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Precision Biologics to Present at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting on June 1st, 2024

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BETHESDA, Md., May 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Precision Biologics, Inc. reports that novel findings from its ongoing phase 2 clinical trial, combining NEO-201 with pembrolizumab for the treatment of patients resistant to prior checkpoint inhibitor therapy, will be presented in a poster at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2024 Annual Meeting, McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA, June 1st, 2024.  

Poster title: Reduction of circulating naïve Tregs and gMDSCs and low levels of soluble MICA are prognostic for efficacy of combined NEO-201 and pembrolizumab

Presentation of the poster in person will be made at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois, USA, on Saturday June 1st, 2024, Hall A from 9am – 12pm, Session: Developmental Therapeutics-Immunotherapy, poster board #9, poster # 2530.

BACKGROUND:

The employment of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1 mAb), in cancer immunotherapy has been shown to enhance activity of the immune system against cancer cells.
 Although ICIs show efficacy and improved survival of certain cancer patients, the response rate of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade against solid tumors is around 20-30% in the first line setting and significantly lower in checkpoint refractory disease. One cause identified for this low response rate is the infiltration of the tumor microenvironment (TME) by immunosuppressive cells, such as regulatory T cells (Tregs) and granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (gMDSCs). The accumulation of these immunosuppressive cells in the TME impairs the antitumor immunity triggered by ICIs.  
 A strategy to restore antitumor immunity and overcome tumor resistance to ICIs is to combine ICIs with anticancer drugs able to bind to and deplete Tregs and gMDSCs.
 NEO-201 is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds to Core 1 and/or extended Core 1 O-glycans expressed by several human solid and blood tumors, as well as mature granulocytes, but it does not bind to most normal tissues and human immune cell subsets (B cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, NK cells, monocytes). Previous studies showed that NEO-201 can bind and mediate the killing of Tregs via CDC. Further studies presented at AACR in 2023 showed that NEO-201 can bind and mediate the killing of gMDSCs via ADCC.
 The ability of NEO-201 to mediate the killing of immunosuppressive cells served as the rationale for combination of NEO-201 with pembrolizumab in the ongoing phase II clinical trial (NCT03476681) for the treatment of patients with NSCLC, head and neck, cervical and endometrial cancers who were refractory to multiple lines of standard treatment, including ICIs.
 Preliminary findings from this ongoing clinical trial presented at the CRI-ENCI-AACR in September 2023 in Milan, Italy and at the SITC annual meeting in November 2023 in San Diego, CA, USA, revealed that, after combination treatment with NEO-201 and pembrolizumab some patients experienced durable stable disease (SD). Patients with durable SD (>84 days) demonstrated a decreasing trend in circulating gMDSCs and Tregs. Conversely, patients with progressive disease (PD) exhibited an increasing trend of circulating gMDSCs and Tregs. This preliminary data suggests that elimination of circulating gMDSCs and Tregs mediated by NEO-201 may enable patients to overcome resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors, in subjects for whom pembrolizumab is currently indicated and with solid tumors resistant to prior ICIs treatment.

STUDY PRESENTED AT ASCO 2024:

NEO-201 uses Natural Killer (NK) cells as effector cells to mediate the killing of its target cells through ADCC. Several studies reported that cancer cells inhibit NK cell antitumor activity by releasing soluble factors into the bloodstream, such as soluble MHC class 1 chain-related protein A (MICA.) Elevated serum levels of soluble MICA (sMICA) have been correlated with impairment of NK cell activity, cancer progression and metastasis.
 This study reports that median serum levels of sMICA pre-treatment were 33-fold higher in patients with PD compared to patients with SD and that levels of sMICA remained elevated in patients with PD and low in patients with SD at all time points post treatment.
 High levels of sMICA in patients with PD can impair NK cell activity. This impairment negatively impacts the NK cell mediated ADCC triggered by NEO-201 against cancer cells, Tregs and gMDSCs. Consequently, the effectiveness of NEO-201 and pembrolizumab treatment is reduced, leading to disease progression in these patients.
 Conversely, low levels of sMICA pre- and post-treatment do not hinder the antitumoral activity of NK cells. This allows NEO-201 to effectively mediate the killing of its target cells, including cancer cells, Tregs and gMDSCs, through ADCC. As a result, this phenomenon can lead to the durable stabilization of the disease. 
 This study reports that low levels of sMICA, together with the reduction of both circulating Tregs and gMDSCs mediated by NEO-201, were associated with durable SD in cancer patients refractory to prior ICIs and that they could be favorable prognostic markers for clinical benefit following combination treatment with NEO-201 and pembrolizumab. Ongoing enrollment in this clinical trial will validate these findings in larger cohorts.

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SOURCE Precision Biologics

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ST Engineering iDirect and MBSat Partner to Build Next-Generation Sovereign Connectivity Services Across Oman and the Middle East

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Intuition ground system selected to support MBSat’s planned 2027 service launch, enabling accelerated deployment, dynamic resource management and scalable service growth

HERNDON, Va., Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ST Engineering iDirect today announced a strategic partnership with Mohammed Al Barwani Satellite Company (MBSat), part of Mohammed Al Barwani Group, to provide the ground system technology foundation for MBSat’s next-generation satellite gateway and network operations across Oman and the wider Middle East region. Intuition will provide a flexible, software-defined foundation to support sovereign connectivity services, enabling efficient service deployment, dynamic resource management and scalable network operations.

Intuition will deliver a turnkey ground segment solution that accelerates deployment, simplifies operations and gives MBSat the flexibility to scale services as demand grows. The software-defined platform enables dynamic resource management, service automation and seamless integration with existing and future operational systems. The solution also includes Ka-band gateway infrastructure, service provisioning and management capabilities, open API integration frameworks, training and full-lifecycle support. Together, these capabilities will help MBSat launch and operate services efficiently while adapting to evolving market requirements.

The network will leverage capacity from MB Sat-1, a sovereign MicroGEO satellite, with planned service launch in 2027, to support flexible, scalable connectivity services across the region.

The partnership reflects growing investment in sovereign communications infrastructure across the Middle East as operators seek greater control over service delivery, network expansion and long-term technology evolution.

“This partnership represents an important milestone in our efforts to build an advanced satellite communications platform in Oman and the region,” said Ammar Al Rawahi, General Manager, MBSat. “Through our collaboration with ST Engineering iDirect, we are establishing the technical infrastructure required to launch services efficiently, respond to evolving customer needs and expand into new markets, supporting the sustainable long-term growth of our business.”

“We are providing MBSat with a flexible, software-defined ground platform that integrates with its existing operational environment,” said Sridhar Kuppanna, Chief Executive Officer, ST Engineering iDirect. “This enables more efficient service deployment and operations today, with the flexibility to scale, introduce new capabilities and evolve as requirements change.”

About ST Engineering iDirect

ST Engineering iDirect, a subsidiary of ST Engineering, is a global leader in satellite communications, providing technology and solutions that enable its customers to expand their business, differentiate their services and optimize their networks. Through its portfolio of ground infrastructure, intelligent networking and advanced satellite communications solutions, the company supports operators, service providers, governments and enterprises worldwide.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/st-engineering-idirect-and-mbsat-partner-to-build-next-generation-sovereign-connectivity-services-across-oman-and-the-middle-east-302918467.html

SOURCE ST Engineering iDirect

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ST Engineering iDirect and MBSat Partner to Build Next-Generation Sovereign Connectivity Services Across Oman and the Middle East

Published

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Intuition ground system selected to support MBSat’s planned 2027 service launch, enabling accelerated deployment, dynamic resource management and scalable service growth

HERNDON, Va., Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ST Engineering iDirect today announced a strategic partnership with Mohammed Al Barwani Satellite Company (MBSat), part of Mohammed Al Barwani Group, to provide the ground system technology foundation for MBSat’s next-generation satellite gateway and network operations across Oman and the wider Middle East region. Intuition will provide a flexible, software-defined foundation to support sovereign connectivity services, enabling efficient service deployment, dynamic resource management and scalable network operations.

Intuition will deliver a turnkey ground segment solution that accelerates deployment, simplifies operations and gives MBSat the flexibility to scale services as demand grows. The software-defined platform enables dynamic resource management, service automation and seamless integration with existing and future operational systems. The solution also includes Ka-band gateway infrastructure, service provisioning and management capabilities, open API integration frameworks, training and full-lifecycle support. Together, these capabilities will help MBSat launch and operate services efficiently while adapting to evolving market requirements.

The network will leverage capacity from MB Sat-1, a sovereign MicroGEO satellite, with planned service launch in 2027, to support flexible, scalable connectivity services across the region.

The partnership reflects growing investment in sovereign communications infrastructure across the Middle East as operators seek greater control over service delivery, network expansion and long-term technology evolution.

“This partnership represents an important milestone in our efforts to build an advanced satellite communications platform in Oman and the region,” said Ammar Al Rawahi, General Manager, MBSat. “Through our collaboration with ST Engineering iDirect, we are establishing the technical infrastructure required to launch services efficiently, respond to evolving customer needs and expand into new markets, supporting the sustainable long-term growth of our business.”

“We are providing MBSat with a flexible, software-defined ground platform that integrates with its existing operational environment,” said Sridhar Kuppanna, Chief Executive Officer, ST Engineering iDirect. “This enables more efficient service deployment and operations today, with the flexibility to scale, introduce new capabilities and evolve as requirements change.”

About ST Engineering iDirect

ST Engineering iDirect, a subsidiary of ST Engineering, is a global leader in satellite communications, providing technology and solutions that enable its customers to expand their business, differentiate their services and optimize their networks. Through its portfolio of ground infrastructure, intelligent networking and advanced satellite communications solutions, the company supports operators, service providers, governments and enterprises worldwide.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/st-engineering-idirect-and-mbsat-partner-to-build-next-generation-sovereign-connectivity-services-across-oman-and-the-middle-east-302918467.html

SOURCE ST Engineering iDirect

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Global Security & Technology Summit Unveils Month-Long Program of Activities Ahead of December Event

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Organizing Committee of the Global Security & Technology Summit (GSTS) held an introductory session today at the Ministry of Interior’s headquarters in Riyadh, bringing together representatives from the government, private, and nonprofit sectors to introduce the program of activities leading up to the summit. The upcoming summit will be held in Riyadh under the patronage of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, under the supervision of HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Interior, and organized by the Ministry of Interior in cooperation with Tuwaiq Academy.

During the session, the Organizing Committee presented the comprehensive GSTS program, comprising three key components: GSTS Month, running from November 1 to 30, 2026; the Global Security & Innovation Fair (SAIF), taking place from November 24 to 26, 2026; and the main Summit, scheduled for December 18 to 20, 2026, in Riyadh. Together, these events form an integrated program designed to advance security and technology innovation, strengthen national capabilities, and foster international cooperation.

GSTS Month will feature working groups, boot camps, training programs, knowledge-sharing sessions, and technical workshops across Saudi Arabia’s 13 administrative regions, delivered both in person and remotely in collaboration with specialized entities. The month-long program aims to develop national capabilities, identify emerging talent, enrich knowledge-sharing opportunities, and equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to develop innovative solutions to future security and technology challenges.

The main Summit will bring together global leaders, decision-makers, experts, and innovators to explore the future of security and technology, promote the integration of advanced technologies within the security sector, strengthen national capabilities, support innovation, and foster international cooperation, further positioning the Kingdom as a global hub for security and technology.

Showcasing the latest technological breakthroughs and security solutions, the summit will bring together government entities, private sector organizations, academic institutions, and research centers to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration across key fields, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), smart security solutions, emerging technologies, and crisis management. The program will also feature main sessions, specialized discussions, and interactive exhibitions. Registration is available at gsts.sa.

Advisor to HRH the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the GSTS Organizing Committee, Ahmed Altowayan, stated that the summit builds on Saudi Arabia’s efforts to establish an advanced security and technology ecosystem focused on knowledge and innovation, keeping pace with rapid developments and future challenges.

Mr. Altowayan noted that the summit is a global platform for strengthening cooperation and exchanging expertise, anticipating future developments in security and technology, and developing strategic partnerships and innovative solutions that enhance the efficiency and readiness of security systems.

Vice Chairman of the GSTS Organizing Committee, Eng. Abdulaziz Alhammadi, said that the summit will offer a range of integrated programs and activities focused on enhancing national skills, encouraging innovation, and supporting international cooperation.

He added that GSTS Month will help build national capabilities, discover talent, and develop skills, with SAIF providing a platform for innovators and researchers from around the world to showcase leading technological solutions, while the main Summit will bring together leaders and experts to discuss the future of security and technology and explore new strategic partnership opportunities.

SAIF will take place at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center, bringing together innovators, researchers, technology talents, and industry experts from around the world to showcase promising innovations and projects across 14 fields of technology and innovation. The fair will provide opportunities to engage with project owners, including students, graduates, and entrepreneurs, and explore the different stages of innovation development through interactive zones, panel discussions on emerging security and innovation trends, and knowledge-sharing workshops led by specialists. Visitor registration is open to participants from within and outside the Kingdom through saifair.sa.

The introductory session also featured contributions from representatives of government, private, and nonprofit sector entities, alongside members of the media. Discussions focused on developing national capabilities in security and technology, strengthening students’ technical expertise, translating scientific research into practical solutions, and supporting Saudi companies in developing security and technology solutions and advancing digital transformation.

Organized by the Ministry of Interior in cooperation with Tuwaiq Academy, GSTS is produced by Tahaluf, with the Ministry of Education serving as Strategic Scientific Partner, Tahakom as Founding Partner, and Elm as Principal Partner.

Registration for participants from within and outside the Kingdom is available at gsts.sa.

Click here to view the media kit. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/global-security–technology-summit-unveils-month-long-program-of-activities-ahead-of-december-event-302918695.html

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