Mavenir Supports Vodafone in Live OpenRAN Network for Rural Coverage in the UK

Vodafone becomes first UK mobile operator to switch on live OpenRAN site with Mavenir

BUILTH WELLS, Wales & RICHARDSON, Texas -Friday 28 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vodafone UK has become the first UK mobile operator to switch on an OpenRAN 4G site, partnering with Mavenir, the industry's only end-to-end cloud-native Network Software Provider for Communications Service Providers (CSPs). This deployment in Wales is connecting Vodafone customers around the Royal Welsh Showground in Powys. Vodafone plans to use OpenRAN to more cost-effectively extend 4G services to rural communities and introduce new suppliers in the radio network.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200827005273/en/

OpenRAN increases flexibility, agility, speed of rollout, and helps to decrease costs by using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and new innovative virtualised and open solutions. OpenRAN is the foundational principle of open interfaces and product interoperability. It is based on initiatives from the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) and O-RAN Alliance, and will lead to networks that are more flexible, innovative and cost effective, and enables new suppliers to support mobile networks.

In this deployment, the RAN is also virtualised (vRAN). Virtualised RAN is the software application running on COTS that delivers cost effectiveness, increased flexibility and agility to the mobile operators, whilst providing one architecture for many different deployment scenarios.

Vodafone UK Chief Technology Officer Scott Petty said: “We are delighted to work together with Mavenir on the important milestone of the UK’s first live OpenRAN site. The introduction of the technology enables us to introduce new suppliers, such as Mavenir, giving us greater flexibility when rolling out our mobile network. We’re proud to be pioneering the development of OpenRAN and will be monitoring the performance of this first site.”

“We are proud to have achieved such a milestone with Vodafone and to provide innovative radio solutions in the market that transform the mobile network economics, while deploying technology with greater flexibility, greater efficiencies, and more agility as a full end-to-end Network Software Provider,” said Pardeep Kohli, President and CEO at Mavenir. “Mavenir is committed to bringing transformative innovation and technology to the telecommunications space and will continue to leverage our long history and experience in virtualised network solutions.”

About Vodafone UK:

Vodafone UK connects people, businesses and devices to help our customers benefit from digital innovation. Our services span mobile, fixed line connections, home and office broadband and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Having made the UK’s first mobile phone call and sent the first text message, Vodafone has a history as a tech pioneer. In 2018 we made the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G, and were first to start carrying live 5G traffic from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester. We now have 5G in more places than anyone else, with multiple locations now live across the UK and the rest of Europe.

Today we serve more than 18 million mobile and fixed line customers in the UK, with 4G network coverage at 99%. Our customers voted us the UK’s Best Mobile Network at the 2018 Trusted Reviews Awards – for the second year in a row. To help deliver Gigabit UK, our full-fibre broadband roll-out programme now covers 15 UK towns and cities through partnerships with CityFibre and Openreach.

Connectivity is at the heart of what we do as it gives us a huge opportunity for good. We are using our network, products, talents and technology to help society prosper and respond to significant social and environmental issues. Our free Digital Parenting magazine is helping families and schools across the UK to navigate the online world safely. Meanwhile, the Vodafone Foundation’s work with researchers at Imperial College is developing personalised cancer treatment using the processing power of smartphones.

We are part of Vodafone Group, one of the world’s largest technology communications companies, with mobile operations in 26 countries, partnerships with mobile networks in 55 more, and fixed broadband operations in 19 markets. As of 30 September 2019, Vodafone Group had approximately 625 million mobile customers, 27 million fixed broadband customers, and 22 million TV customers – including all of the customers in Vodafone’s joint ventures and associates.

For more information about Vodafone UK, please visit: www.vodafone.co.uk

About Mavenir:

Mavenir is the industry's only end-to-end, cloud-native Network Software and Solutions/Systems Integration Provider for 4G and 5G, focused on accelerating software network transformation for Communications Service Providers (CSPs). Mavenir offers a comprehensive end-to-end product portfolio across every layer of the network infrastructure stack. From 5G application/service layers to packet core and RAN, Mavenir leads the way in evolved, cloud-native networking solutions enabling innovative and secure experiences for end users. Leveraging innovations in IMS (VoLTE, VoWiFi, Advanced Messaging (RCS)), Private Networks as well as vEPC, 5G Core and OpenRAN vRAN, Mavenir accelerates network transformation for more than 250+ CSP customers in over 140 countries, which serve over 50% of the world’s subscribers.

Mavenir embraces disruptive, innovative technology architectures and business models that drive service agility, flexibility, and velocity. With solutions that propel NFV evolution to achieve web-scale economics, Mavenir offers solutions to help CSPs with cost reduction, revenue generation, and revenue protection. www.mavenir.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200827005273/en/

Contacts
Maryvonne Tubb
Mavenir PR

NA-Loren Guertin
MatterNow

EMEA-Kevin Taylor
GlobalResultsPR


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Mercedes-Benz Joins The Climate Pledge and Delivers More Than 1,800 Electric Vehicles to Amazon’s Delivery Fleet in Europe

SEATTLE -Friday 28 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

    This order marks the largest electric vehicle commitment for Mercedes-Benz Vans to date
    The electric vehicles from this order will begin making deliveries to customers in 2020, helping to save thousands of metric tons of carbon
    The Climate Pledge, co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism, is a commitment to reach net zero carbon by 2040—ten years ahead of the Paris Agreement

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) announced it is adding more than 1,800 electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benz Vans to its delivery fleet in Europe this year. Amazon and Mercedes-Benz share a commitment to reduce emissions from the transportation sector, and Mercedes-Benz also announced today it has joined The Climate Pledge, which calls on signatories to be net zero carbon across their businesses by 2040—a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement goal of 2050.

“We welcome the bold leadership demonstrated by Mercedes-Benz by signing up to The Climate Pledge and committing to ambitious action to address climate change. We need continued innovation and partnership from auto manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz to decarbonize the transportation sector and tackle the climate crisis,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO. “Amazon is adding 1,800 electric delivery vehicles from Mercedes-Benz as part of our journey to build the most sustainable transportation fleet in the world, and we will be moving fast to get these vans on the road this year.”

“At Mercedes-Benz, we have set ourselves the ambitious target to make the transformation of mobility a success story. By joining ‘The Climate Pledge’ we are building on our goal to consistently pursue emission-free mobility and sustainable vehicle production,” said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG. “We stand with Amazon, Global Optimism and the other signatories of The Climate Pledge, in a commitment to being net zero carbon by 2040 – ten years ahead of The Paris Agreement. I am pleased that we will be able to gain even more momentum on our sustainability offensive with this step.”

As part of Mercedes-Benz’s commitment as the latest signatory of The Climate Pledge, the company is doubling down on its commitment to "Ambition2039," a roadmap to CO2-neutral mobility. The company is evaluating ways to remove carbon from its entire value chain, from development to the supplier network, from its own production to the electrification of products and beyond, as well as to ensuring renewable energies for the use phase of electric vehicles. With its goal to have a CO2-neutral fleet of new cars in less than 20 years, Mercedes-Benz is making an important contribution to slowing climate change. The company is already making good progress in this direction: By the end of this year, the vehicle portfolio will comprise five fully electric models and more than 20 plug-in hybrids. Signatories to The Climate Pledge also have the opportunity to share access to technologies, best practices and innovations in supply chain enhancements. They are also able to co-invest in new technologies and emerging solutions.

Amazon’s Delivery Service Partners will have access to the new fleet of zero-emission vehicles to make deliveries to customers in Europe this year, helping to save thousands of metric tons of carbon. The order is a milestone for Mercedes-Benz Vans, marking the largest order of electric vehicles for the manufacturer to date, and makes Amazon its largest sustainable transportation partner worldwide. More than 1,200 EVs in the order will be comprised of the newest electric commercial van available at Mercedes-Benz – the eSprinter, a larger model than the manufacturer’s first zero-emission vehicle, the eVito. The eSprinter includes state-of-the-art safety features including, electrical parking brake, active brake assist, reverse camera, blind spot assist, and more. The remaining 600 vehicles will be comprised of the manufacturer’s midsize electric van, the eVito, to give Delivery Service Partners operating in geographies that require a smaller-format vehicle access to a zero-emissions delivery option.

"I am delighted that we are further intensifying our long-standing partnership with Amazon and working together on the battery-electric future of transportation," said Marcus Breitschwerdt, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. “With the eVito and the eSprinter, we have electric vehicles in our portfolio, which are ideally suited for the requirements of the courier-, express- and parcel-service industry for goods delivery on the so-called ‘last mile’ in terms of their equipment and range. They show that local emission-free driving, convincing performance, comfort and low operating costs can be combined perfectly.”

“Amazon’s investment is a strong and concrete sign of its commitment and alignment to EU priorities,” said Fabio Massimo Castaldo, Vice President at the European Parliament. “Amazon continues to contribute to the achievement of the EU Green Deal goals, foster technological innovation and generate resilient and sustainable jobs in Europe. I hope that other corporations will follow Amazon’s example in the near future.”

Amazon is also committed to powering its growing electric fleet with clean energy. As part of The Climate Pledge, Amazon is investing in renewable energy as a critical step toward addressing our carbon footprint globally and has committed to run on 100% renewable energy by 2025. Globally, Amazon has 91 renewable energy projects that have the capacity to generate over 2,900 MW and deliver more than 7.5 million MWh of energy annually. These projects include 31 utility-scale wind and solar renewable energy projects and 60 solar rooftops on fulfillment centers and sort centers around the globe.

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200828005049/en/


Contacts

Amazon.com, Inc.
Media Hotline
Amazon-pr@amazon.com
www.amazon.com/pr


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DCG Enters into Bitcoin Mining with Newest Subsidiary: Foundry

The new company will provide capital and advisory services to empower the digital asset mining ecosystem


DCG commits to $100 million investment in Foundry through 2021



NEW YORK-Friday 28 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Digital Currency Group (DCG), a global enterprise that builds, buys, and invests in blockchain companies, today announced a new wholly-owned subsidiary: Foundry. Quietly formed in 2019, Foundry offers institutional expertise, capital, and market intelligence to digital asset miners and manufacturers, providing them with the resources to build, maintain, and secure decentralized networks. Mike Colyer, a former Core Scientific executive, was tapped to be Foundry’s Chief Executive Officer.

Foundry was created to meet the institutional demand for improved capital access, market efficiency, and transparency in the bitcoin mining industry. The company currently offers three services for the mining ecosystem: equipment financing and procurement; mining and staking; and consulting and advisory services.

Since its inception, Foundry has already emerged as one of the largest bitcoin miners in North America. It has also extended tens of millions of dollars in equipment financing to other mining organizations and helped to procure approximately half of the bitcoin mining equipment delivered in North America this year.

“We want to empower decentralized infrastructure in the new digital economy, and our work will support the development and growth of mining operations — particularly in North America,” said Mike Colyer, CEO of Foundry. “We are a business built by miners for miners, and we are partnering with entrepreneurs who share our mission of advancing the industry and creating a decentralized mining ecosystem.”

DCG has committed to invest more than $100 million into Foundry through 2021. For the first time, miners and manufacturers can access trusted partners and capital resources through the powerful DCG network.

“Our mission at DCG is to accelerate the development of a better financial system,” said Barry Silbert, Founder and CEO of DCG. “Digital asset mining and staking provide the backbone of the blockchain technology that will drive that advancement. Foundry is bringing critical resources and guidance to an essential corner of the industry, and Mike Colyer and his team have the expertise, credibility, and integrity to support the evolving needs of miners and manufacturers.”

Foundry is focused on partnering with key players in the mining and staking industry with the goal of creating greater access to digital asset mining, decentralizing geographic opportunity, and bringing more legitimacy and transparency to the bitcoin mining ecosystem. In addition, Foundry expects to work closely with energy companies and governments to help formulate and execute their mining strategies.

“Foundry’s understanding of the mining industry and DCG’s full support have made it a key partner in our expansion across North America in the past year. We plan to continue collaborating with Foundry as we focus on increasing our global market share,” said Jordan Chen, COO of Shenzhen-based bitcoin miner manufacturer MicroBT.

“Through Foundry’s work and financial support of our end customers, we have been able to ship a significant number of machines into the US this year,” said Su Ke, Global Sales and Marketing Director of Antminer at Bitmain. “Foundry’s institutional grade services for North American businesses and its team’s expertise have played a key role in making this happen. We look forward to working closely with Foundry to reach even more customers and provide an even better experience to them.”

In addition to Foundry, DCG is the parent company of Grayscale Investments, the largest asset manager in the digital currency industry, Genesis, the world's first full-service digital currency prime broker, and CoinDesk, the leading blockchain industry media and events company. DCG is also an investor in more than 160 companies around the world.

Colyer and his team are based in Rochester, New York.

About Foundry

A subsidiary of DCG, Foundry is a financing and advisory company focused on digital asset mining and staking. With the mission of empowering decentralized infrastructure for a digital world, Foundry provides North American digital asset mining businesses with capital and intelligence.

Foundry is based in Rochester, NY. For more information, please visit foundrydigital.com.

About DCG

Founded in 2015 by Barry Silbert, Digital Currency Group is a global enterprise that builds, buys, and invests in blockchain companies all over the world. As the most active investor in the blockchain space, DCG sits at the epicenter of the blockchain industry, backing more than 160 companies in 30+ countries. In addition to its investment portfolio, DCG is the parent company of Grayscale Investments, Genesis, CoinDesk, and Foundry.

DCG is based in New York City. For more information, please visit dcg.co.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200827005146/en/

Contacts
Media
Mark Murphy
press@dcg.co
media@foundrydigital.com




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Andersen Global Enters Sudan as Africa Expansion Remains High Priority

SAN FRANCISCO-Friday 28 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Andersen Global has entered into a Collaboration Agreement with the law firm Ali Gailoub and Samia El Hashmi in Sudan. The addition of the Khartoum-based firm establishes Andersen Global’s presence in the country and continues the organization’s expansion on the continent.

Founded in 1987 and led by Office Managing Partner Samia El Hashmi, the firm focuses on corporate law, litigation and other business transactions. Additionally, Ali Gailoub and Samia El Hashmi’s specific areas of expertise include administrative law, antitrust and trade, aviation, banking, tax, business formation and general corporate and business law. The full-service firm operates with two Partners and 10 attorneys who offer a broad range of services tailored to their clients and provide legal consultancy services to individuals and businesses as well as advice to diplomatic missions and embassies in Sudan and Africa.

“The lawyers at our firm have a proven track record for delivering successful solutions that are in the best interests of our clients,” Samia said. “Our collaboration with Andersen Global will allow us to expand our reach and provide our clients with broader legal services, and now, tax services through the organization’s member firms and collaborating firms.”

“Ali Gailoub and Samia El Hashmi is another high-quality practice that bolsters our platform in Africa which now includes more than 36 countries,” Andersen Global Chairman and Andersen CEO Mark Vorsatz said. “Ali / Samia and their teams’ dedication to independence and transparency set the standard for legal services in Sudan, which lays a strong foundation for our organization in the market and will be instrumental as we expand our reach even further.”

Andersen Global is an international association of legally separate, independent member firms comprised of tax and legal professionals around the world. Established in 2013 by U.S. member firm Andersen Tax LLC, Andersen Global now has more than 6,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 193 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200827005259/en/

Contacts
Megan Tsuei
Andersen Global
415-764-2700




Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/andersen-global-enters-sudan-as-africa-expansion-remains-high-priority/en

CitiIQ Launches Global4000 City Scoring Platform

A Human-Centric measurement for comparing cities around the world

TORONTO-Friday 28 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CitiIQ (http://www.citiiq.com) has applied its novel measurement standard to 1,170 global cities as an important step toward measuring the 4,000 cities of the world with a population over 100,000.

The 1,170 cities include those with populations greater than 500,000, the world’s country capitals, and the state capitals of Brazil, India China and the USA.

“Increasingly, the health and wellbeing of people depend upon the effectiveness of their city,” says Don Simmonds, Chief Executive Officer of CitiIQ. “Municipal leaders face immense challenges and benefit greatly when comprehensive, comparable data is available to guide their decisions.”

Most cities struggle to translate disparate data into actions that can make life better for their citizens. The CitiIQ measurement system is an objective assessment of the overall health and wellbeing of a city. It converts raw data into scores out of 100 so that city elements are readily compared within a given city, or with other cities around the world.

CitiIQ uses an evidence-based methodology to score 35 essential elements, or Considerations, within five prioritized Dimensions including Basic Needs, Competitiveness, Opportunity, Livability, and Destiny. Using an intuitive online dashboard, a city’s measurements are readily available to clients through a cloud-based annual subscription.

“The CitiIQ measurement helps immensely in understanding the factors that influence a city,” says Harry Loubser, Managing Director of Unashamedly Ethical based in Cape Town, South Africa. “It's value to municipal leaders is readily apparent but the ability to compare city to city across so much of the world is a powerful advantage. We can clearly identify where best practise has been applied, but also illuminate cities with the greatest needs.”

The CitiIQ system is easy to use, economical, and effective with no need to purchase new software or abandon existing metrics. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, CitiIQ provides a practical way for a city to mark progress toward SDG achievement.

City Administrators appreciate the integration of economic, environmental, social and cultural infrastructure measures reflecting how a city actually functions. The algorithm normalizes data into a comparable, holistic picture of their city’s strengths and weaknesses bringing coherence and comparability to their operations and an ability to compare with other cities.

In April 2020 CitiIQ was selected by UN-Habitat to develop a COVID-19 Readiness and Responsiveness tracking site for more than 1,000 global cities. Data was often unavailable at a city level where the real battle is fought. The scoring reflects both how ready a city was for COVID-19 and how well they are responding to the pandemic. COVID-19 data is collected daily for the 1,000 cities supporting improve responses to the pandemic. Visit: https://unhabitat.citiiq.com/.

About CitiIQ
CitiIQ is a comprehensive system that objectively measures the overall health and wellbeing of a city. Using an intuitive online dashboard style interface, a city’s measurements are made readily available to clients through a cloud-based annual subscription.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200827005026/en/

Contacts

Milton Friesen, General Manager
mfriesen@citiiq.com


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Toshiba’s New Photorelays Contribute to Equipment Downsizing by Reducing Mounting Density

 - New photorelays in S-VSON4T package with industry's smallest mounting area and maximum operating temperature of 125°C -



TOKYO-Thursday 27 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation (“Toshiba”) has launched three photorelays: “TLP3407SRA,” “TLP3475SRHA” and “TLP3412SRHA,” that are the industry-smallest[1] voltage driven photorelays with an extended operating temperature rating of 125°C.

Raising the maximum operating temperature rating from 110°C to 125°C allows the photorelays to be mounted in high temperature areas, and makes it easier to secure required temperature design margins for equipment. The S-VSON4T package has the industry-smallest[1] mounting area of 2.9mm² .This will contribute to reducing PCB size or to increasing the number of photorelays in an existing layout in applications such as semiconductor testers, probe cards and other devices.

Applications

    Semiconductor testers (memory, SoC and LSI, etc.)
    Probe cards
    Burn-in equipment
    Measuring instruments (oscilloscope, data logger, etc.)

Features

    S-VSON4T, the industry’s first[1] packaging with a minimal mounting area and maximum operating temperature of 125°C: Mounting area 2.9mm2 (typ.)
    Low input power consumption drive: 3.3mW[2] (max) @VIN=3.3V (TLP3407SRA)

Main Specifications

(＠Ta=25℃)

Part number
  

TLP3407SRA
  

TLP3475SRHA
  

TLP3412SRHA

Package
  

Name
  

S-VSON4T

Size typ.　(mm)
  

2.0×1.45

Height typ.(mm)
  

1.3

Recommended
operating
conditions
  

Applied input

forward voltage

VIN　typ. (V)
  

3.3
  

3.3
  

3.3

Built-in resistance typ. (Ω)
  

4000
  

600
  

600

Absolute

maximum

ratings
  

OFF-state output

terminal voltage VOFF (V)
  

60
  

60
  

60

ON-state current　ION (A)
  

1
  

0.4
  

0.4

ON-state current (pulsed)

IONP (A)
  

3
  

1.2
  

1.2

Operating temperature

Topr (℃)
  

-40 to 125

Coupled
electrical
characteristics
  

Limited LED current　

ILIM(LED) max (mA)

(@VIN)
  

1
(@3.3V)
  

-
  

-

Trigger LED current

IFT max (mA)
  

0.2
  

2
  

2

Operating voltage

　VFON max (V)
  

3
  

3
  

3

ON-state resistance

RON max (Ω)
  

0.3
  

1.5
  

1.5

Electrical

characteristics
  

Output capacitance

COFF typ. (pF)
  

80
  

12
  

20 (max)

OFF-state current

IOFF max (nA)

(@VOFF)
  

1

(@50V)
  

1

(@50V)
  

1

(@50V)

Switching

characteristics
  

Turn-on time

tON max (ms)
  

20
  

0.5
  

0.5

Turn-off time

tOFF max (ms)
  

1
  

0.2
  

0.2

Isolation

characteristic
  

Isolation voltage

BVS min (Vrms)
  

500
  

500
  

500

Sample Check & Availability
  

Buy Online
  

Buy Online
  

Buy Online

Notes:
[1] For photorelays where maximum operating temperature rating is 125°C, according to a survey by Toshiba (as of August 25, 2020).
[2] Applied input forward voltage × maximum limited LED current=3.3V×1mA

Follow the link below for more on the new photocouplers.
TLP3407SRA
https://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/info/lookup.jsp?pid=TLP3407SRA

TLP3475SRHA
https://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/info/lookup.jsp?pid=TLP3475SRHA

TLP3412SRHA
https://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/info/lookup.jsp?pid=TLP3412SRHA

Follow the link below for more on Toshiba’s photorelay lineup.
https://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/ap-en/semiconductor/product/optoelectronics/photorelay-mosfet-output.html

To check availability of the new products at online distributors, visit:
TLP3407SRA
https://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/ap-en/semiconductor/where-to-buy/stockcheck.TLP3407SRA.html
TLP3475SRHA
https://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/ap-en/semiconductor/where-to-buy/stockcheck.TLP3475SRHA.html
TLP3412SRHA
https://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/ap-en/semiconductor/where-to-buy/stockcheck.TLP3412SRHA.html

Customer Inquiries:
Optoelectronic Device Sales & Marketing Dept.
Tel: +81-3-3457-3431
https://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/ap-en/contact.html

* Company names, product names, and service names may be trademarks of their respective companies.
* Information in this document, including product prices and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current on the date of the announcement but is subject to change without prior notice.

About Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation

Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation combines the vigor of a new company with the wisdom of experience. Since becoming an independent company in July 2017, the company has taken its place among the leading general devices companies, and offers its customers and business partners outstanding solutions in discrete semiconductors, system LSIs and HDD.

Its 24,000 employees around the world share a determination to maximize the value of its products, and emphasize close collaboration with customers to promote co-creation of value and new markets. The company looks forward to building on annual sales now surpassing 750-billion yen (US$6.8 billion) and to contributing to a better future for people everywhere.
Find out more about Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation at https://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/ap-en/top.html

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200826005815/en/


Contacts

Media Inquiries:
Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation
Digital Marketing Department
Chiaki Nagasawa
Tel: +81-3-3457-4963
semicon-NR-mailbox@ml.toshiba.co.jp

Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/toshibarsquos-new-photorelays-contribute-to-equipment-downsizing-by-reducing-mounting-density/en

Phase 2 ELEKTRA Study of Soticlestat (TAK-935/OV935) Meets Primary Endpoint Reducing Seizure Frequency in Children with Dravet Syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome

NEW YORK & OSAKA, Japan-Thursday 27 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

− Primary endpoint achieved, demonstrating a statistically significant reduction of seizures from baseline compared to placebo (p=0.0007) in the combined Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome study population

− Statistically significant reduction in seizure frequency from baseline in Dravet syndrome cohort compared to placebo (p=0.0007); based on strong efficacy results, Takeda and Ovid plan to initiate a Phase 3 registrational program of soticlestat in Dravet syndrome

− Data from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome cohort demonstrated numeric reductions in seizure frequency compared to placebo but did not achieve statistical significance (p=0.1279); data analysis ongoing for the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome patients

− Soticlestat was well-tolerated and demonstrated a safety profile consistent with the findings of previous studies with no new safety signals identified

− Ovid to host conference call and webcast today at 8:00 a.m. EDT



(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) (“Takeda”) and Ovid Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: OVID) (“Ovid”), a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing medicines that transform the lives of people with rare neurological diseases, today announced positive topline results from the randomized Phase 2 ELEKTRA study of soticlestat in children with Dravet syndrome (DS) or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). Soticlestat is a potent, highly selective, oral, first-in-class inhibitor of the enzyme cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CH24H). It is being investigated by Ovid and Takeda for the treatment of rare developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs), a group of highly refractory epilepsy syndromes including DS and LGS.

The ELEKTRA study achieved its primary endpoint with high statistical significance, demonstrating a 27.8% median reduction from baseline in convulsive seizure (DS) and drop seizure (LGS) frequency compared to a 3.1% median increase in patients taking placebo during the 12-week maintenance period (median placebo-adjusted reduction=30.5%; p=0.0007, based on the efficacy analysis set of 120 patients with seizure data in the maintenance period). In addition, DS and LGS patients treated with soticlestat demonstrated a 29.8% median reduction in convulsive seizure (DS) and drop seizure (LGS) frequency compared to 0.0% change in median seizure frequency in patients taking placebo during the full 20-week treatment period (titration plus maintenance) of the ELEKTRA study (placebo-adjusted reduction=25.1%; p=0.0024).

In the ELEKTRA DS cohort (n=51), patients treated with soticlestat demonstrated a 33.8% median reduction in convulsive seizure frequency compared to a 7.0% median increase in patients taking placebo during the full 20-week treatment period of the study (median placebo-adjusted reduction in seizure frequency is 46.0%; p=0.0007). Based on these data, the companies plan to meet with regulatory authorities to discuss initiation of a Phase 3 registrational program for soticlestat in patients with DS.

In the ELEKTRA LGS cohort (n=88), patients treated with soticlestat demonstrated a 20.6% median reduction in drop seizure frequency compared to a 6.0.% median reduction in patients taking placebo during the full 20-week treatment period of the study (median placebo-adjusted reduction in seizure frequency is 14.8%; p=0.1279). Additional analyses are being conducted to better understand the potential next steps for the development of soticlestat in this highly heterogenous patient population.

Soticlestat was generally well-tolerated in the ELEKTRA study and demonstrated a safety profile consistent with those of previous studies, with no new safety signals identified. All patients who completed the ELEKTRA study elected to enroll into the ENDYMION open-label extension study and findings from ENDYMION are also reported today.

“We are extremely encouraged by these results, which show a clear statistically significant reduction of seizures in Dravet syndrome patients treated with soticlestat, as well as a trend for seizure reduction in Lennox-Gastaut patients,” said Amit Rakhit, M.D., MBA, President and Chief Medical Officer of Ovid. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Takeda to initiate a Phase 3 registrational program for soticlestat in patients with DS, while continuing to analyze the data from patients with LGS in the ELEKTRA and ENDYMION studies to define potential next steps. We also expect to report data from the open-label Phase 2 ARCADE study with soticlestat in patients with CDKL5 deficiency disorder and Dup15q syndrome, two other types of highly-refractory DEEs, later this quarter.”

“It is exciting to see these positive results and to advance soticlestat into late stage clinical development -- initially for the potential treatment of children with Dravet syndrome who need more options to manage treatment-resistant seizures,” said Sarah Sheikh, M.D., M.Sc., MRCP, Head, Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Unit at Takeda. “Soticlestat and its novel mechanism of action were discovered at Takeda and we are enthusiastic about continuing to advance the science and clinical programs as one aligned team, in strong partnership with Ovid Therapeutics.”

“Children with developmental epileptic encephalopathies like DS and LGS need more options to manage their treatment-resistant seizures,” said Dr. Cecil Hahn, M.D., MPH, a Child Neurologist at The Hospital for Sick Children and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto. “The results of the ELEKTRA study are very promising, particularly for children with DS and represent a clinically significant reduction in seizure burden. Moreover, soticlestat was well-tolerated in this study."

Phase 2 ELEKTRA Study Design and Patient Baseline Demographics

ELEKTRA was an international, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate treatment with soticlestat in pediatric patients, aged 2 to 17 years, with highly refractory epileptic seizures associated with DS (convulsive seizures) or LGS (drop seizures). The study consisted of a four- to six-week screening period to establish baseline seizure frequency, followed by a 20-week double-blind treatment period, including an 8-week dose optimization period and a 12-week maintenance period. During the 8-week dose optimization period, patients were titrated from 100mg twice daily (BID), to 200mg BID to 300mg BID (mg/kg dosing for <60 kg) of orally administered soticlestat.

A total of 141 patients were enrolled in ELEKTRA and 126 completed the study. A modified intent-to-treat (mITT) analysis of 139 patients was performed to evaluate the efficacy endpoints, which includes any patient who enrolled in the study and received at least one dose of study drug. Patients in the study were allowed to be on one to four concomitant anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), with the majority of patients concomitantly treated with at least three AEDs. The most common AEDs taken by the patients were valproate, clobazam, levetiracetam and topiramate.

Phase 2 ELEKTRA Topline Efficacy Results

The study achieved its primary endpoint, demonstrating a 27.8% median reduction from baseline in convulsive seizure (DS) and drop seizure (LGS) frequency compared to a 3.1% median increase in patients on placebo during the 12-week maintenance period (median placebo-adjusted reduction=30.5%; p=0.0007, based on the efficacy analysis set of 120 patients with seizure data in the maintenance period). During the full 20-week treatment period of the mITT DS patient population, the median percent change from baseline was a 33.8% decrease in seizure frequency compared to a 7.0% increase in seizure frequency for patients receiving placebo (median placebo-adjusted reduction=46.0%; p=0.0007). During the full treatment period of the mITT LGS patient population, the median percent change from baseline was a 20.6% decrease in seizure frequency compared to a 6.0% decrease in patients receiving placebo (median placebo-adjusted reduction=14.8%; p=0.1279).

Phase 2 ELEKTRA Topline Safety Results

Soticlestat was well tolerated in this study. These findings were consistent with previous studies and no new safety signals were identified. The incidence of treatment emergent adverse events was similar in both the treatment and placebo groups with 57 (80.3%) of soticlestat patients experiencing at least one treatment emergent adverse event compared to 52 (74.3%) placebo patients. The most frequent treatment emergent adverse events reported in soticlestat-treated patients with ≥5% difference from placebo were lethargy and constipation. The incidence of serious adverse events was similar in both soticlestat and placebo groups, with 11 (15.5%) in soticlestat experiencing at least one treatment emergent serious adverse event compared to 13 (18.6%) in placebo. There were no deaths reported.

ENDYMION Open-Label Extension Study Update

All patients who completed the ELEKTRA trial elected to roll over into the ENDYMION open-label extension study. The primary objective of ENDYMION is to assess the long-term safety and tolerability of soticlestat over four years of treatment in patients with rare epilepsies and, secondarily, to evaluate the effect of soticlestat on seizure frequency over time.

Data from the ELEKTRA patients who have rolled over into the ENDYMION study are supportive of results in the core study. The data indicate maintenance of effect over 6 months in those patients originally randomized to soticlestat, and similarly reduced seizure frequency as compared to baseline in those patients previously assigned to the placebo arm. No new safety signals were identified in ENDYMION.

About Soticlestat (TAK-935/OV935)

Soticlestat is a potent, highly selective, first-in-class inhibitor of the enzyme cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CH24H), with the potential to reduce seizure susceptibility and improve seizure control. CH24H is predominantly expressed in the brain, where it converts cholesterol into 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24HC) to adjust the homeostatic balance of brain cholesterol. 24HC is a positive allosteric modulator of the NMDA receptor and modulates glutamatergic signaling associated with epilepsy. Glutamate is one of the main neurotransmitters in the brain and has been shown to play a role in the initiation and spread of seizure activity. Recent literature indicates that CH24H is involved in over-activation of the glutamatergic pathway through modulation of the NMDA channel and that increased expression of CH24H can disrupt the reuptake of glutamate by astrocytes, resulting in epileptogenesis and neurotoxicity. Inhibition of CH24H by soticlestat reduces the neuronal levels of 24HC and may improve excitatory/inhibitory balance of NMDA channel activity.

Takeda and Ovid are sharing in the development and commercialization costs of soticlestat on a 50/50 basis and, if successful, the companies will share in the profits on a 50/50 basis. Takeda will be responsible for commercialization in Japan and has the option to be responsible for commercialization in other countries in Asia and other selected countries. Ovid will be responsible for clinical development activities and commercialization of soticlestat in the United States, Europe, Canada and Israel. Under the terms of the agreement, Takeda received equity in Ovid and may be eligible to receive certain milestone payments based on the advancement of soticlestat.

About Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome

Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome are types of developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs), a heterogeneous group of rare epilepsy syndromes. Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome typically become apparent during infancy or early childhood and are highly refractory to many antiseizure medications.

Dravet syndrome is most commonly caused by a genetic mutation in the SCN1A gene and affects approximately 1 in 15,000 to 1 in 21,000 people in the United States. Dravet syndrome is characterized by prolonged focal seizures that can evolve to convulsive tonic-clonic seizures. Children with Dravet syndrome experience developmental disabilities as seizures increase. Other common symptoms include changes in appetite, difficulty balancing and a crouched gait when walking.

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 11,000 people in the United States. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a heterogeneous condition and characterized by several different types of seizures, most commonly atonic (drop), tonic and atypical absence seizures. Children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome may also develop cognitive dysfunction, delays in reaching developmental milestones and behavioral problems. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions, but in some cases no cause can be identified.

Ovid Conference Call and Webcast Information

Ovid Therapeutics will host a live conference call and webcast today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The live webcast can be accessed by visiting the Investors section of the Company’s website at investors.ovidrx.com. Alternatively, please call 866-830-1640 (U.S.) or 210-874-7820 (international) to listen to the live conference call. The conference ID number for the live call is 7926217. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website following the live conference call.

About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) is a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan, committed to bringing Better Health and a Brighter Future to patients by translating science into highly-innovative medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Diseases, Neuroscience, and Gastroenterology (GI). We also make targeted R&D investments in Plasma-Derived Therapies and Vaccines. We are focusing on developing highly innovative medicines that contribute to making a difference in people's lives by advancing the frontier of new treatment options and leveraging our enhanced collaborative R&D engine and capabilities to create a robust, modality-diverse pipeline. Our employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients and to working with our partners in health care in approximately 80 countries.

For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com.

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Takeda Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and any materials distributed in connection with this press release may contain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions regarding Takeda’s future business, future position and results of operations, including estimates, forecasts, targets and plans for Takeda. Without limitation, forward-looking statements often include words such as “targets”, “plans”, “believes”, “hopes”, “continues”, “expects”, “aims”, “intends”, “ensures”, “will”, “may”, “should”, “would”, “could” “anticipates”, “estimates”, “projects” or similar expressions or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements: the economic circumstances surrounding Takeda’s global business, including general economic conditions in Japan and the United States; competitive pressures and developments; changes to applicable laws and regulations; the success of or failure of product development programs; decisions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates; claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates; the impact of health crises, like the novel coronavirus pandemic, on Takeda and its customers and suppliers, including foreign governments in countries in which Takeda operates, or on other facets of its business; the timing and impact of post-merger integration efforts with acquired companies; the ability to divest assets that are not core to Takeda’s operations and the timing of any such divestment(s); and other factors identified in Takeda’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and Takeda’s other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available on Takeda’s website at: https://www.takeda.com/investors/reports/sec-filings/ or at www.sec.gov. Takeda does not undertake to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule. Past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results or statements of Takeda in this press release may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast, guarantee or projection of Takeda’s future results.

About Ovid Therapeutics

Ovid Therapeutics Inc. is a New York-based biopharmaceutical company using its BoldMedicine® approach to develop medicines that transform the lives of patients with rare neurological disorders. Ovid has a broad pipeline of potential first-in-class medicines. The Company’s most advanced investigational medicine, OV101 (gaboxadol), is currently in clinical development for the treatment of Angelman syndrome and Fragile X syndrome. Ovid is also developing OV935 (soticlestat) in collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited for the potential treatment of rare developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE). For more information on Ovid, please visit www.ovidrx.com.

Ovid Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain disclosures that contain “forward-looking statements,” including, without limitation, statements regarding the potential benefits, clinical and regulatory development and commercialization of soticlestat, the potential value and benefits of the collaboration with Takeda, the anticipated reporting schedule of clinical data, the likelihood that data will support future development, and the association of data with treatment outcomes. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “will,” “appears,” “believes” and “expects.” Forward-looking statements are based on Ovid’s current expectations and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include uncertainties in the development and regulatory approval processes, and the fact that initial data from clinical trials may not be indicative, and are not guarantees, of the final results of the clinical trials and are subject to the risk that one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change as patient enrollment continues and/or more patient data become available. Additional risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in Ovid’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the caption “Risk Factors.” Such risks may be amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential impact on Ovid’s business and the global economy. Ovid assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, even as new information becomes available.

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Contacts

Takeda Media:
Japanese Media
Kazumi Kobayashi
kazumi.kobayashi@takeda.com
+81 (0) 3-3278-2095

Media outside Japan
Chris Stamm
chris.stamm@takeda.com
+1 (617) 347-7726

Ovid Investors and Media:
Ovid Therapeutics Inc.
Investor Relations & Public Relations
irpr@ovidrx.com

Or

Ovid Investors:
Steve Klass
Burns McClellan, Inc.
+1 (212) 213-0006
sklass@burnsmc.com

Ovid Media:
Dan Budwick
1AB
dan@abmedia.com

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