Category: EQS Newswire

EQS Newswire / 21/08/2024 / 10:07 UTC+8 1. With Two Home-Grown Insulin Products Approved for Marketing, It Leads the Development of The Domestic Insulin MarketOn August 6th, Sihuan Pharmaceutical (00460.HK) announced that Insulin Degludec and Insulin Aspart Injection (trade name: Huiyoujia), developed by its subsidiary Huisheng Biopharmaceutical, was approved for marketing to treat adult type 2 diabetes. This marked the first domestic Insulin Degludec and Insulin Aspart Injection biosimilar drug to be approved for market, following the original drug company Novo Nordisk.Shortly after that, Huisheng Biopharmaceutical achieved another breakthrough with its self-developed Insulin Degludec Injection (Huiyouda) on August 14th, also approved for marketing. This is the first domestically produced Insulin Degludec Injection biosimilar drug approved for marketing after the original drug.Insulin Degludec is a new generation of long-acting basal insulin analogue, with a half-life of up to 25 hours and a duration of action of about 42 hours in the human body. Insulin Degludec Injection is classified as a Class B drug covered by the National Reimbursement Drug List, offering excellent glucose-lowering effects, ensuring stable control of blood sugar levels, lasting efficacy, and is known for its low risk of hypoglycemia and high safety. It is also the first long-acting insulin allows diabetic patients to inject at any time of the day (with an interval of 8 hours), providing greater flexibility in injection timing and higher patient compliance. Studies have shown that the use of Insulin Degludec Injection significantly reduces the risk of hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes patients, especially the incidence of severe nocturnal hypoglycemia, which is reduced by 53% compared to Insulin Glargine.The Insulin Degludec and Insulin Aspart Injection, composed of 70% Insulin Degludec and 30% Insulin Aspart, is the world's first soluble dual insulin formulation combining a long-acting and a rapid-acting insulin analogue, also classified as a Class B drug covered by National Reimbursement Drug List. The components of Insulin Degludec and Insulin Aspart in this product maintain their respective pharmacokinetic properties in the body, complementing each other and reducing the potential effect overlap of different components in traditional premixed insulin formulations, thereby more effectively reducing the risk of hypoglycemia. The Insulin Degludec and Insulin Aspart Injection does not require mixing before injection, greatly simplifying its usage and addressing issues of uneven medication distribution. Furthermore, the Insulin Degludec and Insulin Aspart Injection requires fewer injections, reducing treatment costs and psychological burden for patients, and offering better economic benefits.Related Phase III clinical study data show that Huisheng Biopharmaceutical's approved products, Huiyouda and Huiyoujia, are comparable in clinical efficacy and safety to their respective original drugs, proving their reliability as treatment options.Suffice to say, the approval for marketing of the two first domestic insulin products has reshaped the domestic insulin market landscape in less than ten days. This also sparks curiosity about the R&D strength behind Huisheng Biopharmaceutical—how such achievements were possible?2. Integrating the Whole Industry Chain, A Nova Sparkles in the Domestic Diabetes MarketIn this regard, Huisheng Biopharmaceutical has provided an excellent answer.As a subsidiary of Sihuan Pharmaceutical, Huisheng Biopharmaceutical is one of the few domestic biopharmaceutical companies capable of achieving full product coverage in the diabetes and its complications domain, integrating R&D, production, and sales across the entire industry chain.Firstly, lets take a look at the product pipeline. the company boasts a world-class research team with extensive experience in diabetes drug development. The pipeline includes over 30 products, covering the full range of second-generation and third-generation insulins, as well as new types of insulins represented by Insulin Degludec and Insulin Degludec and Insulin Aspart. Additionally, the company has ventured into new target products such as SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists, as well as other commonly used hypoglycemic and diabetes complication drugs.On the basis of early-stage R&D, Huisheng Biopharmaceutical's products have now entered an intensive commercialization phase. In the first half of the year, five products were successfully launched for sale: Insulin Aspart Injection, Insulin Aspart 30 Injection, Insulin Aspart 50 Injection, Vildagliptin Tablets, and Methylcobalamin Tablets, marking the start of Huisheng Biopharmaceutical’s commercialization year. Moreover, Huisheng's self-developed Class I innovative drug SGLT-2 inhibitor, Janagliflozin tablet (Huiyoujing), also received approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration for marketing in January this year, and is expected to enter the market for sales in the second half of the year.Secondly, in terms of production capacity, the company currently owns a diabetes biopharmaceutical production base with a capacity of 25 million units, planning to build a base with a capacity of over 100 million units in the future.Lastly, in regard of commercial sales, with strong support and continuous empowerment from its parent company Sihuan Pharmaceutical, Huisheng Biopharmaceutical is rapidly establishing an efficient marketing network that combines direct sales and distribution, offline and online channels, providing solid support for the market expansion of various products.This means that Huisheng Biopharmaceutical has become a company capable of efficiently integrating resources and optimizing processes from R&D innovation to production manufacturing, and then to marketing.3. Globally-Oriented, It Seizes the Broad Opportunities in Southeast Asia and the Middle East MarketHowever, to ultimately garner considerable revenue from products, besides having an integrated system across the entire industry chain, a crucial point lies in accurately grasping the market. The market space not only determines the potential value of a company's products but also is a decisive factor in whether its intrinsic value can be fully unleashed.In China, influenced by rapid economic growth over the past few decades, along with factors such as population aging, urbanization, and lifestyle changes, the prevalence of diabetes has continued to rise. Public data shows that about 30 years ago, the proportion of adults with diabetes in China was less than 1%, but today this figure has soared to around 12%.This upward trend has significantly driven the increase in demand for diabetes treatment, thereby accelerating the expansion of the market size.According to the "China Diabetes Market Report: 2024-2032" released by Research and Markets, the Chinese diabetes market reached $4.7 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $9.3 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%.However, the Chinese market is just a small part of the diabetes treatment market.According to forecasts by the International Diabetes Federation, the global diabetes population is expected to increase from 425 million in 2017 to 629 million by 2045, an increase of 48%. A Frost & Sullivan report shows that the global diabetes medication market was close to $70 billion in 2020, and the global diabetes market is expected to exceed $90 billion by 2025, with hopes of approaching $110 billion by 2030.The continuously growing number of diabetes patients worldwide and the expanding market space for diabetes medications point a direction for Huisheng Biopharmaceutical and other domestic innovative pharmaceutical companies: they should not be confined to the domestic market but should focus on a global layout.Particularly in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, the demand for insulin and other diabetes treatment drugs is growing, with the market supply falling short of demand, leaving market demand vastly unsatiated.Specifically, in Southeast Asia, the IDF report predicts that the number of diabetes patients will increase from 90 million in 2021 to 152 million by 2045, an increase of 68%, making it one of the most severe regions for diabetes globally. Public data shows that the current prevalence rates of diabetes in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam are 19%, 10.6%, 9.7%, and 6.1%, respectively.Middle East also shares the grimness, with eight Middle Eastern countries having the highest adult obesity rates globally, ranging from 27% to 40% of the population being chronically overweight. Take Saudi Arabia as an example, the local diabetes prevalence rate is as high as 18.7%, making it one of the top ten countries with the highest diabetes prevalence rates globally.These figures not only highlight the urgency of diabetes treatment but also clearly indicate the growing demand for insulin and other diabetes treatment drugs in Southeast Asia, signaling huge market potential.For leading Chinese biopharmaceutical companies like Huisheng Biopharmaceutical, which possess integrated capabilities in research, production, and sales, these demand trends represent not only tremendous business opportunities but also strategic chances to expand into international markets and enhance global brand influence.4. Innovative Products and Rich Experience Enable It to Seize Overseas Market OpportunitiesSo, what enables Huisheng Biopharmaceutical to seize this overseas opportunity?The writer believes there are two reasons:On one hand, Huisheng Biopharmaceutical, with its comprehensive and significantly advantageous diabetes product pipeline, can fully meet the diverse needs of diabetes patients.The company's products belong to a new generation, such as the newly approved Insulin Degludec and Insulin Aspart Injection (Huiyoujia) and Insulin Degludec Injection (Huiyouda). These products not only have significant advantages in terms of hypoglycemic effect, safety, and cost-effectiveness but also demonstrate their innovation and clinical value in the international market, highly aligning with the demand and development trend of the diabetes medication market in Southeast Asia and other regions.On the other hand, Huisheng Biopharmaceutical relies on its mature international operational capabilities and cost control advantages to rapidly expand into overseas markets.The parent company Sihuan Pharmaceutical, as an established HK-listed pharmaceutical company, provides a solid foundation for Huisheng Biopharmaceutical's international strategy with its rich international experience and business expansion expertise. This helps quickly establish and upgrade Huisheng's marketing network, forming a commercialization closed loop. Additionally, the cost control advantage of domestic biosimilar drugs also helps Huisheng Biopharmaceutical quickly open up overseas market entry points, ensuring the smooth progress of its overseas expansion plan.It is not hard to tell that Huisheng Biopharmaceutical, with its innovative product pipeline and mature market strategy, is expected to meet the growing medical needs in Southeast Asia while achieving overseas growth and enhancing brand value, perfectly capturing the opportunities in Southeast Asia and other overseas markets.5. SummaryCurrently, with the launch of Insulin Degludec and Insulin Aspart Injection (Huiyoujia) and Insulin Degludec Injection (Huiyouda), both holding the title of "first domestic biosmilar in China," Huisheng Biopharmaceutical has firmly established its leading position in the domestic diabetes treatment field.As more blockbuster drugs for diabetes and its complications from Huisheng Biopharmaceutical hit the market, its industry status is increasingly noteworthy. Meanwhile, with a competitive product pipeline and mature sales strategies, the company also possesses the capability to seize opportunities in overseas markets, expected to demonstrate greater competitive potential and commercial value on the international stage.It is a safe bet that as Huisheng Biopharmaceutical continues to succeed in both domestic and international markets, its contribution to the parent company Sihuan Pharmaceutical will become increasingly significant. The market performance and brand influence of Huisheng Biopharmaceutical will further enhance Sihuan Pharmaceutical's industry status and overall value, bringing new development opportunities and valuation enhancement momentum. 21/08/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com

EQS Newswire / 20/08/2024 / 10:38 UTC+8 Well-run listed companies often achieve remarkable results when they encounter suitable partners in the capital markets. Guoen Holdings Limited ("Guoen") (HKSE: 8121) is a prime example. In February this year, Guoen announced a 1-for-2 rights issue at HK$1.04 per share, raising HK$17.3 million. The Group offers a range of integrated digital marketing services, including social media management services, digital advertisement placement services and creative and technology services. Its strong financial position allowed it to become a shareholder of Meitu, Inc. (HKSE: 1357) and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKSE: 388) amidst the Hong Kong stock market downturn. It demonstrated the Group’s ability to seek returns for its shareholders. After announcing the rights issue in February, the company's performance has been steadily improving. In June, it announced a positive profit alert and subsequently a net profit of HK$3.16 million for the full year ended 31 March, returning to profitability from a loss. The share price has recently been hovering above HK$2, doubling the rights issue price, bringing a promising return for all participating shareholders. RaffAello Securities (HK) Limited also played an indispensable role in this rights issue. In the post-pandemic era, when Hong Kong companies face high-interest rates and shifts in consumer patterns, a Hong Kong startup-turned-listed company achieving such an encouraging result was a testament. RaffAello itself is a designated placing agent for star tycoons over the past years, having helped many wealthy individuals and top-tier funds accumulate quality stocks in the secondary market over the years, making it a star investor its own. Historically, the stocks underwritten by RaffAello have often seen gains in multiples. It remains to be seen whether Guoen can ride the recovery of the Hong Kong stock market to scale new heights in the future. 20/08/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com

EQS Newswire / 18/08/2024 / 19:24 UTC+8 Press Release (For immediate release) SEG Announces 2024 Interim Results Declare to Pay Out Record High Interim Dividends Inclusion in the Hang Seng Composite Index Reflects High Market Recognition of Investment Value (18 August 2024, Hong Kong) SINOPEC Engineering (Group) Co., Ltd. (“SEG” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries collectively known as the “Group”) (stock code: 2386) today announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024 (the “Reporting Period”). In the past year, complex and severe international environment and evolving product innovation brought challenges to the Company. Facing the challenges, the Board and management of the Company adhered to integrity and innovation, accelerate the development of new quality productive forces, and had achieved hard-earned success by taking a series of actions to optimize existing business operations, seek for business growth, strengthen foundation and prevent risks. During the first half of the year, the Group recorded a revenue of RMB28.553 billion, net profit of RMB1.319 billion and value of new contracts of RMB50.066 billion, representing steady progress in our business performance. Taking into account the profitability of the Company and the needs for sustainable development in the future, the Board proposed an interim dividend of RMB0.150 per share with a dividend payout ratio of 50%. Aiming To increase earnings per share and overall shareholders’ return which is in the interests of the Company and the shareholders as a whole, the Company repurchased a total of 13,836,500 H shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, using funds totaling HKD67.75 million during the Reporting Period. In addition, on August 16, the Company was included in the Hang Seng Composite Index. The relevant changes will be implemented after the market closes on 6 September 2024 and will take effect on 9 September 2024. Being selected as a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Composite Index signifies that SEG has met the prerequisites for inclusion in the Hong Kong Stock Connect, reflecting the capital market's high recognition of the Company's business performance and investment value. In the first half of the year, the Group built comprehensive market competitiveness with its comprehensive service capabilities, bringing to an increase in market development in terms of both quantity and quality. During the Reporting Period, the value of new contracts of the Group was RMB50.066 billion, an increase of 32.7% as compared to the same period last year (“year-on-year”), the best performance in the same period in our history. the value of new overseas contracts signed was approximately USD2.354 billion, showing a year-on-year growth of 117.8%; overseas business structure was further optimized, with EPC contracting accounting for over 75% of the total amount. FEED, PMC and EPC businesses achieved breakthroughs in a number of markets and realized the diversification of types of businesses. In the domestic market, the Group fully leveraged its advantages on front-end business and had successively obtained a number of engineering consulting, engineering design and technical service contracts, by which it will provide frontline supporting services including consultancy and basic design for “Lu You Lu Lian” (“魯油魯煉” refinery in Shandong Province), Jiujiang aromatics, CNOOC and Shell Ethylene Project and a number of New coal chemicals projects. Meanwhile, the Group continued to make efforts in the existing markets where it has advantages by signing certain EPC contracting and construction contracts for multiple large-scale park projects, including North Huajin and SABIC Mangguo Ethylene Project, further consolidating its leading position in the engineering industry in the PRC. In the first half of the year, the Group continued to build its first-class innovation capabilities, steadfastly advanced the development of new-type industrialization in the engineering industries. During the Reporting Period, the Group has initiated specialised studies for topics relating to new-type industrialization, which cover 11 key aspects including high-end, green and intelligent, to promote integration of theoretical innovation and practical applications, so as to attract more investment in supporting the specialized studies and applications of new-type industrialization. The Group coordinated and promoted the innovative application of artificial intelligence and big data technologies in the engineering design field, and comprehensively carried out research on intelligent design (AI) special projects to accelerate the transformation of production methods. Based on the principle of developing new quality productive force and focusing on innovation and practicability, the Group led the application and conversion of “Integration and synergies of engineering projects”, “standardised and lean design”, “intelligent management on supply chain during the entire cycle of the project”, “plant manufacturing and prefabrication installation” and other research outcomes of the engineering and construction projects, thereby facilitating overall improvement in efficiency and information technology of the engineering and construction projects. Leveraging the business model of contract energy management, the Group continued to promote the development of low-carbon services in the energy industry, develop its capability of equipping comprehensive energy-saving and carbon-reducing techniques, thereby making “Green and Clean” as its defining feature. In the first half of the year, the Group deeply promoted the “integration and symbiosis” strategy and worked together with industry chain partners to build an industrial ecosystem. Firstly, the Group strived to create a new paradigm of deep industry-university-research integration driven by enterprise needs and deployed an “innovation chain” around the “industry chain” by jointly establishing the “Biomass Utilization Joint Research Center (High-value Utilization of Lignin)” with Guangdong University of Technology in accelerating the development and the industrial applications of the application techniques for biomass, and the “Low-carbon Joint Research Center” with Sun Yat-sen University and carrying out deep cooperation with research institutes such as Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, CAS, SINOPEC Beijing Research Institute of Chemical Industry and SINOPEC Research Institute of Petroleum Processing in multiple innovation fields. Secondly, the Group strived to build long-term integration and win-win partnership with domestic and foreign project owners by adopting the “going out” and “bringing in” approach to strengthen exchanges and deepen mutual trust with domestic and foreign project owners including Guoneng Group, China Coal Group, Shanmei Group, Yanchang Group, QazaqGaz, Saudi Aramco, SABIC and ADNOC and gain market first-mover advantage with more advanced and extensive preliminary and front-end services while promoting the advantages of the Group on industry chain, technology chain and engineering services in an all-round way. Thirdly, the Group strived to create an industrial environment that integrates and shares with industry peers to continuously expand “circle of friends” by promoting comprehensive strategic partnerships with international engineering companies represented by TR, Technip and Tecnimont, and strengthening deep cooperation in areas such as preliminary project development, global supply chain optimization and project execution. Fourthly, the Group strived to build an ecosystem of integrated development with global industrial chain partners by conducting high-level visits with major equipment and material suppliers such as Ansteel Group, Emerson, Yokogawa, Honeywell and KSB to deepen cooperation and create a globally competitive supply chain system. During the first half of the year, the Group continued to explore the fusion of international experience and Chinese practice for ESG, thereby developing itself into a leading enterprise in terms of ESG. During the Reporting Period, the Group initiated a social responsibility brand project by holding public open days with the theme of “Everyone’s Safety – Immersive Public Safety Experience Public Welfare Activities” and leveraging on the regular preparation and implementation of public safety experience public welfare activities at two safety simulation and practical training bases of the Group in South China and North China to create a social responsibility brand project of Sinopec Engineering Group. The Group was rewarded a “BB” rating for MSC ESG, which was the highest rating in the engineering industry in the PRC. Meanwhile, the Group was listed on the Sustainability Yearbook – S&P Global, as one of the two selected enterprises with its outstanding performance in the field of ESG among over 1,700 enterprises in 60 industries in the PRC. Chairman of SEG, Mr. JIANG Dejun said: “Looking forward to the second half of the year, the global economic growth momentum is still under pressure. The supply and demand pressure on the domestic refining and chemical industry is high and the environment remains severe. In the face of challenges, there are new opportunities through comprehensive analysis. First, the demand for high-end transformation of industries in China is still increasing, and investment in large-scale new material projects is in the ascendant. Secondly, the energy industry is developing to seize widening opportunities on green and low carbon, green hydrogen and green ammonia, green alcohol and other new energy. Third, with the adjustment and optimization of China's energy industry structure, the new coal chemical industry is expected to open up a new wave of investments. Fourth, with the introduction of policies for the elimination and upgrading of old chemical equipment, the Company will thrive with its comprehensive integrated industry chain service capabilities on device dismantling, site restoration and resource utilization. Fifth, the overseas energy and chemical industry is entering a new height of opportunities. China's high-level opening up to foreign markets and the development needs of the global petrochemical industry provide the Company with a broader international business environment. In the second half of the year, the Company's board of directors will further strengthen strategic guidance and integrated planning, and continue to promote initiatives including "consolidating the advantages of traditional main businesses, continuing to promote technological innovation, leading the new industrialization of the industry, promoting the internationalization of operations, and achieving diversified value creation", leading the Company to strive for product excellence, outstanding brand, leading innovation, and modern governance to unswervingly becoming world-class enterprise. We believe that people around the world are urge for a good living environment through a cleaner and greener energy and chemical industry, which in turn provides stronger development momentum for global development. The company will give full play to its advantages in the integration of the complete industry chain, market advantages, brand advantages, technology advantages, and talent advantages. The Company will continue to promote its high-quality development, achieve effective improvement in quality and reasonable growth in quantity, and strive to deliver improvements on shareholder value, customer value, social value and employee value!” Business Review and Highlights Improved market development performance in terms of both quantity and quality During the Reporting Period, the value of new contracts signed by the Group was RMB50.066 billion, representing an increase of 32.7% on a year-on-year basis. During the Reporting Period, the value of new contracts signed by the Group in domestic market was approximately RMB33.113 billion, a year-on-year increase of 10.6%, maintaining its leading industry position in the domestic market. The Group signed a batch of engineering design contracts for high-end new materials projects, including CHN Energy Coal Chemicals, CNOOC Shell Huizhou Phase III Ethylene, CNOOC Shell Huizhou Polycarbonate, Yatong Chemical and Zhejiang Petrochemical, and a batch of EPC contracts for refining and chemical integration, refining renovation and upgrading as well as new materials. Representative contracts included the EPC contract for certain plants of SINOPEC SABIC Petrochemical Fujian Gulei Ethylene and Downstream Deep Processing Consortium Project (the “Mango Ethylene Project”) with a total contract value of approximately RMB6.081 billion; the EPC contract for certain plants of North Huajin United Petrochemical Fine Chemical and Raw Material Engineering Project (the “Huajin Project”) with a total contract value of approximately RMB5.807 billion; the EPC contracts for certain plants of Lianhong Gerun (Shandong) Integrated Project of New Energy Materials and Biodegradable Materials with a contract value of approximately RMB2.995 billion; and the EPC Contract of INEOS Sinopec Tianjin Nangang Ethylene and Downstream High-end New Materials Industry Cluster POE Plant (the “Tianjin Nangang POE Project”) with a contract value of approximately RMB882 million. During the Reporting Period, the value of new contracts signed by the Group in overseas market was approximately US$2.354 billion, a year-on-year increase of 117.8%, maintaining its strong development momentum. Representative new contracts include the EPC Contract for gas compression (GCP) of Saudi Aramco’s Jafurah Gas Expansion Project Phase III (the “Saudi JafurahProject Phase III”) with a contract value of approximately US$900 million; the construction contract for the electromechanical instrument section of the gas processing plant of the Jafurah Natural Gas Expansion Project Phase II (the “Saudi Jafurah Project Phase II”) with a contract value of approximately US$161 million; the high-end front-end business in overseas market continued to grow with signing of FEED+PMC contract for Saudi Aramco’s RAS TANURA Island Steam Treatment Facility (VHRT) Project and the contract for review of Saudi Aramco’s Far East Fine Chemicals and Raw Materials Engineering Project Management Manual, etc. During the Reporting Period, the Group signed 137 new contracts in the emerging fields such as new energy and new materials in domestic market with a total value of new contracts of approximately RMB7.406 billion, and the market layout in emerging fields achieved good results. Steady progress in the construction of key projects Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Oil Refining and High-end Synthetic New Materials Project was in the peak stage of construction and installation with an overall completion percentage of over 90%. PetroChina JCEC Transformation and Upgrading Project was in the stage of construction and installation with an overall completion percentage of over 60%. Longkou LNG Project was in the peak stage of construction with an overall completion percentage of over 70%. Huajin Project was in the stage of civil construction with an overall completion percentage of over 20%. ExxonMobil Huizhou Ethylene Project was in smooth and steady progress, and was granted the “President’s SSH&E Award” twice by the project owner. Saudi Riyas NGL Project was in the stage of detailed design with an overall completion percentage of less than 10%. Saudi Arabia AMIRAL Project was in the stage of civil construction with an overall completion percentage of approximately 30%. Algerian LNG/MTBE Project was in the stage of construction with an overall completion percentage of over 50%. Saudi Aramco’s Crude Oil Pumping Station Upgrading and Improvement Project was in the peak stage of construction with an overall completion percentage of over 90%. ExxonMobil Singapore CRISP Integrated Project was in the stage of construction with an overall completion percentage of over 70%. Technological innovation capability reaching new heights During the Reporting Period, the Group made prominent achievements in research and development of science and technology. The Group signed various new technology development contracts with total contract amount of RMB551 million, a year-on-year increase of over 50%; and new technology licensing and technology conversion contracts with a total amount of RMB262 million, a year-on-year increase of over 30%. During the Reporting Period, the Group filed 440 new patent applications, among which, 331 were invention patents, accounting for 75.2%; and 195 newly licensed patents, 102 of which were invention patents, accounting for 52.3%, and patent quality had been continuously optimized. During the Reporting Period, the Group received a total of 20 science and technology progress awards in scientific and technical innovation and engineering construction fields at the provincial and above level, including the second prize of the National Scientific and Technological Progress Award for the “design, manufacturing and maintenance technology of long-life largescale ethylene cracking reactors”, the first prize of the SINOPEC Science and Technology Progress Award for the “research and application of key technologies for long-term production safety in high acid gas fields”, the second prize of the SINOPEC Technology Invention Award for the “development and application of technology for production of chemicals through catalytic cracking of crude oil (CCPP)”; two provincial and ministerial excellent design awards; and three provincial and ministerial excellent engineering awards. During the Reporting Period, the Group continued to strengthen the top-level design of scientific and technological innovation work, and revised and released the “Guiding Opinions on the Company’s External Technical Cooperation Agreements”. By closely focusing on the Company’s strategy and market demand, the Group steadily advanced key scientific research projects in respect of its engineering and technological innovation, making new progress in tackling key core technologies. During the Reporting Period, the national project “Technology and Equipment for Producing Biogasoline and Biodiesel from Waste Straw” undertaken by f the Group, passed the inspection and acceptance of project completion. This project is an important project of the National Key R&D Program “Solid Waste Resource Utilization”, focusing on key scientific and technological issues such as fluidized bed hydrogenation deoxygenation, production of flue gas purification agents from pyrolysis residues and scaling up of million-ton biogasoline and biodiesel production processes. The related achievements will further solve the problems of dispersed collection and extraction of waste biomass energy, pollution control and carbon dioxide reduction. During the Reporting Period, the Group improved the “Key Technologies for Increasing Low Carbon Olefins and BTX Produced from Heavy Raw Materials” in respect of the RTC (Efficient Catalytic Cracking of Heavy Oil) plant to further reduce energy consumption. Such technology provides strong technical support for the transformation and upgrading of refining enterprises from traditional fuel refineries to chemical refineries and will also lay a solid foundation for the Group to expand market development and undertake engineering projects in this field. During the Reporting Period, the first medical-grade 1,000-ton PGA (polyglycolic acid) new material pilot plant of Sinopec designed and constructed by the Group, the first 150,000 tons/year CHP method epoxy propane plant in China, the 12,000 tons/year EVOH resin industrial demonstration plant of Chuanwei, the 1,000-ton fluidized bed synthesis gas to olefin (GTO) pilot plant of Zhenhai Refining & Chemical and the application of high sulfur and high acid natural gas short process low-carbon purification technology had all achieved the milestone breakthrough goals. Continuous improvement of new industrialization capacities During the Reporting Period, the Group focused on developing new quality productive forces and building core competitiveness on innovation and practicality. In addition, the Group continuously advanced major new industrialization innovation projects such as integrated project management, lean design, intensive procurement, factory prefabrication, robot welding, factory digitization and intelligent operation and maintenance. Moreover, the Group deepened the application of new industrialization projects with “high-end, intelligent and green” as the core and took the Huajin Project as the carrier to fully research and leverage the valuable experience accumulated from projects such as Nangang Ethylene, Zhenhai POX and Singapore CRISP to strive to achieve significant innovation and breakthroughs. During the Reporting Period, the Group increased its efforts to explore and promote the application of standardization, automation, digitization and modular construction in engineering construction, and promoted the industrial application of intelligent equipment and technologies such as automatic welding and welding robots. QHSE maintaining a good momentum During the Reporting Period, the Group continuously improved its project QHSE control standards and the management system operated effectively. The Group comprehensively promoted the construction of the “three basics” work safety standardization team, strictly controlled the entry standards of subcontractors, carried out training and certification of three types of management personnel including team leaders and subcontractors and incorporated them into the requisite conditions for subcontractor qualification review for 2025. In addition, the Group implemented a long-term management model, continuously improved the awareness, skills and independent safety management level of on-site personnel and built a solid grassroots safety defense line. Moreover, the Group prepared green ecological design guidelines, strengthened energy and environmental source control of construction projects and promoted the energy conservation and environmental protection of construction projects. The Group also strengthened the integration and collaboration of design and construction, optimized construction methods and processes and accelerated the updating and iteration of construction equipment. The Group conducted comprehensive inspections of design quality and physical quality, strictly implemented risky contracting and hidden danger investigation and rectification work, strengthened process assessment and promoted the transformation of accident handling towards advance prevention. During the Reporting Period, ExxonMobil Huizhou Ethylene Project, a project designed and engineered by the Group, was awarded the “President’s Award for Safety of Global Project” by the owner in the second row. As of the end of the Reporting Period, the Company’s cumulative safety labor hours were 176 million, and the quality, safe and environmental protection were stabilized and controlled with no quality and environmental accidents. Continuously enhanced project management capabilities During the Reporting Period, the Group had 1,330 on-going domestic and overseas projects with over 110,000 on-site employees. During the reporting period, the Group continued to carry out its on-hand projects in a quality manner, strengthened the entire process management of projects, ensure assessment on project milestones, strengthened the management of contract changes and process settlement, raised the level of control and designate personal in charge for projects that default risks exist, effectively prevented production and operation risks; continued to carry out specialised projects of design optimization; continued to promote fusion of integrated design and construction with working experience to enhance design and construction efficiency. With strengthened the cultivation of strategic subcontractors, the Group initiated the development of standardized “safety-oriented” team, among which team leaders from 16 teams and certain contractors attended trainings and obtained the certificates. A total of over 800 persons attending these trainings, resulting in effective improvement of the execution ability of subcontracting resources and project quality. The Group actively prepared for the establishment of low-cost operation centers and resource allocation centers for overseas regional projects, continuously improving its ability to localize human resources management for overseas projects. The Group organized projects for enhancement of overseas purchase management and initiated the development of the platform for management of overseas purchase resources. Vigorously promoting the construction of talent team During the Reporting Period, the Group deeply implemented the development strategy of “building a strong enterprise by relying on talents” and carried out talent work from a broader perspective and with greater efforts. The Group focused on selecting cadres for corresponding teams, highlighting the selection and appointment of capable individuals, strengthening the management of the entire chain and process of cadre selection, cultivation, management and appointment and continuously implementing the “Dunmiao Plan” to cultivate and train young talents resulting in continuous improvement of the capabilities of the cadre team; focused on team construction and talent recruitment, highlighting the leading role of innovation, continuously optimizing and refining the “talent introduction, cultivation and encouragement” measures, carrying out pilot work for the introduction of key talents from the general public, continuously improving the expert management system, perfecting job management methods and strengthening the training and cultivation of technical and skilled talents at all levels and on-site management team leaders, resulting in continuous enhancement of the efficiency of talent innovation; and focused on deepening reform, improved the distribution method of total wages, fully implementing the term system and contractual management of management personnel at all levels to stimulate the high-quality development momentum of the Group. Business Prospects Looking forward to the second half of the year, the Group will focus on working arrangement to face challenges and capture opportunities, continue to enhance its core competitiveness, strengthen its layout in new business fields while strengthening and enlarging its traditional business, increase the pace of internationalization of its business, put more efforts in innovation, continue to enhance the green and low-carbon competitiveness of the whole industry chain, continuously improve its project fulfillment capability, and strive for better operating performance. The Group had set its target for market development set at the beginning of the year: RMB60 billion domestically and USD3 billion overseas. In the second half of the year, the Group will prioritize the following tasks: Continue the effort of Market development. Domestically, the Group will consolidate the advantage in traditional markets, accelerate the cultivation of the most competitive distinctive products with core competitiveness, speed up technology sourcing, industrial application and market development in the fields of high-end new materials, clean coal utilization, green hydrogen, green ammonia and green methanol, and strengthen the advantages of the whole industry chain; pursue upgrading of large-scale equipment, energy saving and emission reduction, phase-out and renovation of old equipment, thereby maintain leading position in the market. Internationally, the Group will continuously expand the circle of friends with a more open mindset, consolidate anddeepen relationships with clients and partners; take the road of ecological and collaborative globalization, continue to expand the scale of overseas markets, and expand the proportion of international business income; promote faster globalization of its “technology+” high-end businesses, strive to extend to the front end of the business chain, focusing on markets in Middle East, Middle Asia and Africa; and strengthen the development of its green, low-carbon and new energy businesses; and promote localized operation and forge high quality international operation capability by promoting the negotiation of the seed projects under the “EPC Champion Program” with Saudi Aramco. Project management. The Group will adhere to a customer-centric approach, strictly fulfill contracts and improve contract fulfillment capabilities to achieve joint enhancement of the value of shareholders, customers, society and employees; do a good job in the overall coordination, management and service support for project implementation, and in the overall implementation planning and personnel reserve for newly signed projects; strengthen overall project management and control, improve the management of schedule, revenue, cost plan and contract alteration, process settlement management to ensure the quality of effectiveness; accelerate the research progress and achievement transformation of various projects for “leading the new industrialization of the engineering construction industry”, promote the research and development of intelligent plant workshop technology, promote the improvement of plant intelligent manufacturing capabilities, and deepen the application of advanced technology and equipment; and strengthen the ability to control international resources, promote the construction of overseas lowcost centers, and further improve its capability to execute overseas projects. Risk control. The Group has initiated the construction of a major operational risk management platform, continuously strengthened legal risk prevention throughout the entire lifecycle of contracts, achieved risk control at the source with high-quality contracts and strictly guarded against financial, foreign exchange, tax, and credit risks. The Group will strengthen QHSE risk management, further promote the campaign of Annual Safety Management Enhancement, and comprehensively promote the development the “Safety-oriented team” from the training of team leaders. The Group will continue to focus on key indicators such as return on net assets and operating cash ratio to further solidify the profit foundation and enhance the profitability; continuously strengthen cost control through innovative technology, optimized design and lean management to improve the overall cost control level across all personnel, elements and processes. Summary of Financial Data and Indicators Prepared in Accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) Unit: RMB’000 Items As at 30 June 2024 As at 31 December 2023 Changes from the end of 2023 (%) Total assets 81,085,459 80,967,671 0.1 Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Company 31,090,440 30,842,143 0.8 Net assets per share attributable to equity holders of the Company (RMB) 7.06 6.87 0.8 Unit: RMB’000 Items For the six months ended 30 June Changes over the same period of 2023 (%) 2024 2023 Revenue 28,553,121 24,829,660 15.0 Gross profit 2,494,647 2,240,224 11.4 Operating profit 927,462 992,967 (6.6) Profit before taxation 1,513,067 1,499,126 0.9 Net profit attributable to equity holders of the Company 1,318,677 1,317,070 0.1 Basic earnings per share (RMB) 0.30 0.30 0.0 Net cash flow (used) in operating activities (4,200,177) (1,038,507) (304.4) Net cash flow (used) in operating activities per share (RMB) (0.95) (0.23) (304.4) Items For the six months ended 30 June 2024 2023 Gross profit margin (%) 8.7 9.0 Net profit margin (%) 4.6 5.3 Return on assets (%) 1.6 1.7 Return on equity (%) 4.2 4.3 Return on invested capital (%) 4.3 4.4 Items As at 30 June 2024 As at 31 December 2023 Asset-liability ratio (%) 61.6 61.9 ~ End ~ This press release is issued by PRChina Limited on behalf of SINOPEC Engineering (Group) Co., Ltd. About SINOPEC Engineering (Group) Co., Ltd. The Group is a leading energy and chemical engineering company in the PRC with strong international competitiveness and can provide domestic and overseas clients with overall solutions for petrol refining, petrochemicals, aromatics, coal chemicals, inorganic chemicals, pharmaceutical chemicals, clean energy, storage and transportation facilities, environmental protection and energy saving, among other industry sectors. The Group is an integrated service provider for the whole industry chain and the whole life cycle in energy and chemical industry and can provide overall industry chain services including engineering consulting, technology licensing, project management contracting, financing assistance, EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contracting, as well as design, procurement, construction and installation, lifting and transportation of large equipment, precommissioning and start-up. After nearly 70 years of continuous development, the Group currently has an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, three academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and more than10,000 professionals. The Group has rich project management and implementation experience, and owns and cooperatively owns patents and know-how in core business areas. The Group has delivered on schedule hundreds of modern factories with enormous investment, complicated process, advanced technology and high quality to clients in more than 20 countries and regions around the world, established long-term and steady cooperative relationships with large energy and chemical enterprises at home and abroad, maintained an extensive and stable client base, and enjoys remarkable industrial influence and social reputation. In the future, adhering to the development orientation of “Integrated Service Provider with Whole Industry Chain and Whole Life Cycle in Energy and Chemical Industry”, the Group will base itself on the energy and chemical engineering construction industry, continuously broaden its business scope and extend its value chain. The Group take “Engineering Innovation” and “Value Creation” as the development engines and deepen the implementation of the six development strategies of “Value-Oriented, Innovation-Driven, Green & Clean, Talent-Based, Globalization-Targeted, Fusion & Symbiosis”. The Group comprehensively improve the level of safe, efficient, green and lowcarbon service in the business chain, and fuel a new momentum in achieving the corporate vision of “building the world’s leading technology-oriented engineering company”. Disclaimer This press release includes “forward-looking statements”. All statements, other than statements of historical facts that address activities, events or developments that the Group expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including but not limited to projections, targets, other estimates and business plans) are forward-looking statements. The Group’s actual results or developments may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including but not limited to the price fluctuation, possible changes in actual demand, foreign exchange rate, market shares, competition, environmental risks, possible changes to laws, finance and regulations, conditions of the global economy and financial markets, political risks, possible delay of projects, government approval of projects, cost estimates and other factors beyond the Group’s control. In addition, the Group makes the forward-looking statements referred to herein as of today and undertakes no obligation to update these statements. Investor and Media Enquiries: SINOPEC Engineering (Group) Co., Ltd. - Office of the Board Liu Jingjing /Zheng Zhexia Tel: (86) 10 5673 0523 / (86) 10 5673 0525 Email: seg.ir@sinopec.com PRChina Limited David Shiu / Rachel Chen Tel: (852) 2522 1838 / (852) 2522 1368 Fax: (852) 2521 9955 Email: seg@prchina.com.hk File: [Press Release] SEG Announces 2024 Interim Results 18/08/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com

EQS Newswire / 16/08/2024 / 21:48 UTC+8 (Hong Kong, August 16, 2024) - AGTech Holdings Limited (HKEX stock code:8279, hereinafter referred to as "AGTech") is pleased to announce that on August 16, 2024, Ant Bank (Macao) Limited ("Ant Bank") has received Macao regulator's approval in relation to its share transfer and capital injection, after the completion of which AGTech shall become a controlling shareholder of Ant Bank. The said completion will take place after all the closing conditions under the relevant share transfer agreement have been fulfilled or waived, after which Ant Bank will become an indirect non-wholly owned subsidiary of AGTech. Further announcement(s) will be issued by AGTech where appropriate. 16/08/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com

EQS Newswire / 15/08/2024 / 22:18 UTC+8 Newborn Town (SEHK:9911) Issues Positive Profit Alert for H1 2024: Net Profit Expected to Increase by Over 20% Newborn Town released its positive profit alert for the first half of 2024 on August 15th. The company reported substantial revenue growth and sustained profit increases, driven by the smooth progress of various business segments and the continued release of market momentum in the MENA region. For the six months ending June 30th, 2024, the company's total revenue was estimated to be approximately RMB2,247 million to RMB2,297 million, reflecting a year-over-year growth of about 63.4% to 67.1%. Net profit was expected to range between RMB365 million to RMB400 million, representing an increase of 20.9% to 32.5% year-over-year. Profit attributable to the owners was estimated to range between RMB205 million to RMB240 million, showing an increase of 10.8% to 29.7%. Adjusted EBITDA is estimated to range between RMB430 million to RMB460 million, up 23.9% to 32.6% year-over-year. In the first half of 2024, the company continued developing its pan-audience social networking business. The first-mover products, MICO and YoHo, experienced steady growth, consistently contributing to cash flow and profits. TopTop and SUGO, as the second-mover products, also proliferated with their revenue shares continuously increasing. Meanwhile, Newborn Town has continued to expand its scale in the MENA region. Since entering this market in 2017, the company has been nurturing a robust business ecosystem, consequently establishing a strong entry barrier supported by localization strengths. According to Sensor Tower's revenue rankings of social apps in the MENA region from January to May 2024, MICO, YoHo, TopTop and SUGO ranked in the top 10 within their respective niche categories. In recent years, products like TopTop and SUGO have tapped into the MENA market to validate the business model. Embarking from concept to execution, the products advanced successfully, leveraging market experience to expand into the global markets, resulting in rapid growth. Benefiting from the improved product quality, TopTop was featured on the official Apple App Store in May, reaching users in dozens of countries and regions through recommendations, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Oman. Newborn Town leveraged refined operations in its diverse-audience social networking segment to strengthen its brand impact in key markets. Since 2024, the LGBTQ+ community platform HeeSay has launched a series of offline events in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Tokyo, and Los Angeles. By combining online and offline social interaction experiences, HeeSay has fostered a more profound sense of belonging and recognition among its users. The company also remains committed to supporting its innovative business while making steady strides in the social networking segment. In the first half of 2024, the quality games achieved remarkable results, generating RMB 387 million of recharge. The flagship game, Alice's Dream: Merge Games, has entered the charts published by Sensor Tower, being one of the top 30 Chinese mobile games by overseas revenue for two straight months in May and June. Another quality game, Taylor's Secret, is emerging as a strong contender in the mobile game market and is beginning to show promise. Moving forward, Newborn Town will leverage its localization capabilities to amplify its advantages in the MENA market's pan-audience social networking business. It will also continue to replicate more multi-million-dollar monthly revenue products. Simultaneously, the company will actively pursue growth in the diverse-audience social networking sector and quality games, aiming to serve a broader global user base and achieve diversified and sustainable progress. About Newborn Town Newborn Town has grown into a leading technology company which was listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) in 2019 under the stock code 9911. Committed to creating positive emotional values worldwide, Newborn Town has developed a diverse portfolio of applications in the social networking and entertainment sectors. Its social apps include MICO, YoHo, TopTop, SUGO and HeeSay, together with gaming products like Alice's Dream: Merge Games. These applications have achieved widespread acclaim, reaching over one billion users in over one hundred countries and regions.Newborn Town considers the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region a key market and has also extended its influence in Southeast Asia, Europe, the United States, Japan, and South Korea. The company aims to become the world's largest social entertainment company. For enquiries, please contact DLK Advisory pr@dlkadvisory.com File: Newborn Town (SEHK:9911) Issues Positive Profit Alert for H1 2024: Net Profit Expected to Increase by Over 20% 15/08/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com

EQS Newswire / 14/08/2024 / 10:25 UTC+8 New York, NY - August 13, 2024 - (SeaPRwire) - Michael Ettinger, Esq., founder and president of the Ettinger Law Firm, marks over four decades of dedicated service in elder law estate planning. He has been honored by Marquis Who's Who, a prestigious recognition of his noteworthy accomplishments and prominence in the legal profession. From Solo Practice to 13 Offices: The Growth of a Legal Legacy Born and raised in Montreal, Mr. Ettinger's educational background is as impressive as his professional achievements. He holds a Bachelor of French Civil Law and a Bachelor of English Common Law from McGill University, where he graduated with honors and was named a University Scholar. He further honed his legal expertise with a Master of Laws in international maritime law from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1978. Mr. Ettinger was admitted to practice by the New York Bar in 1980. Throughout his career, Mr. Ettinger has been actively involved in shaping the elder law field. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the New York State Bar Association. Moreover, he was a founding member of several prestigious organizations, including the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys and the American Academy of Special Needs Planning. His role as a founding member and past president of the American Association of Trust, Estate and Elder Law Attorneys further attests to Mr. Ettinger's leadership skills and commitment to advancing the profession. With a career spanning more than 40 years, Mr. Ettinger has focused exclusively on elder law estate planning since 1991. Now boasting 13 offices across New York State and a client base exceeding 40,000, his firm has become a reliable partner in helping older adults understand the complexities of estate planning, asset protection and health care considerations. "Our mission has always been to provide peace of mind to older adults and their families," says Mr. Ettinger. "By focusing solely on elder law estate planning, we've developed deep expertise that allows us to offer tailored solutions to our clients' unique needs." Under Mr. Ettinger's leadership, Ettinger Law Firm has grown exponentially. Its goal is to help older adults avoid probate proceedings, plan for disability, minimize legal fees and taxes, keep assets in the bloodline, and protect assets from long-term care costs. Authorship and Community Engagement Mr. Ettinger's commitment to his field extends beyond his legal practice. He is a prolific author, having published several respected legal publications demystifying elder law estate planning for the general public. His latest work, "Ettinger Law Firm's Guide to Protecting Your Future," released in 2023, provides comprehensive insights into elder law estate planning and includes extensive coverage of health and well-being for older adults. "As our practice has evolved, so has our understanding of the broader personal needs of our clients," Mr. Ettinger explains. "Our latest book reflects this perspective, addressing not just legal concerns but overall well-being for older adults." Mr. Ettinger's earlier works include "Ettinger on Elder Law Estate Planning" and "Elder Law Estate Planning." He also served as a contributing editor to "Understanding Living Trusts: How You Can Avoid Probate, Save Taxes and Enjoy Peace of Mind." Moreover, he has contributed to various legal publications, including the New York State Bar Journal, and has authored over 100 articles on estate planning and elder law topics. Mr. Ettinger further shares his expertise through his weekly radio show, where he offers valuable insights to the broader community on elder law and estate planning issues, and his weekly column published in thirteen newspapers as well as on his website, trustlaw.com. Despite the firm's success and growth, Mr. Ettinger emphasizes that the focus remains on quality over expansion. "Our goal isn't to be the biggest but to be the best at what we do," he concludes. "We're constantly improving our proprietary systems and processes to ensure a peaceful and worry-free environment for both our clients and our team." About Ettinger Law Firm The Ettinger Law Firm's mission statement reflects the firm's values, which include providing timely and accurate legal advice to clients and the community; assuring that clients receive the highest level of safety and security in a changing world; defending client rights and championing their just causes; and seeing to it that those who interact with the firm are satisfied beyond their expectations. About Marquis Who's Who Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com. Media Contact Company: Marquis Who's Who Ventures LLC Contact: Marquis Who's Who Digital Media Team Email: info@marquiswhoswho.com Website: www.marquiswhoswho.com 14/08/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com