Merck Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase III Study of Oral Cladribine in Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG)

 DARMSTADT, Germany 

MyClad is a global Phase III study evaluating the efficacy and safety of cladribine capsules for the treatment of generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG)

Cladribine capsules have the potential to be the first oral treatment for gMG patients

gMG is a rare, chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that results in muscle weakness in the eyes, mouth, throat, and limbs

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Not intended for UK-, US- or Canada-based media

Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced the first patient has been dosed in the Phase III MyClad trial (NCT06463587) evaluating the efficacy and safety of oral cladribine for the treatment of generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG). Cladribine capsules have the potential to be the first oral treatment for gMG patients. gMG is a rare, neuromuscular disorder causing muscle weakness that can be severe and have a significant impact on patients’ lives.

Cladribine is expected to selectively target B and T lymphocytes. These cells are thought to be the root cause of gMG through the production of the harmful autoantibodies that drive inflammation at the connection points between nerves and muscles. This mechanism of action coupled with a short course oral dosing taken at home may ultimately slow the progression of the disease by targeting its underlying cause while diminishing treatment burden.

“Given our extensive experience in addressing patients’ needs in immune-driven neurological conditions, we believe that cladribine capsules represent a highly differentiated potential therapeutic option for gMG,” said Jan Klatt, Head of Development Unit Neurology & Immunology for the Healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “This treatment approach holds the promise of achieving a high degree of disease activity control, offering greatly improved convenience, and ultimately enabling patients to live their lives as normally as possible.”

MyClad is a global Phase III, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study designed to assess the efficacy and safety of cladribine capsules in 240 patients with gMG.

About generalized Myasthenia Gravis

Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG) is a rare, chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue, impacting an estimated 700,000 people worldwide. The disease can strike anyone at any age but is more frequently seen in young women (age 20 to 30) and men aged 50 and older. In gMG, the communication between the nerves and the muscles, particularly at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), is disrupted causing muscle weakness. This can result in the loss of control in the eye muscles and a variable combination of the arms, legs, and respiratory muscles. The unpredictable severity and frequency of symptoms in gMG patients can be debilitating, significantly impacting various aspects of day-to-day life.

Merck in Neurology and Immunology

Merck has a long-standing legacy in neurology and immunology, with significant R&D and commercial experience in multiple sclerosis (MS). The company’s current MS portfolio includes two products for the treatment of relapsing MS – Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) and MAVENCLAD® (cladribine) tablets. Merck aims to improve the lives of patients by addressing areas of unmet medical needs. In addition to Merck’s commitment to MS, the company also has a pipeline focusing on discovering new therapies that have potential in other neuroinflammatory and immune-mediated diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) and generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG).

About Merck

Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. Around 63,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2023, Merck generated sales of € 21 billion in 65 countries.

Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck’s technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare, and EMD Electronics in electronics.

All Merck press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck website. Please go to www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.

 

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Rimini Street Honored as Best Workplaces™ for Millennials 2024 India and a Great Place to Work® Australia

 LAS VEGAS - Friday, 30. August 2024 AETOSWire  

Company continues to be recognized as employer of choice across the globe where employees say “they want to work here for a long time”

 

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rimini Street, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMNI), a global provider of end-to-end enterprise software support, products and services, the leading third-party support provider for Oracle and SAP software, and an AWS partner, proudly announces that Rimini Street India has been awarded as one of the Best Workplaces™ for Millennials, and Rimini Street Australia has been honored as a Great Place to Work® 2024.

Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention, and increased innovation. Best Workplaces™ awards are granted upon review of the detailed Culture Brief™ benchmarked against industry and regional peers.

“Rimini Street continues to gain recognition for its culture of extraordinary across the globe, cementing us as an employer of choice where employees can bring their whole selves to work each day,” said Brian Almas, senior vice president of human resources at Rimini Street. “We are grateful for the opportunity to work side-by-side with such incredible talent, each who exemplify a heart of service and meet the highest standard of excellence.”

Rimini Street India Promotes an Exciting Culture of Inclusion and Talent Development

Recently, Rimini Street India placed top 20th in nation as India’s Great Mid-Size Workplaces 2024, as well as Top 50 India’s Best Workplaces™ in IT & IT-BPM 2023 category and Great Place to Work© Certification for the region. To add to the growing list of awards, Rimini Street India is now recognized as top 50 organizations among India’s Best Workplaces™ for Millennials 2024.

According to Best Workplaces™ for Millennials, this generation represents those born between 1981 and 1997 who now form the largest cohort of the workforce at 67%. They prioritize special and unique benefits, career growth opportunities and fair pay. The finalists of this award are standouts on their people practices by proactively acting on the feedback of its employees to create a High Trust Culture.

“Rimini Street India takes great pride in creating a nurturing, supportive environment where employees are appreciated for their unique talents and contributions, and where their professional growth is encouraged,” said Megh Risaldar, vice president and head of human resources for Rimini Street India. “We are humbled and grateful for this direct recognition by our millennial workforce, and are doubly energized to continue supporting, engaging, nurturing and celebrating our incredibly talented people.”

“Congratulations to Rimini Street! Your commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the dynamic generation sets a benchmark for others to follow,” said Balbir Singh, CEO, Great Place to Work India. “We celebrate your success in fostering environments where millennials can truly excel.”

Rimini Street Australia Employees Say “They Want to Work Here for a Long Time”

In the independent survey conducted by a third-party as part of the Great Place to Work® certification, Rimini Street’s Australia-based colleagues said:

When you join the company, you are made to feel welcome

This is a physically safe place to work

People here are treated fairly regardless of their age or their sexual orientation

I want to work here a long time

"Great Place to Work® Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience," said Sarah Lewis-Kulin, vice president of global recognition at Great Place to Work®. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that Rimini Street stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees.”

“Rimini Street colleagues are driven by purpose, to ‘deliver extraordinary technology solutions, powered by extraordinary people. Fueled by such an important mission, we work closely together to support one another and the clients we serve across the globe,’” said Andrew Manners, global vice president and general manager of Rimini Street ANZ. “Thank you, Great Place to Work®, for spotlighting our culture of extraordinary, and most importantly, thank you to our extraordinary people. You make Rimini Street shine.”

We are Hiring!

Grow your career at a company that puts its people first and invests in the community. Visit Rimini Street’s career page at: https://www.riministreet.com/company/careers/

About Rimini Street, Inc.

Rimini Street, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMNI), a Russell 2000® Company, is a global provider of end-to-end enterprise software support, products and services, the leading third-party support provider for Oracle and SAP software and an AWS partner. The Company has operations globally and offers a comprehensive family of unified solutions to run, manage, support, customize, configure, connect, protect, monitor, and optimize enterprise application, database, and technology software, and enables clients to achieve better business outcomes, significantly reduce costs and reallocate resources for innovation. To date, over 5,600 Fortune 500, Fortune Global 100, midmarket, public sector, and other organizations from a broad range of industries have relied on Rimini Street as their trusted enterprise software solutions provider. To learn more, please visit riministreet.com, and connect with Rimini Street on X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. (IR-RMNI)

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this communication are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “currently,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seem,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would” or other similar words, phrases or expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our expectations of future events, future opportunities, global expansion and other growth initiatives and our investments in such initiatives. These statements are based on various assumptions and on the current expectations of management and are not predictions of actual performance, nor are these statements of historical facts. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties regarding Rimini Street’s business, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, adverse developments in and costs associated with defending pending litigation or any new litigation, including the disposition of pending motions to appeal and any new claims; additional expenses to be incurred in order to comply with injunctions against certain of our business practices and the impact on future period revenue and costs; changes in the business environment in which Rimini Street operates, including the impact of any recessionary economic trends and changes in foreign exchange rates, as well as general financial, economic, regulatory and political conditions affecting the industry in which we operate and the industries in which our clients operate; the evolution of the enterprise software management and support landscape and our ability to attract and retain clients and further penetrate our client base; significant competition in the software support services industry; customer adoption of our expanded portfolio of products and services and products and services we expect to introduce; our ability to grow our revenue, manage our cost of revenue and accurately forecast revenue; the expected impact of recent and anticipated future reductions in our workforce and associated reorganization costs; estimates of our total addressable market and expectations of client savings relative to use of other providers; variability of timing in our sales cycle; risks relating to retention rates, including our ability to accurately predict retention rates; the loss of one or more members of our management team; our ability to attract and retain additional qualified personnel, including sales personnel, and retain key personnel; our business plan, our ability to grow in the future and our ability to achieve and maintain profitability; our plans to wind down the offering of services for Oracle PeopleSoft products; our need and ability to raise equity or debt financing on favorable terms and our ability to generate cash flows from operations to help fund increased investment in our growth initiatives; risks associated with global operations; our ability to prevent unauthorized access to our information technology systems and other cybersecurity threats, protect the confidential information of our employees and clients and comply with privacy regulations; our ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting; our ability to maintain, protect and enhance our brand and intellectual property; changes in laws and regulations, including changes in tax laws or unfavorable outcomes of tax positions we take, or a failure by us to establish adequate tax reserves; the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters; our credit facility’s ongoing debt service obligations and financial and operational covenants on our business and related interest rate risk, including uncertainty from the transition to SOFR or other interest rate benchmarks; the sufficiency of our cash and cash equivalents to meet our liquidity requirements; the amount and timing of repurchases, if any, under our stock repurchase program and our ability to enhance stockholder value through such program; uncertainty as to the long-term value of Rimini Street’s equity securities; catastrophic events that disrupt our business or that of our clients; and those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Rimini Street’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 31, 2024, and as updated from time to time by Rimini Street’s future Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other filings by Rimini Street with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, forward-looking statements provide Rimini Street’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. Rimini Street anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Rimini Street’s assessments to change. However, while Rimini Street may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Rimini Street specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Rimini Street’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication.

 

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Janet Ravin

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Rimini Street, Inc.

+1 702 285-3532

pr@riministreet.com

Ververica Achieves SOC 2 Certification, Strengthening Commitment to Information Security

BERLIN - Friday, 30. August 2024 AETOSWire

Enhancing customer data protection with industry-leading security and compliance standards.

 (BUSINESS WIRE)--Ververica, the original creators of Apache Flink and a leader in real-time data streaming, today announced it successfully achieved AICPA Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 Type I certification. This certification, audited by Prescient Assurance, a global leader in security and compliance certifications for B2B/SAAS companies, underscores Ververica’s dedication to implementing robust security measures that protect from evolving cyber threats.

The SOC 2 Type I certification provides an independent assessment of Ververica’s security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy controls. This accomplishment demonstrates Ververica's adherence to the highest security standards.

“Achieving the SOC 2 Type I attestation is a significant milestone that reflects our unwavering commitment to upholding stringent security standards across all operations,” said Sergei Valukhov, Head of Security and Compliance at Ververica.

“This achievement comes on the heels of our recent ISO 27001 certification, marking yet another important step in our journey to strengthen our security posture. While ISO 27001 focuses on establishing a comprehensive information security management system, SOC 2 Type I specifically attests to our ability to protect sensitive data through robust internal controls and practices,” said Valukhov.

The certification solidifies Ververica’s position as a leader in secure data processing, ensuring that its operations are resilient against emerging cyber threats and providing a secure environment for its customers' critical data.

Ververica's adherence to stringent compliance standards demonstrates its dedication to building and maintaining trust within the market. For more information about Ververica and to view real-time updates on its security protocols, visit the Trust Center: trust.ververica.com.

About Ververica

Ververica, the original creators of Apache Flink®, empowers businesses with high-performance data streaming and processing solutions. Streamlining operations, developer efficiency, and enabling customers to solve real-time use cases reliably and securely. Ververica’s advanced Streaming Data Platform, powered by its cloud native VERA engine, revolutionizes Apache Flink®, making it easy for organizations to harness data insights at scale. With Ververica, customers can meet any business SLA, leveraging advanced data streaming and processing capabilities in real-time or on the lakehouse. Ververica enables businesses to connect, process, govern, and analyze data, across infinite use cases, with flexible deployment options, including public cloud, private cloud, or on-premise environments. Discover more at ververica.com.

 

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Wipro Appoints Srikumar Rao as Global Head of Its Engineering Edge Business Line

 EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. & BENGALURU, India - Friday, 30. August 2024

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading technology services and consulting company, today announced the appointment of Srikumar Rao as Global Head of its Engineering Edge Business Line, effective from October 5, 2024. Srikumar succeeds Harmeet Chauhan, who is stepping down to pursue opportunities outside the organization. Srikumar will report to Srini Pallia.

Srikumar has been with Wipro for 26 years and has grown with the organization, serving in various leadership roles. He was most recently the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Wipro Engineering Edge (WEE) and Global Practice Head of Embedded Systems.

His work has spanned several markets, selling and delivering specialized Engineering, Research, and Development (ER&D) services to Software & Internet, Semiconductor, Automotive, Manufacturing, and Communications clients.

In his new role, Srikumar will continue to scale and strengthen Wipro’s engineering prowess. He will also be responsible for defining the vision and growth strategy for Wipro’s ER&D Services business, while providing world-class, AI-first products, solutions, and experiences.

“Srikumar’s journey, from a campus recruit to multiple leadership roles within Wipro, makes him the ideal fit for this role and is testament to his exceptional dedication, technological expertise, and unparalleled client-centric approach,” said Srini Pallia, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Wipro Limited. “He has significantly contributed to how Wipro Engineering Edge operates and delivers projects, resulting in industry-leading customer satisfaction (NPS) scores. He has also been instrumental in securing marquee deals across various industries due to his tech-centric delivery and strategic insights.”

“I would like to thank Harmeet for his leadership over the last six years in managing the ER&D business. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors. He will continue until October 4, 2024, working closely with Srikumar to ensure a smooth transition,” added Srini Pallia.

Commenting on his appointment, Srikumar Rao said, “I feel privileged to have the opportunity to lead Wipro’s Engineering Edge Business Line, and I look forward to significantly broadening and strengthening our market presence. I have experienced immense pride in being a part of Wipro’s incredible transformation journey over the years, and I am delighted at the opportunity to realize our ambitions while maximizing the value we bring to clients.”

Srikumar is a member of NASSCOM’s ER&D Executive Council. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from the College of Engineering Pune and has completed his Postgraduate Program in Software Enterprise Management from IIM Bangalore. He will be based in Bengaluru, India.

About Wipro Limited

Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading technology services and consulting company focused on building innovative solutions that address clients’ most complex digital transformation needs. Leveraging our holistic portfolio of capabilities in consulting, design, engineering, and operations, we help clients realize their boldest ambitions and build future-ready, sustainable businesses. With over 230,000 employees and business partners across 65 countries, we deliver on the promise of helping our customers, colleagues, and communities thrive in an ever-changing world. For additional information, visit us at www.wipro.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The forward-looking statements contained herein represent Wipro’s beliefs regarding future events, many of which are by their nature, inherently uncertain and outside Wipro’s control. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Wipro’s growth prospects, its future financial operating results, and its plans, expectations, and intentions. Wipro cautions readers that the forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, complete proposed corporate actions, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry.

Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, Annual Reports on Form 20-F. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf.

 

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NetApp Optimizes VMware Environments with New Capabilities

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Thursday, 29. August 2024

NetApp and Broadcom maximize the value of customers’ private and hybrid cloud environments


(BUSINESS WIRE)--NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), the original intelligent data infrastructure company, today announced new capabilities that support VMware Cloud Foundation deployments. Mutual customers will be able to leverage NetApp solutions to right-size their IT environments to run VMware workloads at scale efficiently.

For more than a decade, NetApp and VMware, recently acquired by Broadcom Inc., have collaborated to ensure the success of their joint customers and help them unlock the full value of their VMware investments. During that time, NetApp has been a key engineering design partner with VMware and is continuing to drive innovation in highly available, scalable and performant storage as a design partner for its Next-Generation vSphere Virtual Volumes (vVols). Now, NetApp is announcing new capabilities that will enable joint customers to run their VMware deployments more efficiently.

“NetApp and Broadcom are working together to take the uncertainty out of hybrid cloud environments,” said Jonsi Stefansson, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at NetApp. “More than 20,000 customers rely on NetApp to support their VMware workloads. NetApp's continued close collaboration with Broadcom following the acquisition of VMware ensures our solutions seamlessly interoperate so our mutual customers can leverage a single intelligent data infrastructure to operate their VMware workloads more efficiently.”

NetApp is helping optimize costs, simplify operations, and increase flexibility for customers running VMware environments by offering:

    Expanded Support for VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF): NetApp and Broadcom customers will now be able to simplify their VCF hybrid cloud environments by using NetApp ONTAP® software for all storage requirements, including standard and consolidated architectures. The latest release of ONTAP Tools for VMware (OTV) will support SnapMirror® active sync to provide symmetric active-active data replication capabilities for NetApp storage systems running VMware workloads. SnapMirror active sync allows customers to operate more efficiently by offloading data protection from their virtualized compute and improving data availability.
    New Capabilities for Azure VMware Solution (AVS): To support customers that are extending or migrating their vSphere workloads to the cloud, customers can now leverage Spot Eco by NetApp with AVS reserved instances to get the most value out of their deployments. Using Spot Eco to manage AVS reserved instances while also using Azure NetApp Files to offload data storage can reduce compute costs significantly.
    Enhanced VM Optimization Features for NetApp Cloud Insights: NetApp is introducing Cloud Insights VM Optimization, expanding its comprehensive solution for optimizing virtual environments, including VMware. Cloud Insights VM Optimization will give customers tools to reduce costs by increasing VM density, run storage at the best price-to-performance ratio for their environment, and monitor their entire environment to ensure availability, performance, and adherence to configuration best practices across the entire stack. To help customers optimize the compute, memory and storage resources of their VMware environments, NetApp is also offering customers a free 30-day trial of Cloud Insights to most cost-effectively migrate to the new VMware software subscriptions.

These offerings follow last month’s release of enhancements to NetApp BlueXP™ disaster recovery service, which provides guided workflows to design and execute automated disaster recovery plans for VMware workloads across hybrid cloud environments with newly added support for VMFS datastores.

“As organizations modernize infrastructure with VMware Cloud Foundation, they want to know that the services upon which they rely from industry-leaders such as NetApp will continue to work seamlessly and deliver the value they have come to expect,” said Paul Turner, Vice President of Products, VCF Division at Broadcom. “Having NetApp as a close collaborator helps our mutual customers deploy innovative data and storage services on top of their private cloud platform, and ensure they are getting the most value out of their VMware environments.”

“We have made Microsoft Azure the cloud of choice for VMware environments and offer fast and cost-effective solutions enabling many customers to move their VMware workloads to the cloud,” said Brett Tanzer, Vice President of Product Management at Microsoft. “As VMware customers navigate changes to operating virtualized environments, we have given our customers a way to lock in secure and predictable pricing over multiple years. NetApp's data management and cloud observability capabilities help our customers ensure those deployments are delivering the return on investment they need.”

“In an ever more complicated world of cloud, data, and infrastructure operations, IT teams are increasingly looking for holistic platforms over point solutions,” said Scott Sinclair, Practice Director, Enterprise Strategy Group. “These joint updates from NetApp and Broadcom enable customers to use NetApp’s intelligent data infrastructure to consolidate multiple data operations onto a single platform with industry-leading data management and CloudOps capabilities. That will help customers drive greater operational and infrastructure efficiencies that reduce the total cost of ownership for their VMware investments.”

Additional Resources

    Optimize your VMware Environment with New Capabilities
    NetApp and VMware

About NetApp

NetApp is the original intelligent data infrastructure company, combining unified data storage, integrated data services, and CloudOps solutions to turn a world of disruption into opportunity for every customer. NetApp creates silo-free infrastructure, harnessing observability and AI to enable the industry’s best data management. As the only enterprise-grade storage service natively embedded in the world’s biggest clouds, our data storage delivers seamless flexibility. In addition, our data services create a data advantage through superior cyber resilience, governance, and application agility. Our CloudOps solutions provide continuous optimization of performance and efficiency through observability and AI. No matter the data type, workload, or environment, with NetApp you can transform your data infrastructure to realize your business possibilities. Learn more at www.netapp.com or follow us on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

NETAPP, the NETAPP logo, and the marks listed at www.netapp.com/TM are trademarks of NetApp, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

 

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Media Contact:
Kenya Hayes
NetApp
kenya.hayes@netapp.com

Investor Contact:
Kris Newton
NetApp
kris.newton@netapp.com

UAE parents anticipate as much as AED 600,000 for their children’s higher education, Zurich survey reveals

 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 

Parents who start early and choose the right education savings plan are better positioned to secure their children's futures.

 

A recent survey has unveiled that parents in the UAE anticipate between AED 250,000 and AED 600,000 in funding their children's higher education. Despite these significant costs, many parents are unprepared financially as the survey revealed that 29% have yet to begin saving for their children’s university education.

The survey by market research company YouGov, commissioned by Zurich International Life (Zurich), part of Zurich Insurance Group, highlights a critical financial gap that could affect the educational opportunities available to many children. With 63% of respondents anticipating such high costs, the study calls attention to a significant financial responsibility that many families aim to fulfil.

Reliance on traditional saving methods

Traditional saving methods still dominate in the region, with 77% of the 1,000 residents surveyed opting for bank deposits, while 48% invest in shares. However, only a small fraction (14%) of respondents are utilising education-specific savings plans, which are designed to enhance growth and provide targeted benefits for educational expenses.

While conventional deposits offer safety, their typically lower returns may not be sufficient to keep pace with the increasing costs of higher education. Education-focused savings plans, which often include investments in growth-oriented funds, remain a more strategic approach. These plans are designed to accumulate savings while also outpacing inflation, ensuring that the value of savings does not diminish over time.

“While the substantial costs associated with higher education underscore the urgent need for effective savings strategies, starting early and choosing the right education savings plan can be a game-changer in helping parents save today for their children’s happily ever after," said David Denton-Cardew, Head of Propositions, Zurich in the Middle East.

According to the survey, most parents believe allocating 6% to 20% of their monthly salary is sufficient for education savings. The survey however emphasises that more effective and affordable savings plans are needed. Empowering parents to give their children the best chance at their dreams with a tailored education savings plan remains a sustainable strategy.

Value adding strategy

An overwhelming 87% of respondents expressed strong interest in education savings plans that also offer life insurance cover. These dual-purpose plans help in accumulating funds for education and provide a safety net that ensures financial security for the family, should the worst happen.

As education costs soar, starting early, and exploring various savings options, including dual-purpose plans, can offer a balance of growth and security.

“Having a well-structured education savings plan does more than just save money; it helps grow your money through appropriate investment strategies and ensures the protection of that investment. This strategy has some notable benefits including flexible payment options and the ability to tailor the plan to meet individual financial goals. The substantial costs associated with higher education underline the urgent need for effective savings strategies,” noted David.

Parents could consider plans that offer tailored solutions, long-term growth and the added peace of mind of life insurance cover to satisfy this goal. By adopting a strategic approach to savings, parents can have better chances to achieve their children’s educational goals.

About Zurich Insurance Group

Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurer serving people and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. Founded 150 years ago, Zurich is transforming insurance. In addition to providing insurance protection, Zurich is increasingly offering prevention services such as those that promote well-being and enhance climate resilience.

Reflecting its purpose to ‘create a brighter future together’, Zurich aspires to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world. It is targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 and has the highest possible ESG rating from MSCI. In 2020, Zurich launched the Zurich Forest project to support reforestation and biodiversity restoration in Brazil.

The Group has about 60,000 employees and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information is available at www.zurich.com.

About Zurich International Life

Zurich International Life Limited is a part of Zurich Insurance Group and was established in the Isle of Man, which is licensed by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority with established and registered branches in the UAE licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE. It is registered (Registration No. 63) under UAE Federal Law Number 6 of 2007, and its activities in the UAE are governed by such law. Further information about Zurich International Life is available at www.zurich.ae.

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Melwyn Abraham - melwyn@matrixdubai.com

G.I.F.T. Technology at the Service of Your Physical Gold Assets

 (BUSINESS WIRE)--The G.I.F.T. (Gold International Fast Transfer) project is a cryptographic telecommunication technology concept that connects physical assets in gold and other precious metals to a digital transfer system via a digital portal.

This concept was invented by Fayçal Lalioui, a renowned businessman and CEO of GOLD INTERNATIONAL FAST TRANSFER LLP, based in LONDON, United Kingdom, at the beginning of 2024. Fayçal has been active in the gold sector for several years through partnerships in Luxembourg and the Middle East.

The G.I.F.T. platform is currently under development in collaboration with Cybastion, a company specialized in cybersecurity and digital transformation, based in Washington, USA, with whom a memorandum of understanding has been established. Cybastion is responsible for the system's feasibility, architecture, and cybersecurity.

What is the G.I.F.T. System?

The system aims to digitize precious metals, allowing secure storage while limiting transport flows. It offers digital access and enables trading based on market prices. It also facilitates the sale of gold and its transfer worldwide. The Gold International Fast Transfer (G.I.F.T.) system represents a significant advancement in the field of international asset transfers. By combining security, speed, and stability, G.I.F.T. offers an innovative and reliable solution for the management and transfer of precious metals. This technology is poised to transform how assets are managed and transferred globally while ensuring strong legal protection against any form of counterfeiting or theft.

Who Will Have Access?

The G.I.F.T. system will be accessible to everyone. There will be two modes of connection. The first is a "Client" access intended for individuals or businesses wishing to convert their assets into gold.

The second mode of connection is a "Professional" access intended for financial institutions, banks or other professionals operating in the precious metals sector. This represents a significant advance for international precious metal transfers without blockages. Furthermore, it will also provide gold-backed guarantees to financial institutions and their clients.

When Will This System Be Commercialized?

The partnership between GOLD INTERNATIONAL FAST TRANSFER LLP and CYBASTION began at the end of July, following Fayçal Lalioui's trip to Washington, D.C., to define the terms of the agreement. We estimate that the official launch of the G.I.F.T. system will take place at the beginning of 2025.

Partner Websites:
https://cy-invest.lu
Capital Yatirim Invest sarl - Securitization (SPV) Company in Luxembourg

https://www.cybastiontech.com/
Cybastion : Digital and cybersecurity company in USA

 

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Contacts

Fayçal Lalioui
Email: contact@gift.technology
Company Website: https://gift.technology

As CIOs Cite Cloud Challenges, Lenovo Offers New Suite of Services for Quick, Tailored Hybrid Cloud Designs

 Lenovo Hybrid Cloud Advisory Services simplify cloud plans, accelerate time to value

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY), the global technology powerhouse, is offering Lenovo Hybrid Cloud Advisory Services to help enterprises simplify the complexity of hybrid cloud design and create implementation-ready, future-proofed plans in as few as six weeks. Lenovo leverages four decades of experience helping global CIOs ease cloud and hybrid cloud challenges, including demands associated with emerging AI-related workloads. With the new services, Lenovo expert consultants guide enterprises through hybrid cloud needs, accelerating time to value, improving cost efficiency, and building flexibly scalable foundations.

The new era of AI is hybrid, and today’s IT organizations are converting their raw data into actionable insights with hybrid cloud solutions that are capable of harnessing data, no matter where it lives. Lenovo hybrid cloud solutions boost AI performance and agility by delivering more compute and faster memory when and where it’s needed, offering a full-stack portfolio and purpose-built solutions that are specific to each customer and use case. To support AI optimization, Lenovo Hybrid Cloud Advisory Services help design a cloud approach customized for today, and ready to flexibly scale and adapt to future needs.

“At a time when the need for modern infrastructure and solutions has never been greater, IT is challenged to evolve cloud implementations. This is evident in our most recent Lenovo global CIO report in which 82% of respondents marked cloud transformation as challenging,” said Dale Aultman, Vice President & General Manager, Hybrid Cloud Services at Lenovo Group. “We introduced Lenovo Hybrid Cloud Advisory Services to simplify cloud design strategies and pave the way for AI implementations. We bring a global team of trusted experts to help our customers develop future-proofed, tailor-made solutions to rapidly modernize hybrid clouds and ultimately deliver better business outcomes.”

Many organizations need to modernize or update their hybrid clouds due to changing business needs, spiraling costs, or performance issues. In fact, Lenovo’s third annual global CIO report found that 29% of respondents still find cloud transformation a top priority, behind AI implementation, cybersecurity, and data privacy. Demand for data center capacity continues to grow and, with increasing interest in AI, is also accelerating. IT leaders are concerned about meeting this demand due to challenges around qualified staff, procuring equipment, forecasting future requirements and energy efficiencies. Changing licensing models are also generating disruption and requiring IT leaders to lean on partners.

“Successful hybrid cloud strategy and design is imperative for enterprises, yet the underlying complexity involved cannot be understated,” said Steven Dickens, Futurum Group. “According to our research, hybrid is 2x the size of public cloud when it comes to deployment modalities for AI, therefore the need for flexibility and futureproofing becomes critical. Partnering with experts, such as Lenovo, will be the smart path forward for many enterprises.”

Lenovo Hybrid Cloud Advisory Services offers customized, strategic expertise, and a trusted partner to manage the complexity of hybrid cloud design. Lenovo experts help turn hybrid cloud vision into reality with better outcomes using customer assessment, proven methodologies, and strategic advice and approach recommendation. Lenovo’s tech-agnostic expertise, deep industry alliances and partnerships, pre-validated solutions, and experience in every aspect of hybrid cloud creation provide clear value while helping future-proof an organization’s hybrid cloud. Customer benefits include:

• Speed/Time to value

• Holistic: Cloud/software/infrastructure expertise from single provider

• End-to-end expertise

• Engineering quality

• Global presence

Lenovo Hybrid Cloud Advisory Services features a breadth of offerings that are now available, expanding Lenovo’s advisory services capabilities and complementing Lenovo’s AI services portfolio. Channel availability will launch in September 2024.

For more information regarding Lenovo Hybrid Cloud Advisory Services visit here.

About Lenovo

Lenovo is a US$57 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #248 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest PC company with a full-stack portfolio of AI-enabled, AI-ready, and AI-optimized devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets), infrastructure (data center, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), software, solutions, and services. Lenovo’s continued investment in world-changing innovation is building a more equitable, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.

 

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Zeno Group for Lenovo: lenovossg@zenogroup.com

Galderma Successfully Issued an Inaugural CHF 500 Million Bond

 ZUG, Switzerland - Thursday, 29. August 2024 AETOSWire Print 

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Galderma Group AG (SWX:GALD):

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE RESTRICTED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR REGULATION

Galderma successfully placed an inaugural bond with a total amount of CHF 500 million through a dual tranche offering:

CHF 250 million bond, with a 4-year maturity and a 1.6% fixed-rate annual coupon

CHF 250 million bond, with a 8-year maturity and a 1.9% fixed-rate annual coupon

The payment date of the bonds is September 27, 2024. The bonds will be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and are expected to be included in the domestic segment of the Swiss Bond Index (SBI). The bonds were placed under the lead management of UBS and Zürcher Kantonalbank.

To support the issuance of the bond, Galderma obtained two investment grade ratings from UBS and Zürcher Kantonalbank (BBB- “Improving” and BBB- “Stable” respectively).

The net proceeds of the transaction will be used for the partial refinancing of its existing Bank Term Loan issued at Initial Public Offering (IPO) and general purposes. This successful issuance is leverage-neutral and doesn’t affect Galderma’s guidance for full-year 2024 on net sales, Core EBITDA margin, leverage and interest cash expense for the second half of 2024, as last communicated on July 25, 2024.

About Galderma

Galderma (SIX: GALD) is the pure-play dermatology category leader, present in approximately 90 countries. We deliver an innovative, science-based portfolio of premium flagship brands and services that span the full spectrum of the fast-growing dermatology market through Injectable Aesthetics, Dermatological Skincare and Therapeutic Dermatology. Since our foundation in 1981, we have dedicated our focus and passion to the human body’s largest organ – the skin – meeting individual consumer and patient needs with superior outcomes in partnership with healthcare professionals. Because we understand that the skin we are in shapes our lives, we are advancing dermatology for every skin story. For more information: www.galderma.com

Disclaimer

This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the bonds described herein or any other securities issued by Galderma, or any kind of advice, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale in any country or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any country or jurisdiction. This press release also does not constitute a prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to the Swiss Financial Services Act and not a prospectus under any other applicable laws. A decision to invest in the bonds mentioned herein should be solely made based on the prospectus published in connection with the offering. Except as required by law, Galderma does not have the intention or obligation to update any part of this publication.

 

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For further information:

Christian Marcoux, M.Sc.

Chief Communications Officer

christian.marcoux@galderma.com

+41 76 315 26 50

Sébastien Cros

Corporate Communications Director

sebastien.cros@galderma.com

+41 79 529 59 85

Emil Ivanov

Head of Strategy, Investor Relations, and ESG

emil.ivanov@galderma.com

+41 21 642 78 12

Jessica Cohen

Investor Relations and Strategy Director

jessica.cohen@galderma.com

+41 21 642 76 43

Wilshire and Tech-Enabled and Data-Driven Specialist XTP Join Forces to Enhance Cost Transparency for Global Asset Owners

 SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Thursday, 29. August 2024 AETOSWire 

Market-Leading Cost and Risk-Reduction Services Will Complement Wilshire’s Investment Solutions for Institutional Clients Globally

 

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wilshire Advisors LLC (“Wilshire”), a leading global financial services firm, today announced that it has joined forces with XTP Implementation Services (“XTP”), a tech-enabled and data-driven specialist focused on improving transparency, reducing risk, enhancing investment governance, and increasing net returns for institutional investors globally. Through this partnership, which was effectuated by an acquisition of XTP by Wilshire, with simultaneous reinvestment in Wilshire by former XTP shareholders, XTP will continue to operate independently under its existing leadership team and brand. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240828886722/en/

XTP is a market leader in cost transparency analytics, with a 20-year history of serving public and private investors, including pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, investment consultants, outsourced chief investment officers, endowments and foundations, and family offices. With more than $3 trillion in assets analyzed across 10,000 portfolios in North America and Europe, XTP helps its clients reduce investment-related costs and risks while enhancing governance. Combining deep industry experience and proprietary software, benchmarking databases, and forensic capabilities allows XTP to identify optimization potential across the investment value chain of public and private market portfolios. XTP clients benefit from a risk-free increase in net returns.

Andy Stewart, CEO at Wilshire, said: “We are excited to partner with XTP and bring its cost and risk-reduction services to our institutional clients, which will benefit from the power of its sophisticated insights and solutions. Throughout our discussions, it was clear that Wilshire and XTP share a holistic, client-centric approach that seeks to align our success with that of our clients. On behalf of Wilshire, I extend a warm welcome to the talented XTP team and look forward to collaborating for the benefit of our combined client base.”

Philipp Henrich, Founder and CEO at XTP, said: “We welcome our partnership with Wilshire, whose solutions, clients, and geographic footprint are complementary to ours. By joining forces, we have the opportunity to leverage the resources of a global service provider with a very strong presence in North America. This will enable us to offer our capabilities to an expanded client base while continuing to provide our valued, long-standing customers personalized, mission-critical support. We could not be more optimistic about this new, bright chapter for XTP with Wilshire alongside us.”

Jason Schwarz, President and Deputy CEO at Wilshire, said: “Institutional investors worldwide are more focused than ever on efficiency and transparency, seeking to better understand, disclose, and manage the true costs of their investments. XTP has an impressive 20-year track record and unmatched ability to identify cost and risk-reduction opportunities and translate those insights into enhanced returns. By bringing together XTP’s proprietary capabilities and Wilshire’s multifaceted platform, we will be even better positioned to empower clients with solutions that address their top concerns and deliver even more value.”

Solomon Partners and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as financial advisor and legal advisor to Wilshire, respectively. XTP shareholders were advised by DLA Piper.

About Wilshire

Wilshire is a leading global financial services firm and trusted partner to approximately 500 leading institutional investors and financial intermediaries. Our clients rely on us to improve investment outcomes for a better future. Wilshire advises on over $1.4 trillion in assets and manages over $121 billion in assets as of March 31, 2024. Wilshire is headquartered in the United States with offices worldwide. More information on Wilshire can be found at www.wilshire.com.

About XTP

XTP is a specialist consultant focusing on transparency, cost, and risk. XTP actively supports large institutional asset owners globally in turning data into measurable results. By creating full cost transparency in public and private market portfolios XTP assures contract compliance, eliminates process inefficiencies and operation risks, and optimizes costs without changing the existing investment set-up. More information on XTP can be found at www.xtp-group.com.

 

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Media:

Wilshire

Kiki O’Keeffe / Julia Sidi

Pro-Wilshire@prosek.com

 

TRU Simulation delivers Beechcraft T-6C Operational Flight Trainer to Tunisian Air Force

TAMPA, Fla. - Thursday, 29. August 2024

(BUSINESS WIRE)--TRU Simulation + Training Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company recently announced delivery of the Beechcraft T-6C Texan II Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) to the Tunisian Air Force. Additional items delivered with the OFT include a Computer Based Training (CBT) Lab with eight workstations, two Avionics Desktop Trainings (ADTs) and field services. The OFT will be the first device of its kind within the region and will support flight training needs at the Sfax Air Base in Sfax, Tunisia.

TRU Simulation, an affiliate of Textron Aviation Defense LLC, the manufacturer of the Beechcraft T-6C, designs, manufactures and delivers high-fidelity training devices and full-motion simulators for civil and defense customers.

“As the first TRU-built Beechcraft T-6C OFT in the region, this marks a significant milestone in TRU Simulation’s commitment to advancing aviation training technology globally. The dedication and expertise of our team have been crucial in achieving this milestone, and I am immensely proud of their hard work and commitment to excellence,” said Jerry Messaris, vice president and general manager, TRU Simulation. “It is a privilege to commemorate the integration of the device into the Tunisian Air Force.”

The Beechcraft T-6C OFT equips pilots with procedural and instrument flight training across multiple scenarios and operations. Device features include a realistic cockpit with real aircraft hardware, a visual system with 70 degrees vertical by 270 degrees horizontal field of view, and a dynamic seat with onset and disturbance queues. The OFT will be used to train pilots and maintenance professionals following the delivery of all eight Beechcraft T-6C Texan II aircraft to the Tunisian Air Force.

About TRU Simulation

TRU Simulation + Training Inc., an affiliate of Textron Aviation Inc., is a leading provider of high-fidelity training devices and full-motion simulators for the aviation industry. With a strong commitment to excellence and innovation, TRU Simulation has been at the forefront of flight simulation technology for over a decade. Our customized simulator solutions empower pilots to navigate the skies confidently, while our state-of-the-art technology ensures safe and realistic training experiences. For more information, visit www.TRUSimulation.com.

About Textron Aviation Defense LLC

With a legacy of thousands of proven Beechcraft and Cessna Integrated Training Systems produced and missionized in America’s Heartland since WWII, military customers turn to Textron Aviation Defense when they need airborne solutions for their critical missions. Provider of the world’s foremost military flight trainer, Textron Aviation Defense equips militaries worldwide and leads in low acquisition, sustainment and training costs. The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II fleet of more than 1,000 aircraft has logged more than 5 million hours across two NATO military flight schools and thirteen countries since 2001. Textron Aviation Defense is a subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc. For more information, visit www.defense.txtav.com | www.scorpionjet.com.

About Textron Aviation

We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight.

For more information, visit www.txtav.com | www.defense.txtav.com | www.scorpionjet.com.

About Textron Inc.

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

 

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Media Contact:

Kate Hemm

316.612.7843

khemm@txtav.com

txtav.com

Saxo Bank reports 35% growth: Strong performance highlights H1 2024 results

 

The Saxo Bank Group reported an adjusted net profit of USD 76 million, compared to USD 56 million for the same period last year, corresponding to an increase of 35%.

During 2024, the Saxo Bank Group rolled out a new competitive pricing structure that lowers costs for clients as well as improvements to the client experience, leading to a record number of clients and client assets, with over 1.2 million end clients and USD 122 billion in client assets as of 30 June 2024.

Volatility across financial markets has been low in the first half of 2024 resulting in lower trading and investing activity, while the higher interest rates and positive inflow of client funding impacted the financial performance positively.

Despite the short-term negative impact of reduced pricing, total income increased slightly to USD 347 million in the first half of 2024 and was diversified almost equally between the business areas with trader clients accounting for 34%, investor clients 34%, and institutional 32%.

Moreover, S&P upgraded Saxo Bank’s rating to A- from BBB during the first half of the year in a testament to the Saxo Bank Group’s strong financial position.

To increase focus, strengthen compliance, reduce risk, and enhance operational efficiency, the Saxo Bank Group initiated a restructuring of its distribution model in the Asia-Pacific region, considering the strategic opportunities for its offices in Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia, while the office in Shanghai is in the process of being closed. This has led to recognition of restructuring costs of USD 7 million in the first half of 2024.

The Saxo Bank Group expects the full year’s adjusted net profit to be maintained in line with the previously guided range of USD 127-150 million.

H1 2024 key financial figures (H1 2023)

• Total income: USD 347 million (USD 336 million)
• Net profit (adjusted): USD 76 million (USD 56 million)
• Net profit: USD 69 million (USD 42 million)
• Total client assets: USD 122 billion (USD 108 billion)
• Total capital ratio: 28% (31.9%)

Commenting on the results, Kim Fournais, CEO and Founder of Saxo Bank, said:

“The positive momentum we’ve experienced in the first half of the year is a strong indicator that our strategy is resonating with our clients. More than 1.2 million clients now trust Saxo with more than USD 122 billion in assets. This is a result of our relentless focus on enhancing our investment platforms, products, and services, and offering very competitive pricing that empowers our growing client base to make more of their money.

It’s also encouraging to see our clients increasingly recognising the value of diversifying their portfolios across different markets and asset classes. In these uncertain times, we remain fully focused on facilitating diversification across asset classes, making it easier and more attractive for investors to build healthy and profitable portfolios and manage their risks. Diversification is truly the "only free lunch" in investing - and we are here to provide the tools, product range, and insights to help our clients navigate their portfolios with confidence.”                                     

Please note: the Saxo Bank Group’s annual report is presented in DKK (Danish Kroner). All figures in this press release have been converted to USD using an exchange rate of 6.68, as of August 27, 2024.

The full H1 2024 report can be found here: Investor relations

About Saxo Bank MENA

At Saxo, we believe that when you invest, you unlock a new curiosity for the world around you. As a provider of multi-asset trading and investment solutions, Saxo’s purpose is to Get Curious People Invested in the World. We are committed to enabling our clients to make more of their money. Saxo Bank was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1992 with a clear vision: to make the global financial markets accessible for more people. In 1998, Saxo launched one of the first online trading platforms in Europe, providing professional-grade tools and easy access to global financial markets for anyone who wanted to invest. It was also the first Scandinavian bank to establish a presence in the GCC when it launched an office in Dubai, back in May 2009, to cover its regional operations for the MENA region.

Today, Saxo is an international award-winning investment firm for investors and traders who are serious about making more of their money. As a well-capitalised and profitable Fintech, Saxo is a fully licensed bank under the supervision of the Danish FSA, holding broker and banking licenses in multiple jurisdictions, including a Representative Office license by the Central Bank of the UAE.

As one of the earliest fintechs in the world, Saxo continues to invest heavily into our technology. Saxo’s clients and partners enjoy broad access to global capital markets across asset classes on our industry-leading platforms. Our open banking technology also powers more than 200 financial institutions as partners by boosting the investment experience they can offer their clients. Keeping our headquarters in Copenhagen, Saxo employs more than 2,500 professionals in financial centres around the world including London, Singapore, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Zurich, Dubai and Tokyo.

For more information, please visit http://www.home.saxo/me.

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Contacts

Namita Thakkar 

namita@matrixdubai.com

KAGA FEI Expands Lineup of Wireless LAN/Bluetooth Combo Modules

 Facilitating the Development of Low-Power Embedded Devices with SDIO Interface

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- KAGA FEI Co., Ltd., a global provider of leading short distance wireless modules, announced today the “WKI611AA1,” a Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth-supported wireless LAN/Bluetooth combo module for embedded devices.

This module features a built-in high-performance antenna and has obtained various certifications, allows for the reduction of antenna development time and certification costs when developing industrial IoT devices and home automation devices such as smart building equipment, handy terminals for logistics, surveillance cameras, and home appliances. Using this module enables a faster time-to-market for products.

Supporting Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth, this module is suitable for applications that require faster data rates and excellent interference avoidance. Mass production of the module will commence in May 2025.

KAGA FEI will continue to respond to market needs and expand its module lineup.

Product Features

1. NXP Chip Integration

The module adopts the “IW611” chip from NXP Semiconductors, which includes dedicated processors and memory for both the wireless LAN and Bluetooth subsystems, enabling independent real-time protocol processing. Supporting Wi-Fi 6 and capable of communication in both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, it achieves higher throughput, superior network efficiency, lower latency, and a wider communication range compared to existing models.

2. Low Power Consumption

The host interface uses SDIO 3.0 for Wireless LAN and UART for Bluetooth, ensuring low power consumption. Additionally, it features an efficient power management system that supports deep sleep low power mode, making it ideal for applications requiring long-time operation.

3. No Need for Antenna Design and Pre-Certified

Features a built-in wideband, high-efficiency antenna, eliminating the need for antenna design. It has obtained Bluetooth qualification and certifications for Radio Law MIC (Japan), FCC (USA), and ISED (Canada), reducing the time and costs.

About Trademarks

The product names and other proper nouns mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

KAGA FEI website

https://www.kagafei.com/jp/eng/

Disclaimer

Product specifications, service content, etc. stated in the news release are as of the date of announcement and is subject to change without notice.

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KAGA FEI Co., Ltd.

Solution Business Headquarters

Module Products Division

Email: ml-module_contact@jp.kagafei.com

Andersen Global Strengthens African Platform with Addition of Investment Banking Capabilities

 SAN FRANCISCO - Thursday, 29. August 2024 AETOSWire

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Andersen Global continues to build on its multidisciplinary platform in Africa, adding investment banking and M&A capabilities to the region through a Collaboration Agreement with Boston Advisory Limited based in Nigeria.

Boston Advisory Limited is an investment banking firm providing a broad range of investment banking services to a diverse group of corporates, public institutions and high net worth individuals.

The firm’s primary focus areas include transaction services and capital raising, having worked on one of Nigeria’s largest mergers and raised more than 300 billion NGN. Each of the firm’s professionals possess more than three decades of investment banking experience and provide services to some of the largest companies in the manufacturing, oil and gas, and real estate industries.

“The collaboration between Boston Advisory Limited and Andersen Global marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our firm and our clients,” said Funso Popoola, Managing Director of Boston Advisory Limited. “This collaboration is a testament to our ongoing commitment to providing unparalleled, comprehensive solutions for our clients throughout the region.”

Andersen Global Chairman and CEO Mark L. Vorsatz added, “Boston Advisory Limited will continue to be a leader in the market and deliver exceptional value as we continue to expand our multidisciplinary platform and add capabilities that best serve clients. Our collaboration with this group enables us to make a significant impact across the African market and positions us for further expansion in this sector.”

Andersen Global is an international association of legally separate, independent member firms comprised of tax, legal, and valuation professionals around the world. Established in 2013 by U.S. member firm Andersen Tax LLC, Andersen Global now has more than 17,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 475 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms.

 

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Megan Tsuei

Andersen Global

415-764-2700

 

Andersen Global Enters Japan with the Collaborating Firm Opti

 SAN FRANCISCO 

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Andersen Global continues to amplify its reach in the Asia Pacific through a Collaboration Agreement with Opti, a tax advisory firm operating out of Japan.

Founded in 2010 by Managing Partner Akatsuki Fuchigami, Opti delivers customized solutions to domestic and international clients across a broad range of industries. The firm’s team has extensive experience in tax planning and advisory, VAT refund, compliance, feasibility, corporate, international, and indirect taxation.

“Our team of professionals delivers a wealth of industry knowledge and technical insights to clients,” said Managing Partner Akatsuki Fuchigami. “Collaborating with Andersen Global signifies our firm’s dedication to drive results and extend our global capabilities to provide seamless service worldwide.”

"This collaboration allows us to best serve clients with operations in Japan," said Global Chairman and CEO of Andersen Mark L. Vorsatz. “Their addition enhances our global capabilities and sharpens our competitive edge in the region."

Andersen Global is an international association of legally separate, independent member firms comprised of tax, legal, and valuation professionals around the world. Established in 2013 by U.S. member firm Andersen Tax LLC, Andersen Global now has more than 17,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 475 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms.

 

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Megan Tsuei

Andersen Global

415-764-2700