Connect with us

Technology

Jianpu Technology Inc. Reports First Half Year 2024 Unaudited Financial Results

Published

on

BEIJING, Aug. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Jianpu Technology Inc. (“Jianpu,” or the “Company”) (OTCQB: AIJTY), a leading open financial technology platform in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first half year ended June 30, 2024.

First Half Year 2024 Operational and Financial Highlights:

Total revenues were RMB429.2 million (US$59.1 million) in the first half of 2024, decreasing by 25.3% from RMB574.9 million in the same period of 2023.Income from operations was RMB8.5 million (US$1.2 million) in the first half of 2024, compared with loss from operations of RMB34.2 million in the same period of 2023. The turnaround from an operation loss to an operation income can be attributed to the Company’s continuous focus on businesses optimization and commitment to efficiency improvements.Net income was RMB28.9 million (US$4.0 million) in the first half of 2024, turning from net loss of RMB21.7 million into profit on a year-over-year basis. Net income margin was 6.7% in the first half year of 2024, compared with net loss margin of 3.8% in the same period of 2023.

First Half Year 2024 Financial Results

Total revenues decreased by 25.3% to RMB429.2 million (US$59.1 million) in the first half of 2024 from RMB574.9 million in the same period of 2023.

Revenues from recommendation services decreased by 22.8% to RMB289.7 million (US$39.9 million) in the first half of 2024 from RMB375.2 million in the same period of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in revenues from recommendation services for credit cards as a result of the lower marketing budget of credit card issuers, partially offset by the increase in revenues from recommendation services for loans caused by the increase in the number of loan applications.

Revenues from digital intelligence as a service[1] decreased by 26.4% to RMB37.3 million (US$5.1 million) in the first half of 2024 from RMB50.7 million in the same period of 2023, primarily due to a gradual shift of the Company’s business model towards cooperation with licensed credit reporting agencies starting from the second half of 2023. Through the cooperation, which is mandated by the relevant PRC regulation, the Company, together with the licensed credit reporting agencies, provides digital intelligence as a service[1] to the financial institutions and share the economic interests accordingly. The decline was also partially due to the deconsolidation of Newsky Wisdom Treasure (Beijing) Co., Ltd, or Newsky Wisdom, in the second quarter of 2023.

Revenues from marketing and other services decreased by 31.4% to RMB102.2 million (US$14.1 million) in the first half of 2024 from RMB149.0 million in the same period of 2023, primarily due to the decreases of the insurance brokerage services and marketing solutions and services provided to telecommunication services providers.

Cost of promotion and acquisition decreased by 38.5% to RMB247.0 million (US$34.0 million) in the first half of 2024 from RMB401.5 million in the same period of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to the decreases in revenues from recommendation services for credit cards and those from marketing and other services, and to a lesser extent, the improvement in operational efficiency resulting from the strategic optimization of business structure.    

Cost of operation decreased by 26.8% to RMB28.1 million (US$3.9 million) in the first half of 2024 from RMB38.4 million in the same period of 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to the decrease in data acquisition costs related to the Company’s digital intelligence as a service[1] during its shift of business model, as well as the decrease in software development and maintenance costs due to the deconsolidation of Newsky Wisdom[2], partially offset by the increase in call center outsourcing costs.

Sales and marketing expenses were RMB64.4 million (US$8.9 million) in the first half of 2024, remaining relatively stable compared to those of RMB64.7 million in the same period of 2023.

Research and development expenses decreased by 25.6% to RMB37.0 million (US$5.1 million) in the first half of 2024 from RMB49.7 million in the same period of 2023, primarily due to the decrease in payroll expenses resulting from the Company’s continued efforts in cost optimization.

General and administrative expenses decreased by 19.5% to RMB44.2 million (US$6.1 million) in the first half of 2024, compared with RMB54.9 million in the same period of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to the decreases in professional fees and allowance for credit losses.

Income from operations was RMB8.5 million (US$1.2 million) in the first half of 2024, compared with a loss from operations of RMB34.2 million in the same period of 2023. Operating income margin was 2.0% in the first half of 2024, compared with a operating loss margin of 5.9% in the same period of 2023. The turnaround from an operation loss to an operation income can be attributed to the Company’s continuous focus on businesses optimization and commitment to efficiency improvements.

Others, net increased by 42.7% to RMB14.7 million (US$2.0 million) in the first half of 2024 from RMB10.3 million in the same period of 2023. The Company recognized a net investment gain of RMB7.8 million from the investment in Conflux Global and other crypto assets, as well as an investment gain of RMB5.9 million resulting from the termination of a non-controlling investment[2] in the first half of 2024; while the Company recognized an investment gain of RMB7.1 million resulting from the deconsolidation of Newsky Wisdom[2] in the same period of 2023.

Net income was RMB28.9 million (US$4.0 million) in the first half of 2024 compared with a net loss of RMB21.7 million in the same period of 2023. Net income margin was 6.7% in the first half of 2024, compared with a net loss margin of 3.8% in the same period of 2023.

Non-GAAP adjusted net income[3], which excluded share-based compensation expenses and investment gain of disposal of subsidiaries and equity investment, was RMB24.3 million (US$3.3 million) in the first half of 2024, compared with a Non-GAAP adjusted net loss[3] of RMB26.7 million in the same period of 2023. Non-GAAP adjusted net income margin[3] was 5.7% in the first half of 2024 compared with a Non-GAAP adjusted net loss margin[3] of 4.6% in the same period of 2023.

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA[4], which excluded share-based compensation expenses, investment gain of disposal of subsidiaries and equity investment, depreciation and amortization, interest income and expenses, and income tax benefits/(expenses) from net income/(loss), for the first half of 2024 was an income of RMB20.6 million (US$2.8 million), compared with a loss of RMB26.7 million in the same period of 2023.

As of June 30, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, time deposits and restricted cash and time deposits of RMB660.1 million (US$90.8 million) and working capital of approximately RMB362.8 million (US$49.9 million). Compared to those as of December 31, 2023, cash and cash equivalents, time deposits and restricted cash and time deposits decreased by RMB29.6 million.

Share Repurchase Program

As previously disclosed, the Company had been authorized to establish a share repurchase program in January 2024, under which the Company may repurchase up to US$3 million of its American depositary shares (“ADSs”) or Class A ordinary shares over the next 12 months. As of August 21, 2024, the Company had repurchased an aggregate of 448,192 of its ADSs and 40,631,775 of its Class A ordinary shares for a total cost of approximately US$1.5 million, including 284,147 ADSs (representing 5,682,940 Class A ordinary shares) and 40,537,205 Class A ordinary shares repurchased from Lightspeed China Partners I, L.P. and Lightspeed China Partners I-A, L.P.

Subsequent Event

In July 2024, the Group entered into a share transfer agreement with a third party. According to the share transfer agreement, the Group will transfer 100% of  the shares of Shanghai Anguo Insurance Brokerage Co., Ltd., or Anguo, which is an insurance brokage company that the Group acquired in December 2019, to the third party. Anguo held less than 10% of the Group’s total assets as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024, and contributed less than 10% of the Group’s revenue for both the year ended December 31, 2023 and the six months ended June 30, 2024. The transaction is expected to be completed in fiscal year 2024.

About Jianpu Technology Inc.

Jianpu Technology Inc. operates a leading open financial technology platform, under Rong360 brand, connecting users with an extensive spectrum of financial products and other products and services. By leveraging cutting-edge digital technology, the Company offers intelligent and comprehensive search and recommendation results in a seamless, efficient, and secure manner to meet the needs of its diverse audience. The Company also enables financial and non-financial partners to enhance their efficiency and competitiveness by offering digital intelligence as a service, including data- and analytical-based risk management, intelligent marketing, and other integrated solutions and services. As the Company expands into FinTech+ ecosystem and broadens its global footprint, it will continue to underscore its dedication to innovation and solidify its influence in the space of financial technology and digital transformation. For more information, please visit http://ir.jianpu.ai.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income/(loss), each a Non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating its operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes.

The Company believes that adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income/(loss) help identify underlying trends in its business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of the expenses and gains that the Company include in income/(loss) from operations and net income/(loss). The Company believes that adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income/(loss) provide useful information about its operating results, enhance the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by its management in its financial and operational decision-making.

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income/(loss) should not be considered in isolation or construed as alternatives to net income/(loss) or any other measure of performance or as indicators of the Company’s operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review the historical Non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income/(loss) presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to the Company’s data. The Company encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA before share-based compensation expenses and investment gain of disposal of subsidiaries and equity investment. EBITDA represents net income/(loss) before interest income and expenses, income tax benefits/(expenses) from net income/(loss), and depreciation and amortization.

Adjusted net income/(loss) represents net income/(loss) before share-based compensation expenses and investment gain of disposal of subsidiaries and equity investment.

For more information on this Non-GAAP financial measure, please see the table captioned “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP results” set forth at the end of this document.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company’s goals and strategies; the Company’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the Company’s expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its solutions and services; the Company’s expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with users, financial service providers and other parties it collaborates with; trends, competition and regulatory policies relating to the industries the Company operates in; general economic and business conditions globally and in China; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this document and in the attachments is as of the date of this document, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Jianpu Technology Inc.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

As of December 31,

As of June 30,

2023

2024

RMB

RMB

US$

ASSETS

Current assets:

    Cash and cash equivalents

344,569

312,946

43,063

    Time deposits

31,949

32,148

4,424

    Restricted time deposits

278,359

280,092

38,542

    Accounts receivable, net (including amounts billed
through related party of nil and RMB951 as of December
31, 2023 and June 30, 2024, respectively)

161,821

141,699

19,498

    Amount due from related parties

155

2,651

365

    Prepayments and other current assets

40,209

56,054

7,713

Total current assets

857,062

825,590

113,605

Non-current assets:

    Property and equipment, net

11,747

10,432

1,435

    Intangible assets, net

17,162

30,959

4,260

    Restricted cash and time deposits

34,846

34,924

4,806

    Other non-current assets

10,984

24,731

3,403

Total non-current assets

74,739

101,046

13,904

Total assets

931,801

926,636

127,509

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

    Short-term borrowings

236,212

227,193

31,263

    Accounts payable (including amounts billed through
related party of RMB3,253 and RMB801 as of December
31, 2023 and June 30, 2024, respectively)

106,461

100,915

13,886

    Advances from customers

46,142

49,420

6,800

    Tax payable

10,304

11,030

1,518

    Amount due to related parties

10,623

5,039

693

    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

89,541

69,144

9,515

Total current liabilities

499,283

462,741

63,675

Non-current liabilities:

    Deferred tax liabilities

3,405

3,205

441

    Other non-current liabilities

11,683

11,173

1,537

Total non-current liabilities

15,088

14,378

1,978

Total liabilities

514,371

477,119

65,653

Shareholders’ equity:

    Ordinary shares

286

286

39

    Treasury stock, at cost

(72,939)

(71,906)

(9,895)

    Additional paid-in capital

1,891,045

1,890,328

260,118

    Accumulated losses

(1,450,925)

(1,421,821)

(195,649)

    Statutory reserves

2,027

2,027

279

    Accumulated other comprehensive income

47,407

50,162

6,903

Total Jianpu’s shareholders’ equity

416,901

449,076

61,795

    Noncontrolling interests

529

441

61

Total shareholders’ equity

417,430

449,517

61,856

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

931,801

926,636

127,509

 

 

Jianpu Technology Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) 

(In thousands
except for number of shares and per
share data)

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

2023

2024

RMB

RMB

US$

Revenues:

Recommendation services [a]

375,172

289,741

39,870

Digital intelligence as a service[1] [b]

50,740

37,300

5,133

Marketing and other services

149,009

102,156

14,057

Total revenues

574,921

429,197

59,060

Costs and expenses:

Cost of promotion and acquisition [c]

(401,498)

(247,044)

(33,994)

Cost of operation [d]

(38,353)

(28,122)

(3,870)

Total cost of services

(439,851)

(275,166)

(37,864)

Sales and marketing expenses

(64,690)

(64,366)

(8,857)

Research and development expenses [e]

(49,700)

(37,033)

(5,096)

General and administrative expenses

(54,879)

(44,166)

(6,077)

Income/(Loss) from operations

(34,199)

8,466

1,166

Net interest income

2,034

6,275

863

Others, net

10,295

14,724

2,026

Income/(loss) before income tax

(21,870)

29,465

4,055

Income tax benefits/(expense)

162

(524)

(72)

Net income/(loss)

(21,708)

28,941

3,983

Less: net loss attributable to
  noncontrolling interests

(512)

(163)

(22)

Net income/(loss) attributable to
  Jianpu’s shareholders

(21,196)

29,104

4,005

Other comprehensive income

Foreign currency translation adjustments

20,018

2,829

389

Total other comprehensive income

20,018

2,829

389

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

(1,690)

31,770

4,372

Less: total comprehensive loss
  attributable to noncontrolling interests

(538)

(87)

(12)

Total comprehensive income/(loss)
  attributable to Jianpu’s shareholders

(1,152)

31,857

4,384

Net income/(loss) per share
  attributable to Jianpu’s shareholders

Basic

(0.05)

0.07

0.01

Diluted

(0.05)

0.07

0.01

Net income/(loss) per ADS attributable
  to Jianpu’s shareholders

Basic

(1.00)

1.38

0.19

Diluted

(1.00)

1.34

0.18

Weighted average number of shares

Basic

424,521,907

422,748,795

422,748,795

Diluted

424,521,907

435,934,033

435,934,033

[a] Including revenues from related party of RMB709 and RMB186 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

[b] Including revenues from related party of RMB1,628 and RMB22 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

[c] Including cost of promotion and acquisition from related party of RMB8 and RMB819 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024 respectively.

[d] Including cost of operation from related party of RMB471 and RMB493 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

[e] Including expenses from related party of RMB256 and RMB38 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

 

 

Jianpu Technology Inc.
Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results

 (In thousands)

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

2023

2024

RMB

RMB

US$

Net income/(loss)

(21,708)

28,941

3,983

Add: Share-based compensation
  expenses

2,086

1,165

160

Investment gain of disposal of
subsidiaries and equity investment[2]

(7,057)

(5,850)

(805)

Non-GAAP adjusted net income
/(loss)[3] 

(26,679)

24,256

3,338

Add: Depreciation and amortization

2,216

2,050

282

Net interest income

(2,034)

(6,275)

(863)

Income tax expenses/(benefits)

(162)

524

72

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA[4]

(26,659)

20,555

2,829

 

[1] Starting from the first half of 2024, the Company updated the description of its revenue stream “big data and system-based risk management services” to “digital intelligence as a service” to provide more relevant and clear information. It also updated the revenue description in comparative periods to conform to the current classification.

[2] In May 2023, the Group (Jianpu, its subsidiaries, and VIEs together are referred to as the “Group”) entered into a share transfer agreement with the founder and minority shareholder of Newsky Wisdom, which is one of the subsidiaries of the Group before the completion of the share transfer. During the second quarter of 2023, according to the share transfer agreement, the Group transferred 35.5% shares to the founder of Newsky Wisdom and consequently became a minority shareholder of Newsky Wisdom, and the Group no longer has control over Newsky Wisdom. The investment gain of RMB7.1 million was recognized in the second quarter of 2023 accordingly. In August 2023, the Group entered into a share transfer agreement with a third-party buyer to sell its remaining 15% equity interests in Newsky Wisdom. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the transaction was completed. The investment gain of RMB5.5 million was recognized accordingly.

In January 2024, the Company, together with other shareholders of an investee company, entered into an investment termination agreement with the investee company, according to which the company’s investment into the investee company was terminated and the investee company would pay the Company US$0.8 million as compensation for such termination.  The compensation was fully paid to the Company in January 2024. The investment had been fully impaired by the Company in the year 2022, and therefore, the termination led to an investment gain of US$0.8 million in January 2024.

[3] Non-GAAP adjusted net income/(loss) represents net income/(loss) before share-based compensation expenses and investment gain of disposal of subsidiaries and equity investment. See “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” at the end of this document for more details about Non-GAAP adjusted net income/(loss). Non-GAAP adjusted net income/(loss) margin equals Non-GAAP adjusted net income/(loss) divided by total revenues.

[4] Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA before share-based compensation expenses, investment gain of disposal of subsidiaries and equity investment. EBITDA represents net income/(loss) before interest income and expenses, income tax benefits/(expenses) from net income/(loss), and depreciation and amortization. See “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” for more details.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jianpu-technology-inc-reports-first-half-year-2024-unaudited-financial-results-302229425.html

SOURCE Jianpu Technology Inc.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Tech employment ends year with uptick in hiring, CompTIA analysis finds

Published

on

By

Tech unemployment rate falls to 2%

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Tech hiring increased during the latest jobs data release, resulting in a corresponding decrease in the tech unemployment rate, CompTIA, the world’s leading provider of vendor-neutral information technology (IT) training and certification products, reported today.

Analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) #JobsReport data reveals the tech unemployment rate dropped to 2% in December, the lowest level since November 2023. The national unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 4.1% for the month.

The base of tech employment throughout the economy increased by a net new 7,000 positions. In the aggregate the core tech workforce totals nearly 6.5 million workers.¹

Employment within the technology industry sector, encompassing all types of workers, declined by 6,117 jobs.² Positions in PC, semiconductor and components manufacturing accounted for the bulk of the cuts. The tech sector employs nearly 5.6 million people, which translates to a percentage decline of 1%.

“This marks the 100th release of the CompTIA Tech Jobs report,” noted Tim Herbert, chief research officer, CompTIA. “What an incredible journey in tracking tech workforce trends over the past decade. A true honor to be at the center of such an innovative and dynamic space.”

There were 434,415 active employer job postings for tech positions in December, including 165,189 newly added during the month.³ Both totals were down from November. Positions in software development and engineering, IT project management, cybersecurity, data science and analysis and tech support had the most activity.

Companies with the largest numbers of December job postings included Amazon, Accenture, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, GovCIO, Robert Half, Lumen Technologies and Insight Global.

Employers listed open positions at all career levels. Among postings that specified a work experience requirement, 22% sought candidates with 0-3 years of experience; 28% of openings sought workers with 4-7 years of experience; and 16%, 8 years or more.

Across all tech occupations 45% of December job postings did not specify a four-year degree requirement for applicants. Openings for network support specialists (85%), tech support specialists (72%) and computer programmers (54%) had notably higher percentages.

The “CompTIA Tech Jobs Report” is available at https://www.comptia.org/content/tech-jobs-report.

About CompTIA
CompTIA Inc. is the world’s leading provider of vendor-neutral information technology (IT) training and certification products. CompTIA unlocks potential in millions of aspiring technology professionals and careers changers. Working in partnership with thousands of academic institutions and training providers, CompTIA helps students build career-ready skills through best-in-class learning solutions, industry-recognized certifications and career resources.
Learn more at https://www.comptia.org/.

Media Contact
Steven Ostrowski
CompTIA
sostrowski@comptia.org
+1.630.678.8468

¹ Monthly occupation level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tends to experience higher levels of variance and volatility.
² Labor market data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and employer job postings from Lightcast may be subject to backward revisions.
³ Active job postings include open postings carried over from previous months and new postings added by employers.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tech-employment-ends-year-with-uptick-in-hiring-comptia-analysis-finds-302348198.html

SOURCE CompTIA

Continue Reading

Technology

Iktos and Cube Biotech Announce Launch of Small Molecule AI Drug Discovery Collaboration

Published

on

By

Partnership will leverage Iktos’s AI-enabled drug discovery platform and Cube Biotech’s advanced protein technologies to develop novel agonists of the Amylin Receptor

PARIS and MONHEIM, Germany, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Iktos, a leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics for drug design, and Cube Biotech, a pioneer in membrane protein production and purification technologies, today announced a strategic collaboration to discover novel small molecule agonists of the Amylin Receptor.

The partnership combines Iktos’ generative AI-driven drug discovery and robotic synthesis platform with Cube Biotech’s advanced native membrane protein technology NativeMPTM, as well as their purification and biophysical assay expertise, to accelerate the development of breakthrough therapies. This paves the way for a joint collaborative offering directed towards pharmaceutical companies, combining the strengths of both platforms to undertake their most challenging drug discovery programs.

Amylin receptor agonists hold significant promise for addressing unmet medical needs in cardiometabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic hepatitis (MASH). The Amylin Receptor regulates appetite and satiety, making it a compelling target for obesity, which affects over one-third of the global population. Existing GLP-1 receptor agonist therapies like semaglutide or the peptide Amylin analogue Pramlintide have limited impact due to high costs, accessibility, and undesirable side effects.

Orally administered novel small molecule agonists of the Amylin receptor could overcome these barriers, offering scalable and effective treatments and providing better management for the growing obesity epidemic and its comorbidities. However, the receptor’s structural and biological complexity has long posed challenges for discovering viable low-molecular-weight modulators.

“By tackling one of the most pressing unmet needs in cardiometabolic disorders, our partnership with Cube Biotech aims to discover improved treatments for patients affected by obesity, diabetes, and related conditions,” said Yann Gaston-Mathé, Co-founder and CEO of Iktos. “We are excited to add the Amylin Receptor to our pipeline as this complex, yet promising target demands innovation at every stage. We see this collaboration as a foundation for future initiatives, extending the reach of our combined platform to address the most challenging membrane targets for the benefit of our pharma partners.”

Iktos has developed a cutting-edge 3D generative chemistry technology for structure-guided de novo design that natively accounts for protein flexibility during molecule optimization—a key advantage over models like AlphaFold, which can only be applied post-molecule generation. Cube Biotech has developed a world-leading protein production platform, based on NativeMP™ technology, which preserves the natural configuration of membrane proteins – a key advantage in accessing biologically active drug targets for testing. The company’s native protein stabilization technology enhances the reliability and precision of functional assays, structural insights, and downstream applications.

“Amylin Receptor is a challenging but highly promising target for metabolic disorders”, said Dr. Barbara Maertens, Co-founder and COO of Cube Biotech. “Through our collaboration with Iktos, we aim to leverage our advanced protein stabilization and structural analysis technologies to validate and accelerate the discovery of novel small molecule agonists. Together, we are setting a new standard for efficiency and innovation in drug discovery.”

These integrated technologies endeavor to overcome longstanding inefficiencies in drug discovery, shortening timelines, improving success rates, and unlocking new possibilities for targeting complex and historically elusive membrane proteins, such as G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), membrane transporters, ion channels, and others.

About Iktos

Iktos is a leader in artificial intelligence and robotic solutions applied to research in medicinal chemistry and new drug design. Iktos’ proprietary and innovative generative AI solution enables the design of molecules that are optimized in silico to meet all the success criteria of a small molecule discovery project. The use of Iktos technology enables major productivity gains in upstream pharmaceutical R&D. Iktos offers its technology through the SaaS software platforms Makya™ for generative drug design and Spaya™ for retrosynthesis, and through strategic collaborations with pharma companies where Iktos mobilizes its unique platform and leading-edge capabilities to expedite small molecule drug discovery for the benefit of its partners. Iktos has also developed Iktos Robotics, a unique AI-driven synthesis automation platform that dramatically accelerates the Design-Make-Test-Analyze cycle in drug discovery and is developing its own pipeline of drug candidates targeting oncology and auto-immune and inflammatory diseases. In March 2023, Iktos completed a 15.5M€ Series A financing round co-led by M Ventures and Debiopharm Innovation with contribution by Omnes Capital. In July 2024, Iktos announced the acquisition of Synsight, thereby complementing its Chemistry AI platform with a groundbreaking biology platform for the discovery of new drugs targeting Protein-Protein Interactions (PPI) and RNA-Protein Interactions (RPI).

About Cube Biotech Cube Biotech is a leader in membrane protein production, purification, and characterization technologies. With proprietary copolymer-based solutions that maintain biological integrity in native-like protein states, Cube Biotech enables groundbreaking research in challenging drug targets, including membrane receptors, protein co-expressions, and even larger complexes.

The company’s expertise in assay development, biophysical characterization, and structural resolution supports efficient drug discovery workflows across the pharmaceutical and biotechnical industries. Additionally, an extensive purification resin and magnetic bead portfolio for affinity chromatography and efficient protein purification is manufactured in-house at high quality. For more information, visit www.cube-biotech.com.

Media Contact:
Eleonora Echegaray
P: 35 823189279
E: 388591@email4pr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iktos-and-cube-biotech-announce-launch-of-small-molecule-ai-drug-discovery-collaboration-302348215.html

SOURCE Iktos

Continue Reading

Technology

Rule 10b-5 Private Securities-Fraud Litigation Peaked in 4Q’24

Published

on

By

BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SAR, a data analytics company specialized in the securities litigation risk of U.S. public companies, today published the Securities Class Action Rule 10b-5 Exposure Report for 4Q 2024. According to the report, securities litigation exposure of public company defendants that trade in the NYSE and NASDAQ peaked during the fourth quarter of 2024, when records were set across the buoyant U.S. equity markets. During the bullish market conditions of 2024, shareholders claimed approx. $665.2 billion in market capitalization losses due to alleged violations of Rule 10b-5 – the most in the last five years.

Rule 10b-5 settlements increased over 20% in 2024 relative to the last 6 years.

According to the report, global quarterly Rule 10b-5 securities litigation exposure in 2024 was 17% greater than the average of 2023. Actual monetary settlements with investor plaintiffs last year were, on average, 23% greater than during the last six years.

SAR data and analysis indicate that the litigation exposure of U.S. public company defendants amounts to approximately $380.3 billion in 2H 2024. Shareholders claimed approximately $4.0 billion in market capitalization losses per securities class action filing, and approximately $2.0 billion per allegedly fraud-related stock drop in 2H 2024. The former metric increased by 32.1%, and the latter by 15.4% during the second half of 2024.

“Our data and analyses indicate that securities litigation exposure against U.S. public companies peaked in the fourth quarter of last year. This peak may be short-lived with an expected increase in volatility and new headwinds for U.S. equities given greater shareholder scrutiny of corporate disclosures. With average Rule 10b-5 settlements over 20% greater in 2024 than during the last six years, litigation activity is expected to increase in 2025,” said Anthony Kabanek, EVP of SAR.

According to the report, in 2023 and 2024 investor plaintiffs claimed $13.6 billion and $20.5 billion, respectively, in private Rule 10b-5 securities-fraud class actions that relied on short-seller research.

Key takeaways:

86 U.S. issuers were sued for alleged violations of Rule 10b-5 during 2H 2024. Based on allegations presented in the first-filed class action complaint against each defendant issuer, U.S. SCA Rule 10b-5 Exposure amounts to $259.4 billion. U.S. SCA Rule 10b-5 Exposure decreased -5.4% relative to 1H 2024.

U.S. SCA Rule 10b-5 Exposure peaked in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, followed by a decline to trend in the 4th quarter of 2024.

9 Non-U.S. issuers were sued for alleged violations of Rule 10b-5 during 2H 2024. Based on allegations presented in the first-filed class action complaint against each defendant issuer, ADR SCA Rule 10b-5 Exposure amounts to $120.9 billion. ADR SCA Rule 10b-5 Exposure increased by 11.3x relative to 1H 2024.

An anomalously high 4th quarter exposure among Non-U.S. issuers contributed to a remarkably volatile year for ADR SCA Rule 10b-5 Exposure.

Rule 10b-5 private securities-fraud filing frequency and potential loss severity need not move in tandem. Global exposure increased by approximately 34% in the 2H 2024 relative to 1H 2024, while filing frequency remained relatively stable.

38 U.S. Large Caps were sued for alleged violations of Rule 10b-5 in 2H 2024, the same observed frequency as 1H 2024. The U.S. Large Cap SCA Rule 10b-5 Exposure amounts to $233.7 billion, a decrease of 10.1% relative to 1H 2024.

22 U.S. Mid Caps were sued for alleged violations of Rule 10b-5 In 2H 2024. The U.S. Mid Cap SCA Rule 10b-5 Exposure amounts to $19.8 billion, more than 3 times the amount in 1H 2024.

26 U.S. Small Caps were sued for alleged violations of Rule 10b-5. The U.S. Small Cap SCA Rule 10b-5 Exposure amounts to $5.9 billion, a decrease of 33% relative to 1H 2024.

9 Non-U.S. issuers that trade via ADRs in the U.S. public markets were sued for alleged violations of Rule 10b-5. The ADR SCA Rule 10b-5 Exposure increased by over 11.3x to ~$121 billion, relative to 1H 2024.

Media contact: info@sarlit.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rule-10b-5-private-securities-fraud-litigation-peaked-in-4q24-302348187.html

SOURCE SAR

Continue Reading

Trending