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Saudi Arabia’s Largest Cultural Group Officially Launches in Riyadh

Seven Companies and Twenty Brands Unite to Accelerate Private Sector’s Role in Achieving Saudi Vision 2030 Cultural Goals

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a landmark moment for the Kingdom’s cultural and creative industries, the Cultural Assets Group has officially launched as Saudi Arabia’s largest cultural consortium. Headquartered in Riyadh, with strategic offices in AlUla, Jeddah, London, Paris, and Unaizah, the group consolidates seven leading companies and over twenty innovative brands, including Backyard Symphony, Knowliom, Knowliom Museum Studio, Sign, Haal, Operal and Backyard Immersions, under a unified platform, to accelerate the development of private sector enterprises operating in the cultural domain.

This strategic formation is in direct response to Saudi Vision 2030, which clearly articulated ambitious goals for the cultural creative economy, establishing robust government initiatives that laid the groundwork for substantial private sector investment. Cultural Assets Group leverages this momentum, becoming a critical engine and a catalyst for sector growth, investment attraction, and innovation, aligning seamlessly with the Kingdom’s vision for cultural and economic transformation.

Chairman Abdullah Khalid Al Zamil emphasized the significance of this step: “Our vision at Cultural Assets Group aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s ambitious objectives, where culture acts as a catalyst for innovation and sustainable economic development. We are committed to building a future rooted in authenticity and driven by excellence, leaving a lasting impact across the global cultural ecosystem.”

With a dedicated workforce of over 250 specialized professionals, including a nearly even gender split of 51% male and 49% female, Cultural Assets Group boasts comprehensive expertise, including museum design and construction, destination development, cultural events and exhibitions, experience design, community engagement, activation programs, interactive visual production, marketing and communications, and cultural retail. The group collaborates closely with leading national stakeholders such as the Ministry of Culture, Royal Commission for AlUla, Diriyah Gate Development Authority, ROSHN, and Mohammed Bin Salman Foundation (Misk), providing robust capabilities to deliver high-impact projects of national significance. Cultural Assets Group’s launch coincides with the exponential growth of Saudi Arabia’s cultural and tourism sectors, as Saudi Arabia’s cultural and creative industries are expected to contribute approximately $47.9 billion to the GDP by 2030. It is strategically positioned to enhance the Kingdom’s global cultural visibility, empower local creative talent, and drive sustainable growth within the sector, aligning closely with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives. 

“Cultural Assets Group represents a unified, purpose-driven platform committed to advancing the Kingdom’s cultural priorities,” said CEO Abdulaziz AlSulaim. “We exist to grow the sector, back ambitious ideas, and support the scale and sustainability of cultural enterprises. This is more than a business, it’s an engine for empowering transformation, deepening the Saudi cultural identity, and leading through cultural and creative progress.”

The group is poised to offer a compelling developmental model, highlighting Saudi cultural potential globally and underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to cultural excellence and economic diversification through Saudi Vision 2030.

About Cultural Assets Group

Cultural Assets Group is Saudi Arabia’s largest privately-owned cultural enterprise, uniting seven companies and over twenty brands across the cultural and creative industries. Headquartered in Riyadh, with offices in AlUla, Jeddah, Unaizah, London, and Paris, the Group operates at the intersection of culture, innovation, and economic development.

Established in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, Cultural Assets Group is committed to advancing the Kingdom’s cultural renaissance and supporting the growth of the creative economy. The Group offers comprehensive services in museum design and construction, destination development, cultural events and exhibitions, experience design, community engagement, activation programs, interactive visual production, marketing and communications, and cultural retail.

With a team of over 250 specialized professionals, Cultural Assets Group collaborates closely with national stakeholders – including the Ministry of Culture, Royal Commission for AlUla, Diriyah Gate Development Authority, ROSHN, and Misk – to deliver high-impact cultural initiatives.

Cultural Assets Group is dedicated to building an inspiring and sustainable cultural narrative that deepens community connections and transcends time, reflecting the Kingdom’s rich culture and dynamic future.

For Media Enquiries:
Cultural Assets Group
Email: pr@culturalassets.sa
https://www.culturalassets.sa/en
Online Media Resources: 
https://www.culturalassets.sa/en/media-center-page#Visual-identity-sec

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pulQ5PeECUs

Saudi Arabia’s Largest Cultural Group Officially Launches in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia’s Largest Cultural Group Officially Launches in Riyadh

 

OTELIER ANNOUNCES NEW ALLIANCE PARTNERSHIP WITH PREFERRED HOTELS & RESORTS, THE WORLD’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT HOTEL BRAND

Otelier becomes the latest addition to Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Alliance Partner Program, providing turnkey solutions to its global portfolio of independent luxury properties

BETHESDA, Md., May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Otelier today announced its new affiliation with Preferred Hotels & Resorts as the latest addition to the brand’s Alliance Partner Program. This partnership solidifies Otelier’s position as a recommended provider of business intelligence solutions for Preferred Hotels & Resorts member properties across the globe.  

Preferred Hotels & Resorts is renowned for its dedication to offering guests authentic, one-of-a-kind experiences across its global portfolio of independent hotels and resorts. By aligning with Otelier, Preferred Hotels & Resorts further solidifies its mission to provide best-in-class services and resources to its member properties.

“We’re proud to join forces with Preferred Hotels & Resorts and support this remarkable portfolio of iconic properties around the world,” said Otelier CEO Rob Lawrence. “By helping hoteliers centralize their data and unlock a 360-degree view of their business, we’re empowering teams to move beyond spreadsheets and focus on what this group does best: delivering exceptional guest experiences.”

Now available to Preferred Hotels & Resorts members, Otelier’s business intelligence solution, IntelliSight, empowers hotel operators to make smarter, faster, and more profitable decisions across their entire property. With data centralized from all revenue-generating outlets – including F&B, spa, golf, retail, ticketing, parking, and more – IntelliSight provides a unified view of operational and financial performance. Visual dashboards and charts replace manual spreadsheets, giving operators the insights they need to spot trends, identify opportunities, and act with confidence.

Designed specifically for full-service hotels and luxury resorts, IntelliSight bridges the gap between commercial and financial data, enabling teams to understand profitability in real time and at a granular level. It helps hotel teams streamline operations and spend more time focused on delivering world-class guest experiences.

Representing more than 600 luxury hotels, resorts, residences, and unique hotel groups in over 80 countries, Preferred Hotels & Resorts brings strategic advantage to hotel owners, operators, and management companies through brand prestige and global operating scale, supporting the goals of its member hotels by providing strategic sales, integrated marketing solutions, comprehensive revenue management, global connectivity through reservations services, progressive distribution technology, and solutions-focused products and services from trusted partners through its Alliance Partner Program.

For more information about Otelier and its offerings, please visit otelier.io. For more information on Preferred Hotels & Resorts Alliance Partner Program, visit Preferredhotels.com/Alliance-Partner.

About Otelier

Otelier is a hospitality data platform powering the future of hotel operations. Serving more than 10,000 hotels worldwide, Otelier provides the industry’s most comprehensive platform to help hotel owners and operators automate back-office processes and unlock a 360- degree view of their businesses. With more than 30 years of experience building solutions for the world’s leading hotel groups, Otelier is trusted by hotels of all sizes — from individual properties to hotel management groups to global brands – for real-time visibility into financial and operational performance. Learn more at otelier.io.

 

Traveloka Strengthens B2B Travel Tech Presence at ATM Dubai 2025

DUBAI, UAE, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Traveloka, Southeast Asia’s leading all-in-one travel platform, made a powerful impression at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai, unveiling its Traveloka Partners Network (TPN), a next-generation suite of B2B-ready solutions designed for affiliates, online travel agencies (OTAs), wholesalers, and businesses seeking access to Southeast Asia’s booming travel market. 

From Left to Right: Tejveer Bedi – VP, Traveloka Partners Network; Tarique Khatri - Chief Commercial Officer, Almosafer (Part of Seera Group); Wakas Munawar – Director, B2B Sales, Almosafer (part of Seera Group); Dearigania - Head of Account Management, Traveloka Partners Network; Dicky Andriansyah - Traveloka Third Party Supply.
From Left to Right: Tejveer Bedi – VP, Traveloka Partners Network; Tarique Khatri – Chief Commercial Officer, Almosafer (Part of Seera Group); Wakas Munawar – Director, B2B Sales, Almosafer (part of Seera Group); Dearigania – Head of Account Management, Traveloka Partners Network; Dicky Andriansyah – Traveloka Third Party Supply.

The four-day event saw more than 55,000 industry professionals from 166 countries, reflecting growing demand for smarter, tech-powered solutions that offer seamless access to Southeast Asia’s fast-growing travel market. 

Tejveer Bedi, Vice President at Traveloka Partners Network, says, “The Asia Pacific region consists of fast-growing travel markets with growing demand from the Middle East, China, India and the Americas. With TPN, we’re giving our B2B partners the tools they need to scale faster, serve smarter, and unlock new cross-border opportunities as demand for travel surges across these locations. I’m also excited about our upcoming partnership with Almosafer, which was catalyzed by our productive meeting at Arabian Travel Market — a clear example of how regional collaboration can drive global growth.”

TPN integrates a powerful combination of accommodations, flights, and travel activities under one simplified platform. By combining technological innovation with its understanding of regional consumer behavior, TPN enables partners globally to unlock a new dimension of travel experiences for their customers. 

It offers direct connectivity to Traveloka’s extensive inventory, real-time analytics, and flexible integration options, ranging from APIs to Redirection and MiniApp Services. It also features advanced solutions like Seamless API Integration, 360 Insights, and Dynamic Pricing, enabling partners to streamline operations, gain market insights, and unlock new revenue without in-house development.

Mr. Tarique Khatri, Chief Commercial Officer at Almosafer (part of Seera Group), commented, “As Saudi Arabia’s leading travel company, we are excited to partner with Traveloka Partners Network. This collaboration enables us to offer our customers an even broader range of travel experiences across Asia Pacific, combining Almosafer’s deep local expertise in the Middle East with Traveloka’s strong regional inventory and capabilities. As part of this partnership, Almosafer will provide Traveloka products and services to its vast base of B2B & B2C partners and customers in KSA and beyond, whilst our destination management company, Discover Saudi, will respectively distribute Saudi hotel offerings and other products to Traveloka and its customer base.” 

As cross-border travel demand surges across the Gulf and Indian subcontinent as well as Southeast Asia, Traveloka’s participation at ATM underscores its strategic commitment to building cross-border B2B partnerships that drive mutual growth.

Photo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/traveloka_almosafer_pr.jpg

USA Wealth Report 2025: America Tops Global Wealth Growth — But the Wealthy Eye Opportunities Abroad

NEW YORK, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Despite a turbulent start to 2025, the US continues to stand as the world’s foremost private wealth hub. Home to over six million high-net-worth individuals with investable wealth of USD 1 million or more, the country commands an extraordinary 34% of global liquid wealth and houses 37% of the world’s millionaire population. And this wealth dominance extends across all brackets, with 36% of the world’s centi-millionaires (those with USD +100 million) and 33% of its billionaires residing in the US, according to the USA Wealth Report 2025, published by international wealth and investment migration specialists Henley & Partners.

While the US remains one of the top destinations for global wealth migration, an increasing number of affluent Americans are actively seeking alternative residence and citizenship options abroad. So far in 2025, US citizens account for over 30% of all investment migration applications submitted through Henley & Partners — nearly double the combined total of the next five investor nationalities, which include Turkish, Indian, and, British.

“We’re seeing a new level of sophistication in how wealthy Americans manage and diversify their assets,” says Basil Mohr-Elzeki, Managing Partner at Henley & Partners North America. “Pursuing alternative residences and citizenships is smart risk management. Investment migration offers a strategic ‘Plan B’, enhancing resilience, expanding opportunity, and securing legacy across borders.”

Benchmarking US wealth

Over the past 10 years, the US has surged ahead in wealth generation. From 2014 to 2024, the country’s millionaire population grew by 78%, slightly outpacing China’s 74%, and significantly exceeding growth in other nations. Top of the W10 (the 10 wealthiest countries in the world when ranked by resident millionaires), America now boasts approximately 6,041,600 millionaires, 10,800 centi-millionaires, and over 850 billionaires. China follows with around 827,900 millionaires, 2,250 centi-millionaires, and about 280 billionaires, significantly trailing when it comes to private wealth numbers despite its rapid growth.

In contrast, other major W10 economies have shown markedly slower growth. Germany’s millionaire population increased by just 10% over the past decade, Japan’s by 5%, and, notably, the UK’s shrank by -9%, suggesting significant millionaire flight and economic stagnation. Australia (+30%), Switzerland (+28%), Canada (+26%), and Italy (+20%) performed better, although they all lag far behind the US in absolute millionaire numbers and wealth growth rates.

Inside America’s wealthiest cities

The report highlights the continued dominance of traditional American wealth hubs alongside the rapid ascent of emerging urban centers. New York City remains the wealthiest in the US (and the world), with 384,500 millionaires, including 818 centi-millionaires and 66 billionaires. The Bay Area follows closely with 342,400 millionaires, including 756 centi-millionaires and the nation’s highest concentration of billionaires at 82. Over the past decade, the Bay Area’s millionaire population surged by 98% — the highest wealth growth among America’s Top 10 Wealthiest Cities.

Scottsdale has emerged as the fastest growing wealth hub in the US by millionaire population, with a remarkable 125% increase between 2014 and 2024, primarily driven by its rapidly expanding tech sector.

Commenting in the report, Prof. Peter J. Spiro, of Temple University Law School, observes that “as Donald Trump’s second term unfolds with historic unpredictability, more Americans are confronting a stark reality: US citizenship alone no longer feels like a sufficient safeguard. Dual citizenship, once a luxury, is becoming the new American dream. In an era of rising uncertainty, many are seeking not just the right to stay, but the right to leave.”

Read the Full Press Release

New Research Reveals Marketing Leaders See Strong Potential in gTLDs Despite Knowledge Gap

Global survey finds 92% of marketers recognize opportunities delivered by generic top-level domains, but cost and awareness barriers remain ahead of 2026 application window

LOS ANGELES, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A new global survey from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) reveals that 52% of marketing leaders believe generic top-level domains (gTLDs – the three characters or more that come after the dot in a URL) have strong potential for enhancing brand presence online; however, a knowledge gap is preventing many brands from taking advantage of the opportunities that a gTLD can bring.     

The research surveyed over 2,000 marketing leaders across eight countries (Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, U.K., and U.S.) with the purpose of creating a picture of the evolving digital marketing landscape and understanding the levels of awareness around gTLDs. It comes as ICANN prepares to open the next application window for new gTLDs in April 2026 – the New gTLD Program: Next Round – the first opportunity in more than a decade for organizations to apply to operate their own gTLD.

Top-level domains are the letters found at the end of an Internet address (with gTLDs including .ceo, .charity, .menu, and .paris). Brands can apply to run their own gTLD as a way to indicate the purpose of their organization or to clearly mark a website as being related to their brand. The research shows that increasing brand awareness and visibility is the top priority for marketing leaders (54%) and that over half believe that gTLDs have strong potential for enhancing brand presence online. However, the research also shows that almost a third (32%) of marketing leaders surveyed are unfamiliar with gTLDs, which suggests that operating a new gTLD may be a strategic opportunity that many organizations are currently overlooking.

Key findings from the research include:

  • After defining a gTLD, 92% of marketing leaders responded that they could see the potential benefits to gTLDs, with enhanced brand differentiation (46%), improved customer trust (45%), better control over online presence (44%), and improved SEO (44%) topping the list.
  • 19% of marketing leaders work for organizations that have previously applied for a gTLD.
  • Cost concerns (31%), knowledge gaps (27%), and insufficient resources (24%) were identified as the main barriers to application.
  • The research revealed notable regional variations, with Nigerian (74%) and Indian (61%) marketing leaders showing the strongest belief in gTLDs’ potential for branding and online presence. In contrast, marketers in China expressed more mixed views, with 50% seeing strong potential but 49% considering gTLDs an unnecessary investment with unclear Return On Investment.

The findings come at a time when marketing leaders are facing significant challenges in standing out from competitors (53%), attracting and engaging the right audience (52%), and keeping pace with digital trends (47%).

A new gTLD can be an innovative tool for commerce and communication. They allow businesses in specific countries, sectors, or niche markets to create an exclusive, descriptive, and memorable label on the Internet. An entity operating a gTLD can provide its users and customers with an extra measure of confidence in its security and legitimacy online. This can be valuable in today’s environment, where users often don’t know whether they can trust the source on the Internet.

Theresa Swinehart, SVP, Global Domains & Strategy said: “The New gTLD Program: Next Round presents an opportunity for businesses, communities, governments, and others to apply to operate their own secure space online, tailored to fit their organization, community, culture, language, and customer interests. Now is also the moment for brands to consider applying for a gTLD, and this research tells us there is still a lack of awareness. ICANN can help provide information and raise awareness of the Next Round and the opportunity it presents for global communities, organizations, and businesses, including brands.”

To help address the knowledge gap, ICANN is developing resources to help organizations understand the application process and potential opportunities for gTLDs ahead of the 2026 application window. ICANN also offers the Applicant Support Program (ASP), which provides financial and non-financial assistance to eligible applicants.     

The full report, “Understanding the gTLD Opportunity for Brands,” is available at https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/sites/default/files/documents/understanding-gtld-opportunity-brands-20may25-en.pdf. For more information on the New gTLD Program visit https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/en.

About ICANN
ICANN’s mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world.

About the survey
This research was carried out by Focaldata on behalf of ICANN, with fieldwork conducted in March 2025. 2,000 marketing decision makers were surveyed, including Marketing Managers/Directors, CMOs, Heads of Marketing and other marketing-related roles. The research gathered a global perspective, including marketing decision makers across Brazil (161), China (165), India (350), Mexico (170), Nigeria (351), South Africa (156), U.K. (364), and U.S. (353).

New gTLD Program: Next Round
New gTLD Program: Next Round

Nearmap to Acquire itel, Creating a Comprehensive Property Intelligence Platform Bridging Insurance Underwriting and Claims

Combination of complementary data and software solutions transforms property insurance from first notice of loss to settlement

SALT LAKE CITY, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Nearmap, a leading property intelligence provider, today announced it is acquiring itel, an independent provider of critical property claims solutions including building material pricing and repair-versus-replace analysis. This strategic move unites two highly complementary and trusted brands in the insurance ecosystem that carriers rely on as the source of truth and certainty. Both companies have a shared passion and proven history of creating a more seamless experience for customers. Together, itel and Nearmap will provide customers and partners with a single, independent source of underwriting and claims insights across property portfolios, delivering value through faster claims processing, smarter claims settlement decisions, proactive risk mitigation, and defensible outcomes. From imagery to insights to answers, the addition of itel underscores the Nearmap promise to be the comprehensive source of truth for property intelligence.

Andy Watt, Nearmap CEO, will serve as Chief Executive Officer for the combined company. itel CEO Brian Matthews will continue to lead itel through closing and will serve on the Board of Directors. The leadership team will consist of individuals from both companies. Thoma Bravo, a leading software investment firm, will be the lead strategic investor in the combined company.

“This acquisition is transformative for property insurance,” said Andy Watt, CEO of Nearmap. “We have long admired the itel brand and by bringing our two companies together, we are combining the best of property intelligence and ground-truth data to create a true end- to-end solution that meets the most critical data needs across insurance claims and underwriting.”

“itel has always been about speed, accuracy, and independence in property claims – the ‘Source for Certainty’,” said Brian Matthews, CEO of itel. “Now, with instant access to property intelligence from Nearmap, we can help customers respond to claims more intelligently and ensure fast, fair, and frictionless outcomes. It’s a win-win for insurers, adjusters, contractors, and homeowners alike.”

“Two and a half years ago we made a great decision to partner with Andy Watt and the Nearmap team. We’re thrilled to support Nearmap in this transformative acquisition,” said A.J. Rohde, a Senior Partner at Thoma Bravo. “Nearmap and itel have both invested in building industry-leading solutions. The combination creates an exciting and truly unique proposition for the insurance end-market, with a world-class team and global scale.”

“We’re excited to be bringing together the complementary capabilities of Nearmap and itel,” said Peter Hernandez, a Senior Vice President at Thoma Bravo. “We believe the combined company is uniquely positioned to provide the most accurate and efficient insights across underwriting and claims workflows. We look forward to continuing to leverage our software expertise and operational capabilities to help drive further innovation and growth.”

Completion of the deal is expected in Q2 2025 and is subject to customary closing conditions. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Goodwin Procter served as legal advisor to Nearmap and Thoma Bravo. Raymond James and Bank of America acted as financial advisors and Latham & Watkins acted as legal counsel to itel. 

About Nearmap

Nearmap is the location intelligence provider customers rely on for consistent, reliable, high- resolution imagery, insights, and answers to create meaningful change in the world. The Betterview and ImpactResponse platforms by Nearmap are integrated technology solutions built for insurers applying proprietary AI and computer vision to high-resolution aerial imagery and geospatial data, generating highly accurate property intelligence. Insurance companies are empowered with on-demand insights throughout the policy lifecycle that increase quoting speed and accuracy, optimize underwriting efficiency, enhance property risk mitigation, and expedite claims. Nearmap is the only full stack provider of location intelligence—from camera, to capture, to processing, as utilized in the Betterview and ImpactResponse platforms. For more information, please visit www.nearmap.com.

About itel

itel is a data and technology company that is a source for certainty in the property insurance claims process. itel serves as an independent intermediary to insurers, adjusters, contractors and homeowners, providing objective data and expert analysis that optimize the claims process. With itel, claims are settled accurately, fairly and with greater efficiency. For more information, please visit www.itelinc.com.

About Thoma Bravo

Thoma Bravo is one of the largest software-focused investors in the world, with over US$179 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2024. Through its private equity, growth equity and credit strategies, the firm invests in growth-oriented, innovative companies operating in the software and technology sectors. Leveraging Thoma Bravo’s deep sector knowledge and strategic and operational expertise, the firm collaborates with its portfolio companies to implement operating best practices and drive growth initiatives. Over the past 20+ years, the firm has acquired or invested in approximately 520 companies representing approximately US$275 billion in enterprise value (including control and non-control investments). The firm has offices in Chicago, Dallas, London, Miami, New York and San Francisco. For more information, visit Thoma Bravo’s website at thomabravo.com.

Contacts

Nearmap

Franco Chan
franco.chan@nearmap.com

Thoma Bravo

Megan Frank
mfrank@thomabravo.com

itel
itel

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Logo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/itel.jpg

Antengene Enters into a Global Clinical Collaboration with MSD to Evaluate ATG-022 (CLDN18.2 ADC) In Combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)

– ATG-022 is Antengene’s CLDN18.2 antibody-drug conjugate; KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) is MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy.

SHANGHAI and HONG KONG, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Antengene Corporation Limited (“Antengene“, SEHK: 6996.HK), a leading innovative, commercial-stage global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class and/or best-in-class medicines for cancer, today announced it has entered into a global clinical collaboration with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA) to evaluate the combination of ATG-022, a CLDN18.2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), and MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in patients with advanced solid tumors.

At the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (ASCO GI 2025), Antengene presented the latest data from its Phase I/II CLINCH study. Results showed an objective response rate (ORR) of 42.9% and a disease control rate (DCR) of 95.2% in patients with moderate to high CLDN18.2 expression (IHC 2+  20%). Additionally, the study demonstrated an ORR of 30.0% and a DCR of 50.0% in patients with low CLDN18.2 expression (IHC 2+ < 20%). ATG-022 also exhibited a favorable safety profile and extended treatment durations, with no observed cases of ophthalmological or neurological toxicities, nor interstitial lung disease.

ATG-022 is uniquely positioned in the global landscape, with data supporting meaningful efficacy across all levels of Claudin 18.2 expression in gastric cancer, including high, low, and ultra-low expressors. This broad-spectrum activity positions ATG-022 as a promising treatment for a wider patient population compared to other CLDN18.2-targeting therapies.

KEYTRUDA® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.

About ATG-022

ATG-022 is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) designed to target CLDN18.2, a member of the Claudin family of cell adhesion molecules. Under normal conditions, Claudins are located within tight junctions between cells, forming a barrier to regulate cell permeability. However, in cancer, Claudins are aberrantly expressed on the cell surface due to changes in cell polarity. CLDN18.2 is frequently overexpressed in a range of primary malignant tumors, including gastric, esophageal, cholangiocarcinoma, and pancreatic cancers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has awarded Orphan Drug Designations to ATG-022, for gastric and pancreatic cancers.

Data from the ongoing CLINCH study demonstrated that ATG-022 delivers robust efficacy across all levels of CLDN18.2 expression in gastric cancer patients, including those with high, low, and ultra-low expression. This broad activity positions ATG-022 as a potential market leader, capable of addressing the largest patient population with CLDN18.2-positive tumors. Furthermore, the strong efficacy observed in patients with low CLDN18.2 expression suggests promise for treating other tumor types with similar expression profiles.

About Antengene

Antengene Corporation Limited (“Antengene”, SEHK: 6996.HK) is a leading commercial-stage R&D-driven global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, manufacturing and commercialization of innovative first-in-class/best-in-class therapeutics for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, in realizing its vision of “Treating Patients Beyond Borders”.

Antengene has built a pipeline of 9 oncology assets at various stages going from clinical to commercial, including 6 with global rights, and 3 with rights for the APAC region. To date, Antengene has obtained 31 investigational new drug (IND) approvals in the U.S. and Asia, and submitted 11 new drug applications (NDAs) in multiple Asia Pacific markets, with the NDA for XPOVIO® (selinexor) already approved in Mainland of China, Taiwan China, Hong Kong China, Macau China, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia.

Forward-looking statements

The forward-looking statements made in this article relate only to the events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this article. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this article completely and with the understanding that our actual future results or performance may be materially different from what we expect. In this article, statements of, or references to, our intentions or those of any of our Directors or our Company are made as of the date of this article. Any of these intentions may alter in light of future development. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause future results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement, please see the other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the documents subsequently submitted to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

For more information, please contact:

Investor Contacts: 
Donald Lung
E-mail: Donald.Lung@antengene.com  
Mobile: +86 18420672158

PR Contacts:
Peter Qian
E-mail: Peter.Qian@antengene.com 
Mobile: +86 13062747000

Haier and KEF Announce Global Partnership to Co-Engineer Immersive Audio for Haier Smart TVs

QINGDAO, China, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Haier, a global leader in household appliances, today officially announces a strategic partnership with KEF, the world-renowned audio technology brand. Haier and KEF will jointly engineer the audio systems for Haier’s latest Mini LED and QLED TV models, including the Haier TV M96, M92, M80 and S90 series. These models[1] will be launched throughout 2025, covering key markets such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Together, Haier and KEF will deliver an unparalleled home entertainment experience to consumers around the world.

Haier TV M96 Series, 4K QD-Mini LED, Audio Co-engineered with KEF
Haier TV M96 Series, 4K QD-Mini LED, Audio Co-engineered with KEF

 

Haier TV M80 Series, 4K Mini LED, Audio Co-engineered with KEF
Haier TV M80 Series, 4K Mini LED, Audio Co-engineered with KEF

Under this exciting partnership, the sound systems of these Mini LED and QLED TV series are co-designed by Haier and KEF, and have been meticulously tuned by the same KEF engineering team responsible for their flagship loudspeakers, including Blade and The Reference. Leveraging KEF’s over 60 years of acoustic engineering expertise, these Haier TV models seamlessly integrate high-end audio experiences, making it more accessible and convenient for home entertainment scenarios.

The Haier M96 series of 4K QD-Mini LED TVs, the flagship model for 2025, made its debut at the 2025 Australian Open earlier this year. Its enhanced visual and audio capabilities captivated millions of tennis enthusiasts at Melbourne Park and central Melbourne through Haier TV’s fan engagement booths and activities. Benefiting from KEF’s expert tuning, the M96 series boasts a 2.2.2-channel audio system for the 75-inch and 85-inch models, and an impressive 6.2.2-channel system for the 100-inch model, delivering a truly high-fidelity audio experience, right in the living room.

The Haier M80 series of 4K Mini LED TVs, which officially launched in India in April, is scheduled to roll out across key markets in the coming months. Co-engineered with KEF, the Haier TV M80 series delivers clear highs, rich mids, and deep, elastic bass through its 2.1-channel speaker system. Available in multiple sizes—85, 75, 65, and 55 inches—the M80 series caters to a variety of home entertainment needs.

“We are honored to partner with KEF on a global scale,” said Junguang Liu, Vice President of Haier Smart Home, General Manager of Audio-Visual BU. “This collaboration seamlessly merges our smart home expertise with KEF’s renowned audio technology, delivering an immersive and high-quality sound experience. Together, we are bringing next-level home entertainment to our consumers worldwide.”

Grace Lo, president and head of global marketing at KEF, commented: “We are delighted with our partnership with Haier TV. By combining KEF’s acoustic technology with Haier TV’s innovative capabilities in the field of home appliances, we are poised to provide users with a new immersive audio-visual experience with their latest TVs. We look forward to collaborating on more breakthrough audio-visual products together in the near future.”

This partnership marks the beginning of a shared journey. Both Haier and KEF are dedicated to elevating home entertainment and delivering unparalleled experiences. As a result of this innovative collaboration, consumers can anticipate more Haier TV products featuring KEF co-engineered audio in the near future.

[1] The availability of specific models in certain markets may be subject to change.