TAIPEI, Jan. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. (TAIEX: 2412, NYSE: CHT) ("Chunghwa" or "the Company") today reported its un-audited operating results for the fourth quarter of 2024. All figures were prepared in accordance with Taiwan-International Financial Reporting Standards ("T-IFRSs") on a consolidated basis. (Comparisons throughout the press release, unless otherwise stated, are made with regard to the prior year period.) Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights Total revenue increas ...

Strategic Partnership Overview - Genethon and Eukarÿs announced a strategic partnership to reduce the biomanufacturing cost of gene therapies by leveraging Eukarÿs' proprietary C3P3 technology [1] - The collaboration aims to improve the production of AAV vectors, a key delivery method for therapeutic genes [3] - Genethon will contribute its expertise in AAV vector design and production, while Eukarÿs will provide its patented C3P3 technology [4] Industry Context - Gene therapies offer significant potential for treating rare and common diseases, but high biomanufacturing costs remain a major barrier to their development and commercialization [2] - Improving production technologies and increasing biomanufacturing yields are critical to making these therapies more accessible [2] Technology Innovation - Eukarÿs' C3P3 enzyme enhances mRNA synthesis capabilities in mammalian cells, increasing production yields by 5 to 7 times [6] - The C3P3 technology is universal, requiring no adaptation for most biopharmaceuticals, and can be integrated into existing industrial processes without additional investment [6] - The enzyme is suitable for producing a wide range of biopharmaceuticals, including monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, and Virus-like particles (VLPs) [6] Company Profiles - Genethon is a non-profit organization specializing in gene therapy development for rare diseases, with 13 products in clinical trials and 7 more expected to enter trials in the next five years [7] - Eukarÿs, founded in 2010, has developed the C3P3 technology to transform biopharmaceutical production and has received significant recognition, including the Sanofi Golden Ticket in 2024 [8][9] Leadership Perspectives - Patrick Santambien of Genethon highlighted the disruptive potential of Eukarÿs' technology in reducing biomanufacturing costs and improving AAV vector production [5] - Guillaume Prunier, CEO of Eukarÿs, emphasized the importance of the partnership in accelerating the adaptation of C3P3 for gene therapy, particularly for AAV and lentiviruses [5]

Collaboration Overview - Cancer Research UK, Cytovation, and the Norwegian Cancer Society have signed an agreement to advance CY-101 into a multinational Phase 2 clinical trial for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) [1] - The collaboration aims to address the urgent need for new therapies for ACC, a rare and aggressive cancer with limited treatment options [1] - Cancer Research UK's Centre for Drug Development (CDD) will sponsor, design, and deliver the Phase 2 trial, while Cytovation will provide CY-101 [4] - The Norwegian Cancer Society will provide co-funding and access to additional resources, patients, and trial sites across the UK and Europe [5][9] CY-101 Mechanism and Development - CY-101 is a synthetic peptide with a dual function: it selectively targets and destroys cancer cells while inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, a key driver of immunotherapy resistance [2] - CY-101's development is supported by data from the Phase 1 CICILIA trial, which showed clinical benefits in solid tumor patients, including two ACC patients with significant progression-free survival [3] - CY-101's dual mechanism of action includes targeting cancer cell membranes, releasing neo-antigens, and inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway to restrict tumor growth and reverse immune exclusion [11] Organizational Contributions - Cancer Research UK's Centre for Drug Development has a 30-year track record of developing novel cancer treatments, with over 160 potential anti-cancer agents entering clinical trials and six reaching the market [8] - Cytovation is a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing CY-101, a first-in-class bifunctional immunotherapy [10] - The Norwegian Cancer Society, with 128,000 members and 27,000 volunteers, is dedicated to improving cancer prevention, treatment, and patient quality of life [13] Strategic Significance - The collaboration represents a critical step in addressing unmet needs for ACC patients and highlights the potential of CY-101 to be transformative for ACC and other cancer types [6] - The partnership leverages the expertise and resources of all three organizations to advance groundbreaking cancer treatments and bring new hope to patients [6][9]

Issuance of Notes - Municipality Finance Plc issues EUR 9 million notes with a maturity date of 24 January 2037 [1] - The notes bear interest at a floating rate equal to 3-month EURIBOR plus 40 bps per annum [1] - The notes are issued under MuniFin's EUR 50 billion programme for the issuance of debt instruments [2] - Societe Generale Paris acts as the dealer for the issue of the notes [3] Trading and Listing - MuniFin has applied for the notes to be admitted to trading on the Helsinki Stock Exchange maintained by Nasdaq Helsinki [2] - Public trading is expected to commence on 24 January 2025 [2] Company Overview - MuniFin is one of Finland's largest credit institutions with a balance sheet totaling over EUR 50 billion [3] - The company is owned by Finnish municipalities, the public sector pension fund Keva, and the Republic of Finland [3] - MuniFin operates in a global business environment and is an active Finnish bond issuer in international capital markets [5] - MuniFin is the first Finnish green and social bond issuer [5] Customer and Sustainability Focus - MuniFin's customers include municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties, and non-profit organisations [4] - Lending is used for environmentally and socially responsible investment targets such as public transportation, sustainable buildings, hospitals, and schools [4] - The company builds a better and more sustainable future with its customers [4]

[220+ Pages Latest Report] According to a market research study published by Custom Market Insights, the demand analysis of Global Intravascular Ultrasound Devices Market size & share revenue was valued at approximately USD 624.34 Million in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 663.44 Million in 2024 and is expected to reach around USD 1214.6 Million by 2033, at a CAGR of 6.87% between 2024 and 2033. The key market players listed in the report with their sales, revenues and strategies are Philips Healthcare, S ...

Partnership Overview - iStaging partners with CHANDON, a sparkling-wine Maison of LVMH, to revolutionize the wine industry through immersive technology [1] - The collaboration focuses on blending winemaking artistry with cutting-edge technology to enhance consumer experiences [5] CHANDON's Global Presence and Innovation - CHANDON, founded in 1959, operates six wineries across Argentina, California, Brazil, Australia, China, and India [2] - In 2024, CHANDON launched a virtual Brand Home experience in Napa Valley, redefining how wine lovers and businesses interact with the brand [2] iStaging's Role and Technology - iStaging's SaaS software suite enables CHANDON's 360° VR interface, allowing users to explore the brand's legacy, products, and event spaces virtually [3] - The virtual experience serves multiple purposes, including employee training, B2C sales, and promoting Napa Valley as a premium event destination [3] Impact of the Virtual Experience - The virtual CHANDON Home Experience integrates interactive elements, enhancing customer engagement and reinforcing CHANDON's market leadership [4] - The initiative bridges tradition and modernity, enabling users to reserve event spaces, purchase products, and engage with the brand in an immersive way [4] Future Expansion and Vision - CHANDON plans to expand its virtual Brand Home experience to other global wineries in 2025 [6] - The partnership aims to reshape the wine industry by delivering unparalleled virtual experiences that captivate audiences [6]

Issuer Call Notice Summary - Banque Fédérative du Crédit Mutuel is issuing a notice to call €250,000,000 Undated Deeply Subordinated Fixed to Floating Rate Notes under its program [3] - The Notes have an ISIN Code: XS0212581564 [3] - The Issuer is exercising its right to call the Notes in whole, as per the Issuer Call provision under Conditions 6 [4] - The Optional Redemption Date is set for 25 February 2025 [5] - The Optional Redemption Amount is EUR 1,000 per Denomination [5] - The notice is addressed to the Noteholders, Luxembourg Stock Exchange, and Amsterdam Stock Exchange [7] Key Dates and Amounts - Issuer Call Date: 25 February 2025 [5] - Optional Redemption Amount: EUR 1,000 per Denomination [5] Addressees - Noteholders of the specified Notes [7] - Luxembourg Stock Exchange [7] - Amsterdam Stock Exchange [7]

Executive Changes - Huibert Vigeveno, Downstream, Renewables and Energy Solutions Director, will step down effective 31 March 2025 after 30 years of service [1] - Wael Sawan, CEO, praised Vigeveno for his contributions, including leading the BG integration and transforming Downstream, Renewables and Energy Solutions [2] - Andrew Smith will be appointed Director, Trading and Supply, and Machteld de Haan will be appointed Director, Downstream, Renewables and Energy Solutions, both joining the Executive Committee from 1 April 2025 [2] New Appointments Background - Andrew Smith has been with Shell since 1986, holding various roles including Executive Vice President, Trading and Supply, and leading Shell's LNG and Onshore Gas businesses in Australia [6] - Machteld de Haan joined Shell in 1998, with experience in Lubricants, Chemicals and Products, and most recently as Executive Vice President, Global Lubricants [6] Company Strategy and Structure - Shell continues to evolve its structure to deliver more value with less emissions, aligning with its ongoing transformation [2] - The changes do not affect Shell's financial reporting segments, which remain Integrated Gas, Upstream, Marketing, Chemicals and Products, Renewables and Energy Solutions, and Corporate [6] Environmental Goals - Shell's operating plans reflect Scope 1, Scope 2, and Net Carbon Intensity (NCI) targets over the next ten years but do not yet reflect the 2050 net-zero emissions target [10] - Shell's NCI includes emissions from production, suppliers, and customers' use of energy products, as well as emissions from products purchased for resale [9]

Transaction Overview - WithSecure Corporation has signed a share purchase agreement to sell its cyber security consulting business to Neqst, a Swedish investment firm specializing in technology and technology-enabled companies [1] - The transaction involves the sale of shares of a to-be-established WithSecure cyber security consulting group, to which the consulting business will be transferred prior to completion [2] - Approximately 250 employees across Finland, UK, Sweden, Denmark, Singapore, Italy, and the US are expected to transfer to Neqst as part of the deal [2] Strategic Rationale - The divestment aligns with WithSecure's strategy updates first announced in October 2023 [3] - The cyber security consulting unit provides world-leading offensive security consultancy services [3] - Neqst views the acquisition as a valuable complement to its portfolio of leading IT services firms and plans to establish the business as a standalone entity for growth [4] Financial Terms - Total enterprise value of the transaction is EUR 22.5 million [5] - 60% of the purchase price (EUR 13.5 million) will be paid as fixed cash upon completion [5] - 40% of the purchase price (EUR 9 million) is variable and based on business performance in 2025 and 2026, payable in two installments in early 2026 and 2027 [5] Accounting Treatment - WithSecure will classify the cyber security consulting business as assets held for sale until closing and measure net assets at fair value [6] - Results of the divested business will be included in discontinued operations [6] - An impairment cost of approximately EUR 13 million is expected to be recorded in Q4 2024 as part of discontinued operations [6] Timeline and Next Steps - Transaction expected to complete during Q2 2025 [7] - Completion subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals [7] - WithSecure will publish its Q4 2024 financial statement release on 12 February 2025 [7]

Performance Overview - Portfolio Return on a Local Currency Basis for Q3 FY25 was 3.1%, with annualised returns of 16.0% over the last 5 years [2] - NAV per Share Total Return for Q3 FY25 was 3.0%, with long-term compounding returns of 13.8% annualised over the last 5 years [3] - Share Price Total Return for Q3 FY25 was (7.5)%, but showed strong growth of 16.1% over the last year [2] Portfolio Activity - Total New Investments in Q3 FY25 amounted to £35.2m, with £27m in Primary investments, £5m in Direct investments, and £4m in Secondary investments [4][22] - Total Proceeds from realisations in Q3 FY25 were £34.4m, including 12 Full Exits with a weighted average Uplift to Carrying Value of 18% [3][22] - Closing Portfolio value at 31 October 2024 was £1,445m, with 53% in Primary investments, 32% in Direct investments, and 15% in Secondary investments [4][15] Dividend and Share Buyback - Q3 FY25 dividend per share was 8.5p, with the Board intending to pay total dividends of at least 35p per share for FY25 [3][25] - Since October 2022, the company has returned £50m to shareholders through buybacks, reducing share count by 6% and adding 47p to NAV per Share [3][23] - The opportunistic share buyback programme for FY26 has been renewed for up to £25m, running alongside the long-term buyback programme [26] Balance Sheet and Liquidity - Cash balance at 31 October 2024 was £6m, with total available liquidity of £107m, increasing to £158m pro forma for the increase in credit facility post period-end [24][26] - Net debt at 31 October 2024 was £95m, with the Portfolio representing 111% of net assets [24] - The revolving credit facility was increased from €240m to €300m, enhancing balance sheet flexibility [26] Investment Strategy - The company focuses on buyouts of profitable, cash-generative businesses in developed markets, primarily in North America and Europe [13][14] - The medium-term target portfolio composition aims for 40-50% Primary, 30-35% Direct, and 25-30% Secondary investments [15] - Investments managed by ICG accounted for 31% of the Portfolio [14] Realisation and New Investment Activity - Realisation Proceeds in Q3 FY25 were £34.4m, with 12 Full Exits at a weighted average Uplift to Carrying Value of 17.9% [22] - New Investments in Q3 FY25 totalled £35.2m, with 76% in Primary, 14% in Direct, and 10% in Secondary investments [22] - One new fund Commitment of £7.5m was made during the quarter [20]