Aztiq and Innobic Announce Pricing of Secondary Sale of Lotus Common Stock by AEMH

LONDON and BANGKOK, Thailand, July 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aztiq Pharma Partners (“Aztiq”), a private equity company focused on the life sciences sector, and Innobic (Asia) Company Limited (“Innobic”), the life science arm of Thai oil and gas conglomerate PTT Public Company Limited (“PTT”) (collectively, “the shareholders”), today announced the pricing of a sale of 25,095,850 shares of Lotus Pharmaceuticals (1795:TT; “Lotus,” “the company”), a multinational pharmaceutical company, at a price of NT$297 per share. The trade will be settled on July 5, 2023, subject to satisfaction of customary settlement procedures. The sale is being executed by Alvogen Emerging Market Holdings Limited (“AEMH”), which will continue to own 41% of Lotus common stock after the close of the transaction. Inclusive of Innobic’s direct holdings of Lotus, the shareholders will continue to own approximately 47.7% of the company.

Robert Wessman, Founder of Aztiq, commented: “Today’s announcement is a big step in the evolution of Lotus that started as a company whose business was nearly entirely domestic. The company today has evolved into a global pharmaceutical company with a vast portfolio of products and a global reach that touches nearly every corner of the world through the company’s export business or through Lotus’s own commercial infrastructure that spreads throughout Asia. As Chairman, I look forward to continuing to work with Lotus’ proven management team that has led this transformation to collaborate on strategy and grow the business going forward.”

Dr. Buranin Rattanasombat, Chief New Business and Infrastructure Officer of PTT, and Chairman of Innobic, commented: “This transaction is a significant step for Lotus as it concurrently increases free-float of the stock and diversifies the shareholder base with strong institutional investors. As a leading shareholder of Lotus, our interests remain truly aligned with those of the company and its valued shareholders.”

J.P. Morgan and Credit Suisse are acting as placing agents for the trade.

About Aztiq

Aztiq is a visionary healthcare focused private equity company dedicated to fostering innovation and driving positive change within the industry. Led by Robert Wessman and a team of veteran entrepreneurs, Aztiq is committed to identifying, investing in, and nurturing ground-breaking healthcare solutions in pharma and biotech to address global healthcare challenges. By leveraging the cumulative experience of the team, Aztiq aims to improve patient outcomes, increase access to quality healthcare, and create a more efficient and sustainable healthcare ecosystem. With a proven track record of success, Aztiq continues to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of people around the world. For more information, please visit www.aztiq.com and follow Aztiq on LinkedIn.

About Innobic

Innobic (Asia) Company Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PTT, the largest energy company in Thailand majority owned by Ministry of Finance Thailand and listed in Fortune Global 500. PTT has moved from a national energy provider to a multinational conglomerate and started to diversify the business into new sectors, including Life Science, Renewables, Electricity value chain, and Ventures, to serve as its new S-curve. It officially established Innobic in December 2020 for a strategic goal to building up a new footprint in Life Science fields for PTT Group, with an initial focus on pharmaceuticals, and aims to make Innobic become a leading Life Science company in the region to bring best science and enhance life qualify of people. For more information, please visit www.innobicasia.com

Media Enquiries:

Ming Li
+16465093032
ming.li@aztiq.com

Jaruchai Sutjarittam
+66888924564
Jaruchai.s@innobicasia.com

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Malawi’s VP given more time in corruption case against him

The Malawi Financial Crimes Court has ruled that Vice-President Saulos Chilima should be given more time to go through his charge sheet before he enters a plea in the corruption case he is facing.

Dr Chilima was in court in the capital, Lilongwe, for the start of a case in which the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is accusing him of receiving $280,000 (£230,000) and other unnamed items from a British businessman.

He was arrested in November and granted bail but the case has since been transferred to the Financial Crimes Court following a request from the ACB.

Dr Chilima, who is on record as saying charges against him are politically motivated, is yet to give his response in court.

On Monday, Judge Redson Kapindu ordered the ACB to provide Dr Chilima all the details of the case within seven days.

The graft-busting body, however, asked for more time and the court gave 1 August as the date for the disclosures to be made by and when a plea will need to be given.

Before then the court sits again on 19 July for a hearing on bail conditions after the defence asked that they be waived.

Under the bail conditions Dr Chilima has to report to the ACB once every three months and has had his passport withheld by the court.

Source: BBC

CIEPUK partners higher institutions to award scholarships to students

The Chartered Institute of Educational Practitioners, U.K.(CIEPUK), says it will partner institutions and National Association of Private School Proprietors (NAPSP) in award of scholarships to outstanding students in the 2023 JAMB/UTME.

Prof. Marcel Ezenwoye, National President of CIEPUK, said the gesture was a way of rewarding excellence and encouraging hardworking students in the country.

He said it was also in line with the Federal Government’s policies on inclusive, affordable and accessible education.

“CIEPUK is partnering several universities both within and outside the country to offer 50 per cent scholarship to JAMB/UME students,” he said.

He said the students would pay N60, 000 tuition fee for a semester, N30,000 for hostel and N5,000 as medical fees.

“The list of tertiary institutions involved in the programme, are Hipdet University, Cameroon, Gideon Robert University, Lusaka, Zambia, St. Monica University, Cameroon, Paul University, Awka, Tansian University and Umunya Anambra State.

“Others are Covenant Polytechnic, Owerri, Temple Gate Polytechnic, Aba, Maduka University, Enugu State and Dorben Polytechnic, Abuja,” he said.

He added that other students with lower scores would also enjoy the 50 percent scholarship in the university of their choices, provided they apply between now and Aug. 30.

The don added that CIEPUK was also partnering NAPSP in the scholarship programme.

He said this was in recognition of the invaluable role that NAPSP play in molding the future of these youths.

“We invite all school owners, principals to partner with us in giving them quality higher education and a secured future.

“Admission forms are already on sale and first scholarship/admission screening interview holds on Aug. 30 at the Old Registrar’s office, Paul University, Awka at 12 noon prompt.

“You can go to our website www.ciepuk.org.uk to confirm the courses we offer as well as call 08069030670, 07030808907,“he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Stakeholders seek improved funding of Nigeria’s education sector

As part of the moves toward repositioning Nigeria’s education system, stakeholders have urged governments at all levels to commit sufficient resources to the sector for the overall good of the country.

The stakeholders made the call on Sunday at the unveiling of the renovated school library of Egba Owode Grammar School executed by members of 1977/1982 set.

They were unanimous in their submissions that the challenge of brain drain had been on the increase since the requisite facilities to work with in schools were not in place, hence the need for government to act quickly.

Vice-Chairman, Obafemi Owode Local Government, Hon. Titus Babatunde, noted that most schools did not have the requisite infrastructure to leverage.

Babatunde, who is also an alumnus of the school, noted that the project had become imperative, as it would further boost educational development in the school.

“If you look around the country, you’ll find out that there has continued to be brain drain in the sector because students don’t have the facilities to work with.

“The little ones those who had come up in the years past are now migrating to other places, but if there are no infrastructure, what are you going to use to replace those who are leaving?” he said.

Also speaking, the President of EOGS 77/82, Mr Samuel Soneye, said that the project, which he described as a give-back to their alma mata, was aimed at celebrating their 40 years of graduation from the school.

He noted that one of them had pointed out the deplorable state of infrastructure in the school as well as the encroachment on the school land.

This, he said, had brought about the idea of rehabilitation of the dilapidated school library to serve as a giveback to the school.

On his part, Chairman of Egba Economic Summit, Chief Shina Luwoye, said it was important for government to pay more attention to activities of secondary schools across the country.

Luwoye said it became imperative following the rise in youth restiveness and their continuous engagements with some politicians to embark on some nefarious activities.

He decried the neglect of many government schools in the state, which, he said, had produced many great men and women.

“State governments in the last administration continued to build gigantic schools that did not have students or software to build the students.

“They could have done better to come to schools like this to build more classrooms and equip them,” he said.

The Olu of Owode-Egba, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo, thanked the set for the gesture which, he said, was a demonstration of patriotism toward their alma mata.

The traditional ruler noted that one of the very important things in a school was the library which the students could make use of to better enhance their learning and understanding.

He urged other class sets to emulate them and do even more.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Noordoewer border post closed due to flooding

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) has dispatched a team of immigration officers to assist with immigration issues after the closure of the Noordoewer border post situated between Namibia and South Africa (Vioolsdrift).

MHAISS Public Relations Officer, Margaret Kalo told Nampa on Monday that people who wish to travel to South Africa should use the Oranjemund and Ariamsvlei border posts.

“Trucks carrying commercial products are parked at Ariamsvlei due to the closure of the Noordoewer border checkpoint,” Kalo said.

She further stated that all Namibian border posts are open, but the Vioolsdrift border post in South Africa is closed because of the flooding and heavy rainfall that impacted South Africa’s Northern Cape and south western Namibia.

She appealed to travellers going to South Africa to use alternative roads such as the Oranjemund border post, while commercial vehicle drivers are advised to use the Ariamsvlei-Nakop border post.

There is no report on when the Noordoewer border post will reopen.

Meanwhile, the Roads Authority (RA) temporarily closed the Rosh Pinah-Aussenkehr road (DR212) due to heavy rainfall received in some parts of the ||Kharas Region.

The RA’s Manager for Corporate Communication, Hileni Fillemon has confirmed to Nampa that the road is still closed and deemed unsafe for road users.

The RA is requesting the public to strictly adhere to the erected closure signs and to not attempt to use this road.

Road users were advised to use the alternative route (Aussenkehr-Noordoewer-Keetmanshoop-Aus-Rosh Pinah) until further notice.

The Roads Authority also urged the public to be extra cautious when driving in wet conditions on the national road network and said the public should follow the RA Namibia Facebook page for regular updates.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Woman robbed at Okapika village

A 46-year-old woman was robbed and assaulted in her home at Okapika village in the Omusati Region Friday night.

The Namibian Police Force in a crime report on Monday said the incident occurred around 20h11, when the suspect allegedly broke the victim’s window with an unknown object and entered her room. He stabbed the victim in the neck and left arm.

“It is alleged that the suspect took the victim’s items of undetermined value and fled,” the report said.

The victim was taken to the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital after sustaining serious injuries and is in the intensive care unit.

Police investigations are ongoing.

In a similar event, an 18-year-old Namibian male was robbed on the Western Bypass at Brakwater outside Windhoek around 20h30 on Friday.

It is alleged that unknown suspects threatened the victim with an unknown object and robbed him of his belongings, which included two cellphones and a pair of Nike trainers.

No arrests had been made by Monday and police investigations are ongoing.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency