UNITEDLEX INTEGRATES MICROSOFT CLOUD TO GLOBALLY SCALE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF LEGAL SERVICES

NEW YORK, Jan 29 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- UnitedLex, a leading technology and legal services company, has integrated Microsoft Cloud services to globally scale UnitedLex Vantage, a holistic, turnkey technology platform built to revolutionize the customer experience and transform the legal function into a first-class digital citizen. UnitedLex has integrated Microsoft solutions into its software portfolio since 2008 and has deep experience working closely with Microsoft.

UnitedLex Vantage delivers a flexible, secure, and scalable platform, powering all enterprise legal workflows. Vantage comes with a vastly reduced implementation time (a matter of days versus months), a 20 percent increase in work efficiency, significant cost savings across overall legal and IT spend, and most crucially: new revenue opportunities for the business.

UnitedLex Chief Technology Officer Sean Jennings said, “We are pleased to deepen our longstanding relationship with Microsoft. The Vantage platform represents a substantial investment for UnitedLex to reinvent how legal services are delivered in enterprise technology landscapes, and such complex technical and business requirements can only be built and delivered on a world-class platform.”

UnitedLex Vantage integrates Microsoft Azure services, Dynamics 365, and Power Platform.

In addition, UnitedLex solves new customer challenges through its use of a wide range of Azure services, including machine learning, data analytics, artificial intelligence, security, and more to gain greater insights, drive significant optimization opportunities, and transform business processes.

“Microsoft was a natural choice for us because of the way they tie seamlessly into the tools our end customers are already using,” said Jennings. “These systems have been designed with resilience, scalability, and security with trust front and center, providing a natural platform for this transformative application.”

Vantage dramatically improves visibility and operational efficiency of the legal function, reduces administrative burden, consolidates and simplifies disparate department functions, and reduces friction for the legal professional from the outset. These core features are aggregated in one comprehensive platform, hosted securely and privately in a UnitedLex run and managed Microsoft Azure tenant.

“The inherent advantage of working with Microsoft is the opportunity to leverage the continual innovations made in their platforms,” Jennings added. “We are able to incorporate new technology quickly into Vantage and continue to deliver better outcomes for the organizations we empower.”

“Vantage utilizes the best of Microsoft cloud technologies, allowing UnitedLex to deliver differentiated features faster and more reliably to its end customers,” said Carlos De Torres, Vice President, One Commercial Partner at Microsoft Corp. “Integrating Azure and Power Platform allows UnitedLex to transform how legal services are delivered and establish the foundations that will allow its customers to grow and thrive in the future.”

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Uniphore unveils technologies, strengthening agent, customer experiences in contact centre

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 -- Uniphore, an early leader in Conversational Service Automation, has announced the addition of its new U-Trust portfolio and U-Assist Assurance solution to its portfolio.

With these new solutions, Uniphore customers will be better able to support call centre agents and operations, while building trust with consumers and delivering a better overall customer experience.

Uniphore’s new solutions are focused on improving and optimising contact centre interactions from start to finish, strengthening the connection between front-end customer experience and backend fulfillment via Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and improving contact centre security through agent verification and data security. 

According to a statement, U-Assist Assurance enables contact centres to save time, money and improve customer satisfaction rates -- all automatically.

Using RPA technology, U-Assist Assurance tracks promises and commitments made by agents in real-time during the call, aligns expectations with the customer immediately following the call, and manages fulfillment post-call.

Meanwhile, the U-Trust portfolio includes two distinct solutions: U-Trust Agent, a verification solution that uses a unique voiceprint to authenticate agents and U-Trust Environment, which protects sensitive customer data.

It is the first comprehensive solution to deal with trust and security concerns and brings critical and powerful tools to contact centres who have faced huge challenges transitioning their agents from secured physical locations to a remote work environment.

U-Trust Agent uses real-time agent verification using voiceprints continuously through the entire agent shift, eliminating fraud and ID issues, while U-Trust Environment builds on agent verification to offer a greater layer of security to protect sensitive customer information.

More details at www.uniphore.com.

-- BERNAMA

Next Meats goes public on the American OTC market

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 -- Next Meats Co LTD, the controlling shareholder of Next Meats Holdings Inc in a statement announced that Next Meats Co LTD had gone public on the American OTC Market as Next Meats Holdings Inc.

With plans to strenuously develop and distribute its products worldwide and invest in related businesses, Next Meats intends to be listed on NASDAQ in the near future as well.

With increased efforts and shifts being made by countries to meet the Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN, and with people making lifestyle changes on a global scale due to the pandemic, the company expects Next Meats to receive attention as a newly listed company with a focus on environmental conservation. 

A Tokyo-based food-tech venture company specialising in the R&D of alternative meats, Next Meats began its product development in 2017 and was officially established last year, when it simultaneously began overseas expansion as well.

Next Meats has also established a production site in Vietnam, and just signed a joint development agreement with Hoya, one of the world's largest alternative meat companies in Taiwan. They plan to start selling in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam in March.

The company plans to continue collaborating with universities and other venture companies to further research plant-based proteins as well as microalgae and cultured meats, and aims to replace all animal products by 2050.

-- BERNAMA

Interactive Brokers acts on actively traded symbols

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 -- Interactive Brokers Group, a global brokerage firm, announced it has put AMC, BB, EXPR, GME, and KOSS option trading into liquidation only due to the extraordinary volatility in the markets.

In addition, long stock positions will require 100 per cent margin and short stock positions will require 300 per cent margin until further notice, according to a statement.

The company does not believe the situation will subside until the exchanges and regulators halt or put certain symbols into liquidation only. It will continue to monitor market conditions and may add or remove symbols as may be warranted. 

Interactive Brokers Group affiliates provide automated trade execution and custody of securities, commodities, and foreign exchange round-the-clock on over 135 markets in numerous countries and currencies.

-- BERNAMA

Opanga Networks selected Telefónica Germany RAN Optimization partner

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 -- Seattle-based Opanga Networks Inc has been selected by Telefónica Germany GmbH & Co. OHG as its RAN Optimization partner in Germany. 

“Telefónica Germany is a flagship operator as well as an innovation leader in our industry and our solutions will be pivotal in helping the Telefónica team sustain the very best possible experience for their customers,” said Opanga Networks Head of European Operations, Ben Hadorn.

Meanwhile, Telefónica Germany Director Core & Network Services, Jochen Bockfeld said: “Mobile Network performance is under intensifying strain from the continual growth in data traffic.”

“RAN Optimization software, that can be deployed rapidly in the mobile core, is mission critical to our being able to provide the best-in-class mobile experience for our customers.”

Opanga’s highly innovative software solutions are founded on advanced machine learning techniques that provide immediate benefit to mobile network customer experience. 

When Opanga’s software is deployed, the network runs much faster to sustain the best possible user experience, according to a statement.

Opanga Networks is a software solutions company focused on developing products which make mobile networks much more efficient, faster and capable of ultra-high performance, while Telefónica Germany offers telecommunication services for private and business customers. 

-- BERNAMA

Cloudflare Announces Project Fair Shot, A Digital Waiting Room For Fair And Efficient COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Project Fair Shot to offer free service for any government agency, hospital, pharmacy, or organization facilitating the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 25 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE: NET), the security, performance, and reliability company helping to build a better Internet, today announced Project Fair Shot to offer a free and fair way for vaccine distributors around the world to use digital queues to safely scale their efforts. Project Fair Shot will enable any government, municipality, hospital, pharmacy, or other organization facilitating the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine access to Cloudflare Waiting Room, a transparent digital queue that sits in front of any registration website for people to know where they stand in line to sign up for a vaccine without leaving home. By relying on Cloudflare’s global infrastructure, Project Fair Shot can scale regardless of demand without requiring organizations to dedicate limited IT resources to code changes.

“It's been incredible how quickly the scientific community came together to develop multiple COVID-19 vaccines. At Cloudflare, we wanted to lend our technical expertise and infrastructure to now help ensure the vaccine is fairly and efficiently distributed,” said Matthew Prince, co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare. “With Project Fair Shot, we're providing our Waiting Room technology at no cost to ensure that any organization charged with distributing the vaccine can do so in a way that is equitable and without requiring new technological investment.”

Cloudflare Waiting Rooms can be deployed in front of any registration website without requiring engineering or coding. Each person requesting a vaccine appointment will get confirmation that they are in a queue. When their time is up, they will be directed to the organization’s signup page. Waiting Rooms can be further configured by each distributor to provide registrants with their estimated wait time, and in the future, to send alerts as their turn approaches. While Project Fair Shot makes this available at no charge to vaccine distributors, Cloudflare Waiting Room also allows organizations of all kinds with high demand for a resource — be it concert tickets, new edition sneakers, or vaccines — to allow individuals to queue and then fairly allocate access.

Vaccine distributors can sign up on the waitlist today at https://cloudflare.com/fair-shot. To learn more, please check out the resources below:

• Cloudflare Project Fair Shot Landing Page
• Project Fair Shot Blog Post

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PANOPTO OPENS NEW OFFICE IN SINGAPORE

Leading video management system provider continues its Asia expansion with new Singapore office serving Southeast Asia

SEATTLE, Jan 26 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Panopto, the leading video management system provider for higher education and large enterprises, has opened a commercial office in Singapore in response to significant growth in demand in Asia. This increased presence complements the company’s existing office in Hong Kong and builds upon Panopto’s Singapore-based data centre, which hosts Panopto’s Asia-Pacific Cloud.

Panopto has been a trusted partner for prominent enterprises such as SK Telecom and higher education institutions such as Singapore University of Social Sciences, as well as Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Panopto is widely recognized as the video management system that is easiest to use among businesses and universities. It is an integrated solution for creating, sharing, searching, and viewing video. Fortune 1000 companies use Panopto to deliver online training, manage meeting recordings, broadcast corporate events, improve employee onboarding, and create secure video libraries. Within universities, Panopto is the leading solution for centralizing and managing video content, recording lectures, flipping the classroom, streaming campus events, and integrating video with learning management systems.

“It’s appropriate to ring in the new year in Asia with a new office in Singapore,” said Elle Hosek, General Manager, Panopto Asia. “Panopto has seen dramatic growth in the use of video by higher education and large enterprise institutions, and our scalable solution is used by customers in over 14 countries throughout Asia. Panopto has been servicing customers in Asia on its Singapore-based cloud since 2018, and we’re excited to expand our presence.”

“With Panopto’s direct presence in Singapore, we will benefit from even more timely access to the latest technology developments and support from their local team. High-quality video recordings of our classroom teaching integrated seamlessly into our University’s online learning platform is crucial. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Panopto," said Lee Chye Seng, Director of Learning Systems and Applications at Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS).

About Panopto

Panopto helps businesses and universities create secure, searchable video libraries of their institutional knowledge. Since 2007, the company has been a pioneer in video capture software, video management, and inside-video-search technology. Today, Panopto’s video management system is the largest repository of expert learning videos in the world. Headquartered in Seattle, with offices in Pittsburgh, London, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Sydney, Panopto has received industry recognition for its innovation, rapid growth, and company culture. For more information, visit www.panopto.com.

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Vista Global reports 2021 market update, overview of companies’ 2020 performance

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 -- Vista Global, the private aviation group founded by Thomas Flohr has provided a 2021 market update and overview of its companies’ 2020 performance and core strategic priorities, showcasing a positive outlook against a challenging global backdrop.

During 2020, the Group’s VistaJet, the first and only global business aviation company, saw an increase of 29 per cent globally in new subscription memberships year-on-year, with Europe accounting for 43 per cent of new Members, North America (25 per cent), Asia (18 per cent) and the Middle East (10 per cent).

It was also a record year for VistaJet’s On Demand services, with bookings growing substantially at over 15 per cent year-on-year.

According to a statement, the Company expects to see a continuation in this extraordinary explosion in demand from both corporate and first-time fliers wanting to conduct travel safely and without delays globally. 

Meanwhile, XO, the Group’s leading On Demand technology platform, recorded a surge in new client memberships of more than 3x in 2020, with each depositing an average of US$100k deposit, guaranteeing future flying. (US$1 = RM4.044)

By delivering a best-in-class digitally native user experience, XO is set to continue to grow significantly in the coming years, servicing both large enterprises and individual consumers.

Vista Global is confident of further significant subscription membership growth. The Group’s highly generative cash model and prudent financial decisions made through 2020 have resulted in a robust liquidity position, with broad access to capital, to be able to support its growth plans.

Clients are increasingly demanding digital solutions in the modern economy. Vista Global’s proprietary technology gives it a significant advantage in the industry, creating superior client value and elevated end-to-end experience.

-- BERNAMA

Tinubu® Square unveils technological collaboration with Microsoft

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 -- Tinubu Square, the market leader for enterprise software solutions to Credit and Surety Insurers, has announced cooperation with Microsoft, the leading provider in Business Intelligence solutions.

According to a statement, the collaboration advances Tinubu Square’s innovative digital solutions to a new competitive edge using Microsoft Power BI, the top Business Intelligence software on the market.

Tinubu Square co-founder and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Olivier Placca said: “This cooperation is strategic for Tinubu Square to continue to offer carriers best-in-class technologies in the long run using the strength of Power BI across all business lines of our SaaS-based, end-to-end Enterprise Solution Platform.”

“To take full advantage of our Business Intelligence capabilities, customers can tailor their own reports using a specifically designed Tinubu® CIS data model, increasing efficiency and data relevance.”

Meanwhile, Microsoft Senior Director, Financial Services Business Lead - EMEA, Patrice Amann said: “This collaboration with Tinubu Square shows that Microsoft Business Intelligence solutions are also designed to perfectly adjust to and match the need for digitalisation in the Credit Insurance and Surety industry.”

“Our goal is to provide the necessary technology to contribute to the large success of Tinubu Square’s specialised solutions for carriers, and this cooperation materialises a joint intention between both companies to answer exact business needs and provide an always optimised customer experience.”

More details at www.tinubu.com.

​-- BERNAMA

Uniphore acquires Emotion Research Lab, adds video AI capabilities to innovation portfolio

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 -- Uniphore, an early leader in Conversational Service Automation (CSA), has announced the acquisition of Emotion Research Lab, a cutting-edge video and emotion AI company.

“Today, we welcome the Emotion Research Lab family to Uniphore and celebrate the addition of not only cutting-edge technology to our portfolio, but a very talented team of professionals who will add high voltage charges to the Uniphore innovation engine,” said Uniphore Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Umesh Sachdev.

When combined with Uniphore’s CSA solutions, which understands, analyses and automates voice conversations in real-time, Emotion Research Lab's extensive video-focused AI capabilities will deliver entirely new applications and experiences across the enterprise.

Combining voice and video AI with automation and machine learning will open up new use cases, including customer experience, sales, marketing, HR and other critical areas of business, according to a statement.

Essentially, this powerful combination will drive new waves of transformation by delivering automated and intelligent conversational and collaboration resources that enhance communication and can ultimately drive better business results.

Emotion Research Lab’s software uses advanced facial emotion recognition and eye tracking technology to capture and analyse interactions over video in real-time to enhance engagement between people.

In addition to the intellectual property, Emotion Research Lab employees formally join the Uniphore family and work begins immediately on integrating cutting edge technology to deliver first-of-a-kind voice and video AI products for the enterprise in the second half of 2021.

-- BERNAMA

NIPPON EXPRESS (CHINA) INKS MOU ON LOGISTICS BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP WITH JOINTOWN PHARMACEUTICAL GROUP LOGISTICS

TOKYO, Jan. 22, 2021 /Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet/--

- Linkup Aimed to Strengthen Pharmaceutical Transport in China -   Nippon Express (China) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "NE China"), a subsidiary of Nippon Express Co., Ltd. of Tokyo, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on December 18, 2020, over business partnership with Jointown Pharmaceutical Group Logistics Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "JPG Logistics"), a member of the Jointown Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "JPG"), a major Chinese pharmaceutical distributor/wholesaler.   Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202101189894-O3-D9zLqa5R   Photo1: Left: JPG CEO Ji Qin; right: NE China Senior VP Hisashi Shimoonoda https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202101189894/_prw_PI1fl_S40bY2x6.jpg     Photo2: Visitors watching pharmaceutical inspection https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202101189894/_prw_PI2fl_9s31iAVD.jpg     JPG Logistics is a JPG company specializing in pharmaceutical logistics that runs, manages and supports the entire group's logistics operations as well as its logistics centers at the provincial and regional city level, and it provides China's domestic pharmaceutical distribution market with enhanced transport services.   NE China had been considering a business partnership with JPG Logistics to cover those operational aspects of pharmaceutical logistics in which foreign companies are not allowed to participate under China's Good Supplying Practice (GSP) standards governing pharmaceutical supply and quality control. NE China has already been working together on transport efforts with JPG Logistics during the coronavirus pandemic, and it has developed a system enabling pharmaceutical products in China to be delivered overseas and for foreign pharmaceutical products to be delivered to regional cities in China.   This business partnership will allow Nippon Express to offer services that meet customer needs for safety-conscious pharmaceutical transport by combining its own pharmaceutical logistics services utilizing its global network outside China with JPG's domestic transport network within China.   Nippon Express will continue upgrading its services to meet increasingly sophisticated and varied pharmaceutical transport needs as it steps up efforts both inside and outside Japan on behalf of the pharmaceutical industry, which has been positioned as a priority industry in the company's corporate strategy.   Nippon Express website: http://www.nipponexpress.com/   Official LinkedIn Account: NIPPON EXPRESS GROUP https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/     Source: Nippon Express Co., Ltd.  http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=39162

LeddarTech, OSRAM seal agreement for automotive LiDAR, ADAS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 -- LeddarTech®, a global leader in Level 1-5 ADAS and AD sensing technology, and OSRAM, the global leader in automotive lighting and laser systems, have entered into a long-term agreement. 

The partnership targets to deliver the industry’s first automotive-grade ADAS and eventually fully autonomous driving systems at mass-market pricing.

According to a statement, LeddarTech will provide its industry-leading LiDAR hardware and software components into OSRAM’s PERCEPT™ LiDAR platform.

The PERCEPT LiDAR platform is the first flexible solid-state LiDAR platform engineered with a strict focus on industrialisation and automotive qualification.

OSRAM’s PERCEPT LiDAR integrates LeddarTech’s LeddarEngine™, comprising a family of highly integrated system-on-chips and related LiDAR measurement software that are ISO 26262 and significantly reduces system cost and development time.

Combined with OSRAM’s laser products and optical module design and industrialisation expertise, the PERCEPT LiDAR platform is the most versatile and highest performance LiDAR available at a cost that can enable volume deployment of ADAS systems integrating LiDAR.

OSRAM and LeddarTech will also collaborate to deliver perception software solutions that deliver an enhanced 3D environmental model using the PERCEPT LiDAR. These solutions will be based on LeddarTech’s perception technology, including raw data sensor fusion. 

This technology further contributes to deliver enhanced and cost-efficient ADAS systems through the fusion of cost-efficient LiDAR, cameras, and radar and with lower overall system computing power.

-- BERNAMA

Commonwealth LNG unveils LNG offtake tender

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 -- Commonwealth LNG, in association with Gunvor Group (Gunvor), has announced the launch of a formal process to solicit bids to reserve offtake from its planned 8.4 million tons per annum (MTPA) LNG facility in Cameron, Louisiana. 

According to a statement, it is the first ever tender process in which prospective LNG customers can secure future term supply at volumes, pricing and durations of their choosing through competitive bidding. 

LNG will be made available under tolling, free on board (FOB) or delivered at place (DAP) offtake agreements to match customer preferences. 

Commonwealth’s tender is supported by Gunvor Group Ltd. Gunvor and Commonwealth LNG have a strategic agreement under which Gunvor supports Commonwealth in securing binding LNG offtake and gas supply agreements for the facility.

Gunvor has committed to take up to 3 MTPA of LNG offtake from the project. In addition, as part of the tender, Gunvor will enable the offering of DAP basis to customers desiring this option.

Commonwealth has retained Poten & Partners Inc to manage the tender process. The tender process was launched Jan 18. It calls for confirmations of interest by mid-February and submission of bids by early April 2021.

Commonwealth will evaluate each bid based on the bidder’s requested volume, price, contract tenor and credit. Contracts are due to be awarded by this June.

The company is implementing an accelerated construction schedule that will allow the project to be built in three years using a predominantly modular approach with major components being fabricated offsite, enabling the project to offer one of the most competitive LNG sales prices from the United States.

-- BERNAMA

Taconic Biosciences announces immuno-oncology animal model portfolio expansion

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 -- Taconic Biosciences, a global leader in providing drug discovery animal model solutions, has announced an expansion of its immuno-oncology portfolio.  

According to a statement, immuno-oncology is a leading research priority because it uses the body’s own immune system to effectively treat some types of cancer. 

Syngeneic tumor animal models play a critical role because they use standard inbred mice that have competent immune system, which is required to evaluate immune-modulating therapies. 

These models are engrafted with mouse tumours derived from the same strain background; this genetic similarity between tumour and host prevents the host from rejecting the tumor.

One consideration in using syngeneic models is that some drug candidates can cause a negative immune response not seen in humans.

Standard mice may develop anti-drug antibodies (ADA), which can neutralise the therapeutic or even trigger anaphylaxis, preventing researchers from determining therapeutic efficacy in a preclinical study. 

Taconic’s Jh mouse, which lacks B cells but retains other immune cell types, such as T cells important for evaluation of immunotherapies, is widely used to overcome this problem. 

Taconic’s Jh mouse was previously only available on the BALB/c background, so it was applicable to only a portion of syngeneic tumor studies. The new Jh mouse on the C57BL/6 background expands utility to cover most studies.

Cohorts of both the C57BL/6 and BALB/c versions of the Jh mouse are available for immediate delivery.

-- BERNAMA

​AFF: CYBERPORT CHAIRMAN AND VISTA EQUITY PARTNERS' ROBERT SMITH EXPLORE INSURTECH OPPORTUNITIES IN THE GREATER BAY AREA

The City’s FinTech hub supports Hong Kong in becoming an exporter of cross-border FinTech solutions

Hong Kong, Jan 19 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the Asian Financial Forum FinTech partner, Cyberport today hosted a thematic breakout session on the topic of “Acceleration of Digital Transformation: Opportunity in a Changing World for 2021”. Cyberport Chairman Dr. George Lam and Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of leading global investment firm Vista Equity Partners, discussed Asia and Hong Kong’s unique opportunities for InsurTech.

Dr. Lam said, “The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is the region’s largest and best FinTech hub. Given its multiple currencies, tax regimes and regulatory systems but highly integrated and high-growth market, the GBA can and will act as the perfect FinTech lab where entrepreneurs can develop and launch innovative multi-currency and cross-border solutions. Those solutions that succeed could also be replicated smoothly in other regions such as ASEAN, and in emerging economies along the Belt and Road.”

Mr. Smith noted that Asia’s significant addressable market, growing middle class and track record of quick adoption of mobile technology, together with Hong Kong’s status as an international financial hub, will boost the InsurTech industry’s development, especially in the GBA.

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Calysseo appoints Black & Veatch on first commercial-scale animal feed production facility

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 -- Calysseo has appointed the consortium of Black & Veatch and Shanghai LBT Engineering & Technology Co Ltd to execute the full Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) scope for its first commercial FeedKind® production facility.

As the consortium leader, Black & Veatch will provide project management, process design and global procurement expertise, while Shanghai LBT Engineering and Technology Co Ltd will provide local engineering design, permitting and construction expertise.

According to a statement, Asia is actively investing in biotechnology innovations to meet the needs of its rapidly growing population.

Calysseo’s FeedKind® single-cell protein project is one such biotechnology innovation that will enhance regional food safety and sustainability.

FeedKind® is an alternative bio-protein feed ingredient for the aquaculture industry. It is made by fermenting natural gas to create a safe, nutritious, traceable and affordable protein.

Calysseo is a joint venture established by alternative protein producer Calysta and animal nutrition company Adisseo.

Located in Chongqing in southwest China, the biotechnology facility is projected to produce 20,000 tons per annum of FeedKind® by 2022.

Black & Veatch provides innovative and cost-effective solutions on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Floating LNG, sulfur recovery, gas processing, gasification, and ammonia/fertiliser projects. 

More details at www.bv.com.

-- BERNAMA

ROOSTERBIO PARTNERS WITH SARTORIUS TO ADVANCE CELL AND GENE THERAPY MANUFACTURING

RoosterBio’s innovative hMSCs and bioprocess media systems, coupled with Sartorius’s scalable closed system bioreactor, downstream processing, and analytics, offers end-to-end hMSC manufacturing solutions for the field of regenerative medicine.

FREDERICK, Md., Jan 15 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RoosterBio Inc., a leading supplier of human mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (hMSC) working cell banks, highly engineered media and hMSC bioprocess systems, today announces the signing of a strategic collaboration with Sartorius, a leading international partner of life science research and the biopharmaceutical industry. The collaboration aims to advance the scale-up of hMSC manufacturing for regenerative medicine by leveraging the best-in-class solutions of both companies to significantly reduce process development efforts, industrialize the supply chain and accelerate the development and commercialization of groundbreaking cell-based regenerative cures.

RoosterBio and Sartorius will create a set of GMP-compatible, customer-centric protocols using RoosterBio’s hMSC and media systems, alongside Sartorius’s single use manufacturing technologies, process control software and cell analysis tools of hMSC final product manufacturing. Cell expansion will be rapidly optimized using Sartorius’s benchtop Ambr® system and MODDE® design of experiment software allowing the technical team to compare cultures in identically sized, multi-parallel bioreactors to gain process information and optimized conditions in a short timeline. Sartorius’s scalable Biostat STR® production bioreactors will then be used to scale up to 50L as part of this collaboration, with the system benefitting from scalability to 2000L. Sartorius equipment will also be leveraged to develop post-harvest processing methods with the kSep® system as well as process and quality analytics. This joint effort will simplify multiple steps in therapeutic development by providing robust, streamlined, end-to-end platform technologies and protocols that can be implemented for rapid scale up of manufacturing processes, allowing product developers to significantly speed up their development timelines.

“Taking hMSC manufacturing to the thousand-liter scale is critical in meeting product dose requirements in commercial manufacturing,” said RoosterBio CEO Margot Connor. “For truly robust and standardized production in the field, a highly controlled manufacturing strategy is needed, with the implementation of automation, process monitoring and control to increase batch scale, consistency and efficiency. This collaboration is well-positioned to accomplish the clinical scale requirements of regenerative medicine product developers while laying foundation for true commercial scale manufacturing.”

“With the combination of technologies and tools of RoosterBio and Sartorius we support our customers to develop stem cell and therapies faster, better and more cost-efficient. Scalability is key in commercial manufacturing and this cooperation will help to meet the requirements of our customers even better,” said Hugo de Wit, Head of Advanced Therapies at Sartorius.

Both companies aim to use the data from this collaboration to provide co-learning and development opportunities to support the growing cell and gene therapy industry.

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A NEW FUTURE FOR GAS-POWERED INDUSTRIES WITH PETROLIFE AERO LNG

 Petrolife’s Virtual Gas Pipeline to catalyse new industrial developments off-grid

 
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 (Bernama) --  Kelantan recently witnessed the opening of its maiden natural gas-powered manufacturing facility, thanks to a local energy services company that made it possible for industrial-sized delivery of natural gas into the state without a pipeline.
 
So when one of Malaysia’s largest glovemakers – typically known as among the largest non-power industrial consumers of natural gas – expanded its manufacturing facility in Kelantan and significantly increased the facility’s reliance towards natural gas, it certainly raised eyebrows, as the state still does not have the pipeline infrastructure in place to-date.
 
The off-grid gas delivery was made possible by integrated energy company Petrolife Aero  Sdn Bhd, which is the first company in Malaysia to offer virtual pipeline system (VPS) for liquefied natural gas (LNG) since 2019.
 
In a nutshell, a virtual gas pipeline allows the delivery of LNG from any LNG terminal in Malaysia to any desired location via ISO tankers on land.
 
The VPS opened up a new opportunity: natural gas can now be delivered anywhere in Malaysia in the massive quantity required by gas-powered industrial facilities, even if the facility is off the grid or without a physical pipeline.
 
“The agreement with this massive glovemaker outfit marks Petrolife Aero Sdn. Bhd. first term LNG supply agreement in Malaysia,” said Petrolife Aero Sdn. Bhd. managing director Datuk Mohd Aqliff Shane Abdullah in an interview. 
 
“This exemplifies the trust from our client towards our delivery capabilities, where we provide stable and consistent gas supply in the quantity needed, on time, at a competitive rate which makes it the viable choice for the manufacturer to set up its facility away from your typical industrial locations like in the West Coast,” said Mohd Aqliff.
 
Making the most efficient fuel more accessible
 
One of the reasons natural gas is preferred energy source for the power and industrial sectors is due to its thermal efficiency. The commodity is also seeing stable demand despite the rise of green energy, and for good reasons, said Samsul Ariff Idris, Director, Commercial and Trading at Petrolife Areo Sdn. Bhd.
 
“Among all types of fossil fuels, natural gas produces the least carbon dioxide per unit of energy generated,” Samsul said. “This also makes it the preferred transitional fuel source which is more practical to store and transfer than renewable energy,” he added.
 
The growth in gas consumption as an alternative to other fossil fuels is also in line with the Government’s intention to reduce its carbon emissions by 45% from its 2005 levels by 2030.
 
However, one long standing challenge, is that the physical pipeline was the sole practical means of delivery – until recently.
 
“At Petrolife Aero LNG, it is all about Delivering Cleaner Energy. With our VPS service, natural gas is liquified at a cryogenic temperature of -160 °C, to be transported in liquid form (LNG) and regasified upon delivery for consumption.
 
“The liquification process shrinks the volume by a factor of around 600 times – allowing a bigger quantity of natural gas to be delivered with lower loss of molecule in transit,” Samsul said.
 
As an extension to the LNG VPS delivery service, Petrolife Aero LNG also provides the technical service to store the product in LNG form on-site, or to transform the LNG back to gas via regasification method for consumption.
 
“Amid Malaysia’s greenhouse gas emissions commitment, Petrolife is promoting and creating new demand for cleaner energy, in supporting the Government’s aim of achieving its sustainable development goals in line with international best practices,” he added.
 
Supporting equitable socioeconomic growth with off-grid delivery
 
Additionally, Petrolife Aero LNG also provides full-fledged services to establish a co-generation unit on-site with generation capacity between 50MW and 100MW, together with the technical guidance needed to run the power plant and the manufacturing facility – all off-grid.
 
All these options give significant advantages for manufacturers currently relying on natural gas. With a minor trade-off on LNG delivery costs, a manufacturer can secure much cheaper overall energy costs for operations; and can set up facilities in less-crowded locations, resulting in lower costs for land, facility development, and labour costs, which ultimately improves the overall margins involved.
 
It instantly resolves one of the biggest challenges experienced by business owners seeking to expand their manufacturing facilities outside of key industrial areas like Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor and Pulau Pinang – the stable sourcing of gas for energy or chemical supply.
 
For states like Kelantan, VPS opens new doors for economic opportunities, which also supports job creation and industrialisation. The state’s competitiveness in terms of labour and land costs is made much more attractive now that natural gas supply is much more accessible.
 
Indirectly, the VPS supports the Shared Prosperity Vision championed by the Government – as it facilitates equitable growth in rural states, at the same time provides the opportunity for these states to enjoy the abundance of gas supply in Malaysia that has long been an engine of growth for states with access to the energy source.
 
Industry pioneer in delivering LNG via Virtual Pipeline System since 2019
 
Interestingly, the delivery of LNG via the virtual pipeline to Kelantan is not Petrolife Aero LNG’s first LNG delivery in Malaysia.
 
“Petrolife Aero LNG is the industry pioneer in both the virtual pipeline system solutions, as well a small scale LNG imports into the country,” said managing director Mohd Aqliff.
 
Petrolife Aero LNG, Mohd Aqliff explained, was awarded the license to import LNG and natural gas into Malaysia since 2018 from the Energy Commission.
 
“We have provided spot supply since 2019 to clients in Klang and Johor. This is the testament that we are equipped with the expertise and experience to champion this market,” Mohd Aqliff added.
 
“We are the first to conduct the full-fledged service in Malaysia, from LNG import to LNG off-grid delivery and to on-site regasification. Alhamdulillah, the industry understands the opportunities brought about by the VPS, demand has been encouraging and we are on track to achieve our total daily volume supply target of 10,000 mmbtu for 2021,” Mohd Aqliff added.
 
Expanding into East Malaysia; Sabah Small Scale LNG on the drawing board
 
Having established its name among gas consumers in Peninsular Malaysia, Petrolife Aero LNG has its next market expansion plan laid out for 2021 – to provide the full-fledged service in East Malaysia.
 
 “The VPS will allow companies to take advantage of the vast available space in East Malaysia, to set up factories close to logistics infrastructure, sources of raw materials, or human resource, without being restricted by concerns over gas supply delivery. 
 
“This will open up new possibilities for industrial players in Sabah and Sarawak, and act as a economic growth multiplier in the surrounding area,” Mohd Aqliff said.
 
Petrolife Aero LNG is currently close to achieving a final investment decision for the development of a small-scale LNG terminal in Sabah, shared Mohd Aqliff. The company has identified a suitable land for the development, and the acquisition process is ongoing.
 
This, he said, will provide the much-needed capacity that will ensure security of gas supply to power new industrial areas or large scale factories. In the pipeline, the group has a 50 MW co-generation plant project with a client to secure the offtake from the LNG terminal.
 
“We are confident of our track record in LNG delivery. This is combined with our expertise across the entire supply chain, and the necessary regulations and Government policies in place to facilitate LNG delivery, storage and consumption.
 
“Petrolife Aero LNG is ready to assist the market to establish their facilities in the best place possible without ever worrying about securing the supply of natural gas,” he added. 


SOURCE : Petrolife Aero Sdn Bhd