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17 offices across 10 countries; the region’s leading law firm expands its operations

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Al Tamimi & Company, the leading law firm in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has announced that, on 1 April 2022, it will open a new office in Casablanca, Morocco. The expansion will see the law firm grow its footprint in the MENA region to 17 offices across 10 countries.

Al Tamimi and Company's move into Morocco builds on its strategic expansion plans for the African continent and follows a successful 2021 office opening in Port Said, Egypt. The new office in Casablanca is the firm's third office in Africa (Cairo, Port Said and Casablanca) and will play an important role in realising Al Tamimi & Company's long–term vision.

Morocco was identified as a destination due to its position as a gateway for investment into Africa, and it acts as a strategic base for law firms and international businesses that are looking to operate in the region. These factors combined with a well–deveoped market, and the opportunity to support clients across a variety of African territories made Morocco an attractive location for Al Tamimi & Company to set up its new office.

As of 1 April 2022, Nesrine Roudane, Managing Partner of Roudane & Partners Law Firm, will become a partner of Al Tamimi & Company and act as Head of the Morocco office.

Commenting on the opening of the Casablanca office, Samer Qudah, Managing Partner at Al Tamimi & Company said:

"This marks an important moment for us, and we are delighted to expand the Al Tamimi & Company brand and grow our footprint in Africa. Establishing an office in Casablanca moves us a step closer to achieving our vision, which is to be the leading law firm in the Middle East and North Africa. Opening the new office at a time like this is an indicator of our ambition to continue to expand our presence, particularly in Africa, as it remains a strategically important region for our clients and the firm."

"As the firm enters its 33rd year, expanding further into Africa is a timely reminder of how far we have come. As one of Africa's largest economies, Morocco is an exciting market for the firm and we look forward to building our practice, working with our clients, and offering them the high standard of expertise and service they would expect from Al Tamimi & Company." Commented Essam Al Tamimi, Chairman, Al Tamimi & Company.

Nesrine Roudane, Partner and Head of the Morocco office at Al Tamimi & Company said:

"I am excited to become a partner of Al Tamimi & Company and to lead the team in Casablanca. I look forward to offering our clients the unrivalled capability and experience that Al Tamimi & Company will bring to the Moroccan market. We are here to ensure our clients have access to the best legal services in Morocco."

ENDS

About Al Tamimi & Company

Al Tamimi & Company is the leading law firm in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with 17 offices across 10 countries. The firm has unrivalled experience, having operated in the region for over 30 years. Our lawyers combine international experience and qualifications with expert regional knowledge and understanding.

We are a full–service firm, specialising in advising and supporting major international corporations, banks and financial institutions, government organizations and local, regional and international companies. Our main areas of expertise include arbitration and litigation, banking and finance, corporate and commercial, intellectual property, real estate, construction and infrastructure, and technology, media and telecommunications. Our lawyers provide quality legal advice and support to clients across all of our practice areas.

Our business and regional footprint continues to grow, and we seek to expand further in line with our commitment to meet the needs of clients doing business across the MENA region.

About Nesrine Roudane

Nesrine Roudane has been a lawyer with the Casablanca Bar since 2002 and the Managing Partner of Roudane & Partners Law Firm since 2008. She is also a trained mediator and a commercial arbitrator. A former member of the Order Council of the Casablanca Bar, she currently acts as the Coordinating Officer of the International Bar Association's Arab Regional Forum (IBA/ARF) and also chairs the Start–Up and Venture Capital Commission of the Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA) and the Legal and Tax Commission of the French International Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Morocco (CFCIM). She is also a legal commentator and analyst for several Moroccan news organisations.

For more information, please visit www.tamimi.com.

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8505861)

Call for Entries Issued for the 2022 Stevie® Awards for Great Employers

FAIRFAX, Va., March 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Stevie Awards has issued the call for entries for the seventh annual Stevie Awards for Great Employers, which honor the world's best companies to work for and the human resources teams, professionals, suppliers, and new products and services that help to create and drive great places to work.

All individuals and organizations worldwide "" public and private, for–profit, and non–profit, large and small "" may submit nominations to the Stevie Awards for Great Employers. The early–bird entry deadline, with reduced entry fees, is April 27. The final entry deadline is June 8, but late entries will be accepted through July 7 with payment of a late fee. Entry details are available at www.StevieAwards.com/HR.

Juries composed of scores of executives around the world will determine the Stevie Award winners. Winners will be announced on August 8. Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners will be presented their awards at a gala event at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on September 17.

The Stevie Awards for Great Employers recognize achievement in many facets of the workplace. Categories include:

There are new categories in 2022 for Thought Leadership including Achievement in Thought Leadership Skills, Achievement in Thought Leadership Talent, Achievement in Thought Leadership for Recruitment, Achievements in Internal Thought Leadership, and HR Thought Leader of the Year.

Fourteen of the 16 HR Individual categories do not require payment of entry fees.

Winners in the 31 industry–specific Employer of the Year categories will be determined by a unique blend of public votes and professional ratings. Public voting will take place from July 11 "" August 1.

Stevie Award winners in 2021 included Allied Irish Banks (Ireland), Bank of America (USA), IBM (USA), Dell Technologies (USA), Everise (Singapore), Fullscript (Canada), Globe Telecom (Philippines), MGM China (China), PT. Bank Central Asia Tbk (Indonesia), Rakuten USA, Salary.com (USA), Turkcell letiim Hizmetleri A.. (Turkey), Upwork (USA), and many more.

About the Stevie Awards:
Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia–Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards , The International Business Awards , the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 nominations each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com.

Marketing Contact:
Nina Moore
Nina@StevieAwards.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8504945)

RCSI Bahrain inaugurates its Clinical and Biomolecular Research Centre at King Hamad University Hospital

Manama, Bahrain, March 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland "" Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) officially launched the state of the art RCSI Bahrain Clinical, and Biomolecular Research Centre located in the Bahrain Oncology Center, in partnership with the King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH). An official opening ceremony was held under the patronage of His Excellency Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health.

His Excellency Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa said in his address to the attendees, "The need for the RCSI Bahrain Clinical and Biomolecular Research Centre arose to help address the healthcare issues of the Kingdom of Bahrain and was the visionary idea of Professor Sameer Otoom "" President of RCSI Bahrain and Major General (Dr) Shaikh Salman Al Khalifa – Chief Executive Officer of the King Hamad University Hospital, and has been led by Professor Stephen Atkin, Head of School of Postgraduate Studies and Research at RCSI Bahrain. The Research Centre will support the positioning of the Kingdom of Bahrain as a GCC healthcare hub and will bring external funding as well as esteemed recognition to the Kingdom, making it a recognised regional centre of excellence."

Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Duaij Al Khalifa – Secretary General of the Higher Education Council and Deputy Chairperson of the Higher Education Council Board of Trustees, said in her address to the attendees: "The research that will be undertaken here at the RCSI Bahrain Clinical and Biomolecular Research Centre, and the outcomes that its findings will produce will not only result in cheaper and more efficient means of curing some of the most prevalent diseases, but it will also lessen the financial and logistical burdens on our public healthcare system, thereby elevating the quality of services provided and advancing the quality of life of Bahrainis and residents alike. Medical research, like most forms of scientific research, is not only essential for the development for a society's foundation, cornerstones of education and national qualifications, but it is also one of the key drivers that underpin the Bahrain Vision 2030."

The official opening ceremony was attended by Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Duaij Al Khalifa – Secretary General of the Higher Education Council and Deputy Chairperson of the Higher Education Council Board of Trustees; Her Excellency Dr Maryam Al–Jalahma – Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA); Brigadier General Professor Hesham Yusuf Ali, Deputy of Major General (Dr) Shaikh Salman Al Khalifa – Chief Executive Officer of King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH); Dr Ahmed Al Ansari, Chief Executive Officer of Government Hospitals; Dr Jaleela Al–Sayed Jawad, Chief Executive Officer of Primary Health Care Centres; Professor Elias Fadel – Director of Bahrain Oncology Center and Chairman of Bahrain National Tumor Board; Professor Fergal O'Brien, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation and Head of Tissue Engineering Research Group at RCSI in Dublin; Professor Stephen Atkin, Head of School of Postgraduate Studies and Research "" RCSI Bahrain, executives and staff members from RCSI Bahrain and King Hamad University Hospital, as well as RCSI Bahrain medical students particularly interested in research.

With the recently established protocols for human clinical trials by the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) and in alignment with the National Health Plan and Bahrain Vision 2030, the RCSI Bahrain Clinical and Biomolecular Research Centre was established to promote teaching and research focused on prevalent health diseases in the Kingdom of Bahrain such as diabetes, obesity and other health conditions.

Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI Bahrain, commented, "The RCSI Bahrain Clinical and Biomolecular Research Centre is a step forward in strengthening RCSI Bahrain's long–standing commitment to enhancing human health and patient care through endeavour, innovative research and collaboration. We thank all our stakeholders involved in the establishment of the Research Centre and being a part of a significant milestone in the history of the University."

Being located within the Bahrain Oncology Center, the RCSI Bahrain Clinical and Biomolecular Research Centre allows for a first–class experience for clinical research patients and visitors, where RCSI Bahrain researchers, clinicians and academic staff work collaboratively to conduct pioneering translational research across a range of health science disciplines.

Professor Elias Fadel, Director of Bahrain Oncology Center and Chairman of Bahrain National Tumor Board highlighted that the opening of the RCSI Bahrain Clinical and Biomolecular Research Centre at the Bahrain Oncology Centre and in cooperation with King Hamad University Hospital, aims to enhance education and develop research and academic activities in various fields of medicine, especially in the field of stem cell sciences, under the supervision of a team of specialists. He also noted that research is an essential pillar for producing a database that contributes to the development of diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities, which eventually contributes to raising the level of medical services in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Brigadier General Professor Hesham Yusuf Ali, Deputy of Major General (Dr) Shaikh Salman Al Khalifa – Chief Executive Officer of KHUH and Director General of Medical Affairs and Consultant of Otolaryngology at KHUH, praised the cooperation between the hospital, the Bahrain Oncology Center and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Medical University of Bahrain in the field of advanced clinical and biomolecular research. This in turn will contribute to the development of research in a scientific environment, in accordance with the highest standards under the supervision of a group of specialists and experienced practitioners in this field. The Centre is an essential part of any large medical institution, and it will be a daily activity that greatly improves diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities, in many areas.

The RCSI Bahrain Clinical and Biomolecular Research Centre is divided into groups dedicated to specific areas of research. One area of expertise is the delivery of clinical trials to the highest of international standards at the Clinical Trial Unit, where samples are taken from patients and immediately processed and analysed, using the latest technologies, by the on–site Clinical Research Team. The Unit has already undertaken three national clinical trials, after being nominated in 2020 by the Supreme Council of Health and the National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus (COVID–19) to establish, facilitate and support the national response for all COVID–19 clinical trials in Bahrain.

Another area of research focus is tissue regeneration, led by the Tissue Engineering Research Group, where the team explores soft tissue regeneration, such as skin and nerves, using smart biomaterials made in laboratories and studying gene activated scaffolds and cellular responses to wound healing. This research is applied to the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and assessing the response of an anti–ageing protein on improving wound healing.

A Stem Cell and Genome Engineering Group was also established to find cures and treatments for diabetic and neurological disorders, by utilising pluripotent stem cells and CRISPR mediated genome engineering. In addition, the Pancreatic Islet Cell Group will be studying pancreatic islet cells, to be able to improve cellular responses to the disease, with the ultimate goal being a cure for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Professor Stephen Atkin, Head of School of Postgraduate Studies and Research, who also oversees the Research Centre and all research initiatives, commented, "The RCSI Bahrain Clinical and Biomolecular Research Centre has access to world–leading technologies in both clinical and translational medicine, to enable our researchers and clinicians to collaboratively conduct pioneering and patient–centred research, which addresses key national, regional and global health challenges. Thanks to the proactive regulations by the Ministry of Health and NHRA, the Research Centre will provide support in transforming Bahrain to a central hub for research and attract more global pharmaceutical manufacturers to the Bahraini market."

The Cancer Research Group, in collaboration with the Bahrain Oncology Center, will further investigate the use of Sigma–1 receptor antagonists and data from in–silico research in treating breast cancer. In addition, the centre will be conducting pioneering work in DNA and RNA to analyse the genes and markers in clinical samples used for diagnostics in diabetes and cancer.

–Ends–

About RCSI Bahrain

RCSI Bahrain is a constituent university of RCSI, which was established in Dublin, Ireland, in 1784. RCSI Bahrain, an independent private university, opened its doors to a cohort of 28 medical students in 2004. It is a not–for–profit health sciences institution focused on education and research to drive positive change in all areas of human health worldwide. Today, the purpose–built campus is home to a student body of more than 1,300 across Schools of Medicine; Nursing and Midwifery and Postgraduate Studies and Research.

For more information, please visit www.rcsi.com/bahrain

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8505345)

Chargebee Launches Industry’s First E-Invoicing Service with Spring 2022 Product Release, Also Featuring Increased Automation Capabilities

San Francisco, CA, March 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fresh off its recent round of funding, Chargebee, the leading subscription management platform, today announced the industry's first e–invoicing service for high–performing SaaS and subscription–model businesses as the centerpiece of its Spring 2022 Product Release. The release includes updates geared towards enabling growth and efficiency for Chargebee customers, including taxation and revenue recognition features and a new Marketplace to automate billing workflows through a library of customizable integrations.

E–Invoicing

Countries across the world, including Brazil, France, Finland, Germany and India, are already mandating e–invoicing for Business to Government (B2G) transactions as a way of modernizing and simplifying tax reporting and payment and several countries, including Poland and France, will join Italy, Mexico and Chile in mandating e–invoicing for B2B transactions as early as 2023. Chargebee's e–invoicing service will allow businesses seeking to expand operations globally to easily comply with local e–invoicing mandates and serve B2G and B2B customers in new regions.

"Chargebee has solved a huge problem for us," said Gabriele Proni, co–founder and CTO of Voxloud, an Italian–based communications company. "Italy has some of the strictest e–invoicing mandates in the entire world, and without Chargebee's e–invoicing service, we would have had to spend countless hours sending them out manually. Chargebee came in and helped automate the process, saving our team from spending unnecessary time and power and allowed us to focus on doing what we do best."

Marketplace

Automation is key to ensuring that modern billing systems are able to remain flexible and adaptable for businesses to succeed, especially for SaaS and subscription models, and is taking on a large role in Chargebee's 2022 Spring Product Release.

Chargebee's Marketplace enables businesses to build their billing systems on top of Chargebee, allowing for more and better integrations by connecting merchants with a wide catalog of available integrations to choose from. Marketplace improves integrations with other apps end–to–end, from discovery to sign–up, automating billing workflows and use cases.

Taxation and Revenue Recognition

In addition to e–invoicing and Marketplace, Chargebee adds taxation and revenue recognition capabilities to handle real–time changes based on customer demands. Through automation, Chargebee is providing subscription businesses with a new way to sync billing information and improve an organization's financial efficiency and enabling them to meet the growing list of compliance requirements, including Value–Added Tax ("VAT" in Europe) and Tax Deduction at Source ("TDS" in India).

Compliance

As Chargebee continues to support expansion into new and different geographies, customers need not worry about the growing list of regional and local compliances they will face. Chargebee is now certified as HIPAA compliant with the "Privacy Rule", "Security Rule" and "Breach Notification" as per the HIPAA Portability and Accountability Act to support customers in the healthcare industry. In addition, Chargebee is also compliant with PCI and GDPR standards and adheres to ISO, SOC1, SOC2 and MFA standards.

Global Growth

"Global and product expansion is a big part of Chargebee's 2022–and–beyond roadmap, and we know that our customers are always looking to scale up, increase capabilities and enter new territories," said John Pearce, Vice President of Product Management at Chargebee. "There are tons of constantly changing rules and regulations that could inhibit growth, and our new offerings are designed to help our customers offload these concerns and focus on building and maintaining business."

The Chargebee Spring 2022 Product Release full list of features includes:

  • E–invoicing for India and the European Union
  • Tax Withholding (TDS)
  • Subscriptions Marketplace
  • New Salesforce Integration UX
  • GST Breakdown (Australia)
  • Revenue Recognition through acquisition of RevLock
  • Retention through acquisition of Brightback
  • Receivables through acquisition of numberz
  • HIPAA Compliance
  • SOC–2 Compliance

These latest product enhancements come on the heels of a $250 million funding round that valued the company at $3.5 billion and was geared towards Chargebee's global expansion. Recent acquisitions of Brightback (customer retention), RevLock (revenue recognition) and numberz (receivables) will also strengthen Chargebee's offerings to enable end–to–end management of subscriptions and revenue data.

To learn more about Chargebee's Spring 2022 Product Release, please visit https://www.chargebee.com/blog/spring–release–2022.


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8504015)

Buying and selling Bitcoin in Dubai after new crypto regulations

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The ruler, the vice–president of Dubai, and Prime Minister of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has announced the new crypto law. Regardless of the new regulation, Coinsfera Bitcoin shop will continue to assist anyone to buy and sell bitcoin in Dubai safely and legally.

Following countries such as the USA, UK, Singapore, El–Salvador, Dubai have announced that they are going to adopt new regulations about cryptocurrencies. Adoption of the new regulation will facilitate the cryptocurrency transaction and exchange in Dubai.

As per the announcement, cryptocurrency activities will be regulated by Dubai Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai. However, Dubai International Financial Center aka Dubai Free Zone will be an exception to the new regulation given the regulatory body is different.

Dubai Branch of the Coinsfera Bitcoin shop

Coinsfera provides cryptocurrency exchange services in Dubai since 2015. Over those years, Coinsfera has proved itself as a reputable exchange where thousands of people change bitcoin to cash or any other cryptocurrency.

The new policy will come with a huge demand for the variety of cryptocurrencies services in general. Coinsfera Bitcoin shop is fully ready to guest anyone who wants to exchange Bitcoin to cash in their offices in the city center. Given their years of experience, professional employees will help out not only people who are already into crypto but also those who have just joined the digital currency revolution.

Coinsfera has received the award from the largest blockchain conference of MENA and the Eurasia region. Coinsfera Bitcoin shop represents the NFT world in Dubai, the capital of the UAE. With a wide range of crypto services, Coinsfera is recognized as a brand in Dubai.

Importance of crypto exchange in Dubai

Almost every year new regulations regarding digital currencies are adopted. Those regulations are embraced to regulate or facilitate cryptocurrency transactions in a safe and legal manner. Previous to the new regulation, the Dubai administration has announced penalties for crypto frauds late last year.

The main reason for the regulation is the unavoidable demand for crypto products. The interest in crypto services has grown dramatically over a few years. The only way to control crypto transactions is to implement the regulations which help customers and companies use those services safely. Coinsfera is one of the best exchanges to meet the requirements of both parties by allowing them to buy and sell bitcoin in Dubai.

About Coinsfera Bitcoin shop

Coinsfera is an international brand providing cryptocurrency exchange services. Currently, it operates in 4 different countries and cities: Dubai, Istanbul, Kosovo, and London. Since 2015 thousands of people have exchanged their cryptocurrencies to cash and vice versa. The most demanded services are to sell bitcoin in Dubai, to sell USDT in Dubai, and to sell Ethereum in Dubai.

One of the popular cryptocurrencies Bitcoin can be bought and sold at Coinsfera. In the process of selling bitcoin in Dubai, competitive pricing, provision of exchange of big amounts, and instant transactions are some of the advantages that put Coinsfera one step above all other exchanges in Dubai. Besides selling Bitcoin in Dubai, Coinsfera allows anyone to exchange 2000+ cryptocurrencies to cash and cash to crypto.

Buy Bitcoin in Dubai with Cash at the official exchange Coinsfera.

Sell Bitcoin in Dubai with Cash at Coinsfera.

https://www.coinsfera.com/buy–bitcoin–in–dubai/

https://www.coinsfera.com/sell–bitcoin–in–dubai/

Address: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Cluster F, Indigo–Icon tower, Office # 501, 5th floor – Dubai, UAE

Email: contact@coinsfera.com

Contact: +971 58 535 0505


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1000610894)

Conagen Develops Novel High-Performing Debondable Adhesives From Natural Ingredients

Bedford, Mass., March 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A new era for adhesives has arrived for manufacturers seeking debondable structural adhesive solutions to avoid waste and save costs in manufacturing. Today, Conagen, the biotechnology innovator, announced the development of highly sought–after debondable hot melt adhesives made by high–performance materials from sustainable and natural bio–molecules.

"Conagen has solved the challenges manufacturers face in seeking strong structural adhesives that are long–lasting, perform strongly, and have the valuable option for breaking the adhesion before final finishing operations to deliver perfect products," said J. McNamara, vice–president of chemical applications.

The advantages of high–strength debondable adhesives benefit multiple industries. For example, smartphones and electronics can be repaired effortlessly, and deconstructed at the end of their life without damaging components for recovery and recycling of valuable parts currently in land refills.

"Conagen's patented debondable hot melt adhesive are incredibly stronger than what is used in the market now and can outperform petroleum–based products with a sustainable advantage that saves time, cost and reduces waste," said McNamara.

McNamara further states, "The unexpected boost in performance comes from Conagen's fermented ingredients already at full industrial scale." And, “Conagen is open to discussing commercialization opportunities with manufacturers who are interested in a new era of performance materials."

Adhesives offer many advantages in joining materials, including the ease of use compared to welding, sealing, distributing stress, and environmental resistance. Currently, manufacturers glue two pieces together and wait for a day to cure the bond. If there are imperfections in the bond, the glued products are thrown away because they cannot be unglued, resulting in time and material waste.

Today, most reactive hot melt adhesives rely on post–curing chemistry to develop adhesive strength. A downside to this approach is the curing process is irreversible and, as such, hinders or prevents de–bonding almost entirely.

While the ingredients of Conagen's hot melt adhesives are commonly found in nature, to develop sustainable debondable adhesives, Conagen leverages its precision fermentation technology to engineer a synthetic pathway independent of plant source materials, creating more efficient and sustainable bio–based ingredients than what can be achieved with chemically–synthesized versions.

Conagen's inspiration is self–healing materials, using sustainable and natural ingredients, turning them into high–strength debondable hot melt adhesives. "The process is as simple as cutting the plastic that reheals itself in less time than the conventional way," said McNamara.

The Conagen adhesive is unique as it is a cross–linked material designed with reversibility in mind that exhibits the strength of traditionally cured adhesives with the added benefit of transitioning to a flowable material after heating.

Conagen's debondable adhesive formulation is ideal for cars, boats, planes, transportation, consumer electronics and appliances, and military and industrial applications. And Adhesives in electric vehicles (EVs) are more widespread than conventional automobiles.

The adhesives market stood at $729.11 billion in 2019 and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.3% between 2020 and 2027, making Conagen's adhesive formulation lucrative in the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) market.

Conagen's hallmark in the specialty and industrial space is discovering applications from the platform of natural bio–compounds and bio–materials for a new era of materials that are both high–performing and sustainable.

"Our adhesive formulation continues to show promise for bonding a wide array of materials, such as metal, plastic, and glass," said McNamara. "We're making it easier for companies to adopt a more natural position in manufacturing while staying true to the performance of their products."

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About Conagen

Conagen is a product–focused, synthetic biology R&D company with large–scale manufacturing service capabilities. Our scientists and engineers use the latest synthetic biology tools to develop high–quality, sustainable, nature–based products by precision fermentation and enzymatic bioconversion. We focus on the bioproduction of high–value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceutical, and renewable materials industries. www.conagen.com

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8503412)

Sweegen Expands Signature Stevia Footprint in Mexico

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., March 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sweegen's entire Signature Bestevia portfolio of nature–based sweeteners and sweetener systems is now accessible to brands in Mexico after the country's food safety authority adopted the Codex Alimentarius (Codex) specifications for steviol glycosides produced by different technologies. This includes Sweegen's bioconversion method for producing clean and non–GMO stevia sweeteners, such as Rebaudiosides B, D, E, I, M, and N. Codex is the international food safety organization under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO).

"Mexico's Codex adoption is a step in the right direction for tackling obesity and diabetes in adults and children stemming from high sugar in products," said Luca Giannone, senior vice president of global sales. "Streamlining the regulatory process for introducing new generation zero–calorie stevia sweeteners contributes to the improvement of overall health and wellness for consumers."

Giannone further said, "We are eager to share with brands in Mexico our expertise and high–quality ingredients for creating great–tasting, better–for–you product innovations." He said, "Our robust portfolio of Signature sweeteners and sweetener systems featuring our proprietary Bestevia products is unparalleled; it demonstrates our commitment to investing in new technologies for offering the very best natural sweeteners to brands for tackling the challenges of sugar reduction and replacement in the formulation of food and beverages."

Adopting the rigorous Codex framework for stevia technologies provided a streamlined approach for reviewing and approving Sweegen's clean and sustainable bioconversion process. This approval by Mexico will provide greater access to less common and better–tasting steviol glycosides at scale and a more sustainable supply of zero–calorie ingredients with a taste closest to sugar.

Before the adoption, Sweegen's Rebaudiosides M and D were approved in Mexico through the standard regulatory process. The new regulatory development opens doors for Sweegen to introduce unique Signature sweetener systems to brands, in addition to its Rebs D and M, further expanding product developers' sugar reduction toolkits.

"With more sugar reduction tools for brands to explore, they can rapidly develop great–tasting and healthy food and beverages, sparking and inspiring new innovations and product launches," said Giannone.

Sweegen's LATAM Innovation Studio is located in Mexico City and serves the entire region. It is one of many global creative centers home to product developers exploring sweet taste solutions, local consumer insights, and collaborating on new or reformulated products with Sweegen's expert food and applications team.

"The Codex framework sets a good regulatory example on welcoming better ingredients for supporting health and wellness," said Hadi Omrani, senior director of technical and regulatory affairs. "As more countries follow suit, Sweegen's global stevia footprint will rapidly expand into more countries, providing brands better options in sugar reduction solutions where they are under government pressure, like Mexico, to produce healthy food and beverages."

Obesity, diabetes, and associated diseases are prevalent in Mexico and are leading public health concerns. Adult obesity increased by 42.2% from 2000 to 2018. Childhood obesity is linked to high sugar consumption and saturated fats. In 2016, Mexico declared an epidemiological alert as a result of high rates of diabetes and obesity after a WHO report published in 2015 raised awareness on serious health issues and supported Mexico's sugar tax on all nonalcoholic beverages with added sugar in 2014. UNICEF reports that Mexico is the largest consumer of ultra–processed products, including sugary drinks, in Latin American countries.

Mexico's beverage sugar tax resulted in fewer people buying sodas, with an overall decline of just 7.6%. "Behavioral conditioning through a beverage tax only goes so far," said Giannone. "Introducing better ingredients into the food and beverage space can breathe new life into product offerings and stimulate new trends, such as plant–based products or functional beverages."

In 2020, food and beverage producers in Mexico felt more pressure by a government mandate to present new front–of–package labels warning consumers of excess calories, sugar, sodium, saturated fats, and trans–fats, as well as caffeine and artificial sweeteners.

With the Codex adoption, brands have new opportunities to connect with consumers by delivering a full sugar–like taste in food and beverages without the calories. This would be a significant advancement from several years ago when the first generation of stevia was introduced.

Unlike first–generation stevia sweeteners like Rebaudioside A, new generation rebaudiosides made by bioconversion produce clean new generation sweetener molecules like Rebaudiosides B, D, E, I, M, and N, which are originally found in small quantities in the stevia leaf. They impart a clean sugar–like taste with a better sensory profile and are highly sought–after by food and beverage manufacturers in countries with regulatory approvals.

"Brands in Mexico can look to Sweegen as a resource of expertise and as a committed partner for creating zero to low–calorie new product innovations that will delight consumers while supporting the country's journey on health and wellness goals," said Steven Chen, Sweegen's chief executive officer. "We commend the food and safety authorities in Mexico for demonstrating leadership by taking action on adopting the Codex specification."

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About Sweegen

Sweegen provides sweet taste solutions for food and beverage manufacturers around the world.

We are on a mission to reduce the sugar and artificial sweeteners in our global diet. Partnering with customers, we create delicious zero–sugar products that consumers love. With the best next–generation stevia sweeteners in our portfolio, such as Bestevia Rebs B, D, E, I, M, and N, along with our deep knowledge of flavor modulators and texturants, Sweegen delivers market–leading solutions that customers want and consumers prefer. Be well. Choose well.

For more information, please contact info@sweegen.com and visit Sweegen's website, www.sweegen.com.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward–Looking Statements

This press release contains forward–looking statements, including, among other statements, statements regarding the future prospects for Reb M stevia leaf sweetener. These statements are based on current expectations but are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are beyond the control of Sweegen, Inc.

Relevant risks and uncertainties include those referenced in the historic filings of Sweegen, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward–looking statements, and, therefore, should be carefully considered. Sweegen, Inc. assumes no obligation to update any forward–looking statements due to new information or future events or developments.

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8503409)

Hitachi Energy to accelerate sustainable mobility in Germany’s biggest city

Zurich, Switzerland, March 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hitachi Energy has won an order from Berliner Verkehrsbe–triebe (BVG), Germany's biggest municipal public transportation company, to supply its Grid–eMotion Fleet smart charging infrastructure to help BVG transition to sustainable mobility in Berlin, the country's capital.

Hitachi Energy will provide a complete Grid–eMotion Fleet grid–to–plug charging infrastructure solution for the next two bus depots to be converted in the bus electrification program. Hitachi Energy's solution offers the smallest footprint for both the connection, as well as low noise emissions and high reliability "" three key requirements for bus depots in a densely populated urban environment, where space is limited and flawless charging is vital to ensure buses run on time.

The solution comprises a connection to the distribution grid, power distribution and DC charging infrastructure with charging points and smart charging systems. Hitachi Energy will perform the engineering and integrate, install and service the entire solution. The solution has a compact and robust design that requires less equipment than competing infrastructure, which results in a small footprint, lower operating and maintenance costs, and higher reliability. Typically, Grid–eMotion Fleet requires 60 percent less space and 40 percent less cabling than alternative charging systems; it also provides superior overall system reliability.

"We are delighted to help the City of Berlin in its transition to quiet and emission–free transportation and a sustainable energy future for the people of this iconic capital," said Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy's Grid Integration business. "We feel the urgency and have the pioneering technology and commitment to advance sustainable mobility, thus improving the quality of life of millions of people."

BVG operates Germany's biggest city bus fleet of around 1,500 vehicles, which it aims to make completely electric and emission–free by 2030. This requires the installation of charging infra–structure in its large network of bus depots.

About Grid–eMotion

Grid–eMotion comprises two unique, innovative solutions – Fleet and Flash. Grid–eMotion Fleet is a grid–code compliant and space–saving grid–to–plug charging solution that can be in–stalled in new and existing bus depots. The charging solution can be scaled flexibly as the fleet gets bigger and greener. It includes a robust and compact grid connection and charging points, and is also available for commercial vehicle fleets, including last–mile delivery and heavy–duty trucks that require high power charging of several megawatts. Grid–eMotion Flash enables operators to flash–charge buses within seconds at passenger stops and fully recharge within minutes at the route terminus, without interrupting the bus schedule.

Both solutions are equipped with configurable smart charging digital platforms that can be em–bedded with larger fleet and energy management systems. Additional offerings from Hitachi Energy for EV charging systems consist of e–mesh energy management and optimization solutions and Lumada APM, EAM and FSM solutions, to help transportation operators make informed decisions that maximize their uptime and improve efficiency.

In the past few months alone, Hitachi Energy has won orders from customers and partners all over the world for its smart charging portfolio "" a sign that Grid–eMotion is changing the e–mobility landscape for electric buses and commercial vehicles. Grid–eMotion solutions are al–ready operating or under development in Australia, Canada, China, India, the Middle East, the United States and several countries in Europe.

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About Hitachi Energy Ltd.

Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon–neutral future. We are advancing the world's energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 38,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of approximately $10 billion USD.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, contributes to a sustainable society with a higher quality of life by driving innovation through data and technology as the Social Innovation Business. Hitachi is focused on strengthening its contribution to the Environment, the Resilience of business and social infrastructure as well as comprehensive programs to enhance Security & Safety. Hitachi resolves the issues faced by customers and society across six domains: IT, Energy, Mobility, Industry, Smart Life and Automotive Systems through its proprietary Lumada solutions. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2020 (ended March 31, 2021) totaled 8,729.1 billion yen ($78.6 billion), with 871 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 350,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com.

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8503383)

BETTER SLEEP Achieves Primary Endpoint Across All Patient Cohorts

BETTER SLEEP Achieves Primary Endpoint Across All Patient Cohorts

  • First clinical data demonstrating effectiveness of HGNS to treat CCC patients
  • As previously disclosed, confirms achievement of primary endpoint of AHI4 reductions for entire population, CCC cohort, and non–CCC cohort at six months, and reports 60%+ responder rates for all three cohorts
  • Exceeds 70% mean reduction in AHI4 among responders in both CCC and non–CCC cohorts

Mont–Saint–Guibert, Belgium "" March 14, 2022, 11:30pm CET / 6:30pm ET "" Nyxoah SA (Euronext Brussels/Nasdaq: NYXH)("Nyxoah" or the "Company"), a medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative solutions to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), today provided additional data from its BETTER SLEEP clinical trial that it showcased in a poster presentation at the 16th World Sleep Congress 2022. World Sleep, a global scientific congress, gathers leaders in sleep medicine and research from around the world for scientific sessions and networking.

Forty–two (42) moderate–to–severe OSA patients in the study received an implant at eight research sites in Australia, 18 of whom presented with Complete Concentric Collapse (CCC) of the soft palate and 24 who were classified as non–CCC. Three patients in each arm did not complete their six–month polysomnography, and as a result, the analysis was calculated based on 36 patients (15 CCC, 21 non–CCC). Of these 36 patients, there were 23 responders (64%), including nine of the 15 CCC patients (60%) and 14 of the 21 non–CCC patients (67%), at six months.

The primary endpoint was achieving at least a 4–point reduction in the apnea–hypopnea index (4% oxygen desaturation, or AHI4) from baseline at six months for the entire 42 patients. The overall reduction was statistically significant with an 11–point reduction (p<0.001), with statistically significant reductions of 10 points (p=0.001) in the CCC cohort and 11 points (p<0.001) in the non–CCC cohort. In addition, mean AHI4 reduction exceeded 70% among responders in both CCC and non–CCC cohorts. These results are subject to final review and validation.

"BETTER SLEEP represents the first clinical study to demonstrate the effectiveness of treating CCC patients with hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS)," said Olivier Taelman, Chief Executive Officer of Nyxoah. "The results give us confidence that we will be able to provide a better treatment option for CCC patients, who comprise approximately 30% of the moderate–to–severe OSA population and are contraindicated for other HGNS options. These data validate our differentiated approach of delivering bilateral stimulation via an implantable device requiring only one incision, and a CCC indication would eliminate the need for patients to undergo an invasive DISE procedure."

"We are also extremely encouraged to have generated such positive clinical results after just six months following implantation, as the growing body of clinical data and real–world experience suggests that patient responses improve meaningfully between months six and twelve," continued Mr. Taelman. "The granting of an expanded CE mark indication to treat CCC patients and Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. FDA, both based on BETTER SLEEP, along with the high–level interest among the approximately 50 physicians in attendance at Nyxoah's World Sleep symposium, underscore the strength of the data and excitement for the Genio platform. We continue to work with the FDA on an IDE approval to conduct a clinical trial for CCC patients in the U.S., which we aim to commence later this year."

About Nyxoah
Nyxoah is a medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative solutions to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Nyxoah's lead solution is the Genio system, a patient–centered, leadless and battery–free hypoglossal neurostimulation therapy for OSA, the world's most common sleep disordered breathing condition that is associated with increased mortality risk and cardiovascular comorbidities. Nyxoah is driven by the vision that OSA patients should enjoy restful nights and feel enabled to live their life to its fullest.

Following the successful completion of the BLAST OSA study, the Genio system received its European CE Mark in 2019. Nyxoah completed two successful IPOs: on Euronext Brussels in September 2020 and NASDAQ in July 2021. Following the positive outcomes of the BETTER SLEEP study, Nyxoah received CE mark approval for the expansion of its therapeutic indications to Complete Concentric Collapse (CCC) patients, currently contraindicated in competitors' therapy. Additionally, the Company is currently conducting the DREAM IDE pivotal study for FDA and US commercialization approval.

For more information, please visit http://www.nyxoah.com/.

Caution "" CE marked since 2019. Investigational device in the United States. Limited by U.S. federal law to investigational use in the United States.

Contacts:
Nyxoah
Loic Moreau, Chief Financial Officer
corporate@nyxoah.com
+32 473 33 19 80

Jeremy Feffer, VP IR and Corporate Communications
jeremy.feffer@nyxoah.com
+1 917 749 1494

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1000610787)

Dante Labs unveils Dante Genomics, the Company’s B2B global online marketplace delivering genomic solutions for medical professionals, researchers and pharma

NEW YORK, March 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dante Labs, a global leader in genomics and precision medicine, today announced the launch of Dante Genomics, an online marketplace portal specifically dedicated to healthcare providers, clinics, researchers and governments which will offer advanced genomic services for research and clinical applications.

This unique marketplace will be the first of its kind in the industry and will provide an intuitive and dynamic experience for customers worldwide. Customers will have the opportunity to choose among several sequencing technologies and options and get a tailored and personalized solution.

"At Dante, we are continually working to provide better genomic solutions to our customers," said Andrea Riposati, CEO of Dante Labs. "With the launch of this new online marketplace, Dante Genomics will make it as easy for clinical professionals and researchers to complete their genomics projects as it is to buy a book or tool on Amazon."

As a Sr. Product Manager in Seattle, Andrea Riposati belonged to the original Amazon team that developed Amazon Business, the Amazon.com ($AMZN) B2B portal that revolutionized industrial and scientific supplies in 2014.

Dante Genomics also provides a transparent pricing model to empower partners to get a personalized quote, while simultaneously purchasing online with a choice of the best deals to suit their specific needs.

The portal hosts a wide range of genomic services, from whole genome sequencing to non invasive prenatal diagnostics. All the services offered are suitable for either research or clinical applications.

Dante Labs recognizes that online B2B buying experiences in the healthcare industry is the need of millions of organizations. Dante Genomics has been designed for a user–friendly experience and has been optimized with easy navigation for desktop and mobile devices. The platform allows for order queries to be addressed online and is supported by secure payment methods and is compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Dante Genomics B2B customers have access to premium services including:

  • 1 week turnaround time on most tests
  • Oncology and germline sequencing tests
  • Custom projects
  • Multi–platform sequencing

Clinical and research customers will benefit from B2B features, including:

  • Quote Requests
  • Payment method visibility control (including PO payment option)
  • Quick Order Pad (including CSV upload)
  • Bulk discount
  • Invoicing and payment via wire transfer
  • Multiple currencies
  • Flexible buyer–side user management: several layers of roles and permissions (including Super Admin, Company Admin, Sr. Buyer, Jr. Buyer)

Access the Dante Genomics store at shop.dantegenomics.com to learn more.

About Dante Labs

Dante Labs is a global genomic data company building and commercializing a new class of transformative health and longevity applications based on whole genome sequencing and AI. Our assets include one of the largest private genome databases with research consent, a proprietary software platform designed to unleash the power of genomic data at scale and proprietary processes which enable an industrial approach to genomic sequencing.

Contact:

Laura D'Angelo
VP of Investor Relations
ir@dantelabs.com
+39 0862 191 0671
www.dantelabs.com


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