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OnCusp Therapeutics Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for CUSP06 for the Treatment of Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

PRINCETON, N.J., Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — OnCusp Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming cutting-edge preclinical innovation into clinically validated treatments for cancer patients, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track Designation (FTD) to CUSP06, a Cadherin-6 targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate (CDH6 ADC) and the company’s lead program, for the treatment of patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC).

“We are extremely pleased that the FDA granted Fast Track Designation to CUSP06,” said Eric Slosberg, PhD, Chief Development Officer of OnCusp Therapeutics. “The early results from our Phase 1 trial have been encouraging, and this designation will expedite our efforts to bring this potentially transformative therapy to patients. Given the need for new therapeutic options in this underserved population, we are committed to working closely with the FDA to accelerate its development.”

The ongoing Phase 1 multicenter study is evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of CUSP06 in adults with platinum-refractory/resistant ovarian cancer and other advanced solid tumors (CUSP06-1001). Early data from the trial have shown promising anti-tumor activity and a manageable safety profile, supporting further development of the program.

About CUSP06

CUSP06, a CDH6 ADC, is composed of a proprietary antibody with high CDH6 binding affinity, a protease-cleavable linker, and an exatecan payload (a potent and clinically validated topoisomerase-1 inhibitor). The linker is designed to complement the exatecan payload, enabling a stable and homogenous ADC. The payload is a weak substrate for BCRP/P-gp, which are drug efflux pumps that drive chemoresistance to many therapies. In preclinical data, this linker-payload has been shown to have an increased “bystander effect” compared to competitor ADCs. CUSP06 has a drug-to-antibody ratio of eight. OnCusp obtained the exclusive global rights (outside of China) to lead the development and commercialization of CUSP06 from Multitude Therapeutics in 2022. CUSP06 is being evaluated in a Phase 1 study in patients with platinum-refractory/resistant ovarian cancer and other advanced solid tumors. Additional information on the CUSP06-1001 (NCT06234423) trial can be found at clinicaltrials.gov.

About Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies in the United States, with approximately 20,000 new cases diagnosed annually.[1] Platinum-based chemotherapy is a standard first-line treatment, but approximately 80% of patients who respond to initial treatment will develop platinum resistance, typically within two years.[2] Platinum-resistant ovarian cancer is defined as disease progression within six months of completing platinum-based therapy and carries a particularly poor prognosis, with median survival of only 9-12 months and limited effective treatment options.[2] Despite recent therapeutic advances, the 5-year survival rate for patients with platinum-resistant disease remains around 15%, highlighting a critical unmet need for new therapeutic approaches.[1],[3]

About Fast Track Designation

Fast Track Designation is intended to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drugs that treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. Programs with FTD may benefit from more frequent meetings with the FDA, eligibility for Accelerated Approval and Priority Review if relevant criteria are met, and the potential for a rolling review of the Biologics License Application (BLA).

About OnCusp Therapeutics

OnCusp Therapeutics, Inc., headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming cutting-edge preclinical innovation into clinically validated treatments for cancer patients. OnCusp was co-founded by Dr. Bing Yuan, Dr. Eric Slosberg, and Dr. Andy Fu, and has built a strong team of accomplished veterans with proven track records in building startup biotechs, leading successful preclinical and clinical programs, and creating value through global partnerships. The company is committed to accelerating the advancement of globally competitive oncology assets for patients. OnCusp raised an oversubscribed $100 million Series A financing round in January 2024, co-led by Novo Holdings, OrbiMed, and F-Prime Capital.

References

[1].      American Cancer Society. “Cancer Facts & Figures 2023.” Atlanta: American Cancer Society, 2023.

[2].      Lheureux, Stephanie, Charlie Gourley, Ignace Vergote, and Amit M. Oza. “Epithelial Ovarian Cancer.” The Lancet 393, no. 10177 (2019): 1240-1253.

[3].      National Cancer Institute. “Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program.” Cancer Stat Facts: Ovarian Cancer. Accessed 2023. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/ovary.html 

 

CONTACT: Becky Zhang, becky@chancebest.com 

Actinogen announces peer-reviewed clinical pharmacology manuscript for Xanamem (emestedastat) published in Clinical Pharmacology in Drug Development journal

Confirms the utility of the 10 mg daily oral dose of Xanamem being studied in late-stage clinical trials in Alzheimer’s disease and major depressive disorder 

SYDNEY, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Actinogen Medical Limited (ASX: ACW) announces that the publication of its most recent peer-reviewed journal article entitled Clinical Pharmacology and Approach to Dose Selection of Emestedastat, a Novel Tissue Cortisol Synthesis Inhibitor for the Treatment of Central Nervous System Disease in Clinical Pharmacology in Drug Development, the journal associated with the American College of Clinical Pharmacology.

The review confirms the utility of the 10 mg daily dose of Xanamem® being used in current clinical trials. From a drug development perspective, it demonstrates the value of using central pharmacodynamics (PD), including positron emission tomography (PET) and computerized cognitive testing, to supplement pharmacokinetic (PK) and endocrine-based PD for determining the target dose range for clinical efficacy testing.

Earlier PK modeling suggested that 20 mg daily would be optimal to maintain cerebrospinal fluid concentrations above the brain half maximal inhibitory concentration. However, subsequent PET scanning suggested that Xanamem doses of 10 mg or even 5 mg daily may be sufficient to adequately inhibit its 11β-HSD1 enzyme target. With once-daily doses of 5-20 mg in cognitively normal, older volunteers, a consistent pattern of pro-cognitive benefit, without dose-response, was seen as improvement in attention and working memory but not episodic memory. Taken in combination, this confirms that the target dose range for Xanamem therapeutic activity is ≤ 10 mg daily and not higher.

The journal article can be accessed here.

Dr Dana Hilt, Actinogen’s Chief Medical Officer, said:

“The detailed and thorough drug development steps taken by Actinogen to confirm the target dose range of ≤ 10 mg daily demonstrate the value of careful and stepwise clinical pharmacology testing and use of measures of direct brain effects.”

“Paired with the positive effects on depressive symptoms seen in the XanaCIDD phase 2a trial with a 10 mg dose, we have full confidence in the design and 10 mg dose being used in our current XanaMIA phase 2b/3 Alzheimer’s trial.” 

About Actinogen Medical

Actinogen Medical (ACW) is an ASX-listed, biotechnology company developing a novel therapy for neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases associated with dysregulated brain cortisol. There is a strong association between cortisol and detrimental changes in the brain, affecting cognitive function, harm to brain cells and long-term cognitive health.

Cognitive function means how a person understands, remembers and thinks clearly. Cognitive functions include memory, attention, reasoning, awareness and decision-making.

Actinogen is currently developing its lead compound, Xanamem, as a promising new therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease and Depression and hopes to study Fragile X Syndrome and other neurological and psychiatric diseases in the future. Reducing cortisol inside brain cells could have a positive impact in these and many other diseases. The cognitive dysfunction, behavioural abnormalities, and neuropsychological burden associated with these conditions is debilitating for patients, and there is a substantial unmet medical need for new and improved treatments.

Clinical Trials

The XanaMIA Phase 2b/3 Alzheimer’s disease trial is a double-blind, 36-week treatment, placebo-controlled, parallel group design trial in 220 patients with mild to moderate AD and progressive disease, determined by clinical criteria and confirmed by an elevated level of the pTau181 protein biomarker in blood. Patients receive Xanamem 10 mg or placebo, once daily, and its ability to slow progression of Alzheimer’s disease is assessed with a variety of endpoints. The primary endpoint of the trial is the internationally-recognized CDR-SB (Clinical Dementia Rating scale – Sum of Boxes). The trial is being conducted in Australia and the US. Initial results from an interim analysis of the first 100 participants are anticipated in Q4 2025 and final results H2 2026.

The XanaCIDD Phase 2a depression trial was a double-blind, six-week proof-of-concept, placebo-controlled, parallel group design trial in 167 patients with moderate, treatment-resistant depression and a degree of baseline cognitive impairment. Participants were evenly randomized to receive Xanamem 10 mg once daily or placebo, in most cases in addition to their existing antidepressant therapy, and effects on cognition and depression were assessed. Trial results were reported in August 2024 and showed clinically and statistically significant benefits on depression symptoms with positive effects on the MADRS scale (a validated scale of depression symptom measurement) and the PGI-S (a valid patient reported assessment of depression severity).

About Xanamem (emestedastat)

Xanamem’s novel mechanism of action is to control the level of cortisol in the brain through the inhibition of the cortisol synthesis enzyme, 11β-HSD1, without affecting production of cortisol by the adrenal glands. Xanamem is a first-in-class, once-a-day pill designed to deliver high levels of cortisol control in the brain.

Chronically elevated cortisol is associated with progression in Alzheimer’s Disease and excess cortisol is known to be toxic to brain cells. Cortisol itself is also associated with depressive symptoms and when targeted via other mechanisms has shown some promise in prior clinical trials. The recent XanaCIDD trial demonstrated clinically and sometimes statistically significant benefits on depressive symptoms.

The Company has studied 11β-HSD1 inhibition by Xanamem in approximately 400 volunteers and patients in eight clinical trials. Xanamem has a promising safety profile and has demonstrated clinical activity in patients with depression, patients with biomarker-positive Alzheimer’s disease and cognitively normal volunteers. High levels of target engagement in the brain with doses as low as 5 mg daily have been demonstrated in a human PET imaging study.

Xanamem is an investigational product and is not approved for use outside of a clinical trial by the FDA or by any global regulatory authority. Xanamem® is a trademark of Actinogen Medical.

Disclaimer

This announcement and attachments may contain certain “forward-looking statements” that are not historical facts; are based on subjective estimates, assumptions and qualifications; and relate to circumstances and events that have not taken place and may not take place. Such forward looking statements should be considered “at-risk statements” – not to be relied upon as they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors (such as significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties / contingencies and regulatory and clinical development risks, future outcomes and uncertainties) that may lead to actual results being materially different from any forward looking statement or the performance expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof. Actinogen Medical does not undertake any obligation to revise such statements to reflect events or any change in circumstances arising after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of or non-occurrence of any future events. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Actinogen Medical does not make any guarantee, representation or warranty as to the likelihood of achievement or reasonableness of any forward-looking statements and there can be no assurance or guarantee that any forward-looking statements will be realised.


® Xanamem is a registered trademark of Actinogen Medical Limited

 

[Herald Interview] Fescaro CTO stresses comprehensive approach to vehicle cybersecurity

SUWON, South Korea, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This is an interview with Fescaro Chief Technology officer Lee Hyun-jung published in The Korea Herald:

Addressing hacking threats to vehicle software programs has become increasingly critical as vehicles evolve into “computers on wheels,” relying more heavily on chips and software.

Lee Hyun-jung, the chief technology officer at mobility software solutions provider Fescaro, emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to ensure robust vehicle cybersecurity.

Based in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Fescaro collaborates with Korean automakers to provide security software that protects vehicles from hacker attacks and information leaks.

“Vehicles are increasingly connected to external environments via software, interacting with urban infrastructure, personal communication devices and even other vehicles, while exchanging information in real time,” said Lee.

The CTO, a former white hat or ethical security hacker, added, “Enhancing cybersecurity for just vehicles will hardly ensure the safety of the entire mobility ecosystem. A flaw in the connected network could spread cyber threats throughout the entire value chain.”

In many countries, including the European Union, China and Korea, automakers can only sell their products if they provide systematic management of vehicle cybersecurity throughout the entire product lifecycle — from design to production and disposal.

“Korean automakers are obtaining European certifications for cybersecurity management systems and software update management systems to enter the regional market and comply with their legislation,” said Lee.

Fescaro has helped multiple Korean companies acquire European qualifications and the ISO/SAE 21434 certification.

ISO/SAE 21434 is an international standard for automotive cybersecurity engineering jointly developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

The SAE is a prominent professional association based in the US, with approximately 128,000 engineers and technical experts primarily involved in the mobility industry.

“(When working with an automaker to obtain CSMS and SUMS), Fescaro formed an IT infrastructure system that integrates all cybersecurity management tasks into a unified platform, automating processes to enhance seamless workflows,” Lee explained.

“The system was also designed to monitor security-related events after the mass production of car models to prevent potential issues and track the effects of vehicle software updates,” Lee added, emphasizing the company’s ability to offer long-term solutions addressing various aspects of vehicle cybersecurity.

As recognition for Fescaro’s contributions to obtaining security certifications, Korean sport utility vehicle maker KG Mobility selected the company as its excellent business partner for 2024.

Lee anticipated that the importance of vehicle cybersecurity would grow even further as electric vehicles and autonomous driving systems become more prevalent.

“Autonomous driving requires a connection to external networks for precise and detailed recognition of the surrounding environment,” said Lee.

“Cybersecurity is also crucial for EV chargers, as they are directly connected to EVs. This connection may allow external networks to access sensitive personal information, such as the vehicle’s identification and payment data.”

To address these concerns, Fescaro’s business portfolio spans future mobility solutions. The company has collaborated with autonomous driving solution providers and EV charger manufacturers.

“There is no perfect mobility cybersecurity system. Therefore, leading businesses must continuously upgrade their cybersecurity systems while also reducing costs. In response to this demand, Fescaro is developing the ‘CSMS Portal,'” said Lee.

The platform, built on Fescaro’s experience working with mobility companies, offers streamlined and automated cybersecurity maintenance solutions. It aims to facilitate continuous monitoring and updates of companies’ cybersecurity status with ease.

“We plan to launch the portal in the first half of 2025. We hope to contribute to solving the challenges facing the mobility industry and enhance future competitiveness,” Lee said.

HKMU receives precious manuscripts and relics from Eileen Chang, Stephen Soong and Mae Fong Soong; Literary treasures to be digitally preserved to promote modern Chinese literature research

HONG KONG, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This year marks the 30th anniversary of the passing of renowned Chinese writer Eileen Chang, who has a significant place in the modern Chinese literary world. Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) is honoured to receive a generous donation from Dr Roland Soong and his elder sister, Mrs Elaine Soong Kingman, administrators of Eileen Chang’s estate, which includes Eileen Chang’s manuscripts, relics, and correspondence with her best friends, Stephen Soong and his wife, Mae Fong Soong, and others. The collection sheds light on Chang’s creative journey and the influence of the Soong couple on her career development and personal life. It will be the permanently housed at HKMU, providing an invaluable collection of cultural heritage for the literary community and researchers, and further promoting modern Chinese literary research and the innovative development of the digital humanities.

HKMU hosted a ceremony today marking the donation of manuscripts and relics of Eileen Chang, Stephen Soong and Mae Fong Soong, and introducing plans to preserve and promote the donated items through a digital humanities approach. The officiating guests were Dr Roland Soong (5th left) and his elder sister, Mrs Elaine Soong Kingman (5th right), the administrators of Eileen Chang's estate; Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung (4th left), HKMU Council Chairman; and Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing (4th right), HKMU President. (Photo provided by HKMU)
HKMU hosted a ceremony today marking the donation of manuscripts and relics of Eileen Chang, Stephen Soong and Mae Fong Soong, and introducing plans to preserve and promote the donated items through a digital humanities approach. The officiating guests were Dr Roland Soong (5th left) and his elder sister, Mrs Elaine Soong Kingman (5th right), the administrators of Eileen Chang’s estate; Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung (4th left), HKMU Council Chairman; and Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing (4th right), HKMU President. (Photo provided by HKMU)

The donation ceremony held today (12 February) was officiated by Dr Roland Soong, Mrs Elaine Soong Kingman, Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung, HKMU Council Chairman, and Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing, HKMU President. The donation includes thousands of manuscripts and personal items from Eileen Chang and the Soong couple. Selected items from the collection were featured in a preview for guests and media at the event, including some of Eileen Chang’s original manuscripts, her correspondence with the Soong couple and personal photographs. The preview also included letters exchanged between Mr Soong and distinguished Chinese literary scholars and writers, like Qian Zhong-shu (錢鍾書), reflecting Mr Soong’s footprint and contribution to the Chinese cultural realm.

At the ceremony, Dr Soong said that the most important aim for him and his sister, as administrators of the estates of Eileen Chang and their parents, was to ensure the manuscripts and relics of the three will be properly preserved through this donation, for research and literature promotion. “It is rare to find such a significant literary collection of manuscripts and relics of Eileen Chang and my parents in Hong Kong,” he said. “I hope that through HKMU, we can help foster the preservation and inheritance of, and research on, modern literary works, allowing more people to appreciate their works from different perspectives and promoting Chinese literature in Hong Kong and around the world.”

On behalf of HKMU, Ir Dr Wong expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Soong family for their generous donation, which provides valuable resources for the Hong Kong academic and cultural communities and stands as recognition of the University’s commitment to the preservation and research of modern literary works. “The University will cherish and make the best use of these cultural treasures,” he said. “Through research, exhibitions and digital humanities innovations, we aim to allow our faculty, students, the public, researchers and even tourists to experience the charm of these cultural gems up close. It will help enhance the University’s influence in promoting modern Chinese literature and advancing digital humanities innovation in Hong Kong and beyond.”

Prof. Lam thanked the Soong family for their trust in the University, noting that the donation is believed to be the largest collection of Eileen Chang and the Soong couple in the Chinese-speaking world. “HKMU is dedicated to enhancing students’ knowledge and advancing research capacity, and the digital humanities and literature have been one of its strategic research areas,” he said. “This cultural heritage collection housed at HKMU will give new impetus to the University and related literary studies, and help promote interdisciplinary, cross-institutional and cross-regional research to gain deeper insights into modern Chinese literature and foster cultural inheritance.”

To preserve and pass on these precious documents and drive related research, Prof. Charles Kwong Che-leung, HKMU Vice President (Administration and Corporate Development), said that the School of Arts and Social Sciences and the Library have teamed up to build a database of archival documents and digital collections by adopting a digital humanities approach. The Library will also establish two specific sections, namely the “Special Collection of Eileen Chang” and the “Special Collection of Stephen Soong and Mae Fong Soong“. Additionally, an open exhibition is being planned to let the public gain a deeper understanding of the literary works and remarkable achievements of Eileen Chang and the Soongs, as well as Hong Kong’s crucial role in the development of Chinese literature worldwide.

In the sharing session, Dr Rebecca Leung Mo-ling, convenor of the donation programme and Associate Dean (Administration and Development) of the School of Arts and Social Sciences at HKMU, who specialises in Modern Chinese Literature research, talked about the significant role Stephen Soong played in the Chinese cultural field. In addition to being a literary critic, translator and poet with an extensive personal network, he was an indispensable intermediary in the development of Eileen Chang’s writing career. Dr Leung said she hoped the donation and associated promotional activities would inspire more people to explore the world of modern Chinese literature.

Mr Owen Tam Man-lik, University Librarian and another convener of the donation programme, said the collection, preservation, digitisation and promotion of the donated items represent an important step by the HKMU Library to preserve and promote cultural heritage. He hoped the collection would not only enrich the resources of the University Library but also provide valuable academic research materials for scholars worldwide and benefit the public interested in modern Chinese literature and the works of Eileen Chang and the Soong couple.

Please click on the following link to visit the HKMU Modern Chinese Literature Collection:

https://repository.lib.hkmu.edu.hk/mcl/

List of the preview items (Chinese only)

https://www.hkmu.edu.hk/PAO/events/2025/250212_Dr Roland Soong and Mrs Elaine Soong Kingman Donation Ceremony/HKMU donation ceremony_factsheet_exhibited items.pdf

 

IFS named a Leader in two IDC MarketScape 2024-2025 Vendor Assessments: Manufacturing ERP and Remanufacturing Management Software

LONDON, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — IFS, the leading enterprise cloud and Industrial AI software provider, announces that it has been positioned as a Leader in two IDC MarketScape reports: the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide SaaS and Cloud-Enabled Manufacturing ERP Applications 2024–2025 Vendor Assessment (doc #US51752524, December 2024), and the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Remanufacturing Management Software 2024 Vendor Assessment (doc #US51036724, September 2024).  

The IDC MarketScape report for Worldwide SaaS and Cloud-Enabled Manufacturing ERP Applications noted, “IFS is focused on six industries (and their subindustries) and has the technology and capabilities (i.e., industry-specific next-gen capabilities) to cater to their unique needs. It includes standard industry-specific dashboards with a line-of-business (LOB) process flow.”  

Similarly, the IDC MarketScape report for Worldwide Remanufacturing Management Software evaluates vendors based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including product capabilities, go-to-market strategy, and business execution. The report for remanufacturing management software noted, “If you are looking for a comprehensive remanufacturing suite that addresses cost and operations management while being fully embedded within IFS’ cloud manufacturing offering, consider working with IFS. Consider IFS if you are looking for a solution that is being continuously developed and enhanced with features to keep up with market requirements.”  

Max Roberts, Chief Operations Officer at IFS, said: “IFS is deeply proud of our industry focused approach to technology and Industrial AI innovation. We believe it is critical to continue to invest in developing innovative and flexible solutions that meet the evolving needs of the manufacturing industry, enabling efficiency and success in their end-to-end operations.” 

The IDC MarketScape reports evaluate vendors based on a rigorous scoring methodology that includes both qualitative and quantitative criteria.  

Contact Information
EMEA / APJ: Adam Gillbe 
IFS, Director of Corporate & Executive Communications 
Email: adam.gillbe@ifs.com 

NORTH AMERICA / LATAM: Mairi Morgan 
IFS, Director of Corporate & Executive Communications 
Email: mairi.morgan@ifs.com

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

 

Over 50% Indonesian consumers plan to increase shopping budgets this Ramadan: Glance report

‘Ramadan 2025 at a Glance’ report provides marketers actionable consumer insights to craft winning strategies during Ramadan

Report Highlights:

  • 1 in 2 shoppers to spend more than Rp 3 million this Ramadan, with 22% expecting to spend over Rp 5 million.
  • Cross-channel shopping journeys set to gain popularity, with online discovery leading the way.
  • Glance smart lock screen witnessed a 30% increase in time spent and 23% rise in engagement rates during Ramadan.

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ramadan, a holy month for millions of Indonesian people, culminates in a time of considerable cultural and consumer activity. Glance, the world’s leading smart lock screen platform, released its ‘Ramadan 2025 at a Glance’ report today, offering marketers key actionable user insights and winning strategies for the season. The findings reflect how Glance, with a user base of 30 million in Indonesia, has successfully disrupted evolving content consumption trends in the country, especially during Ramadan.

Bikash Chowdhury, Chief Marketing Officer at InMobi and Glance, and Vasuta Agarwal, Chief Business Officer, Consumer and Performance Advertising, InMobi
Bikash Chowdhury, Chief Marketing Officer at InMobi and Glance, and Vasuta Agarwal, Chief Business Officer, Consumer and Performance Advertising, InMobi

This report, based on consumer behaviour on Glance during last year’s Ramadan period (11th March to 10th April 2024), highlights diverse user interests. Content around Mudik resonated deeply with Indonesian users and saw a staggering 917.5 million glances and 27 million taps. Ramadan recipes were a huge hit, as families prepared for Suhoor and Iftar, generating an impressive 380 million glances and 7 million taps. The fervour extended to users discovering stories around Eid traditions, with 185.6 million glances and 4.3 million taps, emphasizing the richness of shared heritage. Gaming recorded 37.9 million gameplays from consumers, who also spent 298 million hours watching video content. Fashion and health-related topics also captured significant user interest.

As per the report, user activity peaked on the Glance smart lock screen platform primarily during the daytime before Iftaar, as users dedicated significant time to their mobile phones before breaking their fast. This period saw a surge in time spent on gaming (leading with almost 65% users), OTT and streaming services, and religious apps, particularly.

Bikash Chowdhury, Chief Marketing Officer at InMobi and Glance, stated, “Indonesian consumers are at the forefront of the digital revolution and among the most active mobile internet users in the Asia–Pacific region. They have made ‘glancing’ a massive phenomenon in the country, engaging with content across entertainment, gaming, and trends, while brand marketers tap into this behaviour to connect meaningfully with their audiences. We are excited to see Glance’s growth story continue to unfold in Indonesia in the coming years.”

Top findings at a glance: 

298.6 million hours spent on video

Mudik related content had 917.5 million glances, 27 million taps 

Clothing and accessories were the leading shopping category

Top 3 apps: Gaming, OTT/streaming, religious 

3 in 5 consumers shopped on mobile at least once a week 

Additionally, the results of a survey conducted on Glance users between 13th and 23rd December 2024 revealed fascinating insights into consumer plans and preferences around shopping during Ramadan. More than half of Glance users reported an increase in their budgets this Ramadan, with 50% of shoppers expecting to spend over Rp 3 million and 22% anticipating expenditures above Rp 5 million. The report also highlights that nearly 58% of Indonesian shoppers prefer to complete their Ramadan shopping four weeks before the holy month begins.

Big ticket items like jewelry didn’t feature on top of the shopping list of Indonesian consumers. Instead, purchase patterns appeared to be more personal and meaningful, reflecting the mood of festive celebration. Clothing and accessories were the top category in both online and offline formats, at 66% and 61%, respectively. Confectionery gifting was also a popular choice across both the channels. Additionally, online shoppers showed a preference for home appliances (38%), beauty products (34%), and gadgets (34%). The offline shoppers prioritized groceries for home-cooked meals (53%), home décor (44%), and DIY hobbies (41%).

“Glance has profoundly impacted how Indonesian consumers engage with content during Ramadan, where the platform saw a 30% increase in time spent and a 23% rise in engagement rates. This transformative shift presents marketers with an extraordinary opportunity to connect with an active audience building brand salience through tailored communication during this important period,” said Vasuta Agarwal, Chief Business Officer, Consumer and Performance Advertising, InMobi.

Glance is an AI-driven platform providing diverse, serendipitous experiences directly on the lock screens of Android smartphones, including games, news, sports, fashion, entertainment, shopping, and more. Partnering with reputed publishers, developers and content providers, Glance delivers personalized, relevant content without requiring users to unlock their phones, search or download multiple apps. Marketers can use Glance as a platform during Ramadan to engage these consumers with one-tap journeys, AI-powered targeting, and immersive experiences accessible from the smart lock screen.

Access the entire report here: https://glance.com/advertising/insights/ramadan-marketing-guide-2025-indonesia#landing-tile

*Glances – Number of times the Glance card was seen

About Glance

Founded in 2019, Glance is a consumer technology company that operates some of the most disruptive digital platforms, including Glance, Roposo, and Nostra. Glance has redefined the way internet is consumed on the lock screen, removing the need for searching and downloading apps. Over 450 million smartphones now come enabled with Glance’s next-generation internet experience. Roposo has revolutionized commerce by launching a destination for creator-led live entertainment commerce. Headquartered in Singapore, Glance is an unconsolidated subsidiary of InMobi Group and is funded by Jio Platforms, Google, and Mithril Capital. For more information visit glance.com, roposo.com and inmobi.com

 

FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE UNVEILS 2025 STAR AWARDS

Winners Deliver Authentic Experiences, Enhanced Well-Being and Unforgettable Moments

~

FTG Becomes the First Rating System to Honor Cruise Ship Restaurants

ATLANTA, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Forbes Travel Guide (“FTG”)—the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruises—today revealed its 2025 Star Awards. See the full list of honorees on ForbesTravelGuide.com.

Forbes Travel Guide
Forbes Travel Guide

The 67th annual list spans more than 2,100 properties in 90 countries. It features 336 Five-Star, 645 Four-Star and 567 Recommended hotels; 79 Five-Star, 128 Four-Star and 64 Recommended restaurants; 124 Five-Star and 224 Four-Star spas; seven Four-Star and seven Recommended cruise ships; and three Four-Star and three Recommended cruise ship restaurants—a new rating accolade.

The ratings expanded into new destinations, including Brunei; Costa Navarino, Greece; Finland; Haikou, Xiamen and Xi’an, China; Kazakhstan; Malaga, Spain; Montenegro; Oualidia and Tamuda Bay, Morocco; Phu Quoc, Vietnam; Romania; and Salzburg, Austria.

FTG’s inaugural cruise restaurant ratings feature Celebrity (Apex and Ascent’s Fine Cut Steakhouse), The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (Evrima’s S.E.A.), SeaDream Yacht Club (SeaDream II’s Dining Room), Silversea (Silver Origin’s The Grill) and Windstar (Star Pride’s Candles).

Some key trends from FTG’s inspections:

  • The boundaries of luxury expand. Hotels are embracing an increasingly adventurous luxury clientele exploring less-traveled locales, as evidenced by new destinations on the 2025 list. Authenticity is key; inspectors noted a sense of place created not only by décor and cuisine, but also through the thoughtful integration of local customs and history.
     
  • Hotels pave the way to wellness. Health-focused experiences and the demand to feel well after your trip are priorities for today’s traveler. FTG data show this trend holding strong among Five-Stars and expanding notably among Four-Star and Recommended properties.
     
  • Luxury collaborations up the ante. Hotels are partnering with ultra-luxury brands in creative ways to enhance the guest experience. Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, for example, collaborated with Louis Vuitton on a property-wide art installation celebrating the Five-Star hotel’s first anniversary.

Geographic highlights of the 2025 Awards:

  • For the third straight year, Macau holds strong as the destination with the most Five-Star hotels (24), adding Epic Tower at Studio City Macau and Raffles at Galaxy Macau, as well as seven new Five-Star restaurants: Aurora (Altira Macau), Chef Tam’s Seasons (Wynn Palace), Don Alfonso 1890 (Palazzo Versace Macau), The Huaiyang Garden (The Londoner Hotel), Mesa by José Avillez (The Karl Lagerfeld), Yamazato Macau (Hotel Okura Macau) and Zuicho (Grand Lisboa Palace Macau).
     
  • The U.S. gained new Five-Stars in Arizona (The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, A Luxury Collection Resort), California (The Maybourne Beverly Hills and Olivella restaurant at Ojai Valley Inn) and Montana (RiverView Ranch and Spa Montage Big Sky).
     
  • Europe had a strong showing, with new Five-Stars in Azerbaijan (Four Seasons Hotel Baku), France (Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel), Greece (Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino), Italy (Castelfalfi), Spain (Rosewood Villa Magna) and the U.K. (The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, London and Raffles London at The OWO).
     
  • China is roaring back. In addition to Macau winners, China added Five-Stars in Guangzhou (Rosewood Guangzhou) and Hong Kong (The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong).
     
  • Elsewhere in Asia, new Five-Star hotels arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam (Capella Hanoi), and Singapore (The Paiza Collection at Marina Bay Sands).
  • New Five-Star hotels also came to the Middle East (One&Only Royal Mirage – The Residence in Dubai and The St. Regis Abu Dhabi) and Africa (Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island).

“Forbes Travel Guide’s Star Award winners exemplify excellence in hospitality,” says Amanda Frasier, FTG’s President of Standards & Ratings. “This year’s list reflects the changing landscape of luxury with properties setting the standard for authentic experiences, unparalleled amenities, enhanced well-being and the delivery of unforgettable moments. We are thrilled to recognize their dedication to creating world-class experiences for today’s discerning guest.”

For images, click here.

Learn how FTG compiles its Star Ratings here.

View the complete list of 2025 winners here.

Connect with FTG: 
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Facebook: www.facebook.com/ForbesTravelGuide

About FTG: 
Forbes Travel Guide is the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruises and their restaurants. Our anonymous inspectors evaluate hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, to help discerning travelers select the world’s best experiences. The only way to get a Five-Star, Four-Star or Recommended rating is by earning it through our exacting inspection process. Visit us at ForbesTravelGuide.com.

Altair Announces Future.Industry 2025 Global Event

Virtual event will bring together thought leaders, industry experts, and visionaries to explore how technology is transforming the ways we live, work, and beyond

TROY, Mich., Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Altair (Nasdaq: ALTR), a global leader in computational intelligence, is pleased to announce Future.Industry 2025, the company’s flagship annual event, which will take place virtually on March 5-6. Attendees will hear from premier organizations such as NVIDIA, Microsoft, AMD, the University of Nottingham, Accenture, and more, along with Altair experts and executives as they discuss today’s biggest trends in simulation, high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and academia.

Altair’s annual flagship event Future.Industry 2025, will take place virtually on March 5-6.
Altair’s annual flagship event Future.Industry 2025, will take place virtually on March 5-6.

“The pace of innovation in computational intelligence has never been faster. Future.Industry is where leaders of all specialties and industries can explore, discuss, and make sense of the changes and technologies shaping our world,” said James R. Scapa, founder and chief executive officer, Altair. “No matter what you specialize in or what your skill set is, Future.Industry has presentations and demonstrations that will give you the insight you need to drive innovation.”

Featured speakers at this year’s event include:

  • Samantha Simmonds, journalist and broadcaster, On Air With BBC News
  • Bill Magro, director and chief technologist, high-performance computing, Google
  • Sandy Carter, senior vice president and channel chief, Unstoppable Domains
  • Rowan Curran, senior analyst, Forrester
  • Monica Schnitger, industry analyst and principal, Schnitger Corp.
  • Cyril Francois, executive vice president global sales officer, financial services, Capgemini
  • Douglas Eadline, managing editor, HPCWire
  • Matt Jones, founder and chief executive officer, Veramed

The event is geared toward audiences of all levels and disciplines and will offer high-level content as well as specialized industry- and topic-specific presentations and panels. Day 1 and the first portion of Day 2 will feature a unified main session, while the latter portion of Day 2 will feature four parallel tracks:

  • Track 1: Design and Simulate Without Boundaries – Engineering Meets AI
  • Track 2: Accelerating AI Adoption for the Enterprise
  • Track 3: HPC for Every Challenge – Any Workload, Any Scale, Anywhere
  • Track 4: Shaping Tomorrow’s Innovators – Real-World Readiness for Engineering and Data Science Students

Future.Industry 2025 will take place in three time zones covering the Americas, EMEA, and APAC regions, and will feature live audio translations into eight languages.

To learn more about Future.Industry 2025 and to register for the event, visit https://events.altair.com/future-industry-2025/.

About Altair

Altair is a global leader in computational intelligence that provides software and cloud solutions in simulation, high-performance computing (HPC), data analytics, and AI. Altair enables organizations across all industries to compete more effectively and drive smarter decisions in an increasingly connected world – all while creating a greener, more sustainable future. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com.

Media contacts

Altair Corporate

Altair Investor Relations

Bridget Hagan  

Stephen Palmtag

+1.216.769.2658

+1.669.328.9111

corp-newsroom@altair.com

ir@altair.com

Altair Europe/The Middle East/Africa

Altair Asia-Pacific

Louise Wilce  

Man Wang

+44 (0)7392 437 635

86-21-5016635,,825

emea-newsroom@altair.com

apac-newsroom@altair.com