Month: September 2021

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Vice Chancellor QAU Officially Accepts Demands of Protesting Students

Vice-Chancellor (VC) Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) Islamabad, Dr. Muhammad Ali, has officially accepted the fair demands of protesting students.

According to the official notification, QAU has decided that tuition fees will be increased only for new entrants at a rate of 5% per year while a 30% rebate on service charges will be given to the students enrolled in Spring Semester 2021.

Moreover, the Student Welfare Fund and Library Fund will remain the same as last year in 2021. The Library Security fee will remain fixed at Rs. 5,500 per year while Departmental Security fee will be reduced to Rs. 6,000 for this year.

Hostel Security fee will remain fixed at Rs. 5,000 for this year while Mess Security fee will be reduced to Rs. 4,000 in 2021.

Transport facility will be ensured for the students of all evening programs while the approval of hostel facility, subject to the availability of seats, for students of all evening programs, will be sought from the relevant forum.

Lastly, Dr. Ali has also assured students to acquire private hostels on a priority basis while extending the timing of Dr. Razi-ud-Din Siddiqui Memorial (DRSM) Library till 9 PM.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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Saqlain Mushtaq Likely to be Appointed as Head Coach for T20 World Cup

Pakistan’s former off-spinner Saqlian Mushtaq is likely to be announced as the national team’s head coach for the upcoming 2021 T20 World Cup. Saqlain was previously announced as the interim head coach for the now-canceled series against New Zealand and England.

The legendary off-spinner is currently working as Head of International Player Development and Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) National High-Performance Center. Saqlain has also previously worked with England’s national team as their spin bowling consultant.

The 44-year old is regarded as one of the best coaches in Pakistan currently and his work at the NHPC has been highly appreciated by the higher-ups in the PCB.

Saqlain’s official announcement as Pakistan’s new head coach is expected to be made by the newly elected PCB chairman, Ramiz Raja, in the next few days.

Pakistan has already acquired the services of the legendary Australian batsman, Matthew Hayden, as the batting consultant and the former South African seamer, Vernon Philander, as the bowling consultant for the T20 World Cup.

Philander is expected to join the national team squad on 6 October in Lahore as the national team players will be active in the National T20 Cup, while Hayden will join the squad in Dubai after concluding his responsibilities as an analyst for the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).

The Men in Green will leave for Dubai for the T20 World Cup on 15 October, after the conclusion of the National T20 cup.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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Rohit Sharma’s Doppelganger in Pakistan Goes Viral

An image of Indian opener Rohit Sharma’s doppelganger has been circulating on various social media platforms. The image was uploaded to the popular social media platform, Twitter, and it has since gone viral on other platforms and has even been reported on Indian media.

A Twitter user named Shiraz Hassan uploaded the image with a sarcastic caption that read, “Who said Pakistan is not safe for visiting international cricketers? Just saw star Indian player Rohit Sharma, enjoying a glass of Aalu Bukhara (plum) sharbat at Rawalpindi’s Saddar.”

The striking resemblance between Rohit Sharma and his doppelganger left the Netizens in awe.

Here are some of the best reactions by the Netizens:

Source: Pro Pakistani

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Federal Govt approves Mega Development Package amounting Rs 500 bln for AJK

Federal Government has approved a Mega Development Package amounting to 500 billion rupees for AJK.

AJK Prime Minister Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi disclosed this while presiding over a meeting in Muzaffarabad on Thursday.

He informed the meeting that this would be the historic package of the state. Under the package, huge funds have been allocated for communication, construction of tunnel, hydel power projects, solid waste management, developing education institution’s and health infrastructure, IT, Tourism , Industries, Agriculture, Forests and livestock.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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NEPRA to Take Action Against MEPCO CEO for Overbilling Power Consumers

Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) has admitted to overbilling its consumers, causing nuisance and additional burden to the consumers.

During a hearing into a case of suo moto notice taken by the National Electric Power and Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) over the charges of overbilling against power distribution companies, it was revealed that MEPCO overbilled its consumers for up to 52 days, covering May and August. MEPCO, however, claimed that the overbilling was done for 30-37 days in May due to the COVID-19 prevalence and the Eid holidays.

It was also revealed in the probe carried out by the Power Information Technology Company (PITC) into the charges of overbilling by power distribution companies across the country that various power distribution companies billed their respective consumers for more than the allowed 30 days in one month.

CEO MEPCO said the overbilling was done for 30-37 days in May due to the COVID-19 prevalence and the Eid holidays. In addition to MEPCO, a K-Electric official also admitted that the company overbilled its consumers.

NEPRA Chairman Tauseef H. Farooqi, who chaired the hearing, said that the government did not ask to stop the provision of necessary services to the public during holidays. He stated, “the overbilling has deprived consumers of the benefit of the slab – how will that benefit be returned to the consumers?”

Speaking on the occasion, Vice-Chairman NEPRA Rafique Ahmed Shaikh underlined that action would be taken against the officials concerned and such negligence would not be tolerated. He emphasized taking action against the CEO MEPCO and penalizing him for overbilling. He also ordered the quarters concerned to correct the data.

Terming the overbilling a serious issue, the Vice-Chairman NEPRA remarked that it seemed as if the meter readers of power distribution companies were also creating problems for the consumers. “Those meter readers found guilty of reporting data for excessive days will be dismissed from service,” warned the NEPRA officer.

He maintained that NEPRA would issue a detailed verdict in this regard. “NEPRA will launch an inquiry to assess the total overbilling by each power distribution company,” he said and adjourned the hearing.

According to NEPRA officials, a total of 64 complaints of overbilling, 13 complaints from KE consumers, were received.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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QisstPay raises $15M, cementing itself as the fastest growing emerging markets BNPL player from Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — QisstPay, Pakistan’s first and fastest growing buy now pay later platform (BNPL), today announced that they have raised $15M across its seed & pre-seed rounds with a mix of equity and debt. MSA Capital led the round, with institutional investment participation from Global Founders Capital; Fox Ventures, First Check Ventures; and a series of strategic angel investments from Simone Mancini and Johnny Mitrevski, Co-Founders of Scalapay, who recently raised a $155M Series A round at a $700M valuation; Ashley Davies, former CFO of Venmo and current Sylp CFO; former C Suite at Affirm; Adam Mawdesley, VP of Partnerships & Product at Splitit; and United Bank Limited of Pakistan.

QisstPay is an installment payment service for emerging markets offering interest free platform. When chosen at checkout, QisstPay allows customers to pay for their purchase in installments with 0% interest and no late fees. The service allows Pakistanis to pay for everyday necessities, effectively building better cash management in what is otherwise considered a very cash-driven society.

Co-Founder and CEO, Jordan Olivas is a former Klarna employee, who supported the launch of the company’s Pay In 4 solution, one of the world’s biggest BNPL platforms. “After moving here to Pakistan, I noticed how badly the people of this country need a financial tool to help them purchase goods and services that they not only want, but actually need,” says Olivas.

Seeing a week to week growth on 92% rate, QisstPay is currently serving over 500 retailers in Pakistan, including Samsung, Camelbak, Diesel, Philips, Xiaomi MiStore, Lenovo & regional leaders such as Sapphire, Uniworth & the largest Shopify store in the country, elo.

“Export leftovers has recently seen another high of hitting the fastest spike of 85% on average order value ever since we have started to offer QisstPay BNPL to our customers,” says Umar Qamar Co-Founder of Elo, the largest shopify Ecommerce brand in Pakistan.

To learn more, please visit https://qisstpay.com/.

About QisstPay

QisstPay is an installment payment service for emerging markets. QisstPay is a Buy Now, Pay Later platform that, when chosen at checkout, allows customers to pay in installments with 0% interest. They are addressing the lack of flexibility, integration, and the hidden fees currently plaguing Pakistan’s BNPL landscape by giving customers an efficient, adaptable, interest free platform.

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Adagio Therapeutics Announces New Data Highlighting the Potential of ADG20 for Treatment and Prevention of COVID-19

ADG20 Continues to be Well Tolerated in Healthy Volunteers with Prolonged Half-Life and Serum Virus Neutralization Activity Observed out to Six Months in Ongoing Phase 1 Study

Data from Quantitative Systems Pharmacology/Whole-Body Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling Support Evaluation of 300 mg Intramuscular Dose of ADG20 Given as a Single Intramuscular Injection in Ongoing Phase 2/3 Studies

Data to be Presented During IDWeek 2021 and 19th Annual Discovery on Target Conference

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Adagio Therapeutics, Inc., (Nasdaq: ADGI) a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of antibody-based solutions for infectious diseases with pandemic potential, today announced new data from the company’s COVID-19 antibody program. Updated, six-month data from its ongoing Phase 1 study of ADG20 in healthy participants and data validating the selection of the 300 mg intramuscular (IM) dose given as a single injection that is being evaluated in the company’s ongoing global Phase 2/3 treatment (STAMP) and prevention (EVADE) clinical trials will be presented during four poster sessions at the Infectious Disease Society of America’s IDWeek 2021, being held from Sept. 29 – Oct. 3, 2021. In addition, Adagio’s chief scientific officer, Laura Walker, Ph.D., will present a subset of the ADG20 Phase 1 data as well as background on the identification and optimization of this differentiated antibody clinical candidate in an oral presentation at the 19th Annual Discovery on Target Conference on Sept. 30, 2021.

“The continued strength of the safety and pharmacokinetic data from our Phase 1 study is encouraging and further underscores the potential impact an antibody like ADG20 – which was designed to be potent, broadly neutralizing and delivered as a single IM injection – could have on people with or at risk of COVID-19,” said Lynn Connolly, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer of Adagio. “These Phase 1 data combined with our dose selection strategy, which relied on our innovative modeling approach, have allowed us to initiate and advance our pivotal trials of ADG20 in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. We anticipate these data will support an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) application in the first quarter of 2022, which could enable us to bring an important treatment option to patients.”

Phase 1 Trial Update
Adagio is evaluating ADG20 in a Phase 1 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled single ascending-dose study to assess safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), immunogenicity, and serum virus neutralizing activity of ADG20 ex vivo against SARS-CoV-2. Data from a six-month evaluation timepoint confirmed the extended half-life of ADG20, which approached 100 days based on data from the 300 mg IM dose that was given as a single injection. In addition, 50% serum virus neutralization titers at six months after a 300 mg IM dose of ADG20 were similar to observed peak titers with the mRNA-1273 vaccine and exceeded those achieved with the AZD1222 vaccine series. Importantly, ADG20 was well tolerated with no study drug-related adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, or injection-site or hypersensitivity reactions reported through a minimum of three months follow-up across all cohorts. Participants will continue to be followed through 12 months to assess safety and tolerability, PK, immunogenicity and serum virus neutralizing activity.

Phase 1 Poster Information: (633) Preliminary Results from a Phase 1 Single Ascending-Dose Study Assessing Safety, Serum Viral Neutralizing Antibody Titers (sVNA), and Pharmacokinetic (PK) Profile of ADG20: an Extended Half-Life Monoclonal Antibody Being Developed for the Treatment and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Dose Selection Strategy
To support dose selection for Adagio’s global Phase 2/3 STAMP and EVADE clinical trials, the company modified an existing quantitative systems pharmacology whole-body physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (QSP/PBPK) model to better characterize the PK of extended half-life monoclonal antibodies in serum and key sites of viral replication in the respiratory tract. Adagio’s model adequately a priori predicted the observed ADG20 serum PK in non-human primates (NHPs) and humans. The model was further optimized based on data from Adagio’s Phase 1 clinical trial and then applied for dose selection for STAMP and EVADE.

For the STAMP treatment trial, data compiled to date suggest that the 300 mg IM regimen has a projected ability to rapidly achieve and maintain target concentrations at key tissue sites of viral replication, including the ability to attain near complete (> 90%) and durable (> 28-day) SARS-CoV-2 receptor occupancy across a range of baseline viral loads. Further, for the EVADE prevention trial, data compiled to date suggest the 300 mg IM regimen has a projected ability to rapidly exceed target serum concentrations in the majority of simulated patients and to maintain potentially effective concentrations for up to 12 months.

Dose Selection Poster Information

  • (1086) A Whole-Body Quantitative System Pharmacology Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (QSP/PBPK) Model that a priori Predicts Intramuscular (IM) Pharmacokinetics of ADG20: an Extended Half-life Monoclonal Antibody Being Developed for the Treatment and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
  • (1089) Use of a Whole-Body Quantitative System Pharmacology Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (QSP/PBPK) Model to Support Dose Selection of ADG20: an Extended Half-Life Monoclonal Antibody Being Developed for the Prevention of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
  • (1088) A Whole-Body Quantitative System Pharmacology Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (QSP/PBPK) Model to Support Dose Selection of ADG20: an Extended Half-Life Monoclonal Antibody Being Developed for the Treatment of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

The STAMP and EVADE clinical trials are currently ongoing and enrolling patients globally. For more information, please visit clincialtrials.gov.

About ADG20
ADG20, a monoclonal antibody targeting the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses, is being developed for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. ADG20 was designed and engineered to possess high potency and broad neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 and additional clade 1 sarbecoviruses, by targeting a highly conserved epitope in the receptor binding domain. ADG20 displays potent neutralizing activity against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain as well as all known variants of concern. ADG20 has the potential to impact viral replication and subsequent disease through multiple mechanisms of action, including direct blocking of viral entry into the host cell (neutralization) and elimination of infected host cells through Fc-mediated innate immune effector activity. ADG20 is administered by a single intramuscular injection, and was engineered to have a long half-life, with a goal of providing both rapid and durable protection. Adagio is advancing ADG20 through multiple clinical trials on a global basis.

About Adagio Therapeutics
Adagio (Nasdaq: ADGI) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of antibody-based solutions for infectious diseases with pandemic potential. The company’s portfolio of antibodies has been optimized using Adimab’s industry-leading antibody engineering capabilities and is designed to provide patients and clinicians with a powerful combination of potency, breadth, durable protection (via half-life extension), manufacturability and affordability. Adagio’s portfolio of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies includes multiple, non-competing broadly neutralizing antibodies with distinct binding epitopes, led by ADG20. Adagio has secured manufacturing capacity for the production of ADG20 with third-party contract manufacturers to support the completion of clinical trials and initial commercial launch. For more information, please visit www.adagiotx.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “projects,” and “future” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning, among other things, the timing, progress and results of our preclinical studies and clinical trials of ADG20, including the timing of our planned EUA application, initiation and completion of studies or trials and related preparatory work, the period during which the results of the trials will become available and our research and development programs; our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for, our product candidates; our ability to identify patients with the diseases treated by our product candidates and to enroll these patients in our clinical trials; our manufacturing capabilities and strategy; and our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Adagio’s prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 6, 2021 and in Adagio’s future reports to be filed with the SEC, including Adagio’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. Such risks may be amplified by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of this date, and Adagio undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Contacts:
Media Contact:
Dan Budwick, 1AB
Dan@1abmedia.com

Investor Contact:
Monique Allaire, THRUST Strategic Communications
monique@thrustsc.com

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13th China Int’l Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition opens in Zhuhai, showing greater openness of the city

ZHUHAI, China, Sept. 29, 2021 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/– On 28 September, the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition or AirShow China officially opened in Zhuhai, south China’s Guangdong Province. This year, 700 companies from nearly 40 countries and regions participated in the exhibition, and a number of new products, technologies, services and achievements representing the world’s advanced level will be exhibited for the first time in China and the world, according to Executive Committee of the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition.

The civil aviation industry, dual-use technology, aviation manufacturing facilities, MRO, unmanned systems, maritime defense and other theme exhibition areas will be on show, covering land, sea, air, space, and electricity sectors.

The spectacular air shows and the dazzling array of advanced equipment demonstrate the confidence and openness of China’s aerospace industry.

The event’s increasing scale and international influence make Airshow China an important opportunity for enterprises to enter Asia-Pacific and the Chinese market. According to the organizer, the number of exhibitors and exhibition area this year have exceeded expectations. The number of pavilions has increased from 8 to 11, with all the world’s famous enterprises in the industry participating. Boeing’s exhibition area increased by 11% and Airbus’s by 65% compared to last year.

Leading enterprises are the “weather vane” of market trends, and the established aviation enterprises choose to come to Zhuhai, where the air show is held, to develop their business, making the city a “new star” in the aerospace industry.

Since 2003, Germany’s largest engine manufacturing giant MTU Aero Engines and China Southern Airlines Co., Ltd. have established a joint venture engine maintenance company in Zhuhai Free Trade Zone. Now, the company has completed the third phase of expansion and set up a branch plant in Jinwan District.

The decision to invest in a new plant stems from the company’s confidence in the recovery and development of the Asian market and the growing demand for narrow-body engine services, according to Jaap Beijer, president and Chief Executive of MTU Maintenance Zhuhai Co. Ltd.

“We are happy that we have a lot of partners and customers on the airshow. It gives us a big chance to come together with a lot of people on the short time,” he said.

Given the excellent market expectation and the city’s foresight, various forms of the aviation industry, such as agricultural UAVs, aviation new materials, engine maintenance services, aviation training and research experience, are developing in well in Zhuhai. Data shows that in 2020, the aviation industry output value in the Jinwan district alone has increased by 58.6% and that the aviation industry in Zhuhai continues to grow.

Industrial growth reflects the skyrocketing level of urban openness. As one of the first four special economic zones in China, Zhuhai has been at the forefront of international exchanges and cooperation in its rapid development over the past 40 years. Airshow China’s growing brand recognition has a close link to Zhuhai’s open attitude.

Currently, the Chinese government is promoting the construction of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Zhuhai, aiming to explore new paths and new models for deepening reform and opening up for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and even for China. It is foreseeable that Zhuhai will usher in a new round of opening opportunities, and this time it will not only attract the aerospace industry. A more open and efficient city, a high ground in line with international standards of global investment, is rising.

Source: Executive Committee of the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition

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