KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 -- Mary Kay Inc has sponsored, collaborated and explored applications of skin microbiome with leading experts in the field at the New York City for the 73rd Society of Cosmetic Chemists Meeting recently.
“New research suggests that microbes play an important role in overall skin health, and as leading skincare innovators, Mary Kay is heavily invested in further exploration of their impact,” said Chief Scientific Officer at Mary Kay, Dr Lucy Gildea.
“We have a commitment to take an active role in the beauty and scientific communities through participation in global dermatological conferences like the Society of Cosmetic Chemists Meeting, where we can share and learn from other scientific experts to help us develop more effective products.”
According to a statement, the Society of Cosmetic Chemists Meeting convened over 1,300 attendees from some of the top cosmetic and personal care brands and manufacturers.
Participants were encouraged to engage with speakers presenting the latest research and innovations of interest to cosmetic scientists, exchange ideas with peers and reconnect with colleagues worldwide.
This year, Mary Kay focused on three pillars in its commitment to skin health, including pollution; skin barrier health and sensitive skin; and the understanding of skin aging and strategies to intervene.
Every year, Mary Kay conducts hundreds of thousands of scientific tests on products and ingredients to ensure the highest standards of safety, quality and performance. It holds more than 1,500 patents for products, technologies and packaging designs in its global portfolio.
More information at https://www.marykay.com.
-- BERNAMA
Monday 30 December 2019
Sunday 29 December 2019
Malaysian Reinsurance Bhd has stable credit ratings outlook
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 -- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of ‘a-’ of Malaysian Reinsurance Bhd (Malaysian Re) Malaysia.
According to AM Best, the outlook of these credit ratings is stable.
The ratings reflect Malaysian Re’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best described as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
Malaysian Re’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation that remains comfortably at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio.
The company’s capital and surplus has exhibited a strong growth over recent years from retained earnings.
In fiscal year 2019, a capital injection of RM100 million from its holding company, MNRB Holdings Bhd has strengthened its capital position to support business growth.
In addition, the company has a conservative investment portfolio, with focus on good quality fixed-income securities.
AM Best views the company’s underwriting leverage as low compared with its peers.
The rating agency views the company’s operating performance as adequate and assesses Malaysian Re’s business profile as neutral.
Malaysian Re is a dominant market leader in Malaysia’s non-life reinsurance market. More details on the ratings at http://www.ambest.com/
-- BERNAMA
According to AM Best, the outlook of these credit ratings is stable.
The ratings reflect Malaysian Re’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best described as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
Malaysian Re’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation that remains comfortably at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio.
The company’s capital and surplus has exhibited a strong growth over recent years from retained earnings.
In fiscal year 2019, a capital injection of RM100 million from its holding company, MNRB Holdings Bhd has strengthened its capital position to support business growth.
In addition, the company has a conservative investment portfolio, with focus on good quality fixed-income securities.
AM Best views the company’s underwriting leverage as low compared with its peers.
The rating agency views the company’s operating performance as adequate and assesses Malaysian Re’s business profile as neutral.
Malaysian Re is a dominant market leader in Malaysia’s non-life reinsurance market. More details on the ratings at http://www.ambest.com/
-- BERNAMA
Hotel Royal Classic Osaka promotes culture, sightseeing via Museum Hotel concept
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 -- Hotel Royal Classic Osaka, a new luxury hotel complex in Japan recently unveiled its Museum Hotel concept, driving Osaka's development as an international city of culture and sightseeing.
Housed in this distinctive space, the innovative Museum Hotel provides guests with a hands-on experience in art museum-level quality - an original service that transcends the norms of business or suite hotels to offer a luxury experience for the soul.
The Museum Hotel concept has been unveiled to mark the hotel’s grand opening and features over 100 modern artworks.
Curated with the assistance of Professor Junji Ito of Tokyo University of the Arts, along with Tokyo's Whitestone Gallery, the collection was displayed throughout the hotel’s public spaces and guest rooms.
The hotel was designed by globally celebrated architect, Kengo Kuma on the site of the former Osaka Shin-Kabukiza Theater.
The hotel is a unique architectural structure with a lower facade that replicates the magnificent ‘karahafu’ gabled rooftop of the original Shin-Kabukiza Theater, extending into an intricately dynamic aluminum fin motif on its upper floors.
More details of Hotel Royal Classic Osaka at https://hotel-royalclassic.jp/en/
-- BERNAMA
Housed in this distinctive space, the innovative Museum Hotel provides guests with a hands-on experience in art museum-level quality - an original service that transcends the norms of business or suite hotels to offer a luxury experience for the soul.
The Museum Hotel concept has been unveiled to mark the hotel’s grand opening and features over 100 modern artworks.
Curated with the assistance of Professor Junji Ito of Tokyo University of the Arts, along with Tokyo's Whitestone Gallery, the collection was displayed throughout the hotel’s public spaces and guest rooms.
The hotel was designed by globally celebrated architect, Kengo Kuma on the site of the former Osaka Shin-Kabukiza Theater.
The hotel is a unique architectural structure with a lower facade that replicates the magnificent ‘karahafu’ gabled rooftop of the original Shin-Kabukiza Theater, extending into an intricately dynamic aluminum fin motif on its upper floors.
More details of Hotel Royal Classic Osaka at https://hotel-royalclassic.jp/en/
-- BERNAMA
Tuesday 24 December 2019
China's Horse Capital Xilingol League aims for equine industry growth
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 -- Xilingol League in north China boasts rich grassland and Mongolian horse culture, as well as enjoys unique equine industry development resources.
It is also the core birthplace of the world famous horse breed, ‘Mongolian Horse’ and was honoured as ‘Chinese Capital of Horses’ by the China Horse Industry Association in 2010.
Xilingol League has extended its industrial chain around the development of the ‘Chinese Capital of Horses’ cultural industry gathering area in recent years, promoting equine culture, tourism, competition, products and other related fields with remarkable progress.
As the core area of ‘Chinese Capital of Horses’, Xilinhot City has implemented a number of key projects such as the cultural ecotourism area, set up the Zhongyun Horse Industry Group and hosted top equestrian events at home and abroad.
The projects promote the transformation and development of the traditional equine industry into a modern one and boost the horse capital’s reputation and influence.
Xilingol League has also cultivated a number of well-known equine cultural tourism festival brands such as the ‘White Horse Culture Festival’ and ‘Dark Horse Culture Festival’.
Local governments have leveraged traditional Mongolian festivals to develop various tourism products and roll out projects like leisure riding and equestrian performances.
-- BERNAMA
Monday 23 December 2019
Fusionex Founder & Group CEO receives Paul Harris Fellow Award
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 -- Fusionex Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Datuk Seri Ivan Teh received the distinguished Paul Harris Fellow Award recently.
The Rotary Club’s highest honour was presented at the Rotary Club of Kuala Lumpur DiRaja’s 92nd Anniversary Installation Gala Dinner.
Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj Ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Al-Haj, who was present at the event, also received the Paul Harris Fellow’s highest honours.
“I am humbled and honoured to receive this tremendous recognition alongside other noble philanthropists who have contributed greatly to these exemplary causes,” said Teh in a statement.
“I’m glad to play a small but hopefully, meaningful role in doing our part as global citizens, and will continue to do so in any way I can.”
Established in 1957, the award acknowledges individuals who have made significant contributions and supported philanthropic efforts such as immunising children from polio and providing clean water to impoverished areas worldwide.
Among prominent figures who had been past recipients of the Paul Harris Fellowship include former United States (US) president Jimmy Carter; former Russian president Boris Yeltsin; US astronaut James Lovell; former United Nations secretary-general Javier Perez de Cuellar; and, Jonas Salk, inventor of the polio vaccine.
Fusionex is an established multi-award winning data technology provider specialising in Analytics, Big Data, IR 4.0, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. More information at https://www.fusionex-international.com.
-- BERNAMA
Ferns N Petals starts round-the-clock delivery services in Singapore
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 -- Ferns N Petals has begun 24-hour delivery services in Singapore, aiming to provide convenience to customers as they can now send gifts to loved ones in an effortless manner whenever they want.
The company recently launched its operations in the island republic and is seeing a positive response from the customers. It plans to offer five different kinds of delivery services in Singapore, enabling users to get their gifts delivered whenever they want.
“Convenience of the customers is a top priority for us, hence we will be launching one Hr. delivery service by mid-December which will help people save time from going to the nearest flower/cake shop to buy the items,” said Business Head, Rahul Vyas.
“Also, this will enable us to offer a quick delivery service for the last-minute users during peak seasons like Christmas, Chinese New Year & Valentine.”
Customers can choose from flowers, cakes, chocolates, plants, personalised gifts, Valentine’s Day gifts and gifts, to be delivered on the same day, according to a statement.
The company also provides grand opening arrangements and caters to big-size arrangements even if customers place a last-minute order.
There are various delivery options provided for customers -- Same Day Delivery; Midnight Delivery; Fixed Time Delivery; and, Morning Delivery.
-- BERNAMA
Friday 20 December 2019
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION APPROVES ASTELLAS' XOSPATA® FOR PATIENTS WITH RELAPSED OR REFRACTORY ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA WITH A FLT3 MUTATION DETECTED BY VALIDATED TESTS, INCLUDING THE INVIVOSCRIBE LEUKOSTRAT CDX FLT3 MUTATION ASSAY
SAN DIEGO, Dec 6 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For 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. The LeukoStrat® CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay may now be used as an aid in the assessment of AML patients for treatment with XOSPATA® (gilteritinib) in Europe. FLT3 mutation must be confirmed with a validated test, such as the LeukoStrat CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay, which served as the companion diagnostic in the Phase 3 ADMIRAL trial resulting in approval of XOSPATA®.
Companion diagnostics play a key role in the development and approval of targeted drug therapies. The ability to screen for biomarkers in a patient population creates patient subsets which further enables drug developers in the design of novel therapeutics and management of clinical trials. Accordingly, the successful approval of a targeted therapy is highly dependent on the performance of the companion diagnostic.
EC approval of gilteritinib is based on results from the Phase 3 ADMIRAL trial, which investigated gilteritinib versus salvage chemotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory FLT3mut+ AML. The ADMIRAL study demonstrated that gilteritinib resulted in a statistically significant improvement in median overall survival (9.3 months) compared to salvage chemotherapy (5.6 months) when patients were selected with the LeukoStrat CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay (Hazard FLT3 Ratio = 0.637 (95%CI 0.488, 0.830, P=0.0004). This approval highlights yet another solution in patient care.
About LeukoStrat CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay
This PCR-based, in vitro diagnostic test detects 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 AML. This test, which is available worldwide, includes software that interprets data, generates standardized mutant/wildtype signal ratios for ITD and TKD mutations, and predicts response to multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Companion diagnostics play a key role in the development and approval of targeted drug therapies. The ability to screen for biomarkers in a patient population creates patient subsets which further enables drug developers in the design of novel therapeutics and management of clinical trials. Accordingly, the successful approval of a targeted therapy is highly dependent on the performance of the companion diagnostic.
EC approval of gilteritinib is based on results from the Phase 3 ADMIRAL trial, which investigated gilteritinib versus salvage chemotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory FLT3mut+ AML. The ADMIRAL study demonstrated that gilteritinib resulted in a statistically significant improvement in median overall survival (9.3 months) compared to salvage chemotherapy (5.6 months) when patients were selected with the LeukoStrat CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay (Hazard FLT3 Ratio = 0.637 (95%CI 0.488, 0.830, P=0.0004). This approval highlights yet another solution in patient care.
About LeukoStrat CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay
This PCR-based, in vitro diagnostic test detects 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 AML. This test, which is available worldwide, includes software that interprets data, generates standardized mutant/wildtype signal ratios for ITD and TKD mutations, and predicts response to multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Toga Limited participates in Singapore FinTech Festival 2019
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 -- Toga Limited recently participated in the world’s biggest gathering of FinTech companies, the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF).
SFF and the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) concluded the combined week-long event last month, which attracted more than 60,000 participants from 140 countries.
The event recorded 569 speakers, close to 1,000 exhibitors and 41 international pavilions. The event participation was a great way to showcase the latest developments from Toga Limited.
Toga’s Yippi App (available in Google Play and the Apple store) has now hit 400,000 active users in the South East Asian region alone. Yippi is a free super social messaging App with proprietary TRT technology.
Yippi is a unique super app that empowers its users with numerous functionalities in a single complete app that includes Wallet, Social media, Games, Stickers, Ecosystem, Languages, Artificial intelligence, Secret Chat and Fun Camera.
Yippi’s proprietary TRT Technology is seen as a game changer in this industry. With the current introduction of this health providing digital technology the download and active users of Yippi is expected to rise at a much faster rate.
The Festival was organised by the Monetary Authority of Singapore in partnership with The Association of Banks in Singapore and in collaboration with SingEx Holdings.
-- BERNAMA
Epiq appoints Carlos Gonzalez as chief information officer
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 -- Carlos Gonzalez has joined Epiq, a global leader in the legal services industry as chief information officer, reporting directly to the chief executive officer, David Dobson.
Gonzalez is a seasoned leader who brings 20 years of global, technology experience in building scalable and high performing IT operations for large companies including IBM, American Home Mortgage and Allscripts.
He has significant experience across infrastructure, network, security and data centre operations management utilising multiple technologies with a track record of improving reliability and creating enterprise success.
“Epiq’s focus on delivering best of breed technology solutions to its impressive client base drew me to join this great team and organisation,” said Gonzalez.
“I believe we can build on our past technology successes while innovating for the future. This will allow us to continually improve the solutions and services we deliver to our clients to help them transform their business operations.”
Most recently, Gonzalez served as vice-president and chief information officer at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, one of the largest hospitals on Long Island and is recognised by US News & World Report’s 2019-2020 as a Best Regional Hospital.
-- BERNAMA
Gonzalez is a seasoned leader who brings 20 years of global, technology experience in building scalable and high performing IT operations for large companies including IBM, American Home Mortgage and Allscripts.
He has significant experience across infrastructure, network, security and data centre operations management utilising multiple technologies with a track record of improving reliability and creating enterprise success.
“Epiq’s focus on delivering best of breed technology solutions to its impressive client base drew me to join this great team and organisation,” said Gonzalez.
“I believe we can build on our past technology successes while innovating for the future. This will allow us to continually improve the solutions and services we deliver to our clients to help them transform their business operations.”
Most recently, Gonzalez served as vice-president and chief information officer at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, one of the largest hospitals on Long Island and is recognised by US News & World Report’s 2019-2020 as a Best Regional Hospital.
-- BERNAMA
Soteria AI secures US$5 million to boost first gaming assistant development
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 -- Soteria AI has announced US$5 million in private funding from N5 Holdings, led by chief executive officer and chairwoman Princess Nouf bint Bandar Al Saud. (US$1 = RM4.17)
In a statement, the company developing the first AI assistant for gaming said the funding would drive the continued development of Natasha, Soteria’s AI assistant for amateur and semi-professional gamers.
According to Soteria AI founder William Nobrega, the company is delighted to receive the support of the N5 team as they work to create the first AI assistant for gamers.
“Princess Nouf bint Bandar Al Saud has taken a personal interest in the development of advanced AI and will be working closely with us, our partners, the Saudi Government and the team at MIT to effectively bring a new form of life to our world.”
Soteria is working closely with AI experts, Aigo and innovation lab, Axion Ventures to develop its AI assistant. It will release its first game next year, Rising Fire Battle Royale, soon to be available in Asia via Tencent’s distribution network.
The company is currently valued at US$75 million, and the investment from N5 will help to increase this value as the project approaches the launch of its first AI-assisted game.
-- BERNAMA
In a statement, the company developing the first AI assistant for gaming said the funding would drive the continued development of Natasha, Soteria’s AI assistant for amateur and semi-professional gamers.
According to Soteria AI founder William Nobrega, the company is delighted to receive the support of the N5 team as they work to create the first AI assistant for gamers.
“Princess Nouf bint Bandar Al Saud has taken a personal interest in the development of advanced AI and will be working closely with us, our partners, the Saudi Government and the team at MIT to effectively bring a new form of life to our world.”
Soteria is working closely with AI experts, Aigo and innovation lab, Axion Ventures to develop its AI assistant. It will release its first game next year, Rising Fire Battle Royale, soon to be available in Asia via Tencent’s distribution network.
The company is currently valued at US$75 million, and the investment from N5 will help to increase this value as the project approaches the launch of its first AI-assisted game.
-- BERNAMA
Nippon Express, FSC partner to be India’s leading logistics player
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 -- Nippon Express Co Ltd, via its subsidiary Nippon Express (South Asia & Oceania) Pte Ltd (Nippon Express), and Future Supply Chain Solutions Limited (FSC) recently signed a business collaboration agreement in Mumbai, India.
Starting January next year, both companies will jointly explore growth opportunities for new and existing customers, based on their strategic partnership and business collaboration, as well as expand revenue.
According to a statement, Nippon Express and FSC aim to pursue three business strategies via this collaboration.
Firstly, offering FSC’s integrated and high-quality service offering to Japanese and other foreign customers of Nippon Express who are currently doing business in India and are planning to penetrate into the Indian market in the near future.
Secondly, this collaboration also offers Nippon Express’ global logistics services to Indian customers via FSC.
Thirdly, increase FSC’s operational efficiencies through introduction of latest/global technologies and process improvements/Kaizen activity.
Nippon Express (International Business Headquarters) senior managing executive officer and chief managing officer, Satoshi Horikiri said: “To be specific, we hope to increase our sales outside Japan from our current sales of US$4 billion to US$12 billion by 2028, and become a proud world-class logistics company.”
Both companies have received all necessary approvals with respect to Nippon Express’ acquisition of a 22 per cent stake in FSC. This includes approval from the Competition Commission of India, FSC shareholders, BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited.
-- BERNAMA
Starting January next year, both companies will jointly explore growth opportunities for new and existing customers, based on their strategic partnership and business collaboration, as well as expand revenue.
According to a statement, Nippon Express and FSC aim to pursue three business strategies via this collaboration.
Firstly, offering FSC’s integrated and high-quality service offering to Japanese and other foreign customers of Nippon Express who are currently doing business in India and are planning to penetrate into the Indian market in the near future.
Secondly, this collaboration also offers Nippon Express’ global logistics services to Indian customers via FSC.
Thirdly, increase FSC’s operational efficiencies through introduction of latest/global technologies and process improvements/Kaizen activity.
Nippon Express (International Business Headquarters) senior managing executive officer and chief managing officer, Satoshi Horikiri said: “To be specific, we hope to increase our sales outside Japan from our current sales of US$4 billion to US$12 billion by 2028, and become a proud world-class logistics company.”
Both companies have received all necessary approvals with respect to Nippon Express’ acquisition of a 22 per cent stake in FSC. This includes approval from the Competition Commission of India, FSC shareholders, BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited.
-- BERNAMA
Thursday 19 December 2019
GungHo Online Entertainment announces TEPPEN updates for fans worldwide
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 -- GungHo Online Entertainment (GOE) has announced one of the largest TEPPEN updates of the year, expressing a special thanks to the amazing fans worldwide for reaching four million downloads.
The update gives players a new selection pack, Hero skins and a new mode for the Capcom co-developed ultimate card battler, according to a statement.
Between Dec 2 and Dec 24, players will earn free Pack Tickets from past TEPPEN card packs within their first four days of logging in.
The first day’s login will gift Pack Tickets from the ‘CORE’ card pack, day two and three will earn them the ‘DAY OF NIGHTMARES’ and ‘The Devils Awaken’ packs respectively, while on day four, players will receive a special new ‘WC2019 Selection Pack’ ticket.
Additional WC2019 Selection Packs will be available during the update period for a limited time which have a chance of dropping new skins for Rathalos, Chun-Li, Morrigan Aensland and Albert Wesker.
GOE also announced 2019 TEPPEN World Championship’s venue which will take place at Tokyo International Forum on Dec 21. The World Championship will be free for all to participate and anyone who attends will be eligible to receive exclusive Secret Cards.
More information at http://www.gunghoonline.com.
-- BERNAMA
Monday 16 December 2019
ROSTELECOM PARTNERS WITH JUNIPER NETWORKS TO BUILD IP TRANSPORT BACKBONE FOR NEXT-GENERATION SERVICES
Russia’s Largest Digital Services Provider Upgrades to Increase Capacity, Support More Bandwidth, Improve Service and Reduce Power Consumption
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Dec 3 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Juniper Networks, (NYSE: JNPR), a leader in secure, AI-driven networks, has provided a major infrastructure upgrade to Russia’s largest digital services provider, Rostelecom. The contract is a large scale modernization using Juniper Networks’ MX Series 5G Universal Routing Platform and PTX Series Packet Transport Routers to improve one of the key communication transport backbones across Russia.
Rostelecom is the largest digital services provider in Russia, leading Russian broadband Internet access and subscription television markets with over 13.1 million of broadband Internet users and 10.3 million subscription television users of which over 5.5 million are using Interactive TV service.
Rostelecom is a major customer for Juniper’s infrastructure and regional communication networks across Russia. The upgrade enables the modernization of Rostelecom’s original network with the MX960 and PTX10008, which have already successfully performed during peak demand from the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ and Universiade 2019 (The World University Games).
News highlights:
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Dec 3 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Juniper Networks, (NYSE: JNPR), a leader in secure, AI-driven networks, has provided a major infrastructure upgrade to Russia’s largest digital services provider, Rostelecom. The contract is a large scale modernization using Juniper Networks’ MX Series 5G Universal Routing Platform and PTX Series Packet Transport Routers to improve one of the key communication transport backbones across Russia.
Rostelecom is the largest digital services provider in Russia, leading Russian broadband Internet access and subscription television markets with over 13.1 million of broadband Internet users and 10.3 million subscription television users of which over 5.5 million are using Interactive TV service.
Rostelecom is a major customer for Juniper’s infrastructure and regional communication networks across Russia. The upgrade enables the modernization of Rostelecom’s original network with the MX960 and PTX10008, which have already successfully performed during peak demand from the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ and Universiade 2019 (The World University Games).
News highlights:
- Juniper Networks has installed MX960 and PTX10008 routers for Rostelecom’s modernization upgrade.
- Rostelecom has immediately saved over five percent on operational expenses due to lower power consumption and improved network efficiency.
- The “One Junos” OS experience across both the original and new infrastructure enabled the older T Series routers to be seamlessly ‘recycled’ with full backward and forward compatibility to other parts of the network with lower traffic loads.
- Rostelecom has renewed its service agreement for three years with Juniper’s best in class services support for more than 14,000 network nodes. With this agreement, Rostelecom will improve network performance with technical support, as Juniper’s resident engineers are located in different regions and they will adapt configuration to get best performance from network, and also improve its processes in its branch offices. Rostelecom aims to mitigate risk, getting support in case of outages and will have a recovery plan in place.
Supporting Quotes:
“Our main priority was to upgrade to equipment that is highly reliable under harsh operating conditions and a high traffic load. In the process, we experienced a lower incident rate, delivered new services and functions and reduced power and warranty support costs, while enabling us to repurpose the existing equipment to other parts of the network. Although this was a major upgrade, by continuing to use Juniper’s routing portfolio we have minimized cost and disruption to our network, while maximizing efficiency for our customers and our business. Rostelecom is also extremely pleased to continue to work with our trusted partner, Juniper.”
- Vadim Nikonov, Director of Backbone Networks Department, Rostelecom
“We have had a trusted relationship with Rostelecom for many years. This was a major infrastructure project, resulting in a versatile modernization upgrade that is already delivering positive results based on Rostelecom’s objectives. It is the result of a thorough understanding of Rostelecom’s needs and we look forward to continuing to work with them as they deliver a rich customer experience.”
- Yarob Sakhnini, Vice President, Sales, Emerging Markets, EMEA, Juniper Networks
Additional Resources:
“Our main priority was to upgrade to equipment that is highly reliable under harsh operating conditions and a high traffic load. In the process, we experienced a lower incident rate, delivered new services and functions and reduced power and warranty support costs, while enabling us to repurpose the existing equipment to other parts of the network. Although this was a major upgrade, by continuing to use Juniper’s routing portfolio we have minimized cost and disruption to our network, while maximizing efficiency for our customers and our business. Rostelecom is also extremely pleased to continue to work with our trusted partner, Juniper.”
- Vadim Nikonov, Director of Backbone Networks Department, Rostelecom
“We have had a trusted relationship with Rostelecom for many years. This was a major infrastructure project, resulting in a versatile modernization upgrade that is already delivering positive results based on Rostelecom’s objectives. It is the result of a thorough understanding of Rostelecom’s needs and we look forward to continuing to work with them as they deliver a rich customer experience.”
- Yarob Sakhnini, Vice President, Sales, Emerging Markets, EMEA, Juniper Networks
Additional Resources:
About Juniper Networks
Juniper Networks challenges the inherent complexity that comes with networking in the multicloud era. We do this with products, solutions and services that transform the way people connect, work and live. We simplify the process of transitioning to a secure and automated multicloud environment to enable secure, AI-driven networks that connect the world. Additional information can be found at Juniper Networks (www.juniper.net), or connect with Juniper on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Juniper Networks, the Juniper Networks logo and Junos are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Media Relations:
Pelin Murphy
Juniper Networks
+44 (0) 1372 385 686
pelin@juniper.net
SOURCE: Juniper Networks, Inc.
--BERNAMA
Juniper Networks challenges the inherent complexity that comes with networking in the multicloud era. We do this with products, solutions and services that transform the way people connect, work and live. We simplify the process of transitioning to a secure and automated multicloud environment to enable secure, AI-driven networks that connect the world. Additional information can be found at Juniper Networks (www.juniper.net), or connect with Juniper on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Juniper Networks, the Juniper Networks logo and Junos are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Media Relations:
Pelin Murphy
Juniper Networks
+44 (0) 1372 385 686
pelin@juniper.net
SOURCE: Juniper Networks, Inc.
--BERNAMA
Amazon Studios orders fourth season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 -- Amazon Studios has ordered a fourth season of the Emmy and Golden Globe-Award winning comedy, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
The third season premiered Dec 6 on Amazon Prime Video in over 200 countries and territories worldwide.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel received two Golden Globe nominations this week, for Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy, and for star Rachel Brosnahan for Best Performance by an Actress in a Series, Musical or Comedy.
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has been a worldwide phenomenon, and Season 3 has been no exception, with the series’ most watched opening weekend ever. We are so happy that our Prime Video customers will get to see Midge’s story continue in Season 4,” said Amazon Studios head, Jennifer Salke.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is the winner of 16 Emmy Awards including Outstanding Comedy series, three Golden Globes including Best TV Series—Comedy, five Critics’ Choice Awards including Best Comedy Series, two PGA Awards, a WGA Award and a Peabody Award.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel stars Emmy and Golden Globe winner, Rachel Brosnahan; Golden Globe winner and four-time Emmy winner, Tony Shalhoub; two-time Emmy winner, Alex Borstein; Emmy nominee, Marin Hinkle, Michael Zegen, Kevin Pollak, Caroline Aaron; and, Emmy winner, Jane Lynch.
Prime members can stream The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel at www.amazon.com/Maisel and members can also download the series to mobile devices for offline viewing at no additional cost to their membership.
-- BERNAMA
The third season premiered Dec 6 on Amazon Prime Video in over 200 countries and territories worldwide.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel received two Golden Globe nominations this week, for Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy, and for star Rachel Brosnahan for Best Performance by an Actress in a Series, Musical or Comedy.
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has been a worldwide phenomenon, and Season 3 has been no exception, with the series’ most watched opening weekend ever. We are so happy that our Prime Video customers will get to see Midge’s story continue in Season 4,” said Amazon Studios head, Jennifer Salke.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is the winner of 16 Emmy Awards including Outstanding Comedy series, three Golden Globes including Best TV Series—Comedy, five Critics’ Choice Awards including Best Comedy Series, two PGA Awards, a WGA Award and a Peabody Award.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel stars Emmy and Golden Globe winner, Rachel Brosnahan; Golden Globe winner and four-time Emmy winner, Tony Shalhoub; two-time Emmy winner, Alex Borstein; Emmy nominee, Marin Hinkle, Michael Zegen, Kevin Pollak, Caroline Aaron; and, Emmy winner, Jane Lynch.
Prime members can stream The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel at www.amazon.com/Maisel and members can also download the series to mobile devices for offline viewing at no additional cost to their membership.
-- BERNAMA
Sunday 15 December 2019
OneConnect announces initial public offering pricing
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 -- OneConnect Financial Technology Co Ltd (OneConnect) recently announced its initial public offering pricing of 31,200,000 American Depositary Shares (ADSs), each representing three ordinary shares, at a price to the public of US$10 per ADS. (US$10 = RM41.40)
In a statement, the leading technology-as-a-service platform for financial institutions in China said OneConnect had granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 4,680,000 ADSs to cover over-allotments.
The total gross proceeds of the offering are expected to be approximately US$358.8 million if the underwriters choose to exercise their over-allotment option in full.
The ADSs have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange and are expected to begin trading on Dec 13 under the symbol ‘OCFT’.
The offering is expected to close on Dec 17, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Ping An of China Securities (Hong Kong) Company Limited are acting as active joint bookrunners and as representatives of the underwriters, BofA Securities, Inc. and HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. are acting as passive joint bookrunners and as representatives of the underwriters, and CLSA Limited and KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. are acting as co-managers for this offering.
A registration statement on Form F-1 relating to the securities being sold in this offering has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and declared effective.
Copies of the registration statement can be accessed on the website of the SEC at www.sec.gov.
-- BERNAMA
In a statement, the leading technology-as-a-service platform for financial institutions in China said OneConnect had granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 4,680,000 ADSs to cover over-allotments.
The total gross proceeds of the offering are expected to be approximately US$358.8 million if the underwriters choose to exercise their over-allotment option in full.
The ADSs have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange and are expected to begin trading on Dec 13 under the symbol ‘OCFT’.
The offering is expected to close on Dec 17, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Ping An of China Securities (Hong Kong) Company Limited are acting as active joint bookrunners and as representatives of the underwriters, BofA Securities, Inc. and HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. are acting as passive joint bookrunners and as representatives of the underwriters, and CLSA Limited and KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. are acting as co-managers for this offering.
A registration statement on Form F-1 relating to the securities being sold in this offering has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and declared effective.
Copies of the registration statement can be accessed on the website of the SEC at www.sec.gov.
-- BERNAMA
Saturday 14 December 2019
Lookout App Defense expands in APAC with new partnership, customers
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 -- Lookout Inc, the leader in post-perimeter security recently announced two new marquee customers and a strategic distributor for its App Defense business in Asia.
The customers are BBPOS Merchant Services Ltd, a payment and card solution provider which has embedded Lookout App Defense in its Merchant Services App and Blibli.com, one of Indonesia’s largest online retailers which chose Lookout App Defense to protect their customers’ data.
App Defense provides enterprises with continuous visibility into the threat landscape of their consumer devices and protection against cyber threats and malware that can potentially lead to data compromise from their mobile apps.
Through a new distribution partnership with Connect APAC, a leading cyber security consultancy, Lookout will create new inroads to market App Defense in Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore.
To further grow Lookout market leadership in the APAC region, the Hong Kong-based cyber security consultancy Connect APAC will now resell and distribute the Lookout App Defense solution in multiple South East Asian countries, providing customers with a complete end-to-end mobile app security solution.
According to Connect APAC chief executive officer Catherine Wong, Lookout brings the most differentiated solution which ensures mobile apps are protected against any financial losses, for both consumers and enterprises, in an ever expanding digital world.
Lookout SVP of Embedded Software Sales, Satendar Bhatia said: “Together, we will expedite the expansion of Lookout App Defense footprint in Asia and help protect enterprises from data compromise.”
-- BERNAMA
The customers are BBPOS Merchant Services Ltd, a payment and card solution provider which has embedded Lookout App Defense in its Merchant Services App and Blibli.com, one of Indonesia’s largest online retailers which chose Lookout App Defense to protect their customers’ data.
App Defense provides enterprises with continuous visibility into the threat landscape of their consumer devices and protection against cyber threats and malware that can potentially lead to data compromise from their mobile apps.
Through a new distribution partnership with Connect APAC, a leading cyber security consultancy, Lookout will create new inroads to market App Defense in Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore.
To further grow Lookout market leadership in the APAC region, the Hong Kong-based cyber security consultancy Connect APAC will now resell and distribute the Lookout App Defense solution in multiple South East Asian countries, providing customers with a complete end-to-end mobile app security solution.
According to Connect APAC chief executive officer Catherine Wong, Lookout brings the most differentiated solution which ensures mobile apps are protected against any financial losses, for both consumers and enterprises, in an ever expanding digital world.
Lookout SVP of Embedded Software Sales, Satendar Bhatia said: “Together, we will expedite the expansion of Lookout App Defense footprint in Asia and help protect enterprises from data compromise.”
-- BERNAMA
Thursday 12 December 2019
NEW INSIGHTS FOR RESEARCHERS LOOKING TO SYNCHRONIZE EYE TRACKING DATA
Innovative Integration of Eye Tracking and Physiology Data Now Available from BIOPAC
GOLETA, Calif., Dec 11 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIOPAC Systems, Inc. now offers of a new eye tracking solution with stimulus presentation that integrates physiology data with eye tracking data. The Remote, Screen-based Eye Tracking Bar hardware and software allows researchers to present stimuli and collect eye tracking data combined with physiology data in a single interface. Researchers can now correlate standard eye tracking metrics such as gaze position, dwell time, blink rate, and pupil size with physiology data such as Heart Rate, EMG, EDA/GSR, and SCR/SCL. By viewing synchronized data in one interface, researchers can more easily develop meaningful insights in their scientific experiments. The new non-contact Eye Tracking Bar comes in two sizes and multiple frequency options for enhanced resolution—40 Hz, 60 Hz, 120 Hz and 200 Hz. The dark pupil technology enables real-time eye tracking on any computer screen. The flexible system uses an infrared camera and provides its own light source, enabling it to work in different lighting conditions—outside sunny, inside a vehicle, inside a dark room, even in complete darkness. The large head motion box allows subjects to move their heads more freely than if they are tethered to a device. Eye tracking metrics include Gaze Path, Gaze Plot, Heat Map, Attention Map, User-defined Areas of Interest (AOI), Scarf Plot, String Plot, Pie Chart, and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) metrics. Physiology data can include all signals recorded with BIOPAC’s AcqKnowledge software, including ECG, EDA, EMG, SCR, SCL, BP, PULSE, RESP—up to 16 input channels per MP160 Data Acquisition Unit. "Eye tracking is an important metric for certain types of research—including psychophysiology, ergonomics, user experience, design, product development, and market research,” said BIOPAC CEO Frazer Findlay. “The ability to view eye tracking and physiology data in one interface will increase the efficiency of research and allow researchers to expand their scientific study.” More information on BIOPAC’s Eye Tracking System can be found on the BIOPAC website. About BIOPAC Systems BIOPAC was founded in 1985 and is recognized around the world as a premier choice for life science hardware and software. Worldwide, over 99% of the top 100 universities and Global Fortune 500 companies rely on BIOPAC for their life science research and teaching system needs. BIOPAC makes high-quality scientific tools for physiology measurement and interpretation. BIOPAC solutions range from educational solutions to cutting-edge devices for use in lab, real world, and virtual reality research environments. For more information on BIOPAC products, visit www.biopac.com.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8f4910df-8827-4c8e-808d-1c97165d515c
Contact: Brenda Dentinger Marketing Manager BIOPAC Systems, Inc. brendad@biopac.com SOURCE: BIOPAC Systems, Inc. --BERNAMA |
Monday 9 December 2019
International Robot Exhibition 2019 in Tokyo, beginning Dec 18
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 -- The Japan Robot Association and THE NIKKAN KOGYO SHIMBUN will hold the International Robot Exhibition 2019 (iREX 2019) at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan from Dec 18 to 21 with the theme ‘The way towards a friendlier society, bridged by robots’.
This year's exhibition will mark the 23rd time the biennial event, the world's largest robot trade fair, has been held, according to a statement.
The event will offer a chance to experience cutting-edge robots from Japan and abroad, with extensive displays from industrial robot manufacturers, alongside related products and technologies such as IoT and AI, all under one roof.
The exhibition aims to gather and exhibit industrial and service robots and related equipment worldwide, help improve the technology to use robots and market development and contribute to the creation of new markets and promotion of industrial technology of robots.
Admission for the event is JPY 1,000, while free admission is given to those who have preregistered or hold invitations, as well as those under 16 years of age. (JPY 100 = RM3.83)
Total of 637 exhibitors and 3,060 booths will be present at the event. Exhibiting countries includes 16 countries and regions such as USA, Italy, Austria, Canada, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, Thailand and China.
-- BERNAMA
This year's exhibition will mark the 23rd time the biennial event, the world's largest robot trade fair, has been held, according to a statement.
The event will offer a chance to experience cutting-edge robots from Japan and abroad, with extensive displays from industrial robot manufacturers, alongside related products and technologies such as IoT and AI, all under one roof.
The exhibition aims to gather and exhibit industrial and service robots and related equipment worldwide, help improve the technology to use robots and market development and contribute to the creation of new markets and promotion of industrial technology of robots.
Admission for the event is JPY 1,000, while free admission is given to those who have preregistered or hold invitations, as well as those under 16 years of age. (JPY 100 = RM3.83)
Total of 637 exhibitors and 3,060 booths will be present at the event. Exhibiting countries includes 16 countries and regions such as USA, Italy, Austria, Canada, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, Thailand and China.
-- BERNAMA
FWD TAKAFUL LAUNCHES 'FWD CARE DIRECT' CANCER ONLINE PLAN
Offers 100% cancer benefit pay-out, even for early-stage cancer,
and all online plans now available to the deaf
and all online plans now available to the deaf
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- FWD Takaful Berhad (formerly known as HSBC Amanah Takaful (Malaysia) Berhad) (“FWD Takaful”) today launched its first online Family Takaful cancer plan, FWD Care Direct. The plan is quick and easy to apply for and provides instant coverage from RM100,000 to RM250,000, offering a 100% pay-out upon diagnosis including early stage of cancer to assist customers with covering the cost of cancer treatment.
Salim Majid Zain, Chief Executive Officer of FWD Takaful said, “FWD Takaful understands the importance of early detection for Malaysians, which increases the chances of successful treatment. We strive to ensure that families can always have confidence, knowing that FWD Takaful has got them covered with new and innovative plans.”
This launch also marks an important milestone for FWD Takaful in being inclusive to all the different and underserved segments of society. Deaf or hard of hearing individuals in Malaysia will now be able to take up and participate in two Takaful products, available online at no additional cost, providing them with much needed protection.
“At FWD Takaful, we believe in creating an inclusive culture where people with different abilities are welcome. We strive to provide coverage to all segments of society, which is in line with our vision of empowering people to live fulfilled lives, through all our product offerings,” Salim added.
FWD Care Direct also provides Takaful coverage to a family of four under one plan similar to our first online product. Non-smoking parents in their mid-thirties with two young children can obtain a family plan offering RM150,000 in coverage for each family member for as low as RM76 a month for the entire household. FWD Takaful will continue to provide full coverage for each of the remaining three family members once the cancer benefit is paid to the certificate owner.
Single persons may also sign up for FWD Care Direct. A 35-year old non-smoking single can obtain a plan which offers RM150,000 in coverage with monthly contributions of as low as RM28 for men and RM44 for women.
FWD Care Direct covers anybody, from children as young as a month old to 60 year old seniors. Participants may opt for coverage for up to 30 years, subject to expiry age of 75 for an adult and 25 for a child.
Visit www.fwd.com.my to find out more about FWD Takaful plans and receive instant Takaful coverage.
About FWD Takaful Berhad
FWD Takaful Berhad (FWD Takaful) is a leading Takaful provider in Malaysia that offers family Takaful services.
It is the first Takaful business unit of FWD Group – the insurance business of investment group, Pacific Century Group – which spans Hong Kong & Macau, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan and Malaysia; offering life and medical insurance, general insurance, family Takaful and employee benefits across a number of its markets.
Since 2013, FWD has focused on creating fresh customer experiences, with easy-to-understand products, supported by digital technology. Through this customer-led approach, FWD will achieve its vision to become a leading pan-Asian insurer that changes the way people feel about insurance.
For more information, please visit www.fwd.com.my.
Issued on behalf of FWD Takaful Berhad by GO Communications Sdn Bhd.
SOURCE: FWD Takaful Berhad
Sunday 8 December 2019
WOMEN TAKE CENTRESTAGE AT SINGAPORE'S EXCITING NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL, THE ALEX BLAKE CHARLIE SESSIONS
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- Singapore’s best-kept music secret, The Alex Blake Charlie Sessions will make its debut on Saturday, 7 December at the Pasir Panjang Power Station. Organized by 24OWLS, a new business collective comprising the people behind the last five editions of Laneway Festival Singapore, the day-long music festival features a forward-looking, female-fronted line-up studded with international and Singaporean acts, many of whom are making their Asian debuts in Singapore.
It is driven by a mission: To create a unique experience for music lovers who appreciate music in its splendiferous majesty, ranging from pop rock and R&B to indie-folk and electronica, on a more personal scale, set within an unusual heritage locale.
The Alex Blake Charlie Sessions will be held at the Pasir Panjang Power Station which is located at 27 Pasir Panjang Road, just a few minutes’ walk from the Labrador Park MRT Station (Circle Line). The event will be the first large-scale music event to be held at the sprawling venue.
Audiences can expect the raw, industrial space to be transformed into a stunning setting with varied performance areas, dedicated relaxation corners, as well as shopping and food-and-beverage stalls. As part of its integrated approach to involve the physicality of the space, an Artist-in-Residence programme is also being launched: A group of artists and illustrators from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand will bedeck blank walls and seating pods, turning them into works of art.
The Pasir Panjang area is an under-the-radar gem. It is enchantingly serene, accompanied by glorious nature (Labrador Nature Reserve, HortPark and Mount Faber) and culinary bonafides (Uncle Ho Tuckshop for Hanoi cuisine, PeraMakan for Peranakan food and the Pasir Panjang Food Centre).
EVENT DETAILS:
What: The Alex Blake Charlie Sessions
When: Saturday, 7 December 2019
10am to late
Where: Pasir Panjang Power Station
27 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 117537
Where: www.alexblakecharlie.sg
Source: Mad Hat PR PLT
It is driven by a mission: To create a unique experience for music lovers who appreciate music in its splendiferous majesty, ranging from pop rock and R&B to indie-folk and electronica, on a more personal scale, set within an unusual heritage locale.
The Alex Blake Charlie Sessions will be held at the Pasir Panjang Power Station which is located at 27 Pasir Panjang Road, just a few minutes’ walk from the Labrador Park MRT Station (Circle Line). The event will be the first large-scale music event to be held at the sprawling venue.
Audiences can expect the raw, industrial space to be transformed into a stunning setting with varied performance areas, dedicated relaxation corners, as well as shopping and food-and-beverage stalls. As part of its integrated approach to involve the physicality of the space, an Artist-in-Residence programme is also being launched: A group of artists and illustrators from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand will bedeck blank walls and seating pods, turning them into works of art.
The Pasir Panjang area is an under-the-radar gem. It is enchantingly serene, accompanied by glorious nature (Labrador Nature Reserve, HortPark and Mount Faber) and culinary bonafides (Uncle Ho Tuckshop for Hanoi cuisine, PeraMakan for Peranakan food and the Pasir Panjang Food Centre).
EVENT DETAILS:
What: The Alex Blake Charlie Sessions
When: Saturday, 7 December 2019
10am to late
Where: Pasir Panjang Power Station
27 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 117537
Where: www.alexblakecharlie.sg
Source: Mad Hat PR PLT
Singaporean students to visit Japan for culture, art exchange
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 -- A total of 11 university undergraduate and graduate students in Singapore will visit Japan as part of Japan’s Friendship Ties Programs, JENESYS 2019.
The programme is promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the visit is scheduled to start on Dec 2 until Dec 10.
Themed ‘Culture and Art Exchange’, they will visit Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara to experience international programmes.
In Tokyo, they will visit Tokyo National Museum and Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum to have a better understanding of Japanese culture and learn how to protect its cultural properties.
In Kyoto, participants will experience school exchange programme at Kyoto Institute of Technology, and visit Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera which is a world heritage.
Meanwhile in Nara, they will experience a homestay programme and visit traditional craft workers, Todaiji-temple and the Kasuga grand shrine to observe traditional crafts and arts which have been inherited for many years.
-- BERNAMA
The programme is promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the visit is scheduled to start on Dec 2 until Dec 10.
Themed ‘Culture and Art Exchange’, they will visit Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara to experience international programmes.
In Tokyo, they will visit Tokyo National Museum and Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum to have a better understanding of Japanese culture and learn how to protect its cultural properties.
In Kyoto, participants will experience school exchange programme at Kyoto Institute of Technology, and visit Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera which is a world heritage.
Meanwhile in Nara, they will experience a homestay programme and visit traditional craft workers, Todaiji-temple and the Kasuga grand shrine to observe traditional crafts and arts which have been inherited for many years.
-- BERNAMA
Saturday 7 December 2019
NTT Com named 2019 Japan IoT Service Provider of the Year in Singapore
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 -- NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) was recently recognised as 2019 Japan IoT Service Provider of the Year at the Frost & Sullivan 2019 Asia Pacific ICT Awards in Singapore.
Being named for the first time, NTT Com has been contributing to customers’ digital transformation by providing the IoT Platform, Things Cloud®.
The platform enables customers to easily and quickly implement IoT services and a partner programme, Things Partner™ Program.
According to Nishchal Khorana, Director, ICT, Frost & Sullivan, NTT Com successfully developed a solution-centric approach to address customer pain points on their IoT journey.
“NTT Com’s vertical-centric strategy and wide range of use cases create significant strategic differentiation from competitors in the IoT market in Japan.”
Founded in 2004, Frost & Sullivan 2019 Asia Pacific ICT Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development.
Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through indepth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.
-- BERNAMA
Thursday 5 December 2019
MESINIAGA SUPPORTS THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION BY SIGNING THE CORRUPTION FREE PLEDGE
 |
| The signing of corruption free pledge at Menara Mesiniaga led by Datuk Wan Fusil, CEO of Mesiniaga Berhad and witnessed by Dato' Haji Alias Salim, Director of Selangor State MACC |
The pledge reading was led by Datuk Wan Mohamed Fusil Wan Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer of Mesiniaga Berhad and witnessed by Dato' Haji Alias Bin Salim, Director of the MACC Selangor State.
Participants were also given a talk on ‘Integrity and Corporate Liability’ delivered by Tuan Azuan bin Adzhar, Assistant Commissioner of MACC Selangor State.
Datuk Wan Mohamed Fusil also expressed his hope that with the implementation of this Corruption Free Pledge, Mesiniaga Berhad's employees and business partners would be committed to suppressing and preventing corruption while also instilling high values of integrity in themselves.
The ceremony was attended by all the employees and the Senior Management team of Mesiniaga Berhad, their strategic partners and the Selangor State MACC officers.
About Mesiniaga
Mesiniaga Berhad, is a public listed company on Bursa Securities Main Market, with paid up capital of RM60.4 million, having staff strength of more than 1,000 competent employees in 25 service locations nationwide. We have come long way of 38 years of successful ICT projects and outsourcing implementations, assembling a trusted brand not only known in Malaysia, but also at global level. Mesiniaga now evolved into a multi-platform business solutions provider with a single mission which is to Help Customers Succeed. For more information, please go to http://www.mesiniaga.com.my.
Source: Mesiniaga Berhad
Wednesday 4 December 2019
GO ON MAGICAL QUESTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AT LEGOLAND® MALAYSIA RESORT'S ENCHANTED FOREST
- Be rewarded with awesome prizes at this year’s Advent Calendar Draw
- Experience the first-ever foam party in LEGOLAND® Water Park
ISKANDAR PUTERI, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- This December, LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort will be celebrating Brick-Tacular by transporting guests into an enchanted forest from the hotel to the theme park, where families will be challenged with quests to help the pixies and elves of LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort.
In the spirit of the holiday season, LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort will be giving away RM200,000 worth of prizes as part of the daily Enchanted Advent Calendar Draw this year. Guest will only need to spend RM 10 on any Minifigure in the theme park to be entitled for the draw entry. As for guests who are eyeing on some of the best LEGO® sets launched in 2019, such as the LEGO® Ideas Voltron and LEGO® Ideas Treehouse they can choose to spend RM 299 in The BIG Shop and be entitled to the LEGO® Retail Advent Calendar draw to win some awesome sets worth up to RM1,000 each.
“It’s been an amazing year at LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort with the introduction of SEA LIFE Malaysia into our family and the numerous park enhancements, and new activities added to our line-up. We are always looking at innovative ways to help families create memorable moments while they learn and have fun each time they are at our park. With that, we wanted to end the year with a bang! This year, all our guests will get to enter an enchanted forest to make unique friends such as pixies, fairies and lumberjacks,” said Kurt Stocks, General Manager at LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort.
Inside the Enchanted Forest and around the park, families will find many fun and rewarding holiday-themed activities including: -
· Enchanted Spectacular Farewell Parade – At an awesome day at LEGOLAND®, you can march alongside all your favourite LEGO® Characters with a Live Marching Brass Band! The daily parade ends with a spectacular Pyro Sparkles display.
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=36263
- Experience the first-ever foam party in LEGOLAND® Water Park
ISKANDAR PUTERI, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- This December, LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort will be celebrating Brick-Tacular by transporting guests into an enchanted forest from the hotel to the theme park, where families will be challenged with quests to help the pixies and elves of LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort.
In the spirit of the holiday season, LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort will be giving away RM200,000 worth of prizes as part of the daily Enchanted Advent Calendar Draw this year. Guest will only need to spend RM 10 on any Minifigure in the theme park to be entitled for the draw entry. As for guests who are eyeing on some of the best LEGO® sets launched in 2019, such as the LEGO® Ideas Voltron and LEGO® Ideas Treehouse they can choose to spend RM 299 in The BIG Shop and be entitled to the LEGO® Retail Advent Calendar draw to win some awesome sets worth up to RM1,000 each.
“It’s been an amazing year at LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort with the introduction of SEA LIFE Malaysia into our family and the numerous park enhancements, and new activities added to our line-up. We are always looking at innovative ways to help families create memorable moments while they learn and have fun each time they are at our park. With that, we wanted to end the year with a bang! This year, all our guests will get to enter an enchanted forest to make unique friends such as pixies, fairies and lumberjacks,” said Kurt Stocks, General Manager at LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort.
Inside the Enchanted Forest and around the park, families will find many fun and rewarding holiday-themed activities including: -
· Enchanted Spectacular Farewell Parade – At an awesome day at LEGOLAND®, you can march alongside all your favourite LEGO® Characters with a Live Marching Brass Band! The daily parade ends with a spectacular Pyro Sparkles display.
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=36263
Friday 29 November 2019
Mary Kay supports female empowerment, entrepreneurship, equality
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 -- Mary Kay Inc continues to advocate for global female empowerment, entrepreneurship and equality by addressing the issues during top women’s conferences worldwide.
The company actively participated in two important international conferences - International Women’s Forum World Leadership Conference in Toronto, Canada and the Reykjavik Global Forum – Women Leaders in Reykjavik, Iceland.
During the Canada conference, leading female architects, advocates, catalysts and pioneers of change from over 50 countries discussed challenges that faced women today, and how best to approach them.
Mary Kay Canada, Director PR, Digital & Product Marketing, Michelle Haurilak was on-hand to speak and introduce a session on Becoming a Dangerous Woman, an interview with television powerhouse and editorial director of TEDWomen, Pat Mitchell.
Meanwhile at the Iceland conference, Mary Kay Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, Julia Simon joined other female leaders to discuss and share ideas and solutions on how to further advance society, increase gender equality as well as promote and positively develop women in leadership positions.
Simon also attended a Leadership Luncheon hosted by Concordia, tackling themes such as investing in female entrepreneurs, women’s global health, political leadership and education.
Recently, in collaboration with six United Nations agencies, Mary Kay announced the Women’s Entrepreneurship Accelerator empowered by Mary Kay, a multi-year partner initiative designed to inspire, educate and empower women entrepreneurs globally.
-- BERNAMA
PUTRA BUSINESS SCHOOL UNVEILS DISTINGUISHED PERSONALITIES (GRADUANDS) AT 43RD UPM CONVOCATION CEREMONY 2019
SERDANG, Nov 19 (Bernama) -– 138 Putra Business School (PBS) graduates will be conferred with their degrees at the 43rd UPM Convocation Ceremony upon successful completion of their MBA, MSc and Ph.D. programmes on 19th November 2019.
“My PhD journey was not an easy path. But since this kind of opportunity is rare, so I had to finish where I started. Quitting was never my option. Positive mindset, persistence, family support and DOA (prayers) were my critical success factors in getting through my doctoral programme (in finance), along-side winning the coveted gold medal in Asian Cycling Championships” said Dr Norhasmat Abdul Aziz.
“PBS's line up of experience, scholarly and industry-driven lecturers, have been the pulling factors to me personally, notwithstanding my other industrious colleagues, towards investing in our unique intellectual-industrial capital. The aim was to strike a balance between striving for an academic excellence and internalising the real time work culture, within the student population, comprising peoples of wide-ranging nationalities. PBS, thus, has provided me with rich intercultural learning experience, an imperative in the current corporate cultural processes. Therefore, such a pleasurable and unforgettable learning journey offered to me was made possible by the learned and competent team of lecturers and the administration staff”, said Dr Siti Zubaidah Mohd Ariffin, former cabin crew who is conferred with Ph.D. (Management).
Dr Sitti Rahma Abd Hafid, a Ph.D holder in Medical and Health Science, will be conferred an MBA (General Management). “I feel honoured and privileged to be part of Putra Business School. I truly feel that the school has laid a strong Business and Management foundation considering my different background i.e. Medical and Health Sciences. The decision to pursue an MBA actually was to dig more knowledge on business and management. The journey, in fact, was most challenging. However, the return is most satisfying, knowing the fact that PBS is one of the most established and first AACSB Accredited Business School in Malaysia”.
In meanwhile, two graduands were conferred the most prestigious awards for their academic excellence i.e. President’s Award for Joanna Jayaprakash and Human Governance Award for Hafizah Abdul Aziz.
ABOUT PUTRA BUSINESS SCHOOL
Putra Business School (PBS) was formerly known as the Graduate School of Management (GSM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). It is a leading business school in Malaysia and the first post-graduate business school accredited by AACSB - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Only less than 5% of business schools, worldwide, have the honour of such accreditation. PBS is also accredited by ABEST21 (The Alliance on Business Education and Scholarship for Tomorrow, a 21st Century Organization). In addition, all programmes offered by PBS are accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), as approved by the Ministry of Education.
The academic programmes offered by PBS include MBA (General Management) and MBA (Corporate Governance), are conducted in collaboration with Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (MAICSA). While MBA (Marketing) and MBA ((Human Potential Management) are conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Marketing Malaysia and Malaysian Institute of Human Resource Management, respectively. Other programmes offered are: MBA (Finance), MBA (International Business), MBA (Accounting), specialised Master of Science (MSc) and specialised Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). For more information, please visit our website at http://www.putrabusinessschool.edu.my.
Source: Putra Business School (PBS)
Sunday 24 November 2019
VISTA EQUITY PARTNERS ANNOUNCES ASIA EXPANSION
Vista Consulting Group’s Singapore Office Will Further Support Portfolio Company Operations in the Region
SINGAPORE & AUSTIN, Texas Nov 18 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Vista Equity Partners today announced the opening of Vista Consulting Group’s (“VCG”, and together with Vista Equity Partners, “Vista”) Singapore office. VCG is the affiliated consulting arm of Vista, the leading investment firm focused on enterprise software, data, and technology-enabled businesses. The new office will serve as the Asia headquarters for VCG, expanding Vista’s presence and providing additional operational support for Vista companies in the region and their almost 14,000 employees.
The Singapore office, located in the Centennial Tower, is indicative of the firm’s continued strong commitment to Asia. Currently, more than 20 Vista portfolio companies have offices in the region, with 13 in Singapore. As part of the announcement, Vista portfolio company Apptio, a provider of software that fuels digital transformation, named Singapore as its Asia headquarters as it focuses on driving sales and other opportunities throughout the region. Another Vista portfolio company, RDC, announced earlier this year that it also was naming Singapore its Asia headquarters.
“We are seeing immense growth of the business-to-business market in Asia, underpinned by an acceleration of investment in technology infrastructure and enterprise software,” said Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Vista. “This transformation continues to create a significant commercial opportunity across our portfolio. An on-the-ground presence in Singapore builds upon our extensive work in India and other parts of the region and will improve our ability to support the growth of our companies by further helping our network engage with customers, partners, entrepreneurs and technology talent to best position them and Vista for continued success.”
Vista was one of the first investment firms to develop its own dedicated consulting organization. Vista draws on nearly two decades of expertise and best practices investing in and operating enterprise software companies and is committed to partnering with entrepreneurs, founders and executives to grow their companies through capital as well as operational support.
Vista’s Singapore office opening ceremony was held on Friday and attended by representatives from the Monetary Authority of Singapore and other strategic partners, executives from Vista portfolio companies, and government and business leaders from across the region.
About Vista Equity Partners and Vista Consulting Group
Vista Equity Partners is a U.S.-headquartered investment firm with offices in Austin, Chicago, New York City, Oakland, and San Francisco and more than $52 billion in cumulative capital commitments. Vista exclusively invests in enterprise software, data, and technology-enabled organizations across private equity, credit, public equity, and permanent capital strategies. As a value-added investor with a long-term perspective, Vista contributes professional expertise and multi-level support towards companies to realize their full potential. Vista’s dedicated consulting arm, Vista Consulting Group, supports Vista companies globally. Vista’s investment approach is anchored by a sizable long-term capital base, experience in structuring technology-oriented transactions, and proven management techniques that yield flexibility and opportunity. For more information, please visit www.vistaequitypartners.com.
View source version on:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/52129095/en
Contact
Media Contacts
Alan H. Fleischmann
vista@laurelstrategies.com
+1-202-776-7776
Source : Vista Equity Partners
--BERNAMA
SINGAPORE & AUSTIN, Texas Nov 18 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Vista Equity Partners today announced the opening of Vista Consulting Group’s (“VCG”, and together with Vista Equity Partners, “Vista”) Singapore office. VCG is the affiliated consulting arm of Vista, the leading investment firm focused on enterprise software, data, and technology-enabled businesses. The new office will serve as the Asia headquarters for VCG, expanding Vista’s presence and providing additional operational support for Vista companies in the region and their almost 14,000 employees.
The Singapore office, located in the Centennial Tower, is indicative of the firm’s continued strong commitment to Asia. Currently, more than 20 Vista portfolio companies have offices in the region, with 13 in Singapore. As part of the announcement, Vista portfolio company Apptio, a provider of software that fuels digital transformation, named Singapore as its Asia headquarters as it focuses on driving sales and other opportunities throughout the region. Another Vista portfolio company, RDC, announced earlier this year that it also was naming Singapore its Asia headquarters.
“We are seeing immense growth of the business-to-business market in Asia, underpinned by an acceleration of investment in technology infrastructure and enterprise software,” said Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Vista. “This transformation continues to create a significant commercial opportunity across our portfolio. An on-the-ground presence in Singapore builds upon our extensive work in India and other parts of the region and will improve our ability to support the growth of our companies by further helping our network engage with customers, partners, entrepreneurs and technology talent to best position them and Vista for continued success.”
Vista was one of the first investment firms to develop its own dedicated consulting organization. Vista draws on nearly two decades of expertise and best practices investing in and operating enterprise software companies and is committed to partnering with entrepreneurs, founders and executives to grow their companies through capital as well as operational support.
Vista’s Singapore office opening ceremony was held on Friday and attended by representatives from the Monetary Authority of Singapore and other strategic partners, executives from Vista portfolio companies, and government and business leaders from across the region.
About Vista Equity Partners and Vista Consulting Group
Vista Equity Partners is a U.S.-headquartered investment firm with offices in Austin, Chicago, New York City, Oakland, and San Francisco and more than $52 billion in cumulative capital commitments. Vista exclusively invests in enterprise software, data, and technology-enabled organizations across private equity, credit, public equity, and permanent capital strategies. As a value-added investor with a long-term perspective, Vista contributes professional expertise and multi-level support towards companies to realize their full potential. Vista’s dedicated consulting arm, Vista Consulting Group, supports Vista companies globally. Vista’s investment approach is anchored by a sizable long-term capital base, experience in structuring technology-oriented transactions, and proven management techniques that yield flexibility and opportunity. For more information, please visit www.vistaequitypartners.com.
View source version on:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/52129095/en
Contact
Media Contacts
Alan H. Fleischmann
vista@laurelstrategies.com
+1-202-776-7776
Source : Vista Equity Partners
--BERNAMA
Friday 22 November 2019
PHENOMICS HEALTH INC. ACQUIRES PATENTED PHARMACOMETABOLOMIC TECHNOLOGY
First Integrated Pharmacogenomics and Metabolomics Platform Offers Potential to Improve Patient Outcomes, Lower Costs in Medication Therapy
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov 22 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Phenomics Health Inc., a bioinformatics platform-based precision medicine company, today announced it has acquired the patented pharmacometabolomic technology portfolio of Precera Bioscience, based in Franklin, Tenn.
Phenomics Health plans to integrate the new technology with its own patented, advanced pharmacogenomics platform to offer healthcare providers a more complete view of patients’ potential and actual response to medications than is currently available.
To be marketed under the PrecīsMed brand and licensed to clinical laboratories and healthcare systems, this patented pharmacometabolomic technology enables detection, quantitative measurement, and comprehensive assessment of more than 200 medications in a patient’s bloodstream.
Combined with Phenomics Health’s technology, the resulting information from PrecīsMed will help clinicians personalize drug therapy by determining what medications and dose a patient is actually taking (whether prescribed or not), drug-drug interactions, and how genetics may impact the body’s ability to process those medications.
“This is the first time that both advanced pharmacogenomics and pharmacometabolomics platforms have come together under one roof,” said Dr. James S. Burns, co-founder, Chairman and President, Phenomics Health. “PrecīsMed could help improve patient treatment outcomes, avoid adverse drug reactions, and reduce patient treatment costs – the real definition of precision medicine.”
Current Medication Therapy Remains Ineffective
Studies have found that 33% of medications taken by patients are not in their medical record, and approximately 50% of prescribed medications are not taken at all. In addition, about 55% of medications are taken at levels outside of their prescribed range while another 50% experience significant drug interaction alerts arising from unknown medications.1,2,3,4
“Poor adherence to medication leads to increased morbidity and death and is estimated to incur costs of approximately $100 billion per year5,” according to a report published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Patients who suffer from comorbid disorders often require treatments with multiple medications, which can result in missed, wrong, or multiple dosages. Additionally, genetics can play a role in determining whether a medication is as effective as it could or should be, as well as disease state, drug-drug interactions, and socio-cultural or environmental conditions.
Clinical studies published in 2018 have demonstrated that PrecīsMed can accurately assess prescribing trends, medication adherence and electronic health record (EHR) coverage, as well as define medication concentrations in patients with comorbid disorders.6
Phenomics Health also plans to use the information gathered from de-identified patient population data to inform its machine learning and AI-based bioinformatics platform, which can be mined for present and future research.
How it Works
A patient’s blood sample is obtained using a simple finger stick. The sample would then be analyzed using Phenomics Health’s patented methods, algorithms, and data analytics to identify and measure medications in a patient’s bloodstream.
The PrecīsMed technology is applicable for identifying medications used in treating multiple patient disorders, including depression, anxiety, chronic pain, post-operative pain, opioid usage, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, diabetes, and hypertension.
“Our newly enhanced platform integrates Phenomics Health’s disease-drug response network discoveries and patient pharmacometabolomic profiles to enhance the precision and predictability of medication selection,” said Dr. Brian D. Athey, co-founder, Chief Science and Technology Officer, Phenomics Health. “The information gathered through its use could change the direction of how clinicians prescribe and manage medications, greatly improving a patient’s response.”
About Phenomics Health Inc.
Phenomics Health Inc. (PHI) is a bioinformatics platform-based precision medicine company using artificial intelligence and machine learning to translate advanced genetic, epigenetic, multi-omics, and health Big Data into novel pharmacological clinical treatment decision support products and services.
PHI’s proprietary Phenome Analytics Platform is designed to help clinicians and health systems select appropriate medications, drug combinations and doses that improve individual patient and population health outcomes while reducing adverse drug reactions. Discoveries from the University of Michigan Medical School, leading to exclusive licensed proprietary informatics technology, form the basis for Phenomics Health’s products and services.
Products and services developed by PHI will focus on variants in the non-coding domain of the human genome consisting of spatial, temporal, and mechanical regulatory mechanisms of gene regulation. A transformative understanding of regulatory genomics, the transcriptional hierarchy, and the structural dynamics of the nucleus has provided the ability to resolve previously unrecognized mechanisms of action across multiple therapeutic areas. Phenomics Health also provides contract and collaborative research services to test mechanisms and pathways for new or repurposed drugs.
For more information about Phenomics Health, please visit www.phenomicshealth.com.
Registered trademarks are the property of Phenomics Health Inc.
References:
1. BusinessWire. (2018, April 16). MediMergent and FDA Launch New Stakeholder Initiative against Medication Non-Adherence/Persistence Crisis [Press release]. Retrieved from https://bwnews.pr/2p6adS4
2. Data on File
3. Sabaté E, editor., ed. Adherence to Long-Term Therapies: Evidence for Action. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2003.
4. Lee JK, Grace KA, Taylor AJ. Effect of a pharmacy care program on medication adherence and persistence, blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2006;296(21):2563-2571
5. Osterberg L, Blaschke T. Adherence to medication. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(5):487-497 [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
6. JAMA Network Open. 2018;1(7):e184196. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.4196
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191122005027/en/
Contact
James S. Burns, Chairman & President
Phenomics Health Inc.
jburns@phenomicshealth.com
734.961.7211
Rick Miller
Rick Miller Communications
rick@rickmillercommunications.com
513.608.8463
Source : Phenomics Health Inc.
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov 22 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Phenomics Health Inc., a bioinformatics platform-based precision medicine company, today announced it has acquired the patented pharmacometabolomic technology portfolio of Precera Bioscience, based in Franklin, Tenn.
Phenomics Health plans to integrate the new technology with its own patented, advanced pharmacogenomics platform to offer healthcare providers a more complete view of patients’ potential and actual response to medications than is currently available.
To be marketed under the PrecīsMed brand and licensed to clinical laboratories and healthcare systems, this patented pharmacometabolomic technology enables detection, quantitative measurement, and comprehensive assessment of more than 200 medications in a patient’s bloodstream.
Combined with Phenomics Health’s technology, the resulting information from PrecīsMed will help clinicians personalize drug therapy by determining what medications and dose a patient is actually taking (whether prescribed or not), drug-drug interactions, and how genetics may impact the body’s ability to process those medications.
“This is the first time that both advanced pharmacogenomics and pharmacometabolomics platforms have come together under one roof,” said Dr. James S. Burns, co-founder, Chairman and President, Phenomics Health. “PrecīsMed could help improve patient treatment outcomes, avoid adverse drug reactions, and reduce patient treatment costs – the real definition of precision medicine.”
Current Medication Therapy Remains Ineffective
Studies have found that 33% of medications taken by patients are not in their medical record, and approximately 50% of prescribed medications are not taken at all. In addition, about 55% of medications are taken at levels outside of their prescribed range while another 50% experience significant drug interaction alerts arising from unknown medications.1,2,3,4
“Poor adherence to medication leads to increased morbidity and death and is estimated to incur costs of approximately $100 billion per year5,” according to a report published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Patients who suffer from comorbid disorders often require treatments with multiple medications, which can result in missed, wrong, or multiple dosages. Additionally, genetics can play a role in determining whether a medication is as effective as it could or should be, as well as disease state, drug-drug interactions, and socio-cultural or environmental conditions.
Clinical studies published in 2018 have demonstrated that PrecīsMed can accurately assess prescribing trends, medication adherence and electronic health record (EHR) coverage, as well as define medication concentrations in patients with comorbid disorders.6
Phenomics Health also plans to use the information gathered from de-identified patient population data to inform its machine learning and AI-based bioinformatics platform, which can be mined for present and future research.
How it Works
A patient’s blood sample is obtained using a simple finger stick. The sample would then be analyzed using Phenomics Health’s patented methods, algorithms, and data analytics to identify and measure medications in a patient’s bloodstream.
The PrecīsMed technology is applicable for identifying medications used in treating multiple patient disorders, including depression, anxiety, chronic pain, post-operative pain, opioid usage, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, diabetes, and hypertension.
“Our newly enhanced platform integrates Phenomics Health’s disease-drug response network discoveries and patient pharmacometabolomic profiles to enhance the precision and predictability of medication selection,” said Dr. Brian D. Athey, co-founder, Chief Science and Technology Officer, Phenomics Health. “The information gathered through its use could change the direction of how clinicians prescribe and manage medications, greatly improving a patient’s response.”
About Phenomics Health Inc.
Phenomics Health Inc. (PHI) is a bioinformatics platform-based precision medicine company using artificial intelligence and machine learning to translate advanced genetic, epigenetic, multi-omics, and health Big Data into novel pharmacological clinical treatment decision support products and services.
PHI’s proprietary Phenome Analytics Platform is designed to help clinicians and health systems select appropriate medications, drug combinations and doses that improve individual patient and population health outcomes while reducing adverse drug reactions. Discoveries from the University of Michigan Medical School, leading to exclusive licensed proprietary informatics technology, form the basis for Phenomics Health’s products and services.
Products and services developed by PHI will focus on variants in the non-coding domain of the human genome consisting of spatial, temporal, and mechanical regulatory mechanisms of gene regulation. A transformative understanding of regulatory genomics, the transcriptional hierarchy, and the structural dynamics of the nucleus has provided the ability to resolve previously unrecognized mechanisms of action across multiple therapeutic areas. Phenomics Health also provides contract and collaborative research services to test mechanisms and pathways for new or repurposed drugs.
For more information about Phenomics Health, please visit www.phenomicshealth.com.
Registered trademarks are the property of Phenomics Health Inc.
References:
1. BusinessWire. (2018, April 16). MediMergent and FDA Launch New Stakeholder Initiative against Medication Non-Adherence/Persistence Crisis [Press release]. Retrieved from https://bwnews.pr/2p6adS4
2. Data on File
3. Sabaté E, editor., ed. Adherence to Long-Term Therapies: Evidence for Action. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2003.
4. Lee JK, Grace KA, Taylor AJ. Effect of a pharmacy care program on medication adherence and persistence, blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2006;296(21):2563-2571
5. Osterberg L, Blaschke T. Adherence to medication. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(5):487-497 [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
6. JAMA Network Open. 2018;1(7):e184196. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.4196
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191122005027/en/
Contact
James S. Burns, Chairman & President
Phenomics Health Inc.
jburns@phenomicshealth.com
734.961.7211
Rick Miller
Rick Miller Communications
rick@rickmillercommunications.com
513.608.8463
Source : Phenomics Health Inc.
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