BEIJING, May 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A major new study has shown that South and East Asia dominate patterns of global warming related decline in male fertility with the strongest and most consistent evidence coming from India, Pakistan and the southern parts of China.

The effects of increased environmental temperatures on male reproductive health include declining sperm concentration and motility and increased sperm DNA fragmentation, or genetic damage that can hinder fertilisation and embryo development.

Male related factors account for around 50 per cent of infertility cases around the world and the impact of rising ambient heat on semen parameters raises serious implications across wide areas of Asia where total fertility rates are in serious decline.

Outcomes of the study undertaken by the Taiwan IVF Group and Ton Yen General Hospital, Taiwan (China) in collaboration with Stanford University (USA) are being presented at the 2026 Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE) in Beijing.

Research principal and Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University, Dr Jack Yu Jen Huang, MD, PhD, FACOG said: “Given the temperature sensitivity of spermatogenesis, even modest increases in ambient temperature could have cumulative, population-level effects over time.

“As global warming accelerates, male reproductive health may represent an emerging climate sensitive public health concern.”

The testes function optimally at temperatures lower than the internal body heat level, and previous studies have shown elevated scrotal or ambient temperatures can impair sperm production.

The latest research explored global patterns to reveal comparative data across regions. It is based on a systematic review of international studies on temperature exposure and semen parameter trends between 2000 and 2024. Artificial intelligence algorithms and machine learning tools were applied to extract key variables including geographic regions and semen outcomes.

Dr Huang said studies examining occupational heat exposure alone were excluded from the analysis as they reflected localised, job-specific conditions rather than broader climatic trends.

“Our findings therefore represent population level climate associated temperature effects including consistent seasonal variations showing poor semen quality parameters in warmer periods.”

The global patterns on temperature associated lower sperm concentration and motility show South and East Asia as major hot spots of concern followed by the Middle East, Europe and North America.

“South and East Asia are likely more affected due to a combination of factors including higher baseline ambient temperatures and rapid urbanisation that contribute to greater cumulative heat stress on spermatogenesis,” Dr Huang explained.

“With ongoing global warming, chronic heat exposure may increasingly impact male reproductive health.”

Dr Huang said potential approaches to address the issue include:

• increasing public awareness of heat exposure and reproductive health;
• encouraging protective behaviours;
• expanding research integrating climate and reproductive health data; and
• exploring clinical and lifestyle interventions to mitigate heat-related effects.

The research team was assisted by research intern Jeffrey Zi Kang Huang from Taipei American School, particularly in the application of artificial intelligence in biomedical research including AI-assisted data analysis and pattern recognition across global datasets.

“Further longitudinal and mechanistic studies will be important to better define causality and guide interventions,” he added.

The ASPIRE Congress is being held at the China National Convention Centre in Beijing. More than 3,000 scientists, clinicians, nurses and counsellors in assisted reproduction from around the world are attending the Congress.

For further information, go to https://www.aspire2026.com

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Books Link China and Latin America, Ushering in a New Chapter of Cultural Dialogue

BEIJING, May 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On April 23, the 2026 Buenos Aires International Book Fair kicked off its 50th edition, a flagship event in the Spanish-speaking world gathering over 1,500 exhibitors from 40+ countries and regions.

Organized by China National Publications Import and Export (Group) Co., Ltd., China’s leading publishers participated with engaging displays and events, becoming a standout highlight.

China Pavilion: A Cultural Gateway

Under the theme Reading China, the China pavilion sits in a prime spot, blending Eastern charm with modern design. It features 600+ titles and a special Sino-Argentine literary exhibition, drawing local readers and industry insiders. A reader from Córdoba, Argentina, told reporters at the pavilion: “China and Argentina are geographically distant, but both our literatures share profound themes of patriotism, family and friendship. I hope to read more works by Chinese writers.”

Diverse Cultural and Publishing Exchanges

The delegation hosted 11 events, including the Sino-Argentine Contemporary Literary Dialogue and industry cooperation seminars. Radina Dimitrova, renowned sinologist from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, noted that books serve as a timeless path of culture and ink bridging China and Argentina, highlighting the power of literary exchange to foster mutual understanding.

Paula Pampín, Editor-in-Chief of Argentina’s Ediciones Corregidor, emphasized that books should be regarded not merely as commercial commodities but as the most effective vehicle for cultural diplomacy. She stressed the value of direct Chinese-to-Latin American Spanish translation, avoiding filtered interpretations via European languages, and called for stable long-term cooperation such as joint publishing initiatives.

The events also covered university sessions, poetry sharing, copyright collaboration, co-publishing and overseas distribution. Delegates held in-depth B2B talks with representatives from CLACSO, the Peruvian cultural delegation and Argentine Book Chamber.

Heritage Demonstrations Captivate Fair-goers

An intangible cultural heritage event, showcasing paper-cutting, calligraphy and traditional performances, delighted visitors, forging warm cultural connections through interactive displays.

Growing Ties for Years to Come

Tailored for Spanish-speaking audiences, the exhibition highlighted diverse localized publications. Moving forward, Chinese publishers will deepen copyright cooperation, literary exchanges and academic ties with Latin America, strengthening cross-cultural bonds.

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ATHENS, Greece, May 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A forum on intercultural dialogue and mutual learning among civilizations to mark the 20th anniversary of the China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership was held here on Thursday.

The forum, themed “The Beauty of Harmony: Coexistence through Integration,” was jointly hosted by Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese Embassy in Greece and the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lyu Yansong, editor-in-chief of Xinhua News Agency, said that the China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership has continued to deepen under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state. As China’s national news agency, Xinhua has always been committed to telling stories of practical and friendly cooperation as well as intercultural dialogue and mutual learning between the two civilizations.

At a critical crossroads concerning the future of humanity, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for building a world where “the light of civilization illuminates the right path for human progress,” Lyu said.

Lyu said that as an important bridge for people-to-people communication and a vital force in promoting dialogue among civilizations, the media shoulders unique social responsibilities. Looking ahead, Xinhua is ready to work with Chinese and Greek partners to jointly uphold the vision of civilization based on equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness, actively carry forward the common values of humanity, promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and contribute to mutual learning among civilizations.

He noted that the Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency, on Thursday released a report titled “The Theory of Cultural Empowerment: China’s Cultural Consciousness in Marching Toward High-Quality Development.”

Former Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos said the anniversary marked an important milestone in Greece-China cooperation. The two sides have achieved fruitful results in trade, economic and investment cooperation, while further deepening a multidimensional partnership centered on civilizational exchange and dialogue, he said, adding that cooperation between the two sides has broad prospects.

Chinese Ambassador to Greece Fang Qiu said that looking ahead, China and Greece will strengthen strategic alignment, advance cooperation in such areas as digital infrastructure, green transition and smart manufacturing, continuously deepen mutual learning among civilizations and practical cooperation, and promote mutual empowerment in culture, trade and economy.

About 150 representatives from the two countries’ governments, media outlets, cultural institutions, research organizations and enterprises attended the forum.

Former Greek Foreign Minister George Katrougalos said the significance of the Greece-China comprehensive strategic partnership has become increasingly evident as the international order undergoes profound changes. The friendship between Greece and China has endured and grown stronger, while the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative has brought tangible development benefits to Greece, he added.

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GUANGZHOU, China, May 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 139th Canton Fair concluded on May 5, setting a new record for overseas buyer attendance. Data from the China Foreign Trade Centre show that across 15 days and three phases, the fair welcomed a record 314,000 overseas buyers from 220 countries and regions who came to explore opportunities at “China’s No. 1 Fair.”

Inside the Canton Fair venue, the “PHYBOT C2” bipedal humanoid robot, capable of playing badminton, handles challenges from buyers with ease.

The event covered about 1.55 million square meters with 75,700 booths. More than 32,000 exhibitors participated, including about 3,900 first-time exhibitors. Over 4.65 million products were on display; new products, green products, and products with independent intellectual property rights accounted for 23%, 22%, and 25%, respectively — reflecting the “new, green and smart” direction of “Made in China” and “Made in Guangdong.”

During the fair, organizers held more than 600 new-product launch events. The number of new products introduced rose 27%, and events for emerging future industries increased 30%. The fair also showcased AI-enabled scenarios for the first time, including robotic patrol inspections and drone flight demonstrations.

Nine specialized exhibition zones were newly established for this session. Phase I featured zones for consumer drones, agricultural drones, smart wearables and display technology. Phase II debuted zones for bamboo and wood household products and tableware, integrated housing and outdoor facilities, and trendy accessories. Phase III added a zone for functional and technical fabrics. Nearly 670 enterprises took part in these specialized zones, erecting more than 1,300 booths and highlighting innovative developments across industries.

Guangdong province got off to a strong start in foreign trade this year. In the first quarter, its import and export volume, national share, incremental growth and contribution rate all ranked first in China. Exports reached 1.53 trillion yuan, up 14.3%, while imports reached 1.01 trillion yuan, up 27.8%. Import growth was broad-based, led by the “old three” — mobile phones, computers and home appliances — as well as garments and luggage. At the same time, the province advanced its “new three” products: exports of 3D printers, drones and digital cameras rose 136.9%, 51.2% and 60.2%, respectively. These products of new quality productive forces have received popularity worldwide. Exports of self-owned brands grew 38%, raising their share of Guangdong’s total export value in the first quarter to 26.6%.

As a vital window into China’s opening-up and a barometer of its foreign trade, the Canton Fair has evolved alongside the Chinese economy over its 70-year history. This session’s successful conclusion complemented Guangdong’s robust start in foreign trade. Many Guangdong enterprises used the Canton Fair platform to engage directly with global buyers and secure international orders, helping Guangdong maintain its top national ranking in foreign trade scale. In turn, Guangdong’s thriving development continuously injects vitality into the Canton Fair. The major foreign trade province’s strong industrial base, comprehensive supply chain and innovative products and technologies continue to sustain the fair’s global influence.

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CHENGDU, China, May 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sichuan Kelun-Biotech Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (“Kelun-Biotech” or the “Company”) announced that the sNDA (the “Application”) for the Company’s TROP2 ADC sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT, also known as SKB264/MK-2870) (佳泰莱^®) was accepted for review by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China. The application is for sac-TMT in combination with MSD’s^[1] anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA^®[2]) as first‑line treatment for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have PD-L1 tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1% and are EGFR-negative and ALK-negative. This acceptance is based on the positive results from the OptiTROP-Lung05 registrational Phase III study, and the application is the fifth indication application for sac-TMT that has been accepted by the NMPA.

The OptiTROP-Lung05 is a randomized, open-label, multicenter, Phase III clinical study that evaluates the efficacy and safety profile of sac-TMT in combination with pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab monotherapy as first-line treatment for PD-L1-positive locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. At a pre-specified interim analysis, the study has met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) and demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement as concluded by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC). A positive trend in overall survival (OS) was also observed. Notably, the OptiTROP-Lung05 study is the first Phase III study of an immunotherapy and ADC combination to meet its primary endpoint in first-line NSCLC treatment. The study has been selected for an oral presentation at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (Abstract number #8506, Lung Cancer –Non-Small Cell Metastatic).

Previously, sac-TMT in combination with intravenous and subcutaneous pembrolizumab for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who have PD-L1 TPS≥1% and are EGFR-negative and ALK-negative was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) by the NMPA. On April 9, 2026, the CDE’s official website announced that the Application has entered the priority review and approval process. This marks the fifth sac-TMT indication to enter the CDE’s priority review and approval process. Through this process, the review time will be significantly shortened, potentially expediting its approval pathways.

Dr. Michael Ge, CEO of Kelun-Biotech said, “We are delighted to see the acceptance of the fifth indication application for sac-TMT. Compared to immunotherapy alone, the ADC combination with KEYTRUDA^® as first-line treatment for PD-L1-positive NSCLC has achieved not only positive results in PFS, but also a trend toward benefit in OS. This achievement holds significant importance for improving current treatment regimens for lung cancer. We will continue to collaborate with our partners to advance the clinical development and commercialization of sac-TMT, to help more patients with lung cancer and enhance their survival outcomes.”

About sac-TMT

Sac-TMT, a core product of the Company, is a novel human TROP2 ADC in which the Company has proprietary intellectual property rights, targeting advanced solid tumors such as NSCLC, breast cancer (BC), gastric cancer (GC), gynecological tumors and genitourinary tumors, among others. Sac-TMT is developed with a unique, bifunctional linker that maximizes payload delivery to tumor cells both through its irreversible connection with the anti-TROP2 monoclonal antibody sacituzumab and its pH-sensitive cleavage from a belotecan-derivative topoisomerase I inhibitor payload in the lysosome, with a drug-to-antibody-ratio (DAR) of 7.4. Sac-TMT specifically recognizes TROP2 on the surface of tumor cells by recombinant anti-TROP2 humanized monoclonal antibodies, which is then endocytosed by tumor cells and releases the payload KL610023 intracellularly. KL610023, as a topoisomerase I inhibitor, induces DNA damage to tumor cells, which in turn leads to cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. In addition, it also releases KL610023 in the tumor microenvironment. Given that KL610023 is membrane permeable, it can enable a bystander effect, or in other words kill adjacent tumor cells.

In May 2022, the Company licensed the exclusive rights to MSD (the tradename of Merck & Co., Inc, Rahway, NJ, USA) to develop, use, manufacture and commercialize sac-TMT in all territories outside of Greater China (which includes Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan).

To date, four indications for sac-TMT have been approved and marketed in China for: 1) unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who have received at least two prior systemic therapies (at least one of them for advanced or metastatic setting); 2) EGFR mutant-positive locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC following progression on EGFR-TKI therapy and platinum-based chemotherapy; 3) EGFR mutant-positive locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who progressed after treatment with EGFR-TKI therapy; 4) unresectable or metastatic HR+/HER2- (IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) BC who have received prior ET and at least one line of chemotherapy in advanced setting. The first two indications above have been included in China’s National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL). This inclusion is expected to bring clinically meaningful benefits to a greater number of patients with BC and NSCLC. Additionally, sac-TMT has been granted six Breakthrough Therapy Designations (BTDs) by the NMPA.

Sac-TMT is the world’s first TROP2 ADC drug approved for marketing in lung cancer. A new indication application for sac-TMT in combination with pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA^®) as first‑line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who have PD-L1 TPS≥1% and are EGFR-negative and ALK-negative has been accepted for review by the NMPA, and has entered the priority review and approval process. As of today, Kelun-Biotech has initiated 9 registrational clinical studies in China. MSD has initiated 17 ongoing global Phase III clinical studies of sac-TMT as a monotherapy or in combination with pembrolizumab or other anti-cancer agents for several types of cancer. These studies are sponsored and led by MSD.

About Kelun-Biotech

Kelun-Biotech (6990.HK) is a holding subsidiary of Kelun Pharmaceutical, which focuses on the R&D, manufacturing, commercialization and global collaboration of innovative biological drugs and small molecule drugs. Kelun-Biotech focuses on major disease areas such as solid tumors, autoimmune, and metabolic diseases, and in establishing a globalized drug development and industrialization platform to address the unmet medical needs in China and the rest of world. Kelun-Biotech is committed to becoming a leading global enterprise in the field of innovative drugs. At present, Kelun-Biotech has more than 30 ongoing key innovative drug projects, of which 4 projects with 8 indications have been approved for marketing, 1 project is in the NDA stage and more than 10 projects are in the clinical stage. Kelun-Biotech has established one of the world’s leading proprietary ADC and novel DC platforms, OptiDC™, and has 2 ADC projects with 5 indications approved for marketing, and multiple ADC and novel DC assets in clinical or preclinical research stage. For more information, please visit https://en.kelun-biotech.com/. 

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