Month: December 2020

TIME NAMES CARRIER’S OPTICLEAN A BEST INVENTION OF 2020

OptiClean Dual-Mode Air Scrubber & Negative Air Machine recognized for its rapid innovation to help create healthy indoor environments

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., Dec 29 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — Carrier’s OptiClean™ Dual-Mode Air Scrubber & Negative Air Machine has been named as one of TIME’s 100 Best Inventions of 2020. The OptiClean was developed through rapid innovation in early 2020 to help support infectious isolation rooms in hospitals. TIME featured OptiClean in the Medical Care category of its prestigious annual list that recognizes 100 ground-breaking inventions that are making the world better and smarter. Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), a leading global provider of healthy, safe and sustainable building and cold chain solutions.

“We are honored the OptiClean is being recognized by TIME for a product we developed and brought to market in record time while maintaining strict standards to ensure the highest quality,” said Carrier Senior Vice President, Engineering, Chris Kmetz. “At Carrier, we’re committed to doing our part to develop smart, sustainable and efficient solutions that will address our most critical needs.”

At the onset of the pandemic, Carrier invented the OptiClean as a negative air machine for hospitals treating COVID-19 patients to help hospitals protect caregivers, workers, and patients. OptiClean can plug into standard wall outlets and has a footprint of less than three square feet. As an air scrubber OptiClean can improve the indoor air quality of classrooms, restaurants, dental offices, commercial buildings and more, by pulling in air, scrubbing it using a HEPA filter, and then exhausting cleaner air back into the room, reducing contaminants in the air and offering further protection as part of an overall mitigation strategy.

OptiClean is one of the solutions offered through Carrier’s Healthy Buildings Program, an expanded suite of advanced solutions to help deliver healthier, safer, more efficient and productive indoor environments and is expected to be available in Singapore market in early January. To view the full TIME 2020 Best Inventions list visit time.com/best-inventions-2020.

About Carrier
Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corporation and is a world leader in high-technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Carrier experts provide sustainable solutions, integrating energy-efficient products, building controls and energy services for residential, commercial, retail, transport and food service customers.

Follow us on Facebook @CarrierSG and LinkedIn at @carrier-seap

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Zynga, Black Eyed Peas collaborate in holiday-season social campaign

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 28 — Zynga Inc, a global leader in interactive entertainment, is collaborating with internationally renowned recording artist – the Black Eyed Peas – to share positivity, encouragement and hope for the holidays.

As a continuation of the award-winning gaming industry initiative, #PlayApartTogether, the Black Eyed Peas have recorded words of encouragement and hope for a healthy, safe holiday season.

“We’re so thankful that the Black Eyed Peas, whose impact on culture and music is immeasurable, are bringing their words of strength and inspiration to the movement so we can head to a new year on a high note. Stay strong, stay safe and stay upbeat, and remember that we’re all in this fight together,” said Zynga’s President of Publishing, Bernard Kim.

Founding member of the Grammy award-winning group, Taboo, has created personal videos that will be shared through the #PlayApartTogether network of over 80 video game companies worldwide, bringing light, warmth and signature Black Eyed Peas style to this unprecedented holiday season.

According to a statement, #PlayApartTogether is a global games industry initiative that encourages physical distancing and other powerful preventive measures in the fight against COVID-19 to the massive global audience of gamers.

Spearheaded by Zynga and growing to more than 60 participating companies, #PlayApartTogether has provided vital information, entertainment, and physically distanced connection to players globally.

More details at http://www.zynga.com.

— BERNAMA

Lithium Werks将模块化业务出售给Lithion Power Group

Lithium Werks剥离Valence™模块业务，以专注于世界领先的电池制造、磷酸铁锂专利产品组合、定制解决方案以及新的研发项目。

德克萨斯州奥斯汀和荷兰恩斯赫德, Dec 23 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 磷酸铁锂电池制造、技术和知识产权的全球领先企业Lithium Werks宣布将其Valence™模块和电池管理系统（BMS）资产出售给电池、可充电和不可充电电池组垂直综合制造商Lithion Power Group。

出售后，Lithium Werks将高度集中于继续开发“同类最佳”Nanophosphate™（纳米磷酸盐）材料、电池生产、定制OEM解决方案、增强研发力度，并进一步扩大和加强磷酸铁锂（LFP）阴极专利产品组合。

在全球范围内，多种行业部门对Lithium Werks专有技术的需求迅速增长。此项交易将有助于Lithium Werks继续专注于满足这一需求。

Lithium Werks B.V.首席执行官兼联合创始人T. Joseph Fisher, III表示：

“此举将使我们更加专注于通过我们最强大、最耐久的Nanophosphate™粉末和电池为当前和未来客户提供服务，这不仅针对我们现有的工业、医疗和UPS备用系统等垂直行业，而且还以定制解决方案为储能和运输垂直行业等我们的任务关键型应用提供了新的战略清晰性。我们期待作为领先的Nanophosphate™圆柱电池提供商不断发展壮大，并为我们由MIT开发并能满足“Power. Safety. Life.™”（动力、安全、生活品质）需求的Nanophosphate™阴极材料应用开发其他新的形状参数和尺寸。”

Lithium Werks拥有世界上最全面的磷酸铁锂材料、电池、知识产权专利和产品组合。Lithium Werks在中国、欧洲和美国经营业务。

如需了解更多信息，请访问www.lithiumwerks.com。

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BRANCH ANNOUNCES THE 2020 MOBILE GROWTH AWARDS FINALISTS

Mobile Innovators from Shopify, Fave and OVO are top contenders for the most innovative campaigns of 2020.

SINGAPORE, Dec 24 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — Branch, the leading cross-platform solution for linking and measurement, has announced the finalists for its first-annual Mobile Growth Awards.

The program includes multiple award categories — here are the finalists across them.

  • Best Mobile Viral Campaign:
    • Saurabh Gupta, Wynk Music Limited
    • Sam Levy, Hinge
    • Varun Ganjoo
    • Shivgangi Gupta, Limeroad.com
    • Inge Konther, Stadium Goods
    • Vane Georgiev, OneFootball
  • Best Overall Growth Campaign:
    • John Ostrowski, Brainly
    • Abhishek Khandelwal, Licious
    • Sayantan Pan, Pratilipi
    • Sen Woo, CATCH
    • Luke Calavassy
    • Beth Halon, Woolworths Group Limited
    • Pulkit Agarwal, Trell
  • Best Phygital Experience
    • Nicolai Schnack, Joe & The Juice
    • Brita Voris
    • Sara Patterson, Belk
    • Sarha Arcand, Cadillac Fairview
    • Siddarth Barman, Affle for PROTON
    • Jason LaRose, Equinox Media
  • Best Digital Transformation:
    • Aik-Phong Ng, Fave
    • Ershad Ahamed, OVO (PT Visionet Internasional)
    • Jon Wirt, NHL
    • Tyler Munson, Goldman Sachs
    • Michael Woods, ExxonMobil
    • David Grelpois, L’Oreal France
  • Best COVID Adaptation campaign:
    • Brianna Severson, TodayTix
    • Matt Hudson, Belk
    • Jenna De Marco, Planet Fitness
    • Deepika Prakash, YUM Brands (KFC)
    • Kaori Frank, JOANN
    • Saurabh Gupta, Wynk Music Limited
    • Marisa Johnson, Sanvello Health
  • Best COVID Retention Campaign:
    • Mohit Poddar, Myntra Designs
    • Rajesh Pantina, InMobi for Unilever Wall’s
    • Audrey Grossman, QuickTrip
    • Dharmesh Gandhi, RentoMojo
    • Nicole Ferreira, Shopify
    • Joshua D’Alvise, Checkout51
  • Best Onboarding Activation Campaign:
    • Jeff Zakrzewski, Ritual
    • Jessica Miano
    • James Stolp, CSC Service Works
    • Birk Jernstrom, Shopify
    • John Dickson, Hibbett Sports
    • Laura Reurich, BNext
    • Victor Camargo, Wannalisn
  • Best Mobile Innovation:
    • Ratnesh Neema, Lenskart
    • Rupanshi Guliani, Bobble AI
    • Sibi Verghese, Reliance Jio Information Limited
    • Ioana Acsinia, Orange (Yoxo)
    • Mustafa Zubair Ahmed, Lock & Stock

The Awards will be held on Friday, January 29, 2021 at 5 PM SGT.

More information at Mobilegrowth.org/awards.

About Branch

Branch (branch.io) provides the leading cross-platform linking and attribution platform, unifying user experiences and powering cross-platform measurement for over 50,000 apps — including Adobe, BuzzFeed, Yelp and many more.

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Gravity Neocyon’s ‘Action RO2: Spear of Odin’ reaches Southeast Asia region

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 — Gravity Neocyon Inc, a subsidiary of Gravity, has announced the official launch of its new RPG ‘Action RO2: Spear of Odin’ recently in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia.

Action RO2: Spear of Odin, a game developed and serviced by Gravity Neocyon, is the first Action RPG using the Ragnarok IP, characterised by fascinating action scenes.

A Gravity Neocyon insider said: “As many users expressed their expectations, we will provide them with high quality fun expected of games using the Ragnarok IP.

“Along with magnificent action scenes; this game offers a raid system that enables users to enjoy playing the game with their friends.”

According to a statement, this game has become a centre of attention with over 230,000 pre-registration since Dec 8, from the Indonesian, Philippine, Malaysian, Singaporean and Australian markets.

To celebrate the launch, Gravity Neocyon holds a number of in-game and community events including a special log-in event, which is to present the users with rewards for playing the game on a daily basis, as well as the ‘Hot Time’ event and the ‘Push’ event offering benefits relating to the game cards.

In addition, a Christmas event will be held from Dec 23 to Dec 28 and gifts will be presented randomly to the players.

— BERNAMA

GRAVITY NEOCYON OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES ‘ACTION RO2: SPEAR OF ODIN’ IN SOUTHEAST ASIA REGION ON DECEMBER 22



SEOUL, South Korea, Dec 23 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — Gravity Neocyon Inc., a subsidiary of Gravity, announced the official launch of its new RPG ‘Action RO2: Spear of Odin’ on December 22 in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201222005764/en/

Action RO2: Spear of Odin, a game that has been developed and serviced by Gravity Neocyon, is the first Action RPG using the Ragnarok IP. It is characterized by fascinating action scenes.

This game became a center of attention with more than 230,000 pre-registration received since December 8 from the Indonesian, Filipino, Malaysian, Singaporean, and Australian markets.

A Gravity Neocyon insider said, “As many users expressed their expectations, we will provide them with high quality fun expected of games using the Ragnarok IP. Along with magnificent action scenes; this game offers a raid system that enables users to enjoy playing the game with their friends.”

To celebrate the launch of Action RO2: Spear of Odin, Gravity Neocyon holds a number of in-game and community events. Between December 22 and January 5 next year, users can enter the “Spin the Wheel” event by obtaining specific tokens while playing the game. Other events include a special log-in event, which is to present the users with rewards for playing the game on a daily basis, as well as the “Hot Time” event and the “Push” event offering benefits relating to the game cards.

From December 22 to December 30, the “What will you do first” event will be held where users vote on which game level, card, and equipment they will upgrade first and win items that received the most votes. In addition, a Christmas event will be held from December 23 to December 28 and gifts will be presented randomly to the players.

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AXA在新常态下 数码化提升能力


吉隆坡，Dec 21 (Bernama) — 新型冠狀病毒疫情大流行为安盛艾芬普通保险有限公司 (AXA Affin General Insurance Berhad) 提供了一个特殊的机会，在新常态下增强其员工的抗逆和应变能力以及灵活性。为了帮助员工与时并进，并考虑到可预见的未来趋势和目前行动限制的环境，AXA 持续寻找创新方式，透过数码化，自我提升。
“在疫情全球大流行期间，我们颠覆传统，采用新的数码方式支援客户和AXA员工，巩固了我们的信念，即科技和数码化是建立企业抗逆能力的关键成功要素。我们必需双管齐下加强科技和数码化，一方面使它成为AXA新的作业方式，另一方面是不断提高我们员工的能力。” AXA 人力资源总监 Safinas Mohd Ibrahim 说。

Safinas 补充, “坚强面对是我们 唯一的选择，这句话适切地反映了现实。因此当务之急是配合变革性技术与数码化战略，在人力数码化和创新视野实现重大突破。我们的最终目标是达到可持续性管理人力资源，因为这将直接影响并制造永续价值予所有利益相关者。”

在放眼于2023年成为“最具启发力的公司”之际，AXA致力于塑造包容，创新的工作环境，并激发员工的个人和专业成长。根据其崭新《雇主价值理念》（即“3i”－包容，创新和启发），AXA 期望为员工提供积极的职场体验。

培养数码技能打造未来竞争力

在意识到数码化是混乱环境的一个主要推进因素，AXA致力于通过在工作场所实行数码化以持续推动简化和有效率。

Safinas 补充：“人力资源面貌正面临迅速变化，越来越多技能将在可预见的未来遭遇淘汰。因此，我们决心提升员工技能和进行再培训，同时迈向数码化，以提高AXA的未来竞争优势。”

配合其最近举行的首届FutureFest，AXA推展了AXA Digital Faculty 4.0，以提供各种数码技能培训计划。这不仅可以提高员工的数码技能和纯熟度，也鼓励AXA整体实践数码化，以提高效率，符合客户最大利益。

新常态新学习方式

随着新才能和软技能的重要性日益增加，AXA投资了学习和提升计划，协助推广在新常态下新的学习方式。AXA借助各种技术和在线教育平台，例如其属下的YES Learning平台和Linkedln，提供超过7千个网上课程。员工可以通过所选择的平台，随时随地（每周30分钟或更长时间）进行虚拟学习。

事实证明，相关数码平台在整个行动管制令期间，发挥关键作用，协助员工保持联系，参与和互相合作。截至上个月，AXA写下了共8，556个小时的Linkedln Learning记录，并组织了76场在线虚拟学习会议。

促进设计思维和创新技能

AXA相信，为员工个人和专业发展铺平道路，将有效丰富他们的工作经验。为了加快员工步伐为工业4.0做好准备，AXA通过LUMA和AXApreneur等人才开发计划，深入探索设计思维和创新技能，同时继续跨部门建立员工的变革思维。

迄今为止，已有40名员工获得了LUMA学院的训练认证，掌握以人为中心的设计技巧，促进职场中的创新思维。2020年6月，AXA推行了AXApreneur特别版计划，以开发10种应对疫情全球大流行的创新产品。在资深管理团队的密切指导下，已有4项产品获批，目前正在为明年推出做准备。

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[INVNT GROUP] global business development team to tailor client campaign solutions

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 — [INVNT GROUP], THE GLOBAL BRANDSTORY PROJECT™ has formed a global business development team headed up by Scott Kerr, the former Managing Director of Business Development for INVNT, who has been promoted to Chief Sales Officer.

According to a statement, the newly formed team is dedicated to developing tailored campaign solutions for clients that incorporate one or more of the brands within the GROUP’s portfolio.

This includes modern brand strategy firm, Folk Hero; creative-led culture consultancy, Meaning; branded content studio and content marketing agency, HEVĒ; and INVNT, the global live brand storytelling agency™.

Strategically based in five countries on four continents, the employees work collaboratively to devise overarching global campaigns that are localised in-region and in-country, ensuring maximum relevance and cut through among brands’ target audiences globally.

As Chief Sales Officer, Kerr leads and mentors the multi-disciplinary international team, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and tools they require to deliver on the [INVNT GROUP] proposition.

“The GROUP has been so well received since its launch in June, we’ve experienced immense growth despite these uncertain times, securing new clients, and growing existing accounts through our expanded service offering,” said [INVNT GROUP] President & Chief Executive Officer, Scott Cullather.

Meanwhile, Kerr said: “Our team will continue to work with colleagues across all departments, business units and global regions to ensure our partners reach their creative and communication goals.”

More details at http://www.invntgroup.com/

— BERNAMA

Aptorum Group submits ALS-4 Clinical Trial Application for infection treatment

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 — Biopharmaceutical company, Aptorum Group Limited (Aptorum Group or Aptorum) has announced the company, through its wholly owned subsidiary Aptorum International Limited, submitted a Clinical Trial Application (CTA) with the Public Health Agency of Canada (Health Canada) to conduct a Phase 1 clinical trial of ALS-4.

According to a statement, ALS-4 is an orally administered small molecule drug for the treatment of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Pending Health Canada’s approval, the Phase 1 trial is designed to test the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of ALS-4 in healthy volunteers.

Aptorum Group Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director, Dr Clark Cheng said: “Further to our previous update in September 2020, we are pleased to announce this CTA submission which represents a major development milestone for our ALS-4 antimicrobial programme.

“As shown in our internal preclinical data and subject to further clinical trials, ALS-4 can be potentially used on a standalone basis or in combination with existing antibiotics (for example, vancomycin) with the aim to reduce mortality and morbidity of the infected patients especially in severe cases.”

The Phase 1 clinical trial is planned to be conducted in Canada and targeted to recruit up to 48 and 32 healthy volunteers for the single-ascending dose (SAD) and multiple- ascending dose (MAD) cohorts, respectively.

The primary objective of the trial is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of SAD and MAD of ALS-4 administered orally to healthy subjects. The secondary objective is to assess the pharmacokinetic profile of SAD and MAD of ALS-4 administered orally to healthy subjects.

For details, visit http://www.aptorumgroup.com.

— BERNAMA

BNZ Life Credit Ratings under review with negative implications – AM Best

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 — Global credit rating agency, AM Best has placed under review with negative implications the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of ‘a’ of BNZ Life Insurance Limited (BNZ Life) New Zealand.

These Credit Rating (rating) actions follow the announcement on Dec 16, that National Australia Bank Limited, BNZ Life’s ultimate parent, has entered into an agreement to sell its New Zealand life insurance business, including BNZ Life, to Partners Life Limited (Partners Life).

According to a statement, the transaction also includes the establishment of an exclusive 10-year agreement for the referral of Bank of New Zealand customers with life insurance needs to Partners Life.

The total transaction consideration is NZD 290 million (US$208 million). The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and other approvals, is expected to be completed in the second half of 2021. (US$1 = RM4.043)

The ratings have been placed under review with negative implications, as AM Best needs to assess the impact of the planned acquisition on BNZ Life’s credit fundamentals, including any potential rating drag that could arise from its change in ownership.

In addition, AM Best will need to consider the planned integration of BNZ Life within the Partners Life group, any expected changes in strategy and any implicit or explicit support to be provided by the new parent.

The ratings will remain under review pending completion of the transaction, and until AM Best can fully assess the post-acquisition credit rating fundamentals of BNZ Life.

For details, visit www.ambest.com.

— BERNAMA