solutions, highlighted: “This technology represents a paradigm shift in lung cancer screening, particularly for underserved populations. By harnessing the power of ctDNA and AI, we aim to make blood-based cancer screening tests more accurate and more affordable, hence support more early detection and effective treatment outcomes.” 

Dr. Nguyen Hoai Nghia announced the performance of the SPOT-MAS Lung test at the event "Personalized Cancer Care in Asia: Advancing Genomics & AI" at SGX Auditorium, Singapore, January 2025.
Dr. Nguyen Hoai Nghia announced the performance of the SPOT-MAS Lung test at the event “Personalized Cancer Care in Asia: Advancing Genomics & AI” at SGX Auditorium, Singapore, January 2025.

About Gene Solutions
Gene Solutions, a pioneering biotech company in Asia, is leading the way in leveraging advanced AI and ctDNA technologies for innovative cancer detection solutions. The company partners with over 4,500 hospitals and clinics across Southeast Asia and boasts a team of approximately 250 biology experts and technicians out of a total of 700 employees. Gene Solutions has published more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and conducted over 50 multi-center studies across the region. The company, recognized for its proprietary research and CAP-accredited laboratories in Singapore and Vietnam, combines multi-dimensional genomics with AI-driven approaches to transform cancer care. 

For media inquiries, please contact: Gene Solutions Media Contact 
Ms. Emma Ngo 
www.genesolutions.com 
Email: pr@genesolutions.com 

References: 

(1) Chiu, C., & Yang, P. (2024). Challenges of lung cancer control in Asia. EClinicalMedicine, 74, 102706. doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102706 

(2) Pozzessere, C.; von Garnier, C.; Beigelman-Aubry, C. Radiation Exposure to Low-Dose Computed Tomography for Lung Cancer Screening: Should We Be Concerned? Tomography 2023, 9, 166-177. doi.org/10.3390/tomography9010015

(3) Kerpel-Fronius, A., Tammemägi, M., Cavic, M., Henschke, C., Jiang, L., Kazerooni, E., Lee, C., Ventura, L., Yang, D., Lam, S., Huber, R. M., Yang, D., Zulueta, J., Viola, L., Mohan, A., Lee, C., Cavic, M., Schmidt, H., Kazerooni, E., . . . Huber, R. (2021). Screening for lung cancer in Individuals who Never smoked: An International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Early Detection and Screening Committee report. Journal of Thoracic Oncology, 17(1), 56–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtho.2021.07.031 

(4) Barta, J. A., Powell, C. A., & Wisnivesky, J. P. (2019). Global Epidemiology of Lung Cancer. Annals of Global Health, 85(1). https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.2419 

(5) Barta JA, et al. Global Epidemiology of Lung Cancer. Annals of Global Health. (2019). 85(1): 8, 1–16. DOI: https://doi. org/10.5334/aogh.2419 

(6) GLOBOCAN (2020).  

(7) Nguyen, Van Thien Chi et al. Cost-Effective Shallow Genome-Wide Sequencing for Profiling Plasma cfDNA Signatures to Enhance Lung Cancer Detection (January 11, 2025). dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5094108

(8) American College of Radiology (2022).

 

Aussie sleeptech firm unveils breakthrough test

MELBOURNE, Australia, Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Australian medical technology company Optalert has revealed a breakthrough test for sleep issues, expanding access to sleep health technologies for millions of Australians.

The simple test is conducted within 10 minutes on a smartphone, making it exceptionally accessible.

It relies on a unique biomarker discovered by Optalert – as people with sleep issues often receive less oxygen as they sleep, their eyelid coordination during waking hours is impaired.

Optalert’s test uses the Apple iPhone’s forward-facing camera to capture the subtle eyelid movements that result from this lack of coordination, using a proprietary algorithm to identify signs of sleep issues.

“Optalert’s new test represents a step change in expanding access to sleep health technologies,” said Optalert Chief Marketing Officer Paul Zubrinich.

“Our hope is that by putting accurate, accessible tools in the hands of Australians, we can make people far more aware of their sleep health, so they can enjoy a better night’s rest and, in turn, a better quality of life.”

Optalert’s algorithm was developed with data from three leading sleep laboratories: Monash Medical Centre, the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and the Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS).

Development involved using the algorithm to test a group of people with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) confirmed by polysomnography (the gold standard in OSA diagnosis) and also test a control group with no identified sleep conditions.

Despite its speed and ease of use, Optalert’s test achieved astonishing accuracy, with the underlying algorithm separating the groups with an accuracy of 96.6% (with a sensitivity of 84.0% and a specificity of 98.5%).

Current consumer-facing tests in smartwatches rely on interpreting a user’s breathing across many nights, but with only 17.3% of Australians owning a compatible device and many of those being placed on a charger overnight, these tests remain inaccessible for most.

By building the test for the iPhone – a device owned by more than 50% of Australians – Optalert is making sleep health testing more accessible, while delivering greater accuracy in a shorter amount of time for the user.

Approximately one in five Australians are estimated to be affected by a major sleep disorder, with conditions estimated to cost $56.5 billion each year[1] – making increased awareness of sleep health vital to the health of Australians and our economy.

Quote

“Wearable and app-based technologies are transforming how we approach sleep, and brain health more generally. These technologies provide continuous, personalised data that helps in identifying sleep issues, and thereby promote treatments of underlying conditions that affect the brain.”

– Prof. Matthew Kiernan AM,
CEO Neuroscience Research Australia

Enquiries

For enquiries, please contact Optalert CMO Paul Zubrinich:

Owl Eye can be downloaded for Apple iPhone from the App Store at the following link:
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/owl-eye-sleep-test/id6569247951?pt=118003230&ct=press-releases&mt=8

About Optalert

Optalert was founded by renowned sleep researcher Dr. Murray Johns. It is the world’s leading research team in the field of blepharometry, the study of eyelid movements. The firm holds multiple patents on the Johns Drowsiness Scale (JDS™), a proprietary biomarker that Harvard Medical School has deemed “commensurate with gold standard laboratory measures”. It has also developed an algorithm that detects driver impairment due to intoxication. Optalert operates globally and has been commercially active in the fleet industry for over 16 years.

https://www.optalert.com/

[1] Streatfeild J, Smith J, Mansfield D, Pezzullo L, Hillman D. The social and economic cost of sleep disorders. Sleep. 2021 Nov 12;44(11):zsab132. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsab132. PMID: 34015136.

Polyplastics to Launch 40% Glass-filled Recycled DURAFIDE (R) PPS Based on New Post-industrial Recycling System

TOKYO, Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Polyplastics Co., Ltd., a global leader in engineering plastics, has announced plans to launch a 40% glass-reinforced grade of DURAFIDE (R) rG-PPS by December 2025 as part of its mechanical recycling business. The company will develop high-quality optimum formulations which will play a role in helping achieve 100% circularity of engineering plastics by expanding the applications of mechanically recycled materials.

Image 1:
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M100475/202501273390/_prw_PI1fl_7aNCSs3M.png

Image 2:
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M100475/202501273390/_prw_PI2fl_WiyBt3F5.jpg

The first iteration of Polyplastics’ mechanical recycling business calls for collection of glass-reinforced PPS scrap from customers through an open mechanical recycling scheme known as post-industrial recycling (PIR). The PPS scrap will be used as a raw material to make DURAFIDE (R) rG-PPS, which will be launched this year. In initial processes, strict acceptance inspections will be conducted and metal will be removed. In later processes, recycled materials and some virgin materials will be reformulated to meet target specifications. The materials will undergo the same quality standards as those of virgin materials.

The open PIR scheme will help customers reduce and effectively use waste and also significantly reduce carbon emissions for their products. For now, the raw material from customers will be specific grades of DURAFIDE (R) glass-reinforced PPS.

Image 3:
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M100475/202501273390/_prw_PI3fl_wX0N0neQ.png

Polyplastics will develop a higher glass-filled grade as the second iteration of DURAFIDE (R) rG-PPS. The company will establish a system to supply that grade and the 40% glass-reinforced grade to customers in Japan. The re-compounding business and institution of the open PIR system require applications as well as establishment of collection routes. The company seeks to collaborate with its customers as well as companies in the recycling and industrial waste treatment industry.

In the future, Polyplastics will build a “local production for local consumption” recycling chain within each geographic region.

Please also visit: https://www.polyplastics-global.com/en/approach/34.html

About Polyplastics: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202501273390-O1-iofr817N.pdf

DURAFIDE (R) is a registered trademark of Polyplastics Co., Ltd. in Japan and other countries.

China Medical University and Healthcare System Pioneers AI-Driven Drug Discovery and Allogeneic CAR-T Therapy: A Groundbreaking Leap in Cancer Treatment

TAICHUNG, Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Healthcare Expo Taiwan is a professional-oriented exposition involving healthcare, information/communication, technology, biopharmaceutical and medical device industries. Attended by healthcare professionals from all over the world, the Expo showcases the latest developments and trends in healthcare technology in Taiwan. China Medical University (CMU) and Healthcare System unveiled groundbreaking advancements in AI-driven drug discovery and cancer therapy at the latest 8th Healthcare Expo. These achievements cement CMU and Healthcare System’s position as a global leader in healthcare innovation, setting new benchmarks for the biomedical industry.

CMU and Healthcare System (Taiwan) highlights groundbreaking AI-driven drug discovery and unveils the latest advancements in healthcare innovations and their clinical applications.
CMU and Healthcare System (Taiwan) highlights groundbreaking AI-driven drug discovery and unveils the latest advancements in healthcare innovations and their clinical applications.

Dr. Chang-Hai Tsai, Chairman of CMU and Healthcare System, emphasized the institution’s commitment to cutting-edge research and international collaboration. By partnering with Kyoto University, CMU and Healthcare System has established a global research center to spearhead advancements in cancer research, regenerative medicine, and AI-powered drug discovery.

A Milestone in Cancer Therapy: Allogeneic CAR-T Achieves 90% Tumor Reduction

CMU and Healthcare System revealed the world’s first allogeneic CAR-T therapy for solid cancers, developed by Ever Supreme Bio Technology. This therapy has demonstrated an unprecedented tumor reduction rate of over 90% in pre-clinical studies. Human clinical trials are underway, with FDA approval marking a pivotal moment in solid tumor treatment.

Precision Medicine Breakthroughs: Exosome Technology and AI Integration

Shine-On Biomedical and Shine Out Bio Technology are revolutionizing precision medicine through exosome technology. Their innovations include:

  • SOA101 Trispecific Antibody: A nanobody-based platform combining two immune checkpoint inhibitors, now in FDA-reviewed Phase I/IIa trials for cancer therapy.
  • SOB100 HLA-G Targeted Exosome: Delivering drugs with pinpoint precision to tumors, this platform enhances efficacy while minimizing side effects.

Human clinical trials for these technologies are set to begin in 2025, promising to transform cancer and neurodegenerative disease treatments.

AI-Powered Healthcare Solutions

CMU and Healthcare System’s AI-driven initiatives include:

  • Child Growth Assessment System: AI generates detailed diagnostic reports for personalized treatment planning.
  • HiThings Tele-ICU: This state-of-the-art system integrates real-time patient data with 3D modeling for enhanced critical care management.
  • Smart Health Scheduling: AI optimizes health examination processes to streamline care delivery.
  • Computer-assisted detection platform for Tc-99mTRODAT-1: AI analyzes brain images and visual scales to assist in diagnosing central nervous system motor disorders.
  • Long Term Care Record System and Medical Information Revise Assistant (MIRA): Enhances medical record accuracy and efficiency, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on patient care.

Specialized Healthcare Innovations

CMUH continues to lead in cutting-edge treatments:

  • MRgFUS for Parkinson’s Disease: A non-invasive, MRI-guided therapy offering new hope for patients.
  • Proton Therapy Center: Delivering precision cancer treatments with reduced side effects.
  • Gout Risk Prediction: Genetic testing for tailored patient management.

Global Collaboration with Kyoto University

The newly established CMU-Kyoto University Global Research Center strengthens ties in cancer research, translational medicine, and regenerative therapies. As part of this initiative, CMU Research Park integrates academic and industrial expertise to drive groundbreaking developments from laboratory research to clinical applications.

Advancing Healthcare Through Innovation

Dr. Der-Yang Cho, Superintendent of CMUH, highlighted AI’s transformative role in drug discovery and clinical applications. CMU and Healthcare System remains at the forefront of healthcare innovation, bridging AI, biotechnology, and clinical practice to redefine the future of medicine.

CMU and Healthcare System’s pioneering work at the Healthcare Expo Taiwan underscores Taiwan’s growing influence in global healthcare. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, CMU and Healthcare System is not just shaping the future of medicine—it’s leading it.

Contact
Carolyn Chen
100709@tool.caaumed.org.tw

No Answers: Families of Vang Vieng Methanol Poisoning Victims Demand Transparency from Lao Government

Family in Disbelief as 19 Years Old Holly Bowles Remains on Life Support in Thailand After Apparent Laos Methanol Poisoning
Holly Bowell (left) and Bianca Jones (right) who reportedly fell victim to tainted cocktails (photo credit: Facebook)

Families of victims who died from methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng, Laos, in November 2024 have voiced frustration over what they describe as a lack of communication and action from the Lao government, foreign media reported on 2 February.