QUANTEXA UNLEASHES WAVE OF NEXT-GEN AI DECISION INTELLIGENCE AT QUANCON25

 

UK AI Leader makes a series of announcements to help customers and partners capitalize on the Operational Revolution of Data and AI at QuanCon25


LONDON, March 7 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quantexa, a global leader in Decision Intelligence solutions for the public and private sectors, today announced a series of innovative updates and launches across its platform at QuanCon25, its annual customer and partner ecosystem event. Hosted in London at Tobacco Dock, Quantexa highlighted its continued commitment to helping its customers get their data AI-ready, break down organizational silos, and transform decision-making in the era of AI.

A New Era of Decision Intelligence

At the heart of Quantexa’s innovations is its Decision Intelligence Platform, where its Contextual Fabric, is helping customers:

• Unify fragmented data using industry-leading entity resolution and graph technology.
• Enrich data with critical contextual insights to build a real-world representation of how data connections and relationships are impacting an organization.
• Empower their organizations to run contextual analytics that strengthen Gen AI efforts to drive smarter, more transformative decision-making at all levels of the enterprise.

Dan Higgins, Quantexa’s Chief Product Officer, also announced new Decision Intelligence platform capabilities, including:

• Advanced Language Parsers: Now supporting non-Latin scripts such as Japanese—with Chinese and Arabic capabilities on the horizon—enabling organizations to process multilingual data with ease.
• Scalable Knowledge Graphs: Capable of connecting over one billion nodes, these graphs provide deep insights into hidden risks and growth opportunities.
• Real-Time Entity Streaming: Delivering up-to-date insights for fraud detection, know-your-customer (KYC), and master data management (MDM) through ultra-high volume data streaming.
• Enhanced User Experiences: A revamped search and localization interface that ensures users can interact with the platform in their native language, thereby reducing onboarding times and driving engagement.

Higgins also gave a sneak peek into significant platform innovations coming in 2025, which include:

More Support for Unstructured & Expanded Data Formats

• New Natural Language Processing (NLP) pipeline to manage and analyze unstructured data at scale and in multiple languages.
• Contextual insights extracted from internal documents, which incorporate unstructured data from intelligence reports, open-source intelligence (OSINT), and news content.
• The ability to leverage distillation and fine-tuning to deliver hyperscale LLM performance at the efficiency of small local models.

New Workflow and Case Management Capabilities

• A new end-to-end workflow builder to enhance decisioning processes with consistency, traceability, and collaboration.
• The ability to streamline processes for use cases such as data stewardship, escalation decisions, suspicious activity report (SAR) filing, and claims processing.
• Designed for highly regulated environments with improved alerting and reporting capabilities.

Revolutionizing Data Management

• Evolving from traditional methods to a modern, contextual fabric that provides trusted, current, and universally accessible data.
• AI-powered quality assessment and automated root cause analysis for critical source data.

Delivering Tangible Business Impact

To understand its return-on-investment (ROI), Quantexa commissioned a Total Economic Impact study with leading industry analyst house Forrester and a diverse portfolio of customers spanning banking, insurance, telecommunications, and the public sector. The study found that Quantexa’s Decision Intelligence Platform has delivered measurable benefits per use case, including:

• Nearly $8 million in data management efficiency savings.
• Approximately $15 million in operational efficiencies.
• Over $19 million in risk reduction and compliance savings.

Quantexa Founder & CEO, Vishal Marria said: “These results demonstrate that when your data is trusted and contextual, it drives better decision-making and significant bottom-line impact in the era of AI.”

Breaking New Ground with AI and Cloud Solutions

Two major announcements further cemented Quantexa’s Decision Intelligence leadership:

• Q Assist: A context-aware generative AI solution suite designed to democratize access to trusted data, augment decision-making, and provide real-time insights to front-line teams will be available for Early Access in April 2025.
• Quantexa Cloud: A comprehensive suite of native SaaS industry solutions, launching with Quantexa Cloud AML on Microsoft Azure, is available for Customer Preview. This innovative solution, developed in close collaboration with community and mid-size banks in the US, streamlines and modernizes anti-money laundering workflows for faster time to value and strengthened compliance.
• Jamie Hutton, Quantexa’s Chief Technology Officer, highlighted live demonstrations illustrating how these solutions are revolutionizing financial crime detection and operational intelligence by connecting disparate data sources into actionable insights.

Strengthening Strategic Partnerships

Quantexa also highlighted its growing partnership with Microsoft, a collaboration that has delivered transformative industry solutions on the Azure Marketplace. Key initiatives include:

• The public and private preview launch of Quantexa Unify Workload for Microsoft Fabric, empowering organizations to enhance data quality and eliminate silos in a unified, scalable platform.
• Success stories from marquee customers including HSBC, Novobanco, and RSA, who are leveraging Microsoft and Quantexa technology to accelerate their data and AI transformation journeys.

Looking Ahead: The Launch of Q Labs

Quantexa detailed the official launch of Q Labs, a dedicated hub to accelerate groundbreaking ideas and provide a path from concept to commercialization including exploring emerging technologies, accelerating product innovation, and solving complex customer challenges.

Q Labs is currently developing several exciting projects, including:

• Simulation Lab: Helping businesses model real-world scenarios before making critical decisions.
• Supply Chain Intelligence: Leveraging AI to create smarter, more resilient supply chains.

Parsa Ghaffari, Head of Product Innovation, said: “Working hand-in-hand with our engineering and GTM organizations, we turn breakthrough ideas into real-world impact —propelling our customers and partners to their next bold step faster than ever before."

Recognizing Our Partners

The company also took a moment to honor its key strategic partners. The event featured the presentation of the Innovation Partner of the Year Award to Accenture, whose visionary approach has powered groundbreaking generative AI solutions, and the Growth Partner of the Year Award to KPMG, whose collaborative efforts have significantly expanded Quantexa’s global footprint. Quantexa were thrilled to be joined by their sponsoring partners at this year’s QuanCon25 - PWC, Microsoft, Databricks, Moody’s and Dun & Bradstreet.

To watch QuanCon25 on-demand, please visit https://www.quancon.com/.

About Quantexa
Quantexa is a global AI, data and analytics software company pioneering Decision Intelligence to empower organizations to make trusted operational decisions with data in context. Using the latest advancements in AI, Quantexa’s Decision Intelligence platform helps organizations uncover hidden risk and new opportunities by unifying siloed data and turning it into the most trusted, reusable resource. It solves major challenges across data management, customer intelligence, KYC, financial crime, risk, fraud, and security, throughout the customer lifecycle. 

The Quantexa Decision Intelligence Platform enhances operational performance with over 90% more accuracy and 60 times faster analytical model resolution than traditional approaches. An independently commissioned Forrester TEI study on Quantexa's Decision Intelligence Platform found that customers saw a three-year 228% ROI. Founded in 2016, Quantexa now has over 800 employees and thousands of platform users working with billions of transactions and data points across the world. 

Media Enquiries 

C: Stephanie Crisp, Fight or Flight  

E: Quantexa@fightorflight.com 

OR 

C: Adam Jaffe, SVP of Corporate Marketing 

T : +1 609 502 6889 

E : adamjaffe@quantexa.com   


SOURCE : Quantexa Limited

PLANTO WINS ADB’S AWARD, EMPOWERING SOUTHEAST ASIA’S SMES WITH AI-DRIVEN FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 (Bernama) -- Planto, a Hong Kong-headquartered fintech company, has been recognised as a winner of the AI for SMEs Challenge by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

This recognition reinforces the company’s dedication to empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Southeast Asia with artificial intelligence (AI)-driven financial solutions that make a real impact, according to Planto in a statement.

Planto Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Ankit Suri emphasised the transformative power of AI in improving financial access for SMEs, furthering the company's mission to provide smarter solutions for businesses.

Meanwhile, its Co-founder, Apinun Narkhan added that the recognition highlights the potential for collaboration between fintechs and financial institutions to drive lasting positive impacts for SMEs in the region.

Planto’s approach is centred on enhancing credit assessment and expanding funding access for SMEs by ensuring fair, data-driven evaluations. The company also supports financial management and education, equipping business owners with tools to navigate their financial journey with confidence.

By leveraging large language models (LLMs) for digitisation, Planto streamlines financial processes and reduces friction for SMEs, all while preparing them for the future of Open Finance.

Going forward, Planto will be enabled by ADB Digital Learning Labs, sharing various insights with ADB staff and partner banks across Southeast Asia with an aim to strengthen financial inclusion and build a more resilient SME ecosystem.

The grant fund for the fintech innovation challenges was received from the High-Level Technology Fund financed by the Government of Japan and administered by ADB.

-- BERNAMA

MAVENIR AND E& UAE ANNOUNCE MULTI-YEAR STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP AT #MWC25 STARTING WITH COLLABORATION IN CONVERGED 5G PACKET CORE

 

BARCELONA, Spain, March 5 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mavenir, the cloud-native network infrastructure provider, and e& UAE, telecom arm of global technology group e&, announced a collaboration to advance e& UAE’s future of cloud-native converged packet core networks across 4G, 5G (NSA and SA) at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. This marks a significant milestone in the journey towards next-generation connectivity and digital transformation.

This long-term partnership leverages cutting-edge technologies and advanced features, including AI-enabled 5G services, automation, and orchestration. This robust infrastructure is designed to support a wide range of future use cases, from enhanced mobile broadband and ultra-reliable low-latency communications to massive machine-type communications.

With Mavenir and e& UAE coming together, it sets the stage for innovative use cases, including smart cities, autonomous vehicles, industrial IoT, and immersive AR/VR experiences using the latest AI technology. The converged packet core environment ensures seamless transition and readiness for 6G capabilities, paving the way for future advancements in connectivity supporting the expanding business needs of e& UAE.

Pardeep Kohli, President and CEO of Mavenir: "We are thrilled to partner with e& UAE in deploying a state-of-the-art 5G core network. This collaboration underscores our commitment to driving innovation and delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower our customers. The advanced features and technologies integrated into this network will unlock new possibilities and set the foundation for future 6G capabilities."

Khaled Al Suwaidi, core networks and platforms, e& UAE, said: "Our successful collaboration with Mavenir marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide world-class connectivity and digital services to our customers. The deployment of this advanced 5G core network not only enhances our current offerings but also positions us at the forefront of technological innovation. We look forward to exploring new areas together in AI, automation, orchestration, digital BSS, and RCS, to continue delivering exceptional value to our customers."

Mavenir and e& UAE are committed to ongoing collaboration in various domains to drive continuous innovation and deliver transformative digital experiences to customers across the region.

About Mavenir

Mavenir is building the future of networks today with cloud-native, AI-enabled solutions which are green by design, empowering operators to realize the benefits of 5G and achieve intelligent, automated, programmable networks. As the pioneer of Open RAN and a proven industry disruptor, Mavenir’s award-winning solutions are delivering automation and monetization across mobile networks globally, accelerating software network transformation for 300+ Communications Service Providers in over 120 countries, which serve more than 50% of the world’s subscribers. For more information, please visit www.mavenir.com

About e& UAE

e& UAE is the flagship telecom arm of e& in the UAE, built on a 5-decades legacy of connectivity excellence. Our mission is to deliver world-class superior connectivity experiences that fuel the UAE’s future-focused innovation.

Leveraging the latest world-class technologies, e& UAE aims to transform lives and industries, turning every connection into an opportunity for growth and every interaction into a transformative possibility.

We are focused on expanding our core services and digital marketplaces by enriching consumer value propositions that cater to new lifestyles and emerging demands beyond core telecom services, including health, insurance and gaming.

As a trusted enterprise partner, e& UAE continues to power entire industries with 5G and AI, delivering a tailored ecosystem of solutions to meet their connectivity needs and more, empowering them to automate, innovate, transform, and scale.

Strengthening our leadership position as an AI-powered telco, e& UAE delivers seamless connectivity, cutting-edge AI solutions, and sustainable innovation to uplift people and communities, and empower businesses and industries, so everyone thrives in a digital-first world.

To learn more about e& UAE, please visit: https://www.etisalat.ae

Media Contacts

For more information, please contact:

• Mavenir Media Relations: pr@mavenir.com
   
• e& UAE Media Relations: mediaoffice@eand.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5719a435-212f-48b7-b56f-e318b5f9a125 


SOURCE : Mavenir Systems, Inc.

BITGET SPREADS KINDNESS THIS RAMADAN BY PROVIDING 100,000 MEALS TO THOSE IN NEED

VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 3 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, is partnering with world-renowned humanitarian organizations, including the UN Refugee Agency, UN World Food Programme, ShareTheMeal, and the One Billion Meals Endowment, to distribute up to 100,000 meals to individuals in need during Ramadan. This initiative targets vulnerable communities in regions facing significant challenges, aiming to alleviate hunger during the holy month.

Each meal will support families and individuals during the holy month. The effort is strengthened by contributions from the Bitget community, emphasizing collective action and compassion. To achieve the fundraising target, Bitget has introduced initiatives encouraging participation from users, VIP clients, and influencer partners.

Bitget will first pledge 10,000 meals to the people in need, followed by a series of Iftar dinners in key locations, including Dubai and Istanbul, fostering unity and philanthropy. Attendees can contribute through donations, with Bitget matching each dollar raised. Exclusive auctions featuring memorabilia from partnerships with La Liga will also contribute to the fundraising, and Bitget will direct all proceeds toward the cause. 100% of the proceeds will go towards the fundraiser.

"Ramadan is a time for generosity and unity," said Vugar Usi Zade, COO of Bitget. "By leveraging our global network, we aim to create a meaningful impact in communities facing adversity. This initiative demonstrates kindness from the crypto space and aligns with our mission to drive positive change through collaborative efforts."

The campaign, featuring the 10,000-meal pledge from Bitget, donation matching, and exclusive auctions, will be supported by local teams organizing community engagement events. It is set to launch on the first day of Ramadan, in alignment with the Islamic calendar.

About Bitget

Established in 2018, Bitget is the world's leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 100 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.

Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World's Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM market, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a48343fc-044d-45ce-afe2-a4ff26395657 

SOURCE : Bitget Limited

DISCLAIMER: BERNAMA MREM are not accountable for any causes of website defacement, misuse, or illegal activities connected to cryptocurrency, blockchain, tokenisation, or bitcoin. This material should not be considered as guidance or an opinion, as it does not constitute financial or investment advice. Use this information at your own risk; we are not liable for any losses or damages caused by the republication of this article.

PIONEERING NEW STANDARDS IN HIGH BANDWIDTH CONNECTIVITY WITH CAVLI CQM200 5G NR CELLULAR IOT MODULE

The CQM200 5G NR Sub-6 IoT Module sets new benchmarks for data speeds and carrier aggregation, making it the ideal choice for high-bandwidth IoT solutions across Industry 4.0, smart cities, and beyond


SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb 19 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cavli Wireless, a leading innovator in IoT solutions, is thrilled to announce the unveiling of its flagship 5G NR Sub-6 CQM200 Cellular IoT Module. The CQM200 is engineered to meet the strict demands of high throughput connected applications, delivering high-speed 5G NR connectivity IoT-enabled applications. With this launch, Cavli continues to solidify its position as a trusted partner for OEMs developing next-generation automotive solutions.

The CQM200 module is engineered to provide superior 5G NR Sub-6 performance, adhering to 3GPP Release 17 standards. The CQM200 module measures 45 x 52 mm* and is offered in an LGA form factor. It offers exceptional download speeds of up to 3.7 Gbps and upload speeds of up to 2.5 Gbps, addressing the needs of high-throughput, data-heavy IoT applications. Built on the Qualcomm SDX72 chipset, the module integrates state-of-the-art components, including a Quad-Core Arm Cortex A55 processor and Qualcomm Hexagon DSP processor, to handle complex computing tasks with seamless efficiency.

A key feature of the CQM200 is its 3x Carrier Aggregation (3CA) capability. This allows the module to aggregate multiple carrier frequencies, optimizing the available radio spectrum for higher data speeds and better network reliability. With a 100MHz bandwidth, this module ensures continuous, high-quality connectivity, even under demanding conditions. Applications that require ultra-low latency even in areas of network congestion, like real-time industrial control systems, smart surveillance, or autonomous vehicles, benefit significantly from the CQM200’s speed and network resilience.

Equipped with global compatibility, the CQM200 supports eSIM technology and multi-constellation GNSS (L1+L5), facilitating worldwide deployments. Whether for asset tracking, real-time data analytics, or other location-based services, this module ensures seamless connectivity in even the most challenging environments. The inclusion of GNSS guarantees precise positioning, enabling accurate location-based services critical for modern IoT solutions. The CQM200 caters to a wide range of industries, delivering transformative solutions for IoT applications. In Industry 4.0, the module's high throughput and advanced processing capabilities facilitate real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance for industry floors with a multitude of machines that generate large volumes of data. This enables manufacturers to optimize operational costs and minimize downtime by employing Industrial gateways/routers powered by the module. For smart cities, the CQM200 supports intelligent infrastructure, such as smart surveillance solutions and public safety systems, ensuring more efficient and responsive urban environments. In the logistics and transportation sectors, the module’s GNSS capabilities and robust connectivity enable accurate real-time tracking, improving operational efficiency and ensuring the security of high-value assets.

The CQM200’s Hubble integration further enhances its capabilities by introducing remote diagnosis, monitoring, and debugging of the module along with Hubble Applet service, an advanced component of the Cavli Hubble IoT connectivity & modem management platform. This feature eliminates the necessity for physical intervention, simplifying the expansion of IoT solutions. Through strategic alliances with operators worldwide, Cavli has established a substantial presence, delivering unparalleled connectivity solutions that set new standards in service quality and cost-effectiveness.

John Mathew, the CEO and the Chief Technology Architect of Cavli Wireless, remarked, “The introduction of the CQM200 module marks a crucial moment for both Cavli and the IoT industry. With its 5G-NR Sub-6 capability, massive data throughput, and advanced processing power, the CQM200 is designed to address the increasingly complex demands of high-performance applications that require ultra-low latency connectivity along with seamless scalability for deployments across the world.”

By combining advanced features with seamless global connectivity, Cavli continues to set new standards for reliability, scalability, and innovation in cellular IoT. As the IoT landscape evolves, the CQM200 stands as a testament to Cavli’s vision of enabling future-ready connectivity solutions that empower industries and drive technological advancement. We encourage you to engage with our solution specialists to explore how CQM200 can enhance your upcoming project.

About Cavli Wireless

Cavli Wireless is a cellular IoT module manufacturer that combines IoT connectivity and data management into one platform. Cavli designs and manufactures industrial-grade cellular IoT smart modules that improve equipment reliability and expedite application development processes. Cavli's smart cellular modules are equipped with global cellular connectivity through integrated eSIM functionality that provides users with affordable global data pricing, simplified device management, and centralized subscription management through the proprietary cloud-based platform Cavli Hubble.

CONTACT:

Abhinand Dinesh

Sr. Associate - Corporate Marketing

Cavli Wireless

abhinand.dinesh@cavliwireless.com

+91-9605750306

https://www.cavliwireless.com/


A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ae7d10e0-8540-4ba5-b71a-2231daad0206


SOURCE : Cavli Inc

ASEAN-JAPAN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS’ SUMMIT IN KUALA LUMPUR EMPOWERS WOMEN IN BUSINESS, INNOVATION

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), in collaboration with the ASEAN Youth Organization and with the support of the ASEAN Coordinating Committee for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (ACCMSME) and Women Leadership Foundation Malaysia, successfully hosted the ASEAN-Japan Women Entrepreneurs’ Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

The summit emphasised the pivotal role of women entrepreneurs in driving economic innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity across the ASEAN-Japan region, aligning with Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, according to a statement.

The summit gathered over 100 women entrepreneurs, investors, business accelerators, and ecosystem enablers from across the ASEAN Member States and Japan. It provided a platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by 60 million women entrepreneurs, particularly in scaling their contributions to economic and social growth.

MyDigital Corp Board Member, and BlueOnion Advisor and Regional Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dato’ Munirah Looi delivered a keynote emphasising the importance of agility, resilience, customer experience, and employee engagement for adapting businesses, especially in response to economic disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, a key session titled “Harnessing AI and Digital Skills” explored how technology can drive the growth of women-led enterprises. Lennise Ng, CEO of Borong, highlighted that digitalisation must precede artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, stressing the need for stronger digital infrastructure. The speakers also called for government policies to make innovation more accessible for women entrepreneurs.

The session on “Strategic Access to Finance and Gender-Lens Investment” focused on the financial challenges women entrepreneurs face, such as understanding grants, securing the right investors, and the importance of women’s representation in investment firms.

The “Easing Women’s Burden: Innovations in the Care Economy” session showcased innovative solutions, such as Kiddocare in Malaysia, which uses digital platforms to connect families with care providers. The role of fathers in sharing caregiving responsibilities was also emphasised, with Better Dads Malaysia advocating for inclusive parenting.

The session on “Leveraging Sustainability for Growth and Impact” explored the significance of mentorship for women entrepreneurs. Capping off the summit, the “Closing the Gender Divide and Enabling Women-owned Enterprises to Scale” session highlighted the key resources needed for scaling women-owned businesses.

Speakers emphasised the importance of incorporating entrepreneurship education from an early age to change sociocultural narrative and foster empowerment.

The ASEAN-Japan Women Entrepreneurs’ Summit underscored the power of collaboration among businesses, investors, governments, and communities in empowering women-led MSMEs, paving the way for stronger economic integration and long-term growth in the region.

-- BERNAMA

INAUGURAL SFA INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENTS CONCLUDES, WITH MORE THAN 35,000 SFA EXPO VISITORS AND OVER 40,000 RIYADH MARATHON PARTICIPANTS

 

Inaugural SFA International Sporting Events concludes, with more than 35,000 SFA Expo visitors and over 40,000 Riyadh Marathon participants (Photo: AETOSWire)

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb 13 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) is celebrating the success of the inaugural 2025 SFA International Sporting Events, which combined the SFA Expo and the Riyadh Marathon. Held from February 5-7, 2025, the SFA Expo took place at the JAX District, while the Riyadh Marathon followed on February 8, 2025.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250212912259/en/ 

The SFA Expo attracted 35,359 visitors, with interactive sports zones, fitness classes, health exhibits, and engaging panel discussions, and a B2B lounge for industry professionals. The Primal Race functional fitness competition on February 7 was another major attraction.

The 2025 Riyadh Marathon saw 40,494 participants from 131 countries, an impressive jump from 20,000 runners in 2024. It was organized in partnership with the Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Arabian Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the Saudi Arabian Athletic Federation, and Amanat AlRiyadh.

Four races took place: the full marathon (42km), half marathon (21km), 10km race, and a family-friendly 4km run. A significant proportion of participants, 67%, were Saudi nationals, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for sports in the Kingdom. Also, 40% were female.

The top male and female finishers in the elite marathon categories received US$30,000 each, with additional prizes for second and third. Winners in the half marathon elite race also won cash prizes, with US$5,000 for first place.

Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) was the presenting partner for the marathon, with ASICS, Tawuniya, Aquafina and Gatorade as strategic partners for both events. Medical support at the SFA Expo was provided by Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group (HMG), with Ford, Calo, JP Morgan, Centrum, KAFD, Kayanee, and Joe & the Juice all marathon supporting partners. Official partners of the marathon included Kudu, MDLBEAST Radio, and BAE Systems, with Kayanee and Delta Sports the official partners of SFA Expo, and SPIMACO and Huawei official partners of both. JAX District was a venue partner for SFA Expo.

The SFA looks forward to building on this success in future editions, continuing to inspire the Kingdom’s residents and visitors to lead healthier, more active lives.

About the Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA)

The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA), a proactive community sport and wellness organization founded to promote a healthy lifestyle in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aims to provide access to opportunities for all members of society to practice physical activity. Partnering with government organizations, sports delivery bodies, sports federations, and the wider public and private sector to achieve its goals, the SFA focuses on increasing physical activity and health and wellness metrics across the country. Physical activity is achieved by advancing four strategic priorities: education; community and volunteering; fitness and wellbeing; and campaigns and promotion. The SFA does this by designing and deploying recreational sports programs tailored for women, men, youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities across Saudi Arabia.

Source: AETOSWire

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250212912259/en/

Contact

Malek Abdelrahman
mabdelrahman@apcoworldwide.com 

Source : Saudi Sports for All Federation

--BERNAMA

UNI-FUELS ACHIEVES INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY AND CARBON CERTIFICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE BIOFUELS

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 (Bernama) -- Singapore-headquartered Uni-Fuels Holdings Limited (Uni-Fuels), a global marine fuel solutions provider, announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Uni-Fuels Pte Ltd (Uni-Fuels Singapore), has received both ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS certifications.

The certifications were granted by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), a globally recognised independent multi-stakeholder initiative and leading certification system supporting sustainable, fully traceable, deforestation-free, and climate-friendly supply chains.

“Achieving ISCC certifications demonstrates our commitment to supporting the global transition to cleaner fuels. With Proof of Sustainability documentation, we provide our customers with the assurance that the biofuels they rely on are responsibly produced and fully compliant with evolving regulations,” said Uni-Fuels Vice President, Operations, Tan Guan Kai in a statement.

These certifications highlight the company’s commitment to sustainability and compliance with European Union (EU) regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the maritime industry.

The ISCC certifications ensure that the biofuels traded by Uni-Fuels Singapore meet the requirements of the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), including the provision of Proof of Sustainability (PoS).

This important documentation ensures biofuels are sustainably sourced and produced, enabling full traceability from feedstock to final product.

As the maritime sector moves toward greater decarbonisation, it is essential for biofuel suppliers to demonstrate compliance with regulatory standards, including the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and FuelEU Maritime. The PoS documentation ensures biofuels can be counted toward emissions reduction targets, unlike fossil fuels.

The PoS framework, along with the ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS certifications, assures customers that the biofuels they rely on are sustainably sourced, traceable, and meet high sustainability standards. These certifications ensure regulatory compliance and enhance transparency, helping build trust in the biofuel sector.

-- BERNAMA

AKWEL RECORDS 7.3 PCT REVENUE DROP IN 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 (Bernama) -- AKWEL posted a consolidated revenue of 989.0 million euros for fiscal year 2024, marking a 7.3 per cent decrease from 1.0664 billion euros, the previous year. (1 euro = RM4.59)

The last quarter of 2024 confirms the trend observed in the previous quarters, with revenue down 13.5 per cent to 231.2 million euros, according to a statement.

For the full year, revenues at constant scope and exchange rates fell by 7.0 per cent, despite a positive foreign exchange impact of 2.2 million euros.

The geographical revenue distribution highlights that France continues to perform significantly worse compared to the rest of the world.

AKWEL’s product lines also saw a general downturn, though Cooling (1.3 per cent) and Air ( 2.6 per cent) remained nearly stable, while Decontamination (24.4 per cent) experienced the largest decrease, given the winding down of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) tanks production, scheduled to end in 2025.

The company’s consolidated net cash, excluding lease liabilities, amounted to 145 million euros on Dec 31, 2024, an increase of 4.5 million euros from Sept 30, with 10.8 million euros of investments made this quarter.

Despite this, the overall decline in activity is expected to result in a decrease of approximately two points in the current operating margin for the group.

Looking ahead, AKWEL anticipates a similar decline in activity for 2025, driven by the ongoing challenges in the global automotive market and the uncertainty surrounding the mix of electric, hybrid, and internal combustion engine vehicles.

AKWEL is a parts and systems manufacturer for the automotive and heavy-vehicle industry, and a specialist in fluid management, mechanisms and structural parts for electric vehicles.

-- BERNAMA

ZENAS BIOPHARMA ANNOUNCES KEY 2024 ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND 2025 BUSINESS OBJECTIVES TO SUPPORT THE GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIALIZATION OF THERAPIES FOR AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

- Advancing Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials of obexelimab, a unique CD-19 x FcγRIIb inhibitor of B cell function-

-Topline results from Phase 2 Trial in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (MoonStone) expected in third quarter 2025-

-Topline results from pivotal Phase 3 Trial in Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease (INDIGO) expected year-end 2025-

- Enrollment of Phase 2 Trial in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SunStone) expected to be completed in 2025-

- Out-licensed greater-China anti-IGF-1R Thyroid Eye Disease programs to Zai Lab -

WALTHAM, Mass., Feb 6 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zenas BioPharma, Inc. (“Zenas” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ZBIO), a clinical-stage global biopharmaceutical company committed to being a leader in the development and commercialization of therapies for autoimmune diseases, today announced its 2024 accomplishments, outlined its key business objectives for 2025 and announced preliminary unaudited cash balance as of year-end 2024.

“Based upon the progress achieved across all of our corporate goals and objectives during 2024, we enter 2025 with an opportunity to achieve major value-driving milestones with the anticipated results from our ongoing obexelimab Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials,” said Lonnie Moulder, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Zenas. “We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of our dedicated team as we enter the year well-financed and able to focus on execution, and achievement of our key objectives for the year.”

The Company enters 2025 well-capitalized to deliver its key milestones with approximately $350 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments as of December 31, 2024, ¹ which is expected to fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the fourth quarter of 2026.

2024 Accomplishments and Recent Achievements

During 2024, the Company achieved the following objectives and announced a recent business development transaction:

• Completed enrollment of the Phase 3 INDIGO trial, a global Phase 3 registration-directed, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of obexelimab in patients with Immunoglobulin-G4 Related Disease (IgG4-RD), the largest clinical trial ever conducted in this patient population.

• Initiated the Phase 2 MoonStone trial, a Phase 2, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of obexelimab in patients with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (RMS).

• Initiated the Phase 2 SunStone trial, a Phase 2, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of obexelimab to reduce disease activity in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

• Provided initial data from the Phase 2 SApHiAre trial, a global, multicenter, open-label safety and dose confirmation run-in period (SRP) to evaluate the safety and activity of obexelimab in patients with warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (wAIHA). Obexelimab achieved clinical proof-of-mechanism by increasing hemoglobin levels and red blood cells, and decreasing LDH and total bilirubin levels. Obexelimab was well tolerated in the SRP.

• Completed an upsized Series C and initial public offering, raising approximately $458.7 million in aggregate gross proceeds to fund its planned activities for obexelimab and the Company’s growth strategy.

• Bolstered its leadership team with the appointments of Chief Commercial Officer, Orlando Oliveira, and Chief Legal Officer, Jeff Held.

• Out-licensed ZB005, a human IgG4 monoclonal antibody designed to bind only to the active form of C1s, for which Zenas held the development and commercialization rights in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan (Greater China) through an exclusive license with Dianthus.

• The Company recently out-licensed regional rights to its thyroid eye disease programs, including ZB001, an insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (anti-IGF-1R) monoclonal antibody, to Zai Lab (Zai).  Zenas received an upfront fee and is eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties in the future, as consideration for an exclusive sublicense to Zai to develop and commercialize ZB001 and related programs in Greater China.

Anticipated 2025 Clinical Milestones for Obexelimab

Obexelimab is a bifunctional monoclonal antibody designed to bind both CD19 and FcγRIIb, which are broadly present across B cell lineage, to inhibit the activity of cells that are implicated in many autoimmune diseases without depleting them. This unique mechanism of action and self-administered, subcutaneous once-weekly injection regimen may broadly and effectively address the pathogenic role of B cell lineage in chronic autoimmune disease. Obexelimab has been evaluated in five completed clinical trials in a total of 198 patients who received obexelimab either as an intravenous infusion or as a subcutaneous injection. Obexelimab was well tolerated and demonstrated clinical activity across these five clinical trials, providing the Company an initial clinical proof of concept for obexelimab as a potent B cell inhibitor for the treatment of patients living with certain autoimmune diseases.

During 2025, the Company expects to achieve the following key clinical milestones:

• Report the 12-week primary endpoint results in the third quarter of 2025 from the Phase 2 MoonStone trial in patients with RMS.

The role of B cells in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis including RMS has been demonstrated through the successful clinical development, approval and clinical use of anti-CD20 B cell targeting therapies of other companies, including OCREVUS® (ocrelizumab) and KESIMPTA® (ofatumumab), which selectively deplete CD20-expressing B cells. The Company believes obexelimab’s unique mechanism of action to potently inhibit but not deplete a broader B cell lineage than CD20, nonclinical data, and a subcutaneous injection regimen, supports its potential for the treatment of RMS.

• Following an initial screening period, patients in the MoonStone trial are being randomized 2:1 to 250 mg of obexelimab or placebo administered as a subcutaneous injection every seven days for a 12-week treatment period.
• The primary objective of this double-blinded portion of the trial will be to assess the change from baseline in the cumulative number of gadolinium (Gd) enhancing lesions identified on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Upon completion of the 12-week period, patients will enter an open-label period where patients on placebo will receive obexelimab treatment for at least three months, and patients initially randomized to obexelimab will continue treatment.
• Important secondary endpoints during this open-label period include using standardized assessments, novel 3D imaging and biomarkers, including serum neurofilament light chain (NfL), to evaluate the impact of obexelimab on disease progression.

More information on the Phase 2 MoonStone trial (NCT06564311) is available at clinicaltrials.gov

• Report topline results year-end 2025 from the Phase 3 INDIGO trial in patients with IgG4-RD.

IgG4-RD is a chronic fibro-inflammatory disease that can affect virtually all organ systems, including the pancreas, biliary tract, salivary and lacrimal glands, lungs, and kidneys. Patients with IgG4-RD may present with a single organ involved but more frequently present with multiple organ involvement. As the disease progresses and patients experience new or worsening symptoms (i.e., flares), lesions develop in additional organs and the cellular inflammation characterizing early disease moves toward a more fibrotic stage, which can lead to major irreversible tissue damage and ultimately organ failure. We estimate that the currently diagnosed population of IgG4-RD patients in the U.S. is approximately 20,000, with comparable prevalence rates globally.

Despite the growing recognition of IgG4-RD and advances in the understanding of its pathophysiology, there are no approved therapies for the treatment of this disease and there remains high unmet medical need. The current standard of care is treatment with glucocorticoids (GCs). Although GCs are initially effective, treatment with GCs can often result in various complications and co-morbidities. Most patients can relapse within 12 months of discontinuing GC treatment, and maintenance therapy with GCs has not been shown to prevent recurrence of disease.

The pathogenesis of IgG4-RD suggests that B cell-targeted therapies may provide therapeutic benefit. Although not approved by any regulatory authorities to treat IgG4-RD, certain B cell depleting agents (e.g., rituximab) are occasionally administered to patients with IgG4-RD. However, B cell depleting agents are often associated with infections, including serious opportunistic infections, and can compromise a patient’s ability to mount a response to vaccinations.

The reported evidence for the role of B cells in the pathogenesis of IgG4-RD, the observed effects of B cell targeting agents in previous trials in IgG4-RD, the data from our Phase 2 IgG4-RD trials with obexelimab, and its unique, non-depleting mechanism and once-weekly, subcutaneous injection regimen support its development in patients with IgG4-RD.

• INDIGO is the largest clinical trial conducted in patients living with IgG4-RD and is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of obexelimab in approximately 190 patients with active IgG4-RD and being conducted at approximately 100 sites in 20 countries.
• Following an initial screening period, patients were randomized 1:1 to 250 mg of obexelimab or placebo administered as a subcutaneous injection every seven days for 52 weeks, followed by an opportunity for eligible patients to continue in an open-label extension period where all patients will receive treatment with obexelimab.
• The primary efficacy endpoint of INDIGO is the time to first IgG4-RD flare, as determined per protocol by the investigator and the adjudication committee.
• Secondary endpoints include annualized flare rate, the proportion of patients achieving complete remission, and use and quantity of rescue medication, including GCs.

More information on the Phase 3 INDIGO trial (NCT05662241) is available at clinicaltrials.gov

• Complete enrollment in 2025 in the Phase 2 SunStone trial in patients with SLE and report topline results in the first half of 2026.

The crucial role of B cells in SLE pathogenesis is well recognized, from producing autoantibodies to abnormal regulation of immune responses. Moreover, SLE is an autoimmune disease characterized by B cell dysfunction, the production of autoantibodies toward cellular and nuclear components, and multiorgan damage caused by immune complex deposition and inflammation within affected tissues. Current treatments are limited in number and modestly effective. Obexelimab has demonstrated clinical activity in a prior Phase 2 double-blind, randomized trial demonstrating proof-of-concept in the overall trial population and increased response in patients who maintained higher systemic exposure to obexelimab, and also in biomarker-defined subpopulations. Coupled with the safety data obtained to date, we believe these data provide support for the development of obexelimab in patients with SLE.

• Patients with active SLE determined at screening by the investigator and adjudication committee are randomized 1:1 to obexelimab 250 mg or placebo administered as a subcutaneous injection every seven days for 24 weeks.
• The 250 mg once-weekly subcutaneous injection dose has been selected to maximize the potential for clinical activity as higher systemic exposure (C_trough) correlated with greater clinical activity in the prior Phase 2 trial in SLE.
• The primary endpoint is the percentage of responders, defined by BILAG-based Composite Lupus Assessment, with a reduction of SLE disease activity at week 24.
• Biomarker analysis is planned to be conducted in all patients, including baseline RNA expression profiles to immunophenotype patients and evaluation of their differential responses to treatment.

More information on the Phase 2 SunStone trial (NCT06559163) is available at clinicaltrials.gov

About Zenas BioPharma, Inc.

Zenas is a clinical-stage global biopharmaceutical company committed to becoming a leader in the development and commercialization of transformative therapies for patients with autoimmune diseases. Our core business strategy combines our experienced leadership team with a disciplined product candidate acquisition approach to identify, acquire and develop product candidates globally that we believe can provide superior clinical benefits to patients living with autoimmune diseases. Zenas’ lead product candidate, obexelimab, is a bifunctional monoclonal antibody designed to bind both CD19 and FcγRIIb, which are broadly present across B cell lineage, to inhibit the activity of cells that are implicated in many autoimmune diseases without depleting them. We believe that obexelimab’s unique mechanism of action and self-administered, subcutaneous injection regimen may broadly and effectively address the pathogenic role of B cell lineage in chronic autoimmune disease. For more information about Zenas BioPharma, please visit www.zenasbio.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

Forward looking statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” which involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “project,” “contemplate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning Zenas’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions; the timing and results of ongoing and future clinical trials, including expectations on the timing of reporting INDIGO trial topline results, the 12-week primary endpoint data for the MoonStone trial and the anticipated timing of completing enrollment and reporting topline results for the SunStone trial; its growth strategy; the Company’s preliminary unaudited cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of December 31, 2024; and cash runway guidance. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: the Company’s limited operating history, incurrence of substantial losses since the Company’s inception and anticipation of incurring substantial and increasing losses for the foreseeable future; the Company’s need for substantial additional financing to achieve the Company’s goals; the uncertainty of clinical development, which is lengthy and expensive, and characterized by uncertain outcomes, and risks related to additional costs or delays in completing, or failing to complete, the development and commercialization of the Company’s current product candidates or any future product candidates; delays or difficulties in the enrollment and dosing of patients in clinical trials; the impact of any significant adverse events or undesirable side effects caused by the Company’s product candidates; potential competition, including from large and specialty pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, many of which already have approved therapies in the Company’s current indications; the Company’s ability to realize the benefits of the Company’s current or future collaborations or licensing arrangements and ability to successfully consummate future partnerships; the Company’s ability to obtain regulatory approval to commercialize any product candidate in the United States or any other jurisdiction, and the risk that any such approval may be for a more narrow indication than the Company seeks; the Company’s dependence on the services of the Company’s senior management and other clinical and scientific personnel, and the Company’s ability to retain these individuals or recruit additional management or clinical and scientific personnel; the Company’s ability to grow the Company’s organization, and manage the Company’s growth and expansion of the Company’s operations; risks related to the manufacturing of the Company’s product candidates, which is complex, and the risk that the Company’s third-party manufacturers may encounter difficulties in production; the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain sufficient intellectual property protection for the Company’s product candidates or any future product candidates the Company may develop; the Company’s reliance on third parties to conduct the Company’s preclinical studies and clinical trials; the Company’s compliance with the Company’s obligations under the licenses granted to the Company by others, for the rights to develop and commercialize the Company’s product candidates; risks related to the operations of the Company’s suppliers, many of which are located outside of the United States, including the Company’s current sole contract manufacturing organization for drug substance and drug product, WuXi Biologics (Hong Kong) Limited, which is located in China; and other risks and uncertainties described in the section “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, as well as other information we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release are inherently uncertain, speak only as of the date of this press release and may prove incorrect. These statements are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this press release and while the Company believes such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that the Company has conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified and some of which are beyond the Company’s control, these forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as guarantees of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Moreover, the Company operates in an evolving environment. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and management cannot predict all risks and uncertainties. Except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

The Zenas BioPharma word mark and logos are trademarks of Zenas BioPharma, Inc. or its affiliated companies. 

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