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Russian Agricultural Bank, JCB and Panasonic launch first co-branded JCB card in Russia

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The new card
From the ceremony
Moscow and Tokyo, Jul 25, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Russian Agricultural Bank, Panasonic Russia and JCB International Co., Ltd., the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., have launched first co-branded bank card on the base of the international payment system JCB.

In partnership with Panasonic, Russian Agricultural Bank is now offering credit and debit cards that are issued and serviced free of charge. The co-branded cards will join the Club Panasonic Loyalty Program on special terms and receive 10,000 welcome bonus points.

For any purchases made with the card, the cardholders will be given bonus points which can be used to receive a discount up to 50% on Panasonic products at the official e-commerce store Panasonic Eplaza, 1 bonus point being equivalent to 1 rouble.

For any purchase at the Panasonic Eplaza, cardholders will receive 20% cashback in bonus points on their cards. For any other purchases of products or services they will be given 5%.

"Cooperation between Russian Agricultural Bank, JCB and Panasonic facilitates the development of trade and economic relations between Russia and Japan in a year of paramount importance for our two countries, the Year of Japan in Russia[1]. We have created a unique product to help Russian Agricultural Bank's clients make rewarding purchases and cement relationships between our countries. A key player on the Russian financial market with an extensive sales network, Russian Agricultural Bank continues to broaden its product line to stay up to date with the most recent trends and offers reliable servicing of international payment cards," said Irina Zhachkina, First Deputy Chairman of the Board of Russian Agricultural Bank.

"Our new co-branded card is unique for Russia in that it complements and expands the existing loyalty program, already joined by hundreds of thousands of Panasonic brand fans in Russia. It is crucial that we launched this project in 2018, the year of the 100th anniversary of Panasonic Corporation. I believe that this and other partnership projects will help lay a foundation for future success and prosperity in this century," said Junichi Suzuki, Director General of Panasonic Russia.

"We are confident that this project will become a landmark for us as we are working towards our goal of growing into one of the most dynamic and innovative players in the Russian payment industry. The market of payment solutions is expanding, and consumers now have broader expectations about card products and the privileges they give to cardholders. In partnership with Russian Agricultural Bank and Panasonic we are offering consumers an additional opportunity to pay and be rewarded. The new co-branded card is our response to the growing needs of the market," said Takashi Suetsugu, General Director of JCB International Eurasia.

Russian Agricultural Bank is the cornerstone of the Russian credit and financial system for national agribusiness. Established in 2000, it is the key lender to Russian agribusiness and one of the largest and most sustainable banks in the country by assets and capital. Ranked among the best Russian banks, Russian Agricultural Bank is 100%-owned by the Russian Federation.

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, and B2B businesses. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018, the company has expanded globally and now operates 591 subsidiaries and 88 associated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of Euro 61.4 billion (7.982 trillion yen) for the year ended March 31, 2018. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company uses its technologies to create a better life and a better world for its customers. To learn more about Panasonic: https://www.panasonic.com/global/home.html

About JCB

JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading payment card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and card member base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to provide responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. Currently, JCB cards are accepted globally and issued in 24 countries and regions. For more information, please visit: https://www.global.jcb/en/ or http://www.ru.jcb/ru/
Note: Statistics about JCB are as of June 2018.

Contact
Kumiko Kida
JCB Co., Ltd.
Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +81-3-5778-8353
Email: jcb-pr@info.jcb.co.jp

[1] 2018 has been declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe "the Year of Russia in Japan and the Year of Japan in Russia". This undertaking has been a package of events in politics, economics, sciences, culture and art, as well as the sphere of student exchange. The aim is encouraging mutual understanding between the people of these countries and to develop neighbourly ties over the long-run.
http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/57567
https://tokyo.mid.ru/web/tokyo-en/-/opening-of-cross-years-of-russia-and-japan


 
Copyright 2018 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

WARC unveils The Future of Strategy Report 2018

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Planners are gaining influence within agencies
Planners are gaining influence within clients
A global survey of senior strategists reveals a discipline in flux: growing in influence amidst client budget cuts and increased competition for strategic services

LONDON, Jul 25, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - WARC, the global authority on advertising and media effectiveness, has today released the results of its recent worldwide survey of senior strategists, highlighting their challenges and the impact the strategic function is having on the ever-changing marketing landscape.

Based on a survey of more than 500 senior planners and strategists from around the world, WARC's second The Future of Strategy report provides both quantitative and qualitative data on the current state and future expectations of the industry. Key findings are:

Strategy teams set to expand as influence grows

More than half of strategists and planners expect their teams to grow over the next year, in an era when most feel that the influence of planning is growing both within their agency and among clients. Despite this optimism, there is a feeling that planners' skills are not always being applied most effectively, commonly attributed to the pace of change in the industry, and a client focus on tech rather than sustainable strategy.

Shekhar Deshpande, Global Planning Director & Strategy Consulting Director, J Walter Thompson, comments: "Senior clients want more strategy, perhaps to help them navigate the current marketing labyrinth, and become better marketers."

Budget cuts are threatening the 'craft skills' of strategy

Budget pressures are a clear obstacle for planners and strategists globally. The majority of respondents in all regions say client-side budget cuts are having an impact on strategy teams. This is leading to more short-term thinking by clients. Within agencies, it means lower budgets and planners who no longer feel able to spend time away from their desks.

Rob Campbell, Chief Strategy Officer, Deutsch, observes: "Fewer and fewer planners spend much time in the real world, preferring to observe it from the comfort of a research report and Google search."

Competition for strategic services is growing

Marketing strategy is no longer just an agency specialism; increasingly strategy is being offered by consultancies, by tech and media firms, or by in-house client teams. That means greater competition for agency planning teams; but it may also mean more varied career opportunities for individual planners.

Dan Burdett, Chief Marketing Innovation, Officer, EMEA, eBay, raises the question: "In a world where everybody is in some way competing with the guys in Seattle, how do we form coalitions that are going to benefit all of our businesses and help drive the industry forward?"

Upstream vs downstream remains a crucial divide

There is a tension between where planners want to be playing - on upstream business problems - and the reality of their day-to-day roles, with, in many cases, limited access to client data and heightened focus on tactical campaign elements. Reflecting the different visions of strategy in the industry and the potential need for reinvention in marketing services, several respondents argue that a link between strategy and execution remains vital.

Paula Bloodworth, Brand Strategy Director, Wieden + Kennedy, London, comments: "With consumers moving and changing so quickly, we should be more executional in the way we plan and be nimble and flexible and adaptive."

Summing, David Tiltman, Head of Content, WARC, says: "WARC's 2018 Future of Strategy report reveals a discipline in flux. There is generally a feeling of optimism - of greater influence and growing teams. But that is undermined by the impact of client budget cuts and, more broadly, a sense that the planners and strategists are not thriving as they might in current agency structures, at a time when competition for strategic services is growing."

A preview of the Future of Strategy report was unveiled during WARC Day at this year's Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in June, with insights shared by senior global strategists. View the highlights video on www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAnSzNq6r1g.

A sample of the report is available to download from https://content.warc.com/read-the-warc-future-of-strategy-2018-sample-report and a free-to- join webinar discussing the findings of The Future of Strategy report will take place mid-August. The full report, including additional data, analysis and exclusive commentaries from senior survey participants, is available to WARC subscribers on www.warc.com/Welcome.

About WARC

- your global authority on advertising and media effectiveness

warc.com is an online service offering advertising best practice, evidence, insights and data from the world's leading brands. WARC helps clients grow their businesses by using proven approaches to maximise advertising effectiveness. WARC's clients include the world's largest advertising and media agencies, research companies, universities and advertisers.

WARC runs four global and two regional case study competitions: WARC Awards, WARC Innovation Awards, WARC Media Awards, The Admap prize, WARC Prize for Asian Strategy and WARC Prize for MENA Strategy.

Founded in 1985, WARC is privately owned and has offices in the UK, U.S. and Singapore.

Contact:
Amanda Benfell PR Manager +44 20 7467 8125 amanda.benfell@warc.com

Copyright 2018 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

Emperor W&J Ltd Announces Positive Profit Alert for H1/2018

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HONG KONG, Jul 25, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Emperor Watch and Jewellery Ltd ("Group"; HK: 887) announced that, based on preliminary review on the latest available financial information of the Group, the Group's net profit for the six months ended 30 June 2018 ("Period") is expected to increase significantly by approximately 300% as compared to the same period last year.

Such increase is mainly attributable to an encouraging sales performance and a solid gross profit margin amid the upswing of consumption sentiment, coupled with an enhanced operating efficiency during the Period.

For details, please refer to the announcement:
[www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/SEHK/2018/0725/LTN20180725527.pdf]



 
Copyright 2018 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

CITIC Envirotech reports two-fold increase in Sales and Earnings in 2Q/2018

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- Attributes stellar performance to projects secured over the past 12 months.
- Declares its first interim dividend pay-out of 0.5 Singapore cents per share.

SINGAPORE, Jul 25, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Riding on the same growth trajectory that saw it achieve record revenues and net profits for the last three consecutive financial years, Singapore-listed CITIC Envirotech Ltd ("CEL", SGX:CEE), a leading membrane-based water and wastewater treatment and recycling solutions provider, has recorded a more than two-fold increase in sales and earnings during Q2, ended 30 June 2018.

The Group's Q2 net profit leapt 125% YoY to S$43.5 million, on the back of revenue which surged 136.1% to S$291 million. Rising in tandem, H2 net profit jumped 134.1% YoY to S$85.3 million on revenue which expanded 134.7% to S$550.2 million. Revenue growth in Q2 was led by the engineering segment and membrane systems sales, which expanded 111.1% and 431.6% YoY to S$112.5 million and S$122.8 million respectively.

Executive Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Hao Weibao, said: "Demand for wastewater and hazardous treatment solutions has been growing in tandem with the increasing attention on environmental protection in China. The Chinese government in its 13th Five-Year Plan, had also outlined its aim to increase spending on such projects[1]. The recent rapid pace of project wins secured by our Group not only shows this but also attests to CEL's track record and expertise in this segment.

"The Group's recent performance reflects our diversification beyond wastewater treatment projects to other segments within the environmental technologies space." In view of the healthy financial results, CEL has declared its maiden interim dividend payout of 0.5 Singapore cents per share for the six months ended 30 June 2018.

Outlook:
CEL remains upbeat about the opportunities available in the environmental protection industry in China. Besides securing more projects in the water segment, the Group has increased its presence in related environmental services such as ecological restoration, hazardous waste treatment, sludge management and integrated environmental services.

At the recent Singapore International Water Week from 8-12 July 2018, the Group announced two strategic moves that are expected to have a potentially positive impact on future growth.

The first was the official launch of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Singapore Envirotech Accelerator Pte Ltd ("SEA"), which aims to accelerate the innovation and commercialisation of environmental technologies drawn from intellectual properties and Research and Development performed locally and internationally by institutions, industry and technopreneurs.

Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board, SEA will identify promising Small and Medium Enterprises to fund and mentor and to bring their innovations to market and eventually for a potential listing on the Singapore bourse. Its work is expected to complement the Group's existing services and technologies as well as introduce new innovations to the market.

The second was in relation to CEL's wholly owned subsidiary Memstar Pte Ltd, which announced the opening of its first plant outside Asia. The US$15 million, 40,500 sq.ft membrane manufacturing facility in Conroe, Texas, USA will manufacture Memstar's latest product, the Memstar Advance Reverse Osmosis and Nano Filtration Membrane, which enables the removal of salt from water to facilitate desalination, water recycling and many other water purification applications. With the new product as well as its existing Microfiltration and Ultrafiltration Membranes, Memstar now offers a complete range of membrane filtration products used in water treatment.

"These recent corporate developments demonstrate the Group's commitment to build a sustainable business for the long term. While we are busy chasing down every lead to secure more projects to maintain a robust order book, we are at the same time ramping up for future growth by continuing our development of new products as well as exploring opportunities to invest in technology that will keep us at the forefront of breakthroughs and advancements in clean technologies," said Mr Hao.

[1] This release should be read with today's announce via SGXNet:
http://citicenvirotech.listedcompany.com/news.html/id/670778
[2] 'China's 13th five year plan: what role will wastewater play?', by Water & Wastewater International, https://bit.ly/2LBywR1

About CITIC Envirotech Ltd.
CITIC Envirotech Ltd ("CEL"; SGX:CEE), formerly known as United Envirotech Ltd, is a leading membrane-based integrated environmental solutions provider which specialises in the manufacturing of high quality membrane products and the application of membrane technologies for water and wastewater treatment and recycling. Its principal activities also include design, fabrication, installation and commissioning of water and wastewater systems using its proprietary advanced membrane technologies such as the Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology.

CEL designed and built several of the largest industrial wastewater treatment plants in Asia using MBR technology. CEL undertakes both turnkey and water investment projects (TOT/BOT/BOO), and provides treatment plant operation and maintenance services. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Memstar Pte Ltd, the Group is one of the largest PVDF hollow fibre membrane manufacturers in the world.

In August 2011, KKR became a strategic investor of CEL after injecting a US$113.8 million convertible bond investment and follow-on equity investment of US$40 million in January 2013. KKR is a leading global investment firm with more than US$ 126 billion in assets under management.

In April 2015, CITIC joined KKR as a strategic investor of CEL and became its largest shareholder after making a joint voluntary unconditional offer with KKR. CITIC Limited is China's largest conglomerate operating domestically and overseas, with businesses in financial services, resources and energy, manufacturing, engineering, contracting and real estate, as well as other services.

In Nov 2016, CRF Envirotech Co., Ltd. completed the acquisition of the entire stake held by KKR China Water Investment Limited in CITIC Envirotech Ltd, and became its second largest shareholder. CRF Envirotech is a joint venture between CRF Envirotech Fund L.P. and China Reform Conson Soochow Overseas Fund I L.P., which are in turn sponsored mainly by China Reform Holdings Corporation Ltd (CRHC), a stated-owned investment company which plays a unique and crucial role in China's state-owned assets management and restructuring process.

CEL was listed [SGX:CEE] on 22 April 2004. For more information, please log on www.citicenvirotech.com

For analyst and media queries:
August Consulting
Tel: +65 6733 8873
Wrisney Tan, wrisneytan@august.com.sg
Zavier Ong, zavierong@august.com.sg


 
Copyright 2018 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

Frasers Centrepoint Trust 3Q/2018 DPU up 1.8% to 3.053 cents

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- Enhanced Northpoint City North Wing leads net property income growth
- 9 months year-to-date DPU of 9.153 cents is 2.5% higher year-on-year

SINGAPORE, Jul 25, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Frasers Centrepoint Asset Management Ltd. (FCAM), the manager of Frasers Centrepoint Trust (FCT), is pleased to announce distribution per unit (DPU) of 3.053 cents for the period from 1 April to 30 June 2018 (3Q18), up 1.8% y-o-y. This brings the nine months year-to-date DPU to 9.153 cents, 2.5% higher than the same period a year ago.

Unitholders can expect to receive their DPU for 3Q18 on 29 August 2018. The Ex-Date is 30 July 2018 and the Books Closure Date is 1 August 2018.
 
SUMMARY OF 3Q/2018 RESULTS

3Q18 3Q17 % 9M18 9M17 %
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Gross revenue 48,320 43,555 10.9% 144,836 133,347 8.6%
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Net property income 35,005 30,785 13.7% 104,309 94,976 9.8%
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Dist to unitholders 28,282 27,673 2.2% 84,764 82,316 3.0%
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Dist per unit (cents) 3.053 3.00 1.8% 9.153 8.93 2.5%
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- Growth driven by the larger malls

Gross revenue for 3Q18 was up 10.9% y-o-y to $48.3 million on higher contributions from the three larger malls in the portfolio. Northpoint City North Wing's 3Q18 revenue[1] was up 35.9% y-o-y with higher occupancy and rental revenue, while Causeway Point and Changi City Point also delivered better performance with 3.8% and 15.8% revenue growth, respectively. Net property income for 3Q18 was $35.0 million, up 13.7% y-o-y as revenue growth for the quarter outpaced the 4.3% increase in property expenses.

- Financial position remains solid

FCT's financial position remains solid with gearing level at 29.3% as at 30 June 2018 and the weighted average debt maturity stood at 2.2 years. The all-in average cost of borrowings was 2.5%. FCT has approximately 55%[2] of its borrowings on fixed or hedged-to-fixed interest rates. Net asset value and net tangible value per Unit was stable at $2.02.

- Average portfolio rental reversion at +5.0%

During 3Q18, 37 leases accounting for 4.6% of FCT's total net lettable area were renewed at an average rental reversion of +5.0%. Northpoint City North Wing registered rental reversion of +25.8%, due substantially to the one lease which accounted for approximately 50% of the mall's net lettable area (NLA) due for renewal during the quarter. Other malls which registered positive rental reversions include Causeway Point (+3.5%), Changi City Point (+7.5%), Bedok Point (+6.2%) and YewTee Point (+2.5%). Anchorpoint recorded negative rental reversion of 32.8% on lease renewals for two small units which accounted for 1.3% of the mall's NLA.

- The 9 months year-to-date average portfolio rental reversion stood at +4.2%.

Portfolio occupancy as at 30 June 2018 was 94.0%, higher than 87.1% in June 2017, mainly due to occupancy improvement at Northpoint City North Wing.

- Improved shopper traffic at the larger malls

3Q18 portfolio shopper traffic, excluding Northpoint City North Wing, was up 1.2% y-o-y. The larger malls Causeway Point and Changi City Point saw an average increase of 5% in shopper traffic, while the smaller malls saw lower traffic. The portfolio tenants' sales for March to May 2018 was up 3.4% y-o-y, mainly due to Northpoint City North Wing and Changi City Point but the increase was offset by lower tenant sales at the remaining malls in the portfolio.

- CEO's comments

Dr Chew Tuan Chiong, Chief Executive, Officer of the Manager, said, "FCT continues to maintain steady performance and stable DPU growth. We are pleased that the three larger malls, which account for nearly 90% of FCT's net property income, continue to register good growth momentum and higher shopper traffic. Northpoint City North Wing experienced strong tenants' sales growth and the occupancy is expected to improve to around 97% from current 92.5% as we have secured pre-committed leases. Changi City Point is also seeing shopper traffic growth and tenants' sales."

- Outlook

Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales index increased 2.2% y-o-y in May 2018. Overall financial performance of the Trust continues to benefit from the successful completion of asset enhancement at Northpoint City North Wing.

[1] Includes Yishun 10 Retail Podium
[2] The percentage of borrowing on fixed or hedged to fixed interest rates increased to 63.9% subsequent 30 June 2018, after FCT entered into an interest rate swap transaction in July 2018 for one of its bank borrowings.

About Frasers Centrepoint Trust

Frasers Centrepoint Trust (FCT) is a leading developer-sponsored retail real estate investment trust (REIT). FCT's property portfolio comprises the following suburban retail properties in Singapore: Causeway Point, Northpoint City North Wing (including Yishun 10 Retail Podium), Anchorpoint, YewTee Point, Bedok Point and Changi City Point. The combined appraised value of FCT's property portfolio is $2.7 billion as at 30 June 2018. FCT malls are strategically located in various established residential townships, and have a large and diversified tenant base covering a wide variety of trade sectors. FCT also holds a 31.15% stake in Hektar Real Estate Investment Trust, a retail-focused REIT in Malaysia listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad.

FCT is focused on increasing shareholder value by pursuing organic, enhancement and acquisition growth strategies. With proactive lease management initiatives, FCT is well placed to achieve sustainable rental growth. To unlock the full potential of its assets, FCT continues to enhance existing assets to maximise their performance. The potential acquisitions of new assets will help FCT gain greater scale and drive further income growth for unitholders.

Listed on the Main Board of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited since 5 July 2006, FCT is managed by Frasers Centrepoint Asset Management Ltd., a real estate management company and a subsidiary of Frasers Property Limited. For more information on FCT, please visit www.fct.sg.

About Frasers Property Limited

Frasers Property Limited (Frasers Property), is a multi-national company that owns, develops and manages a diverse, integrated portfolio of properties. Listed on the Main Board of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (SGX-ST) and headquartered in Singapore, the Company is organised around five asset classes with total assets of S$30 billion as at 31 March 2018.

Frasers Property's assets range from residential, retail, commercial and business parks, to logistics and industrial in Singapore, Australia, Europe, China and Southeast Asia. Its well-established hospitality business owns and/or operates serviced apartments and hotels in over 80 cities across Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Company is unified by its commitment to deliver enriching and memorable experiences for customers and stakeholders, leveraging knowledge and capabilities from across markets and property sectors, to deliver value in its multiple asset classes.

Frasers Property is also the sponsor of three real estate investment trusts and one stapled trust listed on the SGX-ST. Frasers Centrepoint Trust, Frasers Commercial Trust, and Frasers Logistics & Industrial Trust are focused on retail properties, office and business space properties and business parks, logistics and industrial properties respectively. Frasers Hospitality Trust (comprising Frasers Hospitality Real Estate Investment Trust and Frasers Hospitality Business Trust) is a stapled trust focused on hospitality properties. For more information on Frasers Property, please visit www.frasersproperty.com.

FOR MEDIA QUERIES, PLEASE CONTACT:

Frasers Centrepoint Asset Management Ltd
Mr Chen Fung Leng
Vice President, Investor Relations
T +65 62772657
E fungleng.chen@frasersproperty.com


 
Copyright 2018 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

WeR1 client Grand Banks strikes Gold for Investor Relations at Singapore Corporate Awards

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L-R: Lai Kwok Kin, Managing Director, WeR1 Consultants Pte Ltd; Chiam Heng Huat, Chief Financial Officer, Grand Banks Yachts Limited; Mark Jonathon Richards, Chief Executive Officer, Grand Banks Yachts Limited; Grace Yew, Consultant, WeR1 Consultants Pte Ltd
SINGAPORE, Jul 26, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Regional Investor Relations (IR) specialist WeR1 Consultants are pleased to announce that its client, Grand Banks Yachts Limited, has won Best Investor Relations at the Singapore Corporate Awards 2018, clinching the Gold Award in the Small Cap category.

Mr. Mark Richards, CEO of SGX-listed Grand Banks Yachts, collected the award at a gala dinner at Resorts World Sentosa, on July 18. The event was attended by Guest-of-Honour Singapore Minister Ng Chee Meng, who is also Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress.

Grand Banks appointed WeR1 as its investor relations partner in May 2012, prior to Mr. Richards' appointment as CEO in 2014. Under his leadership, Grand Banks revamped its production yard in Johor, Malaysia, introduced new designs for two boat brands - Grand Banks and Palm Beach - and stepped up engagement with investors.

Over the years, WeR1 played a key role in lifting Grand Banks' public profile by initiating communications with the media and investor community, drafting comprehensive announcements for release on the SGX, and providing strategic counsel to management. In 2017, WeR1 assisted in planning and excecuting a shareholder tour of its Pasir Gudang yard in Johor as well as shareholder and analyst briefings at the Singapore Yacht Show.

Mr Lai Kwok Kin, Managing Director of WeR1, said: "We are thrilled that Grand Banks has won the top IR award for Singapore-listed small-caps, which form the majority of companies listed on the SGX. We will redouble our efforts to help Grand Banks raise its investor profile and chart a new era of growth."

The Singapore Corporate Awards were launched in 2005 and aim to raise the standards of corporate governance among listed companies in Singapore. Companies are screened based on their Singapore Governance and Transparency Index scores as well as the responsiveness of IR contacts, and shortlisted based on criteria such as positive news developments and timely, high-quality financial information.

The Awards are organised by the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants, Singapore Institute of Directors and the Business Times, with the support of the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority and the SGX.

About WeR1 Consultants
WeR1 Consultants Pte Ltd is a pan-Asian communications specialist in Investor Relations, Tech PR, Crisis Communications and Litigation PR. With offices in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, our service is distinguished by a high level of strategy led by senior consultants with decades of experience in media, capital markets and communications. For more information, please visit www.wer1.net.

About Grand Banks Yachts
With a renowned legacy that dates back to 1956, Singapore-based Grand Banks Yachts Limited is a global brand well known for its vast experience in manufacturing and selling luxury motor yachts. The Grand Banks brand is recognized across the globe for superior quality and craftsmanship which created one of the most acclaimed and highly sought-after yachts in the market today. The Group's manufacturing facility is located in Pasir Gudang in Malaysia. Grand Banks was listed on the SGX in 1987 (SGX:G50) and upgraded to the Main Board in 1993.

In August 2014, Grand Banks completed its first acquisition - of Palm Beach Motor Yacht Co Pty Ltd, a manufacturer of luxury yachts with a reputation for impeccable quality that combines cutting-edge technology and modern designs. Palm Beach has its manufacturing facility at Berkeley Vale, Sydney, Australia, and builds yachts ranging between 42 to 65 feet. For more information, visit: www.grandbanks.com and www.pbmotoryachts.com.


 
Copyright 2018 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

Eisai and Biogen Present Detailed Results from Phase II Clinical Study of Elenbecestat in MCI and Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease at AAIC 2018

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TOKYO, Jul 26, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - Eisai Co., Ltd. and Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) announced detailed results from a Phase II clinical study (Study 202) of the investigational oral BACE (beta amyloid cleaving enzyme) inhibitor elenbecestat (development code: E2609) at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2018 being held in Chicago, Illinois, United States, from July 22 to 26, 2018. This poster presentation was accepted as a Late Breaking Abstract for AAIC (Poster No.: P4-389).

Study 202 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02322021) is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled parallel-group 18-month Phase II clinical study, conducted in the United States in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's disease, or mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) with confirmed amyloid pathology by positron emission tomography (PET). Seventy patients were randomized to four treatment arms receiving elenbecestat (5, 15, or 50 mg) or placebo daily. During the study period, more than half the patients in the elenbecestat 5 mg and 15 mg arms were switched to the 50 mg arm. These patients received elenbecestat 50 mg for three months or longer. Analysis was carried out on the combination of patients in the initial 50 mg treatment arm plus the patients switched to the 50 mg arm, referred to collectively as the "50 mg total group arm" (38 patients). In addition to the primary safety objective, the study assessed amyloid pathology in the brain at 18 months as measured by amyloid PET as well as efficacy in terms of clinical symptoms, which were exploratory objectives in this study.

The primary objective of the study was to assess the safety and tolerability of elenbecestat after 18 months of treatment. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was similar between elenbecestat and placebo, and no dose-dependent response was observed for adverse events. The six most common adverse events reported were upper respiratory tract infection, abnormal dreams and nightmares, contact dermatitis, headache, diarrhea, and falls. No adverse reactions suggestive of hepatic toxicity were observed in this study.

Regarding the accumulation of amyloid in the brain at 18 months as measured by PET via quantitative evaluation of Standard Uptake Value Ratio (SUVr) using the florbetaben PET tracer (n=28), a statistically significant reduction of brain amyloid load as compared to placebo was observed in the 50 mg total group arm with a reduction in SUVr of 0.104 (p=0.011). Although a small sample size, using the florbetapir PET tracer (n=7) demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in brain amyloid load compared to placebo for the 50 mg total group arm (reduction in SUVr of 0.227) at 18 months (p=0.024).

Clinical efficacy was evaluated using the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) rating scale. After 18 months of treatment, clinical assessment using CDR-SB demonstrated a mean treatment difference of -0.5 based off of an increase of 1.1 for the elenbecestat 50 mg total group arm (29 patients) versus an increase of 1.6 for the placebo group (12 patients). This represented a 31% slowing in rate of decline for the elenbecestat arm which is potentially considered to be clinically important.

Furthermore, based on information obtained from analyses of changes in CDR-SB and amyloid PET SUVr values from ADNI data, in a sub-population analysis of patients with baseline SUVr range between 1.4 and 1.9 who were identified in this study as being expected to have a higher rate of disease progression, there was 72% less decline in CDR-SB for patients in the 50 mg total group arm (n=10) versus placebo (n=5). While the study was not powered to show statistical significance compared to placebo on clinical symptoms, the results suggest that elenbecestat could slow decline in cognitive function of patients with MCI due to Alzheimer's disease, or mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease.

Elenbecestat, discovered by Eisai, has been jointly developed by Eisai and Biogen since March 2014. The two companies are currently conducting two global Phase III clinical studies (MISSION AD1/2) in early Alzheimer's disease.

This release discusses investigational uses of agents in development and is not intended to convey conclusions about efficacy or safety. There is no guarantee that such investigational agent will successfully complete clinical development or gain health authority approval.

About Elenbecestat (generic name, development code: E2609)

Elenbecestat is an oral BACE (beta amyloid cleaving enzyme) inhibitor discovered by Eisai currently being investigated in Phase III clinical studies for Alzheimer's disease. By inhibiting BACE, a key enzyme in the production of Abeta peptides, elenbecestat reduces Abeta production, which is thought to lead to a reduction in amyloid plaque formations caused by the aggregation of toxic oligomers and protofibrils in the brain. Currently, two global Phase III clinical studies (MISSION AD1/2) of elenbecestat in early Alzheimer's disease including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD/Prodromal AD and the early stages of mild AD are underway. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for the development of elenbecestat, a process designed to facilitate the development, and expedite the review of drugs to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need.

About Study 202 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02322021)

Study 202 is a placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, randomized, dose-finding study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of elenbecestat in 70 patients with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease (prodromal Alzheimer's disease) and mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. The study enrolled patients which met the core clinical research criteria of the U.S. National Institute on Aging - Alzheimer's Association for MCI due to AD or AD dementia, with an MMSE score of 16 or higher and confirmed accumulation of Abeta by PET screening. Patients were allocated to a total of four treatment arms, three for elenbecestat (5 mg/day: 17 patients, 15 mg/day: 19 patients, 50 mg/day: 17 patients) and one for placebo (17 patients). More than half the patients in the elenbecestat 5 mg and 15 mg treatment arms had their dose increased to 50 mg/day during the 18 month treatment period. Mean duration of 50 mg total group arm on 50 mg/day was 11 months. The primary objectives are safety and tolerability after 18 months. Major exploratory endpoints are the change in accumulation of Abeta as measured by amyloid PET (35 patients) and the change in dementia assessment scales including CDR-SB and ADCOMS (41 patients), at 18 months compared to baseline.

1) SUVr (Standard Uptake Value Ratio): SUVr calculates the ratio of strength of accumulation of PET tracer in a region of interest in the brain to an area of the brain (reference region) which shows low and stable accumulation of PET tracer. These SUVr values can be used to quantitatively compare and evaluate the accumulation of amyloid.
2) CDR-SB (Clinical Dementia Rating scale Sum of Boxes): The Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) is a numeric scale used to quantify the severity of symptoms of dementia. A qualified health professional assesses a patient's cognitive and functional performance in six areas: memory, orientation, judgment & problem solving, community affairs, home & hobbies, and personal care. The total score of the six areas is the score of CDR-SB, and it is an appropriate item for evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic drugs targeting early stage AD.

About the Joint Development Agreement between Eisai and Biogen for Alzheimer's Disease

Eisai and Biogen are widely collaborating on the joint development and commercialization of Alzheimer's disease treatments. Eisai serves as the lead in the co-development of elenbecestat, a BACE inhibitor, and BAN2401, an anti-amyloid beta (Abeta) protofibril antibody, while Biogen serves as the lead for co-development of aducanumab, Biogen's investigational anti-amyloid beta (Abeta) antibody for patients with Alzheimer's disease, and the companies plan to pursue marketing authorizations for the three compounds worldwide. If approved, the companies will also co-promote the products in major markets, such as the United States, the European Union and Japan.

About Biogen

At Biogen, our mission is clear: we are pioneers in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops, and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. One of the world's first global biotechnology companies, Biogen was founded in 1978 by Charles Weissmann, Heinz Schaller, Kenneth Murray, and Nobel Prize winners Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp, and today has the leading portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis; has introduced the first and only approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy; and is focused on advancing neuroscience research programs in Alzheimer's disease and dementia, neuroimmunology, movement disorders, neuromuscular disorders, pain, ophthalmology, neuropsychiatry, and acute neurology. Biogen also manufactures and commercializes biosimilars of advanced biologics.

Biogen routinely posts information that may be important to investors on its website at www.biogen.com.

About Eisai

Eisai Co., Ltd. (TSE:4523; ADR:ESALY) is a research-based human health care (hhc) company that discovers, develops and markets products throughout the world. Eisai focuses its efforts in three therapeutic areas: integrative neuroscience, including neurology and psychiatric medicines; integrative oncology, which encompasses oncotherapy and supportive-care treatments; and vascular/immunological reaction. Through a global network of research facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, Eisai actively participates in all aspects of the worldwide healthcare system. For more information about Eisai Co., Ltd., please visit www.eisai.com.

Contact:
Biogen Inc. Public Affairs Tel: +1-781-464-3260 E-mail: public.affairs@biogen.com Eisai Co., Ltd. Public Relations Department Tel: +81-(0)3-3817-5120 E-mail: Patricia_Councill@eisai.com Tel: +1-201-746-2139

Copyright 2018 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

Eisai and Biogen Announce Detailed Results of Phase II Clinical Study of BAN2401 in Early Alzheimer's Disease at AAIC 2018

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TOKYO, Jul 26, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - Eisai Co., Ltd. and Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) announced detailed results from the Phase II study (Study 201) with BAN2401, an anti-amyloid beta (Abeta) protofibril antibody, in 856 patients with early Alzheimer's disease as part of Session DT-01 "Recent Developments in Therapeutics" (Presentation number: DT-01-07) at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2018 being held in Chicago, Illinois, United States on July 25. This abstract was accepted for Late Breaking oral presentation at AAIC.

Study 201 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01767311) is a placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, randomized Phase II clinical study in 856 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's disease or mild Alzheimer's dementia (collectively known as early Alzheimer's disease) with confirmed amyloid pathology in the brain. Patients were randomized to five dose regimens, 2.5 mg/kg biweekly, 5 mg/kg monthly, 5 mg/kg biweekly, 10 mg/kg monthly and 10 mg/kg biweekly, or placebo. This study used a Bayesian Adaptive Randomization Design to automatically allocate newly enrolled patients into the study to treatment arms showing higher probability of efficacy based on the results of interim analyses.

The study assessed changes from baseline to 18 months in biomarkers measuring the underlying disease pathophysiology, including changes in amyloid accumulated in the brain as measured by amyloid PET (positron emission tomography). The clinical endpoints of Alzheimer's Disease Composite Score (ADCOMS), Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) and Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) were also assessed from baseline to 18 months of treatment.

Through Bayesian interim analyses, the highest doses of 10 mg/kg monthly and 10 mg/kg biweekly were determined to be the treatment dosages with higher efficacy early in the trial, and as a result, the proportion of patients allocated to these treatment arms was greater (placebo: 247 patients, 2.5 mg/kg biweekly: 52 patients, 5 mg/kg monthly: 51 patients, 5 mg/kg biweekly: 92 patients, 10 mg/kg monthly: 253 patients, 10 mg/kg biweekly: 161 patients). Following a regulatory request (outside of the United States) in July 2014, the allocation of APOE4 carriers to the 10 mg/kg biweekly treatment arm was restricted, resulting in fewer APOE4 carriers in this arm and more patients being allocated to the 10 mg/kg monthly treatment arm.

BAN2401 demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in amyloid plaques as measured by amyloid PET, and this reduction was statistically significant at all doses. At the highest dose of BAN2401 (10 mg/kg biweekly), Eisai Co., Ltd. Biogen Inc. an analysis of amyloid accumulated in the brain using standardized PET as measured on the Centiloid scale showed an observed mean at baseline of 74.5 and at 18 months of 5.5. Using a Mixed-effects Model with Repeated Measures (MMRM), the mean reduction in amyloid load was 70 units, which was statistically significant (p
Conventional statistical methods on predefined clinical endpoints at the 18 month final efficacy time point confirmed a dose-dependent slowing in cognitive decline from baseline on ADCOMS. The highest treatment dose of 10 mg/kg biweekly demonstrated a statistically significant slowing of clinical decline of 30% compared to placebo at 18 months (p=0.034). A statistically significant slowing of decline on ADCOMS was observed as early as 6 months (p
In a Bayesian analysis of ADCOMS at 12 months, the estimated probability that the highest dose of BAN2401 slows clinical decline more than placebo was 98%. While the criteria for early success at 12 months was pre-specified as an 80% or higher estimated probability of demonstrating a clinically significant difference (a 25% or greater slowing in clinical decline) from baseline compared to placebo, the actual probability for this criteria was 64% according to Bayesian analysis.

A dose-dependent increase in Abeta levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients on BAN2401 (highest dose at 18 months: p
BAN2401 demonstrated an acceptable tolerability profile through 18 months of study drug administration. The incidence rate of treatment-related adverse events was 26.5% for the placebo arm, 53.4% for the 10 mg/kg monthly treatment arm and 47.2% for the 10 mg/kg biweekly treatment arm. The most common treatment emergent adverse events were Amyloid Related Imaging Abnormalities (ARIA) and infusion-related reactions. Incidence of ARIA-E (edema) was 9.9% at the highest treatment dose, and not more than 10% in any of the treatment arms. Incidence of ARIA-E in APOE4 carriers was 14.6% at the highest dose. Per protocol, all patients presenting with ARIA-E on MRI were discontinued in the study. The incidence rate of serious adverse events was 17.6% for the placebo arm, 12.3% for the 10 mg/kg monthly treatment arm and 15.5% for the 10 mg/kg biweekly arm.

This release discusses investigational uses of an agent in development and is not intended to convey conclusions about efficacy or safety. There is no guarantee that any investigational uses of such product will successfully complete clinical development or gain health authority approval.

About BAN2401

BAN2401 is a humanized monoclonal antibody for Alzheimer's disease that is the result of a strategic research alliance between Eisai and BioArctic. BAN2401 selectively binds to neutralize and eliminate soluble, toxic Abeta aggregates that are thought to contribute to the neurodegenerative process in Alzheimer's disease. As such, BAN2401 may have the potential to have an effect on disease pathology and to slow down the progression of the disease. Eisai obtained the global rights to study, develop, manufacture and market BAN2401 for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease pursuant to an agreement concluded with BioArctic in December 2007. In March 2014, Eisai and Biogen entered into a joint development and commercialization agreement for BAN2401 and the parties amended that agreement in October 2017.

About Study 201

Study 201 is a placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, randomized Phase II clinical study in 856 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's disease or mild Alzheimer's dementia (collectively known as early Alzheimer's disease) with confirmed amyloid pathology in the brain. This study used Bayesian Adaptive Randomization Design to automatically allocate newly enrolled patients into the study to treatment arms showing higher probability of efficacy based on the results of interim analyses. The study design included five dose regimens and placebo, and considered the efficacy of BAN2401 as an exploratory endpoint as well as dose responsiveness through 16 interim analyses that assessed potential for early success, an analysis based on ADCOMS at 12 months, and a comprehensive final analysis at 18 months. Patients who received treatment with BAN2401 were randomized to five dose regimens, 2.5 mg/kg biweekly (52 patients), 5 mg/kg monthly (51 patients), 5 mg/kg biweekly (92 patients), 10 mg/kg monthly (253 patients), or and 10 mg/kg biweekly (161 patients). Biomarker endpoints included changes in Abeta accumulated in the brain as measured by amyloid PET (positron emission tomography) as well as in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), while ADCOMS (Alzheimer's Disease Composite Score), Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) were measured as efficacy endpoints (clinical).

About ADCOMS

Developed by Eisai, ADCOMS (AD Composite Score) combines items from the ADAS-Cog (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale), CDR-SB (Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes) and the MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) scales to enable a sensitive detection of changes in clinical functions of early Alzheimer's disease symptoms and changes in memory. This Study 201 utilizes ADCOMS as its key endpoint for assessing clinical symptoms.

About Amyloid PET Imaging

Amyloid PET (Positron Emission Tomography) imaging is a diagnostic method that enables the visualization of amyloid plaque present in the brain as well as the quantitative evaluation of amyloid plaque distribution and accumulation in the brain via administration of a minute amount of PET tracer, which specifically binds to amyloid plaque and marks it with positron. Amyloid PET imaging enables the assessment of pathology change and assistance of diagnosis of patients with Alzheimer's-disease including MCI, and estimates the clinical effect of disease modifiers based on the amyloid hypothesis. SUVr (Standard Uptake Value Ratio) calculates the ratio of strength of accumulation of PET tracer in a region of interest in the brain to an area of the brain (reference region) which shows low and stable accumulation of PET tracer. These SUVr values can be used to quantitatively compare and evaluate the accumulation of amyloid. When integrating and assessing biomarkers of the change in Abeta accumulation measured by different tracers, it is necessary to compensate for the differences in measured values between the PET tracers. This has led to the development of a 100-point scale by the GAIIN Centiloid project, termed "Centiloid," which is an average value of zero in "high certainty" amyloid negative subjects and an average of 100 in "typical" Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients (Klunk et al., 2015). In this study, this Centiloid scale was used to standardize SUVr measurement values to evaluate the decrease in amyloid burden.

About the Joint Development Agreement between Eisai and Biogen for Alzheimer's Disease

Eisai and Biogen are widely collaborating on the joint development and commercialization of Alzheimer's disease treatments. Eisai serves as the lead in the co-development of elenbecestat, a BACE inhibitor, and BAN2401, an anti- amyloid beta (Abeta) protofibril antibody, while Biogen serves as the lead for co-development of aducanumab, Biogen's investigational anti-amyloid beta (Abeta) antibody for patients with Alzheimer's disease, and the companies plan to pursue marketing authorizations for the three compounds worldwide. If approved, the companies will also co-promote the products in major markets, such as the United States, the European Union and Japan.

As to BAN2401 and elenbecestat, both companies will equally split overall costs, including research and development expenses. Eisai will book all sales for elenbecestat and BAN2401 following marketing approval and launch, and profits will be equally shared between the companies.

About Biogen

At Biogen, our mission is clear: we are pioneers in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. One of the world's first global biotechnology companies, Biogen was founded in 1978 by Charles Weissman, Heinz Schaller, Kenneth Murray and Nobel Prize winners Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp, and today has the leading portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis; has introduced the first and only approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy; and is focused on advancing neuroscience research programs in Alzheimer's disease and dementia, neuroimmunology, movement disorders, neuromuscular disorders, pain, ophthalmology, neuropsychiatry, and acute neurology. Biogen also manufactures and commercializes biosimilars of advanced biologics.

Biogen routinely posts information that may be important to investors on its website at www.biogen.com.

About BioArctic AB

BioArctic AB (publ) is a Swedish research-based biopharma company focusing on disease modifying treatments and reliable biomarkers and diagnostics for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The company also develops a potential treatment for Complete Spinal Cord Injury. BioArctic focuses on innovative treatments in areas with high unmet medical needs. The company was founded in 2003 based on innovative research from Uppsala University, Sweden. Collaborations with universities are of great importance to the company together with our strategically important global partners in the Alzheimer (Eisai) and Parkinson (AbbVie) projects. The project portfolio is a combination of fully funded projects run in partnership with global pharmaceutical companies and innovative in-house projects with significant market- and out-licensing potential. BioArctic's B-share is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm Mid Cap (STO:BIOA B). www.bioarctic.com.

About Eisai

Eisai Co., Ltd. (TSE:4523; ADR:ESALY) is a research-based human health care (hhc) company that discovers, develops and markets products throughout the world. Eisai focuses its efforts in three therapeutic areas: integrative neuroscience, including neurology and psychiatric medicines; integrative oncology, which encompasses oncotherapy and supportive-care treatments; and vascular/immunological reaction. Through a global network of research facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, Eisai actively participates in all aspects of the worldwide healthcare system. For more information about Eisai Co., Ltd., please visit www.eisai.com.

Contact:
Biogen Inc. Public Affairs Tel: +1-781-464-3260 E-mail: public.affairs@biogen.com Eisai Co., Ltd. Public Relations Department Tel: +81-(0)3-3817-5120 Eisai Inc. Public Relations Department Tel: +1-551-262-2686

Copyright 2018 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

Watts Miners Start a New Era in Cryptocurrency Mining

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Watts Miners has recently launched three new and advanced mining rigs that look all set to bring about a radical change in the way cryptocurrency mining is done. Designed for multiple algorithms, these extremely powerful miners are easy to use

NEW YORK, NY, Jul 26, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Watts Miners ( www.wminers.com ) is pleased to announce the formal launch of three new mining rigs with capabilities to take the global crypto space by storm. Led by some of the most experienced specialists in the cryptocurrency mining industry, Watts Miners has utilized ASIC chip technology to deliver three introductory products that are pre-configured for ease of use and promise return on investment within just one month.

The three new miners from Watts Miners are named Watts Mini, Watts Miner, and Watts Rack. Each of these miners are built and designed to operate under multiple algorithms. Apart from Bitcoin, they are capable of mining Litecoin, Ethereum, Monero, and Dash. The company has put together a brilliant hardware design to come up with products that will stand apart from the rest by delivering high hash rates and low power consumption. Prior to the launch of the product, each miner has been thoroughly evaluated, prototyped, and pressure tested under extreme conditions.

The most noteworthy feature of the new miners from Watts Miners is their high hash rate power:
* Watts Mini: Bitcoin 120 TH/s, Litecoin 30 GH/s, Ethereum 4 GH/s, Monero 200 KH/s, and Dash 1.1 TH/s
* Watts Miner: Bitcoin 250 TH/s, Litecoin 50 GH/s, Ethereum 7 GH/s, Monero 300 KH/s, and Dash 1.7 TH/s
* Watts Rack: Bitcoin 1000 TH/s, Litecoin 200 GH/s, Ethereum 28 GH/s, Monero 1200 KH/s, and Dash 6.8 TH/s

Some other impressive features of these miners include
* Most effective closed-loop cooling system
* Can be installed at living zones because of low noise level
* Noiseless Fans with improved aerodynamics of the blades and built-in anti-vibration pad
* Radiators with more than 15% increased rib area
* Silent high-pressure pumps
* Durability of more than 70,000 hours of working
* Power consumption of 800W+/-10%, 1200W+/-10%, and (1200W+/-10%) x 4 for the three models

"We made it easier for the common man to join the mining game. All you have to do is just plug in the socket and start mining," says David Anderson, the CEO of Watts Miners.

To find out more about Watts Miners and their exquisite range of products, please visit http://wminers.com/.

About Watts Miners:

Watts Miners is a manufacturer of high-quality cryptocurrency miners that deliver extremely high hash power without consuming a lot of power. Their team comprises of several top level professionals from renowned organizations such as Samsung, Microsoft, IBM, and many others. Headquartered in New York, the company currently has manufacturing facilities in USA, Germany, China and Russia.

Contact Information:
Watts Miners Inc.
Nancy Lopez
Tel: 929-220-9148
Email: info@wminers.com

This press release was issued through EmailWire.com - a global newswire with press release distribution services. For more information, go to http://www.emailwire.com.

 
Copyright 2018 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

CNH Industrial - 2018 Second Quarter Results

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The following is an extract from the "CNH Industrial 2018 second quarter results" press release. The complete press release can be accessed by visiting the media section of the CNH Industrial corporate website: cnhindustrial.com/en-us/media/press_releases/ or consulting the accompanying PDF:

LONDON, Jul 26, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - CNH Industrial reported 2018 second quarter consolidated revenues up 15% to $8.0 billion, with net income up 73% to $408 million, or $0.29 per share. Net industrial debt decreased by 33% to $1.3 billion.

- Industrial Activities net sales increased 16% (up 13% on a constant currency basis) primarily driven by double-digit improvements in the Agricultural and Construction Equipment segments
- Adjusted EBIT of Industrial Activities increased 44% to $571 million, with a 7.5% margin (up 1.4 percentage points). Adjusted EBITDA of Industrial Activities at $843 million, with an 11.1% margin
- Adjusted net income was $397 million (a $142 million increase, or up 56%, compared to the second quarter of 2017), with adjusted diluted EPS of $0.28 (up $0.10 per share)
- Net industrial debt was $1.3 billion at June 30, 2018, $0.6 billion lower than at March 31, 2018, as a result of a strong operating cash generation in the quarter (up 58% compared to the second quarter of 2017)
- Full year guidance updated as follows: net sales of Industrial Activities unchanged at approximately $28 billion, adjusted diluted EPS increased to between $0.67 and $0.71 per share. Net industrial debt guidance improved to between $0.7 billion and $0.9 billion

Attachment
20180726_PR_CNH_Industrial_Q2_2018 https://bit.ly/2v7Iz6i

 
Copyright 2018 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

NANOBIOTIX signs a 40M EUR non-dilutive financing agreement with the European Investment Bank

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- Acceleration of company's priorities in head & neck clinical development and market preparation
- Non-dilutive funding to expand the Company cash visibility beyond 2019

Paris, France and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, Jul 27, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - NANOBIOTIX (Euronext: NANO - ISIN: FR0011341205), a late clinical-stage nanomedicine company pioneering new approaches in the treatment of cancer, announced today that the Company launched a non-dilutive financial partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to boost its research, development and innovation activities.

The financing agreement will allow the Company to borrow up to 40M EUR through loan over the coming five years subject to achieving a set of agreed performance criteria.

The transaction with Nanobiotix was made possible by the support of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI). EFSI is the central pillar of the Investment Plan for Europe, under which the EIB Group and the European Commission aim to act as strategic partners to boost the competitiveness of the European economy.

This financing agreement will enable Nanobiotix to accelerate both the development of NBTXR3 clinical trial in the head and neck cancers indication and to support the European go-to-market strategy.

The financing structure has been tailored to Nanobiotix specific needs thanks to the EU guarantee under the Juncker Plan, which key objectives include supporting innovative companies and helping their development in Europe but also to the EIB's financial expertise in this type of operation.

Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis said: "Cancer is the second-highest cause of death in the EU and with Europe's ageing population, fighting cancer will undoubtedly remain a priority in the years to come. We need to have innovative and dedicated research to always be in search of new treatments. Nanoparticle based cancer treatment research funding is one example of how serious we are in fighting cancer, with the significant support from the EIB to finance research and innovation."

"This project is a great fit with the Juncker Plan and is very important for European innovation." emphasised EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle. "Innovation, and support for innovative companies, is what the EU guarantee under the Investment Plan for Europe is about, and financing research into cancer treatment is one of the most rewarding things a Bank can do. The EIB's mission is to improve people's lives, I think this is an excellent example of that."

Philippe Mauberna, CFO Nanobiotix, added: "We are pleased to have the European Investment Bank on board as a new financing partner. This loan will significantly enhance our financial visibility without diluting our shareholders in the medium term. This new partnership is another value recognition of the product the Company wants to bring to market to help millions of cancer patients."

About NBTXR3
NBTXR3 is a first-in-class product designed to destroy, when activated by radiotherapy:
- tumors through physical cell death
- metastasis due to immunogenic cell death leading to activation of the immune system.

NBTXR3 has a high degree of biocompatibility, requires one single administration before the whole radiotherapy treatment and has the ability to fit into current worldwide standards of radiation care.

The broad clinical program includes 10 patient population evaluated in 7 clinical trials.

In June 2018, the company has established the human proof of concept on this First in class product in Soft tissue Sarcoma Phase III clinical trial.

NBTXR3 is actively being evaluated in head and neck cancer with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx in elderly and frail patients unable to receive chemotherapy or cetuximab with very limited therapeutic options. The Phase I/II trial has already delivered very promising results regarding the local control of the tumors.

Nanobiotix is running an Immuno-Oncology development program. In the U.S., the Company received the FDA's approval to launch a clinical study of NBTXR3 activated by radiotherapy in combination with anti-PD1 antibodies in lung, and head and neck cancer patients (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer).

The other ongoing studies are treating patients with liver cancers (hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastasis), locally advanced or unresectable rectal cancer in combination with chemotherapy, head and neck cancer in combination with concurrent chemotherapy, and prostate adenocarcinoma.

The first market authorization process (CE Marking) is ongoing in Europe in the soft tissue sarcoma indication.

About NANOBIOTIX - www.nanobiotix.com
Incorporated in 2003, Nanobiotix is a leading, late clinical-stage nanomedicine company pioneering new approaches to significantly change patient outcomes by bringing nanophysics to the heart of the cell.

The Nanobiotix philosophy is one rooted in designing pioneer physical based approaches to bring highly effective and generalized solutions to address high unmet medical needs and challenges.

The Company's first-in-class, proprietary lead technology, NanoXray, aims to expand radiotherapy benefits for millions of cancer patients. Furthermore, the Company's Immuno-Oncology program has the potential to bring a new dimension to cancer immunotherapies.

Nanobiotix is listed on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris (Euronext: NANO / ISIN: FR0011341205; Bloomberg: NANO: FP). The Company's Headquarters are based in Paris, France, with a U.S. affiliate in Cambridge, MA, and European affiliates in Spain and Germany.

About the European Investment Bank (EIB) - http://www.eib.org
Created by the Treaty of Rome in 1958, the EIB is the European Union's bank, which, together with its dedicated SME support subsidiary the European Investment Fund (EIF), forms the EIB Group.

The EIB Group is a key player in reviving Europe's - and particularly France's - economy through investment. Thanks to its reliable expertise and the financial attractiveness of its AAA rating, the EIB Group has doubled the volume of its activities in France since 2012 (reaching EUR 8.6bn in 2017), not only supporting businesses and innovation but also financing investment in strategic sectors such as climate action, energy, healthcare, housing, education for young people and training infrastructure. Since 2015, the EIB Group has been the operator of the Investment Plan for Europe, commonly known as the Juncker Plan.

The Investment Plan for Europe, or Juncker Plan, is one of Jean-Claude Juncker's Commission's top priorities. It focuses on boosting investments in Europe to create jobs and growth by making smarter use of new and existing financial resources, removing obstacles to investment and providing greater visibility and technical assistance to investment projects. The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), which is the central pillar of the Investment Plan for Europe, enables the EIB Group to invest in more, often riskier, projects with high added value.

Contact

Nanobiotix
Sarah Gaubert
Director, Communication & Public Affairs
+33 (0)1 40 26 07 55
sarah.gaubert@nanobiotix.com / contact@nanobiotix.com

Noel Kurdi
Director, Investor Relations
+1 (646) 241-4400
noel.kurdi@nanobiotix.com / investors@nanobiotix.com

Ricky Bhajun
Investor Relations Europe
+33 (0)1 79 97 29 99
ricky.bhajun@nanobiotix.com / investors@nanobiotix.com

Media relations Nanobiotix
France - Springbok Consultants
Marina Rosoff
+33 (0)6 71 58 00 34
marina@springbok.fr

United States - RooneyPartners
Marion Janic
+1 (212) 223-4017
mjanic@rooneyco.com

EIB Press contact
Tim Smit
t.smit@eib.org
tel.: +352 4379 89076;
mobile: +352 691 28 64 23

Website: www.eib.org/press
Press Office:
+352 4379 21000
press@eib.org

Disclaimer
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Nanobiotix and its business. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Nanobiotix considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be verified, which estimates are subject to numerous risks including the risks set forth in the reference document of Nanobiotix filed with the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorite des Marches Financiers) under number D.17-0470 on April 28, 2017 as well as in its 2017 annual financial report filed with the French Financial Markets Authority on March 29, 2018 (a copy of which is available on www.nanobiotix.com) and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Nanobiotix operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Nanobiotix or not currently considered material by Nanobiotix. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of Nanobiotix to be materially different from such forward-looking statements.

###

This press release and the information that it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe for, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for, Nanobiotix shares in any country. At the moment NBTXR3 does not bear a CE mark and is not permitted to be placed on the market or put into service until NBTXR3 has obtained a CE mark.

 
Copyright 2018 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

Eastman Announces Second-Quarter 2018 Financial Results

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KINGSPORT, Tenn., Jul 27, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) today announced reported earnings of $2.39 per diluted share for second quarter 2018 versus $2.00 per diluted share for second quarter 2017. Adjusted earnings were $2.22 per diluted share for second quarter 2018 versus $1.98 per diluted share for second quarter 2017. For detail of the adjustments and reconciliation to reported company and segment earnings for all periods presented, see Tables 3A and 4A.

"In second quarter, we delivered an 8 percent increase in revenue and strong earnings growth," said Mark Costa, Board Chair and CEO. "A significant contributor to the higher revenue was increased sales volume, with compelling 8 percent volume growth in the Additives & Functional Products and Advanced Materials segments driven by our innovation-led strategy. We remain confident that execution of our strategy will result in continued outstanding results going forward."

Press release: https://bit.ly/2JY7te7

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Eastman will host a conference call with industry analysts on July 27, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. ET. To listen to the live webcast of the conference call and view the accompanying slides, go to www.investors.eastman.com, Events & Presentations. To listen via telephone, the dial-in number is 719-457-1036, passcode number 2085270. A web replay, a replay in downloadable MP3 format, and the accompanying slides will be available at www.investors.eastman.com, Events & Presentations. A telephone replay will be available continuously from 11:00 a.m. ET, July 27, 2018 to 11:00 a.m. ET, August 6, 2018 at 888-203-1112 or 719-457-0820, passcode 2085270.

Eastman is a global advanced materials and specialty additives company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With a portfolio of specialty businesses, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. Its market-driven approaches take advantage of world-class technology platforms and leading positions in attractive end-markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. Eastman focuses on creating consistent, superior value for all stakeholders. As a globally diverse company, Eastman serves customers in more than 100 countries and had 2017 revenues of approximately $9.5 billion. The company is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA and employs approximately 14,000 people around the world. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

Contacts:
Media: Tracy Kilgore Addington
423-224-0498 / tracy@eastman.com

Investors: Greg Riddle
212-835-1620 / griddle@eastman.com

EMN 2018.06.30 CC Tables 7.26.18 http://hugin.info/150386/R/2207596/858440.pdf

###

This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Eastman Chemical Company via Globenewswire

 
Copyright 2018 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

Hitachi Automotive Systems' ADAS ECU Used in Mitsubishi Motors' eK Series

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Mitsubishi Motors' eK Series with Improved Preventative Safety Feature (pictured above is the eK Wagon "T Safety Package")
ADAS ECU
TOKYO, Jul 27, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. today announced that its Advanced Driver Assistance System Electronic Control Unit (ADAS ECU) was selected for use in Mitsubishi Motors Corporation's eK Series vehicles, which refers to three models: the eK Wagon, eK Custom and eK Space. The eK Series with improved preventative safety functions is a mini vehicle that went on sale in May of 2018.

The ADAS ECU is an integrated control for all the functions of numerous advanced driving support systems, such as the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system, the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system, the Lane Departure Warning system (LDW), etc., within a single controller.

Hitachi Automotive Systems developed the ADAS ECU in 2007 based on the drive control technology accumulated through approximately 40 years of developing market performing Engine Control Units(1). And, from 2009, the ECU has been equipped on numerous mass-produced models. At this time, Mitsubishi Motors has decided to equip their eK Series with the ADAS ECU, acknowledging its high market evaluations.

As a standard feature, Mitsubishi Motors' eK Series is equipped with autonomous emergency braking systems that reduce damage or avoid collisions with alarms and automatic breaks whenever there is a danger of collision with preceding vehicles or pedestrians. Also, in addition to the AEB system that prevents collisions and the already existing erroneous start prevention feature (when driving forward), advanced driving systems such as collision mitigation avoidance assistance for drivers who accidentally press the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal, with added capabilities for driving in reverse or avoiding pedestrians (when driving forward), are equipped on all models. These vehicles are aimed at elderly drivers and equipped with advanced technology that supports safe driving. They meet the nationally recommended new safety concept of "Safety Support Car S (Support Car S) Basic Plus."

Also, the upper model with standard equipment is also equipped with the LDW system that displays a warning light on the driver's meter and warning sounds to the driver in the case of an unintentional lane departure, and meets the "Support Car S Wide."

Hitachi Automotive Systems is supporting these Support Car S vehicles' preventative safety functions with ADAS ECU technology, and moving forward, will continue contributing to preventing traffic accidents caused by drivers including the elderly and accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists.

(1) Engine Control Unit: A controller that, when controlling the engine using supporting electrical devices, comprehensively controls those parts and devices.

About Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.

Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company is engaged in the development, manufacture, sales and services of automotive components, transportation related components, industrial machines and systems, and offers a wide range of automotive systems including engine powertrain systems, electric powertrain systems and integrated vehicle control systems. For more information, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi-automotive.co.jp/en/

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society's challenges with our talented team and proven experience in global markets. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2014 (ended March 31, 2015) totaled 9,761 billion yen ($81.3 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes power & infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, construction machinery, high functional materials & components, automotive systems, healthcare and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at www.hitachi.com.

Contact:
Hitachi Ltd Corporate Communications Tel: +81-3-3258-1111

Copyright 2018 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

Mitsubishi Corporation Reaches Final Investment Decision on Quellaveco Copper Mine Project

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TOKYO, Jul 27, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) is pleased to announce that it has reached a final investment decision with Anglo American plc (AA) for the development of the Quellaveco copper mine project in Peru (Quellaveco).

Quellaveco is being developed by Anglo American Quellaveco S.A. (AAQSA), a joint venture owned by MC and AA. MC has agreed with AA to acquire an additional 21.9% equity interest in AAQSA, thereby increasing the proportion of its total interest in AAQSA to 40%(1).

Development of the project will commence once the transaction closes in August 2018, with the start of copper production slated for 2022. Development is expected to carry a capital cost of US$5.0 to 5.3 billion and MC will fund its equity pro-rata portion of 40%.

Given its current level of involvement in world-class copper mining assets that have high resource volumes and quality as well as potential for expansion, copper constitutes one of the core areas of MC's resources business. Quellaveco, one of the world's largest undeveloped copper deposits, contains approximately 7.5 million tonnes (content metal basis) of copper in Ore Reserves and is highly cost competitive.

This transaction is expected to increase MC's attributable copper production by approximately 120 thousand tonnes per year, which is equivalent to 50% of MC's existing attributable copper production, and will contribute to strengthening the company's copper investment portfolio.

Growth in global copper demand is expected to remain steady, fueled by the development of power networks and other infrastructure in emerging countries and by growth in the global electric vehicle market centered around China and Europe. Through the successful development of Quellaveco, MC aims to continue providing a stable supply of copper over the long-term and in keeping with the needs of society. MC remains committed to fulfilling the expectations of its stakeholders and the pursuit of sustainable growth while at the same simultaneously generating economic, social, and environmental value.

(1) MC will acquire an additional 21.9% equity interest for a consideration of US$500 million. An additional contingent consideration shall be made upon the successful achievement of two ore treatment expansions, for a total of US$100 million. MC will increase its total interest in AAQSA to 40% by way of a primary share subscription. Please refer to our press release dated on June 15, 2018 for further detail.

About Mitsubishi Corporation

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC; TSE: 8058) is a global integrated business enterprise that develops and operates businesses across virtually every industry, including industrial finance, energy, metals, machinery, chemicals, and daily living essentials. MC's current activities have expanded far beyond its traditional trading operations to include investments and business management in diverse fields including natural resources development, manufacturing of industrial goods, retail, new energy, infrastructure, finance and new technology-related businesses.

With over 200 offices and subsidiaries in 90 countries and regions worldwide and a network of approximately 1,300 group companies, MC employs a multinational workforce of over 70,000 people.

For more information, visit https://www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/

Contact:
Mitsubishi Corporation Telephone: +81 3 3210 2171 Facsimile: +81 3 5252 7705

Copyright 2018 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Senior Management Changes

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TOKYO, Jul 27, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - Effective August 1, 2018, Marie-Francoise Damesin will retire from her Human Resources leadership positions both at the Alliance and at Groupe Renault.

As regards to her HR position at the Alliance, Arun Bajaj is appointed Alliance SVP, Human Resources. He maintains his current responsibilities as Alliance Talent management and Nissan Human Resources. He will report to Carlos Ghosn.

As for her HR position at Groupe Renault, Francois Roger, who joined the company on June 1, 2018 as Deputy Director Human Resources for Groupe Renault, will be appointed Human Resources SVP, Groupe Renault. He will report to Thierry Bollore, Groupe Renault COO and he will join the Renault Management Committee.

Since 2014, as Alliance EVP for Human Resources, she participated in the development of the Alliance and its 450,000 employees through the establishment of the converged Human Resources function, the exchange of best practices, the increase of synergies and the development of talent management and diversity. During Marie Francoise Damesin's eight year tenure as head of Human Resources at Groupe Renault, she contributed to the HR strategy to develop a culture of innovation and engagement for the workforce. She put in place significant social agreements in various countries, including Cap2020 in France. In 2017, she received the Chief Human Resources Officer of the year award.

"I would like to thank Marie-Francoise Damesin for her contribution to Groupe Renault and the Alliance by supporting the sustainable performance of the companies and its 450,000 employees. Her full engagement, her loyalty and her drive have been key assets for the development of the Alliance member companies," said Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi.

Marie-Francoise Damesin

On April 1, 2014, Marie-Francoise Damesin, in addition of her responsibilities as EVP, Human Resources for Groupe Renault was appointed Alliance Executive Vice President for Human Resources reporting to C Ghosn . In this role, she was responsible for creating HR as a converged function, implementing common HR processes, finding additional synergies, exchanging on best practices and developing talent and diversity throughout the Alliance.

She began her career in 1979 as an in-house consultant at Compagnie des Wagons Lits & du Tourisme (CIWLT). In March 1984, she joined Renault SAS and held various management positions in the Organization, Marketing and Sales and Human Resources departments before joining Nissan Europe in 2001 as Vice President, Human Resources and General Affairs for the Europe Region. She was a member of Nissan Europe's Management Committee.

In November 2005, Marie-Francoise Damesin returned to Renault as Senior Vice President in charge of Communications for Renault. In November, 2010, she was appointed Groupe Renault Human Resources, Senior Vice President. She has been a member of the Renault management committee since 2005.In April 2011, Marie-Francoise Damesin joined the Executive Committee as Executive Vice President of Human Resources.

Marie-Francoise Damesin holds a MBA from ESSEC business school in France and a post-graduate degree from Paris-Dauphine University.

Arun Bajaj

Arun Bajaj was appointed Senior Vice President, Nissan Global Human Resources and Alliance Senior Vice President, Alliance Talent Management in 2015. In this role, he is responsible for ensuring that the Alliance identifies, attracts, develops and retains top leadership talent to drive business results both today and into the future. His team does this by implementing a full complement of talent management strategies across the Alliance member companies.

In 2003, Arun Bajaj was named General Counsel of Nissan Canada, Inc. and, in 2006, HR Director of Nissan North America, Inc. In 2008, he joined Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Japan) as General Manager, HR General Overseas Markets and, in 2010, as General Manager, Asia HR. In 2011, he was appointed Division General Manager, Global Talent Management, Asia HR and Infiniti HR. In 2014, he was named Corporate Vice President, Nissan Global Human Resources.

He began his career in 1995 as Legal Counsel at Ford Credit Canada, Limited and in 1999 was promoted to Legal Counsel of Ford of Canada.

Arun Bajaj holds a bachelor of Laws (LL.B) and a bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.) from McGill University in Canada. A native of Canada, Mr. Bajaj is based in Yokohama, Japan.

Francois Roger

Francois Roger joined Renault on June 1st, 2018 as Deputy to EVP, Human Resources Groupe Renault.

He spent his first years as a consultant in Total Rewards and Human Resources Management in Hay Management, now Korn Ferry Hay. Mr. Roger joined SC Johnson in 2000, as an international Compensation and Benefits Director and then held various International HR positions there. He joined Novartis in 2005 as Europe Head of HR for the animal health division. He has spent 9 years in General Electric Healthcare as a VP HR between 2008 and 2016. He supported various businesses and geographies. Lately, he was VP global Talent for BIC in Shelton, CT, USA where he supported all talent initiatives, talent acquisition, learning and development across the globe.

Francois Roger is graduated from Ecole de Management de Lyon (ESC Lyon) in 1995 in Finance and Human Resources.

About Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi:

Groupe Renault, Nissan Motor Company and Mitsubishi Motors represent the world's largest automotive alliance. It is the longest-lasting and most productive cross-cultural partnership in the auto industry. Together, the partners sold more than 10.6 million vehicles in nearly 200 countries in 2017. The member companies are focused on collaboration and maximizing synergies to boost competitiveness. They have strategic collaborations with other automotive groups, including Germany's Daimler and China's Dongfeng. This strategic alliance is the industry leader in zero-emission vehicles and is developing the latest advanced technologies, with plans to offer autonomous drive, connectivity features and services on a wide range of affordable vehicles.

About Mitsubishi Motors

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is the sixth largest automaker in Japan and the sixteenth largest in the world. It is part of the Mitsubishi keiretsu, formerly the biggest industrial group in Japan, and was formed in 1970 from the automotive division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. From October 2016, Mitsubishi is one-third owned by Nissan, and a part of the Renault - Nissan - Mitsubishi Alliance. For more information, please visit www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/index.html.

Contact:
Mitsubishi Motors Public Relations Department http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com +81-3-6852-4275

Copyright 2018 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

Doctor Smart partners with LangNet to use voice recognition to reduce the burden on doctors and detect disease through speech patterns

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Doctor Smart, a platform for telemedicine services, partners with the Language Network to use voice technology for improving the doctor patient experience and broadening access to healthcare services.

SINGAPORE, Jul 27, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Doctor Smart, global digital health ecosystem, starts its programme of researching the application of speech recognition in healthcare. Today we are proud to announce our first step - a partnership with LangNet, a decentralized, open ecosystem for language technologies.

According to a study, well over half of doctors in the U.S. are burned out, depressed, or both, and over half of all respondents in the study suggested "fewer bureaucratic tasks" as a way to alleviate burnout. Doctors are weighed down by administrative tasks - primary care doctors were found to spend more than half of their workday on EHR-related tasks. Their time would be better spent interacting with patients.

Through this partnership, Doctor Smart and LangNet will build datasets, language models, and speech systems to integrate with Doctor Smart's existing communication platform. The objective is to reduce the administrative burden on doctors by enabling automated communications and intelligently annotated transcriptions through voice recognition technology.

In line with Doctor Smart's mission to create the easiest user experience for patients, integrating with LangNet can enable patients to quickly describe their problem by speaking to a voice AI, which in turn transmits to the doctor a short description including marked key words and entities. This eliminates the need for patients typing and filling in forms and saves doctors valuable time.

Voice recognition has also shown promising results for disease diagnosis. A recent study conducted by Mayo Clinic indicates an association between voice characteristics and coronary artery disease (CAD), opening the possibility of remote estimation of the probability of CAD among patients with chest pain. Other areas of interest and research include cognitive diseases and conditions such as Alzheimer's and concussions.

Pavel Roytberg, Doctor Smart co-founder: "We believe that partnership with LangNet could give in future not just a greater user experience during online consultations but unique medical possibilities in remote diagnostics. AI and machine learning could find vocal patterns that might signal stress disorder, postpartum depression, which is widely believed to be underdiagnosed, older people with dementia, Parkinson's, coronary artery disease and others. Moreover, changes in the voice could indicate whether patients have stopped taking their medication like antidepressants, muscle relaxants, diuretics, etc."

Rob Lyu, LangNet CEO: "Doctor Smart has an innovative and user-centric approach. We hope our platform enables them to push the envelope on both user experience as well as disease diagnostics and are proud to support their mission of broadening access to healthcare".

About the companies:

Doctor Smart is an ecosystem for digital health based on unique technology. The platform uses utility tokens to ensure transparency in all transactions and make it globally scalable. Blockchain technology guarantees protection of qualification verification results against fraud. Doctor Smart aims to make quality health care available to millions of people worldwide, regardless of income level or location.

The Language Network (LangNet) is a decentralized, open ecosystem for language technologies that support voice assistants, smart speakers, chatbots and conversational agents. We enable users to contribute language data in exchange for tokens, and developers can run campaigns to rapidly crowdsource the data and models they need to build new applications in different languages and for new uses cases. Blockchain and our utility token enable us to track contributions and share value equitably and in a decentralized way across the ecosystem. More information is available on our website.

Press contacts:
Across Asia Communications Limited
Damon Kwok
Telephone: +852 3111 5182
Email: damon.kwok@acrossasia.hk



 
Copyright 2018 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank to start accepting International Payment System JCB Cards across the Republic of Armenia

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JCB expands its acceptance network in Armenia

TOKYO, Jul 27, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - JCB International Co., Ltd., the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., and ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank, one of the largest banks in Armenia, are pleased to announce that ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank has started JCB merchant acquiring operations across the country.

ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank, a leading bank in Armenia for agriculture financing, has begun servicing JCB cards in the acquiring network and in a network of self-service devices.

ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank includes 58 branches throughout Armenia, 1,400 POS-terminals, and has one of the most developed networks of ATMs in the country. The Bank provides innovative and effective financial solutions with an emphasis on the agricultural sector of the country.

JCB is one of the largest international payment brands. It has more than 110 million JCB card members in 24 countries and regions. Currently JCB cards are accepted at around 30 million merchants in the world.

Takashi Suetsugu, the General Director of JCB International (Eurasia) LLC commented: "The partnership with a leading financial bank of Armenia is a remarkable step forward for JCB to raise its presence in the CIS market. This is a significant moment for JCB card members around the world, especially for Russian JCB card members as Armenia is one of the key business and tourist destinations for Russians. In addition, as last year the visa-free regime for Japanese tourists was granted, a growing flow of tourists from Japan is also expected. The expanding of JCB card acceptance in Armenia will bring more benefits and convenience to JCB card members."

Hakob Andreasyan, the Chief Executive Director of ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank, commented: "We are glad to announce that ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank has started the servicing of JCB cards in Armenia. The whole ATM network of the Bank will soon be upgraded with the functionality to accept JCB cards and the merchants collaborating with the Bank in card servicing also have the opportunity to activate and accept JCB cards on the POS terminal devices installed in their stores. Before this an extensive acceptance of JCB cards like this was not possible in Armenia. This is a new stimulus for the development of tourism in Armenia, as tourists visiting Armenia can now freely make payments at Armenian merchants using their JCB cards, as well as withdraw cash using the Bank's ATM network and the branches. We are sure that our cooperation with JCB brand will bring a new level of convenience and opportunities for mutual customers."

About ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank

ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank is the exclusive representative of the American Express payment system in Armenia. The bank also issues and provides services for international VISA and MasterCard, as well as domestic ArCa payment cards. The bank gives an opportunity to manage accounts without visiting branches via ACBA Online system and ACBA Mobile application. The bank operates the following money transfer systems for individuals: MoneyGram, Unistream, Ria Money Transfer, Xpress Money, Sigue Money Transfer and Converse Transfer. ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank has 58 branches (including the head office): 17 in Yerevan and the rest in the 10 marzes of Armenia, and more than 170 ATMs in the entire territory of Armenia. Direct significant participants are "ACBA FEDERATION" CJSC - 72%, Credit Agricole Stock Company - 15.56% and SACAM International SJSC - 12.44%.

About JCB

JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading payment card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and card member base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to provide responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. Currently, JCB cards are accepted globally and issued in 24 countries and territories. For more information, please visit: https://www.global.jcb/en/ or http://www.ru.jcb/ru/
Note: Statistics about JCB are as of June 2018.

Contact
Narek Asatryan
ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank CJSC
Marketing Communications Division
Tel: (+374) 77 70 04 97
Email: narek.asatryan@acba.am

Kumiko Kida
JCB Co., Ltd.
Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +81-3-5778-8353
Email: jcb-pr@info.jcb.co.jp

 
Copyright 2018 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

Toyota Announces Results for June 2018 and January-June 2018

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TOKYO, Jul 27, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces its production, domestic sales, and export results, including those for subsidiaries Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. and Hino Motors, Ltd., for June 2018 and for January to June 2018.

June 2018 Key Points (year-on-year)

Production in Japan

Toyota
- First decrease in nine months

Daihatsu
- Decreased

Hino
- Ninth consecutive month of increase

Toyota + Daihatsu + Hino
- First decrease in two months

Sales in Japan

Toyota
- Decreased
- Lexus vehicle sales totaled 3,776 units (25.6 percent increase)
- Minivehicle sales totaled 3,148 units (16.2 percent increase)
- 44.4% share of market excluding minivehicles (4.6 percentage point decrease)
29.4% share of market including minivehicles (3.7 percentage point decrease)

Daihatsu
- Decreased
- Minivehicle sales totaled approximately 50,500 units (8.7% decrease)
- 31.4% share of minivehicle market (2.8 percentage point decrease)

Hino
- Third consecutive month of increase
- Standard truck sales totaled approximately 3,300 units (14.5% increase); third consecutive month of increase
- 40.8% share of the truck* market (5.2 percentage point increase)
*Maximum loading capacity of four tons or more (excluding imported trucks)

Toyota + Daihatsu + Hino
- Decreased
- 42.5% share of market including minivehicles (3.9 percentage point decrease)

Exports

Toyota
- Decreased; due to decreased exports to North America, Asia, and the Middle East

Daihatsu
- There have been no exports for Daihatsu since May 2017.

Hino
- Fifth consecutive month of increase; due to increased exports to North America, Latin America, Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa

Toyota + Daihatsu + Hino
- First decrease in eleven months
- Production Outside of Japan

Toyota
- Decreased; due to decreased production in North America, Asia, Australia, and Africa

Daihatsu
- Sixth consecutive month of increase; due to increased production in Indonesia

Hino
- Twelfth consecutive month of increase; due to increased production in Asia

Toyota + Daihatsu + Hino
- First decrease in three months

January-June 2018 Key Points (year-on-year)

Production in Japan

Toyota
- First decrease in two years

Daihatsu
- First decrease in two years

Hino
- Second consecutive year of increase

Toyota + Daihatsu + Hino
- Second consecutive year of increase

Sales in Japan

Toyota
- First decrease in three years
- Lexus vehicle sales totaled 32,913 units (49.5% decrease)
- Minivehicle sales totaled 19,775 units (31.3% increase)
- 45.0% share of market excluding minivehicles (2.1 percentage point decrease); second consecutive year of increase
- 29.2% share of market including minivehicles (1.9 percentage point decrease)

Daihatsu
- Second consecutive year of increase
- Minivehicle sales totaled approximately 319,000 units (0.4% increase); second consecutive year of increase
- 31.9% share of minivehicle market (0.8 percentage point decrease)

Hino
- Seventh consecutive year of increase
- Standard truck sales totaled approximately 18,000 units (2.2% decrease); first decrease in seven years
- 40.5% share of the truck* market (1.4 percentage point increase)
*Maximum loading capacity of four tons or more (excluding imported trucks)

Toyota + Daihatsu + Hino
- First decrease in two years
- 42.8% share of market including minivehicles (1.4 percentage point decrease)

Exports

Toyota
- Second consecutive year of increase, due to increased exports to all regions (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa)

Daihatsu
- There have been no exports for Daihatsu since May 2017.

Hino
- First increase in six years, due to increased exports to North America, Latin America, Asia,
Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa

Toyota + Daihatsu + Hino
- Second consecutive year of increase

Production Outside of Japan

Toyota
- First decrease in five years, due to decreased production in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia

Daihatsu
- Second consecutive year of increase, due to increased production in Indonesia
Hino
- Ninth consecutive year of increase, due to increased production in Asia

Toyota + Daihatsu + Hino
- First decrease in three years

About Toyota

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is the global mobility company that introduced the Prius hybrid-electric car in 1997 and the first mass-produced fuel cell sedan, Mirai, in 2014. Headquartered in Toyota City, Japan, Toyota has been making cars since 1937. Today, Toyota proudly employs 370,000 employees in communities around the world. Together, they build around 10 million vehicles per year in 29 countries, from mainstream cars and premium vehicles to mini-vehicles and commercial trucks, and sell them in more than 170 countries under the brands Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino. For more information, please visit www.toyota-global.com.

Contact:
Public Affairs Division Global Communications Department Toyota Motor Corporation Tel: +81-3-3817-9926

Copyright 2018 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

Mitsubishi Motors Announces Production, Sales and Export Figures for June 2018 and First Half of Calendar 2018

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TOKYO, Jul 27, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - Summary: June 2018

Domestic Production
- Fourth consecutive monthly year-on-year increase since February, 2018; 119.8% year-on-year

Overseas Production
- Seventh consecutive monthly year-on-year increase since November, 2017; 125.4% year-on-year

Total Production
- Thirteenth consecutive monthly year-on-year increase since May, 2017; 122.6% year-on-year

Domestic Sales
- Fifth consecutive monthly year-on-year increase since January, 2018; 112.4% year-on-year

Exports
- Seventh consecutive monthly year-on-year increase since November, 2017; 137.1% year-on-year

Supplemental Information

Overseas Production
Asia - 59,463 units; 124.0% year-on-year

Exports
Asia - 2,209 units; 133.2% year-on-year
North America - 13,224 units; 138.0% year-on-year
Europe - 12,253 units; 143.4% year-on-year

Summary: January-June 2018

Domestic Production
- First year-on-year increase in four years since first half of calender year 2014; 116.1% year-on-year

Overseas Production
- First consecutive year-on-year increase since first half of calender year 2017; 131.2% year-on-year

Total Production
- First consecutive year-on-year increase since first half of calender year 2017; 123.8% year-on-year

Domestic Sales
- First consecutive year-on-year increase since first half of calender year 2017; 116.2% year-on-year

Exports
- First year-on-year increase in two years since first half of calender year 2016; 133.6% year-on-year

Supplemental Information

Overseas Production
Asia - 371,690 units; 130.5% year-on-year

Exports
Asia - 7,642 units; 167.6% year-on-year
North America - 75,193 units; 154.0% year-on-year
Europe - 74,019 units; 149.1% year-on-year

About Mitsubishi Motors

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is the sixth largest automaker in Japan and the sixteenth largest in the world. It is part of the Mitsubishi keiretsu, formerly the biggest industrial group in Japan, and was formed in 1970 from the automotive division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. From October 2016, Mitsubishi is one-third owned by Nissan, and a part of the Renault - Nissan - Mitsubishi Alliance. For more information, please visit www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/index.html.

Contact:
Mitsubishi Motors Public Relations Department http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com +81-3-6852-4275

Copyright 2018 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

Hitachi Announces Consolidated Financial Results for the First Quarter Ended June 30, 2018

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TOKYO, Jul 27, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501) today announced its consolidated financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2018, ended June 30, 2018.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the year ending March 31, 2019, Hitachi's consolidated revenues increased 4% year over year, to 2,165.8 billion yen. The revenues increased in the Social Infrastructure & Industrial Systems segment where the railway systems business for Europe was strong in addition to the impact of acquisition of the air compressor business (Sullair) in July 2017, the High Functional Materials & Components segment where Hitachi Chemical Company, Ltd. and Hitachi Metals, Ltd. conducted M&As, the Construction Machinery segment where overseas sales rose mainly in Asia-Pacific, North America and China, and the Information & Telecommunication Systems segment where system integration business remained firm in Japan.

Adjusted operating income was 148.1 billion yen, an increase of 16.3 billion yen year over year. The increase was mainly in the Construction Machinery segment, the Social Infrastructure & Industrial Systems segment, and the Information & Telecommunication Systems segment, in which profit increased due to increase in revenues and improvement in profitability, despite the decrease in profit at the Automotive Systems segment and the High Functional Materials & Components segment.

EBIT increased 37.1 billion yen year over year, to 180.4 billion yen, due mainly to the rise in adjusted operating income and gains by selling Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. stock. Income from continuing operations, before income taxes increased 38.9 billion yen year over year, to 180.4 billion yen. After deducting income taxes of 48.9 billion yen, Hitachi posted income from continuing operations of 131.5 billion yen, up 25.1 billion yen year over year. Profit from discontinued operations increased 5.9 billion yen year over year, to 5.8 billion yen. Net income increased 31.1 billion yen year over year, to 137.4 billion yen. Net income attributable to Hitachi, Ltd. stockholders increased 30.1 billion yen year over year, to 105.2 billion yen.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society's challenges with our talented team and proven experience in global markets. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2014 (ended March 31, 2015) totaled 9,761 billion yen ($81.3 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes power & infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, construction machinery, high functional materials & components, automotive systems, healthcare and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at www.hitachi.com.

Contact:
Hitachi Ltd Corporate Communications Tel: +81-3-3258-1111

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