Blue California Commercializes Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) for Supporting an Increased Healthspan

A better cost-effective option is now available for dietary supplement, functional food, and beverage manufacturers.

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., July 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blue California joins with the innovative Massachusetts-based biotech company Conagen to announce the commercialization of high-purity, fermentation-derived nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). A nature-based metabolic component which has caught the attention of health-conscious consumers for supporting energy and longevity.

The quest to age healthily and support longevity is surging among health-conscious consumers. “Consumers are reassessing their dietary regimen to make room for ingredients that can support an increased healthspan,” said Chief Science Officer at Blue California, Dr. Priscilla Samuel.

NMN supplements are highly sought-after for healthy aging applications, including brain health, vitality, heart health, metabolic health, and even cosmetics. However, current NMN ingredients used in products on the market are mostly produced by chemical synthesis.

While consumers are exploring dietary supplements for a holistic approach to health, they are also demanding clean labels from their supplements, and moving away from synthetic ingredients. Blue California’s fermentation-derived NMN opens new opportunities for producers to consider consumers’ health more holistically while acquiring a closer-to-nature position.

NMN serves as a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme present in all living cells and critical for mitochondrial function.

Increased intracellular levels of NAD+ boost energy production and improve cellular health, but levels decline dramatically with age. Replenishing NAD+ in the body with its precursor NMN has been proposed as a way to possibly combat age-related degeneration and increase healthy lifespan.

“Our fermentation-derived offering is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing recognition of NMN as an important ingredient in the food and supplement spaces,” said Samuel. “NMN is a well-known molecule in the longevity research community, and emerging research also suggests potential applications for immune health as well as sports nutrition.”

Harvard professor David Sinclair, a well-recognized leader in the field of aging research, is an advocate of NMN for improving the health of aging populations.

“NMN is a logical extension to our line of “longevity ingredients” which includes ergothioneine and pyrroloquinoline quinone. All of these molecules are made by our own proprietary fermentation processes, enabling our customers to better serve consumers who might reject chemically-derived ingredients,” said VP of Innovation at Conagen, Dr. Casey Lippmeier. “Because of the way we make it, Conagen’s NMN is of the highest purity and quality.  It is also very cost-effective and compatible with clean-label trends, all of which demonstrates our strength as a strategic partner with Blue California.”

As innovation in dietary supplemental nutrition advances, so does the growth of global vitamin, mineral and supplement (VMS) launches. Mintel reported a growth of 67% of global VMS launches in Apr 2020 – Mar 2021, as compared to Apr 2016 – Mar 2017 — where the United States leads the VMS market.

About Blue California

Blue California is a vertically integrated technology company providing innovative ingredient solutions to global partners. With more than 20 years of innovation success, our ingredients are used in commercial products and applications in the industries of nutrition, personal care, healthy aging and wellness, functional food and beverage, and beauty. www.bluecal-ingredients.com

About Conagen

Conagen is making the impossible possible. Our scientists and engineers use the latest synthetic biology tools to develop high-quality sustainable nature-based products through systems of manufacturing on a molecular level and fermentation basis. We focus on the bioproduction of high-value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceutical, and renewable materials industries. www.conagen.com

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Ana Arakelian
Blue California ingredients
+1-949-635-1991
ana@bluecal-ingredients.com

Publication relating to a transparency notification

PRESS RELEASE
REGULATED INFORMATION

Publication relating to a transparency notification

Mont-Saint-Guibert (Belgium), July 19, 2021, 10.30pm CET / 4.30pm ET – In accordance with article 14 of the Act of 2 May 2007 on the disclosure of large shareholdings, Nyxoah SA (Euronext Brussels/Nasdaq: NYXH) announces that it received a transparency notification as detailed below.

On July 16, 2021, Nyxoah received a transparency notification from BNP Paribas Asset Management SA following the passive downward crossing of the lowest threshold on July 7, 2021. As of such date, BNP Paribas Asset Management SA (through its affiliate BNP Paribas Asset Management France SAS) held 696,562 shares, representing 2.79% of the total number of voting rights on July 7, 2021 (25,002,609).

The notification dated July 16, 2021 contains the following information:

  • Reason for the notification: passive crossing of a threshold; downward crossing of the lowest threshold
  • Notification by: a parent undertaking or a controlling person
  • Persons subject to the notification requirement: BNP Paribas Asset Management SA (with address at SA 47000-75318 Parias cedex 09-France)
  • Date on which the threshold was crossed: July 7, 2021
  • Threshold that is crossed: 3%
  • Denominator: 25,002,609
  • Notified details:
A) Voting rights Previous notification After the transaction
# of voting rights # of voting rights % of voting rights
Holders of voting rights Linked to securities Not linked to the
securities
Linked to securities Not linked to the
securities
BNP Paribas Asset Management SA 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00%
BNP Paribas Asset Management France SAS 134,907 696,562 0 2.79% 0.00%
BNP Paribas Asset Management UK Ltd 529,473 0 0 0.00% 0.00%
Subtotal 664,380 696,562 2.79%
TOTAL 696,562 2.79%
  • Chain of controlled undertakings through which the holding is effectively held: BNP Paribas Asset Management France SAS and BNP Paribas Asset Management UK Ltd are controlled by BNP Paribas Asset Management SA, which in turn is controlled by BNP Paribas SA which benefits from the exemption to aggregate its participations with the participations of its subsidiaries that are investment companies, in accordance with article 21 paragraph 2 of the Royal Decree of 14 February 2008 on the disclosure of large shareholdings.
  • Additional information: BNP Paribas Asset Management France SAS is an investment company that exercises voting rights in a discretionary way.

Contact:

Nyxoah
Fabian Suarez, Chief Financial Officer
fabian.suarez@nyxoah.com
+32 10 22 24 55

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Sindh Revenue Board Exempts Sales Tax On Export Services Of Call Centers

The Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) has exempted sales tax on services exported out of Pakistan rendered by call centers to their foreign clients.

The SRB has issued a notification SRB-3-4/13/2021 on Monday to amend its notification No. SRB-3-4/7/2013, dated 18th June 2013.

According to the notification, the sales tax exemption would be available to the Call Centre services exported and delivered by registered persons to persons outside Pakistan, subject to the condition that the value of the export of the services is received in foreign exchange through banking channels in the business bank accounts of the registered person exporting the services, and is also reported to the State Bank of Pakistan in the manner prescribed by the State Bank of Pakistan.

This notification shall take effect on and from the last day of July 2021.

Source: Pro Pakistani

HBL Islamic Banking Becomes the First to Introduce Islamic Merchant Acquiring in Pakistan

HBL’s Islamic Banking and Edenrobe recently signed a Merchant Establishment Agreement in Karachi. The agreement was signed by Shahzad Babar, Head Governance, Planning & Initiatives, HBL Islamic Banking, and Junaid Dandia, Chief Executive Officer, Edenrobe, a venture of Eden Apparels Pvt Ltd., one of Pakistan’s premier fashion retail brands offering quality clothing and fragrances.

Through this agreement, HBL’s Islamic Banking has achieved a first-mover advantage by launching Islamic Merchant Acquiring for the first time in Pakistan. This means that customers can now make transactions using POS Machines through Visa, Master, UnionPay, and PayPak at the terminals of Islamic Merchants, who will maintain Islamic Banking Accounts with HBL Islamic Banking.

Commenting on this occasion, Muhammad Afaq Khan, Head of Islamic Banking at HBL, stated, “HBL Islamic Banking always strives to provide seamless and innovative solutions to its customers for their convenience. By being the first bank to introduce Islamic Merchant Acquiring in Pakistan, HBL has once again shown that it is a pioneer and market leader in the banking industry.”

Source: Pro Pakistani

Rupee Crashes to Its Lowest in 9 Months Against the US Dollar

The rupee continued its downward trend as it fell to a nine-month low against the US Dollar on Monday, owing to the rising demand for natural import payments and increasing strength of the US Dollar in the international market.

The Rupee fell down to Rs. 161.48 exchange rate against the US Dollar for the first time since mid-October 2020.

Today, PKR traded between Rs. 160 and Rs. 161.60, before closing at Rs. 161.48 to the USD today (19 July), down from Friday’s (16 July) exchange rate of Rs. 159.93 to the USD.

In the interbank currency market, PKR has lost 1 percent or Rs. 1.54, to the USD during this time, while in the open market, the deterioration is steeper, around Rs. 1.70, was Dollar trading at nearly Rs. 162 in the open market.

The rupee continued its downward trend against the US Dollar on Monday, owing to the rising demand for natural import payments.

PKR has continued its losing streak against the USD almost consistently since the beginning of the current fiscal year, with rare and sporadic improvements.

Asad Rizvi, the former Treasury Head at the Chase Manhattan Bank, said earlier in the day, “In Pakistan, we have 2 working days this week. Gulf market will remain closed. This means no remittances are expected from Middle Eastern countries.”

He further stated “Today’s market was bidding USD aggressively in a good size to cover the position because of the coming Eid holidays. It seems the banks are not willing to keep their position exposed due to the extreme volatility seen recently. PKR since touching highs of 152.90 lost nearly 5.5%of its value.”

Asad added, “Eid Holidays is annual routine, but it will add pressure. Therefore, I do not see any respite in the next 7-10 days.”

Traders expect that the rupee will appreciate gradually after the Eid holidays and will be traded in between 159 to 160 levels, said an Analyst from Tresmark.

PKR also had a bad day against other major currencies in the interbank currency market, with blanket losses except for nominal appreciation against the Canadian Dollar (CAD). PKR posted 12.89 paisas improvement against the CAD today.

Other than that, it went down notably by Rs. 1.45 against the Euro, went down by 9 paisas against the Pound Sterling (GBP), and lost 13.24 paisas against the Australian Dollar (AUD).

The PKR also and significantly deteriorated by 42 paisas and 41 paisas against the UAE Dirham (AED) and the Saudi Riyal (SAR), respectively, in the interbank currency market today.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Finance Minister Directs To Form New Committee For Overseeing Capital Market TORs

The Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Mr. Shaukat Tarin, chaired the first meeting of the Capital Market Advisory Council (CMAC), held at the Finance Division today.

The Finance Minister directed the council to form a Coordination Committee for smooth implementation of the TORs of CMAC. He further instructed to include members from SECP, SBP, Pakistan Banking Council, commercial markets, legal counsel, and an expert on Islamic Banking in the Coordination Committee for comprehensive stakeholder feedback.

It was also decided that the SECP shall be the secretariat of the Coordination Committee, and Chairman SECP shall be the head/secretary of the Coordination Committee. It was agreed that the Coordination Committee would meet once every month and send its recommendations for review to the Apex committee of the CMAC, which will issue directions to SECP and other relevant stakeholders for final implementation.

SAPM on Finance and Revenue, Dr. Waqar Masood, Secretary Finance Division, Chairman SECP, Aamir Khan, Chairman HBL, Sultan Ali Allana, and other senior officials participated in the meeting. Governor State Bank of Pakistan, Reza Baqir, joined through a video link.

The Capital Market Advisory Council (CMAC) was established in April 2020 under the Capital Market Development Plan (CMDP). In the maiden meeting, the Secretary of Finance briefed the members of the Council that the purpose behind the Capital Market Advisory Council (CMAC) was to introduce reforms in the capital markets in the country.

While speaking at the occasion, the Finance Minister stated that the establishment of the CMAC was long overdue, as Capital markets can improve risk-sharing and the efficiency with which capital is allocated to the real economy, thereby boosting economic growth and development. The underlying rationale is to attract investors – especially ones with lesser resources – to contribute to capital markets so that their limited resources are channelized into more productive use.

The reforms will be introduced after having input from all the relevant stakeholders, he stressed.

Source: Pro Pakistani