CARLSBAD, Calif. , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IONS) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved TRYNGOLZATM (olezarsen) as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglycerides in adults with familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS), a rare, genetic form of severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG) that can lead to potentially life-threatening acute pancreatitis (AP). TRYNGOLZA is the first-ever FDA-approved treatment that significantly and substantially reduces triglyceride levels in adults with FCS and provides clinically meaningful reduction in AP events when used with an appropriate diet (≤20 grams of fat per day). TRYNGOLZA is self-administered via an auto-injector once monthly. Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/ionis-pharmaceuticals/9295551-en-tryngolza-olezarsen-fda-approval "Today's FDA approval of TRYNGOLZA heralds the arrival of the first-ever FCS treatment in the U.S. – a transformational moment for patients and their families. For the first time, adults with FCS can now access a treatment that substantially reduces triglycerides and the risk of debilitating and potentially life-threatening acute pancreatitis," said Brett P. Monia , Ph.D., chief executive officer, Ionis. "We are proud of our long-standing partnership with the FCS community and are grateful to the patients, families and investigators who participated in our clinical studies, enabling Ionis to make this new treatment a reality. The FDA approval of TRYNGOLZA is also a pivotal moment for Ionis, representing our evolution into a fully integrated commercial-stage biotechnology company – a goal we set out to achieve five years ago. With our rich pipeline of potentially life-changing medicines, we expect TRYNGOLZA to be the first in a steady cadence of innovative medicines we will deliver independently to people living with serious diseases." The FDA approval was based on positive data from the global, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase 3 Balance clinical trial in adult patients with genetically identified FCS and fasting triglyceride levels ≥880 mg/dL. In the Balance study, TRYNGOLZA 80 mg demonstrated a statistically significant placebo-adjusted mean reduction in triglyceride levels of 42.5% from baseline to six months (p=0.0084). Reductions from baseline to 12 months were further improved, with TRYNGOLZA achieving a placebo-adjusted 57% mean reduction in triglycerides. TRYNGOLZA also demonstrated a substantial, clinically meaningful reduction in AP events over 12 months; one patient (5%) experienced one episode of AP in the TRYNGOLZA group compared with seven patients (30%) who experienced 11 total episodes of AP in the placebo group. TRYNGOLZA demonstrated a favorable safety profile. The most common adverse reactions (incidence >5% of TRYNGOLZA-treated patients and at a >3% higher frequency than placebo) were injection site reactions (19% and 9%, respectively), decreased platelet count (12% and 4%, respectively) and arthralgia (9% and 0%, respectively). Results from the Phase 3 Balance study were previously published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). "With no treatment options previously available, we were limited to relying only on extremely strict diet and lifestyle changes as the sole preventative treatment option," said Alan Brown , M.D., FNLA, FACC, FAHA, clinical professor of medicine, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science ; Balance trial investigator. "The FDA approval of TRYNGOLZA is an important moment for people living with FCS, their families and physicians who now, for the first time, have a treatment that significantly lowers triglycerides and decreases the risk of potentially life-threatening acute pancreatitis events, as an adjunct to a low-fat diet. I am excited to have a medicine I can prescribe to my patients that has been shown to change the course of their disease." FCS is a rare, genetic, potentially life-threatening form of sHTG that prevents the body from breaking down fats and severely impairs the body's ability to remove triglycerides from the bloodstream due to an impaired function of the enzyme lipoprotein lipase (LPL). While healthy levels for adults are below 150 mg/dL, people with FCS often have triglyceride levels of more than 880 mg/dL and often have a history of pancreatitis. Those living with FCS have a high risk of potentially fatal AP, which is a painful inflammation of the pancreas, and chronic health issues such as fatigue and severe, recurrent abdominal pain. People living with FCS can also experience psychological and financial stress, which can significantly impact their quality of life. In the U.S., FCS is estimated to impact up to approximately 3,000 people, the vast majority of whom remain undiagnosed. "As a rare and difficult to diagnose disease, FCS has a profound impact on the lives of patients and families. Many people living with FCS have experienced severe pain their whole lives – sometimes so intense they require lengthy hospitalization stays – and struggle through life with daily fatigue, nausea, brain fog and stomach pain," said Lindsey Sutton Bryan , co-founder and co-president, FCS Foundation. "Until now, our treatment options have been limited, relying on diet alone to try to manage triglyceride levels and keep acute pancreatitis attacks at bay. For the first time, adults with FCS have seen their hope for a treatment become a reality." TRYNGOLZA will be available in the U.S. before year end. Ionis is committed to helping people access the medicines they are prescribed and will offer a suite of services designed to meet the unique needs of the FCS community through Ionis Every StepTM. As part of Ionis Every Step , patients and healthcare providers will have access to services throughout the treatment journey provided by dedicated Patient Education Managers and Ionis Every Step Case Managers, including insurance and affordability support, as well as services and resources, such as disease and nutrition education. Visit TRYNGOLZA.com for more information. TRYNGOLZA was reviewed by the FDA under Priority Review and had previously been granted Fast Track designation for the treatment of FCS, Orphan Drug designation and Breakthrough Therapy designation. Olezarsen is undergoing review in the European Union and regulatory filings in other countries are planned. Olezarsen is currently being evaluated in three Phase 3 clinical trials – CORE, CORE2 and ESSENCE – for the treatment of sHTG. Olezarsen has not been reviewed or approved for the treatment of sHTG by regulatory authorities. Webcast Ionis will hold a webcast today at 6:45pm ET to discuss the FDA approval. Interested parties may access the webcast here . A webcast replay will be available for a limited time. About TRYNGOLZATM (olezarsen) TRYNGOLZATM (olezarsen) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglycerides in adults with familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS). TRYNGOLZA is an RNA-targeted medicine designed to lower the body's production of apoC-III, a protein produced in the liver that is a key regulator of triglyceride metabolism. It is the only treatment currently indicated in the U.S. for FCS, a potentially life-threatening disease. For more information about TRYNGOLZA, visit TRYNGOLZA.com . IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION CONTRAINDICATIONS TRYNGOLZA is contraindicated in patients with a history of serious hypersensitivity to TRYNGOLZA or any of the excipients in TRYNGOLZA. Hypersensitivity reactions requiring medical treatment have occurred. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions (including symptoms of bronchospasm, diffuse erythema, facial swelling, urticaria, chills and myalgias) have been reported in patients treated with TRYNGOLZA. Advise patients on the signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions and instruct patients to promptly seek medical attention and discontinue use of TRYNGOLZA if hypersensitivity reactions occur. ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions (incidence >5% of TRYNGOLZA-treated patients and >3% higher frequency than placebo) were injection site reactions, decreased platelet count and arthralgia. Please see full Prescribing Information for TRYNGOLZA. About Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS) FCS is a rare, genetic disease characterized by extremely elevated triglyceride levels. It is caused by impaired function of the enzyme lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Because of limited LPL production or function, people with FCS cannot effectively break down chylomicrons, lipoprotein particles that are 90% triglycerides. FCS is estimated to impact up to approximately 3,000 people in the U.S. People living with FCS are at high risk of acute pancreatitis (AP) in addition to other chronic health issues such as fatigue and severe, recurrent abdominal pain. People living with FCS are sometimes unable to work, adding to the burden of disease. About the Balance Study Balance is a global, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of olezarsen in patients with FCS at six and 12 months. The primary endpoint was the percent change from baseline in fasting triglyceride levels at six months compared to placebo. Secondary endpoints included percent changes in triglyceride levels at 12 months, percent changes in other lipid parameters and adjudicated acute pancreatitis event rates over the treatment period. Following treatment and the end-of-trial assessments, patients were eligible to enter an open-label extension study to continue receiving olezarsen once every four weeks. About Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. For three decades, Ionis has invented medicines that bring better futures to people with serious diseases. Ionis has discovered and developed six marketed medicines for serious diseases, including breakthrough medicines for neurologic and cardiovascular diseases. Ionis has a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology and other areas of high patient need. As the pioneer in RNA-targeted medicines, Ionis continues to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing. A deep understanding of disease biology and industry-leading technology propels our work, coupled with a passion and urgency to deliver life-changing advances for patients. To learn more about Ionis, visit Ionis.com and follow us on X (Twitter) , LinkedIn and Instagram . Ionis Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding Ionis' business and the therapeutic and commercial potential of TRYNGOLZA, Ionis' technologies and other products in development. Any statement describing Ionis' goals, expectations, financial or other projections, intentions or beliefs is a forward-looking statement and should be considered an at-risk statement. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those related to our commercial products and the medicines in our pipeline, and particularly those inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing medicines that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of building a business around such medicines. Ionis' forward-looking statements also involve assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove correct, could cause its results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Ionis' forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of its management, these statements are based only on facts and factors currently known by Ionis. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements for any reason. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These and other risks concerning Ionis' programs are described in additional detail in Ionis' annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023 , and most recent Form 10-Q, which are on file with the SEC. Copies of these and other documents are available at www.Ionis.com . Ionis Pharmaceuticals® and TRYNGOLZATM are trademarks of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Ionis Investor Contact: D. Wade Walke , Ph.D. info@ionis.com 760-603-2331 Ionis Media Contact: Hayley Soffer media@ionis.com 760-603-4679 View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tryngolza-olezarsen-approved-in-us-as-first-ever-treatment-for-adults-living-with-familial-chylomicronemia-syndrome-as-an-adjunct-to-diet-302336747.html SOURCE Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
AG failing to act on fireworks lawsElderglade Mobile Game is about to open Mini Dapp on LINE 12-20-2024 12:26 AM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: ABNewswire Image: https://www.abnewswire.com/uploads/10b889af939196240abd1c16fa282d5b.png Elderglade is among the first games to launch on the Dapp Portal of LINE. Selected as a top-tier Dapp, Elderglade is set to receive maximum marketing support as part of LINE's native media activities - a true testament to their confidence in our project and its potential. This feature launches Elderglade into the spotlight across Asia and beyond. LINE - The Asia's Messaging Powerhouse with over 196 Million MAU worldwide LINE is not just a messaging app; it's Asia's messaging powerhouse, dominating in Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and Indonesia with more than 196 million monthly active users. Introducing Kaia: Asia's Largest Digital Ecosystem Kaia, born from the merger of technologies developed by Kakao and LINE, has rapidly evolved into Asia's largest digital ecosystem. Hosting over 420 apps, Kaia offers seamless integrations and transactions, enhancing user convenience and connectivity since 2019. Recent innovations include advanced security features and expanded messenger integrations, reinforcing its position as a robust and scalable network. Kaia excels in fostering significant business connections and harnessing top-tier talent, linking major platforms like KakaoTalk and LINE to create a comprehensive and dynamic digital environment. How LINE NEXT's Partnership Catalyzes Elderglade's Global Reach This partnership with LINE offers Elderglade a unique opportunity to capture the mass consumer market, extending far beyond gaming enthusiasts. Kaia simplifies app integration for users through a messenger-integrated wallet, allowing seamless transactions without leaving LINE. "We are thrilled to be a part of the Line ecosystem! This is a huge opportunity for us to expand to Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia!" - Adele, CMO and Founder of W3Forge, studio behind Elderglade." This approach drives mass adoption by enabling users to enjoy Elderglade's functionalities seamlessly. The user experience is streamlined, focusing solely on gameplay and rewards, which makes it easy for newcomers to onboard. Furthermore, through the Kaia Wave support program, Elderglade directly connects with hundreds of millions of LINE users via push messages, in-app banners, point-based mission campaigns, and a dedicated KOL network - ensuring rapid user acquisition and exponential growth in Asia and beyond. Being the first game to open the Dapp Portal on LINE App gives Elderglade a massive first-mover advantage, a huge exposure boost in Asia, and opens up enormous market opportunities. This partnership sets the stage for Elderglade to become one of the most popular games globally. Elderglade's Explosive Growth: From Launch to Global Sensation Elderglade's mobile game has been a massive success! In just two months, we've attracted over 1,500,000 players globally and are seeing 4,000,000+ daily matches across 180+ countries. Image: https://www.abnewswire.com/uploads/e290ee843af2975b5bfba0a203475871.png Elderglade native mobile app has been a hit, with thousands of downloads and an influx of glowing reviews. Listing on both Google Play and the Apple App Store has opened us up to a global audience of around 3 billion users, providing an even bigger funnel for user growth. Image: https://www.abnewswire.com/uploads/aba0185006711a1ebbe81b9d434d366e.png The launch on LINE is scheduled for the end of January, and is anticipated to surge new players that will solidify our global market presence before the full game release later in the year. Join Elderglade on This Revolutionary Journey Elderglade is not just a game; it's a pioneering force in AI-driven retro-style fantasy gaming. Join Elderglade on a journey to build and redefine gaming - From real-time PvP match 3 mobile fantasy game to AI-driven retro-style MMORPG Turn Based PvPvE extraction looter. Play Elderglade NOW on: Line: Coming Soon Telegram: https://t.me/Elderglade_bot Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.elderglade.app iOS App Store: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/elderglade/id6738386041 Media Contact Company Name: W3Forge Contact Person: Adele Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=elderglade-mobile-game-is-about-to-open-mini-dapp-on-line ] Phone: +1 775-442-7340 Country: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Website: http://w3forge.com This release was published on openPR.California residents on edge as high surf and flooding threats persist on Christmas Eve
NoneL.A. Times Planning to Add AI-Powered ‘Bias Meter’ to Every Story
SAN FRANCISCO , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Carlsquare announced its role as exclusive financial advisor to Boomi, the intelligent integration and automation leader jointly owned by Francisco Partners and TPG, on its acquisition of Rivery, an advanced data integration provider offering cutting-edge Change Data Capture (CDC) for real-time, efficient data movement. Founded with a mission to streamline data management, Rivery enables organizations to deploy data pipelines efficiently by utilizing ELT capabilities. With its innovative solutions, Rivery has established itself as a leader in simplifying data management through real-time data integration and advanced CDC technology. The acquisition represents a significant milestone for Boomi as it accelerates its vision to simplify data management, allowing customers to consolidate on fewer vendors and address evolving data management needs in the age of data-driven decision-making and AI. "This acquisition marks an important milestone for Boomi as we expand our platform to address the evolving data management needs of businesses in the age of data-driven decision-making and AI. Carlsquare's expertise and dedication through the entire process was a critical success element. Their deep understanding of the automation and data sectors enabled them to be true champions of our success," said Steve Lucas , Chairman and CEO of Boomi. Susan Blanco , Managing Partner at Carlsquare, added, "Boomi's acquisition of Rivery underscores the growing importance of advanced data integration solutions. We are proud to have delivered an exceptional outcome for Boomi and its stakeholders as they continue to lead in the intelligent integration and automation space." About Boomi: Boomi is the intelligent integration and automation leader, helping organizations around the world streamline critical processes to achieve business outcomes faster. The Boomi Enterprise Platform harnesses advanced AI capabilities to seamlessly connect systems and manage data flows with API management, integration, data management, and AI orchestration in one comprehensive solution. For more information, visit www.boomi.com . About Carlsquare: Carlsquare is a global technology investment bank with over 20 years of experience advising companies and their shareholders on M&A, capital markets, and strategic matters. With 170+ bankers across 8 countries, Carlsquare provides unparalleled access to investors, private equity partners, and strategic buyers. For more information, visit www.carlsquare.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carlsquare-advises-boomi-on-acquisition-of-data-integration-provider-rivery-302336746.html SOURCE Carlsquare, LLCLet us reflect, refocus and rebuild our party – Kwaku Appiah urges NPP membersNEW YORK , Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Council for Autism Service Providers (CASP) honored ABA Centers, the nation's fastest growing autism care provider, by partnering to ring the iconic Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange together. Lorri Unumb , Chief Executive Officer of CASP; Christopher Barnett , Founder & Chairman of ABA Centers; and his daughter, Madison Mulvey , were the official bell ringers during the 1 pm ceremony, marking an early close of the markets in preparation for the upcoming Christmas holiday. ABA Centers was founded as a testament to a father's love for his daughter, sparked from Mr. Barnett's personal experience attempting to acquire a diagnosis and then quality care for his own child, Ms. Mulvey, who spent years dealing with a misdiagnosis and missing out on the proper treatment that she desperately needed. What Mr. Barnett experienced as the parent of a child on the spectrum – the inadequacies, the lack of services available, and the long wait lists within the autism care system – were simply unacceptable. As a longtime healthcare entrepreneur, Mr. Barnett recognized that he already harnessed the infrastructure to effectuate real change within the autism care industry, so he set out to create a mission-driven organization, where every employee throughout the corporate and clinical teams is dedicated to making a lasting impact in the lives of autistic children and their families. "I hope that the sound waves of this bell ringing transcend the trading floor and serve as a rally call for quick, compassionate, and top quality autism care across our country," remarked Mr. Barnett. "Seeing CASP and ABA Centers on the New York Stock Exchange podium should encourage other decision makers and deal makers alike to find ways in which they can positively impact the autism care industry further because there are millions of children currently languishing on wait lists and missing out on the autism care that they deserve during the most crucial times." In 2024, ABA Centers achieved the following monumental milestones, which served to amplify its commitment to providing every kid in the country with world class autism care: "For mission-driven organizations like CASP and ABA Centers, this bell ringing ceremony offers a platform to amplify our message and highlight the importance of autism care, as well as the challenges faced by the autism community, to a robust and influential audience," stated Mrs. Unumb. Mrs. Unumb and Mr. Barnett were joined on the bell ringing podium by the C-suite of ABA Centers: Jason Barker ; Joseph Heilner ; Kristy Johnson ; Quatiba Davis; Michael Holohan ; Michael Holzum ; Michael Holzum, Jr. ; and Ted Bender ; members of The Christopher M. Barnett Family Foundation: Julie Barnett , Kaitlyn Mulvey , Madison Mulvey , and Kennedy Mulvey ; and Dan Unumb of the Autism Legal Resource Center. About ABA Centers ABA Centers provides applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy services to children with autism spectrum disorder through a play-based approach rooted in positive reinforcement. The company was designed to disrupt the autism care industry by demolishing wait times traditionally experienced by those in search of a diagnosis or treatment. Its strategically designed behavioral care centers offer the greatest opportunity for growth to young clients and their families. In-home and in-school therapy services are also available to deliver the most impactful continuum of care and to best meet each client's specific needs. In 2024, ABA Centers was named the No. 5 fastest growing private company in America on the Inc. 5000. More information can be found at www.abacenters.com . About the Council of Autism Service Providers Founded in 2016, the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) is a non-profit trade association of over 380 autism service provider organizations from all 50 states and multiple countries. It supports members by cultivating, sharing, and advocating for best practices in autism services. From developing clinical practice guidelines for applied behavior analysis to educating legislators about good policy, CASP works every day to ensure individuals with autism receive quality care. Learn more at www.CASProviders.org . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-council-of-autism-service-providers-and-aba-centers-partner-to-ring-closing-bell-at-the-new-york-stock-exchange-302337682.html SOURCE ABA Centers
NoneBrown: Indian diplomat pushed back when he used the words "Sikh nation"The B2B payments landscape is at a pivotal juncture as 2025 approaches. On one hand, the imperative to digitize and integrate payment processes has never been more pressing. On the other, legacy systems and entrenched processes pose significant obstacles, creating a delicate balancing act for businesses striving to modernize. Understanding these dueling imperatives is key to navigating the future of B2B payments, as organizations grapple with how to innovate without compromising existing workflows. Success may depend on embracing a strategic approach that balances the need for innovation with the realities of legacy infrastructure. By tackling modernization incrementally, leveraging partnerships and fostering a culture that champions change, businesses can work to chart a path forward that helps ensure both operational excellence and future readiness. After all, it wouldn’t be a B2B new year without something old and something new. The Digitization and Integration of B2B Payment Processes The digital transformation of payment processes offers unparalleled opportunities for efficiency. Manual processes, still prevalent in many B2B transactions, are fraught with delays and errors. Digitized systems, by contrast, enable real-time payments, automated reconciliation, and streamlined approvals, reducing operational friction and enhancing cash flow visibility. There are two sides to any commercial transaction. Within B2B , buyers and suppliers find one another and agree on terms, funds flow, and accounts payable and receivable departments interact. “ The 2024-2025 Growth Corporates Working Capital Index ,” a PYMNTS Intelligence report commissioned by Visa , found that the integration of suppliers — through digital means, as their billing systems are linked to the buyers’ payment operations — can improve cash flow for both parties, and by extension, create B2B ecosystems that are efficient. Top performers integrated twice as many suppliers into their systems as lesser performers, as there was an overall 34% boost in supplier payment integration. As the calendar year’s worth of PYMNTS Intelligence studies have shown, accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR) automation are increasingly becoming key areas of focus for businesses looking to eliminate manual B2B processes and corral their disorganized tech stacks. That’s why we dug into the how, why, and where this transformation is taking place across B2B payment processes. “We’ve seen tremendous growth in virtual cards over recent years,” Widad Chaoui , vice president and general manager, corporate program product management at American Express , told PYMNTS, noting that fundamental to the promise of virtual cards is their ability to deliver enhanced fraud protection, automation and flexibility compared to traditional methods, such as checks — three qualities that resonate strongly. “They are dynamic digital payment methods that deliver better fraud protection and enable greater spend controls [than legacy B2B payments]. At their core, virtual cards provide businesses with flexibility, security and efficiency,” Chaoui said. Keo World is expanding access to its B2B payments platform Workeo in Brazil through a partnership agreement with investment bank BTG Pactual Bank S.A. This partnership will help medium and large businesses in Brazil digitize their B2B invoice payments with Keo’s Workeo solution, in collaboration with the Amex Business Link platform, Keo said Monday (Dec. 16). Embracing Emerging Technologies Despite the clear benefits of digitization, legacy systems and processes remain significant hurdles. It’s known that old systems can create big problems, and organizations are grappling with the dual challenges of their legacy infrastructure and rapidly evolving technological demands to operate. With the news that London’s Metropolitan Police is eyeing a sweeping upgrade of its core operational and financial systems, per a recent procurement request, PYMNTS looked into how the sheer scale and complexity of the requirements provide a window into the broader challenges of digital transformation in legacy-heavy organization. “The middle to back office, they’re no longer just a cost center ,” Meghan Oakes , vice president of customer success at FIS , told PYMNTS this week. “They’re a value-added partner for everybody within the business. There are many different aspects of that middle to back office that are now at the forefront of how companies operate.” “Clients cannot boil the ocean,” she added. “They fully understand that it’s a transformation journey.” For finance teams, PYMNTS covered on Tuesday, technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are no longer on the horizon — they’re here, and they’re ready to transform the way businesses operate in a world where traditional tools and manual processes are increasingly proving they just don’t cut it. After all, OpenAI’s latest update for ChatGPT is taking aim at business workflows, while Basis on Tuesday (Dec. 17) raised $34 million in a Series A round to expand its deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) agents designed to help accountants. Also on Tuesday, Parafin raised $100 million in a Series C funding round to grow its embedded finance infrastructure that powers financial services for marketplaces, vertical software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers and payment platforms. And, lastly, are B2B wearables on the horizon for 2025? Only time will tell. For all PYMNTS B2B coverage, subscribe to the daily B2B Newsletter .
Carlsquare Advises Boomi on Acquisition of Data Integration Provider Rivery
Terrorism "complicity" emerges as key issue in Mohamed Harkat deportation caseEmpty Stocking Fund: Rogers Sugar employees have a tradition of giving - The ProvinceA small sample of momentous golf rules scenarios from 2024. Courtesy/Getty Images The Rules of Golf always play a big role in the professional game, and 2024 was certainly no exception. We saw major rules violations across all the world’s biggest tours, from the PGA Tour, to LIV, to the LPGA, DP World Tour, Korn Ferry Tour and beyond. Some of these rules scenarios were hugely impactful, some displayed a lack of discipline from the pros and others were just plain bizarre. For your reading pleasure, we’ve compiled a list of the biggest, weirdest and most notable rules scenarios from the year in pro golf, along with links to the original stories and tips on what you can learn from each. So sit down, scroll below and enjoy. 11 big golf rules moments from 2024 (and a lesson for each) Popular pro given rare 4-shot penalty. His response was endearing Joel Dahmen would like this one back. The popular pro was hit with a four-shot penalty in the first round of the 2024 Shriners Children’s Open for one of the most avoidable rules violations: carrying 15 clubs in his bag , one more than the legal limit of 14. Dahmen noticed his mistake when he glanced at his bag and saw a 4-iron that didn’t belong. The penalty for too many clubs is two strokes for each hole before the violation is discovered, in this case two holes and four strokes. “Never happened to me before,” he said. “I travel with 15, 16 clubs. I think most people out here do depending on conditions and courses. You know, been traveling out here for a long time and never happened before. I’d like to blame Geno. That would be the easy thing to do. It’s not his fault either. I played Tuesday and Wednesday out here. We didn’t see it in there.” Lesson: While you’re playing partner in a friendly round likely won’t count your clubs, it’s essential to check your bag before you start any competitive round, especially if you, like Dahmen, are testing out some new clubs on the range. Due to ‘serious misconduct’ rules violation, pro disqualified from PGA Tour event At the 2024 World Wide Technology Match Play, 27-year-old Mexican pro Emilio Gonzalez was disqualified for a “serious misconduct” rules violation in the second round. After hitting his tee shot on the 15th hole into a desert area and following with a provisional, Gonzalez failed to make “reasonable efforts” to identify a ball that was found under the rules-allotted three-minute search time and continued to play the provisional ball. But Rule 18.3 (c) clearly states that if player must “make all reasonable efforts to identify” his first ball before continuing to play a provisional, otherwise they will be disqualified for misconduct “contrary to the spirit of the game.” Lesson: After a wayward drive in a competitive match, you can’t just assume your ball is lost and play a provisional for the rest of the hole. If somebody finds what they think is your ball, you’re obligated to check. With that said, don’t take more than the three-minute allotted search time or you’ll slow the pace of play for everyone. The rules penalty that may cost Sahith Theegala millions? Here’s his side At the season-ending Tour Championship, Sahith Theegala caught a tricky lie in a fairway bunker on East Lake’s 3rd hole. After hitting his next shot, Theegala felt strongly he had brushed the sand during his takeaway, which would be a violation of Rule 8.1a (4) for improving his lie. After conferring with playing partners and rules officials, Theegala self-reported the violation and its two-shot penalty, which, given that it was the Tour Championship, turned out to be extremely costly strokes. “At the end of the day, I’ve played so much golf. You kind of just trust your intuition and gut, and right away I thought I moved some sand there,” Theegala said at the time. “I’m in the 90s percent that I thought I moved some sand. I’d sleep a lot better if I saw some clear image of me moving the sand.” Lesson: A good general rule to follow in golf is this: when in doubt, charge yourself with a penalty, as hard as it might be on your scorecard. At the very least, your playing partners will appreciate it, and you won’t lose any sleep over it. U.S. Open ruling results in momentum-killing penalty, questions about intent The Rules of Golf play no favorites, even for rising stars who have the fans on their side. That was the case for then-amateur Neal Shipley . Playing in the U.S. Open after earning low-amateur honors at the Masters, Shipley ran up against the rules in Round 3. On the 13th hole, Shipley’s short approach spun off the front of the green and rolled back down into the fairway on a severe upslope. Shipley set up for his wedge shot, then stepped back with a shocked look on his face. It turns out then when he set his wedge down, his ball moved, a violation of Rule 9.4. “In preparing to make the stroke, Neal set the club down behind the ball and then adjusted the club when the ball then moved,” the USGA said in a statement. “Because the ball had been at rest for some time and then moved immediately after he adjusted his club, it is virtually certain that he caused the ball to move.” As a result, Shipley received a one-stroke penalty and had to replace his ball to the original spot. His playing partner called the ruling “a shame,” but the good news for Shipley is that he still went on to win low-amateur honors at Pinehurst. Lesson: If you face a tricky, sloping lie off the green as Shipley did at the U.S. Open, it’s best to avoid touching the ground altogether before hitting the ball. Instead, treat it like a bunker shot and hover your club off the ground before hitting, thereby avoiding Shipley’s fate. Due to club training aid, two-time major winner is hit with rules violation The case of Minjee Lee at The Annika LPGA event in November proves that the Rules of Golf don’t care what you happen to call a golf club. Lee had been using an extra club as a training aid to prep for the event, but when she arrived at her second hole in the third round, she noticed the club was still in her bag. Because she had 14 real clubs in the bag as well, as with Joel Dahmen at the Shriners Children’s Open, Lee was in violation of Rule Rule 4.1b (1) for having too many clubs in her bag. But unlike Dahmen, because she had only played one hole when she discovered the offending club, Lee was only hit with a two-stroke penalty. Lesson: If you’re playing in a tournament, check your golf bag before you tee off for anything that would run up against the rules, especially extra clubs. Then check again. While non-club training aids are allowed in your bag, it’s probably best to leave them all in the car to be safe. Rules officials boot LPGA star from event, one day after a miracle find In the second round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic, Nasa Hataoka hit her tee shot on the 9th hole into long fescue grass. After she and a large group of people searched for and failed to find her ball, a cameraman allegedly spotted it and alerted Hataoka. She then took an unplayable, made a drop and played on. But the next day the LPGA announced Hataoka had been disqualified . They had determined she had exceeded the allotted three minutes to find her ball, a violation of Rule 18.2. Had she declared her ball lost, she would have been required to go back to the tee and hit a second tee shot, which would count as her third official shot, also known as stroke and distance. But because Hataoka hadn’t declared her ball lost and instead took an unplayable, the LPGA determined her actions were “considered a serious breach of Rule 14.7 with a penalty of disqualification if not corrected in time.” Lesson: The Rules of Golf are hard, so you should always be brushing up on the details and keeping them in mind on the course. Even then, strange situations like this can arise, in which case all you can really do is accept the punishment for the good of the game (and your conscience). Surprising rules gaffe leads to disqualification at Women’s British Open The popularity of rangefinders and other distance measuring devices has grown exponentially in recent years. Even in the pro ranks, where varying levels of acceptance to the devices can be found on the world’s major tours. The LPGA, for example, allows their use in most regular events. Unfortunately for rookie Ana Pelaez and her caddie, Miguel Evangelio Gomez-Escolar, the Women’s British Open is not a normal event, and the 2024 event’s host, the Old Course at St. Andrews, is not a normal venue. A local rule at the Open prohibited the use of distance-measuring devices, a fact Gomez-Escolar forgot in the second round when he used a rangefinder in two different instances, a violation of the local rule. Especially difficult for the pair was the fact that the violation for a single incident is just two strokes. But if a player or caddie uses one of these devices two or more times, as in this case, the player is disqualified. Lesson: While you might not run into this specific local rule at tournaments you play in, other local rules are much more common, such as lift, clean and place. Be sure to always check the local rules before teeing it up, especially at a course or tournament you’re unfamiliar with. In rarely seen time situation, LIV pro hit with penalty, is nearly booted Being prompt counts, and being tardy can cost you. That’s the lesson LIV pro Scott Vincent learned the hard way . At the Asian Tour’s International Series Morocco event in July, Vincent arrived 4 minutes and 30 seconds late to his 12:30 p.m. ET start time. Rule Rule 5.3 governs players starting tournaments on time, and many violations result in a DQ. Fortunately for Vincent, one exception to the rule states that if a player is late to his tee time but less than five minutes late, his not disqualified, and instead should receive a two-stroke penalty. Lesson: This one is simple: don’t be late. But if you are going to be late, make sure you are no more than 4 minutes and 59 seconds late, otherwise you might as well stay home. Why LIV Golf leader arrived to course — and was hit with 2-shot penalty At the 2024 LIV Golf Mexico event at El Camaleon, Joaquin Niemann attempted to take free relief from a cart path on the 13th hole during the second round. Following Rule 16.1, he measured one club-length left of his ball with his driver. But before he took his drop, he took one more step to the left, causing his ball to end up left of the one club-length allowed. After rules officials reviewed the video that night, they determined he had violated the rules . But because the officials conferred with Niemann the next morning before he started his third round, and because he accepted the penalty and altered his scorecard, he avoided a disqualification for signing a score lower than his actual score, and instead received a two-shot penalty. And good thing they did, because Niemann went on to defeat Sergio Garcia in a playoff to win. Lesson: You should always try to follow the rules, but if you do commit a violation, the Rules of Golf often allow for a lesser punishment if the violation is promptly reported, and a more severe punishment if it is not. So be sure to report every violation you make — or else. ‘I used the rules’: Bryson DeChambeau explains flukey U.S Open break that led to birdie Temporary Immoveable Obstructions are immoveable objects on a golf course that are not typically there. Think leaderboards or TV towers at pro events. If one of these TIO interferes with a player’s shot physically or with his line of sight, he is allowed to take a free drop away from the TIO. Bryson DeChambeau knows this well and used it to his advantage on his way to winning the 2024 U.S. Open . When he hit a wayward drive on Pinehurst No. 2’s 5th hole in the opening round, he found a narrow ShotLink pole, used to track pros’ shots, in his line of sight. Under the rules he was allowed to take a free drop two club-lengths from the nearest point of relief. But that nearest point ended up being about 30 feet closer to the fairway, giving DeChambeau a hugely improved lie and a shot at the green, which helped turn a potential bogey into a birdie on his way to victory. Lesson: Most of the time following the rules by the letter leads to penalty shots. But Bryson’s example shows that sometimes a thorough knowledge of the rules can actually help your score, so read up! Pro takes second look at rule. Then comes 7 penalty strokes Local rules matter. At the 2024 Victorian PGA Championship, pro Anthony Quayle learned that in painful, costly fashion . After using lift-clean-and-place rules throughout the first 15 holes of his opening round, Quayle double-checked the local rule to make sure he had read it correctly. He had not. It turns out the local rule for the event only allowed lift-clean-and-place on one specific hole, the 13th. After conferring with officials on the 15th tee, Quayle determined that on three occasions, he had used preferred lies and played from a different spot than his original one, leading to three two-shot penalties (under Rule 9.4). On one occasion, he had used preferred lies and returned the ball to where it had been, leading to a one-shot penalty (also under Rule 9.4). In all, he was forced to apply seven penalty strokes to his scorecard. Lesson: As if learning all the Rules of Golf isn’t hard enough, you need to be extra careful about fully reading and understanding any local rules applied to a tournament or course before you start playing. Otherwise, the penalties can follow — and they can really add up. Latest In Instruction Golf.com Editor As managing producer for GOLF.com, Cunningham edits, writes and publishes stories on GOLF.com, and manages the brand’s e-newsletters, which reach more than 1.4 million subscribers each month. 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