JINAN, China, March 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A report from Qilu Evening News • Qilu Yidian:
What International Friends Think of Shandong
From February 10 to 20, ten international friends were interviewed by reporters from Qilu Evening News • Qilu Yidian in Shandong, sharing their views on Shandong’s delicious food and tourist attractions.”What International Friends Think of Shandong” is a short video series featuring 10 international friends in Shandong Province, sharing their stories in China. In this episode, they chat about food and scenery in Shandong.
SHENZHEN, China, March 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On March 7, ISLE 2026 draw a successful conclusion at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center (Shenzhen World). As a global arena for display innovation and a barometer for system integration, ISLE 2026 fully showcased the whole industrial chain’s achievements in LED displays, audio-video system integration, professional light and sound, stage performance equipment, and more.
ISLE 2026 Successfully Defining New Trends in Smart Display and System Integration
With 80,000 square meters floor area, ISLE 2026 attracted over 1,000 exhibitors online and offline. Despite the Middle East civil aviation suspension caused by regional conflicts prior to the opening, ISLE 2026 overseas buyers number increased by 6% compared to the previous edition, highlighting its global influence and industrial standing.
China is the world’s largest market for LED display manufacturing and application. ISLE brings together top exhibitors, and is the primary platform for launching new products and solutions. Key technological trends showcased at ISLE 2026 include:
COB and MIP have emerged as the two core technical routes in LED display. Manufacturers actively displayed their Micro-LED and COB fine-pitch LED displays. These next-generation displays offer significant advantages such as high contrast, high reliability, low power consumption, and lightweight design, while achieving major breakthroughs in color performance, lifespan, and response speed. They are widely applied in high-end conferencing and commercial display fields.
AI has deeply penetrated every critical link of the industrial chain. On the front end, large AI models empower content creation and interactive methods, greatly enriching screen presentation forms. On the back end, AI technology is extensively applied in intelligent control of display systems, further enhancing performance.
Green and low-carbon development has become a new industry consensus. Low-power design, common-cathode energy saving, and air-conditioning-free heat dissipation solutions have become key promotional points for major LED display manufacturers.
The physical boundaries of displays are gradually dissolving. Hundreds of exhibitors launched products such as transparent screens, holographic screens, textured screens, and creatively shaped displays, deeply integrating display technology with spatial design and artistic decoration, bringing unprecedented visual experiences and interactive possibilities to commercial displays, home environments, and public art spaces.
In the system integration field, multi-scenario application solutions have become increasingly popular. The era of exhibiting “single hardware products” is outdated. Exhibitors now comprehensively offer “one-stop solutions,” presenting application solutions for commercial retail, command centers, smart meetings, broadcasting, stage performances, tourism & home entertainment, providing buyers from various industries with accessible “future templates.”
Featuring Over 40 Interactive and Game Booths Showcasing Engineering Innovation
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 March 2026 – To celebrate its 50th Anniversary, The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (hereafter “the HKIE”) has organised “The HKIE ‘Together we RISE’ Carnival” (hereafter “the Carnival”) at High Lawn, Art Park, WestK. The opening ceremony took place today, officiated by Ms Bernadette LINN Hon Ho, JP, Secretary for Development of the HKSAR Government; Mr YE Shuiqiu, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Ir Ricky LAU Chun Kit, JP, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works); and Ir The Hon Aaron BOK Kwok Ming, Legislative Council Member (Functional Constituency – Engineering) cum Past President of the HKIE. They were joined by Ir Alice CHOW, President of the HKIE; Ir Prof Frank CHAN Fan, GBS, JP, Senior Vice President of the HKIE; Ir Rupert LEUNG Kwok Yiu, Vice President of the HKIE; Ir William LUK Wai Lam, Vice President of the HKIE and Ir Prof Alfred SIT Wing Hang, GBS, JP, Chief Executive and Secretary of the HKIE to kick off this two-day event.
Group Photo of officiating guests at the Opening Ceremony, including Ms Bernadette LINN Hon Ho, JP, Secretary for Development(4th right); Mr YE Shuiqiu, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region(4th left); Ir Ricky LAU Chun Kit, JP, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) (3rd left); Ir The Hon Aaron BOK Kwok Ming, Legislative Council Member (Functional Constituency – Engineering) cum Past President of the HKIE(3rd right); Ir Alice CHOW, President of the HKIE(middle); Ir Prof Frank CHAN Fan, GBS, JP, Senior Vice President of the HKIE (2nd left); Ir Rupert LEUNG Kwok Yiu, Vice President of the HKIE(2nd right); Ir William LUK Wai Lam, Vice President of the HKIE(1st right); and Ir Prof Alfred SIT Wing Hang, GBS, JP, Chief Executive and Secretary of the HKIE(1st left).
With the theme “Together we RISE”, the Carnival aims to highlight the engineering profession’s outstanding contributions to social progress, technological innovation, and sustainable development. Running from 14-15 March, the Carnival features over 40 interactive booths and game zones designed by various organisations and HKIE divisions. The booths showcase exciting innovations including robot and robot dog demonstrations, model displays, VR experiences, UAV flight simulators, a water pumping robot, and more, offering enjoyable, hands-on exploration of the diversity and fun of engineering for the whole family over the weekend.
The Carnival also features a travelling exhibition, “Engineering Legacy: 50 Years of Excellence”, celebrating 19 excellent engineering projects honoured with The HKIE 50th Anniversary Legacy Award. The exhibition highlights the remarkable achievements and milestones that have shaped Hong Kong’s engineering landscape over the past five decades. In addition, the winning entries from the “Together we RISE” school competition held by the HKIE earlier will be showcased, reflecting the creativity and imagination of the younger generation in building sustainable and innovative cities.
Ir Alice CHOW, President of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, remarked, “The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers has grown alongside Hong Kong over the past 50 years, witnessing and contributing to many of the city’s landmark infrastructure and urban development projects. Through the Carnival, we hope the public can gain a deeper understanding of the vital role engineers play in society, while inspiring the younger generation’s interest and creativity in the engineering profession. ‘Together we RISE’ is not just a theme; it also expresses our commitment to fostering innovation, uniting the industry, and building the future, leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantages of being ‘backed by our motherland and connected to the world’!”
The HKIE 50th Anniversary “Together we RISE” Carnival
Date and time:
14 March 2026 (Sat) 10am-6pm
15 March 2026 (Sun) 10am-6pm
Location:
High Lawn, Art Park, WestK
Fee:
Free of charge
Hashtag: #HKIE
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About the HKIE
The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) – previously The Engineering Society of Hong Kong – was founded in 1947. In 1975, the HKIE was incorporated under The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers Ordinance, Chapter 1105 of the Laws of Hong Kong. Today the HKIE has over 32,000 members, of which around 17,000 are Corporate Members.
The Institution aims to bring together engineers of different disciplines for their common good. The HKIE is committed to upholding the quality of membership, and sets standards for the training and admission of engineers from 22 engineering disciplines. It also has strict rules governing members’ conduct and is dedicated to raising the ethical standards of professional engineers in Hong Kong. For more information about the HKIE, please visit https://hkie.org.hk
Elevating the High-Net-Worth and Ultra-High Net-Worth Experience through Orchestrated Wealth and Legacy Advisory
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 March 2026 – AIA Hong Kong announced the opening of the AIA Alta Prestige Wealth Centre at AIA Central, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of AIA Alta, its exclusive proposition for High‑Net‑Worth (HNW)1 and Ultra‑High‑Net‑Worth (UHNW) customers2. Purpose‑built in Central, the Centre is housed within AIA Central—a landmark commercial building wholly owned by AIA Group—at the heart of the city’s financial district. The Centre is designed to serve customers with increasingly complex, multi‑market wealth, health and legacy planning needs through a highly integrated and personalised advisory experience.
Mr Lee Yuan Siong, AIA Group Chief Executive and President (fourth from left); Mr Jacky Chan, AIA Regional Chief Executive and Group Chief Distribution Officer (fourth from right); Mr Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer, AIA Hong Kong & Macau (third from left); Ms Alice Liang, Chief Proposition & Healthcare Officer, AIA Hong Kong & Macau (third from right); Ms Amy Chan, Chief Agency Officer, AIA Hong Kong & Macau (second from left); Ms Myra Lee, Chief Financial Officer, AIA Hong Kong & Macau (second from right); Ms Melissa Wong, Chief Customer & Marketing Officer, AIA Hong Kong & Macau (first from left); and Ms Carol Li, Chief Life Officer (first from right), AIA Hong Kong & Macau, celebrated the opening of the AIA Alta Prestige Wealth Centre.
Alice Liang, Chief Proposition & Healthcare Officer of AIA Hong Kong & Macau, said: “Since 2023, we have continued to strengthen our HNW proposition and see strong growth potential in this segment. In an increasingly dynamic global environment, enduring wealth, health and legacy planning have become more critical than ever.
Ms Alice Liang, Chief Proposition & Healthcare Officer of AIA Hong Kong & Macau, said that AIA Alta is extending its proposition to the UHNW segment, with the opening of the AIA Alta Prestige Wealth Centre marking a pivotal step in this journey.
We are elevating the HNW experience and expanding into the UHNW market as these customers seek more than insurance—looking for coordinated wealth and legacy advisory from a long-term partner who can guide them through complexity with clarity and confidence. The opening of the AIA Alta Prestige Wealth Centre is a pivotal step, supported by our HNW Dedicated Team and international partners, to help customers achieve an optimal balance of health and wealth.”
At the Heart of Hong Kong’s Financial District
Formerly known as the AIA Alta Wealth Management Centre in Causeway Bay, the Centre was established as the first# of its kind within Hong Kong’s insurance industry to provide professional wealth management services. Now housed within AIA Central, the AIA Alta Prestige Wealth Centre& offers unparalleled proximity to the city’s financial ecosystem. This strategic location enables seamless connection with private banks, professional firms and international institutions that play a critical role in multi‑market wealth structuring and legacy planning.
The AIA Alta Prestige Wealth Centre is designed to serve HNW and UHNW customers with increasingly complex, multi market wealth, health and legacy planning needs through a highly integrated and personalised advisory experience.
A Refined Advisory Experience
The Centre has been purpose‑designed to deliver a more orchestrated and holistic advisory experience. Supported by AIA’s HNW Dedicated Team and a network of international organisations, HNW customers can access advisory services on trust, legacy, tax, legal and family office matters within a single private setting. By bringing these capabilities together across every stage of the wealth and legacy planning journey, the Centre reduces fragmentation and empowers customers to make more confident, informed decisions.
A distinctive feature of the Centre is its bespoke hospitality offering, with dining prepared by AIA’s own corporate dining team. Thoughtfully curated food and beverage selections complement advisory engagements within a calm and private environment. Visitors may also explore the History Wall, which traces AIA Group’s century‑long legacy in Asia and its enduring commitment to customers across generations, while enjoying panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, taking in Hong Kong’s iconic skyline and landmarks such as the Hong Kong Observation Wheel.
Guests can enjoy panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, taking in Hong Kong’s iconic skyline and landmarks.
Purpose‑Led Design
Guided by AIA’s commitment to sustainability, the Centre’s design reflects ESG‑informed principles through material storytelling. Reclaimed elements—from ocean‑recovered fragments to repurposed glass, metal and wood—are thoughtfully re‑crafted to symbolise restoration, renewal and continuity, expressing AIA Alta’s belief that sustainability is a lived philosophy that preserves value, honours origins and supports enduring legacies across generations.
The Centre’s design reflects ESG informed principles through material storytelling.
A Trusted Proposition for HNW Families
The strength of the AIA Alta proposition is underpinned by strong customer recognition. For years, AIA has been recognised as Hong Kong’s most popular insurance brand among HNW individuals%, reflecting sustained trust in its ability to support HNW families. Looking ahead, AIA Alta will continue to support customers through its integrated pillars of Wealth and Health, complemented by meaningful experiences and curated privileges offered through AIA Alta Club—empowering customers to truly live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.
Visitors may also explore the History Wall, which traces AIA Group’s century long legacy in Asia and its enduring commitment to customers across generations.
Remarks:
1 High‑Net‑Worth customer means a customer with investable wealth of US$1 million to US$30 million.
2 Ultra‑High‑Net‑Worth customer means a customer with investable wealth of more than US$30 million.
# As of 1 March 2023, compared with similar services offered by major Hong Kong insurance companies.
& AIA Alta Prestige Wealth Centre is available by invitation only.
% According to YouGov, an international research and data analytics company, Hong Kong BrandIndex 2022-2025, AIA has been the Most Considered Insurance Brand and is Most Likely to Be Purchased among the High-Net-Worth customers in Hong Kong (individuals with total investable assets exceeding US$ 1 million) for four consecutive years (from 2022 to 2025).
Important Information:
The above information provided herein shall not be construed as providing, selling, or soliciting the purchase of any insurance products or services outside Hong Kong and/or Macau, nor does it constitute any sales advice, product recommendation, or any form of service offer. Where the offering or sale of insurance products is prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction outside Hong Kong and/or Macau, AIA shall not engage in such activities within that jurisdiction. AIA does not provide or sell insurance products or services in any territory other than Hong Kong and/or Macau. The above information is for reference purposes only and does not include detailed terms, conditions, or risk disclosures associated with the relevant products.
AIA reserves the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Services, any part thereof, service provider(s) or change any terms and conditions relating thereto at any time without prior notice at its absolute discretion.
Hashtag: #AIA
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About AIA Hong Kong & Macau
AIA Group Limited established its operations in Hong Kong in 1931. To date, AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau have about 18,000 financial planners*, as well as an extensive network of independent financial advisors, brokerage and bancassurance partners. We serve over 3.6 million customers^, offering them a wide selection of professional services and products ranging from individual life, group life, accident, medical and health, pension, personal lines insurance to investment-linked assurance schemes with numerous investment options. We are also dedicated to providing superb product solutions to meet the financial needs of high-net-worth customers.
* As at 30 June 2025 ^ Including AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau’s individual life, group insurance and pension customers (as at 30 June 2025)
BEIJING, March 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The fourth China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) has entered its 100-day countdown. Themed “Connecting the World for a Shared Future,” the event has evolved over three editions into an important platform for facilitating international cooperation across industrial and supply chains. Its model and value have extended well beyond China to help shape a global standard. The ISO 25639-1 international standard for “Exhibitions and Events—Vocabulary,” developed jointly by the global business community, explicitly incorporates the CISCE’s innovative approach and includes language reflecting the expo’s emphasis on connecting companies with potential partners across supply chains.
This year’s expo will mark a milestone with the launch of its first-ever Artificial Intelligence zone, offering a comprehensive look at the AI ecosystem encompassing data, computing power, and applications. Across its featured six supply chain sectors—Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Smart Vehicles, Digital Technology, Healthy Living, and Green Agriculture—alongside the Supply Chain Services Exhibition Area, visitors will encounter a lineup of new players—both Chinese and international—in emerging and future fields such as AI-enabled robotics, the drone and low-altitude aviation sector, and biomanufacturing, alongside established names showcasing the latest advances in industrial and supply chain modernization. Another new feature of the fourth CISCE will be an increased focus on targeted cooperation. Building on the previous “Guest Country of Honor” format, this year will introduce “Guest Provinces” for the first time, inviting overseas provinces, states, and regions with unique industrial advantages to participate and facilitate more targeted business matchmaking with Chinese provinces, cities, and companies.
Enthusiasm from the international business community remains high. At the third CISCE, exhibitors from outside China accounted for 35% of participants, with over 40 leaders from Fortune Global 500 companies and 172 delegations from abroad making dedicated trips to China for the expo. This reflects the strong interest of international businesses in supply chain partnerships and opportunities in the Chinese market. Preparations are moving forward smoothly. Nineteen international roadshows have already been held to present the expo around the world, with organizers aiming to achieve further growth in both the proportion of global exhibitors and the number of visiting delegations. More than 500 companies from China and around the world have already signed up to exhibit, and the recruitment phase is nearing completion.
HANGZHOU, China, March 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals, a leading innovator in adenosine signaling modulation, today announced the approval of its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for VG081821 in non‑alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), increasingly referred to as metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatohepatitis (MASH), by the China’s Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE). This achievement represents the second clinical indication for the company’s lead drug candidate, complementing its ongoing development program for Parkinson’s disease.
This approval constitutes the first global clearance of an A2A receptor antagonist for NASH clinical investigation. VG081821 can proceed directly to Phase II NASH trials, significantly shortening the clinical development timeline for this potential breakthrough therapy.
NASH is a progressive liver disease characterized by excessive fat accumulation (steatosis), hepatocellular injury, inflammation, and progressive fibrosis. With obesity and metabolic syndrome reaching epidemic proportions worldwide, NASH has emerged as a leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite its increasing prevalence and severe clinical consequences, the therapeutic landscape remains highly limited: to date, only two pharmacological agents—resmetirom and semaglutide—have been granted merely accelerated approval, underscoring a critical unmet need for additional effective treatment options.
As an A2A receptor antagonist, VG081821 simultaneously targets the three core pathological features of NASH: steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Given the complex pathophysiology of NASH, this multi-dimensional therapeutic approach offers distinct advantages, positioning VG081821 as a highly promising candidate for NASH therapy.
Compelling epidemiological evidence strongly supports the therapeutic potential of A2AR antagonists for NASH. Multiple large-scale studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption significantly reduces the risk of chronic liver disease. Caffeine, coffee’s primary bioactive compound, exerts hepatoprotective effects primarily through A2A receptor inhibition. As a significantly more potent and selective A2A receptor antagonist than caffeine, VG081821 is designed to deliver these proven benefits with enhanced therapeutic precision.
VG081821 distinguishes itself from traditional A2A receptor antagonists such as istradefylline through its unique pharmacological profile. While conventional antagonists simply block receptor activation, VG081821—the only A2A inverse agonist currently in global clinical development—further suppresses the receptor’s constitutive basal activity. This dual mechanism enables more complete inhibition of pathological signaling, potentially delivering superior pharmacological effects compared to standard antagonists.
VG081821’s first indication is Parkinson’s disease, where it represents the only investigational therapy globally that addresses both symptoms and underlying disease mechanisms. In completed Phase II trials of early-to-mid-stage Parkinson’s disease, VG081821 demonstrated significant improvements in motor function, meeting all efficacy expectations and showing strong potential as a monotherapy. The primary observed adverse event was transient elevation of liver transaminases—likely a pharmacological consequence of accelerated hepatic de-lipidation and enhanced gluconeogenesis (a processes requiring transaminase participation) rather than a toxic effect. Similar transient transaminase elevations have been observed with other lipid-modifying agents, including fibrates and resmetirom (for NASH), and are generally considered benign adaptive physiological responses. This finding further validates the expected pharmacological effects of VG081821 from an alternative perspective.
“We are thrilled to receive the IND approval to advance VG081821 for NASH therapy,” said Sanxing Sun, President and CEO of Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals. “Its mechanism of action is highly differentiated from current THR-beta agonists and GLP-1 therapies. By leveraging the drug’s unique ability to restore hepatic lipophagy while simultaneously resolving inflammation and fibrosis, we are well-positioned to address the substantial unmet need in metabolic liver diseases and poised to deliver superior patient outcomes.”
Vimgreen expects to initiate a Phase IIa trial for NASH treatment in the second half of the year.
About Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals
Vimgreen is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company based in Hangzhou, China. The company is dedicated to developing novel therapeutics targeting adenosine signaling pathways, with a focus on addressing unmet medical needs in neurodegenerative, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases. Vimgreen’s pipeline includes two clinical-stage compounds: VG081821, an A2A receptor antagonist for Parkinson’s disease and NASH; and VG290131, an A3 receptor agonist for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve predictions, projections, and other expectations about future events that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements due to various factors, including Vimgreen’s ability to execute its commercial strategy and successfully complete clinical development. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. Vimgreen undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
HANGZHOU, China, March 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals, a leading innovator in adenosine signaling modulation, today announced the approval of its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for VG081821 in non‑alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), increasingly referred to as metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatohepatitis (MASH), by the China’s Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE). This achievement represents the second clinical indication for the company’s lead drug candidate, complementing its ongoing development program for Parkinson’s disease.
This approval constitutes the first global clearance of an A2A receptor antagonist for NASH clinical investigation. VG081821 can proceed directly to Phase II NASH trials, significantly shortening the clinical development timeline for this potential breakthrough therapy.
NASH is a progressive liver disease characterized by excessive fat accumulation (steatosis), hepatocellular injury, inflammation, and progressive fibrosis. With obesity and metabolic syndrome reaching epidemic proportions worldwide, NASH has emerged as a leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite its increasing prevalence and severe clinical consequences, the therapeutic landscape remains highly limited: to date, only two pharmacological agents—resmetirom and semaglutide—have been granted merely accelerated approval, underscoring a critical unmet need for additional effective treatment options.
As an A2A receptor antagonist, VG081821 simultaneously targets the three core pathological features of NASH: steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Given the complex pathophysiology of NASH, this multi-dimensional therapeutic approach offers distinct advantages, positioning VG081821 as a highly promising candidate for NASH therapy.
Compelling epidemiological evidence strongly supports the therapeutic potential of A2AR antagonists for NASH. Multiple large-scale studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption significantly reduces the risk of chronic liver disease. Caffeine, coffee’s primary bioactive compound, exerts hepatoprotective effects primarily through A2A receptor inhibition. As a significantly more potent and selective A2A receptor antagonist than caffeine, VG081821 is designed to deliver these proven benefits with enhanced therapeutic precision.
VG081821 distinguishes itself from traditional A2A receptor antagonists such as istradefylline through its unique pharmacological profile. While conventional antagonists simply block receptor activation, VG081821—the only A2A inverse agonist currently in global clinical development—further suppresses the receptor’s constitutive basal activity. This dual mechanism enables more complete inhibition of pathological signaling, potentially delivering superior pharmacological effects compared to standard antagonists.
VG081821’s first indication is Parkinson’s disease, where it represents the only investigational therapy globally that addresses both symptoms and underlying disease mechanisms. In completed Phase II trials of early-to-mid-stage Parkinson’s disease, VG081821 demonstrated significant improvements in motor function, meeting all efficacy expectations and showing strong potential as a monotherapy. The primary observed adverse event was transient elevation of liver transaminases—likely a pharmacological consequence of accelerated hepatic de-lipidation and enhanced gluconeogenesis (a processes requiring transaminase participation) rather than a toxic effect. Similar transient transaminase elevations have been observed with other lipid-modifying agents, including fibrates and resmetirom (for NASH), and are generally considered benign adaptive physiological responses. This finding further validates the expected pharmacological effects of VG081821 from an alternative perspective.
“We are thrilled to receive the IND approval to advance VG081821 for NASH therapy,” said Sanxing Sun, President and CEO of Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals. “Its mechanism of action is highly differentiated from current THR-beta agonists and GLP-1 therapies. By leveraging the drug’s unique ability to restore hepatic lipophagy while simultaneously resolving inflammation and fibrosis, we are well-positioned to address the substantial unmet need in metabolic liver diseases and poised to deliver superior patient outcomes.”
Vimgreen expects to initiate a Phase IIa trial for NASH treatment in the second half of the year.
About Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals
Vimgreen is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company based in Hangzhou, China. The company is dedicated to developing novel therapeutics targeting adenosine signaling pathways, with a focus on addressing unmet medical needs in neurodegenerative, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases. Vimgreen’s pipeline includes two clinical-stage compounds: VG081821, an A2A receptor antagonist for Parkinson’s disease and NASH; and VG290131, an A3 receptor agonist for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve predictions, projections, and other expectations about future events that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements due to various factors, including Vimgreen’s ability to execute its commercial strategy and successfully complete clinical development. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. Vimgreen undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
HANGZHOU, China, March 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals, a leading innovator in adenosine signaling modulation, today announced the approval of its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for VG081821 in non‑alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), increasingly referred to as metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatohepatitis (MASH), by the China’s Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE). This achievement represents the second clinical indication for the company’s lead drug candidate, complementing its ongoing development program for Parkinson’s disease.
This approval constitutes the first global clearance of an A2A receptor antagonist for NASH clinical investigation. VG081821 can proceed directly to Phase II NASH trials, significantly shortening the clinical development timeline for this potential breakthrough therapy.
NASH is a progressive liver disease characterized by excessive fat accumulation (steatosis), hepatocellular injury, inflammation, and progressive fibrosis. With obesity and metabolic syndrome reaching epidemic proportions worldwide, NASH has emerged as a leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite its increasing prevalence and severe clinical consequences, the therapeutic landscape remains highly limited: to date, only two pharmacological agents—resmetirom and semaglutide—have been granted merely accelerated approval, underscoring a critical unmet need for additional effective treatment options.
As an A2A receptor antagonist, VG081821 simultaneously targets the three core pathological features of NASH: steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Given the complex pathophysiology of NASH, this multi-dimensional therapeutic approach offers distinct advantages, positioning VG081821 as a highly promising candidate for NASH therapy.
Compelling epidemiological evidence strongly supports the therapeutic potential of A2AR antagonists for NASH. Multiple large-scale studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption significantly reduces the risk of chronic liver disease. Caffeine, coffee’s primary bioactive compound, exerts hepatoprotective effects primarily through A2A receptor inhibition. As a significantly more potent and selective A2A receptor antagonist than caffeine, VG081821 is designed to deliver these proven benefits with enhanced therapeutic precision.
VG081821 distinguishes itself from traditional A2A receptor antagonists such as istradefylline through its unique pharmacological profile. While conventional antagonists simply block receptor activation, VG081821—the only A2A inverse agonist currently in global clinical development—further suppresses the receptor’s constitutive basal activity. This dual mechanism enables more complete inhibition of pathological signaling, potentially delivering superior pharmacological effects compared to standard antagonists.
VG081821’s first indication is Parkinson’s disease, where it represents the only investigational therapy globally that addresses both symptoms and underlying disease mechanisms. In completed Phase II trials of early-to-mid-stage Parkinson’s disease, VG081821 demonstrated significant improvements in motor function, meeting all efficacy expectations and showing strong potential as a monotherapy. The primary observed adverse event was transient elevation of liver transaminases—likely a pharmacological consequence of accelerated hepatic de-lipidation and enhanced gluconeogenesis (a processes requiring transaminase participation) rather than a toxic effect. Similar transient transaminase elevations have been observed with other lipid-modifying agents, including fibrates and resmetirom (for NASH), and are generally considered benign adaptive physiological responses. This finding further validates the expected pharmacological effects of VG081821 from an alternative perspective.
“We are thrilled to receive the IND approval to advance VG081821 for NASH therapy,” said Sanxing Sun, President and CEO of Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals. “Its mechanism of action is highly differentiated from current THR-beta agonists and GLP-1 therapies. By leveraging the drug’s unique ability to restore hepatic lipophagy while simultaneously resolving inflammation and fibrosis, we are well-positioned to address the substantial unmet need in metabolic liver diseases and poised to deliver superior patient outcomes.”
Vimgreen expects to initiate a Phase IIa trial for NASH treatment in the second half of the year.
About Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals
Vimgreen is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company based in Hangzhou, China. The company is dedicated to developing novel therapeutics targeting adenosine signaling pathways, with a focus on addressing unmet medical needs in neurodegenerative, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases. Vimgreen’s pipeline includes two clinical-stage compounds: VG081821, an A2A receptor antagonist for Parkinson’s disease and NASH; and VG290131, an A3 receptor agonist for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve predictions, projections, and other expectations about future events that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements due to various factors, including Vimgreen’s ability to execute its commercial strategy and successfully complete clinical development. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. Vimgreen undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
https://hkie.org.hk
