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Micro Insurance Company and ImaliPay Partner to Deliver Digital Insurance Products to Africa’s Gig Workers

NEW YORK, May 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MicroEnsure (now part of the Micro Insurance Company) and ImaliPay are partnering to deliver digital insurance products to Africa's gig workers. These unique insurance products will provide this underserved sector with a safety net, so when the unexpected happens, people are able to bounce back swiftly.

Micro Insurance Company (MIC) is focused on providing end–to–end microinsurance products to the mass market at affordable premiums. ImaliPay is a fast–growing Pan African and VC–backed financial services platform focused on offering credit, savings, and insurance via a single channel or API to Africa's gig economy platforms. ImaliPay deploys short–term finance easily and quickly to enable their customers to generate more revenue from their gig work.

ImaliPay is partnering with MIC to deliver insurance products to their growing customer base of gig workers in Kenya. This partnership will empower gig workers by providing insurance tailored to their needs and their level/proportion of income generation. Furthermore, the addition of this insurance product will help improve the quality of life for delivery, ride–sharing, and mobility sector workers.

The majority of gig workers, especially in the ride–sharing sector, remain active despite the Covid–19 pandemic. Due to the nature of their jobs, they remain at high risk for contracting Covid–19 with minimal access to insurance coverage to protect them. Therefore, this insurance product being offered through the partnership between MIC and ImaliPay will cover Covid–19 as well as a range of other risks including health, death, disability, and property destruction.

Micro Insurance Company brings its comprehensive trajectory and track record in providing microinsurance which ImaliPay will leverage to provide insurance products to its customers.

Ms. Wairimu Njoki, Country Manager, MicroEnsure East Africa, says:

"We are delighted to be partnering with ImaliPay to boost the rising gig economy by providing social protection through innovative, need–based insurance. This is in line with our audacious goal of insuring the 4 billion un/underinsured lives globally."

Uptake of insurance remains low in Kenya, with poor product design and constrained distribution channels contributing to low insurance penetration levels. MIC and ImaliPay join forces to address both of these issues "" using ImaliPay's platform as a route to access these services along with their knowledge of the gig workforce, and MIC's expertise in product design to ensure optimal product consideration and adjusted premiums.

Tatenda Furusa, Co–founder of ImaliPay, says:

"At the very heart of our business, we are concerned with re–defining our customer experience by providing a wider product basket and prioritising the products that are most important/necessary to our customers. Insurance sits right at the forefront of our customer needs and we're happy to be catering to those needs with this collaboration."

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a03b4557–90ee–4a47–9930–15ef8fe577c7


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8245754)

ST, RAMSEM open first African sorting lab

NAVASOTA, Texas, May 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global livestock semen sorting leader and innovator Sexing Technologies (ST) has partnered with pioneering livestock artificial insemination company RAMSEM to establish Africa's first semen sorting lab. The lab is at RAMSEM's facility near Bloemfontein, South Africa.

The lab will produce fresh and frozen sex–sorted semen from sheep, goats and cattle. ST's sex sorting method separates X chromosome (female) bearing sperm from Y chromosome (male) bearing sperm through a process called flow cytometry. This provides customers with semen that is more than 90 percent accurate for the desired gender and achieves conception rates comparable to conventional (unsorted) semen used for artificial insemination.

RAMSEM is a globally renowned leader in sheep and goat reproductive services, most notably the semen freezing and laparoscopic artificial insemination (A.I.) techniques introduced to South Africa in 1985 by Dr. Johan Steyn, one of the company's founders. Since its founding, RAMSEM has expanded its service offerings to include embryo transfer (ET) and exporting sheep genetics worldwide. Dr. Johan Steyn remains on staff as head of the company's laparoscopic A.I. and ET programs

"Ramsem is privileged to partner with Sexing Technologies, the most reputable name in the business of semen sorting services," says Dr. Fanie Steyn, RAMSEM Managing Director and son of Dr. Johan Steyn. "This partnership introduced semen sorting to the African continent and is set to revolutionize the breeding industry for Southern African cattle, sheep and goats. ST's cutting edge research and development work has resulted in its flagship sorted semen product, SexedULTRA, which is already producing results comparable to conventional fresh semen laparoscopic A.I. in South Africa.

"This partnership truly embodies RAMSEM's motto that "experience plus technology equals results!'" Dr. Fanie Steyn adds.

RAMSEM also works to help conserve Africa's wildlife. The company is providing semen freezing services to ARK Biotech for preservation of African Buffalo, Rhinoceros and Lion genetics. With the opening of the lab, RAMSEM will expand its partnership with ARK Biotech to include semen sorting and invitro fertilization services.

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Sexing Technologies is the world leader and innovator and leader in livestock semen sex–sorting technology.

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8245322)

Results of the COLCORONA study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine

MONTREAL, May 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Montreal Heart Institute (MHI) announces that the COLCORONA study results are published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. The article, which is entitled Colchicine for community–treated patients with COVID–19 (COLCORONA): a phase 3, randomised, double–blinded, adaptive, placebo–controlled, multicentre trial, concludes that, given the lack of oral therapies available to prevent COVID–19 complications among non–hospitalized patients and the observed benefit of colchicine in patients with a PCR–confirmed diagnosis of COVID–19, this anti–inflammatory drug could be considered as a treatment for those at risk of complications.

"Given the current pandemic, while awaiting collective immunity through vaccination around the world, the need for treatments to prevent COVID–19 complications among patients who contract the disease remains", said Dr. Jean–Claude Tardif, Director of the MHI Research Centre, Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the Universit de Montral and Principal Investigator of COLCORONA. "Our study showed that colchicine could be used to reduce the risk of complications for some patients with COVID–19."

Colchicine is an inexpensive and readily available anti–inflammatory drug. Orally administered, it is currently prescribed to treat gout, Familial Mediterranean Fever and pericarditis. The COLCORONA study assessed colchicine's potential to reduce the risk of COVID–19–related complications in outpatients over 40 years of age with at least one risk factor for disease progression.

The study's primary efficacy endpoint was the composite of death or hospitalization in patients with COVID–19. Of the 4,488 patients enrolled, including those without a PCR–confirmed diagnosis, the primary endpoint occurred in 4.7% of patients in the colchicine group and 5.8% of those in the placebo group, a non–statistically significant result. For the 4,159 patients with a PCR–based diagnosis of COVID–19, the primary endpoint occurred in 4.6% of patients in the colchicine group and 6.0% of patients in the placebo group, a statistically significant result. Serious adverse events were reported in 4.9% of patients in the colchicine group and 6.3% of those in the placebo group. Notwithstanding these results, it is recommended that studies such as this one be replicated in non–hospitalized patients with a PCR–confirmed diagnosis of COVID–19. Full study results are available here: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213–2600(21)00222–8/fulltext.

"The COLCORONA study expands on our knowledge of the role of oral, cheap and widely available repurposed drugs such as colchicine to treat people early on to prevent serious complications of COVID–19 and can help practitioners and their patients make informed treatment decisions," said Yves Rosenberg, M.D., M.P.H., chief of the Atherothrombosis and Coronary Artery Disease Branch at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the United States National Institutes of Health.

COLCORONA (NCT04322682) is a randomized, double–blinded, placebo–controlled, home–based clinical trial. It was conducted in Canada, the United States, Europe, South America, and South Africa. The study included 4,488 non–hospitalized patients over 40 years of age with COVID–19 at the time of inclusion, with at least one identified risk factor for COVID–19 complications (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, known respiratory disease, obesity). Patients were randomized to receive colchicine (0.5 mg twice daily for three days and once daily after) or placebo for 30 days.

The Montreal Health Innovation Coordinating Centre (MHICC) at the MHI coordinated COLCORONA, which was funded by the Quebec government, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), Montreal philanthropist Sophie Desmarais, and the COVID–19 Therapeutics Accelerator, an initiative launched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome and Mastercard. Montreal–based CGI, Dacima and Pharmascience were also collaborators in the study.

About the Montreal Heart Institute
Founded in 1954, the Montreal Heart Institute constantly aims for the highest standards of excellence in the cardiovascular field through its leadership in clinical and basic research, ultra–specialized care, professional training, and prevention. It houses the largest cardiology research center in Canada, the largest cardiovascular prevention center in the country, and the largest cardiovascular genetics center in Canada. The Institute is affiliated with the Universit de Montral and has more than 2,000 employees, including 245 doctors and more than 85 researchers. icm–mhi.org

About the Montreal Health Innovations Coordinating Center (MHICC)
The Montreal Health Innovations Coordinating Center (MHICC) is a leading academic clinical research organization and an integral part of the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI). The MHICC possesses an established network of collaborators in over 4,500 clinical sites in more than 35 countries. It has specific expertise in precision medicine, low–cost high–quality clinical trials, and drug repurposing. mhicc.org

About Pharmascience
Founded in 1983, Pharmascience Inc. is the largest pharmaceutical employer in Quebec. With its head office located in Montreal and its 1,500 employees, Pharmascience Inc. is a private pharmaceutical company with deep roots in Canada, and whose global reach spans across more than 60 countries. Ranked 47th among the top 100 Canadian investors in Research and Development (R&D), thanks to $49,5 million investment in 2018, Pharmascience Inc. is one of the largest manufacturer of generic drugs in the country. pharmascience.com

About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is one of the world's largest information technology (IT) and management consulting firms. From hundreds of locations around the world, CGI offers a complete portfolio of services and solutions: strategic IT and management consulting services, systems integration services, intellectual property solutions as well as IT and business process management services in delegated mode. cgi.com/canada

About Dacima
Founded in 2006, Dacima Software Inc. is a leading innovator in Electronic Data Capture (EDC) software for clinical research. Dacima's EDC software, Dacima Clinical Suite, is a fully feature EDC software application with integrated modules for patient randomization (IWRS), supply management, ePRO, eDiary, medical coding and eConsent. Dacima's flexible and highly configurable EDC platforms allow for the design of all types of study designs including clinical trials, patient registries, observational studies and web surveys through an intuitive user–friendly web interface. dacimasoftware.com

About the COVID–19 Therapeutics Accelerator
The Therapeutics Accelerator is an initiative launched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and Mastercard with support from public and philanthropic donors to speed up the response to the COVID–19 pandemic by identifying, assessing, developing, and scaling up treatments. Its partners are committed to equitable access, including making products available and affordable in low–resource settings. www.therapeuticsaccelerator.org

Relations mdias :
Camille Turbide
Camille.turbide@gmail.com
+ 1 514 755–5354


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8244897)

Taconic Biosciences Launches TruIMPORT™ Importation Solution

RENSSELAER, N.Y., May 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Taconic Biosciences, a global leader in providing drug discovery animal model solutions, announces a significant enhancement to the Taconic–Cyagen Model Generation Alliance allowing seamless importation of new genetically engineered models originating in China under the TruIMPORT umbrella.

Researchers at non–profit institutions play a critical role in drug discovery; however, outsourcing animal model generation can be cost prohibitive or a logistical challenge. Hurdles in accessing animal model resources can impede important research. Potential solutions to this problem have traditionally come with trade–offs. Depending on the country of origin, cost effective options can require a lengthy quarantine of the animals or additional breeding to ensure animals meet the required health standards for entry into the institution's animal facility. These additional steps can cost the researcher both time and money.

Originally launched in 2018, the Taconic–Cyagen Model Generation Alliance (the Alliance) for academic and non–profit researchers leverages the talents of two industry–leading companies to create a solution uniquely tailored for non–profit research institutions. Taconic Biosciences has over 65 years of rodent model experience and Cyagen Biosciences is a China–based leader in model generation efficiency and a competitive cost structure. Since its inception, the Alliance has become a recognized leader in providing model generation services to academics and non–profit researchers. TruIMPORT represents an important evolution in this service offering. It allows animal models from China to be imported into United States and European animal facilities while complying with existing vivarium requirements. Providing a set of choices, TruIMPORT allows customers to access efficient model generation with several pricing options depending on desired delivery timeline, health standard, and cohort size.

"Our main goal is to solve problems for our customers," shared Dr. John Couse, vice president of scientific services for Taconic. "While the Alliance has provided efficient model generation for years, importation concerns were a barrier for many customers. By creating multiple options under the TruIMPORT umbrella, customers can now import rodent models from China without quarantine regardless of the requirements of their vivarium."

The TruIMPORT portfolio consists of three importation options: RapidRELAY, RapidCHECK, and RapidEXPANSION. Customers can compare product specifications here to determine which represents the right combination of timeline, health standards, and deliverables to meet their needs.

About Taconic Biosciences, Inc.

Taconic Biosciences is a fully–licensed, global leader in genetically engineered rodent models and services. Founded in 1952, Taconic provides the best animal solutions so that customers can acquire, custom–generate, breed, precondition, test, and distribute valuable research models worldwide. Specialists in genetically engineered mouse and rat models, microbiome, immuno–oncology mouse models, and integrated model generation and colony management services, Taconic operates three service laboratories and six breeding facilities in the U.S. and Europe, maintains distributor relationships in Asia and has global shipping capabilities to provide animal models almost anywhere in the world.

About Cyagen Biosciences, Inc.

Cyagen Biosciences is a leading provider of comprehensive genetically engineered rodent model services. Cyagen utilizes a highly efficient process, including its proprietary AI technology, to design and deliver novel genetically engineered models with precision and competitive pricing. The Cyagen Transgenic Animal Center (CTAC) in China is a state–of–the–art, specific–pathogen free (SPF) barrier facility, which is both AAALAC accredited and OLAW assured. Cyagen has additional locations in the United States, Japan, and China. Since Cyagen's founding in 2005, we have delivered over 78,400 animal models to researchers worldwide and have been cited in over 4,700 publications.

Media Contact:

Kelly Owen Grover

Director of Marketing Communications

518–478–6095

kelly.grover@taconic.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8244120)

GMAC Welcomes Top Latin American Business School as Its Newest Member

RESTON, Va., May 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) today announced that EGADE Business School at Tecnolgico de Monterrey has become the Council's latest member. Located in Mexico, the EGADE Business School is selected for its world–class programs and international recognition in and beyond Latin America, adding great representation of the region to the global association that constitutes 229 top business schools around the world.

"EGADE Business School at Tecnolgico de Monterrey has built a globally recognized reputation as the leading Latin American business education institution, committed to empowering entrepreneurial leaders who create shared value and transform society," said Dr. Osmar Zavaleta, interim dean of EGADE Business School. "EGADE is committed to the exchange of ideas and best practices with our global peers and GMAC membership provides a valuable platform for enhancing that exchange other GMAC member schools".

"The pandemic has taught us to be innovative and adaptive in a disruptive environment of an interconnected world," said Sangeet Chowfla, president and CEO of GMAC. "We value the global vision and holistic approach that EGADE Business School brings and look forward to their contributions to the advancement of graduate management education."

EGADE Business Schools is among a select group of institutions internationally to hold the "triple–crown" of excellence from the three leading global accreditation systems for business education quality assessment and continuous improvement: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Association of MBAs (AMBA), and EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS). For the fourth consecutive year in 2021, EGADE Business School topped the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking in Mexico and Latin America for its Full–Time MBA in Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Master in Finance programs and appears for the first time as the regional leader for its recently introduced Masters in Management.

To be considered for membership in GMAC, a school must maintain a selective admissions process; offer a master's program in business administration, management subjects or equivalent; and demonstrate support of GMAC's mission through the use of its products and services.

About GMAC

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is a mission–driven association of leading graduate business schools worldwide. Founded in 1953, GMAC creates solutions and experiences that enable business schools and candidates to better discover, evaluate, and connect with each other.

GMAC provides world–class research, industry conferences, recruiting tools, and assessments for the graduate management education industry, as well as tools, resources, events, and services that help guide candidates through their higher education journey. Owned and administered by GMAC, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) exam is the most widely used graduate business school assessment.

GMAC also owns and administers the NMAT by GMAC (NMAT) exam and the Executive Assessment (EA). More than 7 million candidates on their business master's or MBA journey visited GMAC's mba.com last year to explore business school options, prepare and register for exams, and get advice on the admissions process. BusinessBecause and The MBA Tour are subsidiaries of GMAC, a global organization with offices in China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

To learn more about our work, please visit www.gmac.com

Media Contact:

Teresa Hsu
Sr. Manager, Media Relations
202–390–4180 (mobile)
thsu@gmac.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8243682)

Sol-Gel Technologies to Present at Upcoming Jefferies Healthcare Conference and Raymond James Human Health Innovation Conference

NESS ZIONA, Israel, May 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sol–Gel Technologies, Ltd. (NASDAQ: SLGL), ("Sol–Gel"), a clinical–stage dermatology company focused on identifying, developing and commercializing branded and generic topical drug products for the treatment of skin diseases, today announced that the Company will present a Company overview and business update at the following upcoming virtual investor conferences:

Jefferies Healthcare Conference (June 1 "" 4, 2021)
Speaker: Dr. Alon Seri–Levy, Chief Executive Officer
Date: Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Time: 8:30 "" 8:55 am EDT
Raymond James Human Health Innovation Conference
(June 21 "" 23, 2021)
Speaker: Dr. Alon Seri–Levy, Chief Executive Officer
Date: Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Time: 10:00 "" 10:30 am EDT

A recording of the webcast of each presentation will be available in the Investors/Events & Presentations section of the Company's website at www.sol–gel.com.

About Sol–Gel Technologies

Sol–Gel is a clinical–stage dermatology company focused on identifying, developing and commercializing branded and generic topical drug products for the treatment of skin diseases. Sol–Gel leverages its proprietary microencapsulation technology platform for the development of TWYNEO , under investigation for the treatment of acne vulgaris with an NDA filed with the FDA and a PDUFA goal date set for August 1, 2021; and EPSOLAY , under investigation for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea with an NDA filed with the FDA and a PDUFA goal date set for April 26, 2021. Action on the NDA for EPSOLAY has not yet been taken due to the inability of the FDA to conduct a pre–approval inspection of the production site of EPSOLAY as a result of COVID–19 travel restrictions. The Company's pipeline also includes SGT–210, an early–stage topical epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, erlotinib, under investigation for the treatment of palmoplantar keratoderma, and preclinical assets tapinarof and roflumilast. For additional information, please visit www.sol–gel.com.

For further information, please contact:

Sol–Gel Technologies
Gilad Mamlok
Chief Financial Officer
+972–8–9313433
Investor relations
Irina Koffler
LifeSci Advisors
+1–917–734–7387
ikoffler@lifesciadvisors.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8243956)

GMAC Launches Official GMAT™ Exam Chinese Microsite

RESTON, Va., May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the leading global association of business schools and administrator of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), today announced the launch of the official GMATTM exam Chinese website, GMAT.com.cn. As the most widely used exam for graduate business school admissions and accepted by more than 7,000 graduate business programs worldwide, GMAT has been a leading assessment tool among the vast pool of talents in the greater China region for more than six decades.

Recognizing the growing interest in graduate management education (GME), GMAC established the microsite for prospective students from the region to access accurate, comprehensive, and authoritative information about the GMAT and GME in their native language more readily and comfortably. Through the localized and targeted content, the GMAT Chinese website, along with GMAT's official WeChat account that went live earlier this year, provide the critical digital platforms to create and strengthen the connection between Chinese–speaking talents and the world's leading business schools in the region and beyond, and filling an information gap in the market.

"China has over the years grown into the second largest region for GMAT, after only the United States," said Sangeet Chowfla, president and CEO of GMAC. "As vaccines become more widely available and hope for economic recovery begins to take root, we expect to see more mobility and look forward to more Chinese students starting and returning to their journey of graduate business education in their own country or abroad, benefiting from the new Chinese–language platforms we are offering today."

According to GMAC's 2021 mba.com Prospective Students Survey Report published in March, the level of concern about the impact of COVID–19 has been declining over time. Specifically, the proportion of Chinese respondents reporting that they are extremely or very concerned has dropped from 71 percent in July 2020 to 48 percent in November last year. The report also found that the Chinese respondents planning to pursue an MBA outside their country are not changing their original plans despite the pandemic, with 89 percent planning to pursue their MBA in the United States and 55 percent in the United Kingdom, making these two countries their top destinations of consideration.

"The interest in and desire of Chinese business talents to pursue graduate management studies have not declined but only been put on hold," said Yuan Ding, vice president and dean of CEIBS and a board director of GMAC. "The official GMAT Chinese website will help connect Chinese business talents all over the world with global business schools and leave no talents undiscovered."

More than seven million candidates on their business master's or MBA journey visited mba.com " GMAC's flagship graduate education resource and information portal " to explore business school options, prepare and register for exams, and get advice on the admissions process. GMAC is committed to supporting the goals of Chinese prospective students who wish to prepare and register for the GMAT exam.

About GMAC

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is a mission–driven association of leading graduate business schools worldwide. Founded in 1953, GMAC creates solutions and experiences that enable business schools and candidates to better discover, evaluate, and connect with each other.

GMAC provides world–class research, industry conferences, recruiting tools, and assessments for the graduate management education industry, as well as tools, resources, events, and services that help guide candidates through their higher education journey. Owned and administered by GMAC, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) exam is the most widely used graduate business school assessment. GMAC also owns and administers the NMAT by GMAC (NMAT) exam and the Executive Assessment (EA). BusinessBecause and The MBA Tour are subsidiaries of GMAC, a global organization with offices in China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

To learn more about our work, please visit www.gmac.com

Media Contact:
Teresa Hsu
Sr. Manager, Media Relations
202–390–4180 (mobile)
thsu@gmac.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8242904)

Sea Electric Extends Worldwide Presence With Increased Global Management Team and Strong Showing at Brisbane Truck Show

LOS ANGELES, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The recent Brisbane Truck Show (May 13–16, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, South Brisbane, Australia) held a significant presence for global automotive technology company SEA Electric, showcasing the first–ever public appearance of a full range of operational–ready electric trucks utilizing proprietary SEA–Drive power systems, new SEA Electric branding, and the announcement of senior global leadership taking the company's helm throughout the Asia Pacific region.

The appointment of Bill Gillespie, president of Asia Pacific, and promotion of Glen Walker to vice president of Asia Pacific, bring a wealth of international transport industry and electric vehicle expertise to the region during a time of growth for SEA Electric worldwide. Following a recent US $42 million investment, SEA Electric is bringing electrification solutions and opportunities to nearly every corner of the globe, and in the United States it has added further assembly capacity, creating the current potential for approximately 60,000 units per annum. Further U.S. assembly, including in the area of batteries, is expected in the near future.

According to SEA Electric President and Founder Tony Fairweather, SEA Electric has not only created a low–cost delivery solution, but equally meaningful it has developed a medium voltage/lightweight power system with performance outcomes that exceed the internal combustion engine equivalent. "Our own SEA–badged trucks "" including the SEA 300 and SEA 500 in Australia "" are derived from OEM Semi Knock–Down kits, creating further efficiencies to pass on to our customer base whilst supporting rapid OEM expansion into this segment," said Fairweather.

Gillespie's new leadership role allows him to build upon the company's momentum, which continues to expand on a worldwide basis. "The product showcased in Brisbane sets the framework for SEA Electric to seamlessly fold into OEM dealerships and fleets, bringing forth both new and repowered electrification options," said Gillespie. The current three medium–size EV truck models are sold through a dozen authorized dealers in Australia, while more than 220 U.S. dealers are available to support the North American market needs.

SKD Assembly Provides Solutions Efficiency
Walker further explained the commercial arrangement as a Semi Knock Down (SKD) Assembly Operation "" creating SKD "Glider' kits "" a first–of–its–kind three–way process that begins with the cab,

frame rails, wheels and axle components arriving in Australia, within containers from Japan, and upon arrival being assembled to provide a rolling chassis to support the appropriate proprietary SEA–Drive power–system to create a completely assembled SEA Electric–branded vehicle. The vehicles are then ready for distribution.

But it is their SKD assembly operation's efficiency that creates a real game–changer for SEA Electric and facilitates the solutions and productivity the company can provide. With consistency of assembly, and a process that provides multiple efficiencies, there becomes very little waste, often eliminating extra componentry that previously would have been discarded in other retrofitting processes.

"Our agreements in the U.S. go one step further," said Walker. "We are utilizing SKD and local glider assembly to set the benchmark for ongoing programs in North America and other SEA Electric markets around the world." As an example, when containers in the United States arrive for SKD assembly, all electrification is then performed by authorized upfitters, solely using SEA–Drive power–system technology and branding. The process of building the trucks from SKD kits or glider chassis provides multiple advantages over the retrofit option, including lower cost, quicker build times, and less waste.

The North American market, which recently became the new home for SEA Electric's California–based headquarters, has the largest capability for upfitting capacity at 60,000 units annually. The addition of a Des Moines Technical Center and planned offices in Chicago, Brooklyn, and Miami before August this year represents SEA Electric's commitment to the market.

With available volume and an ambitious capability to assemble the company's SEA–Drive technology, SEA Electric provides immediate and cost–efficient solutions that can be easily scaled to meet the needs for any fleet "" whether new or existing delivery vehicles in need of new EV drive capabilities. The electrification of the yellow school bus industry is also in high demand in the United States.

Perhaps the most important business growth aspect of SKD kit and OEM glider assembly is the ability for the SEA Electric vehicle range to be available from a dealer network that provides complete sales, warranty, and service support.

SEA–Drive Power–Systems
SEA Electric's proprietary SEA–Drive power–systems come in a variety of configurations for all–electric models with a GVM range of 4.5t through to 26t (i.e., 9,990 lbs. to 57,500 lbs. GVWR). Each are designed for 3,000 charge cycles based on a full overnight charge, if applied five days per week, and can result in optimum performance for 10 years.

The Brisbane Truck Show highlighted five new SEA–Electric–branded truck models, including the launch of the SEA 300–45 EV and the SEA 300–85 EV. Both models are fully ADR compliant and assembled in Melbourne for Australian distribution.

The Future for SEA Electric
While SEA Electric's roots originate in Australia, along with various manufacturing and technology capabilities, the company's North American growth brings a business model that can be replicated in Europe, as well. Current U.S. upfitting facility locations include Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Indiana, and California.

On the heels of its recent US $42 million equity financing announcement, SEA Electric also closed its latest purchase of 1,000 electric vehicle batteries from long–time technology partner Soundon New

Energy Technology. This important transaction supports SEA Electric's proprietary SEA–Drive 70, 100, and 120 major power–system models. While most of the initial units are slated for the United States, the balance will go to SEA Electric inventories in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia, as well as the company's first entry into the European market.

About SEA Electric
Global automotive technology company SEA Electric was founded in Australia in 2012, creating its proprietary electric power–system technology (known as SEA–Drive ) for the world's urban delivery and distribution fleets, as well as front powered school bus applications.

Widely recognized as a market leader in the electrification of commercial vehicles on a global basis, SEA Electric commands a global presence, deploying product in six countries including USA, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Indonesia, and South Africa with collectively more than one million miles of independently OEM–tested and in–service international operation.

The company's global sales, after–sales and engineering are represented in all subsidiaries, whilst North America, home to the company's headquarters, has the largest upfitting capacity for SEA Electric at 60,000 units per year.

PRESS RELEASE DOWNLOADS
Please follow this link to download this press release and HIGH RESOLUTION versions of our accompanying SEA Electric images and other supporting editorial assets.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dqt5opk580rf4em/AAB2vfLr9s2UsePMwcKqSsMTa?dl=0

Contact: Deb Pollack/Strategic Communications

(t) 805.320.9248 (e) deb@debpollack.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/77af3321–4ff7–4b80–b687–e2264e18e5db

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/147e7737–960e–4586–b145–38e83c1bb1f5

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8036eab5–56f0–419e–8287–1e80f8774dd6

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c0e6adc5–97cf–4680–a191–86d43f2593af

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b8732bf2–6ff6–47d1–af4f–47db028de6df


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8243313)

UAE calls on the global community to join efforts to instill and maintain human dignity through storytelling

  • Dignified Storytelling, an initiative led by Dubai Cares, Expo 2020 Dubai and UAE MOFAIC, upholds the UAE's vision of furthering human dignity around the world
  • Dignified Storytelling Forum to take place on 10 December 2021 at Expo 2020 Dubai, the first World Expo to be held in the MEASA region

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dubai Cares, Expo 2020 Dubai and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation (MoFAIC) have come together to launch Dignified Storytelling, an initiative with an aim of creating an ecosystem that fosters a shared understanding and practice of storytelling that maintains and upholds the dignity of all persons and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Today, thousands of stories are being told regardless of who tells them and how they are told. Many of these stories lack authenticity, transparency, or are driven by ulterior motives which serve a predetermined narrative. These are just some of the few obstacles that get in the way of honest, wholesome and dignified storytelling within development and humanitarian contexts. In order for a piece – be it visual, written or spoken – to reach an audience, it goes through a long process of filtration, revising and editing that sometimes alters the original content and makes it almost fictional. This in turn, ends up painting the wrong picture of the contributors who oftentimes are not aware of where their stories, visual or written, will be displayed and to what purpose will they be used.

Dignified Storytelling was born out of the need to unite the voices of content makers, editors, journalists, photographers, filmmakers, storytellers, and contributors and equip them with the awareness and hands–on knowledge that will enable them to capture moments and tell stories without compromising human dignity. In order to fulfill this need, Dignified Storytelling kickstarted global consultations a year ago, to solicit cross–sectoral perspectives on storytelling within development and humanitarian contexts, as well as set and agree on the Dignified Storytelling Principles that today serve as guidance and an advocacy tool for bringing together various stakeholders from around the world to form a global movement that will be a game changer in maintaining and promoting human dignity through storytelling.

These foundational principles are also guiding the consultative development of an accessible and practical Dignified Storytelling Handbook which provides "how–to' guidance and concrete best practice case studies. Cross–sectoral perspectives and insights from a diverse group of storytellers and experienced stakeholders from governments, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and civil society are currently informing this valuable framework and resource.

To truly embed Dignified Storytelling in the day–to–day policies and practices among international development agencies and various storytellers within the development and humanitarian sectors, Dubai Cares, Expo 2020 Dubai and UAE MoFAIC have established a Dignified Storytelling Alliance. The Alliance is a network of champions that provides advocacy, in–kind support, and input on program deliverables. Representation in the Alliance includes a deliberately diverse range of viewpoints from organizations, individuals and governments who are able to share best practices from their on–the–ground experiences within a range of development contexts.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai, remarked: "At a time when it is needed most, Expo 2020 will bring the world together in a spirit of hope and optimism, building bridges and inspiring action towards a brighter future for us all. This will be the ideal setting for strengthening Dignified Storytelling as we join our resources to reinforce the highest standards and increase the impact of those stories we choose to share with the world. The initiative also reflects the UAE's commitment to advancing responsible storytelling for the greater good of humankind, and its central role in international humanitarian and development efforts more widely."

Stressing on the importance of storytelling in the development context, Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares and Member of its Board of Directors, said: "Storytelling is a powerful communication tool in both development and humanitarian settings. Stories, both visual and written, provide an avenue for understanding different perspectives and can be an impetus for action. This is why it is important for us as a global community to tackle irresponsible storytelling, a practice that has been left unaddressed for far too long, which I believe is rooted in the absence of widely available and comprehensive guidance on how to best tell stories that maintain the dignity of all persons. I invite all storytellers, governments, agencies, and civil society to join us in this effort to instill an understanding and practice of storytelling that brings us together and reminds us of our shared humanity."

The initiative will include the Dignified Storytelling Forum, taking place at Expo 2020 Dubai on 10 December 2021 as part of the six–month mega–event. The Forum will serve as a powerful platform for key stakeholders "" including members of civil society organizations, governments, the private sector, and international agencies as well as advocates, activists, and storytellers "" to come together and collectively agree on a way forward in validating, adopting and integrating the Dignified Storytelling Principles. This will be achieved through a series of plenaries and an exhibition showcasing best practices in Dignified Storytelling, as well as side events including a press conference.

The Forum is part of Expo 2020's rich calendar of specialist programming, which reflects and celebrates the spirit of Dignified Storytelling all throughout. Encompassing cultural, social, economic, environmental and UAE–based themes, the program series has been curated in close collaboration with UAE entities, International Participants, Non–Official Participants, International Organisations and Commercial Partners and and seeks to garner solidarity around global challenges, spotlight areas of mutual interest and importance, and ensure the emergence of a meaningful legacy at the national, regional and international level.

Over the longer–term, Dignified Storytelling will create an environment of positivity that strengthens long–term relationships between the public, private, development and humanitarian sectors by placing dignified and ethical storytelling at the epicenter of knowledge sharing, stakeholder engagement, and capacity development to inspire and inform storytellers. To achieve this, the UAE calls on global stakeholders and partners to become advocates for this pivotal initiative by pledging towards the ten principles of Dignified Storytelling.

About Dubai Cares:

Since its inception in 2007, Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has been working towards providing children and youth in developing countries with access to quality education through the design and funding of programs that aim to be impactful, sustainable and scalable. To date, the UAE–based global philanthropic organization has successfully launched education programs reaching over 20 million beneficiaries in 60 developing countries.

Contact:
Makram Bou Kheir
makram.boukheir@dubaicares.ae
+971509345854

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
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Sabin Vaccine Institute Names Richard Adegbola and Yacine Djibo to Board of Trustees

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Sabin Vaccine Institute (Sabin) announced that Professor Richard Adegbola and Yacine Djibo have been elected to the Board of Trustees. Professor Adegbola is a microbiologist, public health advocate and professor in Lagos, Nigeria. Ms. Djibo is founder and executive director of Speak Up Africa, a policy and advocacy action tank promoting public health and development based in Dakar, Senegal.

Sabin will benefit from their global health leadership, as well as their expertise creating community–led solutions to increase vaccine uptake and advance vaccine equity at this critical moment for immunization efforts worldwide, particularly in low– and middle–income countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that due to COVID–19, vaccination campaigns have been postponed in 50 countries: more than half of the affected countries are in Africa.

"As Sabin continues to meet today's changing immunization landscape, Richard's deep background in the lab developing vaccines and, on the ground, delivering them and Yacine's work developing cross–sector campaigns that spotlight the importance of vaccines and vaccine equity will be invaluable to Sabin and our work to ensure more people globally can get the lifesaving vaccines they need," said Regina Rabinovich, MD, MPH, chair of the Sabin Board of Trustees.

Professor Adegbola is a research professor at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research and a consultant for Immunization & Global Health, RAMBICON. His 40–year career has focused on preventing infectious diseases, strengthening health care systems and mentoring young researchers. His dedication to making vaccines more accessible came while working in The Gambia. There, his research contributed to the widespread use of the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, which had been the leading cause of meningitis in children. When given routinely, this vaccine now results in a 90 percent decrease in severe Hib infections.

Professor Adegbola's expertise has also helped shape pneumonia research at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and community–led decision making with GlaxoSmithKline. He holds a PhD in medical microbiology and bacteriology from University of Dundee (UK). "With vaccination in low– and middle–income countries, you have to start thinking from day one, how will this be sustainable? You must bring people into the process to take ownership," he said. "Sabin shares these values and I'm delighted to be joining the board."

Ms. Djibo founded Speak Up Africa in 2011 to help fill a gap in African voices and leadership contributing to global development policies and the United Nation's sustainable development goals. Today, the organization works in 10 countries in West and Central Africa driving economic sustainability through bolstering public health. In response to the pandemic, she helped form Stay Safe Africa, a platform for organizations and communities to create tangible actions that build trust around vaccines, as well as a campaign advocating for vaccine equity. Currently, only 0.3 percent of COVID–19 vaccine supply is going to low–income countries.

While pursuing a career in finance, Ms. Djibo's interest in global health began when she joined the Malaria No More's Senegal office as its country director. There, she led public and private–sector collaborations to promote malaria treatment and prevention. Ms. Djibo holds a master's degree in business administration and a bachelor of arts and science in international relations from Boston University. "Community engagement is key to overcoming mistrust and building confidence through actions like using proven channels of communication, engaging trusted messengers with roots in the community and working toward equitable access," she said. "I'm excited to support programs like Boost, a community dedicated to the needs of immunization professionals, in building capacity sub–nationally and then applying lessons to other places."

"Richard and Yacine are respected thought leaders, tireless advocates and innovative problem solvers who share our belief that communities and families everywhere must have equal access to the vaccines they need," commented Amy Finan, Sabin's chief executive officer.

With the appointment of Professor Adegbola and Ms. Djibo, Sabin's board consists of 14 members. Learn more at www.sabin.org/board–trustees.

About the Sabin Vaccine Institute

The Sabin Vaccine Institute is a leading advocate for expanding vaccine access and uptake globally, advancing vaccine research and development, and amplifying vaccine knowledge and innovation. Unlocking the potential of vaccines through partnership, Sabin has built a robust ecosystem of funders, innovators, implementers, practitioners, policy makers and public stakeholders to advance its vision of a future free from preventable diseases. As a non–profit with more than two decades of experience, Sabin is committed to finding solutions that last and extending the full benefits of vaccines to all people, regardless of who they are or where they live. At Sabin, we believe in the power of vaccines to change the world. For more information, visit https://www.sabin.org and follow us on Twitter, @SabinVaccine.

Media Contact:
Mary Beth Wooden
Vice President, Communications
Sabin Vaccine Institute
+1 (202) 842–5025
press@sabin.org


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