• To be registered as an official research organization by the National Assembly Secretariat… Expected to become Korea’s leading medical think tank
• Planning to initiate global multinational clinical projects in digital therapeutics
• Establishing a future medical system centered around prevention and management… Expanding digital medical services

SEOUL, South Korea, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Amid growing concerns about a medical crisis as a result of acute conflict between the government and the medical community due to an increase in the quota of medical school admission, the regular seminar of the Korea Medical Innovation Research Forum (KMIRF) kicked off; experts from various fields of the medical field gathered to prepare for future medical reform. It was held at Andaz Seoul Gangnam on the 17^th of April.

KMIRF was launched last March by experts in various fields of the medical industry, and is co-represented by Dae Hee Kang, former dean of Seoul National University College of Medicine, current president of the Telemedicine Society, and Jong Yoon Lim, former chairman of the Bio Association, registered director of Hanmi Science and chairman of COREE Group.

Medical experts who serve as steering and working committee members of each division, including co-representatives Dae Hee Kang and Jong Yoon Lim, gathered and led a heated discussion for medical reform. In addition, the newly elected People Power Party Representatives Cheolsoo Ahn, Soomin Park, and Democratic Party Representative Do-geol Ahn (via video conference) attended and advocated the Forum at the National Assembly level.

Co-representative Jong Yoon Lim mentioned the urgency of addressing immediate medical reform in his opening speech and said, “Medical intellectual property rights belong to the country and the people, and in order to improve the country’s global competitiveness and future value in medicine, we need to go beyond Healthcare 4.0 and create a national and permanent proposition.” “We will definitely propose future medical innovation policies,” he said. “We plan to hold regular seminars for KMIRF at least six times a year and frequently put forward future medical innovation policies with the cooperation of experts and policymakers in each field.”

In his congratulatory address, Rep. Cheolsoo Ahn said, “The paradigm of health care has completely changed through COVID-19, and now, as part of medical reform, we need to establish a ‘future-oriented legal system’ that recognizes upcoming technological and social changes, and eliminates regulations that may become obstacles in advance.” He emphasized, “It is time to play a role in preparing ahead for the future,” and added, “I hope that KMIRF will be play a central role for this change.”

Co-representative Dae Hee Kang emphasized the importance and revitalization of digital healthcare and personalized preventive medicine through a presentation on the topic of ‘Future Medicine and Digital Healthcare’, as well as laying out the purpose and role in the establishment of KMIRF along with future goals. He also explained the operation plan and said, “We plan to register as an official research group within the National Assembly Secretariat and will fulfill our role as Korea’s representative medical think tank.” Industrial Division Director Mahn Soon Hwang gave a presentation on ‘Bio-Industry Trends’ and emphasized the importance of the country, companies, and investments for the development of the bio-ecosystem and medical reform.

In addition, a free discussion was commenced in relation to digital health, especially digital therapeutics, as with new therapeutics. It was suggested that regulatory bodies should be able to determine the price and fee structure that will compensate private companies for their enormous investment in clinical research at the time of approval, and came to a consensus that the tone should be set globally in which any country applying for clinical trials or regulatory approval should be adequately recompensed according to such profit structure logic. As the first step in accomplishing this vision, we have decided to pursue a project regarding multi-national digital therapeutics’ clinical trials around the world.

Hee Hwang, CEO of Kakao Healthcare, expressed his encouragement by saying that he deems it as a very timely strategy and said, “As a healthcare expert, I will utilize my expertise to help with the research group’s first project.”

Hong Taek Yong, a professor at Hanyang University (former 1^st Vice Minister of Science and Technology), said, “I am looking forward to the role of Hanyang University at a time when innovative policies need to be promoted in order to incorporate the remarkable advancements in science and technology into healthcare, and I will do my best to contribute as a member.”

Professor In Taek Lim of Catholic University (former Director of the Health and Medical Policy Office of the Ministry of Health and Welfare) said, “In order to effectively respond to the rapidly changing medical environment and technological changes, our medical system must develop into human-centered digital-based medical care, and the launch of KMIRF at this time is critical.” “We will strive to ensure that the research committee stands at the center of this,” he said.

Meanwhile, the KMIRF aims to create a healthcare ecosystem where the government, medical community, companies, and citizens can coexist, establishing a future healthcare system centered around prevention and management, and resolving intergenerational and regional medical service imbalances through digital medicine, and other platforms. It will be a proponent in presenting ways to expand access to medical services. In addition, it plans to serve as a bridge through which medical policymakers and decision-makers can come together to commonly recognize and empathize with the all related policies that are put forth.

KMIRF is comprised of policy, human resources, and industry divisions; while Hong Taek Yong, former 1^st Vice Minister of Science and ICT, leads the policy division, Yu Mi Seo, former 11^th director of the Korea Education and Research Information Service, heads the human resources division, and Mahn Soon Hwang, current CEO of Korea Investment Partners leads the industrial division. 

[Appendix] Korea Medical Innovation Research Forum Steering Committee

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From Market Leadership to Technological Leadership: ANGEL Brand Strategy Upgraded Completely

SHENZHEN, China, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On April 18th, ANGEL held its “Global Leading Water Purification Technology” strategic elevation and new Space Master Series product launch event at the Beijing Water Cube. In addition to unveiling its new strategic direction as a “leading global expert in water purification technology”, ANGEL also launched the ANGEL Space Master Series, a comprehensive line of whole-house water purification products. At the event, ANGEL’s water purification technology experience ambassadors shared their experiences with the new products, while strategic alliances were announced, allowing guests to engage in discussions about innovative achievements in water purification technology. This marked a new beginning for the water purification industry.

A New Strategic Upgrade: From Market Leadership to Technological Leadership

Kong Na, Chairman and President of ANGEL Group, shared the evolution of the ANGEL brand and the water purification industry at the event. In her address, as a pioneer deeply engaged in water purification technology for 36 years, ANGEL experienced three significant technological advancements, guiding China’s water purification industry through three eras while adhering to technological innovation as its driving force.

When ANGEL introduced the first water purifier in China in 1988, it ushered in a new era of pure drinking water. Subsequently, in 2019, the unveiling of the A7 large-capacity water purifier propelled the industry into the era of purifying water for washing purposes. Then, in 2022, the launch of the X-Tech series high-end whole-house water purification solution paved the way for a global leap forward in water purification. Over the past 36 years, ANGEL has continuously achieved technological breakthroughs, guiding the industry across three eras. To date, ANGEL has participated in the revision of 17 national and industry standards and accumulated over 900 patents. Furthermore, its research findings have been published five times in reputable SCI journals. Between 2022 and 2023, the company won 19 international invention awards, making significant advancements in the field of global water purification.

At the event, Kong Na announced that ANGEL is embarking on a comprehensive strategic upgrade, outlining the new strategic objective of becoming the “leading global expert in water purification technology.” With a global perspective, ANGEL intends to implement a “going global” strategy, disseminating its cutting-edge water purification technology to households worldwide, enabling more families to live a safe, healthy, and stylish lifestyle through purified drinking water.

At the same time, Kong Na unveiled ANGEL’s new brand identity, revitalizing the brand image with a more digital and international perspective. In addition to embodying ANGEL’s innovation and leadership in water purification, the new brand identity will also function as a conduit for ANGEL to foster emotional connections with consumers worldwide.

Finally, Kong Na announced the new global brand ambassador—Xiao Zhan. In the future, ANGEL will work hand in hand with Xiao Zhan to promote China’s water purification technology to global audiences, initiating a new era in global water purification efforts.

World Record Certification for New Water Purification Products, Embarking on a New Era of Whole-house Water Purification

At the event, Zhao Kai, Vice President of ANGEL Group, officially launched the all-new ANGEL product—the Space Master Series whole-house water purifier. This innovative line features a new “ecological fusion” design language that combines technology with art. The series comprises the M7 Home 800 whole-house large capacity water purifier and the whole-house Mini softener, drawing inspiration from Mount Namcha Barwa, the purest mountain peak globally.

Zhao Kai unveiled the M7 Home 800, equipped with the innovative Loong Whale Dual-effect Water Purification System. This system achieves a large flow rate of 4T/h due to the innovative Dual ACF2000 composite filter element, ensuring thorough water purification for the entire household. This patented reverse osmosis filter element 2.0 Plus has a purification capacity of 64,000 liters, maintaining optimal water quality for up to 8 years without degradation. This filter element has won the 2022 China Patent Excellence Award, as well as many other domestic and international awards such as the Golden Award at International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva in 2022 and the Golden Award at Asia International Innovative Invention Exhibition in 2023. Furthermore, the product incorporates APCM aerospace antibacterial technology that has a 99.99% removal rate for ESKAPE super-resistant bacteria, ensuring the health and safety of users.

As a significant note, ANGEL accomplished the successful launch of APCM antibacterial material into space on December 17, 2023, with the test mission concluding triumphantly. At the event, Dr. Li Fei, the expert overseeing the space experiment payload, affirmed that the antibacterial material of APCM still exhibited strong bactericidal properties even when subjected to the challenging conditions of microgravity, high vacuum, and strong radiation. This material has great application prospects in medical care, food protection, and other fields.

Subsequently, Zhao Kai gave a detailed introduction to the whole-house Mini water softener. With its dual-drive and enhanced softening system, the water flow path is increased by about 2.2 times, enabling dual softening capabilities. Additionally, the system employs a flat water distribution system to achieve a 360° full-coverage spray. It achieves a softening efficiency up to 99.8% and a flow rate up to 1.5 m³/h to meet dual toilet soft water needs. The product is also equipped with IoT intelligent interconnection, patented AI smart multi-way valve technology, real-time monitoring of machine status, and automatic customization of regeneration cycles, thus effectively reducing the volume of the softener.

Designed with exquisite quality, the Space Master Series has garnered the World Record Certification Agency’s “smallest volume whole-house water purification system” certification. According to Zhao Kai, the Space Master Series comprehends users’ challenges in whole-house water purification, addressing the needs of small and medium-sized households through miniaturization, and opens a new era in whole house water purification.

Convergence of Forces to Build a New Industry Ecosystem

ANGEL continues to lead industry development through technological advancements. At this event, experts and professionals from different fields, along with strategic partners, were invited to inaugurate the Water Purification Technology Alliance. This alliance aims to foster cross-border innovation, dismantle barriers to innovation, and accelerate the upgrade of the water purification industry in China and around the world.

Among them, Zhuang Ziyu, founder of BUZZ (Büro Ziyu Zhuang) Architects, and Bilibili’s renowned science popularization content creator Bi Dao (Bi Xiaotian) were invited as ANGEL’s water purification technology experience ambassadors to share their insights. Zhuang Ziyu expressed that for home design, reducing product dimensions will yield more ample space for creativity. ANGEL’s innovations in products and technology provide crucial support for spatial construction. Moreover, Bi Dao believes, “Every technological breakthrough continuously enhances the efficiency and quality of water purification. With 36 years of technological innovation, ANGEL has consistently led industry development, step by step, using technology to turn impossibilities into possibilities and making possibilities more closely aligned with daily life.”

The event also included the ANGEL Strategic Alliance Launch Ceremony. With an inclusive approach, ANGEL is poised to collaborate with global partners to leverage their collective strengths and resources, aiming to enhance consumer experiences by offering more convenient and high-quality services. This endeavor will inject new momentum into the market in the future.

Starting from small things and aiming for big achievements, ANGEL has always adhered to its original mission, starting from the “trivial matter” of water purification. The company will continue to enhance its efforts in the field of water purification, guided by the strategic vision to be a “leading global expert in water purification technology”. Simultaneously, it is dedicated to promoting China’s water purification technology worldwide.

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What are the Top-Picks of Paris Saint-Germain Players at Paris Baguette?

• Paris Baguette releases first global Digital ad in South Korea, the United States, France, and Southeast Asia
• Paris Saint-Germain players star in Mukbang video, captivating audiences with a humorous twist in Paris Baguette’s latest ad; Five products selected by players, now available at Paris Baguette

PARIS and SEOUL, South Korea, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Paris Baguette has released its “Let’s Paris” ad video, in collaboration with Paris Saint-Germain, the most successful football club in France, to both Korean and global audiences.

The Let’s Paris video is themed around the favorite picks of Paris Saint-Germain’s star players. The players featured in this video happily enjoy the flavors of Paris Baguette’s newest breads, adding an extra spark to their tasting adventure.

The video opens with players savoring Paris Baguette treats at Parc Des Princes, the home stadium of Paris Saint-Germain. While the players initially gathered to celebrate a teammate’s birthday, they were so captivatedby the delicious breads that they forgot the celebration.

The five signature products from the ad will soon be available at Paris Baguette stores. The “Chaltteok Cream Bread,” paired with Lee Kang-in, blends the chewy nature of Chaltteock (Glutinous rice cake), inspired by Gyeongdan (Sweet rice balls), with the airy sweetness of whipped cream, symbolizing the cultural rendezvous between Korea and France. The “Strawberry Tart,” a dessert shaped like a crown of victory and adorn with fresh strawberries and a rich vanilla bean custard cream, is reminiscent of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The “Vanilla Flan Tart” represents Nuno Mendes, a delightful reinterpretation of Paris Baguette’s popular French dessert, merging the essence of flan into a tart to signify defense with its sweet allure. The “Kouign-Amann,” a traditional French pastry known for being crispy on the outside and moist inside, is a perfect match for the forward Ousmane Dembélé. Lastly, the “Onion Croque Monsieur,” a classic French hot sandwich that brings together the delicious contrasts of sweet and savory with its mix of onions, ham, cheese, and béchamel sauce, impeccably mirrors Marco Asensio’s versatile skills in both offensive and defensive gameplay.

YeonJeong Kim, VP of Marketing at Paris Baguette stated, “This ad, as part of our global partnership with Paris Saint-Germain, is sure to bring joy to customers and fans worldwide.” She further noted that “It holds significance in unfolding our global marketing strategy as the ad is released to reach global audiences across South Korea, the United States, France, and Southeast Asia for the first time”.

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YIWU, China, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On April 16th, the Yiwu China Commodities City unveiled a new welcoming committee, comprising the region’s top women entrepreneurs, to aid international buyers in sourcing local products. Over 120 skilled businesswomen from the committee will provide tailored one-on-one services, demonstrating the market’s commitment to exceptional customer care.

Yiwu, known for over four decades as a hub of commerce, continues to attract a global clientele, establishing itself as a significant resource for goods and wealth generation. The market’s annual 415 Global Wealth Creation Season features extensive purchasing incentives for buyers. The formation of this high-profile group of female entrepreneurs is a notable effort to elevate service standards during this bustling period.

During this year’s 415 Wealth Creation Season, the Yiwu market is highlighting 20 categories of its most current, trending, and best-selling products, including accessories, bags, cultural items, daily necessities, bedding, and clothing. The market has organized multiple trade-facilitation events including trade exhibitions, new product debuts, and procurement negotiation sessions. Additionally, the offerings are concurrently featured in online joint exhibitions on the Chinagoods platform (chinagoods.com), streamlining the purchasing process for business buyers.

As digital trade and AI-enhanced e-commerce continue to reshape global commerce, Yiwu’s merchants are moving beyond traditional business models, which relied heavily on face-to-face interactions, physical exhibitions, and passive online inquiries. They have started to proactively court customers through advanced digital tools, offering a comprehensive one-stop “VVIP” service.

During and following this year’s 415, the welcoming committee, as the newly formed group, plans to take it step further, by fully exploiting online platforms, including leading multi-country social media channels, independent brand websites, and the Chinagoods platform, to tap into current global purchasing trends. They are committed to engaging in real-time, highly targeted interactions with buyers worldwide to ensure timely and effective service. Furthermore, the group of businesswomen are set to enhance their international presence through online videos, live streaming, and other digital communication methods, directly accessing global markets.

The Yiwu market, known globally as the preeminent wholesale market for small commodities, has amassed a comprehensive array of supply chain resources worldwide. Over four decades, it has cultivated an expansive global sourcing network, operating under the “buy globally, sell globally” ethos. The institution of the 415 Wealth Creation Season and this new cadre of entrepreneurial women are critical measures in enhancing the market’s international standing and providing a unique buying experience for global purchasers.

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• Revolutionizes cushioning with high-elasticity biomass-based materials
• Unified domestic industries go beyond performance to promote sustainability in the outdoor industry

SEONGNAM, South Korea, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — SK chemicals (CEO Ahn Jae-hyun), Dongsung Chemical (Co-CEOs Baek Jin-woo and Lee Man-woo), and BYN Black Yak (Chairman Kang Tae-sun, hereinafter Black Yak) announced on the 18th that they’ve developed sustainable footwear materials using the naturally-derived material “ECOTRION” and applied them to Black Yak’s “Trekking Shoes 343 MAX.”

Consumers are attracted to the trekking shoes, launched as a new product this spring, because they satisfy both the high functionality required for outdoor activities and the value consumption trend for eco-friendly materials that reduce greenhouse gases.

The three companies introduced this product after a year of collaboration. SK chemicals is the supplier of 100% bio-based polyol “ECOTRION,” while Dongsung Chemical develops the bio-polyurethane resin “NEOPAN®” for footwear using this as a raw material. Utilizing this material, Black Yak produced the “Foot Pillow Cushioning Foam,” which is applied to the heel support layer of the midsole to minimize loading on the ankle and knee joints.

The midsole of trekking shoes is a key component that determines the footwear’s weight and acts like a car’s suspension to provide the level of function. Cushioning is important because the midsole must absorb the impact on the body and ensure safe strides, even on rough terrain.

Dongsung Chemical’s bio-polyurethane resin “NEOPAN” for footwear maintains the high elasticity and flexibility of existing polyurethane resins while using bio-based raw materials, providing the shock absorption function of the “Foot Pillow Cushioning Foam.”

ECOTRION, utilized in NEOPAN, is an eco-friendly material that uses raw materials that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 40% in comparison to conventional petrochemical raw materials. It is utilized in the production of spandex, artificial leather, and urethane elastic materials that are challenging to recycle. ECOTRION has one less carbon atom in its chemical structure compared to petrochemical materials, which gives it a helical-shaped polymer structure that enables the production of products with high elastic resilience, similar to a spring.

Kim Eung-soo, Head of SK chemicals’ Green Materials Business Division, stated, “Bio-materials, along with recycled plastics, are one of the promising alternatives to replace petrochemical materials. We plan to actively highlight the sustainability and functionality of PO3G, focusing on big brands that are leading the sustainable trend with bio-materials.”

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