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Locus Biosciences Announces $35 Million Financing

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Proceeds will support product development and expansion of in-house cGMP manufacturing capabilities

Company anticipates initiating Phase 2 trial of CRISPR-Cas3-enhanced bacteriophage precision medicine for UTIs mid-2022

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., May 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Locus Biosciences, Inc. (“Locus”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a new class of precision engineered bacteriophage treatments for a diverse set of bacterial diseases, today announced that it completed a $35 million financing which included a Series B equity financing and conversion of an earlier convertible note. Notable investors participating in the round included Artis Ventures, Tencent Holdings, Viking Global Investors, Johnson and Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc. and Discovery Innovations.

Through its unique bacteriophage discovery, synthetic biology and manufacturing platform, Locus is developing two innovative categories of biotherapeutics to address significant unmet medical needs: precision CRISPR-enhanced bacteriophage (crPhage®) products to fight deadly infections, including those caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria; and engineered bacteriophage therapies that utilize bacteria resident in specific locations in the body to deliver therapeutic molecules.

Combined with strong and growing revenues from its partnerships, including its ongoing collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., proceeds from this financing will support the advancement of lead candidate LBP-EC01, a crPhage precision medicine targeting Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria causing urinary tract infections (UTIs), into a registrational Phase 2/3 trial, and further development of the Company’s preclinical programs focused on developing therapies for microbiome-associated diseases. In addition, funds will support the expansion of Locus’ discovery platform engine and enhancement of its in-house manufacturing capability to support oral solid dose delivery of its products.

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“Locus’ novel scientific approach has the potential to fundamentally change the way bacterial diseases are treated. We are realizing this potential through a robust product pipeline, over $1 billion in signed partnerships, and a vertically integrated, commercial-scale cGMP manufacturing facility. We are grateful for our strong investor syndicate that shares our vision, recognizes the transformative capability of our technology to address urgent areas of unmet medical need, and appreciates our excellent financial and operational performance,” said Paul Garofolo, Co-founder and CEO of Locus. “This financing helps Locus accelerate our growth, while remaining nimble and adaptable.”

“We’re thrilled to have JJDC and Viking Global join the previous investor syndicate in supporting Locus as they advance further in the clinic and deliver lifesaving therapies to patients,” said Stuart Peterson, Partner at Artis Ventures.

The Company anticipates initiating a Phase 2/3 trial of LBP-EC01 for the treatment of UTIs caused by E. coli bacteria by mid-2022. An analysis of the global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) published in The Lancet in January 2022 found there were almost 5 million estimated deaths associated with bacterial AMR in 2019, an annual death toll similar in magnitude to that of the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the urgent need for new treatments. Locus is developing products targeting four of the six leading pathogens associated with AMR-related mortality in the analysis.

In 2021, Locus completed a Phase 1b clinical trial of LBP-EC01. The trial, which was the world’s first randomized, placebo-controlled trial of recombinant bacteriophage therapy, met all primary and secondary endpoints and supported advancement of the product into the upcoming registrational Phase 2/3 trial.

About Locus Biosciences
Locus Biosciences is creating a new class of precision biotherapeutics with clinical-stage, engineered bacteriophage treatments for a diverse set of bacterial and microbiome/inflammatory diseases. A world-leading bacteriophage discovery, synthetic biology, and manufacturing platform powers the company. Locus engineers bacteriophage – naturally occurring viruses that target bacteria – to: 1) kill pathogenic bacteria, while sparing good bacteria, through programmable, precision anti-bacterials with CRISPR-Cas3; and 2) utilize bacteria resident in the body to deliver therapeutic molecules to reduce inflammation or induce other biotherapeutic effects. Its artificial intelligence and machine-learning based discovery engine is targeting bacteria across therapeutic areas including infectious disease, immunology, and oncology. Multiple non-dilutive strategic partnerships validate the company’s platform and programs. These include anti-bacterial alliances with Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for its lead Phase 2/3 asset; and Combatting Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Accelerator (CARB-X). For more on the Research Triangle Park, N.C.-based company, visit www.locus-bio.com.

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[email protected]

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Xinhua Silk Road: E China’s Changzhou City unveils investment opportunities in sectors of new productive forces for global investors

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BEIJING, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Changzhou City, an leading international smart manufacturing base located in east China’s Jiangsu Province, has released a bunch of investment investment opportunities to global investors in various sectors of new productive forces at the the 2024 New Energy Industry Development Conference & Invest in Changzhou Conference held in the city on September 19.

The investment opportunities covers nine areas including synthetic biology, low-altitude economy, intelligent connected new energy vehicles, solid-state batteries, hydrogen energy, third-generation semiconductors, and artificial intelligence, manifesting the confidence of Changzhou in further opening development. 
Changzhou, seated in the axis of the Yangtze River Delta, has become an important base for advanced manufacturing in China.
In recent years, thanks to intensified efforts in developing new energy industry and fostering new quality productive forces, Changzhou has expanded the added value of its industrial sector to more than two trillion yuan, with manufacturing added value accounting for about 43 percent, both ranking among the top three in Jiangsu Province.
In the Hurun China New Energy Cities 2024, a list released by the Hurun Research Institute at the conference, Changzhou ranked first among other cities in the country for three consecutive years in terms of investment attractiveness and concentration.
Changzhou has accumulated a total of 10.59 billion US dollars (nearly 74.25 billion yuan) in terms of actually utilized foreign capital since 2020. Major projects such as soft magnetism of ArcelorMittal and medical device of BIOS, a Hong Kong-based company, have been launched during the conference. 
In addition, Changzhou has released a multilingual guide for foreign nationals in Changzhou at the conference, which includes practical service items in stay and residence, work, convenient payment options, among others, turning the city into a more open and international place.
Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/342380.html
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CGTN: China honors individuals with highest awards in celebration of 75th National Day

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BEIJING, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Huang Zongde enlisted in the Chinese People’s Liberation Army at the age of 17, beginning a nearly four-decade-long military career where his bravery, valor and devotion earned him countless awards and honors.

The heavily decorated 93-year-old received the highest state honor on Sunday when Chinese President Xi Jinping conferred him with the Medal of the Republic at a ceremony in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
China awarded national medals and national honorary titles to 15 individuals, including Huang, in recognition of their contribution and achievement as it celebrates the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, which falls on October 1.
Chinese heroes and role models
In addition to Huang, three others were awarded the Medal of the Republic. Wang Yongzhi, a missile and rocket expert and a pioneer of China’s manned space program, was honored posthumously. Wang Zhenyi, a medical scientist known for breakthroughs in leukemia treatment, and Li Zhensheng, an expert in wheat breeding, are also among the honorees.
The national honorary titles went to 10 people, including scientists, a border patrolman, an artist, a craftsman, educators, a health worker, an economist and an athlete.
Addressing Sunday’s awarding ceremony, President Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called on the Chinese people to learn from heroes and role models to form a mighty force to build a strong China.
China is in a crucial period for building a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, he said.
Encouraging the Chinese people to strive for extraordinary achievements at ordinary job posts, Xi urged them to contribute to resolving challenges to development and reform and safeguarding social harmony and stability.
China’s old friends and good friends
As its highest state honor for foreigners, China awarded the Friendship Medal to Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank and former Brazilian president, for her commitment to the friendship between China and Brazil, and development of relationship between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, and cooperation among BRICS countries, a group of major emerging economies.
Accepting the honor at the ceremony, Rousseff said the medal symbolizes the strong bonds between Brazil and China and pledged to continue her unremitting efforts to promote the friendship.
China’s achievements over the decades, including economic transformation, technological innovation and remarkable social development, have made it a beacon and a source of inspiration for the world, she said.
Xi lauded Rousseff as an outstanding representative of China’s old friends and good friends who have shared the same aspirations and stood together with the Chinese people over the past 75 years and vowed that China will never forget such international friends.
The Chinese people are ready to join hands with people from all over the world to safeguard world peace, promote common development and advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind to create a better future for humanity, he said.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-09-29/China-honors-individuals-with-highest-awards-ahead-of-National-Day-1xhS1SaZeZa/p.html
 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cgtn-china-honors-individuals-with-highest-awards-in-celebration-of-75th-national-day-302261867.html

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Kazakhstan Government Delegation Visited SUPCON

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HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On September 26, a delegation from the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, led by Minister Madiyev Zhaslan, visited SUPCON. SUPCON’s Chairman and President, Mr.Cui Shan, warmly welcomed the delegation.

The Kazakhstan government representatives expressed their appreciation and recognition of SUPCON’s expertise and innovation in intelligent manufacturing, digital transformation, and industrial AI.
Madiyev Zhaslan expressed a strong interest in industrial AI technologies of SUPCON, particularly their applications in intelligent and low-carbon facilities. He looks forward to exploring extensive collaboration with SUPCON across various sectors in Kazakhstan.
Cui Shan emphasized that as a leading industrial AI company with a global presence, SUPCON will leverage its technological advantages to meet Kazakhstan’s industry development requirements and trends, injecting new momentum into the country’s industrial digitalization.
In 2023, SUPCON established a subsidiary in Kazakhstan as its Central Asia regional headquarters and set up a localized operational system. SUPCON will continue to invest in the long-term development of the Central Asia region, contributing further wisdom and strength to the industrial digital transformation in Kazakhstan and beyond.
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/kazakhstan-government-delegation-visited-supcon-302261857.html

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