Japan – Eisai to Divest Rights for Anti-Epileptic Drug Fycompa (perampanel) CIII in United States to Catalyst Pharmaceuticals

Dec 21, 2022 | Business

Eisai Co., Ltd. announced today that it has entered into an agreement to transfer the United States (U.S.) commercial rights for the anti-epileptic drug (AED) Fycompa (generic name: perampanel) CIII to Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as well as to provide Catalyst Pharmaceuticals with an exclusive negotiation period for an asset in Eisai’s epilepsy pipeline. Eisai will maintain its rights to Fycompa in countries and regions outside the U.S. and continue to contribute to patients with epilepsy. Closing of the transaction is contingent on completion of review under antitrust laws in the U.S.

The agreement will provide the opportunity for Eisai’s neuroscience team to focus on its long-term strategic priorities on the research, development, and commercialization of its Alzheimer’s disease portfolio. Eisai remains committed to drug discovery and research for anti-epileptogenesis through the modulation of neuroinflammation or lipid metabolism in glia cells, as well as the application of new technologies including spatial RNA-sequence. Research is a crucial aspect of Eisai’s aim to gain a deeper understanding of human brain biology and technologies that may also ultimately lead to broader neuroscience discoveries.

In the U.S., Fycompa was approved in 2012 and has been prescribed to more than 50,000 patients. Catalyst Pharmaceuticals is a company focused on developing therapies for rare neuromuscular as well as neurological disorders, and is increasing its presence in neurology in the U.S. The agreement is expected to maximize the patient value of Fycompa in the U.S. due to its strong commitment to patients living with epilepsy.

Under the terms of the agreement, Eisai will receive a contractual up-front payment of $160 million (USD) upon closing of the transaction. In addition, milestone payments and royalties may be received in the future. Eisai will continue to be responsible for the manufacture and supply of Fycompa to global markets including the U.S. Eisai’s U.S. subsidiary Eisai Inc. will provide transition services for a period to ensure patients continue to have access to this important medicine.

As a result of this transaction, Eisai anticipates no changes to its consolidated financial forecast for the period ended March 31, 2023.

Driven by our hhc concept, Eisai strives to create and deliver innovative products to target diseases with high unmet medical needs, with a particular focus in our strategic areas: Neurology, Oncology and Global Health. As an hhceco company, Eisai aims to effectively achieve social good in the form of relieving anxiety over health and reducing health disparities by creating solutions through building an ecosystem in collaboration with other industries.

About Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Catalyst Pharmaceuticals) is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on in-licensing, developing, and commercializing novel medicines for patients living with rare diseases. With exceptional patient focus, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals is committed to developing a robust pipeline of cutting-edge, best-in-class medicines for rare diseases. Catalyst Pharmaceuticals’ New Drug Application for FIRDAPSE (amifampridine) Tablets 10 mg for the treatment of adults with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (“LEMS”) was approved in 2018 by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”) and FIRDAPSE is commercially available in the U.S. as a treatment for adults and children ages six to seventeen with LEMS. Further, Canada’s national healthcare regulatory agency, Health Canada, has approved the use of FIRDAPSE for the treatment of adult patients in Canada with LEMS.

Media Inquiries:
Public Relations Department,
Eisai Co., Ltd.
+81-(0)3-3817-5120

Eisai Inc. (U.S.)
Christopher Vancheri
Christopher_vancheri@eisai.com
551-305-0050

Copyright ©2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.

Japan – Hitachi Energy to help French city of Clermont-Ferrand electrify its bus network and progress towards carbon neutrality

Dec 21, 2022 | Business

Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all, recently announced it has won an order to supply its Grid- eMotion Flash ultrafast charging system for the two busiest bus routes in the city of Clermont- Ferrand, central France.

Grid-eMotion Flash was the first choice of the city’s public transportation operator, SMTC-AC, which requires a fast, efficient, reliable and safe charging system that will help persuade motorists to leave their cars at home and use emission-free public transportation instead.

Grid-eMotion Flash is part of the city’s InspiRe(1) program to create sustainable urban mobility and reduce emissions, congestion and noise in the metropolitan area. It includes 40 new ebuses, dedicated bus lanes to shorten passenger journeys, very short intervals between buses in timetables, and no interruptions in bus services due to discharged batteries. As a result, SMTC-AC aims to raise passenger satisfaction and significantly increase the number of passenger journeys from 32 million today to 52 million by 2032(2). The new electric transportation system, integrated into a complex urban environment, will reduce CO2 emissions by around 5,000 tons a year.

Grid-eMotion Flash – Hitachi Energy’s ultrafast charging system – is enabling cities to reduce the environmental pollution of their transit systems without affecting passenger capacity or journey times. It flash-charges buses within seconds at selected stops, with ultrafast top-up charging during short rests at the route terminus and the depot.

“We are delighted to have won this prestigious order to help one of France’s historic cities switch from fossil-fueled public transportation to emission-free electric buses,” said Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business. “We share the same vision and values as Clermont-Ferrand – that electric public transportation leads to a sustainable energy future and a better quality of life for the people who live and work in the city.”

Grid-eMotion Flash is part of the electric transportation system in Nantes, France, which earlier this year won the industry’s highest award for operational and technological excellence from UITP, the leading global trade organization for public transportation(3). The Nantes flash charging system has also been featured by the BBC in its Humanising Energy(4) series on innovation in the world of energy.

Hitachi Energy was awarded the order by ebus manufacturer HESS of Switzerland. The two companies have previously collaborated on ebus and flash charging solutions for Brisbane in Australia, Geneva in Switzerland and Nantes in France. Grid-eMotion solutions are already operating or under development in Australia, Canada, China, India, the Middle East, the United States and several countries in Europe.

The Grid-eMotion portfolio includes Grid-eMotion Fleet, a grid-code compliant and space- saving grid-to-plug charging solution that can be installed in existing depots and scaled flexibly as the fleet gets greener. It comprises a robust and compact grid connection and charging points, and is available for buses and commercial vehicle fleets, including last-mile delivery and heavy-duty trucks that require high power charging of several megawatts.

Both Flash and Fleet are equipped with configurable smart charging digital platforms that can be embedded with larger fleet and energy management systems. Additional offerings from Hitachi Energy for electric vehicle charging systems include e-mesh energy management and optimization solutions and Lumada APM, EAM and FSM solutions to help transportation operators make informed decisions that maximize uptime and improve efficiency.

In the past year, 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.

Hitachi Energy website
Grid-eMotion portfolio: bit.ly/3FJExVS
Grid-eMotion Flash: bit.ly/3WaNGhr
Grid-eMotion Fleet: bit.ly/3YypM0O

(1) InspiRe: https://inspire-clermontmetropole.fr/
(2) Figures supplied by SMTC-AC
(3) bit.ly/3PGy0Qj
(4) www.bbc.com/storyworks/humanising-energy/charging-forces

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 40,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of approximately $10 billion USD.
www.hitachienergy.com
www.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergy
https://twitter.com/HitachiEnergy

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society with data and technology. We will solve customers’ and society’s challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, under the business structure of Digital Systems & Services, Green Energy & Mobility, Connective Industries and Automotive Systems. Driven by green, digital, and innovation, we aim for growth through collaboration with our customers. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2021 (ended March 31, 2022) totaled 10,264.6 billion yen ($84,136 million USD), with 853 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 370,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.


Sectors: Energy, Alternatives, Alternative Energy

Copyright ©2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.

Hong Kong – Enhancement and Start-up Grant Scheme for Self-financing Post-secondary Education opens for application

Dec 21, 2022 | International

Enhancement and Start-up Grant Scheme for Self-financing Post-secondary Education opens for application

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     The Education Bureau (EDB) today (December 21) announced that the 2022/23 round of applications under the Enhancement and Start-up Grant Scheme for Self-financing Post-secondary Education is open for application from today to April 13, 2023. 
 
     The Scheme aims to provide financial support for eligible self-financing post-secondary education institutions to develop and enhance programmes that meet market needs but require high start-up costs, and help alleviate the institutions’ need to fully recover the set-up costs from tuition fees, thus relieving the financial burden on students. It also supports institutions to better develop their own strengths and niche areas, strengthening strategic co-ordination between institutions. 
 
     Eligible institutions are as follows:
 
a) Hong Kong Metropolitan University; 

b) approved post-secondary colleges under the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance (Cap. 320); and 

c) post-secondary institutions registered under the Education Ordinance (Cap. 279). 

     The Scheme subsidises full-time locally accredited local self-financing sub-degree and undergraduate (including top-up degree) programmes, covering both the development of new programmes and the enhancement of existing ones. With a view to enhancing the teaching and learning in designated academic areas, it supports projects of the following nature:
 
a) significant development/enhancement of programme curriculum and pedagogies; 

b) recruitment/professional development of faculty members and teaching staff; 

c) procurement/upgrade of market-standard equipment/facilities to meet academic and professional requirements; 

d) provision of new/improvement to existing discipline-specific campus facilities/infrastructure; and 

e) other relevant discipline-specific expenditure areas that are in alignment with the objective of the scheme. 

     Funding for each proposal will generally be subject to a cap of $42 million. The Committee on Self-financing Post-secondary Education will give advice to the Secretary for Education regarding the comparative merits of the proposals.
 
     In the 2021/22 round of applications, four out of 19 applications were approved with a total grant of about $117 million. They covered the allied health, art technology, construction management and supply chain management sectors, which are conducive to catering for the keen manpower demand of the relevant industries. Details of the projects are as follows:
 

Institution Project Approved grant
(in million dollars)
Hong Kong Metropolitan University The Upgrade of Teaching and Learning Facilities and Resources to Support Creative Arts Programmes in Interactive Music and Virtual Production Technology 33.3
Hong Kong Metropolitan University Establishment of Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Construction Management and Surveying 40.6
The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong Teaching Smart Decision Analytics for Supply Chain and Information Management Programme Enhancement 17.1
Tung Wah College Establishment of a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Medical Imaging Programme 26.5

 
     The EDB will maintain close liaison with relevant institutions to make the best use of the resources of the Scheme and launch the relevant programmes as soon as practicable.
 
     Further details of the Scheme and the approved projects can be found at the designated website (www.cspe.edu.hk/en/esgs.html).

Hong Kong – Fraudulent website and phishing email related to The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

Dec 21, 2022 | International

Fraudulent website and phishing email related to The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited relating to a fraudulent website and phishing email, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.

     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).

     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the website or email concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

Belgravia Hartford Provides Year End Update on Zonetail Litigation

Dec 21, 2022 | Business

Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc. (CSE: BLGV) (“Belgravia Hartford”, “Belgravia” or the “Company”) provides a shareholder status update on its litigation with Zonetail Inc. (TSXV: ZONE) (“Zonetail”).

Belgravia and Zonetail are currently engaged in litigation which Zonetail launched in December 2019, the litigation is related to their prior commercial relationship.

Background Summary

1. Prior to becoming a publicly listed company, Zonetail solicited Belgravia to purchase its shares through private placement transactions in an effort to build working capital, and in part, to complete its going public transaction;

2. From February 2018 to November 2018 Belgravia invested $876,600 in Zonetail common shares at an average cost price of $0.1885/common share (the “Zonetail Share Cost Price”);

3. Additionally, on July 26, 2018, at the repeated request of Zonetail, Belgravia, in good faith, agreed to loan Zonetail $325,000 (the “Loan”) and issued a promissory note in the amount of $325,000 plus 8% interest due November 1, 2018 (the “Promissory Note”) which was agreed to and signed by Zonetail in promise of payment;

4. In August, 2018, Zonetail paid an interest payment of 144,444 common shares representing 8% of the interest payable;

5. Further, on October 30, 2018, Belgravia, in good faith, agreed to amend the date of repayment of the Promissory Note to the earlier of (i) that date which is 12 months from the closing of the Zonetail going public transaction, or (ii) November 1, 2019 and increased interest payable from 8% interest to 18% interest on the Promissory Note;

6. From March 2018 through February 2019 Belgravia was engaged by Zonetail to implement certain management services to fulfil its listing requirement. Belgravia provided services to assist Zonetail with Corporate Governance structure, meeting listing requirements and a number of other corporate initiatives;

7. On November 21, 2018, Zonetail became a publicly-traded company on the TSX Venture Exchange. As a result, Belgravia’s equity position, 4,749,999 common shares and 1,905,555 share purchase warrants was subject to Tier 2 escrow provisions and released over three years: 2019, 2020, and 2021;

8. On November 23, 2018, Zonetail paid an interest payment on the Loan of $32,500 to Belgravia in accordance with the Promissory Note;

Steps to Degradation of Relationship between Belgravia and Zonetail

9. During Q2 of 2019, five months after the going public transaction was complete and only then the second tranche of the escrowed funds were released, the average market price of Zonetail common shares had plummeted to a price of approximately of $0.06 per common share or 1/3 of the original Zonetail Share Cost Price. Belgravia’s total loss on investment: Over $700,000;

10. On August 29, 2019, Zonetail released it’s Q2 Financials which indicated approx. $17,000 of cash in the treasury;

11. In December 2019, Zonetail commenced a legal action against Belgravia, instead of repaying the Loan in good faith. Belgravia continues to demand immediate repayment of the Loan and the debt owed, being $506,125 (principal and unpaid interest to date); and

12. Belgravia has counterclaimed for $2,500,000 against Zonetail seeking to (among other things) hold Zonetail accountable for the full amount of the Loan repayment and applicable interest (i.e., $506,125).

Mehdi Azodi President & CEO of Belgravia Hartford stated, “Belgravia will vigorously defend itself and assert its right to re-payment of the Loan in accordance with the Promissory Note. Belgravia is moving rapidly towards scheduling a trial date and will provide a further update in early Q1 of 2023.”

About Belgravia Hartford

Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc. (“Belgravia” or the “Company”) is a publicly traded investment holding company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange. Belgravia is focused on growing its assets and holdings and increasing its net asset value (NAV). Belgravia invests in a portfolio of private and public companies located in jurisdictions governed by the rule of law. It takes a multi-sector investment approach with emphasis in the resources and commodities sector. Belgravia and its investments are considered high risk holdings and it may expose shareholders to significant volatility and losses. For more information, please visit www.belgraviahartford.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements that use forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “potential” or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding planned investment activities & related returns, the timing for completion of research and development activities, the potential value of royalties, and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, changes in market trends, the completion, results and timing of research undertaken by the Company, risks associated with resource assets, the impact of general economic conditions, commodity prices, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory, environmental, and governmental approvals, and the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

For More Information, Please Contact:
Mehdi Azodi, President & CEO
Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc.
(250) 763-5533
mazodi@blgv.ca


Topic: Press release summary