FORTUDE EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH INFOR TO BOOST GROWTH IN ANZ AS CHANNEL PARTNER

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- Fortude, a global digital solutions company has been appointed an Infor Channel Partner for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), marking a significant expansion of its long-standing partnership with Infor.

According to Fortude in a statement, the company has the potential to exponentially grow its business by entering the channel network space.

For over a decade, Fortude has been an Infor Alliance Partner, helping businesses in the region implement, optimise and successfully manage their Infor solutions.

“This expanded partnership allows us to deliver comprehensive end-to-end software and services from solution design to delivery, ensuring you get the full benefit of Infor’s powerful tools across ERP, supply chain, financials, and more.”

“Our new role as a Channel Partner enables us to provide a complete experience for a customer’s specific business needs, helping optimise operations, improve performance, and accelerate growth,” said Fortude Chief Revenue Officer for APAC, Cameron Greening.

Meanwhile, welcoming Fortude as a channel partner for ANZ, Infor Senior Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific and Japan, Terry Smagh expressed enthusiasm about Fortude's expanded role, highlighting the importance of strategic collaborations for Infor’s growth in the region.

Smagh explained Fortude’s expertise in vertical industries, such as food & beverage, manufacturing, and distribution, complements Infor’s multi-tenant CloudSuites with GenAI and industry-specific automation.

Fortude has worked with many long-standing customers such as Australian dairy giant Bega, ForestOne and Patties Foods, and now plans to scale its offering and broaden its experience through this channel space.

The expansion into the channel partner space further underscores the company’s continued commitment to delivering customer value, complementing its ongoing investments in services, solutions and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

-- BERNAMA

TELEDYNE LAUNCHES Z-TRAK 3D APPS STUDIO SOFTWARE TOOLS FOR IN-LINE 3D MEASUREMENT AND INSPECTION

 WATERLOO, Canada, Nov 27 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Teledyne DALSA is pleased to introduce Z-Trak™ 3D Apps Studio, a suite of software tools developed for in-line 3D machine vision applications. Designed to work with Teledyne DALSA’s Z-Trak family of laser profilers, it simplifies 3D dimensional measurement and inspection tasks on production lines. Capable of handling 3D scans of objects with varied surface types, sizes and geometric features, Z-Trak 3D Apps Studio is ideal for factory automation applications across a wide range of industries including electric vehicles (EV batteries, motor stators etc.), automotive, electronics, semiconductors, packaging, logistics, metal fabrication, lumber, and many more.

Z-Trak 3D Apps Studio features streamlined tools for measuring object thickness, inspecting glue-beads, weld seams, and identifying defects on flat, inclined, and curved surfaces on machined, assembled, or extruded parts. It also includes anchoring and data enhancement features like reflection elimination to ensure reliable and repeatable results under diverse operating conditions.

Teledyne’s Z-Trak family of laser profilers features various multi-sensor topologies to enhance the field of view while preserving height resolution, to overcome occlusion, or to provide a 360° view of objects for inspection and measurements. Z-Trak 3D Apps Studio simultaneously acquires, processes, and analyzes 3D scans and 2D gray scale images (reflectance data) all with 3D visualization capabilities.

For easy integration and quick deployment, the Z-Trak 3D Apps Studio is accessible via Sherlock 8.30 (or higher), a field proven, no-code, graphical development environment for factory floor applications. Z-Trak 3D laser profilers include a Sherlock 8 license for in-line measurement applications.

For more details, please visit the product page, and for sales enquiries, visit our contact page.

Teledyne Vision Solutions offers the world’s most comprehensive, vertically integrated portfolio of industrial and scientific imaging technology. Aligned under one umbrella, Teledyne DALSA, e2v CMOS image sensors, FLIR IIS, Lumenera, Photometrics, Princeton Instruments, Judson Technologies, Acton Optics, and Adimec form an unrivalled collective of expertise across the spectrum with decades of experience and best-in-class solutions. Together, they combine and leverage each other’s strengths to provide the deepest, widest sensing and related technology portfolio in the world. Teledyne offers worldwide customer support and the technical expertise to handle the toughest tasks. Their tools, technologies, and vision solutions are built to deliver to their customers a unique and competitive advantage.

Media Contact

Jessica Broom
Jessica.broom@teledyne.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5799ec0e-e23c-43ca-ac8f-7980811c661a 

SOURCE : Teledyne DALSA

Recursion-Exscientia Merger Creates Advanced AI-driven Drug Discovery

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 (Bernama) -- Recursion has completed its merger with Exscientia, making Exscientia a wholly owned subsidiary of Recursion, forming a vertically-integrated and technology-enabled drug discovery platform.

As part of the merger, Exscientia American Depositary Shares (ADSs) will cease trading and be delisted from Nasdaq, according to a statement.

Recursion Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chris Gibson expressed confidence that the combination of the two companies' teams and platforms will position them as the leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled drug discovery and development space.

Meanwhile, Exscientia Interim CEO and former Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), who will now serve as CSO at Recursion, David Hallett said their combined strength of real-world proprietary data and the models created are redefining the space by shrinking timelines and costs, identifying and optimising lead candidates faster than traditional methods.

The combined entity's pipeline includes more than 10 clinical and preclinical programmes, approximately 10 advanced discovery programmes in development, and over 10 partnered programmes in areas such as oncology and immunology.

To date, the combined company has received approximately US$450 million in upfront and milestone payments from partnerships, with the potential for over US$20 billion in additional milestone payments before royalties. (US$1=RM4.70)

With the integration of Exscientia’s chemical design and synthesis methods and over 60 petabytes of proprietary data generated in house or licensed from partners like Helix and Tempus, the combined entity will strengthen the Recursion Operating System (OS) to be a first-in-class and best-in-class drug discovery and development platform.

The merged company will have approximately 800 employees with the headquarters remaining in Salt Lake City, and primary offices in Toronto, Montreal, Milpitas, New York, the Oxford area, and London.

-- BERNAMA

Boomi Enterprise Platform Enhances Pallion Group's Resilience, Customer Experience

 

KUALA LUMPUR, NOV 22 (Bernama) -- Boomi, the intelligent integration and automation leader, announced that Australian precious metals and jewellery company, Pallion Group, has bolstered resilience and customer experience (CX) across its brands by adopting the Boomi Enterprise Platform as the foundation for its data strategy.

According to Boomi in a statement, the platform supports Pallion’s digital transformation, simplifying the integration of its systems and centralising sensitive financial, commercial, and product supply data.

Boomi Chief Technology Officer, APJ, David Irecki emphasised Pallion's role in serving prestigious clients and the need for seamless experiences in high-stakes purchases.

“Its clientele expect seamless experiences when making significant purchasing decisions. Boomi has helped Pallion establish a reliable and resilient technology environment across its brands to optimise CX, all the while supporting the stringent compliance obligations under which the group operates,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pallion Group Chief Information Officer, Simon Smith said the company needed a reliable system due to the dynamic pricing and strict compliance requirements of handling high-value precious metals and jewellery.

Boomi’s integration platform replaced a network of outdated point-to-point systems, improving operational efficiency and data management.

The platform has already been used to connect Pallion’s Microsoft Dynamics 365 enterprise resource planning stack, and its finance and human resources systems, and the company affirms its use of integration platform as a service (iPaaS) will scale up as its digital transformation strategy progresses, while data ingested by Pallion’s systems is already centralised in Boomi DataHub.

Sydney-headquartered Pallion comprises six brands that source, manufacture, distribute, sell, and provide secure storage for gold, silver, and custom jewellery to organisations and individuals in Australia, Hong Kong, and China.

With the Boomi platform, the company has enhanced connectivity between its technology systems, ensuring real-time data flow and providing teams with a consolidated view of customer information.

-- BERNAMA

TOKU SECURES US$5 MLN FUNDING, APPOINTS ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 (Bernama) -- Toku, a provider of enterprise cloud communications and customer experience solutions in Asia Pacific (APAC), has successfully closed a US$5 million Series A Extension round led by Betatron Venture Group. (US$1=RM4.70)

Concurrently, the company has also established an Advisory Board to guide its strategic growth, with the appointment of Lim Hwee Hua as Chair, underscoring Toku’s commitment to strong governance and strategic insight as it scales its operations.

“We are honoured to have Lim join us as Chair of our Advisory Board. Her leadership, depth of experience, and proven strategic vision will be invaluable as we navigate this next stage of growth.

“Her appointment aligns perfectly with our mission to bring high-impact solutions to the market while establishing Toku as a leader in customer experience technology,” said Toku Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Laboulle, in a statement.

The funding, which included participation from the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Venture Fund (ITVF) and other investors, brings Toku’s total funding to US$18 million since the launch of its operations in April 2018.

This latest capital infusion will fuel the company’s continued international expansion and advance its proprietary artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solutions in customer engagement.

The recent funding will support the ongoing development of Toku’s AI Chat and AI Voice Agent technologies, designed to deliver enhanced customer interactions across multiple languages and regional dialects.

Targeting revenue above US$30 million for 2024 and maintaining on track to reach net profitability, Toku is set to solidify its presence in APAC with this latest funding, especially through its expansion in Hong Kong, while unlocking opportunities in new regions such as South America and Europe.

By focusing on revenue growth, cost efficiency, and targeted market entry, Toku anticipates becoming cash flow positive in 2025, as it scales to meet increasing demand across these diverse markets.

-- BERNAMA

EXPERTS FOCUS ON GLOBAL INITIATIVES TO DEVELOP GUANGDONG-HONG KONG-MACAO AS INNOVATION HUB

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- The Greater Bay Area Science Forum 2024, marking the first time an event co-hosted by the Guangdong Provincial Government, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, and the Macao SAR government, was held from Nov 16 to 18.

A major topic of discussion at the forum among government officials, international organisations, scientists, and business representatives was the collaborative development of a research powerhouse in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), according to a statement.

Guangdong Province Governor, Wang Weizhong highlighted the progress made over the past five years, including deepened cooperation in institutional frameworks, resource allocation, and major projects.

These efforts have propelled the GBA to the forefront of global technological innovation and talent development. Notably, the "Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou" science and technology cluster has been ranked second globally in innovation indexes for five consecutive years.

Meanwhile, HKSAR chief executive, John Lee reaffirmed Hong Kong's central role as a core city within the GBA. He highlighted the city's commitment to complementing the strengths of neighbouring cities and contributing to the region's transformation into an international science and innovation hub.

Macao’s chief executive, Ho Iat Seng emphasised Macao's dedication to scientific innovation and education advancement, particularly its active participation in the "Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao" innovation corridor.

He called for greater collaboration between Macao and the global scientific community to attract top talent, foster emerging industries, and enhance the region's competitiveness.

On the other hand, Nobel laureate Barry J. Marshall shared his decade-long connection with Shenzhen and his collaborative activities in the GBA, expressing optimism about deepening its partnerships in the future.

Additionally, the forum also featured keynote speeches on topics such as emerging productivity, open science, carbon neutrality, artificial intelligence, and life sciences, providing fresh perspectives on technological innovation in the GBA and beyond.

-- BERNAMA

ATTURRA CLAIMS TOP HONOURS ONCE AGAIN AT BOOMI'S 2024 APJ PARTNER AWARDS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- Boomi, the intelligent integration and automation leader, has announced the winners of its 2024 Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) Partner Awards, recognised at the 2024 APJ Boomi Partner Summit held in Sydney, Australia.

According to a statement, this year’s awards celebrate Atturra, LTIMindtree, and Adaptiv as valued, forward-thinking partners that successfully leverage their Boomi relationships to accelerate business outcomes for customers.

“Our partners across the region are elevating Boomi's capabilities to new heights. With their deep expertise, they are delivering integrated and more secure data environments that not only power automation but also enable data-driven decision-making and enhance customer experiences.

“These awards provide an opportunity for Boomi to honour our esteemed partners and celebrate their incredible work in deepening our brand and delivering on the Boomi promise, and we look forward to continuing this momentum of success with them and all nominees into an exciting year ahead,” said Boomi Vice President of Alliances and Channels, APJ, Jim Fisher.

Atturra snagged three categories, namely APJ Partner of the Year, Australia and New Zealand Partner of the Year, and APJ Services Partner of the Year, while Asia Partner of the Year went to LTIMindtree and Adaptiv rounded out the winners, taking home the APJ Growth Partner of the Year.

The winners were selected based on their ability to fully use the Boomi Enterprise Platform to enable creativity and innovation, address complex challenges, and create positive environmental and social impacts for their customers.

Offering end-to-end, intelligent integration and automation solutions that enable modern, digital organisations to accelerate business outcomes, Boomi serves over 20,000 customers and has a growing user community of more than 250,000 members as well as a worldwide network of approximately 800 partners.

-- BERNAMA

Pantheon Introduces Two Funds To Broaden Private Wealth Offerings

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Pantheon, a global private markets investor, has launched two funds to expand its private wealth offerings across asset classes in key growth markets globally.

These funds, focusing on secondaries investments in private credit and private equity, respectively, capitalise on Pantheon’s leadership and extensive experience in mid-market secondaries investing.

The first fund, AMG Pantheon Credit Solutions Fund (P-SECC), offers United States (US) private wealth investors unique access to private credit secondaries. This evergreen interval fund structure focuses primarily on senior debt investments sourced through Pantheon’s global private credit platform.

It provides institutional-quality secondary opportunities in the private credit market, allowing investors to enter existing private credit funds at potentially attractive prices and returns. Since its introduction in October 2023, P-SECC has grown to more than US$435 million in assets under management, underscoring strong demand for private credit secondaries. (US$1=RM4.46)

Pantheon Partner and Head of US Private Wealth, Michael Hutten said the launch of P-SECC represents a significant milestone in expanding its private wealth offerings with a differentiated solution focused on the growing private credit secondaries market.

“By leveraging our extensive experience and robust platform, we can offer a unique investment opportunity focused on addressing private wealth investors’ concerns around inflation, interest rates, credit defaults and the continued need for enhanced income,” he said in a statement.

Concurrently, Pantheon is also expanding its global footprint with the launch of its Pantheon Global Private Equity Fund (PGPE), a semi-liquid, mid-market secondaries-focused evergreen strategy, currently available in markets across Latin America, Europe and Asia. 

The new fund is available to wholesale investors in Australia through a partnership with Longreach Capital Advisors, offering exposure to Pantheon’s private equity secondaries platform, with a focus on mid-market investments.

Pantheon is a pioneer in both private credit and private equity secondaries, leveraging decades of experience to identify and capitalise on opportunities to access mature, high-quality assets at potentially attractive valuations.

With a range of global evergreen solutions and bespoke funds, Pantheon offers private wealth investors flexibility, diversification, and access to high-quality private market investments. The firm’s deep experience in structuring products for private wealth investors enables Pantheon to create investment vehicles that meet the complex needs of private wealth investors with an ongoing focus on driving long-term value and performance.

-- BERNAMA

AV AIRFINANCE TO STRENGTHEN GLOBAL AIRLINE RELATIONS WITH EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- AV AirFinance Limited (AV AirFinance), a global commercial aviation loan servicer, has appointed Jonathan O’Dowd as Senior Vice President, Investments.

Based in Singapore, O’Dowd will be responsible for credit underwriting and strategic airline relations globally, according to a statement.

AV AirFinance Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Murphy, said the company is delighted to welcome O’Dowd to the AV AirFinance team.

“Jonathan has a strong track record in building and managing airline relationships, and his extensive network will be a great benefit to our expanding direct-to-airline business,” he said.

O’Dowd brings over 14 years of experience in aviation and asset finance. Prior to joining AV AirFinance, he served as Director of Aviation Risk at Castlelake, where he worked on risk and strategic initiatives.

His extensive network and experience in building long-term relationships with airlines have enabled him to source and structure opportunities such as pre-delivery payment (PDP) financings, rated structures, and finance leases.

Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland with offices in the United States and Singapore, AV AirFinance focuses on arranging financing for commercial aircraft to airlines, lessors, manufacturers, cargo operators and investors, secured by new and used commercial aircraft and engines.

-- BERNAMA

AM Best Affirms Excellent Ratings For Malaysia’s Labuan Re

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed Malaysia’s Labuan Reinsurance (L) Ltd (Labuan Re) financial strength rating of A- (excellent) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “a-” (excellent). 

In a statement, AM Best said these credit ratings (ratings) which have a stable outlook, reflected Labuan Re’s balance sheet strength, which was assessed as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

Labuan Re’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, which is at the strongest level at year-end 2023.

The company adopts a prudent capital management approach to support risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level over the medium term, along with an appropriate regulatory solvency position, with its investment portfolio focused on cash, deposits and fixed-income securities, albeit with modest exposure to higher-risk asset classes such as equities.

Partially offsetting balance sheet strength factors include Labuan Re’s exposure to natural catastrophe risks relative to the size of its capital base, which emanates from its regional reinsurance and international operations through its participation in Lloyd’s syndicates (Lloyd’s).

AM Best views Labuan Re’s operating performance as adequate, in which the company’s earnings were historically driven by investment returns, arising from interest income and gains from its bond and equity investments.

In 2023 and the first half of this year, Labuan Re reported robust operating performance, driven by favourable underwriting results and investment return.

The company’s business profile was assessed as neutral given its position as a well-established regional non-life reinsurer in addition to the company’s business profile continuing to benefit from portfolio diversification through its participation as a corporate member in Lloyd’s.

Despite reduced participation in Lloyd’s business, Labuan Re’s gross premium has exhibited moderate growth, driven by product initiatives and its positioning in the reinsurance market.

-- BERNAMA

CLOUDERA TO ACQUIRE OCTOPAI'S PLATFORM TO DELIVER TRUSTED DATA ACROSS THE ENTIRE HYBRID CLOUD DATA ESTATE

Octopai’s best-in-class data lineage and catalog platform to provide discoverability, quality, and governance for enterprises to enhance data-driven decision making

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov 14 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cloudera, the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI, announced that it entered into a definitive agreement with Octopai B.I. Ltd. (Octopai) to acquire Octopai’s data lineage and catalog platform that enables organizations to understand and govern their data. The transaction will significantly add to Cloudera’s data catalog and metadata management capabilities.

Enterprises are under increasing pressure to incorporate data-driven decision-making into their business operations. They want to utilize their data for AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics initiatives, requiring a comprehensive data intelligence strategy to find all the relevant, contextual, and trusted data across the company. But for many enterprises—particularly those in finance, healthcare, retail, and telecommunications that deal with highly regulated, sensitive, and voluminous data—having a complete purview of the entire data estate still proves challenging as they require capabilities over multiple data solutions across hybrid environments.

“As data-driven organizations adopt hybrid, distributed data architectures, being able to automatically manage metadata is critical to providing a unified self-service view of the data,” said Sanjeev Mohan, principal analyst at SanjMo. “Unified metadata strategies lead to analytic insights that data consumers trust. They also ensure security, increase governance, and provide a consistent view across the entire data estate. Augmenting Cloudera’s data management, governance, and AI capabilities with Octopai’s enterprise-ready, multi-layered data lineage over 50 data source connectors, and automated metadata management leads to a comprehensive metadata and data intelligence solution.”

Founded in 2016, Octopai transformed the metadata management landscape by leveraging automated data mapping and knowledge graphs to enrich and activate metadata to deliver insights into the data landscape. This, coupled with an intuitive experience and AI copilots, accelerates the use of high-quality data for analytic and AI outcomes. Today, Octopai customers at leading enterprises save time on change or impact analysis, reduce errors and costs in their data operations, and comply with evolving regulations.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49792

Northern Trust Expands APAC Presence With First Institutional Client In Fiji

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- Northern Trust has been selected to provide custody services for Fiji’s sole compulsory superannuation fund, the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF).

As the only compulsory superannuation fund in Fiji, FNPF manages the retirement savings of Fijians in the workforce, according to Northern Trust in a statement.

To achieve its investment objectives, FNPF adopts a multi-asset class approach, investing in a range of assets, from listed equities and fixed-income securities to private markets and real estate.

“This win marks a major milestone in our commitment to the APAC region. What sets Northern Trust apart is our ability to tailor our comprehensive range of services and extended capabilities to meet FNPF's unique needs, which helped earn the fund’s trust and confidence.

Moving forward, we are committed to providing more holistic and collaborative solutions to support FNPF's growth, ensuring we remain a trusted partner for long-term success,” said Northern Trust Head of Asia Pacific, Angelo Calvitto.

Meanwhile, FNPF Chief Investment Officer, Naibuka Saune said: "Our goal is to provide our members with the best experience, and that meant finding a partner who could offer more comprehensive custodial services.

“Northern Trust has proven to be that partner, allowing us to shift our focus to core investment activities while they handle our custody needs.”

Northern Trust has an established network of offices across Asia Pacific (APAC) in Beijing, Bengaluru, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Melbourne, Pune, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.

The company has strong relationships with some of the region’s largest central banks, sovereign wealth funds, government agencies, corporations and asset managers, offering a comprehensive range of customised asset servicing, asset management and capital markets solutions.

-- BERNAMA

Voxela Secures Funding To Accelerate Global Expansion Of AI-powered Care Management Solution

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- Voxela Inc (Voxela), which created the artificial intelligence (AI) care management system Voxela VCare, has completed its pre-Series A funding round.

The number of facilities using Voxela VCare has steadily increased in the two years since its release, and with the funds raised in this round, the company aims to further enhance its features as well as accelerate domestic and international adoption, according to a statement.

Voxela aims to redefine the future of caregiving globally, with expertise in the Japan and the United States markets, by leveraging technology to deliver personalised care for each resident while helping facilities deliver more efficient and effective care.

Aligned with this mission, the company offers Voxela VCare, a service powered by AI-driven image analysis technology that detects accidents and risks, such as falls or wandering in care facilities and hospitals, while providing comprehensive monitoring, incident reporting, evaluation, and prevention.

Voxela leverages cutting-edge AI technology to address eldercare challenges with rapid and effective solutions. By delivering this service, Voxela drives innovation across the eldercare industry globally.

Facilities that have implemented the system report a significant reduction in irregular incidents and praise for the low installation and implementation costs. The accompanying app has also been highly rated for its ease of use and minimal operational burden.

The system provides higher-quality care services, leading to increased enquiries from across the globe, by reducing the workload in eldercare environments struggling with staff shortages.

By combining innovative technology with a deep understanding of the industry, the company will continue to update and expand its caregiving solutions, ensuring that elderly people worldwide can live with dignity and their families can live with peace of mind.

Japan has faced the challenge of an ageing population a few years ahead of other developed countries, which is why the country has the potential to create a new global standard.

Voxela will continue to support elderly individuals, carers, and those striving to transform the caregiving industry through AI. The company's proven track record of deployments in Japanese care facilities, unparalleled features, and high accuracy have been lauded globally and are now driving accelerated sales.

-- BERNAMA

MEDIDATA SECURES HIGHEST LEADERSHIP POSITION IN EVEREST GROUP'S FIRST LIFE SCIENCES CLINICAL TRIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PRODUCTS PEAK MATRIX® ASSESSMENT

NEW YORK, Nov 14 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Medidata, a Dassault Systèmes brand and the leading provider of clinical trial solutions to the life sciences industry, has been recognized as a leader in Everest Group's first-ever Life Sciences Clinical Trial Management System Products PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2024. The report assessed 13 providers based on the market impact of their products and their ability to deliver successful, high-quality offerings.

Medidata Rave CTMS leads the industry by providing seamless, real-time patient data outputs that transform enrollment tracking and enable faster, data-driven decisions. Offering instant visibility for study teams, Rave CTMS streamlines collaboration, eliminates manual data entry, and accelerates trial timelines with exceptional accuracy.

“We are honored to be recognized as the highest leader in CTMS by Everest Group,” said Tom Doyle, chief technology officer, Medidata. “This accolade underscores our unwavering commitment to transforming research and reaffirms our strategy to deliver new, AI-powered experiences that reshape how organizations design, plan, and manage trials end-to-end with the greatest impact.”

Added Doyle, “In 2025, Medidata will embed AI-driven insights within study planning and execution solutions, enabling simulation of trial design, process simplification, and enhanced efficiency.”

Medidata is the only provider to be named a leader in Everest Group’s CTMS, electronic data capture (EDC) and decentralized clinical trial (DCT) assessments for its Medidata Rave EDC, Medidata Platform, and its work in DCT.

For more information, visit our website.

About Medidata

Medidata is powering smarter treatments and healthier people through digital solutions to support clinical trials. Celebrating 25 years of ground-breaking technological innovation across more than 34,000 trials and 10 million patients, Medidata offers industry-leading expertise, analytics-powered insights, and the largest patient-level historical clinical trial data set in the world. More than 1 million registered users across approximately 2,200 customers trust Medidata’s seamless, end-to-end platform to improve patient experiences, accelerate clinical breakthroughs, and bring therapies to market faster. A Dassault Systèmes brand (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA), Medidata is headquartered in New York City and has been recognized as a Leader by Everest Group and IDC. Discover more at www.medidata.com and follow us @Medidata.

About Dassault Systèmes

Dassault Systèmes is a catalyst for human progress. We provide business and people with collaborative virtual environments to imagine sustainable innovations. By creating virtual twin experiences of the real world with our 3DEXPERIENCE platform and applications, our customers can redefine the creation, production and life-cycle-management processes of their offer and thus have a meaningful impact to make the world more sustainable. The beauty of the Experience Economy is that it is a human-centered economy for the benefit of all – consumers, patients and citizens. Dassault Systèmes brings value to more than 350,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com.

© Dassault Systèmes. All rights reserved. 3DEXPERIENCE, the 3DS logo, the Compass icon, IFWE, 3DEXCITE, 3DVIA, BIOVIA, CATIA, CENTRIC PLM, DELMIA, ENOVIA, GEOVIA, MEDIDATA, NETVIBES, OUTSCALE, SIMULIA and SOLIDWORKS are commercial trademarks or registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes, a European company (Societas Europaea) incorporated under French law, and registered with the Versailles trade and companies registry under number 322 306 440, or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners. Use of any Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries trademarks is subject to their express written approval.

About Everest Group

Everest Group is a leading global research firm helping business leaders make confident decisions. Everest Group's PEAK Matrix® assessments provide the analysis and insights enterprises need to make critical selection decisions about global services providers, locations, and products and solutions within various market segments. Likewise, providers of these services, products, and solutions look to the PEAK Matrix® to gauge and calibrate their offerings against others in the industry or market. Find further details and in-depth content at www.everestgrp.com.

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112190210/en/

Contact

Medidata PR
Medidata.PR@3ds.com

Analyst Relations
Medidata.AR@3ds.com

Source : Medidata

--BERNAMA

VRAD UNVEILS TWO VIRTUAL REALITY-BASED MEDICAL SIMULATORS FOR GLOBAL MARKETS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- VRAD Co Ltd has announced its entry into international markets by launching two widely recognised Korean-developed virtual reality (VR)-based simulators, NS_Core, a nursing skills education simulator, and IP_Trauma, a trauma patient care simulator.

According to VRAD in a statement, these products support a broad range of languages, including Korean, English, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Chinese, Japanese, Kazakh, and German, with Spanish and French language support anticipated by the end of the year.

NS_Core is an immersive clinical simulation solution designed for nursing skill training using Meta's virtual reality headset, allowing users to perform a variety of clinical exercises in a VR environment with simulated patients.

This solution offers an innovative approach to addressing the challenges of hands-on medical training within nursing school curricula by providing a metaverse-based virtual training space.

Developed through a collaboration between general hospitals and university nursing departments, NS_Core enables intensive, repetitive practice on 20 essential nursing skills, significantly enhancing clinical performance among nursing students.

Meanwhile, IP_Trauma offers a comprehensive VR training environment for medical personnel to acquire and refine essential trauma care skills, areas traditionally challenging to practice effectively.

Developed in partnership with several prominent Korean universities and hospitals, it is an immersive clinical simulation platform featuring reactive scenario simulations, where outcomes vary based on the user’s choices and actions. It also adheres to the globally recognised Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocol standards.

Within the IP_Trauma simulator, multiple users can communicate in real time, practicing critical decision-making and trauma care techniques in a virtual environment. The simulation covers over 40 procedural steps, from pre-hospital preparation to patient transfer to the operating room.

Currently recognised as a leading VR medical technology provider in Korea, VRAD’s products are actively used in over 90 medical and educational institutions, both domestically and internationally.

-- BERNAMA

DUBAI PHILANTHROPIST ANOSH AHMED PROVIDES £10 MILLION OF ESSENTIAL FOOD AID TO SUPPORT LEBANON'S VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov 12 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dubai Billionaire and founder of PFOAA Anosh Ahmed and its foundation announces today that it is donating ten millions of pounds of essential food to Lebanon.

“In times of hardship and recovery, no one should face hunger alone. As Lebanon heals from the recent conflict, we are standing with the most vulnerable—children and women—who have been impacted the most. This donation is a step toward bringing nourishment, hope, and dignity to those in need. Together, we can help restore not just meals, but a sense of comfort and compassion in the lives of those who need it most. May this support bring warmth and strength to those rebuilding their lives.” - Anosh Ahmed

About Anosh Ahmed
Anosh Ahmed’s remarkable rise from a modest $4,000 investment to a billionaire agripreneur demonstrates how ambition, innovation, technology, and sustainability can transform the agricultural sector. His journey is a testament to perseverance, bold risk-taking, and a vision that sees agriculture not just as a means of survival, but as a pathway to immense wealth and profound social impact. Today, Anosh is recognized as one of the largest leaseholders of agricultural land across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Growing up in a farming family, Anosh was no stranger to the challenges faced by small-scale farmers—low yields, volatile markets, and unpredictable weather. Driven by a desire to change this reality, he leased 100 acres of land from the government on a 39-year agreement at just 18 years old. With a starting capital of $4,000, Anosh navigated the complexities of agriculture, integrating sustainable practices, innovative technologies, and efficient production methods. Over 22 years, his agribusiness has grown to a valuation of $1.8 billion, managing over 50 billion square feet of land and generating diversified revenue streams from farming, processed goods, agri-tech ventures, and long-term real estate leases.

Anosh remains committed to his roots. He established a foundation that provides small-scale farmers with training, technology, and financial support, alongside creating a network of farmer cooperatives to ensure fair pricing and global market access. His legacy has inspired a new generation of farmers to embrace sustainable, modern agriculture. Through workshops, documentaries, and his forthcoming autobiography, From Soil to Success, Anosh continues to share his knowledge and passion, making him a beacon of hope and transformation in the agricultural sector.

Contact-
Private Family Office
Anosh Ahmed Dubai
Grace D’Souza
Public Relations-
info@pfoaa.com

Private Family Office
Anosh Ahmed Dubai
Grace D’Souza
Public Relations-
info@pfoaa.com 

SOURCE: Dr. Anosh Ahmed Foundation

--BERNAMA

LREIT REPORTS 11.4 PCT RETAIL RENTAL REVERSION IN 1Q FY2025

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- Managed by Lendlease Global Commercial Trust Management Pte Ltd (Manager), Lendlease Global Commercial REIT (LREIT), has posted a positive rental reversion of 11.4 per cent in its first quarter (1Q) business update for fiscal year 2025 (FY2025).

LREIT, in a statement, said its portfolio committed occupancy continued to improve in 1Q FY2025 to 89.5 per cent from 89.1 per cent in the fourth quarter for fiscal 2024 (FY2024).

In the first three months of FY2025, the lease expiry profile remained well-staggered, with 6.4 per cent by net lettable area (NLA) and 12.1 per cent by gross rental income (GRI) due for renewal in FY2025.

LREIT has maintained a long portfolio weighted average lease expiry (WALE) of approximately 7.4 years by NLA and 4.7 years by GRI, respectively.

The committed occupancy for its retail portfolio remained high at 99.9 per cent, with a positive rental reversion of 11.4 per cent and a healthy tenant retention rate of 90.0 per cent as at Sept 30. Tenant sales in 1Q FY2025 continued to trend above pre-COVID-19 average levels.

Notwithstanding the high occupancy rate, the Manager stays focused on strengthening the tenancy mix and bringing in new offerings to rejuvenate the malls. New tenants brought onboard include Tims Signature, Eclaire & Savoir Cafe and Slow Green.

As at Sept 30, office tenants accounted for approximately 21 per cent of portfolio GRI with a long WALE of 12.2 years by NLA and 14.5 years by GRI.

The Manager continues to see good leasing interests for Building 3 of Sky Complex. For the quarter, committed occupancy rate for Sky Complex improved to 75.0 per cent and the Manager is in advanced negotiations with potential tenants as it continues to drive leasing of Building 3 at market rental.

Meanwhile, interest coverage ratio (ICR) as at the period end was 2.9 times, providing a sufficient buffer from its debt covenants of 2.0 times. Approximately 70 per cent of borrowings are hedged to fixed rates as at Sept 30 with a weighted average cost of debt of 3.74 per cent per annum, mainly due to the replacement of EURIBOR interest rate hedge at a higher rate in October 2023.

Moreover, LREIT achieved first position in GRESB Asia Retail (Listed) category for five consecutive years since listing for its environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and strong leadership in sustainability.

-- BERNAMA

Perma-Pipe Lands US$15 Mln In New Project Awards In MENA, Americas

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- Perma-Pipe International Holdings Inc has secured new project awards totalling US$15 million across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the Americas. (US$1=RM4.39)

In a statement, the company said it has been awarded US$6 million in new projects in the MENA region and US$9 million in the Americas, demonstrating continual improvement in the region.

These new project awards will utilise Perma-Pipe’s anti-corrosion coatings capabilities and the XTRU-THERM insulation system, a spray-applied polyurethane foam jacketed with a high-density polyethylene casing.

“Growth in all regions has been part of our overall strategy, and we are proud to see this coming together, enabling Perma-Pipe to continue strengthening its leading market position,” said Perma-Pipe President and Chief Executive Officer, David Mansfield.

These new project awards further complement the company’s backlog which has grown significantly from US$75.0 million at July 31 to over US$100.0 million currently.

The MENA projects mainly focus on district energy infrastructure in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, while the Americas awards demonstrate the buoyancy in the Americas market and the continual strengthening of the company’s position in the United States (US) and Canada.

Perma-Pipe is a global leader in pre-insulated piping and leak detection systems for oil and gas, district heating and cooling, and other applications, has operations at 15 locations in six countries.

-- BERNAMA

Jumio’s Identity Verification Solutions To Help Riley Cillian Streamlines eKYC

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Jumio, the automated, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven identity verification, risk signals and compliance solutions provider has partnered with Riley Cillian to streamline electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) for the social media platform’s video chat apps.

“We are proud to partner with Riley Cillian to create a positive onboarding experience for all community members and to help get them one step closer to developing meaningful in-app connections,” said Jumio vice president of APAC, Frederic Ho in a statement.

Meanwhile, Riley Cillian co-founder and chief operating officer, Leon Sun said Jumio’s advanced technology not only improves user experience by streamlining Riley Cillian’s KYC checks but also allows the company to effectively verify Arabic ID documents, which has been a challenge in the past.

“By partnering with Jumio, we can now streamline our KYC process, improve customer conversion, and ensure we meet all regulatory requirements,” added Sun.

Founded in 2014 and now based in Singapore, Riley Cillian’s mission is to build the best live video chat platform and facilitate meaningful connections across cultures, languages and borders in a respectful, fun and safe way.

Riley Cillian’s social apps are available in more than 100 countries and have been downloaded over 100 million times.

When looking for an eKYC provider, they wanted to work with a solution that provided ease of use no matter where in the world its members want to create an account.

Jumio offers the most comprehensive identity verification solutions on the market, accepting and reliably verifying more than 5,000 types of government-issued IDs globally, including many with non-Latin script, which will enable Riley Cillian to scale its onboarding process.

-- BERNAMA

CSOP MAG Seven ETF Lists On Hong Kong Stock Exchange

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- CSOP Asset Management Limited (CSOP) has announced the listing of the first MAG Seven exchange-traded fund (ETF) in Hong Kong, CSOP MAG Seven ETF (3454.HK), on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

“Since our establishment in 2008, CSOP has been committed to providing high-quality and innovative investment tools to Asian investors.

“Today, we are proud to introduce the first Magnificent Seven ETF to Hong Kong. This allows investors to easily access the United States leading tech companies in a flexible and transparent manner,” said CSOP Chief Executive Officer, Ding Chen.

In order to track the performance of the Solactive Magnificent Seven Index, 3454.HK deploys a full replication strategy, according to CSOP in a statement.

With a listing price of about HK$7.8 per unit, trading unit of 100 and management fee of 0.6 per cent, 3454.HK has received an initial investment of US$5 million. (US$1=RM4.33)

The term “MAG Seven”, or “Magnificent Seven”, was coined by Bank of America Chief Investment Strategist Michael Hartnett in 2023. MAG Seven companies are known for their market leadership, technological influence, and impact on consumer behaviour.

The 3454.HK provides an opportunity to buy MAG Seven stocks at once with low investment thresholds during Hong Kong trading hours.

As a leading ETF manager in Asia, CSOP is committed to facilitating cross-border investment through the provision of efficient and transparent ETF products.

-- BERNAMA

AM Best Withdraws Generali Life Hong Kong’s Ratings

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “a+” (Excellent) of Generali Life (Hong Kong) Limited (Generali Hong Kong).

A subsidiary of Italy’s Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. (Generali), the outlook of Generali Hong Kong’s credit ratings (ratings) is stable, said AM Best in a statement.

Concurrently, the credit rating agency has withdrawn these ratings as the entity has requested to no longer participate in its interactive rating process.

The ratings reflect Generali’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its strong operating performance, very favourable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

In addition, the ratings also factor in the strategic importance of Generali Hong Kong to Generali.

Headquartered in the United States, AM Best does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City.

-- BERNAMA

Xsolla, Long Tale Games Team Up For Charity Campaign

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Xsolla, a global video game commerce company, has partnered with Long Tale Games to launch a charity campaign, where 50 per cent of the proceeds from the three-month subscription package to Life is Feudal will be donated to Games For Change.

According to Xsolla in a statement, this initiative, running until Dec 31, reflects the company’s commitment to leveraging the power of gaming to drive positive change.

Xsolla Chief Strategy Officer, Chris Hewish said gaming is not just about entertainment; it is also about community and the ability to make a meaningful difference.

"Supporting Games For Change aligns with our mission to address key issues in education, civic engagement, and social impact through gaming. This campaign fosters an inclusive gaming community while inspiring change through play," he said.

Meanwhile, Games For Change President, Susanna Pollack said: "Through this partnership with Xsolla and Long Tale Games, we aim to empower more creators to develop engaging, educational, and inspiring experiences beyond entertainment.

"The funds raised will directly support our mission to harness the power of games and immersive media for social good, driving meaningful change in communities worldwide."

The campaign offers players an exciting adventure in Life is Feudal: MMO and allows them to make a tangible impact with half of each three-month subscription supporting educational programmes, civic engagement initiatives, and social impact projects, the campaign demonstrates how gaming can foster a better future through the power of play.

Players are empowered to engage with a meaningful cause, proving that games are more than just entertainment, they are a way to support causes that matter.

-- BERNAMA

HCLTECH ANNOUNCES NEW AI/CLOUD NATIVE LAB IN SINGAPORE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SINGAPORE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD

SINGAPORE & NOIDA, India, Nov 5 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- HCLTech, a leading global technology company, today announced the creation of a new Singapore-based AI/Cloud Native Lab. HCLTech’s Lab in Singapore will be the company’s fifth in its global network, expected to open in 2025.

The Lab, joining others in the US, UK, Germany and India, will be supported by EDB and assist enterprises in the region in accelerating their AI initiatives through HCLTech’s comprehensive suite of integrated AI and GenAI offerings, including AI Force and AI Foundry. The Lab in Singapore will also partner with Nanyang Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic to collaborate on transferring knowledge and nurturing young talent and mid-career individuals In AI.

Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson, HCLTech, made the announcement today at an event with the Ministry of Digital Development and Information of Singapore and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). Senior academic members from Nanyang Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic also attended the event.

“Our Labs are a conducive starting point for enterprises that want to embark on a collaborative journey to develop blueprints for AI and GenAI-led efficiencies, new business capabilities, skilling roadmaps and overall organizational competitive advantage with a pragmatic approach,” said Vijay Guntur, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Ecosystems, HCLTech. “We are very excited to add Singapore to our network, which will go a long way in further strengthening Singapore’s position as a regional hub for AI innovation,” he added.

Singapore has made significant strides in helping companies adopt and innovate with AI across sectors including financial services, manufacturing and SMEs. In 2023, the Singapore government launched the Singapore National AI Strategy 2.0, highlighting its commitment to leading global AI innovation. This strategy aims to build a trusted and responsible AI ecosystem.

“DISG has been driving the adoption of AI across key industries and Singapore-based corporates, and HCLTech’s AI Lab supports this mission,” said Mr Philbert Gomez, Executive Director, Digital Industry Singapore (DISG). “We are pleased to partner with HCLTech for the launch of its AI Lab in Singapore, which provides enterprises with the tools to rapidly experiment with and scale AI solutions to unlock new business value from Singapore.”

HCLTech has been operating in Singapore for over four decades, building a strong technology presence and working with many notable clients. Singapore is the hub for HCLTech's Southeast Asia operations and has led technological advancements, including Asia's first Wi-Fi-based patient tracking system and various projects for the Singapore government.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241103302706/en/

Contact

For further details, please contact:

James Galvin, ANZ
james.galvin@hcltech.com

Meredith Bucaro, Americas
meredith-bucaro@hcltech.com

Elka Ghudial, EMEA
elka.ghudial@hcltech.com

Nitin Shukla, India
nitin-shukla@hcltech.com

Source : HCLTech

PAKISTAN SEES MAIDEN ISLAMIC NANO FINANCING PRODUCT BY WALEE FINANCIAL SERVICES

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Walee Financial Services Pvt Ltd has introduced Pakistan’s first Islamic nano-financing product, offering interest-free (riba-free) nano-finance through a unique commodity-based trade structure under its fintech brand Hakeem.

With this powerful message, Walee aims to provide accessible financial solutions that empower individuals and promote sustainable economic growth, with the goal of providing an ethical financial alternative to individuals, promoting equitable financial inclusion in Pakistan.

Walee Financial Services, Head of Shariah, Dr Rashid Mansoor said this is a momentous achievement in rolling out Islamic Nano-Finance.

“It has been made possible through the grit, passion, and unwavering faith of our founding team in Islamic finance, highlighting the benefits to society at large. True Shariah compliance has been achieved through cutting-edge technology, supported by esteemed Muftis and Shariah scholars,” he said a statement.

At the heart of Walee Financial Services’ Islamic nano-financing product lies a Tawarruq-based structure that is executed in an unorganised form. In this model, customers participate in a commodity trade process to secure financing without the involvement of interest.

This innovative product ensures that all transactions are free from riba, aligning with the principles of fairness and transparency advocated by Islam, as the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2024, sets a clear deadline of Jan 1, 2028, for the complete elimination of riba in Pakistan’s financial system.

By offering Shariah-compliant financing facilities, Walee Financial Services is actively contributing to the country's mission to transition toward a Shariah-compliant economy, aligning with the Federal Shariat Court’s ruling that abolishing riba is fundamental for an Islamic financial system, and supporting the State Bank of Pakistan’s efforts to promote Islamic finance across the country.

As Pakistan moves towards a riba-free economy, Walee Financial Services leads this transformation. With Hakeem, Walee offers a groundbreaking financial solution while actively supporting the government's agenda to eliminate interest-based financial practices.

By fostering ethical, Shariah-compliant finance, Walee contributes to sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion, ensuring that Islamic finance serves the needs of Pakistan's diverse population.

-- BERNAMA

MELTWATER, CYABRA JOIN FORCES TO TACKLE DIS- AND MISINFORMATION THREATS TO BRANDS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Meltwater, a media, social, and consumer intelligence global provider, announced a new strategic partnership with Cyabra, whose AI shields companies and government agencies from dis- and misinformation by uncovering fake profiles, harmful narratives, and generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) content.

Together, Cyabra and Meltwater will enable customers with a powerful solution to protect brand reputation from online disinformation attacks, manage crises effectively, and enhance the quality of insights on genuine consumer sentiment.

This holistic framework complements Meltwater’s existing social intelligence solutions and allows for a deeper understanding of dis- and misinformation amplified by malicious actors through fake accounts, according to a statement.

“Cyabra’s leading technology gives teams advanced tools to be able to detect, manage, and counter harmful narratives in real time and protect brand reputation, and we are proud they have chosen to partner with Meltwater to advance this mission,” said Meltwater senior vice president (SVP) of Global Alliances and Partnerships, Doug Balut.

Meanwhile, Cyabra SVP of Revenue, Emmanuel Heymann said: “By joining forces with Meltwater, we are extending our capabilities to offer a comprehensive solution to a wider audience.

“Meltwater’s suite of tools, combined with Cyabra’s advanced technology, empowers businesses to better identify and counter online threats. Together, we provide a powerful solution for safeguarding brand reputation and building consumer trust in the digital age.”

Through this partnership, joint customers of Meltwater and Cyabra will receive real-time alerts about emerging threats in order to improve decision-making and strategic planning.

With this partnership, Cyabra has joined the Meltwater Partner Program, a fast-growing ecosystem of top technology and services providers. By joining the programme, Meltwater partners gain access to a broad range of programmes, including access to innovative technologies and exclusive co-marketing opportunities to amplify their brand and accelerate revenue growth.

-- BERNAMA