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EUROPEAN LIFE SCIENCES INVESTORS UPBEAT ABOUT 2024 OUTLOOK

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Tough markets set to improve in 2024, finds Optimum’s survey of leading VCs

Deals, including collaborations and M&A, likely to pick up sooner than IPOs

While investors remain discerning, plenty of ‘dry powder’ is available for the right investment

Against this backdrop, clear communication has never been more important

LONDON, Jan. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Optimum Strategic Communications (‘Optimum’), the international strategic healthcare communications firm, today announces the results of its 2024 survey of European life sciences venture capital (VC) investors. The survey, conducted in November and December 2023, and including responses from highly influential European investors, representing funds with c.$300bn in assets under management, found that most believe market conditions for life science companies will improve through 2024.

After two years of relentlessly rising interest rates, which have had “a fundamental impact” on valuations and market activity, investors say the outlook appears to be more positive – opening the door to more deals, including financings, collaborations and M&A. However, investors believe the appetite for IPOs is unlikely to improve before 2025.

The tough market environment has forced investors to become more cautious: many saying that they have to focus much of their time, energy and cash on existing portfolio companies. Yet the survey also found many VCs still have plenty of ‘dry powder’ ready to be deployed if the right opportunity presents itself. When looking out for fresh opportunities, investors have become more discerning – demanding great data, proven management teams and clarity of vision.

Against this difficult but improving backdrop, investors told Optimum that it has never been more important for companies to be able to communicate a strong and compelling investment story if they are to secure the deals they need. 

Report highlights

  • More than half of survey respondents described the 2024 outlook for European life science companies as positive
  • While deal activity has been slow since 2021, activity is picking up and likely to increase as Big Pharma looks to refill its pipeline ahead of numerous patent expiries in the late 2020s
  • Areas of particular investor interest include obesity drugs, neurology, immunology and select oncology, including ADCs and radiopharma
  • The improving sentiment comes after high inflation and interest rates forced VCs to re-appraise their investments in life science companies due to the increased cost of capital
  • The lack of IPOs has also meant investors have had to back portfolio companies for longer, limiting opportunities for investment in new companies
  • VCs have considerable ‘dry powder’ ready to be deployed, if they can be convinced of a company’s merits
  • Investors remain highly impressed with the quality of science exhibited by European life science companies, citing this as their main strength
  • Valuations can be a sticking point, with investors concerned management of some private companies are not being realistic given the changed interest rate environment
  • European companies need to improve how they communicate their science and their stories, with one VC urging them: “Just sell the hell out of it!”

Commenting on the survey, Mary Clark, CEO, Optimum Strategic Communications, said:

“Life sciences companies have been on a white-knuckle ride over the last few years, with soaring valuations during the pandemic followed by a painful crash. Optimum’s latest survey of European healthcare investors suggests that while the situation remains tough, sentiment finally appears to be turning a corner – with a majority of respondents having a positive outlook for 2024. Crucially, many investors say they have lots of capital to deploy, but the difficult conditions of the last couple of years have led them to be much more discerning.

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“While few believe the IPO market will really re-open until 2025, deal activity is already starting to pick up – a trend that is likely to increase through 2024.

“European companies now need to work harder to convince investors or partners of their strategy and vision: being able to tell the ‘right’ story has never been more important.”

If you would like to receive the complete report, please email contact@optimumcomms.com or download it from our website here.

Twitter: @OptimumComms
LinkedIn: optimum-strategic-communications
Website: www.optimumcomms.com 

About Optimum Strategic Communications

Optimum Strategic Communications is an international healthcare communications consultancy which specialises in strategic investor relations, corporate and financial communications. Our senior team of healthcare specialists, based in London, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Zurich, and New York, are experienced and trusted advisors to some of the world’s most exciting public and private companies, both large and small, across pharmaceuticals, biotech, medtech, health tech, healthcare services and industrial biotechnology.

Over the last 25 years, our team has worked with over 300 healthcare companies, advising them on financial communications and investor relations, including major corporate activity such as fundraising, IPOs, M&A, as well as corporate reputation and crisis scenarios.

We have an exceptional network of contacts across the international investment community in Europe and the US; contacts we have built and maintained over the last three decades. The Optimum team includes ex-fund managers and analysts, as well as financial and corporate communications specialists.

For more information please visit www.optimumcomms.com

 

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Concirrus: If AI Is Good Enough for Government, It’s Good Enough for Insurance

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LONDON, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AI to Replace Civil Servants and Save £45 Billion: What Does This Mean for Insurance? 

The UK government is betting big on AI. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to replace civil servants with artificial intelligence, calling the state “overcautious and flabby” and promising sweeping reforms. The goal? To cut inefficiencies and save taxpayers £45 billion through automation. 

With thousands of government jobs under review and AI well-suited for routine tasks, the civil service could unlock unprecedented efficiency – saving an estimated £45 billion while empowering its workforce 

Will the Government’s use of AI legitimise its use in wider industry? Are their parallels within insurance?   

The insurance industry faces the same challenges as a market that’s burdened with time-consuming, manual data entry and administrative tasks. AI is poised to change that by automating these processes, allowing underwriters to focus on higher-value decisions, resulting in faster, more accurate quotes, better risk management and a more competitive insurance market. 

Much like in government, AI can reduce operational costs in insurance by eliminating repetitive tasks such as keying (and re-keying) submissions, document analysis, and manual risk evaluations. By leveraging AI, insurers can significantly speed up the quote process, improve efficiency and lower premiums. 

Rewriting the Underwriter job description 

However, AI isn’t replacing underwriters; it’s redefining their roles. As Starmer put it, “No person’s time should be spent on a task where AI can do it better, quicker, and to the same high quality.” 

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For underwriters, this signals a shift from administrative work to strategic decision-making, portfolio expansion, and coverage innovation. Instead of spending time on data entry or outsourcing submissions for manual processing, underwriters will be free to focus on evaluating complex risks and maximising capacity deployment. 

AI won’t make you obsolete; but your competitors using it might 

As the government leads the charge in AI-driven reform, the insurance sector must follow. AI is not just a tool for cost-cutting, it’s a powerful driver of efficiency, customer experience, and competitive advantage. 

The question is no longer if AI will reshape underwriting but how quickly insurers will adopt it. Those who embrace AI may well outpace their competitors. Those who don’t? They risk being left behind, because AI won’t replace underwriters – but underwriters who use AI will replace those who don’t. 

About Concirrus 

Concirrus revolutionizes underwriting in specialty and commercial insurance with AI-driven solutions that turn hours-long processes into decisions made in seconds. Founded in 2012, it serves sectors like aviation, transportation, marine, surety, construction, political violence, and terrorism. Trusted by leading insurers, its AI analytics streamline operations, optimize risk assessment, and empower smarter, faster decisions in a rapidly evolving industry. To learn more, visit: https://concirrus.ai 

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The 137th Canton Fair: Strengthening Middle East Trade Ties with Successful Promotion Events

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GUANGZHOU, China, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 137th Canton Fair is coming this April. Recognized as the largest trade fair in China, the fair successfully conducted a Middle East roadshow in February, with trade promotion events in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

“The Canton Fair provides a one-stop service platform for the global business community to trade commodities, exchange ideas and align rules and policies. The 137th Canton Fair will open on April 15, and we cordially invite Middle East enterprises to join the exhibition to strengthen cooperation and achieve win-win with global business partners,” said Ma Fengmin, Deputy Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre.

On February 13, the 137th Canton Fair Promotion Workshop was successfully held in Doha. Ali Saeed Bu Sharbak Al Mansori, the Acting General Manager of the Qatar Chamber (QC), praised the strong QatarChina relations, noting China’s importance as one of Qatar’s most important trade partners and the noticeable developments in various fields, especially in economic and trade sectors. He emphasized the significance of the Canton Fair and Qatar Chamber’s commitment in fostering business ties and partnerships between Qatar and China. GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group) highlighted the Canton Fair as a bond of friendship and a bridge for trade, encouraging the Qatari business community to attend the Canton Fair.

The Canton Fair working group also visited manufacturing group QIMC, home furniture chain Nabina Group, premium department store Blue Salon and Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.

On February 16 and 17, the Canton Fair working group hosted two promotion conferences in Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and over 130 local representatives attended the conferences to exchange ideas and promote trade cooperation. He Song, Minister-Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia, stated that bilateral trade between China and Saudi Arabia has significantly expanded in recent years. Saudi Arabia’s exports to China are extending from traditional energy to diversification, while China’s exports to Saudi Arabia, including mechanical and electrical equipment, automobiles, new energy products, and IT equipment, are also becoming increasingly abundant. Saudi buyer representative highlighted the Canton Fair’s importance for sourcing goods, expanding business, and giving Saudi factories a global platform. Midea expressed that the Canton Fair serves as a global opportunity engine, accelerating the building of mutual trust and promoting shared growth. ToGo power said that the Canton Fair is an excellent platform for finding new suppliers, developing exclusive product lines, and establishing strategic partnerships.

Subsequently, the working group continued to visit the local home furniture retailer Saco and retail enterprise Bin Dawood, and attended the Big 5 exhibition, where they engaged with some of the exhibitors.

In Dubai, the 137th Canton Fair Promotion Conference held on February 19 was attended by about 100 partners and guests. Wang Xiaojia, Counsellor of the Chinese Consulate-General in Dubai, highlighted the strengthening economic ties between China and the UAE. The Canton Fair has become a premium platform for deepening cooperation between two countries. UAE enterprises are welcomed to join the 137th session and further expand business cooperation. Danube Group Vice Chairman and Milano Founder Anis Sajan reflected on his long-standing attendance at the Fair since the early 2000s, commending China’s robust supply capabilities and the event’s role in gathering global business opportunities. Haricharan DTP, Haier Gulf Electronics LLC sales Director, noted that the Canton Fair provides a window for communication, a stage to showcase the strength and image of the enterprise, and promotes technological innovation and industrial upgrading.

The working group visited Dubai World Trade Centre, port and logistics enterprise Gulftainer, Expo Centre Sharjah, retailer LULU, overseas warehouses of cross-border e-commerce companies as well as Gulfood tradeshow.

As an important milestone in building the online platform of the fair, the Canton Fair App now brings integrated online and offline experience for exhibitors and buyers, and serves as a 365-day, uninterrupted business matchmaking platform.

The 137th Canton Fair will be held from April 15 to May 5, 2025 in Guangzhou. To download the Canton Fair App, please visit https://cief.cantonfair.org.cn/en/app/appintro.html.

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MEXC Lists AO (AO), Expanding Support for Decentralized Computing and AI Innovation with a 140,000 USDT Prize Pool

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VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency trading platform, announces the listing of AO (AO) on both spot and futures markets, scheduled for March 14, 2025, at 06:00 (UTC). To mark the occasion, MEXC is launching an Airdrop+ rewards event with a 140,000 USDT prize pool, providing users with multiple opportunities to engage with AO and explore its potential within the decentralized computing space.

Unleashing AO: MEXC Supports the Future of Decentralized Computing and AI Agents

AO is a decentralized ultra-parallel computing network that expands on-chain computation while ensuring all operations remain verifiable and permanently recorded. Built on Arweave’s permanent storage, AO features an actor-oriented architecture, where modular programs (actors) operate independently, select their own virtual machines (VMs), consensus mechanisms, and payment models, and communicate through a standardized messaging layer. With self-triggering execution and autonomous agent capabilities, AO enables efficient DeFi strategies, automated DEX trading, and AI-driven applications, unlocking a new era of decentralized computing.

By listing AO, MEXC reinforces its commitment to supporting cutting-edge innovations at the intersection of AI, blockchain infrastructure, and decentralized computing. As demand for on-chain processing and AI-powered applications grows, MEXC provides AO with critical market access, deep liquidity, and an engaged global user base to accelerate its adoption and utility. Beyond just a listing, MEXC plays a crucial role in fostering the adoption and development of innovative blockchain projects across AI and DePIN. With a strong trading community, strategic marketing initiatives, and a track record of launching high-potential assets, MEXC provides projects like AO with the tools to gain visibility and traction within the crypto ecosystem. Through this listing, MEXC continues to connect users with the latest blockchain advancements, ensuring accessibility to next-generation decentralized infrastructure.

Celebrate AO’s Listing with a 140,000 USDT Prize Pool

MEXC, known for quickly listing trending tokens, expands its offerings with AO (AO). The AO/USDT trading market officially launched in the Innovation Zone on March 14, 2025, at 06:00 (UTC), followed by the introduction of the AO USDT perpetual futures at 06:10 (UTC), offering adjustable leverage from 1x to 50x with both cross and isolated margin modes.

To celebrate the listing of AO (AO) on MEXC Spot and Futures, MEXC is launching a series of exclusive events from March 13, 2025, at 12:00 (UTC) – March 23, 2025, at 10:00 (UTC), giving both new and existing users the opportunity to earn USDT bonuses and other rewards while engaging with the AO ecosystem.

  • Event 1: Deposit to Share 72,000 USDT (New User Exclusive)

New users who trade AO spot (≥ $100) or futures (≥ $500) can earn a 30 USDT bonus, with a total of 72,000 USDT up for grabs.

  • Event 2: Futures Challenge — Trade to Share 50,000 USDT in Futures Bonuses (Open to All Users)

Each user can receive up to 5,000 USDT in Futures bonuses.

  • Event 3: Invite New Users & Share 18,000 USDT (Open to All Users)
  • Event 4: Spread the Word and Win Rewards

Your Easiest Way to Trending Tokens

MEXC aims to become the go-to platform offering the widest range of valuable crypto assets. The platform has grown its user base to 34 million by offering a diverse selection of tokens, high-frequency airdrops, competitive fees, and comprehensive liquidity. In 2024, MEXC launched a total of 2,376 new tokens, including 1,716 initial listings and 605 memecoins, with total airdrop rewards exceeding $136 million.

About MEXC

Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto”. Serving over 34 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, frequent airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.

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