Featuring the diverse experiences on offer at Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace, the three-day roadshow will wow visitors with an array of enticing travel offers

MACAO, June 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Wynn Resorts is pleased to announce its participation in the “Experience Macao” Roadshow in Thailand organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) at Central World, Bangkok from June 14 – 16. In the three-day event, Wynn will showcase the diverse travel experiences available at the two acclaimed integrated resorts in Macao – Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace – and will also present a series of attractive offers for visitors to experience the best of Macao.

The eye-catching Wynn exhibit will feature a replica of Wynn Palace’s iconic SkyCab and introduce visitors to Illuminarium, the multi-sensory, immersive cinematic experience at Wynn Palace. To further enhance the interactive element of the roadshow, “Wing Wing” and “Lei Lei'” –the cheerful ambassadors of Wynn Care – will travel to Bangkok to connect with visitors and introduce brand and hotel offers to increase awareness in Thailand.

Wynn will also present an array of enticing travel offers throughout the event. Visitors who register to become Wynn Insider members will stand a chance to participate in the lucky draw to win exclusive prizes including Illuminarium tickets, dining vouchers, a golf simulator experience at Wynn Palace, or limited-edition gifts.

Through the thoughtful planning of the Macao Government Tourism Office, this large-scale promotional roadshow for Bangkok will feature a variety of themed exhibition areas and interactive games to showcase Macao’s unique festivals and heritage. The roadshow gives Bangkok residents a greater understanding of Macao’s prominent status as both a UNESCO World Heritage destination and a “Creative City of Gastronomy”.

Set within the heart of glittering Cotai, Wynn Palace has the most Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurants than any individual resort in the world. Visitors can discover rare art pieces amidst blossoming flowers, experience unique entertainment with SkyCab rides overlooking the Performance Lake, and dine at award-winning restaurants, including Chef Tam’s Seasons, the signature Cantonese restaurant recognized with one Michelin star and is listed on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, as well as Mizumi, the Forbes Five-Star contemporary Japanese restaurant that recently revealed a fresh new look with exciting new menus to reflect the restaurant’s playful personality.

Wynn Macau, located in the heart of the Macao peninsula, remains the only resort in the world to earn eight Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards. Guests who visit Wynn Tower or Encore Tower will experience an unparalleled level of service, dine on meticulously prepared dishes at the resort’s signature Michelin-starred restaurants, indulge in lavish spa experiences and enjoy dazzling entertainment from the Tree of Prosperity or the Performance Lake, ensuring a truly diversified Macao experience.

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MADRID, June 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Fruit Attraction, organized by IFEMA MADRID and FEPEX, will be held from October 8 to 10 at the Madrid venue. With over 90% of the exhibition space already occupied four months ahead of the event, expectations for this year’s edition are high.

IFEMA MADRID

So far, 65,000 m² of exhibition space has been allocated, an increase of 39% compared to the same time last year. The event anticipates participation from over 2,000 companies from 55 countries, showcasing 70,000 m² of produce, and expects more than 100,000 professionals from 145 countries.

The trade fair has confirmed participation from nearly all production areas and Autonomous Communities of Spain, as well as international participation from 45 countries, including new markets such as Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong. This demonstrates the sector’s strong commitment to this new edition of the fair.

For the first time, Fruit Attraction 2024 will occupy ten pavilions (1-10) at the IFEMA MADRID exhibition, turning the city into a global epicenter for fresh produce marketing. Innovation, quality, and diversity are key attributes of this major business center, recognized by operators and retailers worldwide as essential for planning their campaigns in the crucial month of October.

Specific areas

Under the theme “Discover the Essence of the Sector,” this leading trade event for the fruit and vegetable sector will be organised around four exhibition areas. The most widely represented will once again be Fresh Produce, showcasing a wide variety of horticultural products, in addition to Auxiliary Industry, which brings together the entire value chain of the industry, and Fresh Food Logistics, the space for logistics, transport and cold chain management for foodstuffs. A new feature this edition is Innova&Tech, the new area that will bring together the Biotech Attraction and Smart Agro sectors, providing a space for companies focused on innovation, research and technological development in plant genomics.

Special focus

Avocado will be the star product this year, featuring several initiatives around this superfood, whose success has grown significantly in Spain in recent years, both in terms of cultivation and exports. In addition to the “Avocado from Spain” Congress, the trade fair will be hosting other activities, such as a league in which students from Spanish hotel and catering schools will compete in a show cooking session led by Daniel del Toro, as well as different workshops and demonstrations.

In its upcoming edition, the fair will continue to implement initiatives aimed at boosting sales, promotion, development, and growth of exhibiting companies. The powerful International Buyers Programme will be joined again by the Guest Importing Countries initiative with China and Saudi Arabia as the main focus. This will promote trade relations between the countries of the European Union and these non-EU markets, backed by a full programme of round tables, guided tours of the fair and B2B sessions.

Once again, The Innovation Hub and Fruit Next will be the areas dedicated to innovation and new business developments in the industry. In this context, Fruit Attraction will once again host the Innovation Hub Awards, which have become a fundamental event for supporting the business entrepreneurial commitment in the industry. 

As a new feature, Fruit Attraction will present the Best Stand Awards; recognising the exhibition spaces that stand out for their creativity and design in one of the three categories: Autonomous Communities and Institutions, countries and regions, and companies.

The fair will also become a centre of knowledge with the Forums, offering a complete programme of technical sessions characterised by a wide variety of content, as well as the high level of the participants and speakers. Among others, Fruit Attraction will be hosting the congresses Grape Attraction, Biofruit Congress and Fresh Food Logistics The Summit.

Fruit Attraction includes several initiatives to facilitate the professional participation, such as the premium card or exclusive catering areas for exhibitors. Furthermore, Fruit Attraction is committed to using the Madrid Metro as a recommended means of transport.

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• Octapharma to present new clinical and scientific findings for wilate^® and Nuwiq^® at the upcoming ISTH 2024 Congress
• New data and clinical study developments to be showcased in seven oral presentations, two posters and two Supported Symposia

LACHEN, Switzerland, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The most recent developments from Octapharma’s Haematology portfolio will be presented at the 32^nd Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) on June 22–26, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand. The data will be featured in seven oral presentations, two poster presentations and two Supported Symposia during this key international meeting. Octapharma is a proud Silver Supporter of the ISTH 2024 Congress. Octapharma will also present the offer in modern solutions for acute bleeding and coagulation management in critical and intensive care.

Bleeding disorders, such as haemophilia A and von Willebrand disease (VWD), carry the risk of recurrent and prolonged bleeds, which can not only be life-threatening but also take a heavy toll on patients’ quality of life and mental health.

The presentations at ISTH 2024 reflect Octapharma’s long-term commitment to improving patient care and addressing unmet clinical needs.

“Octapharma is excited to present our latest findings and study results from across our haematology and critical care portfolios at ISTH 2024.” said Olaf Walter, Board Member at Octapharma. “Bleeding and coagulation disorder patients continue to face many challenges in their day-to-day care and bleeding management. Here at Octapharma we remain dedicated to frontline research towards improving patients’ lives.”

Oral Presentations

Although prophylaxis is the standard of care for severe haemophilia A, it remains underutilised in VWD. WIL-31, the largest study in VWD prophylaxis, demonstrated the safety and efficacy of prophylaxis with a plasma-derived von Willebrand factor/factor VIII concentrate (wilate^®) in patients with VWD. The lead investigator, Dr Robert F. Sidonio Jr., will present sub-analyses of data from the study which explore differences in bleed sites across VWD types and age groups. Prophylaxis was well-tolerated across all age groups in the 22 VWD type 3 patients who were included in the analysis population.

MOTIVATE is an ongoing, international, investigator-initiated study supported through funding from Octapharma AG, evaluating the management of haemophilia A patients with inhibitors. Dr Carmen Escuriola-Ettingshausen, one of the study’s coordinating investigators, will present an interim analysis of the study. 

Haemophilic arthropathy is a serious complication of haemophilia A and early diagnosis is critical to minimise its long-term impact. A proof-of-concept study has identified a signature of several circulating small non-coding microRNAs, which may be used as biomarkers to assist in the diagnosis of haemophilic arthropathy. Future work will investigate microRNAs associated with earlier stages of the condition in a sub-study of the PROVE clinical trial.

Altered microvascular endothelial functionality has been observed in haemophilia A patients. Indeed, impaired tubulogenesis, migration and permeability of endothelial cells from haemophilia A patients has been observed, compared to those from healthy patients. New data will be presented showing that Nuwiq^® can bind to endothelial cell surfaces, improving their functionality.

FVIII physically interacts with platelets following vascular injury to ensure efficient clot formation. Different FVIII modifications may impact platelet binding and downstream signalling. Data will be presented showing that Nuwiq^® exhibits significantly higher binding to platelets compared to comparator products, and that these differences in platelet binding may impact the efficacy of different rFVIII products in the treatment of haemophilia A.

The oral presentations are scheduled at the following times:

Sunday June 23

• OC 27.5: Impact of differential binding of recombinant factor VIII concentrates to platelets on platelet clotting functionality.
  Presenting author: Viola Vogel. 15:45–16:00 ICT, Room 210 A-D

Monday June 24

• OC 35.1: Factor VIII regulates extracellular matrix proteins to stimulate angiogenesis and vessel stability.
  Presenting author: Alessia Cucci. 9:30–9:45 ICT, Room 110 A-C
• OC 36.4: miRNA expression profiles as a potential biomarker of joint and bone health in haemophilia A.
  Presenting author: Yesim Dargaud. 10:15–10:30 ICT, Room 111 A-C
• OC 36.5: Factor VIII is a regulator of angiogenesis and a promoter of endothelial barrier stability.
  Presenting author: Antonia Follenzi. 10:30–10:45 ICT, Room 111 A-C

Tuesday June 25

• OC 63.4: Bleeding Sites in von Willebrand Disease Patients on Prophylaxis with a Plasma-derived von Willebrand Factor/Factor VIII Concentrate – A Sub-Analysis of Data from the WIL-31 Study.
  Presenting author: Robert F Sidonio Jr. 15:30–15:45 ICT, Ballroom B3
• OC 61.4: Immune tolerance induction (ITI) strategies in haemophilia A patients with inhibitors – Interim analysis from the MOTIVATE study.
  Presenting author: Carmen Escuriola-Ettingshausen. 15:45–16:00 ICT, Ballroom B1

Wednesday June 26

• OC 73.5: Efficacy and Safety of Prophylaxis with a Plasma-derived von Willebrand Factor/Factor VIII Concentrate in Type 3 Patients with von Willebrand Disease – A Sub-Analysis of Data from the WIL-31 Study.
  Presenting author: Robert F Sidonio Jr. 11:15–11:30 ICT, Ballroom B4

Poster Presentations 

Poster presentations are scheduled at the following times:

Sunday June 23

• PB 0251 – Indirect comparison of prophylaxis efficacy between simoctocog alfa and efanesoctocog alfa in severe hemophilia A and their cost in the United States.
  Presenting author: Craig M. Kessler. 13:45–14:45 ICT, Exhibition Hall

Tuesday June 25

• PB 1102 – Covalently linked complexes of coagulation factor VIII and von Willebrand factor fragment display increased stability and half-life in animal models and retain their function.
  Presenting author: Barbara Solecka-Witulska. 13:45–14:45 ICT, Exhibition Hall

Supported Symposia 

Two Supported Symposia during the Congress will share new clinical and scientific data, providing updates on ongoing and new studies in the fields of haemophilia A and VWD.  

Octapharma’s Symposium on haemophilia A this year is dedicated to cutting-edge research committed to bleed protection. Speakers will present the first results from the MOTIVATE study interim analysis and introduce the PROVE study investigating bone and joint health. This symposium will also explore the critical role of FVIII binding to platelets and endothelial cells in haemophilia A.

This symposium will explore the critical role of prophylaxis in severe VWD. Topics presented will include the importance of prophylaxis and how to identify patients who may benefit from prophylactic treatment. Key lessons from the WIL-31 VWD prophylaxis study will be shared as well as the important role for prophylaxis in the management of heavy menstrual bleeding in women with VWD. Optimising care during pregnancy will also be discussed and the VIP and EMPOWER studies will be introduced.

Both symposia will be open to congress participants in Bangkok and will be live streamed for participants not directly attending the Congress.  An opportunity to ask questions will be available at both symposia. 

Larisa Belyanskaya, SVP and Head of IBU Haematology at Octapharma commented:

“We are excited to present new insights from the WIL-31 data, and  will take a deep dive into the importance of prophylaxis for specific patient groups, as well as discussing important clinical and scientific questions with the goal of improving the quality of life for people with von Willebrand disease and haemophilia A.”

About Nuwiq®

Nuwiq® (simoctocog alfa) is a 4th generation recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) protein, produced in a human cell line without chemical modification or fusion with any other protein¹. It is cultured without additives of human or animal origin, is devoid of antigenic non-human protein epitopes and has a high affinity for von Willebrand factor¹.

Nuwiq® treatment has been assessed in nine^{1 2 3} completed clinical trials which included 201 previously treated patients (190 individuals)¹ and 108 previously untreated patients² with severe haemophilia A. Nuwiq® is available in 250 IU, 500 IU, 1,000 IU, 1,500 IU, 2,000 IU, 2,500 IU, 3,000 IU and 4,000 IU presentations⁴. Nuwiq® is approved for use in the treatment and prophylaxis of bleeding in patients with haemophilia A (congenital FVIII deficiency) across all age groups⁴.

About wilate®

wilate® is a high-purity human von Willebrand factor/factor VIII (VWF/FVIII) concentrate, that undergoes two virus inactivation steps during its production¹.

No albumin is added as a stabiliser⁵. The purification processes result in a 1:1 ratio of VWF to FVIII that is similar to normal plasma¹. wilate® contains a VWF triplet structure and content of large high molecular weight multimers similar to normal human plasma¹. wilate® is exclusively derived from large pools of human plasma collected in approved plasma donation centres⁶. wilate® is available in 500 IU and 1000 IU presentations. wilate® is indicated for the prevention and treatment of haemorrhage or surgical bleeding in von Willebrand disease (VWD), when desmopressin (DDAVP) alone is ineffective or contra-indicated, and for the treatment and prophylaxis of bleeding in patients with haemophilia A (congenital factor VIII deficiency)⁶.

About Octapharma

Headquartered in Lachen, Switzerland, Octapharma is one of the largest human protein manufacturers in the world, developing and producing human proteins from human plasma and human cell lines. Octapharma employs nearly 12,000 employees worldwide to support the treatment of patients in 118 countries with products across three therapeutic areas: Immunotherapy, Hematology and Critical Care.

Octapharma has seven R&D sites and five state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Austria, France, Germany and Sweden, and operates more than 195 plasma donation centers across Europe and the US.

“Octapharma press releases are specifically for health specialist/medical media and are not for consumer press.“

[1] Lissitchkov T et al. Ther Adv Hematol 2019; 10:2040620719858471.
[2] Liesner RJ et al. Thromb Haemost 2021; 121:1400–8.
[3] Octapharma AG, data on file.
[4] Nuwiq® Summary of Product Characteristics
[5] Stadler M et al. Biologicals 2006; 34:281-8.
[6] wilate® Summary of Product Characteristics.

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• FDA’s Fast Track designation speeds up the development of new biologic drugs for rare diseases

YONGIN, South Korea, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — GC Biopharma (006280. KS) and Novel Pharma have announced that the U.S. FDA has granted Fast Track Designation for their jointly developed MPSIIIA (Sanfilippo syndrome Type A) treatment, GC1130A.

This designation follows the FDA’s clearance of the investigational new drug (IND) application for GC1130A last month. With Fast Track Designation, the development process for GC1130A is set to be expedited.

About Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A

Sanfilippo syndrome Type A is a rare genetic disorder that causes central nervous system damage through the accumulation of heparan sulfate, leading to progressive neurological decline. Without treatment, patients face life-threatening complications by the age of 15. GC1130A represents a potential breakthrough as the first and only treatment option specifically targeting MPSIIIA.

GC1130A

GC1130A is a biological drug that is being developed using high-concentration protein formulation technology, designed for administration to the central nervous system. It is delivered directly into the brain’s ventricles through intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection, a method first applied globally by GC Biopharma’s Hunter syndrome treatment, ‘Hunterase’, which has received market approval in Japan.

The potential of GC1130A to meet the unmet medical needs of Sanfilippo syndrome has been recognized by major drug regulatory agencies; in 2023, the FDA granted GC1130A Rare Pediatric Disease Designation (RPDD) and Orphan Drug Disease (ODD), and earlier this year, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) also granted GC1130A ODD status.

Currently, GC Biopharma and Novel Pharma are preparing to initiate a multinational first-in-human clinical trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of GC1130A in Korea, the US, and Japan.

FDA’s Fast Track Program

U.S. FDA’s Fast Track program is designed to expedite the development and review of drugs intended to treat serious or unmet medical needs. Fast Track designation provides extensive support, including frequent meetings with the FDA throughout the drug development, clinical, and approval stages.

GC Biopharma and Novel Pharma stated, “We are pleased with the FDA’s decision to grant Fast Track designation for GC1130A, especially given the lack of approved treatments for Sanfilippo syndrome.” The company added, “This designation will enable us to accelerate the development of this new drug, bringing hope to patients and families affected by Sanfilippo syndrome.”

[Attachment] GC Biopharma’s Lysosomal Storage Disease research and development status

About GC Biopharma

GC Biopharma (formerly known as Green Cross Corporation) is a biopharmaceutical company that delivers lifesaving and life-sustaining protein therapeutics and vaccines. Headquartered in Yongin, South Korea, GC Biopharma is one of the leading plasma protein and vaccine product manufacturers globally and has been dedicated to quality healthcare solutions for more than half a century

About Novel Pharma Inc.

Novel Pharma is an emerging biotechnology company that focuses on developing first-in-class treatments for rare pediatric diseases (MPS/LSD) utilizing ICV (intracerebral ventricular) administration.  Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, it is currently engaged in the development of (i) MPSIIIA, (ii) GM1, (iii) MPSIVB and (iv) Krabbe disease.    

This press release may contain biopharmaceuticals in forward-looking statements, which express the current beliefs and expectations of GC Biopharma’s management. Such statements do not represent any guarantee by GC Biopharma or its management of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. GC Biopharma undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule.

GC Corp. Contacts (Media)

Sohee Kim
shkim20@gccorp.com

Yelin Jun
yelin@gccorp.com

Rachel Kim
rachel.kim@gccorp.com 

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TAITUNG, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Imagine yourself gazing at a breathtaking tapestry of stars, unmarred by light pollution. Welcome to Taitung, Taiwan’s ‘starry city,’ where nights come alive with celestial wonders. Nestled in the southeastern corner of Taiwan, Taitung is a treasure trove of natural wonders, rich landscapes, and diverse ecological habitats. The local Indigenous cultures add a layer of historical depth to its charm. With its commitment to maintaining low development and preserving its pristine air quality, Taitung has been dubbed “Taiwan’s most beautiful stargazing city.”

Since 2018, the Taitung County Government has been promoting the Starry Taitung series, which includes the Starry Taitung Night Concert and other events, all free to attend, nurturing sustainable tourism through expertly curated tours and awareness programs that showcase the magnificent night skies.

This year, from June to August, the Starry Taitung Night Concert will be the highlight of the series. The concerts offer a chance for visitors from around the globe to enjoy the star-filled skies above the region, whilst appreciating the diverse musical talents we have to offer. In 2021, the Starry Taitung initiative received ISO 20121 certification, recognizing its sustainable event management practices. The campaign is noted for its commitment to creating a tranquil atmosphere, minimizing light pollution, reducing single-use waste, and promoting low-carbon emissions. The series will take place in six locations across Taitung: Guanshan, Dawu, Donghe, Beinan, Lanyu, and Ludao townships, from 6 pm to 9 pm. Each event will feature a vibrant starlit bazaar, live music performances, and guided night tours, all offered free of charge.

Travelers who appreciate the tranquillity of rural landscapes should consider cycling through Chishang Township to Dapo Pond or Bolang Avenue, or exploring Guanshan Waterfront Park in Guanshan Township. Those who prefer panoramic sea views can visit the Jialulan Recreation Area along the coastal highway just north of Taitung City, the Sanxiantai Scenic Area in Chenggong Township, or the 9420 Coastal Park in Dawu Township, all which overlook the Pacific Ocean. Each of these sites also doubles as a perfect location for stargazing, offering clear views of the night sky.

For a more guided experience, Starry Taitung provides tours led by knowledgeable locals, focusing on the region’s evening skies. Visitors can find stargazing maps and event guides on Starry Taitung’s official website or Facebook page. Adding “Taitung County” and “Starry Taitung” to your Taiwan itinerary promises an enriching experience that combines the Taitung’s unique countryside, valleys, and serene coastal areas with the awe-inspiring beauty of its night skies.

For the latest updates on the event, please visit our official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/StarryTaitung).

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