Jam City acquires Bingo Pop, expands operations to Canada

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- Jam City, a leader in mobile entertainment has acquired Bingo Pop from Uken Games and expands global operations to Toronto, Canada. Announcement was made following its recent multi-year partnership with Disney.

The veteran Bingo Pop (one of the top bingo mobile games worldwide) team has also joined Jam City and will continue to manage game operations from Jam City’s new Toronto studio, a statement said.

“This acquisition provides Jam City with access to leading creative talent in one of the fastest growing and most exciting tech markets in the world,” said co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Jam City,  Chris DeWolfe.

The company looks forward to working with the talented Jam City team in Toronto as they supercharge the live operations of Bingo Pop and develop innovative new titles and mobile entertainment experiences.

As Canada has becoming a haven for top game developers, engineers, designers and artists worldwide, Jam City also plans tapping into the large pool of talent across the region and expanding its operations in such a vibrant and trend-setting city.

“We are excited to focus on the continued success of our iconic trivia titles and introduce brand new game franchises to players around the world. We are fully committed to continue hiring and investing in Toronto as a global hub for gaming,” said co-founder and CEO of Uken Games, Chris Ye.

Jam City, founded in 2009 provides unique and deeply engaging games that appeal to broad global audiences. It has studios in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Bogotá and Buenos Aires. More details on http://www.jamcity.com or https://www.uken.com.

-- BERNAMA

A.M. BEST AFFIRMS CREDIT RATINGS OF BAO MINH INSURANCE CORPORATION

SINGAPORE, Nov 30 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb” of Bao Minh Insurance Corporation (Bao Minh) (Vietnam). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Bao Minh’s balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorizes as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

The company’s risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), is supported by a low underwriting leverage at the gross and net levels, a good quality of reinsurance assets and a liquid investment portfolio, with a majority of investments allocated to cash and deposits.

Bao Minh was the third-largest non-life insurer in Vietnam based on gross premium written in 2017. The company underwrites a diversified portfolio of business with the majority being short-tail businesses such as motor, health and personal accidents. Prospectively, the company will continue with a low growth strategy in view of the intense market competition, especially in the motor line.

An offsetting rating factor is the declining trend in Bao Minh’s underwriting margins. Despite continued annual net premium growth of 11% over the past five years, the company’s expense ratio has increased over the same period and remains higher than its peers. While Bao Minh’s capitalization remains solid in risk-adjusted terms, its capital position has declined slightly over the past five years as a result of high dividend payouts.

The company rating is well-positioned at the current rating. Downward rating pressure could result from deterioration in the company’s operating performance.

Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on A.M. Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see A.M. Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and A.M. Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and A.M. Best Rating Action Press Releases.

A.M. Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry. Visit www.ambest.com for more information.

Copyright © 2018 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181129005635/en/

Contact

Tran Nhat Trung
Financial Analyst
+65 6303 5019
trung.tran@ambest.com

Chi Yeung Lok
Director, Analytics
+65 6303 5016
chi-yeung.lok@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Jim Peavy
Director, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com

Source : A.M. Best

--BERNAMA

UPDATE -- US FDA APPROVES INVIVOSCRIBE LEUKOSTRAT CDX FLT3 MUTATION ASSAY AS CDX AND ASTELLAS DRUG XOSPATA (GILTERITINIB FUMARATE) FOR TREATMENT OF AML PATIENTS IN THE US

Invivoscribe also Receives National Reimbursement for CDx Assay in Japan


SAN DIEGO, Nov 30 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Invivoscribe is pleased to announce FDA approval of both the LeukoStrat CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay and the Astellas drug, XOSPATA (gilteritinib fumarate), for treatment of FLT3 positive refractory/relapse acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in the US.  Further, the Japanese MHLW has confirmed national reimbursement for the LeukoStrat CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay in Japan.

Invivoscribe developed the LeukoStrat CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay in partnership with Astellas as the companion diagnostic to predict patient responses to Astellas Pharma's AML drug XOSPATA (gilteritinib fumarate).

This approval complements Invivoscribe’s prior regulatory approvals of this LeukoStrat CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay as the companion diagnostic for RYDAPT (midostaurin) for Novartis (United States and Europe), and XOSPATA (gilteritinib fumarate) for Astellas (Japan). This CDx was also recently submitted to the PMDA in Japan and the US FDA as the CDx for predicting response to the Daiichi Sankyo drug, quizartinib hydrochloride.

This milestone further establishes the LeukoStrat CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay as the international gold standard for comprehensive FLT3 assessment for critically ill AML patients as this CDx identifies both ITD and TKD mutations (including large internal tandem duplications), is available worldwide, and generates standardized signal ratios for both ITD and TKD mutations.

“Invivoscribe welcomes opportunities to use our Streamlined CDx™ program to partner with global pharmaceutical companies interested in developing and commercializing companion diagnostics, whether their therapies are targeting hematologic diseases or solid tumors,” said Jeffrey Miller, Invivoscribe’s CSO and CEO.

About the Invivoscribe LeukoStrat CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay

The LeukoStrat CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay is a PCR-based, in vitro diagnostic test designed to detect internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations and tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) mutations D835 and I836 in the FLT3 gene in genomic DNA extracted from mononuclear cells obtained from peripheral blood or bone marrow aspirates of patients diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. This globally standardized test includes software that interprets data, generates mutant/wildtype signal ratios for ITD and TKD mutations, and predicts response to both gilteritinib fumarate and midostaurin. This extensively validated assay helps standardize the detection of genetic mutations in the FLT3 gene as one of the most important driver mutations in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

The LeukoStrat test is available as a test menu service through the Invivoscribe subsidiaries, LabPMM LLC (San Diego, CA, US), LabPMM GmbH (Martinsried, Germany) and LabPMM GK (Kawasaki City, Japan). LeukoStrat CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay kits are currently distributed in Europe, will be available in Japan in 2018, and are planned for distribution in the United States, and China in the future.

About Invivoscribe

Invivoscribe is a privately held biotechnology company dedicated to Improving Lives with Precision Diagnostics^™. For nearly twenty-five years, Invivoscribe has improved the quality of healthcare worldwide by providing high quality, standardized reagents, tests, and bioinformatics tools to advance the field of precision medicine. Invivoscribe has a successful track record of partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies interested in developing and commercializing companion diagnostics, and provides expertise in both regulatory and laboratory services. Providing distributable kits, as well as clinical trial services through its globally located clinical lab subsidiaries (LabPMM), Invivoscribe is an ideal partner from diagnostic development, through clinical trials, regulatory submissions, and commercialization.

For additional information please contact Invivoscribe at support@invivoscribe.com or visit www.invivoscribe.com. 

SOURCE : Invivoscribe, Inc.

PIN IT WITH STYLE AT 7-ELEVEN MALAYSIA!

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- The latest loyalty redemption campaign from 7-Eleven Malaysia features wildly popular characters from 4 iconic titles of the DreamWorks world! Have a trip with Alex and friends from Madagascar, get into action with Po and his team from KungFu Panda, enjoy bizarre adventures with Shrek and colour your life with the cast of Trolls!

The DreamWorks All Stars Pins^TM come in 31 eye-catching designs, each featuring a piece of the DreamWorks world. From now until 21^st January 2019, for every selected purchase of RM5 and above in a single receipt at any 7-Eleven outlet, a program sticker will be rewarded. As a bonus, an additional sticker will be rewarded if the purchase includes a promotional partner product. Customers get to score a free pin by simply collecting 10 stickers or may opt to speed up their collection by topping up an additional RM 6.90 once 5 campaign stickers are collected.

7-Eleven Malaysia CEO, Mr. Colin Harvey said, “We always place our customers interests first and we strive to meet their demands by introducing regular innovative programs and promotions. We are pleased to introduce DreamWorks All Stars Pins™ as the culmination of a great year that has already seen the iconic Minions and Marvel characters making an appearance at our stores. We believe these one of a kind pins will win the hearts of many and our customers can come to expect to be rewarded when they shop with us as we’re Always There For You.”

Ronan Lee, Marketing General Manager of 7-Eleven Malaysia added, “As we close in on the season of giving, these adorable pins are definitely a present worthy of gifting to our loved ones or simply a way to make a fabulous fashion statement as it can be used to accessorize on garments, caps, bags, sneakers and more!. Furthermore, with the ‘Let’s Pin with Style’ online contest, 2 cuddly exclusive XL-sized Po plush toys are up for grabs! Participants simply need to post a photo of them using the pins in the most creative manner on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtags #DWAllStarsPins and #7ElevenMY”.

With the recent introduction of various new and exclusive products such as 7-Eleven Malaysia’s very own Soft Serve ice cream featuring Malaysia’s first ever Ebonylla™ flavour at selected stores to an ever expanding range of fresh food offerings that will suit any discerning palate, additional service providers such as having the convenience of paying PTPTN loan repayments through MOL Pay, 24/7 at any store, daily, weekly and monthly promotions such as its well-accepted Ohsem7 deal of the day, Panaz deals on the 7^th and 11^th of each month and its signature We’ve Gone Crazy deals, 7-Eleven Malaysia is truly providing convenience, value and plenty of fun to its loyal customers!

7-Eleven Malaysia is the largest stand-alone convenience store-chain nationwide, with more than 2,250 outlets across the country.  For more information on DreamWorks All Stars Pins™, please visit www.7eleven.com.my or follow 7ElevenMalaysia on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About 7-Eleven Malaysia

7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Berhad through its subsidiary 7-Eleven Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. is the owner and operator of 7-Eleven stores in Malaysia. Incorporated on 4 June 1984, 7-Eleven Malaysia has made its mark in the retailing scene and have been a prominent icon for over 33 years. 7-Eleven Malaysia is the pioneer and largest 24-hours standalone convenience store operator in Malaysia with over 2,250 outlets nationwide and serves more than 900,000 customers daily. 7-Eleven stores can be found across bustling commercial districts to serene suburban residential compounds throughout Malaysia, from petrol stations and LRT stations to shopping malls and medical institutions. 7-Eleven is Always There For You.

SOURCE : RedHot Media Sdn. Bhd.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name : Lawrence Ng
Manager, Communications & Creative | 7-Eleven Malaysia
Tel : 03-2142 1136 / 018-371 1766
Email : lawrence.ng@7eleven.com.my

--BERNAMA

MYTVCHAIN PRESENTS 1ST DECENTRALISED SPORTS WEB TV AND ICO AT BLOCKSHOW ASIA IN SINGAPORE 28TH-29TH NOV

France, and Singapore, Nov 29 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- French Web TV-caster MYTVCHAIN is proud to present and showcase the first web TV platform dedicated to sports clubs and athletes, powered by blockchain technology, at Blockshow Asia in Singapore, their first foray into Asia. The platform allows sports clubs to create their own web TV and animate their communities whilst simultaneously generating revenue to develop and support their activities, thereby helping sports clubs to build brand loyalty and accelerate growth in the development of sport club channels.
 
With advertising-based revenue models in media generally declining on the web, sports clubs need to find new sources of funding video content and dissemination. MYTVCHAIN is providing that answer in the form of a community-driven blockchain-powered platform. Users of MYTVCHAIN are rewarded in tokens for viewing content on the platform and can utilize these tokens for a variety of transactions – from supporting their favorite clubs or content producers with donations to purchasing services or videos from MYTVCHAIN and more. The platform is up and running and already onboards its first sports clubs in France.
 
The MYTVCHAIN platform facilitates and incentivizes transactions within its ecosystem by implementing tokenization and crowdfunding. To facilitate ease of token purchase for its ICO (Initial Coin Offering), MYTVCHAIN is deploying a fiat-based payment gateway LBXPro.io, using money transfers for payments. This is good news for the larger community who may be new to but interested in cryptocurrencies, as it breaks down the ‘crypto barrier’. Seasoned crypto investors will still be able to purchase tokens using crypto-based payments.
 
The MYTVCHAIN token is already pre-approved to be listed on established exchange LaToken.com at the end of the ICO, with more exchanges to be announced at a later stage, a sure sign that the token is poised to be of interest even to the risk-averse. MYTVCHAIN welcomes interested individuals to their private investor meetup at the Fullerton Bay Hotel in Singapore on 30th November. To register interest, please contact info@mytvchain.com
 
For more information on the MYTVCHAIN project, please visit mytvchain.io
 
Website:
www.mytvchain.com
 
Company Contact:
info@mytvchain.com
 
Media Contact:
press@mytvchain.com
 
SOURCE: Chaineum
 
--BERNAMA

SolarWinds to showcase extended Microsoft Azure monitoring capabilities in Florida

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 (Bernama) – SolarWinds, a powerful and affordable IT management software provider will demonstrate the latest updates to its Microsoft® Azure® monitoring capabilities soon.

The company said in a statement the updates will be demonstrated when it participates at SQL Server Live! 360 2018 in Orlando, Florida from Dec 2 to 7 at booth 213.

The Microsoft® Azure® provides a simple, powerful experience for full-stack monitoring, root cause analysis and optimized performance for DevOps and IT professionals.

SolarWinds continues extending its monitoring capabilities to help users monitor Azure environments with the latest updates of Monitoring for Azure Environment, Database Monitoring and Monitoring of Microsoft Office 365.

“As more of us move to hybrid IT environments, the need to run, monitor and secure servers and applications in the cloud will increase,” said Head Geek, SolarWinds, Thomas LaRock.

“These latest updates demonstrate how our solutions continue to evolve to address the ever-changing needs of IT operations and security teams, SysAdmins, DevOps and managers alike,” LaRock added.

SolarWinds will also highlight its key solutions which are Cost Calculator for Azure, Database Performance Analyzer (DPA) and Server & Application Monitor (SAM). More details about the updates at www.solarwinds.com

-- BERNAMA

Japanese company to build facility in Malaysia to support cold chain logistics demand

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd will start work on its first multi-tenant logistics facility in Malaysia -- ‘D Project Malaysia I’ -- in Shah Alam, Selangor on Jan 7, 2019 to support cold chain logistics as demand has been growing in recent years.

The rental management of the project will be undertaken by Daiwa House Malaysia Logistic Sdn. Bhd -- the company's Malaysian subsidiary established in May 2018, a statement said.

The project is a logistics facility that can accommodate multiple tenants to support the diversifying logistics facility needs in Malaysia, a mechanism to distribute perishable foods and frozen foods to be keep at a fixed temperature from production sites to consumption locations.

The new facility will cover a site area of approximately 30,000 square meters, a total floor area of approximately 18,000 square meters and a rentable area of approximately 16,500 square meters.

It is located in an area lined with factories and logistics facilities in Shah Alam which is approximately 27 km southwest of central Kuala Lumpur and approximately 40 km north of Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The company had developed the ‘Long Duc Industrial Park’ jointly with Sojitz Corporation and Kobelco Eco-Solutions Co., Ltd. in Vietnam in 2011. It also has been working on developing logistics facilities in Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.

-- BERNAMA  

Blockchain management platform on AWS Marketplace for Containers

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 (Bernama) – Blockchain Technology Partners (BTP), an enterprise blockchain company, has launched Sextant™, its powerful blockchain management platform on Amazon Web Services (AWS) Marketplace for Containers.

According to BTP in a statement, the comprehensive platform will radically simplify enterprise adoption of Hyperledger Sawtooth – the best emerging open source blockchain technology for business.

Sextant accelerates innovation by providing enterprises with a platform that they can build upon ensuring that they focus on business application development, not blockchain infrastructure.

Sextant utilizes a carefully curated Hyperledger Sawtooth distribution – built, tested and maintained by BTP to deliver one-click deployment of enterprise-grade Sawtooth networks.

These networks can either be standalone - typically the case if a developer is testing a new blockchain application or smart contract - or join existing Sawtooth networks, the statement added.

Chief executive officer of BTP, Duncan Johnston-Watt said: “With the help of Sextant, enterprises can navigate blockchain management with ease and with the launch of AWS Marketplace for Containers, they can be up and running and exploring the brave new world of blockchain in no time at all.”

With offices in Edinburgh, Singapore and New York, BTP is also a member of the Linux Foundation and an active participant in both the Hyperledger and CNCF communities. More details at https://blockchaintp.com

-- BERNAMA

EXPLORE BAMBOO PAVILION AT TAICHUNG WORLD FLORA EXPO

Explore Bamboo Pavilion at Taichung World Flora Expo.
(Photo: Business Wire)

TAICHUNG, Taiwan, Nov 28 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Taichung World Flora Expo, running from Nov. 3 through April 24, 2019, will feature the tallest bamboo construction ever built in Taiwan for expo-goers to explore and interact with bamboo interior space.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181127005953/en/

Designed by architect Chen Yi-chung of the Taichung-based ZUO Studio, the Bamboo Pavilion is constructed with bamboo, a fast-growing plant and renewable natural material with high strength-to-weight ratio that can be utilized for multiple purposes.

According to Chen, the Bamboo Pavilion is constructed with mainly Taiwan-grown bamboos to replace concrete, seeking to create a harmonious relationship between architecture and natural environment through using sustainable building material.

Taking inspiration from seed, bamboo forest, and the Central Mountain Range, the pavilion is a forest-like structure constructed with intertwined bamboo. The architectural space will allow visitors to experience the Oriental art of bamboo craft amidst the bamboo forest.

At 10m high, the curvy exterior of the pavilion also integrates with its surrounding landscape, including a pond and Makino bamboo garden designs, making it a place for visitors to connect with nature while exploring or resting inside, added Chen.

Moreover, the Bamboo Pavilion has been shortlisted by the World Architecture Festival Awards for the Leisure Led Development – Future Project category this year, recognizing the strength of architecture firms in Taichung as well as the Taichung City Government’s promotional efforts of the World Flora Expo.

Kuo Kun-ming, Taichung City Government Deputy Secretary-General and expo chief executive, noted that the concept of the Bamboo Pavilion is to spread seeds of wonder all over Taichung and create beautiful memory for the city. Constructed with more than 300 stalks of Moso bamboo from Nantou, the pavilion also presents promotion wishes.

Along with the world’s largest “The Sound of Blooming” installation art, as well as the largest display wall, the longest paper-cutting art, the largest equestrian stadium, the first renewable building constructed with straw, and the top prize winner Leopard Cat Float featured at the National Day in Taiwan, the Bamboo Pavilion is one of the major highlights of this year’s flora expo.

In addition to these highlights, the flora expo also features garden designs by Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Myanmar, offering glimpses of each nation’s characteristic plants and culture through the design of garden and landscape.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181127005953/en/

Contact

Sanlih E-Television Co., Ltd.
Renie Lee +886-937-098-066
renie@mail.sanlih.com.tw

Source : Sanlih E-Television Co., Ltd.

--BERNAMA

ASIA'S LARGEST DAIRY PRODUCER YILI ANNOUNCES WORLD'S FIRST ANNUAL REPORT ON BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION - "BEING 'FIRST' IS NOT ONLY OPERATION BUT ALSO RESPONSIBILITY"

Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- The 14th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity is being held in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt during November 14-29, 2018. Representatives from over 190 contracting states of the Convention on Biodiversity are participating in the event and having in-depth discussions on policies on biodiversity integration of agriculture, forestry, fishery and tourism.

Yili(the "Group"), the only Chinese enterprise signing the Commitment Letter of Enterprises and Biodiversity of the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity, was invited to the conference. Zhang Jianqiu, CEO of Yili Group, shared practices and experience in its protection of biodiversity with the guests and announced the "Annual Report on Biodiversity Protection of Yili Group", the first ever of its kind in the world.

Business development is closely bound to responsibilities. As the leader of China's dairy production, the Group has witnessed steady growth in revenue and net profits over the years. As of the third quarter of 2018, the Group has rung up sales of RMB61.327 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 16.88%, thereby proving themselves a leader in the industry. For the Group, being "first" means not only operations but also the assumption of social responsibilities.

Zhang Jianqiu notes that, apart from development, Yili is going ahead with the idea of "Green Leadership" proposed by Group Chairman Pan Gang and is pushing forward with the strategy "Green Industrial China." It is on this basis that the "Chinese Sample" of biodiversity protection has been produced gradually, characterized by "Disclosure, Management and Popularity" over the years. The 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity will be held in China for the first time in 2020. Yili sincerely hopes that more and more Chinese enterprises will join hands with them to protect the biodiversity.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=33282