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VelaVigo Announces Second Out-Licensing Deal, of a First-in-Class Bi-specific Antibody, Further Validating Its Innovative Discovery Platform and Sustainable BD+VC Business Model

SHANGHAI and BOSTON, April 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — VelaVigo Bio, the U.S. subsidiary of VelaVigo Cayman Limited (VelaVigo), a biotech company with a robust discovery and development platform of multi-specific antibodies and antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), today announced its second out-licensing agreement of a first-in-class (FIC) asset to Ollin Biosciences, Inc. (“Ollin”), granting Ollin an exclusive license to develop, manufacture and commercialize VBS-102, a first-in-class bispecific antibody, globally (excluding Greater China). VelaVigo will maintain rights for Greater China.

Under the terms of the agreement, VelaVigo will receive an upfront fee and future development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments in cash and equity, totaling up to approximately $440 million in the aggregate, as well as tiered royalties on sales in Ollin’s territory.

This milestone follows VelaVigo’s first licensing deal with Avenzo Therapeutics in November 2024 and the successful close of a $50 million Pre-A funding round in February 2025, reinforcing the company’s unique business model combining business development (BD) and venture capital (VC) strategies for sustainable growth.

The latest deal underscores VelaVigo’s ability to discover and develop high-potential therapeutics while partnering strategically to maximize value. Additionally, VelaVigo is advancing its fully owned lead asset, a FIC/BIC bispecific ADC, into a U.S. clinical trial this year and expanding its global clinical development capabilities. The company will also present data on five additional FIC or BIC molecules at upcoming industry conferences, seeking further partnership opportunities worldwide.

“This second out-licensing deal is a strong validation of our discovery platform and our ability to identify and advance novel therapeutics with significant potential,” said Jing Li, CEO of VelaVigo. “With our first asset entering the clinic this year and a deep pipeline of innovative molecules, we are demonstrating our capacity to translate cutting-edge science into valuable clinical-stage programs. Our goal is to build a global biotech leader by leveraging strategic partnerships while advancing our own portfolio.”

“Our BD+VC model is designed to create sustainable value for investors and partners,” said Tong Zhang, co-founder, Chief Business & Financial Officer of VelaVigo. “This second licensing deal, following our successful $50M Pre-A round, highlights our ability to execute on both financing and strategic collaborations. We are actively engaging with potential partners to expand our global footprint and accelerate the development of our pipeline.”

About VelaVigo

VelaVigo is a leading antibody/ADC discovery and development biotech company with a highly efficient discovery engine and strong capabilities in translational medicine, CMC and early clinical development. Its leading products, the FIC bispecific ADCs, are expected to enter clinical development in the US and China in 2025. VelaVigo continues to build capabilities in clinical development, technology platforms, and partnership with biopharmaceutical companies and investors globally to maximize the efficiency of drug development and return on investment.

VelaVigo was founded in 2021 with a $50M investment, its R&D centers in Shanghai, and clinical and US operations in Boston.

NCVC – North Riyadh Geopark and Salma Geopark Join UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Network

PARIS, April 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — UNESCO has officially designated the North Riyadh Geopark and Salma Geopark as part of its (UNESCO) Global Geoparks Network, marking a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia in preserving geoheritage and promoting sustainable development.

 

North Riyadh Geopark and Salma Geopark Join UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Network

The recognition follows UNESCO’s stringent selection criteria, which emphasize the comprehensive management of geopark. These criteria ensure a balance between conservation, education, and sustainable development while actively involving local communities. Dr. Khaled bin Abdullah Al-Abdulkader, CEO of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC), praised the announcement as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s dedication to protecting its natural and historical heritage.

He attributed the achievement to the steadfast support of the Kingdom’s leadership in enhancing environmental initiatives and promoting sustainability.

He also emphasized NCVC’s efforts to preserve the country’s unique natural landscapes, especially its geological sites, in line with Vision 2030’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Eng. Hussam bin Zuhair Al-Turki, Sr. Director of the Saudi Geoparks Initiative, emphasized that the inclusion of North Riyadh Geopark and Salma Geopark is a moment of national pride. He emphasized that this milestone not only reinforces Saudi Arabia’s commitment to preserving its cultural and natural identity but also strengthens its role as a global leader in geoheritage conservation and sustainable development.

With this designation, Saudi Arabia reaffirms its commitment to global environmental efforts. The newly recognized geoparks will serve as key destinations for local and international visitors, offering an opportunity to explore the Kingdom’s geological wonders while fostering scientific and cultural awareness of geodiversity conservation.

Beyond geotourism, geoparks play a vital role in sustainable natural resource management by connecting geotourism with local economic development, creating jobs, and fostering environmental education. This initiative represents a collaborative effort among government bodies, the private sector, and non-profit organizations, enhancing Saudi Arabia’s contribution to both national and sustainable development goals.

Video – https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2666614/Saudi_Geoparks.mp4

North Riyadh Geopark and Salma Geopark Join UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Network
North Riyadh Geopark and Salma Geopark Join UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Network

 

Call.com Welcomes Skype Users as the Leading Alternative Ahead of Skype’s Shutdown

As Skype’s May 2025 retirement looms, Call.com invites users to seamlessly transition – offering imported chats & media, phone number porting, and a platform supercharged by a recent $7M-backed acquisition and 500,000+ user base.

LONDON, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Call.com, a rising global communications platform, today affirmed its position as the leading alternative for Skype users facing the imminent shutdown of Skype’s consumer service. With Microsoft retiring Skype in May 2025, Call.com is inviting users to join its network with a seamless migration experience. Users can bring along their Skype history and even their phone numbers, ensuring communication continuity.

To make the switch effortless, Call.com offers:

– Import of Skype conversations and media: Users can transfer chat histories and media files using Microsoft’s export tool.
– Phone number porting: North American Skype users can port their numbers to Call.com, avoiding service disruption.

These features, alongside Call.com’s familiar free voice/video calling and messaging, aim to ease the transition for millions. “Skype has been a trusted staple for global communication for years,” said Rolf Larsen, CEO of Call.com. “Our mission is to empower users. We ensure that moving to Call.com brings continuity, enhanced privacy, and a platform built for the future.”

Strategic Growth and Acquisition

Call.com recently acquired Vyke Holding Limited, a London-based VoIP pioneer, in a deal funded by over $7 million from Norwegian investment firm Centennial AS (owned by Endre Røsjø). This boosted Call.com’s active user base to more than 500,000, including over 250,000 paying customers – a strong signal of market trust and viability.

Vyke’s legacy – being the first mobile VoIP app pre-loaded on a Nokia phone in 2006 – strengthens Call.com’s credibility. The acquisition brings decades of experience to Call.com’s platform, now enhanced with virtual mobile numbers, multi-device support, and privacy-first features.

A Premium Brand for a Global Audience

Call.com operates on the ultra-premium Call.com domain, acquired for $1.6 million in 2022. This authoritative name signals global ambition and instantly builds trust. It anchors the company’s mission to become a top-tier brand in global communication.

Future-Ready for Skype Users

More than a replacement, Call.com offers an upgrade for users and businesses. With its intuitive design and telecom-grade features, the platform is scaling fast to welcome new users with uncompromised quality and security.

“This is more than a migration – it’s a chance to redefine global communication,” said CEO Rolf Larsen. “We stand on the shoulders of a VoIP pioneer and carry that legacy forward with a modern twist. Call.com is built to empower users with freedom, continuity, and innovation.”

Call to Action

Skype users preparing for shutdown should visit https://www.call.com/skype-alternative to transfer their data and numbers. Download the app and embrace the future of global messaging and calling – with Call.com.

Web: https://call.com
Logo and photos: Dropbox Link

KDAN Upgrades Core PDF SDK Technology, Partners with Global Distributors to Expand International Market

IRVINE, Calif., April 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — KDAN (TPEx: 7737), a leading global Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider, today announced a transformative upgrade to its flagship PDF Software Development Kit (SDK), ComPDF, bringing enterprise-grade AI capabilities to document management workflows across all major platforms

The enhanced SDK now features groundbreaking intelligent features while supporting self-hosted deployment and comprehensive cross-platform compatibility—positioning  KDAN among an elite group of PDF technology providers to support Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, API integration, and self-hosted deployment environments.

The latest update delivers measurable business impact through AI-enhanced document conversion reducing processing time while increasing accuracy. Its advanced table recognition extracts complex data with precision, and automated layout analysis achieves an industry-leading 99% accuracy. The upgraded Web SDK empowers  businesses to build custom document workflows with unprecedented efficiency.

In the second quarter of 2025, KDAN will also launch a new AI-driven Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) solution. This solution leverages large language models (LLMs) and enterprise-grade knowledge bases to enable natural language querying of internal documents, improving document discoverability and knowledge retrieval across organizations.

“ComPDF is a modular SDK that allows for seamless integration of PDF capabilities across platforms,” said Chun-Chin Su, Ph.D., Chief Product & Strategy Officer at KDAN. “Its flexibility empowers enterprises to design and scale document workflows based on their unique business needs.”

Industries from IT and construction to manufacturing and finance are leveraging ComPDF to accelerate digital transformation and enhance operational efficiency. ComPDF has helped organizations accelerate digital transformation and enhance operational efficiency.

Looking ahead, KDAN will focus on supporting knowledge-intensive sectors such as finance, legal, and healthcare—industries where data security and intelligent search capabilities are critical. With enterprise-grade compliance and robust AI tools, KDAN is committed to solving the growing challenges of enterprise information management.

To drive global expansion, KDAN is partnering with distributors and resellers in key markets including the United States, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, India, and Germany. These strategic alliances will strengthen KDAN’s local technical support and sales infrastructure while further promoting its technology in the international market.

“The document management landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift, and our AI-powered solutions are at the forefront of this revolution,” said Kenny Su, Founder and Chairman of KDAN. “With our expanded global network, we’re not just selling software – we’re delivering transformative capabilities that unlock the full value of organizational knowledge across borders and industries.”

About KDAN

KDAN (TPEx: 7737) is committed to providing diverse AI-driven workflow and data solutions. We empower businesses to enhance operational efficiency, optimize organizational agility, and create business value through innovative digital solutions while pursuing the vision of sustainable development.

KDAN Official Website: https://www.kdan.com/ 
ComPDF Website: https://www.compdf.com/

PR Contact: pr@kdanmobile.com 

AI-Powered Living Showcased at 137th Canton Fair

GUANGZHOU, China, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — From April 15-19, the Phase 1 of the 137th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), one of the world’s largest trade events, features the anticipated zones for household electrical appliances, consumer electronics and information products. The Smart Life Product Zone reflects the growing integration of AI in daily life, as participating brands present smart solutions designed to enhance convenience, connectivity, and user experience.

At the product zone, major home tech brands are showcasing AI-powered solutions in large-scale exhibits.

Under the theme “AI Your Life,” Hisense demonstrates how its ConnectLife platform enables seamless smart home management. Its product lineup includes AI refrigerators that monitor ingredients, an AI-powered Dish Designer that generates recipes and sends them directly to ovens, and dishwashers that auto-select optimal cleaning modes. In the living room, smart TVs act as control hubs, air conditioners adjust airflow based on user positioning, and touchscreen integration ensures a unified interface.

Haier is showcasing a variety of AI-driven appliances, including a refrigerator embedded with the DeepSeek AI model. The system can answer dietary questions, suggest recipes, and coordinate with other devices for efficient kitchen management. Additional products such as washing machines and air conditioners use AI to enhance cleaning performance and personalized comfort.

Changhong is featuring an immersive, scenario-based display of its AI-powered home solutions. The setup includes AI televisions, air conditioners, refrigerators, and smart laundry systems, illustrating how AI can be integrated into multiple household environments for streamlined interaction and improved daily routines.

In the field of wearable tech, Rokid’s AR Glasses is drawing attention for their lightweight design and advanced functionality. Weighing just 49 grams, the glasses feature adjustable diopters and an AI system that supports holographic projection, real-time translation, object recognition, teleprompter capabilities, and interactive Q&A, expanding their usefulness across a range of personal and professional scenarios.

AI is also being applied to wellness-oriented products. Zhejiang Haozhonghao Health Products Co., Ltd., maker of the iRest brand, is presenting a massage chair powered by its proprietary system. The chair includes an AI module that identifies meridians and acupoints in seconds, offering tailored massage programs along with features like guided meditation, AI tongue diagnostics, and online therapy.

As AI integration transforms everyday living, the Canton Fair continues to serve as a powerful platform for Chinese innovators to connect with global buyers, spotlight latest technologies, and lead the future of smart home ecosystems.


 

Infosys to Acquire Leading Cybersecurity Services Provider The Missing Link

Acquisition strengthens Infosys’ cybersecurity and cloud capabilities across Australia and Asia

BENGALURU, India and SYDNEY, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY) , a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced a definitive agreement to acquire The Missing Link, an award winning Australian cybersecurity services specialist firm with capabilities across the full stack of cyber solutions. This strategic investment further strengthens Infosys’ cybersecurity capabilities, while bolstering its presence in the fast-growing Australian market, and reaffirms its continued commitment to global clients to navigate their digital transformation journey.

Headquartered in Australia, The Missing Link brings to Infosys, a group of highly skilled cybersecurity professionals consisting of Red Team, Blue Team, and a state-of-the-art Global Security Operations Centre (GSOC) adding to the network of Infosys’ global cyber defense centers. The Missing Link’s accomplished cybersecurity practice provides strategic advice, offensive and defensive security services and tactical support, cybersecurity risk assessments & compliance, and managed services. The company has been serving leading global enterprises in collaboration with market leading technology products, further complemented by its innovative proprietary solutions and accelerators. Their solutions help protect networks, secure assets and equip staff with the tools to mitigate cyber-attacks. Together, Infosys and The Missing Link will be able to offer clients cutting-edge full-stack cybersecurity services covering all aspects of a customer’s business, data, systems and networks.

Satish HC, EVP, Chief Delivery Officer, Infosys, said, “Technology led transformation and securing the enterprise are amongst the highest priorities for global corporations.Together with The Missing Link, and our cloud offering Infosys Cobalt, we aim to usher in the  new wave of differentiated value to customers, with specialized end-to-end cybersecurity offerings and solutions. We are excited to welcome The Missing Link and their leadership team to Infosys.”

Alex Gambotto, Founder & CEO, The Missing Link said, “As we take this exciting next step in our journey, I am proud of all we have accomplished together over the last 27 years. Our team has worked tirelessly to build a company that delivers excellence, innovation, and value to our clients and partners with our core ethos of under promise and overdeliver. I am thrilled that The Missing Link will be joining Infosys. This acquisition marks a significant milestone for us, allowing The Missing Link to leverage the immense expertise, platforms, and global reach of Infosys to better serve our customers and expand our capabilities. While our ownership may change, our commitment to delivering top-tier solutions remains unwavering. We are confident that together, we can create even greater value for all our clients, partners, and team.”

Investment Bank TH Global Capital advised The Missing Link on the transaction.

The acquisition is expected to close during the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 (i.e. quarter ending June 30, 2025), subject to customary closing conditions.

About The Missing Link

Established in 1997, The Missing Link was born from a vision to help businesses achieve their goals with the right IT solutions and services. Headquartered in Australia, The Missing Link is a cybersecurity and cloud services specialist, delivering services across the entire spectrum of IT strategy, technology roadmap, project management, cybersecurity, risks assessments & mitigation and automation services. Their highly skilled team of IT specialists includes Cybersecurity, IT Infrastructure/Cloud and Robotic Process Automation & Generative AI experts, with many years of experience and a commitment to delivering first-class solutions that exceed customers’ expectations.

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. We enable clients in more than 56 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by cloud and AI. We enable them with an AI-first core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace.

Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance, are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the ‘safe harbor’ under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, our ability to attract and retain personnel, our transition to hybrid work model, economic uncertainties, technological innovations such as Generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, our corporate actions including acquisitions, and cybersecurity matters. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.

 

 

NYSE Content Advisory: Pre-Market update + Taiwan Semiconductor exceeds earnings expectations

NEW YORK, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) provides a daily pre-market update directly from the NYSE Trading Floor. Access today’s NYSE Pre-market update for market insights before trading begins. 

Kristen Scholer delivers the pre-market update on April 17th

  • Shares of Taiwan Semiconductor (NYSE: TSM) rose pre-market after the company released better than expected earnings results
  • Fed Chair Powell spoke yesterday at the Economic Club of Chicago, warning that tariffs levied by President Trump could drive up inflation in the near-term
  • Chair Powell added that tariffs could create a challenging scenario for the Fed’s dual mandate that calls for full employment and stable prices
  • Markets are closed tomorrow for Good Friday

Opening Bell
Community-Word Project celebrates 25 years of empowering young voices, fostering creativity, and transforming communities through the arts.

Closing Bell
Read Alliance celebrates 25 years of impact, marking a milestone in its mission to advance educational equality through early literacy and youth mentorship.

Watch NYSE TV Live every weekday 9:00-10:00am ET

Watch NYSE TV Live every weekday 9:00-10:00am ET on LinkedIn

 

Korea’s Reddit: Aha Community Achieves 4,933% Revenue Growth Over Three Years

Human-Centric Q&A Platform Emerges as Key AI Data Provider and Community Hub in South Korea

SEOUL, South Korea, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Aha Community, a fast-growing online platform in South Korea, is positioning itself as the nations answer to Reddit. The platform enables users to ask questions, share knowledge, vote, and engage in discussions on a wide range of topics with people from diverse backgrounds.

Aha Community Sees Explosive 4,933% Revenue Growth
Aha Community Sees Explosive 4,933% Revenue Growth

Founded to foster meaningful dialogue and help users transform knowledge and experience into valuable assets, Aha Community is pioneering a human-centric online community in the age of artificial intelligence. Unlike algorithm-driven platforms, Aha prioritizes people over algorithms as the core of connection and conversation.

Since launching monetization in 2022, Aha Community has experienced explosive revenue growth:

2022: USD 148,000
2023: USD 3.15 million
2024: USD 7.45 million

This marks an extraordinary 4,933% increase over three years, underscoring the platforms rapid ascent and market relevance.

Ahas revenue streams include premium memberships, advertising, and notably, the sale of Korean language corpus data—a sector showing rapid expansion.

Hanwool Suh, CEO of Aha Community, commented:

Our Korean language corpus model monetizes human experience by providing AI companies developing large language models (LLMs) with high-quality, real-world conversational data. Aha Community has accumulated millions of authentic questions, answers, and debates, which we are transforming into valuable resources to support the AI revolution.”

Aha Communitys unique position as both a social platform and a data provider has attracted interest from AI developers, researchers, and investors seeking high-quality, real-world Korean language data. The companys commitment to user-driven content and ethical data practices further distinguishes it in a crowded digital landscape.

Looking ahead, Aha Community plans to expand both its online and offline human-centric community initiatives with a clear mission: to become the Reddit of South Korea.

About aha Community

Aha Community is an online platform where users from all walks of life can ask questions, share knowledge, vote, and engage in discussions on diverse topics. Designed to foster meaningful dialogue and help users discover better answers, Aha Community empowers individuals to turn their knowledge and experience into valuable digital assets.

Media Contact:
Hanwool Suh, CEO
Aha Community
https://www.a-ha.io 
hello@a-ha.io