HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Nov 30 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vietnam Airlines, the fastest-growing carrier in Southeast Asia, today announced the success of the first direct flight to the United States, fulfilling a key development milestone of the Vietnamese flag carrier.
The inaugural flight, No.VN98, from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco, carried passengers on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, one of the most advanced-technology airplanes of the Vietnam Airlines fleet. This historic flight signifies an important development of Vietnam’s aviation and Vietnam Airlines as the country’s first airline to conduct regular commercial direct flights to the U.S. It recognizes the 20-year-effort of Vietnam Airlines since the establishment of its representative office in San Francisco to lay the foundation for direct route between the two countries. “Vietnam Airlines was so proud of being the country’s first airline to conduct the charter flight to the U.S. more than a year ago to welcome compatriots back to the homeland. Today, we are pleased to announce the success of the inaugural commercial direct flight to the U.S., marking a new milestone for Vietnam Airlines and Vietnam’s aviation,” said President & CEO of Vietnam Airlines Le Hong Ha. “We are honored to be the first airport in the U.S. to offer nonstop regular flights to Vietnam. We are proud to offer a world-class experience with seamless access throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and grateful to Vietnam Airlines for making San Francisco their first U.S. destination,” said Director of San Francisco Airport Ivar C. Satero. Initially, Vietnam Airlines will conduct 2 flights per week from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco by Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, the two most modern wide-body aircrafts. The airline aims to increase to 7 flights per week after the Covid-19 pandemic is under control and plans to open a new route to connect Los Angeles to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. About Vietnam Airlines: Vietnam Airlines - a member of SkyTeam Alliance - is the flag carrier of Vietnam and the major carrier in the South East Asia, operating 95 routes to 22 domestic and 29 international destinations with an average of 400 flights per day. Skytrax - the world's leading airline and airport rating organization - has ranked Vietnam Airlines as a 4-Star Airline for four consecutive years. https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7591ba77-2286-479a-bb64-b43fe983f5ac [email protected] Source: Vietnam Airlines http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=41742
0 Comments
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation (Toshiba) has introduced two photocouplers, TLP5705H and TLP5702H’, housed in a thin SO6L package, for use as insulated gate drivers for small to medium capacity IGBTs/MOSFETs. Volume shipments begin today. TLP5705H is Toshiba’s first product to deliver a peak output current rating of ±5.0A in a thin package (SO6L) only 2.3mm (max) high. As a result, devices such as small to medium capacity inverters and servo amplifiers that use a buffer circuit for current amplification can now drive their IGBTs/MOSFETs directly from the photocoupler, without any need of the buffer circuit. This will contribute to parts reduction and set miniaturisation. TLP5702H has a peak output current rating of ±2.5A. An SO6L package that can be mounted on the land pattern of Toshiba’s conventional SDIP6 package, facilitating easy replacement of Toshiba’s current products. The SO6L is thinner than SDIP6, which brings greater flexibility to component layouts on boards, and also allows it to be mounted on the back of a board or used where new circuit design imposes limits on available height. According to a statement, both photocouplers have a maximum operating temperature rating of 125ºC (Ta=-40 to 125ºC), making it easier to design and maintain temperature margins. Toshiba’s line-up also includes TLP5702H(LF4) and TLP5705H(LF4), housed in an SO6L(LF4) package as a lead-forming option. More at https://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/ap-en/top.html -- BERNAMA KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- With global sourcing become increasingly digitalised in the wake of the pandemic, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is staging the HKTDC Lifestyle Sourcing Show | Physical + Online, a trade exhibition in both online and physical formats, to help businesses adjust to the new sourcing model and overcome challenges resulting from the current business environment.
Themed ‘Sourcing in Style’, the show will gather more than 580 exhibitors from nine countries and regions, showcasing the latest toys, baby products, gifts and premium, houseware and optical products, according to a statement. The physical show takes place from Dec 1 to 3 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). After joining the physical show, buyers and suppliers can engage through a dedicated online exhibition platform that will run from Dec 6 to 10. The physical edition of the Lifestyle Sourcing Show at the HKCEC will display a range of consumer and lifestyle goods and solutions in a showcase format. For the online show, exhibitors will be offered 3D booths to promote their brands and products on a visually creative online platform. Buyers and exhibitors can discuss deals through the HKTDC’s business matching platform, Click2Match, which uses artificial intelligence to conduct automatic matching between potential business partners. The platform also helps participants to schedule meetings, get together for video conferences, chat in real time and exchange e-business cards, according to their sourcing needs. The show will keep fully abreast with the latest lifestyle trends, featuring 12 group pavilions such as Fujian, Jiangsu, Jiaxing, Pinghu and Zhejiang from Mainland China, Japan’s Fukui Optical Industrial Association, KOTRA from Korea, and various Taiwanese associations covering gifts, houseware, baby products, toys, optical and educational products. To complement the show, industry leaders and experts are invited to share their insights at the events during the air period. Website: https://LSShow.hktdc.com. -- BERNAMA Additional in vitro studies to determine neutralization activity of ADG20 against Omicron are ongoing
ADG20 EUA submissions planned for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in mid-2022 Inventory build continues in anticipation of EUA in second half of 2022, with 4 million doses available for distribution over the next two years WALTHAM, Mass., Nov 30 (Bernama-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 provided information related to the potential of its lead SARS-CoV-2 antibody, ADG20, to address the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant, and other known variants of concern. ADG20 is an investigational monoclonal antibody (mAb) product candidate designed to provide broad and potent neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2, including variants of concern, for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 with potential duration of protection for up to one year in a single injection. “The continued global scale of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased levels of immune pressure on the virus, which is driving the emergence of variants containing mutations associated with escape from common classes of neutralizing antibodies induced by natural infection or vaccination. Unlike most antibodies currently available under EUA, ADG20 has been shown to target an epitope that is highly conserved among clade I sarbecoviruses and that is not readily targeted by the endogenous neutralizing antibody response,” said Laura Walker, Ph.D., co-founder and chief scientific officer of Adagio. “Due to the highly conserved and immunorecessive nature of the epitope recognized by ADG20, we expect that ADG20 will retain activity against Omicron, as we have observed in in vitro models with all other variants of concern identified previously. Further, none of the mutations present in the spike protein of the Omicron variant have been associated with escape from ADG20 neutralization. ADG20 was engineered for potent and broadly neutralizing activity in anticipation of both the rapid antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and the emergence of future SARS-like viruses with pandemic potential.” “ADG20 was uniquely designed to combine breadth, potency and duration of protection against SARS-CoV-2 for up to one year in a single injection. We did this anticipating that SARS-CoV-2 would continue to evolve and potentially render some early therapies and vaccines obsolete,” said Tillman Gerngross, Ph.D., co-founder and chief executive officer of Adagio. “Our global clinical trials are advancing with potential EUA submissions in mid-2022 for both prevention and treatment of COVID-19. We continue to engage with the FDA and other regulatory bodies and governmental agencies to discuss potential acceleration of development plans and the need for a portfolio of therapeutic solutions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.” Given the significant potential health crisis resulting from the emergence of Omicron, Adagio is undertaking a number of activities to support ADG20’s utility in addressing this newly emerged variant of concern, including: · Conducting in vitro studies to evaluate the expected binding and neutralizing activity of ADG20 against Omicron. Initial data from these studies is anticipated by the end of the year; and · Recruiting patients in Adagio’s Phase 2/3 COVID-19 treatment trial, known as STAMP, across several clinical sites in South Africa (along with ongoing clinical trial efforts globally) in an effort to generate clinical data for ADG20 against infections due to the Omicron variant. Based on the data being generated, Adagio plans to engage with health authorities and government agencies to accelerate development and supply of ADG20 to combat SARS-CoV-2 and its variants of concern. ADG20 and Variants of Concern The neutralizing antibody response induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination is dominated by three classes of receptor binding domain (RBD)-directed antibodies (Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3), which often share common escape mutations. The newly emerged Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant identified in South Africa contains mutations associated with resistance to a large proportion of these commonly elicited antibodies, which may be due to immune pressure on these antigenic sites. Data for most antibodies available under EUA or in late-stage clinical development show they target one of these three dominant antigenic regions within the RBD. In vitro studies have shown that ADG20 binds to a highly conserved epitope within the RBD that is not targeted by any of the common classes of neutralizing antibodies induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination. Thus, unlike many other clinical-stage antibodies, which were isolated from COVID-19 patients and recognize epitopes that are also targeted by endogenous neutralizing antibodies, there is limited immune pressure on the ADG20 binding site. The ADG20 epitope has remained conserved in 99.99% of the nearly 4 million full length SARS-CoV-2 viral sequences deposited in the GISAID database as of October 15, 2021, and, as shown in in vitro studies, ADG20 retains activity against prior variants of concern including Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Gamma. For the Omicron variant, none of the mutations present in the spike protein are associated with escape from ADG20 neutralization. Based on published epitope mapping and structural studies, Adagio anticipates that ADG20 will retain neutralizing activity against the Omicron variant whereas other mAb products may lose substantial activity against this variant. Previously disclosed in vitro data demonstrated retained neutralizing activity of ADG20 against a diverse panel of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the recently emerged Lambda, Mu and Delta plus variants. Notably, findings from these in vitro studies showed that ADG20 demonstrated potent neutralizing activity against all SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern tested, including those with reduced susceptibility to mAb products currently available under EUA or in late-stage development. About ADG20 ADG20, an investigational monoclonal antibody targeting the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses, is advancing through global clinical trials 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 activity against SARS-CoV-2 and additional clade 1 sarbecoviruses by targeting a highly conserved epitope in the receptor binding domain. ADG20 was further engineered to provide an extended half-life for durable protection. ADG20 has demonstrated potent neutralizing activity against the original SARS-CoV-2 virus, SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Gamma, other SARS-CoV-2 variants to date, and additional SARS-like viruses in preclinical studies. ADG20 is administered in clinical trials by a single intramuscular injection. To date, ADG20 has been well-tolerated in a Phase 1 trial with no safety signals identified through a minimum of three months follow-up across all cohorts. ADG20 has not been approved for use in any country, and safety and efficacy have not yet been established. 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, including COVID-19 and influenza. 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 the potential for 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, ensuring the potential for broad accessibility to people around the world. 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 submissions, initiation, modification 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; the expected neutralizing activity of ADG20 against the Omicron variant; our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for, our product candidates; our ability to identify patients, including in specific populations, with the diseases treated by our product candidates and to enroll these patients in our clinical trials; our expectations regarding the scope of any approved indication for ADG20; and the risk/benefit profile of our product candidates to patients; our manufacturing capabilities and strategy, including plans for doses available in the near future; 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, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, clinical trials and financial position, unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during preclinical studies or clinical trials, clinical trial site activation or enrollment rates that are lower than expected, changes in expected or existing competition, changes in the regulatory environment, and the uncertainties and timing of the regulatory approval process. Other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements in this press release are described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Adagio’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 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 September 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 [email protected] Investor Contact: Monique Allaire, THRUST Strategic Communications [email protected] Source: Adagio Therapeutics, Inc. --BERNAMA DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov 30 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Three UAE government ministers will join ministers from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the first ever Global Business Forum ASEAN, which takes place at Expo 2020 Dubai on December 8th- 9th.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211129005531/en/ Organised by Dubai Chamber in partnership with Expo 2020 Dubai, GBF ASEAN will be held under the theme The New Frontiers. The forum, featuring over 40 speakers and 25 panel discussions, will explore the changing dynamics of ASEAN countries and opportunities to increase bilateral trade, business and investment ties between the two regions. Representing the UAE at GBF ASEAN will be H.E Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai; H.E Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; and H.E. Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade. The three UAE ministers will be addressing the event alongside H.E. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Board of Dubai Chambers and H.E. Hamad Buamim, President & CEO of Dubai Chamber. Government ministers from the ASEAN region participating at the forum include H.E Ramon Lopez, Secretary (Minister), Department of Trade & Industry, Republic of the Philippines; H.E William Dar, Secretary (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Republic of Philippines; H.E. Fortunato De La Pena, Secretary (Minister), Secretary of Science and Technology, Vice Chairman, Philippine Space Council, Republic of Philippines; H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary General, ASEAN Secretariat; and Mohmed Razip Haji Hasan, Director General, Islamic Tourism Centre. “The line-up of high-calibre speakers reflects the strong commitment from the UAE and ASEAN countries in expanding economic cooperation and tapping into existing trade and investment synergies. There is vast potential to forge new partnerships between UAE businesses and their ASEAN counterparts and we look forward to exploring that at the upcoming forum,” said H.E. Hamad Buamim, President & CEO of Dubai Chamber. Editor’s note Established in 1965, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a non-profit public entity, whose mission is to represent, support and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai by creating a favourable business environment, supporting the development of business, and by promoting Dubai as an international business hub. *Source: AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211129005531/en/ Contact Ruba Abdel Halim Manager, PR & Corporate Communications, +97142028450 [email protected] Source : Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry --BERNAMA KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Global Business Forum (MGBF) has moved to support the creative economy as the overall economy moves into a recovery phase following the COVID-19 pandemic. As a step in the direction of normalcy, the MGBF has agreed to host the art exhibition “I Know You’re Somewhere So Far” by one of Malaysia’s leading young artists Mulaika Nordin.
The full spectrum of the creative industries, from film to visual arts were heavily impacted over the past two years. Prior to the pandemic the creative industries were estimated to be worth some RM29.4 billion contributing 1.9% to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2019 according to a report by the Department of Statistics Malaysia. The Malaysia Global Business Forum like many businesses has evolved extensively due to the pandemic. Many of our business matching and government engagement programs have shifted to the virtual space. We are pleased to announce that our first step back to in person physical events will take place this December with the hosting of this important art exhibition. Co-chairman of MGBF, Rizal Kamaruzzaman said, “This is a perfect opportunity to energise the arts while contributing to the economy by empowering a member of the artistic community. It is our hope that the arts scene becomes more vibrant. It is important to develop not just the artists but the stakeholders and policies that empower this sector of the economy. mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=41746 BAISE YIHAO: STARTING FROM BAISE, BASED ON GUANGXI, COVERING THE WHOLE COUNTRY AND LINKING ASEAN30/11/2021 BAISE, China, Nov. 29, 2021 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/-- Recently, the launching ceremony of "Baise Yihao" special train of Baise-Shenzhen cold chain logistics special line was held in China-ASEAN Agricultural Products Trading Center, which marked that Baise agricultural products officially entered Shenzhen market through cold chain logistics special train and became another effective means for Baise to deeply integrate into Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) construction, according to the Publicity Department of Baise City. Baise City is a famous base for "transporting vegetables from the south to the north", where more than 3 million mu of ecological vegetables are planted every year. Since its official opening on December 11, 2013, "Baise Yihao" cold chain special train, as the national project benefiting the people by "transporting vegetables from the south to the north and fruits from the north to the south", has not only continuously transported fruits and vegetables produced in Baise to more than 100 large and medium-sized cities, 23 provinces and autonomous regions such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, but also solved the sales problems of many fruits and vegetables with low unsalable prices in Baise, increasing farmers' income. Moreover, it has brought revolutionary changes in the transportation of agricultural products, and made great contributions to the poverty alleviation and rural revitalization. Meanwhile, with the unique geographical advantages of "Baise Yihao", a multimodal transport system for cross-border transportation of Baise Yihao sea rail and public rail has been established through ports including Longbang, Pingxiang and Fangchenggang, making Baise Yihao fruit and vegetable special domestic train and Baise Yihao Sino-Vietnamese cross-border direct transport train organically connect with the node cities of China-Europe Railway Express such as Chongqing, Chengdu, Wuhan, Zhengzhou and Beijing, as well as the node cities of southbound passages in Sichuan, Guizhou and Guangxi, expanding the influence of "Baise Yihao" to the whole country and even the world. "Baise Yihao" project has been listed by the Ministry of Transport as the first national demonstration project of cold chain logistics channel construction across Eurasia. In addition, Baise Yihao cold chain logistics system has been successfully integrated into the Belt and Road Initiative. At present, Baise Yihao has established special logistics distribution centers for fruits and vegetables in Baise, Nanning, Fangchenggang, Pingxiang, Shenzhen, Beijing, Langfang, Tianjin, Shenyang, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Chongqing, Chengdu, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, etc. Relying on its vast network, Baise Yihao has basically achieved the goal of starting from Baise, based in Guangxi, influencing the whole country and linking ASEAN. Since its opening at the end of 2013, "Baise Yihao" domestic special train has run 233 times, with a total freight volume of about 116,000 tons; since the opening of Baise Yihao Sino-Vietnamese cross-border direct transport train on November 28, 2017, 164 trips have been operated with a total freight volume of 69,000 tons. Source: The Publicity Department of Baise City Image Attachments Links: Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=408997 Caption: "Baise Yihao" special train being lifted KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- Xiamen’s marine economy is expected to embrace high-quality development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25) as it has recently been guaranteed a leading city status in developing marine sectors in East China’s Fujian province.
According to a statement, the municipal government released two development plans, which noted that efforts should be made to enhance its role in bolstering the province's marine economy. According to the plans, Xiamen will set up strategic emerging marine industrial clusters by promoting the commercialisation of scientific and technological achievements. Efforts will be made to speed up the construction of a national demonstration zone for the marine economy. Marine biological industries will also be cultivated, and build global supply bases for marine products. In addition, Xiamen will foster new drivers of growth for marine economy, such as building itself into a Southeast International Shipping Center and improving the efficiency of the ocean shipping transportation system. The plan noted that as of 2023, Xiamen will set up a modern marine industrial system supported by emerging marine industries, modern fisheries, port logistics, and high-end coastal tourism. The local government has also stepped up efforts to improve basic research capability, and build a batch of marine scientific research institution. A wide range of supportive measures have been rolled out to further stimulate the vitality of scientific and technological innovation. As a key port city of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Xiamen will beef up efforts to attract world-class marine enterprises and core technologies, encourage Xiamen enterprises to go abroad, and deepen opening-up and cooperation in the marine economy. -- BERNAMA KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 -- The iMUGS Consortium, in charge of a 32,6 MEUR project developing the European standard unmanned ground system (UGS), has demonstrated how defence forces can use tactical 4G/5G communications networks and UGS’ equipped with ISR and signal intelligence payloads, jammers, acoustic sensors, and various other technology to conduct missions.
The demonstration performed in September in Latvia, was led by LMT, a member of the integrated Modular Unmanned Ground System (iMUGS) consortium, with the support of the project coordinator Milrem Robotics and featured an ensemble of different technology. “The displayed scenarios showed that unmanned systems, enhanced with innovative communication systems and various defence technology, can be used for collecting and sharing tactical information, improve situational awareness, decrease troops physical load, and increase force protection,” explained Milrem Robotics Chief Executive Officer, Kuldar Väärsi. Latvian National Armed Forces used two Milrem Robotics’ THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) during two scenarios to display the benefits of teaming up manned units with unmanned systems. According to a statement, the units and UGVs used Bittium’s tactical communication network TAC WIN combined with LMT’s commercial 4G and a tactical 5G-SA bubble provided by Bittium and Cumucore. In addition, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann’s (KMW) Dingo infantry mobility vehicle was used as the command centre from where UGVs were operated in Line of Sight (LOS) and Beyond the Line of Sight (BLOS) mode using Bittium’s SDR radios and to where the ISR and Signal Intelligence sensor feed was relayed and incorporated into LMT’s Battle Management System Viedsargs. Additional equipment used in the demonstration include SRC Brasa's NATRIX UGV used for CASEVAC, high-speed First-Person View drone, Vertical Take-off, and Landing UAV STAR, and a gunshot detection and source recognition audio sensor by Riga Technical University (RTU). The iMUGS project was launched in 2020 to develop a modular, cyber secure and scalable architecture for hybrid manned-unmanned systems. Its goal is to standardise a Europe-wide ecosystem for ground platforms, command, control and communication equipment, sensors, payloads, and algorithms. -- BERNAMA KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 -- Japan has donated five batches of the AZ COVID-19 vaccine to Taiwan, and Taiwan has reciprocated by providing treatment at NTHU’s Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Center (BNCTC) for a 20-year-old Japanese woman suffering from malignant brain tumour. According to a statement, the treatment was a success, and she has now returned to school. The doctor in charge of the treatment was Yi-Wei Chen of the Oncology Department at Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH). He said that only Taiwan and Japan have medical centres using boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) to treat cancer. However, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare has not yet approved BNCT for treating malignant brain tumours, leaving Taiwan as the only source of treatment for malignant brain tumours that are difficult to treat by surgery. Chen said that the Japanese patient was originally diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma of the right ear canal at age six. After surgery and chemotherapy, the condition was stable for a time. Unexpectedly, the tumour recurred in 2018, and the tumour metastasised to the hindbrain. After it was determined that it turned out to be malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour, she received heavy particle and CyberKnife treatment in Japan, but the tumour still recurred. She went to the THOR BNCT Cancer Center for treatment on Sept 17. After the injection of the Boron-10 drug and a 20-minute session of neutron source irradiation, she had a group photo in front of the NSTDC with the medical team, who presented her with a teddy bear wearing a graduation cap, as a way of wishing her a speedy ‘graduation’ from her cancer. Working closely with the TVGH, the BNCTC has treated over 100 patients from all over the world, including Spain, Brazil, Australia, Singapore, Japan, and China. BNCT is a kind of targeted radiotherapy in which the patient is first injected with a boron-containing drug; once the drug has accumulated in the tumour, the neutron beam from the nuclear reactor is used to irradiate the tumour, and the high-energy particles generated by the boron neutron capture reaction effectively kill off the tumour cells, without damaging nearby normal cells. -- BERNAMA |
Archives
April 2023
Categories |