SAN FRANCISCO , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AusperBio Therapeutics, Inc . and Ausper Biopharma Co., Ltd . (collectively AusperBio ), a privately held clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to advancing targeted oligonucleotide therapies to achieve a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B ( CHB ), today announced the successful completion of a USD 73 million Series B financing. The round was led by HanKang Capital , with participation from Sherpa Capital , CDH Investments , and a strategic investor, as well as continued participation from existing investors Qiming Venture Partners , InnoPinnacle Fund , and YuanBio Venture Capital . This financing followed the company's Series A round completed in July this year, demonstrating continued investor confidence in its proprietary platform and strategic direction. The proceeds will fund the continued Phase 2 development of AHB-137 , AusperBio's lead investigational therapy, supporting both clinical studies in China and global trials, as well as the development of commercial-scale manufacturing processes. The funding will also facilitate the expansion of the company's therapeutic pipeline and operational capabilities to drive sustained growth. Dr. Guofeng Cheng , co-founder and CEO of AusperBio, stated, " We are honored by our investors' confidence and support. This milestone financing recognizes our scientific and clinical accomplishments to date and enables us to accelerate our clinical programs and move closer to delivering a functional cure for CHB patients in need." Dr. Chris Yang , co-founder and CSO, added, "AHB-137 continues to attract attention from the scientific and clinical communities, particularly after the late-breaking oral presentation at the recent AASLD conference. The promising clinical data further validates our Med-OligoTM platform, strengthening our development of groundbreaking targeted oligonucleotide therapies for CHB and other serious chronic diseases." AusperBio is committed to delivering patient-centered innovations, aiming to alleviate the global health burden of CHB and transform treatment paradigms for this serious chronic disease. About AHB-137 AHB-137, a novel unconjugated antisense oligonucleotide ( ASO ) developed within AusperBio's proprietary Med-OligoTM ASO technology platform, was designed to treat chronic hepatitis B for a functional cure. Its compelling preclinical and Phase 1 clinical data were highlighted at the 2023 EASL conference and the 2024 EASL conference, respectively. Interim Phase 2a data was presented in a late-breaking oral session at the 2024 AASLD. This novel dual-mechanism ASO has completed its global Phase 1b trial and is now undergoing multiple Phase 2 trials in China . With its global development strategy, AHB-137 is advancing rapidly toward the goal of an HBV cure. About AusperBio. AusperBio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with operations in the USA and China , dedicated to advancing oligonucleotide and targeted delivery technologies for transformative therapies, with an initial focus on curing chronic hepatitis B infection. The company has developed a proprietary Med-OligoTM ASO platform which has been shown to substantially enhance the current ASO therapeutics, through novel insights into ASO design. Combining with efficient targeted delivery conjugation technologies, the modular Med-OligoTM Platform empowers ASO therapeutics to treat a broad range of diseases, including viral infections, metabolic conditions, genetic disorders, and immune diseases. For further information, please contact: Media Contact Email: [email protected] Investor Relations Contact: Tel: 650-888-1756 (US) Email: [email protected] SOURCE AusperBio Therapeutics Inc.he suspect arrested in connection with the last week has been identified as Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from Towson, Maryland. Mangione was taken into custody in Altoona, Penn., on Dec. 9 after he was recognized at a McDonald's and reported to local authorities. Police found Mangione in possession of a fake New Jersey ID that matches the one used by the suspect to check into a hostel on the Upper West Side of Manhattan 10 days before the shooting. Police also recovered a firearm similar to the one used in the killing, a silencer, and a three-page handwritten manifesto that investigators say sheds light on his motivations, though its specific contents have not been revealed. The reported that the document criticized health care companies for putting profits above care. “We don’t think there’s any specific threats to other people mentioned in that document, but it does seem that he has some ill will towards corporate America,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Mangione is facing firearms charges in Pennsylvania, but has not yet been formally charged in connection with Thompson's death on Dec. 4. The shooting of Thompson, 50, was described by New York Police Department officials as a “premeditated, preplanned targeted attack.” Thompson was outside the New York Hilton Midtown when he was shot multiple times, including once in the back and once in the right calf, as he made his way to the company’s annual investor conference conference. The shooter, who was wearing a mask, fled the scene on foot and later hopped on a bicycle into Central Park. A backpack believed to be owned by the gunman was later recovered by police in Central Park. It contained Monopoly money. Investigators recovered shell casings at the scene, which were engraved with the words “deny,” “delay,” and “depose,” a cryptic message that has raised questions about the shooter’s motives. Here’s what to know about Mangione. Mangione graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020 with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science, a spokesperson for the University told the . Authorities confirmed that the 26-year-old suspect attended college in Pennsylvania. During Mangione’s time at Penn, he served as a teaching assistant, head of the recitation committee, and co-founded the university’s Game Research And Development Environment club, according to his LinkedIn profile. He is quoted in a posted by Penn Engineering as saying that he decided to major in computer science because he wanted to make video games. Mangione’s social media posts suggest that he belonged to the fraternity Phi Kappa Psi. While in college, he was employed as a head counselor in the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies Program from May through September of 2019. In 2016, he graduated from Gilman School, an all-boys private high school in the Baltimore area, where he wrestled and became valedictorian. Mangione has held various tech jobs and internships since he was in high school, and was employed as a data engineer for TrueCar, a car shopping website, since Nov. 2020, according to his LinkedIn profile. While in high school, he was co-founder and lead programmer for AppRoar Studios, a gaming app development company in Baltimore. He also held a robotics research internship at Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering and a UI programming internship at Firaxis Games, a Baltimore-based video game developer. Investigators said he was last known to be living in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mangione has no prior criminal record in New York. He is believed to have traveled to New York City by bus in late November, and later arrived in Altoona by Greyhound from Philadelphia, investigators said. Social media profiles that appear to belong to Mangione show that he subscribed to anti-capitalist causes and had previously expressed admiration for the notorious Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, a former mathematics professor who carried out a nationwide bombing campaign in the United States from 1978 to 1995. Mangione had written on Goodreads that Kaczynski’s anti-technology essay, “Industrial Society and Its Future,” contained prescient insights into modern society, though he condemned the violent methods used by the Unabomber. The reviewer wrote: "It's easy to quickly and thoughtless[ly] write this off as the manifesto of a lunatic, in order to avoid facing some of the uncomfortable problems it identifies. But it's simply impossible to ignore how prescient many of his predictions about modern society turned out." In the months leading up to the attack, Mangione frequently posted on X about the negative health consequences of modern technology. He shared content from prominent figures in the wellness and self-improvement spheres, including Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist known for his health podcast, and Tim Ferriss, the entrepreneur behind . Mangione expressed concern over the negative health consequences of modern life, often reposting material from writers like Michael Pollan, who critiques processed foods, and Jonathan Haidt, a sociologist who has examined the impact of smartphones on young people.
A designated disability minister will be appointed to each Government department to “champion disability inclusion and accessibility”, the Government has announced. Work and pensions minister Sir Stephen Timms said the move aims to drive “real improvements” for disabled people, whom the ministers will be encouraged to engage with on a regular basis. He told the Commons: “I am very pleased to be able to announce today the appointment of new lead ministers for disability in each Government department, they will represent the interests of disabled people, champion disability inclusion and accessibility within their departments. “I’m going to chair regular meetings with them and will encourage them to engage directly with disabled people and their representative organisations, as they take forward their departmental priorities. “And I look forward to this new group of lead ministers for disability together driving real improvements across Government for disabled people.” This came during an adjournment debate on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, where Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling raised concerns about “floating bus stops”, which have a cycle lane between the stop and the pavement. Intervening, the MP for Torbay, who is registered blind, said: “The Government needs to ban floating bus stops.” Sir Stephen said: “I do think this issue about floating bus stops is an important issue which we need to work across Government to reflect on.” Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, who led the debate, had earlier criticised the lack of accessibility for disabled people on trains. The Oldham East and Saddleworth MP said: “Our train network does not have level access, and we heard Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson from the other place make this plea back in the summer, absolutely outrageous what she was put through. “But I was absolutely shocked to find, when I had a presentation of the TransPennine route upgrade, that the rolling stock yet to be commissioned is not going to provide that level access. “It’s absolute nonsense, it’s not even in the design of that procurement, so we must do better than this.”AP Trending SummaryBrief at 4:29 p.m. EST
AusperBio Secures $73 Million in Series B Financing to Advance Functional Cure for Chronic Hepatitis BMasterChef's John Torode 'repeatedly flagged' Gregg Wallace's 'inappropriate' behaviour to show bosses
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stunned voters, lawmakers and investors by declaring martial law on Tuesday in a high-stakes move he claimed would prevent the opposition from trying to paralyze his administration amid a political rift that is set to deepen markedly. In an emergency national address televised live, Yoon said he made the decision to protect freedom and constitutional order, and that it will not have an impact on South Korea’s foreign policy. He added that it would also help eradicate the influence of North Korean supporters. “Through the declaration of martial law, I will rebuild and protect a free South Korea,” Yoon said in a six-minute speech. A proclamation released after the address banned all political activities and strikes and said media would be subject to control of the Martial Law Command, according to Yonhap News. The move was initially viewed by analysts as a risky political play that was likely to backfire rather than an attempt to return to military-led regimes of the past. South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik called on lawmakers to go the national assembly immediately. In the 300-seat parliament, 190 lawmakers unanimously voted to demand the lifting of the martial law. “I urge the public to trust the parliament and monitor the situation with calm,” Woo said in a statement. It was not immediately clear whether the vote would be binding. The won suffered its sharpest drop since the global financial crisis to hit 1444.65 its lowest in over two years. Samsung Electronics’ London-listed shares fell as much as 7.2 percent. The finance minister and central bank chief met and promised to provide unlimited liquidity to markets if needed. The shock announcement to impose martial law for the first time since the democratization of South Korea in 1987 left even Yoon’s own party blindsided with its leader vowing to stop the move. Yoon’s abrupt decision comes after months of wrangling and deadlock in parliament between the president’s minority government and the main opposition Democratic Party, but with little expectation that the president would take such a drastic step. The DP is currently trying to force through its own budget proposal through parliament and has submitted an impeachment motion against the chief prosecutor after months of also trying to get Yoon’s wife prosecuted. Meanwhile, the DP’s leader has faced multiple court cases and was convicted last month of election-law violations, barring him from running for president if it is finalized. Yoon has dealt with the political deadlock in a largely standoffish manner, vetoing a string of bills passed by parliament and at times angering his own party. His latest act ramps up tensions considerably domestically, while also creating high uncertainty abroad for the outlook of one of the world’s key suppliers of semiconductors and tech-related gear. “Yoon’s declaration of emergency martial law is highly concerning. It marks a stark shift in the administration’s policy,” said Kayla Orta, senior associate at the Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy in Washington DC. “Instead of solidifying his political position, this could further damage his domestic standing.” South Korea’s defense minister ordered a meeting with the military’s top commanders. Broadcaster YTN said martial law would be maintained until the president lifts it, citing a defense official it did not identify. While Clause 77 of the Constitution says the president must withdraw a martial law declaration after a parliamentary majority demands it, Clause 89 says such an annulment should undergo a review by the cabinet as well. Earlier YTN showed police restricting entry to the parliament compound as people gathered neared the gate. Aides of lawmakers used fire extinguisher to block soldiers from entering the building. Even if the martial law order lasts only a day, the political instability it will generate is set to last two or three years, according to Lee Won-Jae, a sociology professor at Kaist Graduate School of Culture Technology in Daejeon. The leader of Yoon’s People Power Party condemned the move, in comments that indicated the lack of consultation on the move. He expressed the view that the vote had put an end to Yoon’s order. “The president’s declaration of martial law is wrong,” Han Dong-hoon, said in a Facebook post. “Martial law has lost its effect, so from this moment on, all state institutions exercising physical force, including the military and police of the Republic of Korea, are obligated not to follow unlawful or unfair instructions,” Han said in a separate post. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung urged the military and the police to go back to their posts, saying the declaration was nullified with the parliament’s vote. “All presidential orders based on the declaration of the martial law are unconstitutional, invalid and illegal,” Lee said, flanked by dozens of lawmakers. The move comes at a time of high uncertainty for the nation as its trade-dependent economy faces potential tariffs from President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration. Bloomberg Economics estimates that full imposition of tariffs on China, South Korea and other U.S. trading partners could reduce Seoul’s exports to the U.S. by as much as 55 percent. Meanwhile, North Korea continues to present a security concern as it deepens its ties with Russia, having sent thousands of troops there to help in Moscow’s war against Ukraine. Russia’s defense minister visited Pyongyang last week in the latest sign of talks between the two countries. Russia may help provide North Korea key technology for its weapons programs including its intercontinental ballistic missiles. “We shouldn’t be fooled — this has nothing at all to do with North Korea and all to do with domestic politics,” said Defense Priorities Fellow Daniel DePetris. “I expect U.S. and U.K. officials will be getting on the phone to try to convince President Yoon to abide by what the parliament just did.” U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg said the U.S. embassy in Seoul and the State Department are closely tracking Yoon’s martial law declaration. “The situation is fluid,” Goldberg said in an X post, urging citizens to monitor local news sources for updates. China suggested its citizens residing in South Korea keep calm and try to avoid going outdoors for anything non-essential, the country’s embassy said in a post on social media Tuesday night. The embassy also asked Chinese citizens to comply with official orders from the Korean government and “use caution” over sharing political opinions. “The domestic uncertainty adds to the external pressures in recent weeks as the market is starting to price in the rise of higher U.S. tariffs under the new Trump administration,” said Aroop Chatterjee, a strategist at Wells Fargo. “Korea is an open economy sensitive to shifts in global export demand and spillovers from a weaker China.” It is unclear what impact the martial law will have on South Korea’s biggest chipmakers. Nvidia depends mostly on SK Hynix for so-called high-bandwidth memory chips required for its most cutting-edge semiconductors, and whether the South Korean chip firm can continue to supply those high-end memory chips may affect the global AI development. While it remains to be seen if the move will have a lasting impact on markets and the economy, Yoon’s high-stakes move is certain to knock confidence in his leadership and his reliability as a bulwark of democracy in a nation with many authoritarian neighbors. “U.S. officials look to South Korea now as a beacon of democracy so for a president to pull a fast one like this is certainly shocking and unprecedented.” said DePetris.The Miami Dolphins have no choice. They have to win their final two games for their slim playoff hopes to come to fruition. Accordingly, they'll need all hands on deck for that contest. One of their biggest names appears to have a chance at a potential return in Cleveland this Sunday. Jaylen Waddle returned to the practice field on Thursday, the team's first day back on the field. The Dolphins did not practice on Wednesday due to the Christmas holiday, so practice participation were just an estimation. Waddle was listed as a "did not practice". However, he returned to the practice field on Thursday in a limited fashion. Waddle suffered a knee injury during the Dolphins' 20-12 loss to the Houston Texans . He was unable to work in and practice last week, and he ended up missing Miami's 29-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers. In Waddle's absence, Malik Washington stepped in and led all wide receivers with 58 snaps against the Niners. Washington finished with 3 catches for 28 yards. River Cracraft logged 18 snaps and Erik Ezukanma had 7. However, it goes without saying that Miami's offense goes up another gear with Waddle back on the field. We'll find out on Friday when the final injury report is issued if Waddle is cleared, or if he has an injury designation going into the weekend. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.TORONTO - Canada’s decision to deploy a drone to spy on a New Zealand training session at the Paris Olympics was “completely stupid,” says FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani. “In the sense that I have no idea what the hell you’re going to get out of that,” said Montagliani, a former Canada Soccer president who is also president of CONCACAF, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean. The scandal cost Canada women’s coach Bev Priestman her job, with assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joe Lombardi also leaving Canada Soccer. All three are serving one-year suspensions from FIFA. “Now, listen, do clubs and countries push the envelope to try to gain an upper hand? Yeah,” said Montagliani when asked about the scandal at a media roundtable Monday. “If we say no to that, we’re fools. “We’ve all been into countries that will do anything they can, whether its fireworks the night before a match. Whatever they think that will get you three points. Because when it comes to football, a lot of countries think it’s war. But for me personally I just thought it (the drone spying) was the definition of stupidity.” FIFA, which runs the football competition at the Olympics, also docked the Canadian women six points at the tournament after a Canadian staffer was caught using a drone to spy on New Zealand team practices before the start of competition at the Paris Games. Canada Soccer was also fined 200,000 Swiss francs ($322,500). Canada Soccer continues to investigate just how deep a culture of spying was ingrained in the organization and has opened a disciplinary hearing into former Canada men’s and women’s coach John Herdman, who resigned as Toronto FC coach last month. “If any of this stuff reveals any new information whatsoever that’s subject to FIFA jurisdiction, the FIFA ethics committee or discipline committee, or both, will act on it,” Montagliani said. Montagliani says disciplinary issues in soccer usually fall under the national governing body. But Canada Soccer could refer the matter to FIFA if it has wider-ranging implications. —- Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2024.
JD Vance takes on a more visible transition role, working to boost Donald Trump’s most contentious picks
Key details to know about the arrest of a suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO
Renowned Human Biologist and Longevity Expert Gary Brecka Files $100M Defamation Claim Against Elena Cardone and Lawsuit Against Cardone Ventures in Response to Questionable Business PracticesWare scores 17 points as UT Arlington knocks off UL Monroe 77-68No, Serena Williams Did Not Bleach Her Skin By has called out her haters in a as she . The 43-year-old former tennis champion was subjected to heavy trolling regarding her skin color after she attended a school event, the video of which went viral on social media. Here is everything fans need to know about Serena Williams’ statement to the haters. Serena Williams denies bleaching her skin The 23-time Grand Slam winner seemed frustrated with her haters after they accused her of using bleach on her skin. The circulating online, which received remarks from trolls, featured Serena Williams attending a school event. She was seen alongside her daughters and husband, . Recently, Williams did a makeup tutorial for her cosmetics brand, Wyn Beauty, on her . During it, she found the opportunity to shut down the haters. The former tennis star started by saying, “I put just that neutral color, that is actually my skin color, and no, for you haters out there, I do not bleach my skin. There is a thing called sunlight, and in that sunlight, you get different colors.” She further clarified that she had stage makeup on her while filming the viral video, as she was part of her daughter’s play. Moreover, Williams stated that she decided to call out haters because the bleach claim was “ridiculous.” She added, “Everyone’s like, ‘Oh, she bleached her skin.’ I’m a dark, Black woman, and I love who I am, and I love how I look. And if people do it, that’s their thing, and they have every opportunity and they should. I don’t judge, but you guys do.” Serena Williams concluded her statement by saying, “But that’s what this world is about, and I stay in my lane — the non-judgy one, and I keep it. But no, I actually don’t bleach my skin, so can we just kinda clear that up?” Ishita Verma is an SEO contributing writer for ComingSoon. She is passionate about delivering authentic content and holds experience in SEO content writing. Apart from her quest to ensure her content is promising, Ishita is an avid Kdrama and anime watcher. Ishita is a bibliophile and also pursues gaming as one of her favorite pastimes. Share article