Bota’s end-to-end bio-foundry tackles the challenge of transitioning from lab-developed technology to industrial-scale production, and empowers the rapid and efficient translation of cutting-edge biotechnology into tangible commercial value.

SAN FRANCISCO, HANGZHOU and XINCHANG, China, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Bota Bio, a global industrial biotechnology company specializing in sustainable biomanufacturing solutions, and NHU, a global leader in the fine chemical industry, have announced the successful commercialization of their first collaborative project and the establishment of a strategic partnership to cooperate in the field of biomanufacturing. This alliance, rooted in NHU’s dedication to innovation and Bota Bio’s proprietary full-stack strain development platform, aims to rapidly and efficiently translate cutting-edge biotechnological achievements into industrial value.

As an industrial biotechnology company, Bota Bio has developed end-to-end technical capabilities from bio-computation and design to high-throughput screening, laboratory-scale validation, process optimization, pilot scale-up, and industrial production. Leveraging NHU’s extensive production experience in specialty chemicals, the collaboration has fully harnessed platform technologies, achieving the optimization and screening of industrial fermentation strains. Together, they have developed a new generation of industrial production strains with higher production efficiency and successfully implemented them in commercial production setting. To date, this project has generated substantial economic benefits for both entities, with expectations for continued growth.

This partnership not only witnesses the application and successful commercialization of Bota Bio’s biomanufacturing technology from the laboratory to industrial production, but also underscores the ongoing collaboration with NHU to further advance the adoption of cutting-edge biotechnology in the industrial setting. Together, they are committed to leveraging their combined strengths to introduce more environmentally sustainable products and solutions to the market.

About NHU
Zhejiang NHU Co., Ltd. (abbreviated as NHU) was founded in 1999 and listed in 2004 with the stock code of 002001. Since the inception, we have been firmly holding on to the belief of developing through innovation and thriving in competition. Specializing in functional chemicals with an emphasis on nutritional chemicals, aroma chemicals and polymers, NHU devotes itself in the stages of R&D, production, sales, and service of the products. We offer integrated solutions to customers across over 100 countries and regions in a wide range of domains including nutrition & health, personal and home care, transportation, environmental protection, and new energy. Leveraging our quality, healthy, green, and low-carbon products, we are committed to improving quality of life for all and generating lasting values for stakeholders. Currently ranked among China’s top 100 fine chemical companies and top 100 listed companies, NHU is doubling its effort to rise to the top of the world’s functional chemical industry. For further information, please visit https://www.cnhu.com/en

About Bota Biosciences
Bota Biosciences is a global industrial biotechnology company connecting biological design to scale-up manufacturing to accelerate shifts to sustainable living. Bota has built an integrative bioengineering platform, to develop and implement efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective biomanufacturing technologies. Committed to its mission, Bota established its own pilot plant and manufacturing facility, affirming its dedication to offering scalable industrial solutions and market-ready products. This infrastructure strengthens support for customers and partners across industries such as nutrition, food, personal care, and animal health. Powered by a dynamic, multidisciplinary team, Bota Bio channels biotech innovations to create a global impact. For further information, please visit http://bota.bio/en

Email: bota.pr@bota.bio 

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Source: Wingderm Electro-optics Ltd.

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BEIJING and BRIDGEWATER, N.J., June 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals (Gan & Lee, Shanghai Stock Exchange: 603087) announced the results of the Phase 1b/2a clinical study of the Company’s independently developed glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, GZR18 Injection, in an obese/overweight population in China, along with the results of two other innovative insulins’ preclinical studies in poster presentations at the American Diabetes Association’s（ADA’s）84th Scientific Sessions. 

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation Phase 1b/2a clinical study evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of GZR18 Injection in Chinese subjects with obesity/overweight after multiple administration on a once-weekly (QW) or bi-weekly (Q2W) dosing interval. A total of 36 obese participants were enrolled in the study and randomized in a 3:1 ratio to receive a dose titration of 1.5 mg to 30 mg of GZR18 Injection or a matching placebo for a total of 35 weeks.

The study results demonstrated a superior efficacy of GZR18 Injection than placebo for weight reduction in Chinese obese subjects. After 35 weeks of treatment, the mean weight change from baseline in the GZR18 QW group was -16.5 kg (95% CI: -19.9 kg, -13.1 kg); the placebo-adjusted mean percent weight change from baseline was -18.6% (95% CI: -25.5%, -11.6%). Although it was not a head-to-head study, when compared to the published data on weight reduction of similar products currently available on the market, GZR18’s weight-reducing ability outperformed Semaglutide and dual-incretin receptor targeted Tirzepatide in similar study duration. Meanwhile, the mean weight change from baseline in the GZR18 Q2W group was -11.3 kg (95% CI: -15.4 kg, -7.2 kg); the placebo-adjusted mean percent weight change from baseline was -13.5% (95% CI: -21.0%, -6.0%).

In addition, the percentage of participants achieving weight reductions of ≥5%, 10%, and 15% from baseline were 100.0%, 90.0%, and 80.0%, respectively, in the GZR18 QW group, and the percentage of participants achieving weight reductions of ≥5%, 10%, and 15% from baseline were 71.4%, 71.4%, and 42.9%, respectively, in the GZR18 Q2W group. No participant in the placebo group achieved a weight reduction of 5% and above.

In terms of safety, GZR18 Injection was well tolerated in obese participants. The most commonly reported adverse events (AE) during treatment were gastrointestinal related AEs, and all were mild to moderate in severity. This is consistent with the incretin-based therapies approved for the treatment of obesity and overweight and occurred mainly in the early dose-escalation period. There were no serious hypoglycemic events in this study and no serious adverse events related to the investigational drug.

Gan & Lee also announced that a multi-center, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, 30-week Phase 2 clinical study evaluating the efficacy and safety of GZR18 Injection in Chinese adults with obesity and overweight is in progress. A total of 338 adults with obesity or overweight were enrolled in this study, and the study explores a broader dose range and frequency of administration. The main body of the Phase 2 has now been completed, and the priliminary study data further support the results of the reported Phase 1b/2a obese/overweight study, particularly the positive results achieved with bi-weekly dosing frequency.

“We are very excited about the clinical results of the GZR18 program to the present day.” Dr. Gan Zhong-ru, Founder of Gan & Lee, commented. “Our unique molecular design delays the onset of drug action and attenuates the peak effect, thereby improving drug tolerability and achieving smooth and sustained weight loss in a stepwise manner. Moreover, GZR18 has a longer duration of action, which is expected to be administered once every two weeks. Meanwhile, we hope that the clinical results of GZR18 will provide more evidence to reveal the mechanism of action of different targets of Incretins and Glucagon.”

In addition, Gan & Lee announced the results of preclinical trials of the company’s investigational products: GZR4, a once-weekly insulin analog, and GZR101, a premixed dual insulin analog, at the ADA’s 84th Scientific Sessions:

Once-weekly Insulin Analog GZR4

GZR4 is a novel ultra-long-acting basal insulin analog designed for once-weekly administration. Results from preclinical studies have shown that GZR4 has a significantly higher affinity for human serum albumin (HSA) and a significantly lower affinity for the insulin receptor than insulin Icodec, another once-weekly insulin analog. Moreover, unlike insulin Icodec, GZR4 maintains its activity in activating the insulin receptor after binding to albumin. In the studies using animal models of diabetes, the glucose-lowering effect of GZR4 was observed to be 2-3 times greater than that of insulin Icodec. Based on the preclinical results, GZR4 is expected to be the fourth-generation basal insulin that can be administered once a week to achieve an effective glycemic control.

Premixed Insulin Analog GZR101

GZR101 injection is a premixed insulin analog made from a combination of ultra-long-acting basal insulin GZR33 injection and rapid-acting insulin aspart (Rapilin^®). Different from traditional premixed insulin analogs, the duration of glucose-lowering effect of basal insulin component (GZR33) in GZR101 can last 72 hours, and there is no significant peak within 24 hours after reaching a steady state with multiple injections. When combined with insulin aspart (Rapilin^®️) to make a premixed insulin analog, it can achieve smooth control of fasting and postprandial blood glucose throughout the day. In diabetic animal models, GZR101 is significantly superior than insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) in blood glucose reduction and safety. As a premixed insulin analog developed based on an advanced concept, GZR101 is expected to make an important contribution to the control of blood glucose and the reduction of the risk of hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes globally.

Conclusions and Future Directions
The ADA’s 84th scientific sessions highlighted Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals’ leadership in developing next-generation diabetes and obesity treatments. With these latest preclinical and clinical results, the Company will continue to advance the development of innovative therapeutics for diabetes. While ongoing studies and upcoming trials will further support the positive influence of these innovative medicines on public health issues related to diabetes and obesity.

Forward-looking Statements
Forward-looking statements are based on our expectations and assumptions as of the date of the statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, and we can give no assurance that such results will be achieved in the future. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

References：

1. American Diabetes Association. https://diabetes.org/
2. ADA’s 84^th Scientific Sessions. https://professional.diabetes.org/scientific-sessions

About Gan & Lee
Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals developed the first Chinese domestic insulin analog. Currently, Gan & Lee has six core insulin products, including five insulin analog varieties: long-acting glargine injection (Basalin^®), fast-acting lispro injection (Prandilin^™), fast-acting aspart injection (Rapilin^®), mixed protamine zinc lispro injection (25R) (Prandilin^™25), aspart 30 injection (Rapilin^®30), and one human insulin injection – mixed protamine human insulin injection (30R) (Similin^®30). The company has two approved medical devices in China, namely reusable insulin injection pen (GanleePen), and disposable pen needle (GanleeFine^®).

In China’s 2024 National Insulin-Specific Centralized Procurement, Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals ranked second overall and first among domestic companies in terms of procurement demand for insulin analogs. The company is also making strides in international markets, with the disposable pen needle (GanleeFine^®) approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020 and received GMP inspection approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2024. These achievements significantly boost Gan & Lee’s competitiveness in both international and domestic markets.

In the future, Gan & Lee will strive for comprehensive coverage in diabetes treatment. Moving forward with its mission to become a world-class pharmaceutical company, Gan & Lee will also actively develop new chemical entities and biological drugs, focusing on treatments for metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and other therapeutic areas.

Further Information:
BPRD@ganlee.com (Media)
BD@ganlee.com (Business Development)

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DONGGUAN, China, June 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Huawei Consumer Cloud Services and Malaysia Airlines have decided to enter a strategic partnership in penetrating Chinese Outbound Travel market. This highly anticipated collaboration was officially announced during the signing ceremony at Huawei’s 2024 Developer Conference. This historic moment was held at the Huawei Developer Conference 2024, adding a highlight to the over 100 exciting events.

Through Huawei Consumer Cloud Services’ advertising platform, Malaysia Airlines will achieve comprehensive digitization of its aviation services. Through data-driven personalized recommendations and precise advertising placements, it will achieve deeply customized marketing effects. This will allow Malaysia Airlines to not only gain insights into travelers’ needs but also grasp market trends, truly embodying a customer-centric service philosophy. The comfortable start to a journey is precisely where Huawei Consumer Cloud Services, as part of the 1+8+N all-scenario ecosystem and media marketing capability, provides advertising marketing and traffic monetization services for advertisers and traffic alliances.

This partnership enables Huawei and Malaysia Airlines to jointly provide travelers with one-stop, full-cycle, and personalized travel services. While meeting travelers’ needs throughout their journey, the two parties have deepened their cooperation, forming a strong win-win situation. As an industry leader in technological innovation, Huawei remains committed to an open ecosystem, providing Malaysia Airlines with advertising marketing and traffic monetization services through its Petal Ads platform, helping it further expand in the Chinese market. This partnership is a strategic decision made by both companies to better serve consumers based on consumer demand.

Mr. Vincent Wen, Director of Cloud Service Business Growth of Huawei, said, ” We are committed to strengthening our partnership with Malaysia Airlines by leveraging our extensive expertise in telecommunications infrastructure, digital solutions, and our deep understanding of the Chinese market. Through collaborative efforts focused on localized strategies and by harnessing Huawei’s robust brand presence and marketing channels in China, Malaysia Airlines can significantly enhance its visibility and market penetration among Chinese travellers. This strategic alignment between Huawei and Malaysia Airlines combines technological prowess, market expertise, and innovation, opening up exciting opportunities in the dynamic Chinese tourism landscape.”

The joint collaboration of MH and Huawei also introduce a young traveler program MHexplorer, empowering young generation to explore the world and broaden their horizons. It incorporated Huawei Consumer Cloud Services’ resource advantage to drive the marketing strategy to ultimate effectiveness and promote the expansion of Malaysia Airlines in the Chinese and Asia-Pacific market. It aims that the perks and conveniences brought by the MHexplorer project will fulfill the yearning for world travel in every young individual’s heart. It also serves as an advocacy and active promotion of the idea.

Mr. Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), said, “We are delighted to join forces with Huawei by leveraging their digital capabilities to expand our reach within the APAC region. This strategic partnership aims to elevate our efforts in customer engagement by providing highly personalized experiences and innovative solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of the market. We look forward to exploring new avenues and opportunities that will solidify the Malaysia Airlines position in the region and extend our influence globally as the gateway to Asia and beyond.”

This remarkable collaboration not only showcases the profound cooperation between Huawei Consumer Cloud Services and Malaysia Airlines but also brings a novel aviation travel experience for consumers. In the future, Huawei and Malaysia Airlines will continue to explore and innovate, striving for the development of the global tourism market together. Everything centered around customers, and with continual technological innovation, sincerity, passion, and diligence, they present a broader blue sky to the world.

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QINGDAO, China, June 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Hisense, a leading global home appliance and consumer electronics brand, launched the ‘BEYOND GLORY’ Tour to engage and excite football fans in Frankfurt this week. The tour gained additional momentum with a surprise appearance by legendary goalkeeper and Hisense Global Ambassador Iker Casillas.

Casillas, renowned for his illustrious career, interacted with fans and shared personal anecdotes from his career. His presence electrified the atmosphere and also underscored Hisense’s commitment to fostering deep connections between fans and their football heroes, creating unforgettable experiences for attendees and highlight Hisense’s dedication to excellence and consumer engagement.

As official partner of UEFA EURO 2024™, Hisense also showcased its innovative ULED U7N, the official TV of the tournament, offering an unparalleled 100-inch TV soccer viewing experience. The showcase enabled fans to immerse themselves in the game, whilst demonstrating Hisense’s cutting-edge technology and ambition to enhance everyday life through pioneering home appliance solutions.

Hisense recently launched its ‘BEYOND GLORY’ campaign with Global Ambassadors Iker Casillas and Manuel Neuer, emphasizing its commitment to innovation and excellence. The new slogan ‘Never Settle for No. 2 Globally’ debuted at UEFA EURO 2024™, reflecting Hisense’s ambitious goals. Omdia’s data shows Hisense’s TV shipments secured the No. 2 global market position from 2022 to Q1 2024 with a 13.6% volume share and 12.1% revenue share. The brand also ranked No. 1 globally in Laser TV with a 53.4% volume share in Q1 2024.

Hisense also makes its debut as the official VAR screen provider for UEFA EURO 2024™, marking a historic milestone for Chinese display technology and demonstrating Hisense’s 50 years of expertise and commitment to innovation. This collaboration highlights Hisense’s relentless commitment to innovation and excellence, engaging millions of football fans and forging deeper connections with consumers worldwide.

About Hisense

Hisense is a leading global home appliance and consumer electronics brand and official partner of the UEFA EURO 2024™. According to Omdia, Hisense ranked No. 2 globally for TV shipments and No. 1 in 100″ TVs in both 2023 and Q1 2024. The company has expanded quickly to operate in more than 160 countries and specializes in multi-media goods, home appliances, and intelligent IT information.

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YIWU, China, June 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — “Fridge magnets are not just decorations; they are proof that I’ve been to this lovely place, embodying my cherished memories”. This sentiment, echoed by many online users, reflects the recent surge in popularity of fridge magnets.

Yiwugo.com, the official website of the Yiwu Commodity Market, is the largest commodity wholesale market in the world. Recent data from Yiwugo indicates a steady rise in the search volume for the keyword “fridge magnets” from March 1 to June 1, 2024, with the number of related orders rising by 228% compared to the previous year. Transaction volumes are also 1.78 times higher than last year. In light of this trend, Yiwugo reached out to two leading fridge magnet manufacturers to understand the current market dynamics. One of the business owners proudly claimed, “My fridge magnets are sold everywhere by the sea”.

Chen Lili, the owner of Lifei Crafts, has been a leading fridge magnet manufacturer for about 15 years. She explained that her company specializes in creating ocean-themed fridge magnets using natural shells and wood. They offer a wide range of designs, featuring holiday themes and seaside motifs, mostly developed in collaboration with clients and sold exclusively through targeted channels. “My fridge magnets are sold in every coastal area you can name,” she confidently stated.

Taking Hawaii as an example, Lifei Crafts exports millions of natural shell-decorated fridge magnets there every month. Remarkably, all these designs are personally created by Chen Lili and her husband, who co-owns the company. They actively engage with the market by gathering feedback from clients, leading to the annual release of hundreds of new designs.

Chen Lili’s trust in the Yiwugo platform is largely due to the fact that all of her Maldives clients came through inquiries on Yiwugo. Each client’s annual purchase volume ranges from tens to hundreds of thousands of yuan.

In addition to offering a diverse range of products, Lifei Crafts ensures that their fridge magnets maintain vibrant colors by using the industry’s best wooden drip-coating machines. They invest significantly in machine maintenance each year to uphold their quality standards. Last year, the company imported new acrylic machines from Japan and is currently developing a series of acrylic products. Chen Lili believes that, after some time for new product creation and market acceptance, their acrylic fridge magnets will become mainstream by next year.

Similarly, Zhenghao Crafts, with 17 years in the industry, focuses on producing and selling resin and wooden fridge magnets. They specialize in designs featuring international landscapes, architecture, famous artworks, and Chinese city landmarks, as well as food-themed fridge magnets.

The owner, Zhao Qun, mentioned that, the company released over 100 new products in June. This year, they have seen a significant increase in clients from the Philippines, with resin and hand-painted ocean-themed fridge magnets being particularly popular. Orders for fridge magnets depicting various locations in the Philippines often exceed 100,000 units per location.

Zhao Qun noted that since 2023, the fridge magnet industry has experienced a significant boom. Realistic plastic fridge magnets shaped like lobsters, crabs, and sea turtles have become very popular in coastal areas like Egypt, Barcelona, Philippines, and Mexico, with monthly exports exceeding 300,000 units. Domestically, last year also saw strong demand, with “Guo Chao” (Chinese fashion) fridge magnets becoming a hot item in the domestic market. Even as late as the 28th day of the last lunar month, with logistics almost halted, the company was still shipping products to cities like Beijing and Harbin, where winter tourism was at its peak.

Currently, the popularity of fridge magnets continues to grow. Both Lifei Crafts and Zhenghao Crafts are actively releasing new products, including acrylic magnets and designs themed around different cities. So, the next time you buy a fridge magnet during your travels, it might just come from one of these Yiwu-based manufacturers.

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