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WeBank Wins Three Awards at The Asian Banker Excellence in Retail Finance Services Awards Ceremony 2025

TOKYO, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — WeBank  was honored with three prestigious awards at The Asian Banker’s 2025 Banking Innovation Annual Meeting and Global Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards Ceremony recently held in Tokyo, Japan. The accolades include “Best Digital Bank in Asia Pacific“, “Best Digital Bank in China” and “Best AI/Gen AI Application in SME Marketing Initiative in Asia Pacific“, recognizing WeBank’s outstanding achievements in inclusive finance and innovative application of financial technology in MSME finance.

The Asian Banker Awards are among the most authoritative and influential in the global financial industry. WeBank’s multiple international awards underscore the recognition among leading international institutions of its accomplishments in inclusive and digital finance practices.

At the ceremony, Fang Zhenyu, Vice President of WeBank, addressed, “In just ten years since our establishment, WeBank has served over 400 million customers, all made possible by the innovative business model and digital technology. The rapid development of cutting-edge technologies and the application of AI model tools are starting to make an impact across the industry. We believe this impact will lead to transformative breakthroughs in the financial industry and its models. At WeBank, we embrace collaboration with partners around the world to unleash the power of finance and technology. I believe we can strive to drive change together and create sustainable value for society.”

Recognized for the Inclusive Finance Practice with Six Wins of “Best Digital Bank in Asia Pacific

Since 2021, The Asian Banker has evaluated over 160 digital banks from 42 markets in five key areas: customer base, market/product coverage, profitability, asset and deposit growth, and funding. The annual “Global Top 100 Digital-only Banks Ranking” recognizes market leadership among digital banks, and has become a global benchmark for measuring the success of the industry, on local, regional, and global levels.

At the awards ceremony, WeBank was named “Best Digital Bank in Asia Pacific” and “Best Digital Bank in China” in the 2025 Global Top 100 Digital-only Banks ranking. This marks the sixth time WeBank received the “Best Digital Bank in Asia Pacific” award from The Asian Banker.

WeBank was named “Best Digital Bank in Asia Pacific”
WeBank was named “Best Digital Bank in Asia Pacific”

The Asian Banker noted that WeBank, with the largest customer base globally, has served a broad range of individual customers and MSMEs, with excellent profitability and operational efficiency. Leveraging AI, big data, cloud computing, and blockchain, WeBank provides scalable, secure, and efficient services. 

WeBank remains committed to its technology-driven core strategy and continues to deepen its efforts in the research and development of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, and blockchain. With over 4,000 patent applications and 38 open-source projects, WeBank has established a comprehensive technology capacity and embraces collaboration with global partners.

Since its establishment, WeBank has built its distributed core banking system, which is capable of supporting hundreds of millions of customers and high-concurrency transactions. This system has reduced the bank’s annual IT O&M cost per account to below 0.3 USD, less than one-tenth of that of its domestic and international peers, with a peak daily transaction volume exceeding 1.4 billion. This has laid a solid foundation for the bank to practice inclusive finance and serving MSMEs.

WeBank has explored a sustainable approach of digital banking and contributes to the development of digital inclusive finance. WeBank has continuously enhanced its financial product offerings for the individual customers and MSMEs, such as “Weilidai”, “Weiyedai” and WeBank Wealth+, actively optimizing fundamental financial services, including credit, wealth management, deposits, and account services. As of the end of June 2024, WeBank has served over 400 million individual customers and more than 5 million MSMEs have applied for loans.

Deepening AI Model Applications to Empower Intelligent Marketing

In The Asian Banker’s “Global Excellence in Retail Finance Awards”, WeBank is recognized as the “Best AI/Gen AI Application in SME Marketing Initiative in Asia Pacific” for 2025.

The Asian Banker stated, “By deploying hundreds of domain-trained generative AI models, the bank enables precise product recommendations, such as seasonal credit extensions tailored to business cycles, ensuring SMEs receive customized financial solutions. Beyond financing, the initiative enhances customer service through AI-powered platforms, significantly improving issue resolution rates and reducing turnaround time. This data-driven approach has resulted in a substantial increase in marketing, reinforcing the bank’s leadership in SME-focused digital banking.”

According to the Asian Banker, WeBank has demonstrated excellence in understanding and meeting evolving customer needs, customer journey and experience, as well as excellence in digitalization and application of AI and digital ecosystems that drive efficiency and engagement, embedding finance in the customer experience, outperforming regional and local peers.

WeBank has applied innovative achievements of generative AI technology to its inclusive finance business. As WeBank’s MSME finance business rapidly develops, corporate customers are demanding higher levels of refinement, digitization, and intelligence in their operations. To address this, WeBank’s MSME finance has developed a “Data + Generative AI” dual-driven approach to upgrade its intelligent marketing capabilities, improving MSME coverage, product matching accuracy, and customer satisfaction.

About WeBank

Launched in 2014, WeBank Co., Ltd. (“WeBank”) is the first digital bank in China. WeBank provides convenient financial services to micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and the public, and continuously improves the quality of services in response to customers’ specific needs. WeBank ranks No. 1 in The Asian Banker’s Global Top 100 Digital Banks in 2025. By June 2024, WeBank has served over 400 million retail customers and 5 million MSMEs.

WeBank focuses on innovation and technology. WeBank has maintained its proportion of technical personnel above 50% since its establishment, while its research and development expenses have accounted for around 10% of its revenue. WeBank is now at the top of the industry in core technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, cloud computing and big data.

 

Acurx Announces Publication of Positive Results from an In-Silico Study Predicting the Microbiome-Restorative Potential of Ibezapolstat in the Treatment of CDI

  • Major finding provides mechanistic explanation for ibezapolstat’s (IBZ) selectivity in that the predicted bactericidal interaction between IBZ and its target DNA pol IIIC is conserved across most of the Bacillota phylum, including C. difficile, while certain beneficial taxa are naturally resistant to IBZ, allowing regrowth of resistant microbes known to confer health benefits
  • This study used in silico methods to better interpret the narrower than expected ibezapolstat (IBZ) spectrum of activity observed in human trials, which included increased proportion of certain key gut microbiota of the Bacillota phylum
  • IBZ susceptibility of human commensal (nonpathogenic) microbiota was predicted using genomic analysis and a phylogenetic tree construction of the IBZ target enzyme, pol IIIC
  • Preparation continues to advance IBZ into international Ph3 clinical trials for treatment of CDI
  • IBZ has previously been granted FDA QIDP and Fast-Track Designation and has received SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprise) designation by the EMA

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACXP) (“Acurx” or the “Company”) is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of small molecule antibiotics for difficult-to-treat bacterial infections, with its lead antibiotic candidate, ibezapolstat (IBZ), preparing to advance to international Phase 3 clinical trials to treat patients with C. difficile Infection (CDI). The Company today announced the results of a study and its publication in the Journal of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapeutics entitled: “The Microbiome-restorative Potential of Ibezapolstat for the Treatment of Clostridioides difficile Infection is Predicted Through Variant PolC-type DNA Polymerase III in Lachnospiraceae and Oscillospiraceae”. The primary researcher and author is Jacob K. McPherson, PharmD, a PhD Pharmacology Candidate at the University of Houston. This study was funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health.

According to co-author Kevin Garey, PharmD, MS, FIDSA, Professor and Chair, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Principal Investigator for microbiology and microbiome aspects of the ibezapolstat clinical trial program, and Acurx Scientific Advisory Board member: “These studies help to explain the narrower than expected spectrum of activity of ibezapolstat in our ongoing clinical trials that helps explain regrowth of beneficial gut microbiota while patients are on ibezapolstat therapy.” He added: “Genomic differences in the PolC between these species affect the binding of ibezapolstat allowing these beneficial microbes to be resistant and confer health benefits. This is distinctly different that the comparator vancomycin which kills these beneficial microbes causing high rates of C. difficile recurrence.”

Acurx’s Executive Chairman, Bob DeLuccia, stated: “This in silico genomic analysis complements the structural biology data emerging from our scientific collaboration with Leiden University Medical Center.” He further stated: “We’re confident that these results can be leveraged to advance not only the ibezapolstat program but also our systemic Gram-positive antibiotic discovery program in lead optimization for an oral pol IIIC inhibitor for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and in parallel planning for our anti-anthrax bioterrorism program.”

During clinical trials with IBZ, a narrower than expected spectrum of activity was observed that included increased proportion of certain key microbiota of the Bacillota phylum known to confer health benefits, specifically Lachnospiraceae, Oscillospiraceae (formerly Ruminococcaceae), and Coprobacillaceae within Erysipelotrichales. The purpose of this study was to utilize in silico approaches to better interpret the narrower than expected IBZ spectrum of activity observed in human trials. IBZ susceptibility to human commensal microbiota was predicted using genomic analysis and PolC phylogenetic tree construction in relation to C. difficile and commensal low G + C bacteria. An amino acid phylogenetic tree identified certain residues that were phylogenetically variant in Lachnospiraceae, Oscillospiraceae, and Erysipelotrichales but conserved in C. difficile. The major finding of this study was that the predicted interactions between IBZ and pol IIIC is conserved across the majority of the Bacillota phylum except for Lachnospiraceae and Oscillospiraceae, and Erysipelotrichales (including Erysipelotrichaceae and Coprobacillaceae), taxa that were not killed or regrown in IBZ-treated subjects while on therapy.

THE PUBLICATION IS ON OUR WEBSITE: www.acurxpharma.com

About the AAC Journal:
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (AAC) is an interdisciplinary journal devoted to the dissemination of knowledge relating to all aspects of antimicrobial and antiparasitic agents and chemotherapy. Generally, any report involving studies on or with antimicrobial, antiviral (including antiretroviral), or antiparasitic agents is within the purview of AAC. Studies involving animal models, pharmacological characterization, and clinical trials are appropriate for consideration.

Acurx previously announced that it had received positive regulatory guidance from the EMA during its Scientific Advice Procedure which confirmed that the clinical, non-clinical and CMC (Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls) information package submitted to EMA supports advancement of the ibezapolstat Phase 3 program and if the Phase 3 program is successful, supports the submission of a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for regulatory approval in Europe. The information package submitted to EMA by the Company to which agreement has been reached with EMA included details on Acurx’s two planned international Phase 3 clinical trials, 1:1 randomized (designed as non-inferiority vs vancomycin), primary and secondary endpoints, sample size, statistical analysis plan and the overall registration safety database. With mutually consistent feedback from both EMA and FDA, Acurx is well positioned to commence our international Phase 3 registration program.

The primary efficacy analysis will be performed using a Modified Intent-To-Treat (mITT) population. This will result in an estimated 450 subjects in the mITT population, randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either ibezapolstat or standard- of-care vancomycin, enrolled into the initial Phase 3 trial. The trial design not only allows determination of ibezapolstat’s ability to achieve Clinical Cure of CDI as measured 2 days after 10 days of oral treatment but also includes assessment of ibezapolstat’s potential effect on reduction of CDI recurrence in the target population. In the event non-inferiority of ibezapolstat to vancomycin is demonstrated, further analysis will be conducted to test for superiority.

About the Ibezapolstat Phase 2 Clinical Trial
The completed multicenter, open-label single-arm segment (Phase 2a) study was followed by a double-blind, randomized, active-controlled, non-inferiority, segment (Phase 2b) at 28 US clinical trial sites which together comprise the Phase 2 clinical trial. (Link to Clinicaltrials.gov/NCT042447542) This Phase 2 clinical trial was designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of ibezapolstat in the treatment of CDI including pharmacokinetics and microbiome changes from baseline. from study centers in the United States. In the Phase 2a trial segment,10 patients with diarrhea caused by C. difficile were treated with ibezapolstat 450 mg orally, twice daily for 10 days. All patients were followed for recurrence for 28± 2 days. Per protocol, after 10 patients of the projected 20 Phase 2a patients completed treatment (100% cured infection at End of Treatment).

In the Phase 2b trial segment, which was discontinued due to success, 32 patients with CDI were enrolled and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either ibezapolstat 450 mg every 12 hours or vancomycin 125 mg orally every 6 hours, in each case, for 10 days and followed for 28 ± 2 days following the end of treatment for recurrence of CDI. The two treatments were identical in appearance, dosing times, and number of capsules administered to maintain the blind.

The Company previously reported that the overall observed Clinical Cure rate in the combined Phase 2 trials in patients with CDI was 96% (25 out of 26 patients), based on 10 out of 10 patients (100%) in Phase 2a in the Modified Intent to Treat Population, plus 15 out of 16 (94%) patients in Phase 2b in the Per Protocol Population, who experienced Clinical Cure during treatment with ibezapolstat. Ibezapolstat was well-tolerated, with three patients each experiencing one mild adverse event assessed by the blinded investigator to be drug- related. All three events were gastrointestinal in nature and resolved without treatment.

There were no drug-related treatment withdrawals or no drug-related serious adverse events, or other safety findings of concern. In the Phase 2b vancomycin control arm, 14 out of 14 patients experienced Clinical Cure. The Company is confident that based on the pooled Phase 2 ibezapolstat Clinical Cure rate of 96% and the historical vancomycin cure rate of approximately 81% (Vancocin® Prescribing Information, January 2021), we will demonstrate non-inferiority of ibezapolstat to vancomycin in Phase 3 trials in accordance with the applicable FDA Guidance for Industry (October 2022).

In the Phase 2 clinical trial (both trial segments), the Company also evaluated pharmacokinetics (PK) and microbiome changes and test for anti-recurrence microbiome properties, including the change from baseline in alpha diversity and bacterial abundance, especially overgrowth of healthy gut microbiota Actinobacteria and Firmicute phylum species during and after therapy. Phase 2a data demonstrated complete eradication of colonic C. difficile by day three of treatment with ibezapolstat as well as the observed overgrowth of healthy gut microbiota, Actinobacteria and Firmicute phyla species, during and after therapy. Very importantly, emerging data show an increased concentration of secondary bile acids during and following ibezapolstat therapy which is known to correlate with colonization resistance against C. difficile. A decrease in primary bile acids and the favorable increase in the ratio of secondary-to-primary bile acids suggest that ibezapolstat may reduce the likelihood of CDI recurrence when compared to vancomycin. The company also recently reported positive extended clinical cure (ECC) data for ibezapolstat (IBZ), its lead antibiotic candidate, from the Company’s recently completed Phase 2b clinical trial in patients with CDI. This exploratory endpoint showed that 12 patients who agreed to be followed up to three months following Clinical Cure of their infection, 5 of 5 IBZ patients experienced no recurrence of infection. In the vancomycin control arm of the trial, 7 of 7 patients experienced no recurrence of infection. ECC success is defined as a clinical cure at the TOC visit (i.e., at least 48 hours post EOT) and no recurrence of CDI within the 56 ± 2 days post EOT (ECC56) and 84 ± 2 days post EOT (ECC84) in patients who consented to extended observation. In the Phase 2b trial, 100% (5 of 5) of ibezapolstat-treated patients who agreed to observation for up to three months following Clinical Cure of CDI experienced no recurrence of infection. Furthermore, ibezapolstat-treated patients showed lower concentrations of fecal primary bile acids, and higher beneficial ratio of secondary to primary bile acids than vancomycin-treated patients.

About Ibezapolstat
Ibezapolstat is the Company’s lead antibiotic candidate planning to advance to international Phase 3 clinical trials to treat patients with C. difficile Infection (CDI). Ibezapolstat is a novel, orally administered antibiotic, being developed as a Gram-Positive Selective Spectrum (GPSS®) antibacterial. It is the first of a new class of DNA polymerase IIIC inhibitors under development by Acurx to treat bacterial infections. Ibezapolstat’s unique spectrum of activity, which includes C. difficile but spares other Firmicutes and the important Actinobacteria phyla, appears to contribute to the maintenance of a healthy gut microbiome.

In June 2018, ibezapolstat was designated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) for the treatment of patients with CDI and will be eligible to benefit from the incentives for the development of new antibiotics established under the Generating New Antibiotic Incentives Now (GAIN) Act. In 2019, FDA granted “Fast Track” designation to ibezapolstat for the treatment of patients with CDI. The CDC has designated C. difficile as an urgent threat highlighting the need for new antibiotics to treat CDI.

About Clostridioides difficile Infection (CDI)
According to the 2017 Update (published February 2018) of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for C. difficile Infection by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Society or Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), CDI remains a significant medical problem in hospitals, in long-term care facilities and in the community. C. difficile is one of the most common causes of health care- associated infections in U.S. hospitals (Lessa, et al, 2015,

New England Journal of Medicine). Recent estimates suggest C. difficile approaches 500,000 infections annually in the U.S. and is associated with approximately 20,000 deaths annually. (Guh, 2020, New England Journal of Medicine). Based on internal estimates, the recurrence rate for the antibiotics currently used to treat CDI is between 20% and 40% among approximately 150,000 patients treated. We believe the annual incidence of CDI in the U.S. approaches 600,000 infections and a mortality rate of approximately 9.3%.

About the Microbiome in C. difficile Infection (CDI) and Bile Acid Metabolism
C. difficile can be a normal component of the healthy gut microbiome, but when the microbiome is thrown out of balance, the C. difficile can thrive and cause an infection. After colonization with C. difficile, the organism produces and releases the main virulence factors, the two large clostridial toxins A (TcdA) and B (TcdB). (Kachrimanidou, Microorganisms 2020, 8, 200; doi:10.3390/microorganisms8020200.) TcdA and TcdB are exotoxins that bind to human intestinal epithelial cells and are responsible for inflammation, fluid and mucous secretion, as well as damage to the intestinal mucosa. Bile acids perform many functional roles in the GI tract, with one of the most important being maintenance of a healthy microbiome by inhibiting C. difficile growth. Primary bile acids, which are secreted by the liver into the intestines, promote germination of C. difficile spores and thereby increase the risk of recurrent CDI after successful treatment of an initial episode. On the other hand, secondary bile acids, which are produced by normal gut microbiota through metabolism of primary bile acids, do not induce C. difficile sporulation and therefore protect against recurrent disease. Since ibezapolstat treatment leads to minimal disruption of the gut microbiome, bacterial production of secondary bile acids continues which may contribute to an anti-recurrence effect. Beneficial effects of bile acids include a decrease in primary bile acids and an increase in secondary bile acids in patients with CDI, which was observed in the Company’s Ph2a trial results and previously reported (CID, 2022). In the Ph2b trial, ibezapolstat-treated patients showed lower concentrations of fecal primary bile acids, and higher beneficial ratio of secondary to primary bile acids than vancomycin-treated patients.

About Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Acurx Pharmaceuticals is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a new class of small molecule antibiotics for difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. The Company’s approach is to develop antibiotic candidates with a Gram-positive selective spectrum (GPSS®) that blocks the active site of the Gram-positive specific bacterial enzyme DNA polymerase IIIC (pol IIIC), inhibiting DNA replication and leading to Gram-positive bacterial cell death. Its R&D pipeline includes antibiotic product candidates that target Gram-positive bacteria, including Clostridioides difficile, methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE), drug- resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (DRSP) and B. anthracis (anthrax; a Bioterrorism Category A Threat-Level pathogen). Acurx’s lead product candidate, ibezapolstat, for the treatment of C. difficile Infection is Phase 3 ready with plans in progress to begin international clinical trials next year. The Company’s preclinical pipeline includes development of an oral product candidate for treatment of ABSSSI (Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections), upon which a development program for treatment of inhaled anthrax is being planned in parallel.

To learn more about Acurx Pharmaceuticals and its product pipeline, please visit www.acurxpharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about our future expectations, plans and prospects, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, prospects, plans and objectives, and other statements containing the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: whether ibezapolstat will benefit from the QIDP designation; whether ibezapolstat will advance through the clinical trial process on a timely basis; whether the results of the clinical trials of ibezapolstat will warrant the submission of applications for marketing approval, and if so, whether ibezapolstat will receive approval from the FDA or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies where approval is sought; whether, if ibezapolstat obtains approval, it will be successfully distributed and marketed; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in the Company’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward- looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Acurx disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements, except as may be required by law.

Investor Contact:
Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
David P. Luci, President & CEO
Tel: 917-533-1469
Email: davidluci@acurxpharma.com

Amcor to present at the Bank of America 2025 Global Agriculture and Materials Conference on February 26, 2025

­ZURICH, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Amcor (NYSE: AMCR, ASX:AMC), a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions will present at the at the Bank of America 2025 Global Agriculture and Materials Conference on Wednesday February 26, 2025.

Amcor’s CEO Peter Konieczny and CFO Michael Casamento are scheduled to participate in a fireside chat at 1.15pm Eastern time. To listen to the presentation via live webcast please click here.

A replay of the presentation will be available after the presentation ends at www.amcor.com/investors under ‘presentations’.

For further information please contact:

Damon Wright
Vice President Investor Relations
damon.wright@amcor.com

About Amcor 
Amcor is a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions across a variety of materials for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, home and personal-care, and other products.  Amcor works with leading companies around the world to protect products, differentiate brands, and improve supply chains. The Company offers a range of innovative, differentiating flexible and rigid packaging, specialty cartons, closures and services. The company is focused on making packaging that is increasingly recyclable, reusable, lighter weight and made using an increasing amount of recycled content. In fiscal year 2024, 41,000 Amcor people generated $13.6 billion in annual sales from operations that span 212 locations in 40 countries.  NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC 

www.amcor.com  I  LinkedIn  I  YouTube 

Important Information for Investors and Shareholders

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction.  It does not constitute a prospectus or prospectus equivalent document.  No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

In connection with the proposed transaction between Amcor plc (“Amcor”) and Berry Global Group (“Berry”), on January 13, 2025, Amcor filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4, as amended on January 21, 2025, containing a joint proxy statement of Amcor and Berry that also constitutes a prospectus of Amcor.  The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on January 23, 2025 and Amcor and Berry commenced mailing the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus to their respective shareholders on or about January 23, 2025.  INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF AMCOR AND BERRY ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED OR THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.  Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the registration statement and the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by Amcor or Berry through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.  Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Amcor are available free of charge on Amcor’s website at amcor.com under the tab “Investors” and under the heading “Financial Information” and subheading “SEC Filings.”  Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Berry are available free of charge on Berry’s website at berryglobal.com under the tab “Investors” and under the heading “Financials” and subheading “SEC Filings.”

Certain Information Regarding Participants

Amcor, Berry, and their respective directors and executive officers may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Amcor and Berry in connection with the proposed transaction.  Information about the directors and executive officers of Amcor is set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on August 16, 2024, its proxy statement for its 2024 annual meeting, which was filed with the SEC on September 24, 2024, and its Current Report on Form 8-K, which was filed with the SEC on January 6, 2025.  Information about the directors and executive officers of Berry is set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 28, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on November 26, 2024, and its proxy statement for its 2025 annual meeting, which was filed with the SEC on January 7, 2025.  Information about the directors and executive officers of Amcor and Berry and other information regarding the potential participants in the proxy solicitations and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, are contained in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC and other relevant materials filed with or to be filed with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction when they become available.  To the extent holdings of Amcor’s or Berry’s securities by its directors or executive officers have changed since the amounts set forth in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus, such changes have been or will be reflected on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 or Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC.  You may obtain these documents (when they become available) free of charge through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov and from Amcor’s or Berry’s website as described above.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains certain statements that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by words like “anticipate,” “approximately,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “possible,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” or “would,” the negative of these words, other terms of similar meaning or the use of future dates. Such statements, including projections as to the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, the impact of the proposed transaction on Amcor’s and Berry’s business and future financial and operating results and prospects, the amount and timing of synergies from the proposed transaction, the terms and scope of the expected financing in connection with the proposed transaction, the aggregate amount of indebtedness of the combined company following the closing of the proposed transaction and the closing date for the proposed transaction, are based on the current estimates, assumptions and projections of the management of Amcor and Berry, and are qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Amcor’s and Berry’s control. None of Amcor, Berry or any of their respective directors, executive officers, or advisors, provide any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements will actually occur, or if any of them do occur, what impact they will have on the business, results of operations or financial condition of Amcor or Berry. Should any risks and uncertainties develop into actual events, these developments could have a material adverse effect on Amcor’s and Berry’s businesses, the proposed transaction and the ability to successfully complete the proposed transaction and realize its expected benefits. Risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ from expectations include, but are not limited to, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; the risk that the conditions to the completion of the proposed transaction (including shareholder and regulatory approvals) are not satisfied in a timely manner or at all; the risks arising from the integration of the Amcor and Berry businesses; the risk that the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction may not be realized when expected or at all; the risk of unexpected costs or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction; the risk of litigation related to the proposed transaction; the risks related to disruption of management’s time from ongoing business operations as a result of the proposed transaction; the risk that the proposed transaction may have an adverse effect on the ability of Amcor and Berry to retain key personnel and customers; and those risks discussed in Amcor’s and Berry’s respective filings with the SEC. Forward looking statements included herein are made only as of the date hereof and neither Amcor nor Berry undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, or any other information in this communication, as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, or to correct any inaccuracies or omissions in them which become apparent. All forward-looking statements in this communication are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Cheche Group’s Tianmu Insurance Anti-Fraud and Risk Control Model Recognized Among Top 100 AI Products of 2024

BEIJING, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cheche Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CCG) (“Cheche” or the “Company”), China’s leading auto insurance technology platform, today announced that its innovative Tianmu Insurance Anti-Fraud and Risk Control Model has been recognized in the prestigious Top 100 AI Products of 2024 list, released by Internet Weekly in collaboration with eNET Research Institute and Deben Consulting.

This accolade highlights Cheche’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology in the insurance industry. The award-winning Tianmu Model integrates advanced technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and biometrics to construct an intelligent anti-fraud and risk control system. By utilizing sophisticated data and image recognition methods, the model significantly enhances the ability to identify and prevent insurance fraud risks.

“Being named among the Top 100 AI Products of 2024 is a significant achievement for us,” said Mr. Lei Zhang, Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Cheche. “Our Tianmu Insurance Anti-Fraud and Risk Control Model exemplifies our dedication to revolutionizing the Insurtech landscape. We are focused on driving digital and intelligent innovation that empowers the insurance industry in China to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency and effectiveness.”

The Tianmu Model employs an AI-based image recognition system that conducts deep analysis of extensive image datasets, evaluating the validity, authenticity, and uniqueness of images. This capability not only mitigates fraudulent risks such as duplicate claims but also adapts to regional market characteristics, tailoring risk management solutions for local insurers.

In practice, the Tianmu Insurance Anti-Fraud and Risk Control Model can accurately identify potential insurance fraud risks, providing robust support for risk reduction to both automakers and insurers. This functionality helps lower operational risks within the insurance industry while contributes to enhancing overall competitiveness.

“As Cheche continues its mission to lead in Insurtech innovation, this recognition reinforces our position as a key player in transforming the insurance landscape through advanced technology,” said Mr. Lei Zhang.

Safe Harbor Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements also include, but are not limited to, statements regarding existing and new partnerships and customer relationships, projections, estimation, and forecasts of revenue and other financial and performance metrics, projections of market opportunity and expectations, the Company’s ability to scale and grow its business, the Company’s advantages and expected growth, and its ability to source and retain talent, as applicable. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of the Company’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to materially differ from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties, or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the Company believes that it has a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this press release, the Company cautions you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known and projections of the future, which are inherently uncertain. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent the views of the Company as of the date of this press release. Subsequent events and developments may cause those views to change. Except as may be required by law, the Company does not undertake any duty to update these forward-looking statements.

About Cheche Group Inc.

Established in 2014 and headquartered in Beijing, China, Cheche is a leading auto insurance technology platform with a nationwide network of around 108 branches licensed to distribute insurance policies across 25 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China. Capitalizing on its leading position in auto insurance transaction services, Cheche has evolved into a comprehensive, data-driven technology platform that offers a full suite of services and products for digital insurance transactions and insurance SaaS solutions in China. Learn more at https://www.chechegroup.com/en.

About Internet Weekly

Internet Weekly, founded in 1998 and supervised by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is one of the most successful mainstream business magazines in China’s internet and IT industries. With its in-depth reporting and professional analysis, it provides business leaders and entrepreneurs with cutting-edge development trends and technological innovations. Learn more at http://51www.ciweek.com/.

Cheche Group Inc.:
IR@chechegroup.com

Crocker Coulson
crocker.coulson@aummedia.org
(646) 652-7185

TOYO Co., Ltd Warrants to Commence Trading on OTC Markets

TOKYO, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — TOYO Co., Ltd (Nasdaq: TOYO) (“TOYO” or the “Company”), a solar solution company, is pleased to announce that its warrants are now available for trading on the OTCQB under the ticker symbol TOYWF commencing on February 24, 2025.

“We are excited to see TOYO’s warrants begin trading on the OTCQB,” said Mr. Junsei Ryu, CEO and Chairman of TOYO. “This marks an important milestone for the company as we expand our market presence and provide additional liquidity for investors. The trading of our warrants on OTC Markets opens the door to more flexibility and greater access for our shareholders and broader base of investors looking to participate in the Company’s growth trajectory.”

About TOYO Co., Ltd.

TOYO is a solar solutions company that is committed to becoming a full-service solar solutions provider in the global market, integrating the upstream production of wafers and silicon, midstream production of solar cells, downstream production of photovoltaic modules, and potentially other stages of the solar power supply chain. TOYO is well-positioned to produce high-quality solar cells at a competitive scale and cost.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected growth of TOYO, the expected order delivery of TOYO, TOYO’s construction plan of manufactures, and strategies for building up an integrated value chain in the U.S. These forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of TOYO’s management and are not predictions of actual performance.

The forward-looking statements in this press release involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to materially differ from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although TOYO believes that it has a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this press release, TOYO cautions you that these forward-looking statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known and projections of the future, which are inherently uncertain. In addition, there are risks and uncertainties described in the documents filed by TOYO from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These filings may identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements in this press release.

TOYO cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this press release will prove to be accurate. These forward-looking statements are subject to several risks and uncertainties, including, among others, the outcome of any potential litigation, government or regulatory proceedings, the sales performance of TOYO, and other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those included under the heading “Risk Factors” in the filings of TOYO with the SEC. There may be additional risks that TOYO does not presently know or that TOYO currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in these forward-looking statements. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent the views of TOYO as of the date of this press release. Subsequent events and developments may cause those views to change. However, while TOYO may update these forward-looking statements in the future, there is no current intention to do so except to the extent required by applicable law. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements to represent the views of TOYO as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Except as required by law, TOYO does not undertake any duty to update these forward-looking statements.

Contact Information:

For TOYO Co., Ltd.
IR@toyo-solar.com 

Crocker Coulson
Email: crocker.coulson@aummedia.or
Tel: (646) 652-7185

Firebolt Expands into APAC with Sandeep Mathur as Managing Director

BANGALORE, India, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Firebolt, the Data Warehouse for AI applications, today announced the appointment of Sandeep Mathur as the Managing Director, APAC. In this role, Sandeep will drive Firebolt’s growth strategy in APAC, lead regional go-to-market (GTM) efforts, and collaborate with Firebolt’s leadership to build global teams—including support, sales development, and engineering—based in India.

Sandeep Mathur, Managing Director, APAC, Firebolt
Sandeep Mathur, Managing Director, APAC, Firebolt

With over 25 years of leadership experience in the technology industry, Sandeep brings a deep understanding of enterprise data and analytics. Prior to joining Firebolt, he held leadership roles at Lentra, Oracle, among others, where he was instrumental in driving business expansion, strategic sales and fostering innovation in technology and data analytics solutions. With his appointment, Firebolt will focus on expanding its footprint in key verticals like financial services, e-commerce, and technology, where real-time analytics and lightning-fast performance are critical.

Eldad Farkash, Co-founder & CEO of Firebolt, commented on the appointment: Sandeep Mathur’s appointment marks a pivotal moment for Firebolt. His deep understanding of the APAC market, combined with his strategic expertise, will be instrumental as we empower APAC enterprises with a new generation of high-performance analytics, expand partner ecosystems and enhance customer education initiatives that redefine speed, scale, and efficiency.”

Hemanth Vedagarbha, President, Firebolt said, “We are thrilled to have Sandeep Mathur at Firebolt. His deep expertise in scaling high-growth technology businesses and driving customer success in the region makes him an invaluable addition to our leadership team. As Firebolt continues to redefine cloud data analytics with unmatched speed and efficiency, Sandeep’s leadership will play a crucial role in expanding our presence and delivering exceptional value to enterprises across APAC.”

Expressing enthusiasm for his new role, Sandeep Mathur, Managing Director, APAC, Firebolt stated, “Innovation and technology are transforming how businesses in APAC operate. Joining Firebolt at such a pivotal time in the data and analytics landscape, I look forward to helping businesses achieve unmatched performance and efficiency. Firebolt’s innovative approach to cloud data warehousing is setting new benchmarks in performance and cost efficiency. My focus will be on collaborating with enterprises and fast-growing startups across APAC to optimize their cloud data infrastructures and maximize their performance-to-cost ratio. I look forward to partnering with our talented team and stakeholders to help organizations in the region unlock the full potential of their data.”

The APAC region is witnessing a massive shift toward data democratization, AI-powered analytics, and cost-optimized cloud solutions. Firebolt is well-positioned to help businesses achieve unmatched performance and efficiency in data analytics. Sandeep’s appointment underscores Firebolt’s commitment to expanding its global footprint and delivering best-in-class analytics solutions to enterprises worldwide.

About Firebolt: 

Firebolt is the Cloud Data Warehouse designed to handle the speed, scale, and flexibility of AI applications. By delivering ultra-low latency, high concurrency, multi-dimensional elasticity, and flexibility, Firebolt empowers organizations to build data-intensive AI applications that perform at scale. For more information, visit www.firebolt.io and follow on LinkedIn.

 

1MORE Expands SonoFlow Series with Two Distinctive Headphones for All-Gen Users

SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — 1MORE introduces the 1MORE SonoFlow Mini Hearing Protection Study Headphones HQ20, and SonoFlow SE Over-Ear Headphones HQ31 two devices supplement the product line with distinctive features to meet the various needs at different age ranges. The 1MORE SonoFlow Mini HQ20 features adjustable hearing protection and advanced noise isolation. Engineered to safeguard against hearing damage to enhance focus and productivity. The 1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 is integrated with full-scale capabilities with more color options – both of them at an exceptionally accessible price.

1MORE Expands SonoFlow Series with Two Distinctive Headphones for All-Gen Users
1MORE Expands SonoFlow Series with Two Distinctive Headphones for All-Gen Users

1MORE SonoFlow Mini HQ20: Prioritizing Hearing Health While Maximizing Productivity

According to recent research by the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people worldwide—1 in 4—will experience some degree of hearing loss with over 1 billion young individuals aged 12 to 35 at risk of hearing damage due to prolonged and excessive exposure to loud sounds. Recognizing the urgency of this global health challenge, 1MORE has leveraged its expertise in smart acoustic technology to develop the SonoFlow Mini HQ20 Hearing Protection Study Headphones.

This innovative headset features a 3-level automatic volume control system that actively detects excessive sound pressure in real time and seamlessly reduces the volume to safeguard hearing. Its unique 3-color indicator further enhances safety by providing a visual cue that alerts users to potentially harmful sound levels. In addition to its focus on hearing protection, the HQ20 enhances study efficiency through its intelligent audio playback, which integrates listening and speaking to stimulate brain activity.

The HQ20’s carefully designed over-ear construction ensures not only exceptional comfort but also a degree of passive noise isolation. By minimizing environmental distractions, these headphones create an immersive learning environment that helps users maintain focus. With the SonoFlow Mini HQ20, 1MORE underscores its commitment to hearing health and productivity, setting a new standard in smart, safe audio solutions.

The 1MORE SonoFlow Mini Hearing Protection Study Headphones HQ20 prioritize comfort and versatility for users of all ages. Featuring protein leather-covered ear cushions for a skin-friendly wearing experience, and an adjustable, pressure-relieving headband for a perfect fit, the HQ20 ensures long-lasting wear without discomfort. Its lightweight build, foldable design, and rotatable ear cups add portability, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of users – from elementary school students preparing for exams to professionals seeking a quiet moment of focus. Whether studying, working, or relaxing, the HQ20 adapts seamlessly to every scenario.

Uncompromising Sound Quality and Practical Features of 1MORE SonoFlow Mini HQ20

The SonoFlow Mini HQ20 doesn’t compromise on audio performance. Its enlarged 40mm dynamic driver ensures every note and spoken word is rendered with clarity and precision to deliver an immersive audio experience. The SonoFlow Mini HQ20 also boasts an extended battery life of up to 65 hours, with fast charging capabilities—just 5 minutes of charging power up to 2.5 hours of use. Further enhancing its usability, 1MORE SonoFlow Mini HQ20 headphones support multi-point connection, allowing seamless switching between two devices for uninterrupted learning, work, or entertainment.

The 1MORE SonoFlow Mini Hearing Protection Study Headphones HQ20 are now available globally on major online platforms at an attractive price.

1MORE Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPMX4T8G 

1MORE Official: https://usa.1more.com/products/hq20-kids-wireless-headphones

1MOR SonoFlow SE HQ31: Premium Sound, Pocket-Friendly Price

The 1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 builds upon the success of its predecessors, featuring a 40mm titanium-coated composite diaphragm driver for a rich and balanced sound signature. Tuned by a Grammy-winning sound engineer, the HQ31 delivers warm, detailed, and immersive audio across all frequencies.

For audiophile-grade listening, the SonoFlow SE HQ31 is Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Wireless certified, supporting the LDAC codec with a bandwidth of up to 40 kHz. With 12 customizable EQ presets available through the 1MORE app, also users can personally fine-tune their listening experience. Additionally, spatial audio technology expands the soundstage, delivering an immersive 3D-like effect for movies, music, and gaming.

The SonoFlow SE HQ31 is equipped with 1MORE’s QuietMax™ hybrid active noise cancellation, reducing ambient noise by over 42dB. Whether you’re commuting, working, or relaxing, QuietMax™ ensures distraction-free listening.

For added versatility, the Transparency Mode allows users to stay aware of their surroundings without removing their headphones—perfect for conversations, public transit, or staying alert in outdoor settings.

Dual AI-enhanced microphones with DNN (Deep Neural Network) noise reduction filter out background noise for superior call clarity, making the HQ31 an excellent choice for work calls, online meetings, and voice chats.

Unmatched Durability Meets Solid Features

Boasting an industry-leading 90 hours of continuous playback (compared to 70 hours on the HQ30), the SonoFlow SE HQ31 keeps the music going for nearly four days on a single charge. Need a quick boost? A 5-minute fast charge provides 5 hours of playback.

The HQ31 also supports wired mode, ensuring uninterrupted audio playback without battery concerns—ideal for gaming, studio use, or long-haul flights. Combining a lightweight frame, soft slow-rebound ear cushions, and an adjustable headband, the SonoFlow SE HQ31 ensures a snug yet breathable fit for extended listening sessions. The headphones are available in four stylish color options, allowing users to express their personality while enjoying premium comfort. Whether for work, travel, or leisure, the SonoFlow SE HQ31 combines aesthetic appeal with ergonomic design for a seamless listening experience.

The 1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 is now available globally. For more information, visit 1MORE’s official website or Amazon store.

About 1MORE

With a deep-rooted commitment to high-quality audio, innovative technology, and craftsmanship, 1MORE continues to redefine premium sound at accessible prices. By integrating cutting-edge acoustic engineering and user-centric design, 1MORE ensures that music lovers of all backgrounds can experience sound as the artist intended. With 1MORE, everyone deserves to hear more.

 

Through the Lens: Global Photographers Reveal Guizhou’s Complex Beauty

GUIYANG, China, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Guizhou is the top-ranked province in terms of the number of UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites in China. Its breathtaking landscape, shaped by the forces of nature, draw visitors from around the world to discover its beauty. Beyond its natural wonders, Guizhou’s rich cultural and tourism resources always impress everyone who has come to visit.


Through the Lens: Global Photographers Reveal Guizhou’s Complex Beauty

The original short video series Be My Guest • Focus Guizhou, produced by Guizhou TV, is a documentary about the real life of local people from the perspectives of international photographers who come to explore Guizhou. Their cameras capture the true experiences and the vibrant culture of Guizhou.

In this episode, the photographer Alice Griffs takes an immersive experience of ancient Miao songs passed down through generations and the intricate craftsmanship of Miao split-thread embroidery in which every stitch reflects the dedication of the artisans. Vlogger Nalada Sungkitboon has a pleasant stay in a smart hotel in Guizhou. The photographer Dan Sandoval strolls through the ancient Tunpu architecture in Anshun, marvelling at the ingenuity of its ancient builders. Meanwhile, Ole Eidskrem and his international trio enjoy Guizhou delicacies by the Red Maple Lake before embarking on a journey to explore Guizhou’s renowned bridges. Finally, Ivan Mendelevich ventures to Fanjing Mountain, a national nature reserve and biodiversity paradise, to learn about the protection of endangered Chinese dove tree and other rare native species.

These international photographers have discovered a unique facet of Guizhou during their respective journeys, amazed at the stunning landscape and finding new inspiration through their interactions with local people. With its rich and vibrant diversity, Guizhou welcomes old and new friends from all over the world and will become an unforgettable and pleasant part of their memories.

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ-RzYepSZk