HANOI, Vietnam, Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — KuCoin, a leading global exchange, has proudly hosted an enlightening substage session at the prestigious VTIS event on December 3rd, drawing a crowd of over 300 participants to Stage C with 4 insightful panels and 2 inspiring speeches. The session, themed “Next-Gen Consumer Apps and the Digital Economy,” offered a profound exploration into the transformative potential of digital assets.

During this pivotal event, visionaries, industry leaders, and enthusiasts gathered to delve into how digital assets revolutionize consumer experiences and the broader economic landscape. The session presented an array of discussions ranging from payments to blockchain’s role in consumer applications, focusing on the immense opportunities within the ASEAN market.

A panel on the “Next Generation of Payment” kicked things off, featuring innovators like Hieu Do (Head of Partnership of Holdstation), Cody Li (Founder of Terminus.network), and Cem Arcan (Head of Ecosystem of Next Generation). This was followed by a panel discussion on “Building Digital Markets with RWA,” where Mary Tran (CEO of Orochi Network), Wynn Le (Manager Director of SSI Digital), and CK Ong (COO of SBI Digital Market) shared their expertise.

Raymond Chu, Director of Thailand International Digital Business & Finance Center (TIDC), then delivered a keynote on “A Gateway to Southeast Asian Digital Growth,” highlighting the region’s unique market dynamics. The afternoon sessions also included a deep dive into “Future Innovation and Security in Blockchain,” with contributions from Celine Chong (Sales Engineer of Figment), Vi Vi (Co-Founder of ZKP Labs), and Will Huang (Ecosystem Lead of TONX). Yuki Zhou (HK Hub Lead of TON Society), Jenny Nguyen (COO of Kyros Ventures), Son Ho (MD and Head of Investment of k300 ventures) and Vanny Ha (Head of Vietnam of Kaia LTD Foundation) then took the stage to discuss Web3 Consumer App in ASEAN Market.

The event concluded with a keynote from Trần Kim Duy Lân, Lecturer of HUTECH University, focusing on the future impact of technology on blockchain and AI. The “Blockchain & Fintech Fiesta” networking hour wrapped up the event, fostering connections and discussions among innovators, industry shapers, youngsters and enthusiasts.

“We are glad to have hosted the event at the prestigious Vietnam National Convention Center, together with leading financial and technology companies like SSI Securities Corporation (SSI) and FPT,” said Alicia Kao, Managing Director of KuCoin. “KuCoin will continue to support the AI and blockchain technology innovation in Vietnam and provide platform and resource to the local community in education, incubation and mentorship.”

KuCoin has also collaborated with volunteers from prestigious Vietnamese universities, including Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Foreign Trade University, Academy of Journalism and Communicationand etc, offering enriching experiences and learning opportunities for the younger generation interested in blockchain, AI, and fintech industries. This partnership highlights KuCoin’s commitment to educational development. It stands as a cornerstone of KuCoin’s global corporate social responsibility initiatives, aiming to foster a knowledgeable and skilled future workforce in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

About KuCoin

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is one of the pioneering and most globally recognized technology platforms supporting digital economies, built on a robust foundation of cutting-edge blockchain infrastructure, liquidity solutions, and an exceptional user experience. With a connected user base exceeding 37 million worldwide, KuCoin offers comprehensive digital asset solutions across wallets, trading, wealth management, payments, research, ventures, and AI-powered bots. KuCoin has garnered accolades such as “Best Crypto Apps & Exchanges” by Forbes and has been recognized among the “Top 50 Global Unicorns” by Hurun in 2024. These recognitions reflect its commitment to user-centric principles and core values, which include integrity, accountability, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

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— Round led by Versant Ventures with participation from founding investor Novo Holdings and new investors SR One, Dawn Biopharma and Pictet– 

–Entering Phase I testing for next-generation weight loss therapy by antagonizing GIPR–

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Antag Therapeutics, a next-generation biopharmaceutical company pioneering novel treatments for obesity, today announced the closing of an €80 million Series A financing. The round was led by Versant Ventures, with participation from Novo Holdings, SR One, Dawn Biopharma (a platform controlled by KKR), Pictet, Longview Ventures (an affiliate of Broadview Ventures), and Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO). The funds will support the clinical development of AT-7687, a novel, once-weekly subcutaneous antagonist of the Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide Receptor (GIPR), and also fueling the expansion of Antag’s pipeline of monthly injectable therapies.

GLP-1-based therapies have revolutionized obesity management, but for some patients can cause tolerability issues, loss of muscle mass, and suboptimal weight-loss. This highlights the need for complementary pharmacological approaches.

The genetic basis for antagonizing GIPR is clear. Individuals with naturally occurring genetic GIPR variants that reduce its activity have lower BMI and body fat percentages, resulting in a leaner phenotype compared to those with normal GIPR function.

The development of Antag’s lead molecule is rooted in the groundbreaking identification of an endogenous GIPR antagonist by University of Copenhagen professors Jens Holst, renowned for his discovery of GLP-1, and Mette Rosenkilde. Both co-founded Antag and bring extensive expertise in incretin biology spanning decades. Professor Holst also chairs Antag’s scientific advisory board.

AT-7687 is a peptide designed to be co-administrated with current or future obesity therapies including GLP-1 medicines to deliver superior weight loss and metabolic benefits. This flexibility in dosing provides multiple advantages over competing GIPR blockers such as antibodies directly conjugated to GLP-1. These include the ability to optimally drug each target for maximal efficacy and tolerability. In addition, AT-7687 also can be used as a single agent in the maintenance setting.

In non-human primate studies, AT-7687 plus a GLP-1 produced best-in-industry weight loss. Furthermore, AT-7687 improved glycemic control and lipid profiles independent of weight changes. Importantly, these benefits were achieved without gastrointestinal side effects.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently accepted Antag’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for AT-7687, setting the stage for clinical development to begin early next year. The trials will explore the effects of AT-7687 as both a monotherapy and in combination with a GLP-1 receptor agonist in obese patients. Antag’s pipeline also includes combinations beyond GLP-1 receptor agonists and a follow-on molecule that enables monthly administration.

“The backing of such a strong syndicate of global investors is a testament to our pioneering approach to developing novel therapies for patients with obesity,” said Alexander Hovard Sparre-Ulrich, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Antag. “Coupled with our recent IND clearance, this investment allows us to accelerate the development of AT-7687 towards important clinical milestones. We believe our first-in-class peptide’s weight loss profile and flexible dosing will be key drivers of differentiation.”

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“Antag’s peptides will have important advantages given their ability to be used alone or optimally combined with other incretin-based agents, in both weekly or monthly formats,” said Alex Mayweg, Ph.D., Managing Director at Versant and an Antag board member. “GIP receptor antagonism is just beginning to reveal its incredible potential, both in diabetic and non-diabetic obesity, and we are pleased to be at the forefront of this developing field.” 

“Novo Holdings was the first investor in Antag and we were excited by great science and a world-renowned founder team,” said Jeroen Bakker, Partner, Seed Investments, Novo Holdings. “We are proud to close this Series A round, which brings several blue-chip investors on board. This funding marks a pivotal step in advancing Antag’s pipeline, which we are confident could play a crucial role in further improving the lives of people with obesity.”

About Antag Therapeutics

Antag Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering and developing novel therapies for obesity and cardiometabolic diseases through GIP receptor antagonism. As a pioneer in exploring the potential of GIP receptor antagonists, the company is dedicated to advancing science and improving patient outcomes by delivering groundbreaking solutions that address unmet medical needs. For more information, please visit https://antagtherapeutics.com.

About Versant Ventures

Versant Ventures is a leading healthcare venture capital firm committed to helping exceptional entrepreneurs build the next generation of great companies. The firm’s emphasis is on biotechnology companies that are discovering and developing novel therapeutics. With $5.5 billion under management and offices in the U.S., Canada and Europe, Versant has built a team with deep investment, operating and R&D expertise that enables a hands-on approach to company building. Since the firm’s founding in 1999, more than 100 Versant companies have achieved successful acquisitions or IPOs. For more information, please visit www.versantventures.com.

About Novo Holdings A/S

Novo Holdings is a holding and investment company that is responsible for managing the assets and the wealth of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The purpose of Novo Holdings is to improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet by generating attractive long-term returns on the assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Novo Holdings is the controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk A/S and Novonesis A/S (Novozymes A/S) and manages an investment portfolio with a long-term return perspective. In addition to managing a broad portfolio of equities, bonds, real estate, infrastructure and private equity assets, Novo Holdings is a world-leading life sciences investor. Through its Seed, Venture, Growth, Asia, Planetary Health and Principal Investments teams, Novo Holdings invests in life science companies at all stages of development. As of year-end 2023, Novo Holdings had total assets of EUR 149 billion. www.novoholdings.dk 

About the Novo Nordisk Foundation

Established in Denmark in 1924, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is an enterprise foundation with philanthropic objectives. The vision of the Foundation is to improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet. The Foundation’s mission is to progress research and innovation in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic and infectious diseases as well as to advance knowledge and solutions to support a green transformation of society.

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LONDON, Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Fortegra Group, Inc. (“Fortegra” or “the Company”), a global specialty insurer and subsidiary of Tiptree Inc. (NASDAQ: TIPT), today announced that it has received approval to establish Fortegra Insurance Company UK.

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has granted Fortegra approval to establish its subsidiary in the United Kingdom, effective November 29, 2024. This milestone enables Fortegra to significantly expand its specialty insurance underwriting services throughout the United Kingdom.

Recognised as a quality market for Managing General Agents (MGAs) and Managing General Underwriters (MGUs), Fortegra excels through its rigorous programme business underwriting, advanced AI and data science applications, and a steadfast commitment to consistent claims management. Fortegra’s underwriting approach ensures that the company effectively meets the evolving needs of agent partners and policyholders, cementing its market leadership.

“We’re pleased to announce the establishment of Fortegra Insurance Company UK,” said Richard Kahlbaugh, Fortegra’s chief executive officer. “Our objective is simple. We focus our efforts on establishing Fortegra as a quality market serving MGAs and agents seeking to underwrite niche programmes. The foundation of our past success, underwriting discipline, will serve Fortegra well as we enter the marketplace in the United Kingdom.”

The licensing of Fortegra UK provides an excellent opportunity to enhance the company’s presence in the UK and London markets, demonstrating its commitment to expanding in Europe. This strategic initiative builds on previous successes in Belgium and the EU.

Since entering the region in 2018, Fortegra has effectively expanded its reach through thoughtful geographic growth and establishing strong partnerships with reputable agents and MGAs. The company’s focus on delivering innovative and collaborative underwriting solutions positions it well for future growth and success.

About Fortegra
For more than 45 years, Fortegra, via its subsidiaries, has underwritten risk management solutions that help people and businesses succeed in the face of uncertainty. As a multinational specialty insurer whose insurance subsidiaries have an A.M. Best Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and an A.M. Best Financial Size Category of ‘X’, we offer a diverse set of admitted and excess and surplus lines insurance products and warranty solutions. For more information: www.fortegra.com.

Contact
[email protected]

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