Connect with us
Anglostratits

Health

International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Signs US$47.6 Million Financing Agreement with the Republic of Türkiye to Strengthen Health Services and Mitigate the Effects of Earthquakes

Published

on

Financing

The financing will support the procurement of essential medicines and medical devices for distribution across 12 to 53 provinces, with a particular focus on areas most affected by the disaster

ISTANBUL, Türkiye, November 14, 2025/APO Group/ –The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (www.ITFC-IDB.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, signed a US$47.6 Million Murabaha Financing Agreement with the Ministry of Treasury and Finance (MoTF) of the Republic of Türkiye.  The signing ceremony took place in Istanbul on the sidelines of the COMCEC Meetings, where the agreement was signed by Eng. Adeeb Y. Al Aama, Chief Executive Officer of ITFC, and Mr. Kerem Dönmez, Director General of the Directorate General of Foreign Economic Relations at the Ministry of Treasury and Finance of the Republic of Türkiye.

This agreement marks a milestone in ITFC’s partnership with Türkiye, representing the first sovereign financing facility extended to the Republic of Türkiye and ITFC’s first intervention in the healthcare sector.

The US$47.6 million facility will be utilized to strengthen Türkiye’s healthcare system and mitigate the impact of the 2023 earthquakes. The financing will support the procurement of essential medicines and medical devices for distribution across 12 to 53 provinces, with a particular focus on areas most affected by the disaster. By improving access of critical healthcare resources to people, the facility aims to help restore vital medical services, enhance the resilience of health institutions, and contribute to the country’s ongoing recovery efforts.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

Home  Facebook

Health

Vestergaard and LifeStraw team up to boost community health impact in Kenya

Published

on

Vestergaard

Vestergaard first rehabilitated the Emusanda Health Centre in Lurambi, Kenya, in 2009, establishing a community clinic delivering essential primary and paediatric care, and comprehensive services for people living with HIV

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 24, 2026/APO Group/ –Vestergaard (https://Vestergaard.com/) and LifeStraw – sister companies united by shared values and a long commitment to social impact – are strengthening their collaboration in western Kenya through a new annual commitment from Vestergaard to donate 1,000 PermaNet® Dual long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets. The initiative builds on more than a decade of joint engagement at Emusanda Health Centre, as well as LifeStraw’s global Give Back programme to provide communities across Kenya and other countries around the world with safe water.

 

Vestergaard first rehabilitated the Emusanda Health Centre in Lurambi, Kenya, in 2009, establishing a community clinic delivering essential primary and paediatric care, and comprehensive services for people living with HIV. Since LifeStraw became an independent company in 2020, it has continued to develop the facility – building a maternity ward and strengthening pre- and postnatal services – while Vestergaard has provided mosquito nets for every mother giving birth at the centre, and every family with children under 5 years old accessing care. Each family also receives a LifeStraw household water purifier, and LifeStraw’s local teams continue to support the clinic by filling staffing gaps and supplying essential medicines so services can operate around the clock.

 

Beyond Emusanda, LifeStraw’s Give Back programme has delivered safe water to schools and communities across Kenya and other countries, reaching more than 14 million children. At the same time, malaria remains a major threat to child health, with over 4 million cases estimated nationwide in 2024. Insecticide‑treated nets have been instrumental in reducing malaria globally, accounting for 72% (https://apo-opa.co/4vuLfIc) of all cases prevented between 2000 and 2024, while next‑generation dual active‑ingredient nets including PermaNet Dual have stopped an estimated 40 million cases since their introduction in 2019.

Safe water and malaria prevention are two of the most fundamental building blocks of community health, yet too many families still lack consistent access to either

 

By integrating distribution of Vestergaard’s latest mosquito net technology into LifeStraw’s existing community health programmes, the annual donation of PermaNet Dual will extend protection beyond healthcare facilities to boarding schools caring for orphans and children with disabilities, ensuring safer nights for some of the most at risk. Together, safe drinking water and malaria prevention form a simple but powerful package of protection for mothers, newborns, and school‑aged children.

 

Amar Ali, CEO of Vestergaard, said: “LifeStraw’s frontline work continues to show where the gaps are, and how well‑targeted interventions can protect children who might otherwise be left behind. By formalizing this annual PermaNet donation, we’re reinforcing our shared commitment to helping communities access the basic tools they need for a safer and healthier start in life.”

 

Alison Hill, CEO of LifeStraw, said: “Safe water and malaria prevention are two of the most fundamental building blocks of community health, yet too many families still lack consistent access to either. LifeStraw’s mission has always been rooted in the belief that safe water is a foundation for health and opportunity, but water alone is not enough. By integrating Vestergaard’s PermaNet Dual into our programs, we are bringing together the right interventions for families and children, improving both health and educational outcomes. It is a practical, scalable approach grounded in decades of work in these communities.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vestergaard Sàrl.

 

Continue Reading

Events

HKSTP Leads Largest-Ever Hong Kong Delegation to BIO 2026 Showcasing Life and Health Tech Strength

Published

on

Hong Kong

41 local tech firms, institutes and university spin-offs head to San Diego to forge global partnerships, reinforcing the city’s status as international healthcare innovation hub
HONG KONG SAR/SAN DIEGO, UNITED STATES – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 June 2026 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in collaboration with InvestHK as co-organiser, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) as supporting organisation, and five renowned local universities – The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and City University of Hong Kong – to form the city’s largest-ever delegation of life and health technology innovators to the BIO International Convention 2026 (BIO 2026) in San Diego, from June 22 to 25.

Building on last year’s momentum, the 2026 Hong Kong delegation doubled the size of the Hong Kong Pavilion, expanding to a record of 41 organisations from HKSTP, including partner companies, research institutes, and for the first time with top five universities spin-offs. This landmark presence showcased Hong Kong’s deep strength across AI-enabled biotech, therapeutics, diagnostics, and pharma innovation, with potential outstanding “First-in-Class” and “Best-in-Class” assets. The delegation underscores the city’s leading role as Asia’s largest and the world’s second largest fundraising hub for the biotechnology sector.

Mr. Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said, “BIO 2026 is a premier platform to showcase Hong Kong’s groundbreaking innovation, deepen partnerships, and open new pathways into global healthcare markets. As a super-connector, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to bridge global innovators with opportunities across Asia and beyond. With strong R&D capabilities backed by world-class universities—five ranked among the QS Top 100, including two with medical schools now placed in the global top 20—Hong Kong’s biotech and medical research excellence is increasingly recognised worldwide. As the city’s innovation ecosystem orchestrator, HKSTP brings together talent, capital, research institutions, clinical partners, and industry leaders to accelerate the journey from discovery to impact. We will continue to empower life and health technology ventures, translating innovation breakthroughs into life-changing solutions that benefit communities around the world.”

HKSTP and Park Companies Advanced in Cross-border Innovation and Market Expansion

A key highlight of BIO 2026 is witnessing the signing of three major strategic partnerships:

LabCentral — HKSTP signed an MOU with one of the largest global non-profit biotech incubators, supporting life sciences startups with high-impact lab infrastructure and scientific community programmes. The collaboration will deepen ties between the U.S. and Hong Kong life sciences ecosystems through startup support, ecosystem engagement, and co-developed programmes, events and strategic initiatives. It will also help connect startups, investors, corporate partners and research institutions, creating stronger pathways for cross-border innovation and commercialisation.

Immuno Cure – the developer of the first-in-human novel therapeutic HIV vaccine ICVAX – announced its collaboration with OPIS, an international Contract Research Organization (CRO), at BIO 2026. Leveraging OPIS’s full-service, multi-country clinical trial expertise and regulatory knowledge, the partnership will support overseas clinical trial execution and establish a global framework to prepare for international expansion.

Zhaoke Ophthalmology signed an MOU with Laboratório Teuto, the first company to produce generic medicines and OTCs (Over the Counter – Prescription Exempt Medicines) in Brazil, to explore cross-border cooperation in ophthalmology. This is Zhaoke’s first strategic MOU in Brazil market. Leveraging its innovative pipeline and Teuto’s commercial network in Brazil, the partnership aims to bring advanced eye care treatments to Latin American patients while demonstrating the globalisation of Hong Kong-born biotech innovation.

Beyond the BIO 2026 Hong Kong Pavilion, HKSTP CEO Mr Terry Wong attended the “Translating Innovation Across Borders: Creating Global Gateways for Biotech Startups” panel sharing session. Mr. Wong shared his insights on cutting-edge biotech trends, Hong Kong’s strengths on life and health tech development, and HKSTP’s role in building a global bridge for nurturing global startup expansion, sustainable innovation and collaboration.

Furthermore, HKSTP and five Hong Kong university delegates visited the Salk Institute, home to six Nobel Laureates during BIO 2026 to explore partnerships and shape global biotech momentum through collaborative platforms. HKSTP, in collaboration with InvestHK as co-organiser, HKTDC as the supporting organisation, and powered by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, hosted a Global Mixer during the exhibition. Industry leaders, incubators, and venture capital firms – including Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, LabCentral, Roche, Simcere Pharmaceutical, and T.Rx Capital – were invited to join the judging panel for startup pitching sessions. The Pavilion also featured executive sharing and curated networking events for commercialisation, licensing, partnerships, investment and international market expansion.

Global recognition at Biomedical Pitch Competition

In the lead-up to BIO 2026, HKSTP actively drove engagement across the biotech sector and co-organised the 2026 Biomedical Pitch Competition with the Boston Capital Investment Club in Boston on May 23 and 24. Competing against around 170 biotechnology companies worldwide, HKSTP park company Meta Pharmaceuticals (HK) Limited won Third Place for its next-generation autoimmune therapeutics. The recognition underscores the strength of Hong Kong’s biotech pipeline and HKSTP’s commitment to translational medicine, commercialisation and globally scalable healthcare solutions.

HK’s biotech ecosystem rises to another level

Hong Kong continues to expand its global healthcare footprint as the world’s second-largest biotech fundraising hub. As Hong Kong’s flagship innovation and technology ecosystem, HKSTP is home to more than 300 life and health technology companies and helps innovators turn pioneering ideas into real-world impact. Its ecosystem connects capital, talent, infrastructure and market access across the biotech innovation journey.

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 to create a thriving I&T ecosystem grooming 13 unicorns, more than 17,000 research professionals and over 2,500 technology companies from 26 countries and regions focused on developing healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies, etc.

Our growing innovation ecosystem offers comprehensive support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation for technology ventures, with the I&T journey built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong, where sectors including advanced manufacturing, micro-electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined.

Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen plays positive roles in connecting the world and the mainland with our proximity, strengthening cross-border exchange to bring advantages in attracting global talent and allowing possibilities for the development of technology companies in seven key areas: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech and sustainability, with both dry and wet laboratories, co-working space, conference and exhibition facilities, and more.

Through our R&D infrastructure, startup support and enterprise services, commercialisation and investment expertise, partnership networks and talent traction, HKSTP continues to contribute in establishing I&T as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong.

Continue Reading

Health

Esaote launches the new MyLab™ E85 GTS ultrasound system in Vienna

Published

on

Esaote

VIENNA, AUSTRIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 March 2026 – Easy to transport, featuring compact size and high-quality images, developed to revolutionise and facilitate the work of interventional radiologists all around the world. Esaote launched the new MyLab™ E85 GTS, the new cart-based ultrasound system that Esaote, a leading Italian company in medical imaging innovation, presented at the European Congress of Radiology (ECR), held in Vienna from 4th to 8th March.

The machine is based on two new technologies, combined for the first time: Virtual Navigator and Ablation Confirmation. The former enables real-time multimodality image fusion for accurate navigation, reinforcing the role of ultrasound as a valuable aid to computed tomography (CT)-guided interventional procedures. The second analyses and combines pre- and post-treatment CT and multiparametric MRI data with real-time ultrasound imaging automatically to assess the technical success of thermal ablation procedures. The combination of both technologies aims at providing interventional radiologists with accurate diagnosis, excellent needle visualisation and improved interventional procedures.

Equipped with a touch-sensitive keyboard that is easy to clean, MyLab™ E85 GTS represents a further evolution in the devices now available to specialists, offering their patients even greater precision in minimally invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. The combination of Virtual Navigator and Ablation Confirmation guarantees extremely high performance in biopsies, aspirations and drainages. The visualization of the needle is excellent and contributes to the confidence of the physician and the precision of the operation performed.

“Interventional procedures can be done under CT guidance, but allying them with ultrasound systems, characterized by non-radiation procedures and real time-imaging, offers invaluable advantages: with a single click, the fusion between CT and US images is operational”, explained Marta Daniel, Guided Therapy Product and Clinical Solutions Manager at Esaote, on the sidelines of the launch of the new ultrasound scanner at the European Congress of Radiology in Vienna. “By maximising the workflow of focal ablation, MyLab™ E85 GTS offers the first “integrated” Ablation Confirmation Software in addition to fusion imaging. The software analyses pre- and post-ablation CT scans and provides feedback on the effectiveness of the procedure, maintaining real-time fused images to navigate the target area, both to confirm treatment and to further ablate any residual areas identified. This is a revolutionary breakthrough that ensures confidence and precision”, she concluded.

Esaote developed the new MyLab™ E85 GTS with today’s interventional radiology needs in mind. “Working with young physicians all around the world, we identified their challenges and understood their specific requests, pushing us to go beyond the conventional functions of an ultrasound system”, said Laurent Rapon, Global Business Development Manager GTS US. “The E85 GTS is our first response to this commitment, proposing a sealed keyboard design and integrating tailor-made software to further ease complex interventional procedures”.

Continue Reading

Trending