Category: Business

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Business

UroGen Pharma to present at Ladenburg Thalmann Healthcare Conference

PRINCETON, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — UroGen Pharma Ltd (Nasdaq:URGN), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to building and commercializing novel solutions that treat specialty cancers and urologic diseases, today announced that it will present at the Ladenburg Thalmann Healthcare Conference on July 14, 2021 at 12:00pm Eastern Time.

 

A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the Investors section of UroGen’s website, www.urogen.com. A replay of each webcast will be available on the website for approximately 30 days.

 

About UroGen Pharma Ltd.

UroGen is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to building novel solutions that treat specialty cancers and urologic diseases because patients deserve better options. UroGen has developed RTGel™ reverse-thermal hydrogel, a proprietary sustained release, hydrogel-based platform technology that has the potential to improve therapeutic profiles of existing drugs. UroGen’s sustained release technology is designed to enable longer exposure of the urinary tract tissue to medications, making local therapy a potentially more effective treatment option. UroGen’s first commercial product, and investigational treatment UGN-102 (mitomycin) for intravesical solution for patients with low-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, are designed to ablate tumors by non-surgical means. UroGen is headquartered in Princeton, NJ with operations in Israel. Visit www.urogen.com to learn more or follow us on Twitter, @UroGenPharma.

Contacts

INVESTOR CONTACT:
Lee Roth

lroth@burnsmc.com
212-213-0006

MEDIA CONTACT:
Eric Van Zanten

Head of Communications

Eric.VanZanten@urogen.com
610-529-6219

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Business

SumRidge Partners, LLC announces the hiring of Marshall Nicholson as senior advisor

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — SumRidge Partners, LLC, (SumRidge) a top-ranked principal based fixed income market maker, announces the hiring of Marshall Nicholson as a Senior Advisor to the firm. Mr. Nicholson has over 20 years of experience in electronic fixed income trading, having served as President of Millennium Advisors, LLC, and, most recently, as President of ICE Bonds.

“After a record 2020 in which we traded approximately $100 billion in fixed income securities with over 1,000 distinct counterparties, we are excited to partner up with Marshall. We are confident that his industry experience and knowledge will no doubt help us navigate our next phase of planned growth, delivering value for our colleagues, clients, and shareholders, said Kevin Morano, Chairman of SumRidge Partners, LLC. Mr. Nicholson’s focus will largely encompass electronic distribution opportunities, geographic and product expansion strategies, as well as broadening relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, regulators and vendors.

 

“I am most pleased to join the team at SumRidge Partners. What the organization has built over the last decade is remarkable and a testament to not only vision, but more importantly executing on that vision. The business is well positioned to capitalize on the continued evolving of the fixed income markets and I look forward to being part of that,” said Mr. Nicholson.

 

About SumRidge Partners, LLC

SumRidge Partners, LLC is a top ranked electronic fixed income market maker, specializing in high yield and investment grade corporate bonds, municipal bonds, institutional preferred securities and emerging market bonds. SumRidge Partners was formed in 2010 following the aftermath of the financial crisis and subsequent liquidity shortfall that occurred within fixed income trading; operating as a premier, electronic based fixed income market maker. SumRidge uses its own balance sheet to facilitate flow trading, ensuring instantaneous execution for its diverse client base. SumRidge currently ranks among the top liquidity providers on most major electronic bond exchanges, leveraging the firm’s technological strengths and an experienced sales and trading team.

For more information about SumRidge, visit www.sumridge.com.

Contacts

For SumRidge Partners, LLC:
Carol Barden

201.898.2543

carol.barden@sumridge.com

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Business Science

FDA Approves expanded indication for Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC)

KEYTRUDA Is Now Approved for the Treatment of Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic or Locally Advanced cSCC That Is Not Curable by Surgery or Radiation

 

KENILWORTH, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — $mrk #merck–Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an expanded label for KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) that is not curable by surgery or radiation. This approval is based on data from the second interim analysis of the Phase 2 KEYNOTE-629 trial, in which KEYTRUDA demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR) of 50% (95% CI, 36-64) (n=54), including a complete response rate of 17% and a partial response rate of 33% in the cohort of patients with locally advanced disease. Among the 27 responding patients, 81% had a duration of response (DOR) of six months or longer, and 37% had a DOR of 12 months or longer. In June 2020, KEYTRUDA was granted its first indication in cSCC, as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic disease that is not curable by surgery or radiation.

“This approval is great news for these patients and further demonstrates Merck’s commitment to the skin cancer community. KEYTRUDA has shown meaningful efficacy in patients with locally advanced or recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma that cannot be cured by surgery or radiation,” said Dr. Vicki Goodman, vice president, clinical research, Merck Research Laboratories. “This expanded indication reinforces the role of KEYTRUDA in this cancer type, which is the second most common form of non-melanoma skin cancer.”

Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue and can affect more than one body system simultaneously. Immune-mediated adverse reactions can occur at any time during or after treatment with KEYTRUDA, including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, nephritis, dermatologic reactions, solid organ transplant rejection, and complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Important immune-mediated adverse reactions listed here may not include all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions. Early identification and management of immune-mediated adverse reactions are essential to ensure safe use of KEYTRUDA. Based on the severity of the adverse reaction, KEYTRUDA should be withheld or permanently discontinued and corticosteroids administered if appropriate. KEYTRUDA can also cause severe or life-threatening infusion-related reactions. Based on its mechanism of action, KEYTRUDA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. For more information, see “Selected Important Safety Information” below.

Data Supporting the Approval

The approval was based on data from KEYNOTE-629 (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03284424), a multicenter, multi-cohort, non-randomized, open-label trial that enrolled patients with recurrent or metastatic cSCC or locally advanced cSCC. The trial excluded patients with autoimmune disease or a medical condition that required immunosuppression.

Patients received KEYTRUDA 200 mg intravenously every three weeks until documented disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or a maximum of 24 months. Patients with initial radiographic disease progression could receive additional doses of KEYTRUDA during confirmation of progression unless disease progression was symptomatic, rapidly progressive, required urgent intervention, or occurred with a decline in performance status.

Assessment of tumor status was performed every six weeks during the first year and every nine weeks during the second year. The major efficacy outcome measures were ORR and DOR as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) according to RECIST v1.1, modified to follow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of five target lesions per organ.

Among the 54 patients with locally advanced cSCC treated, the study population characteristics were: median age of 76 years (range, 35 to 95), 80% age 65 or older; 72% male; 83% white, 13% race unknown; 41% Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) of 0 and 59% ECOG PS of 1. Twenty-two percent received one or more prior lines of therapy; 63% received prior radiation therapy.

The ORR was 50% (95% CI, 36-64), including a complete response rate of 17% and a partial response rate of 33%, for patients treated with KEYTRUDA. After a median follow-up of 13.4 months, the median DOR had not yet been reached (range, 1.0+ to 17.2+ months). Among the 27 responding patients, 81% had a DOR of six months or longer, and 37% had a DOR of 12 months or longer.

Among the 159 patients with advanced cSCC (recurrent or metastatic or locally advanced disease) enrolled in KEYNOTE-629, the median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 6.9 months (range, 1 day to 28.9 months). Adverse reactions occurring in patients with recurrent or metastatic cSCC or locally advanced cSCC were similar to those occurring in 2,799 patients with melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer treated with KEYTRUDA as a single agent. Laboratory abnormalities (Grades 3-4) that occurred at a higher incidence included lymphopenia (10%) and decreased sodium (10%).

About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Injection, 100 mg

KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.

Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,500 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient’s likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.

Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.

Melanoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph node(s) following complete resection.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.

KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.

KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or metastatic.

KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.

Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer

KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.

KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.

Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.

Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy. KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.

Urothelial Carcinoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy and whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10), as determined by an FDA-approved test, or in patients who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy regardless of PD-L1 status. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or mUC who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.

Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options

This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.

Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC).

Gastric Cancer

KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.

KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after two or more prior lines of therapy including fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy and if appropriate, HER2/neu-targeted therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.

Esophageal Cancer

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or GEJ (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:

  • in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
  • as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.

Cervical Cancer

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.

Renal Cell Carcinoma

KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.

Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on progression-free survival. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.

Selected Important Safety Information for KEYTRUDA

Severe and Fatal Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions

KEYTRUDA is a monoclonal antibody that belongs to a class of drugs that bind to either the programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or the programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, thereby removing inhibition of the immune response, potentially breaking peripheral tolerance and inducing immune-mediated adverse reactions. Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue, can affect more than one body system simultaneously, and can occur at any time after starting treatment or after discontinuation of treatment. Important immune-mediated adverse reactions listed here may not include all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions.

Monitor patients closely for symptoms and signs that may be clinical manifestations of underlying immune-mediated adverse reactions. Early identification and management are essential to ensure safe use of anti–PD-1/PD-L1 treatments. Evaluate liver enzymes, creatinine, and thyroid function at baseline and periodically during treatment. In cases of suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, initiate appropriate workup to exclude alternative etiologies, including infection. Institute medical management promptly, including specialty consultation as appropriate.

Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity of the immune-mediated adverse reaction. In general, if KEYTRUDA requires interruption or discontinuation, administer systemic corticosteroid therapy (1 to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent) until improvement to Grade 1 or less. Upon improvement to Grade 1 or less, initiate corticosteroid taper and continue to taper over at least 1 month. Consider administration of other systemic immunosuppressants in patients whose adverse reactions are not controlled with corticosteroid therapy.

Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis

KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis. The incidence is higher in patients who have received prior thoracic radiation. Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 3.4% (94/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including fatal (0.1%), Grade 4 (0.3%), Grade 3 (0.9%), and Grade 2 (1.3%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 67% (63/94) of patients. Pneumonitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 1.3% (36) and withholding in 0.9% (26) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, 23% had recurrence. Pneumonitis resolved in 59% of the 94 patients.

Pneumonitis occurred in 8% (31/389) of adult patients with cHL receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent, including Grades 3-4 in 2.3% of patients. Patients received high-dose corticosteroids for a median duration of 10 days (range: 2 days to 53 months). Pneumonitis rates were similar in patients with and without prior thoracic radiation. Pneumonitis led to discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 5.4% (21) of patients. Of the patients who developed pneumonitis, 42% interrupted KEYTRUDA, 68% discontinued KEYTRUDA, and 77% had resolution.

Immune-Mediated Colitis

KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated colitis, which may present with diarrhea. Cytomegalovirus infection/reactivation has been reported in patients with corticosteroid-refractory immune-mediated colitis. In cases of corticosteroid-refractory colitis, consider repeating infectious workup to exclude alternative etiologies. Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 1.7% (48/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (1.1%), and Grade 2 (0.4%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 69% (33/48); additional immunosuppressant therapy was required in 4.2% of patients. Colitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.5% (15) and withholding in 0.5% (13) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, 23% had recurrence. Colitis resolved in 85% of the 48 patients.

Hepatotoxicity and Immune-Mediated Hepatitis

KEYTRUDA as a Single Agent

KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated hepatitis. Immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 0.7% (19/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.4%), and Grade 2 (0.1%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 68% (13/19) of patients; additional immunosuppressant therapy was required in 11% of patients. Hepatitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.2% (6) and withholding in 0.3% (9) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, none had recurrence. Hepatitis resolved in 79% of the 19 patients.

KEYTRUDA with Axitinib

KEYTRUDA in combination with axitinib can cause hepatic toxicity. Monitor liver enzymes before initiation of and periodically throughout treatment. Consider monitoring more frequently as compared to when the drugs are administered as single agents. For elevated liver enzymes, interrupt KEYTRUDA and axitinib, and consider administering corticosteroids as needed. With the combination of KEYTRUDA and axitinib, Grades 3 and 4 increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (20%) and increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (13%) were seen, at a higher frequency compared to KEYTRUDA alone. Fifty-nine percent of the patients with increased ALT received systemic corticosteroids. In patients with ALT ≥3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (Grades 2-4, n=116), ALT resolved to Grades 0-1 in 94%. Among the 92 patients who were rechallenged with either KEYTRUDA (n=3) or axitinib (n=34) administered as a single agent or with both (n=55), recurrence of ALT ≥3 times ULN was observed in 1 patient receiving KEYTRUDA, 16 patients receiving axitinib, and 24 patients receiving both. All patients with a recurrence of ALT ≥3 ULN subsequently recovered from the event.

Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies

Adrenal Insufficiency

KEYTRUDA can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. For Grade 2 or higher, initiate symptomatic treatment, including hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Withhold KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Adrenal insufficiency occurred in 0.8% (22/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.3%), and Grade 2 (0.3%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 77% (17/22) of patients; of these, the majority remained on systemic corticosteroids. Adrenal insufficiency led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (1) and withholding in 0.3% (8) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement.

Hypophysitis

KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated hypophysitis. Hypophysitis can present with acute symptoms associated with mass effect such as headache, photophobia, or visual field defects. Hypophysitis can cause hypopituitarism. Initiate hormone replacement as indicated. Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Hypophysitis occurred in 0.6% (17/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.3%), and Grade 2 (0.2%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 94% (16/17) of patients; of these, the majority remained on systemic corticosteroids. Hypophysitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.1% (4) and withholding in 0.3% (7) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement.

Thyroid Disorders

KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated thyroid disorders.

Contacts

Media Contacts:

Melissa Moody

(215) 407-3536

Ayn Wisler

(908) 740-5590

Investor Contacts:

Peter Dannenbaum

(908) 740-1037

Courtney Ronaldo

(908) 740-6132

Read full story here

Categories
Business Healthcare

Albertsons Companies’ supplier Tyson Foods, Inc. issues a recall on shredded roasted chicken due to possible listeria monocytogenes contamination

BOISE, Idaho — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Albertsons Companies (NYSE: ACI) announces the removal of certain Signature Café Shredded Roasted Chicken items, due to a recall initiated by Tyson Foods, Inc. The chicken has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Tyson Foods’ recall announcement can be found here.


The affected Tyson product was produced at one plant located in Dexter, Missouri, between December 26, 2020 and April 13, 2021, and distributed to foodservice and retail customers nationwide and Puerto Rico. They are being recalled as a precaution, due to possible exposure to Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacteria.

Product

Name

Packaging

PLU

Sell-thru Dates

Store

Names

States

Signature

Café

Shredded

Roasted

Chicken

Clear plastic

container, with

Signature Café

logo with the

words Roasted

Shredded

Chicken visible

on the label

2 10288

00000

All dates

through

“Sell-thru

July 7,

2021”

ACME, Safeway

CT, DE, MD, NJ, NY,

PA, VA, Washington

D.C.

 

Tyson Foods supplied shredded chicken used by Albertsons Companies to produce Signature Café Shredded Roasted Chicken that was available for purchase in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington D.C. from the banners Safeway and Acme. Customers may have purchased the shredded chicken in stores, online for Drive Up and Go or via grocery delivery.

 

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

 

The Signature Café Shredded Chicken is sold in a clear plastic container, labeled, and put out for retail sale in the deli department. The Signature Café logo is visible on the label in the center of the container. The affected product has sell-thru dates through July 7, 2021 and may have been purchased at one of the banners listed above beginning in December 2020.

 

The Signature Café Shredded Chicken being recalled bear the PLU code 2 10288 00000. The PLU code can be found on the bottom of the package below the barcode.

 

To date, there have not been any reports of Listeria-related illness associated with Signature Café Shredded Chicken.

 

Consumers with questions can call or text Tyson Foods at 1-855-382-3101. Customer service representatives will be available beginning Sunday through Friday 8am – 5pm CDT. Customers can also contact Albertsons Companies at 1-877-723-3929.

Contacts

Tyson Foods

1-855-382-3101

Albertsons Companies

1-877-723-3929.

Categories
Business Healthcare

Melinta Therapeutics announces appointment of Jisoo Park as head of business development, M&A and Strategy

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Melinta Therapeutics, LLC (Melinta), a commercial-stage company providing innovative therapies for acute and life-threatening illnesses, announces the appointment of Jisoo Park as Head of Business Development, M&A and Strategy, effective today.

Jisoo Park, a leader in global pharmaceutical business development, joins Melinta under the leadership of President and Chief Executive Officer Christine Ann Miller. With the addition of Mr. Park, Melinta expects to expand its world-class portfolio with additional products that address therapeutic areas of critical need.

 

“At Melinta, we’re committed to expanding our portfolio to continue to serve patients with unmet needs. I’m excited to have Jisoo in this role as someone who shares our passion and purpose,” Ms. Miller said. “He has a proven track record in global pharmaceutical business development and I know he’ll be an incredible partner in helping us achieve our vision.”

 

Said Mr. Park, “Melinta is on a mission to make the most meaningful impact for patients with life-threatening illnesses and I’m excited to join the team in the middle of such great momentum. I look forward to working with this truly committed team toward continued growth and expansion to serve patients in need in the U.S. and beyond.”

 

Mr. Park joins Melinta from Covis Pharma where he served as Vice President of Business Development and M&A. At Covis, he led global business development and M&A, including transformational buy-side and sell-side M&A, licensing and financings. In less than five years, Jisoo led seven deals worth roughly $2 billion in transaction value, helping to expand the organization beyond the U.S. and into more than 50 markets.

 

Prior to Covis, he was an investment banker in J.P. Morgan’s Global Healthcare team in New York and San Francisco, where he advised companies in the pharmaceuticals, biotech and life sciences industries on M&A, equity and debt financings.

 

About Melinta Therapeutics

Melinta Therapeutics, LLC provides innovative therapies to people impacted by acute and life-threatening illnesses. Our portfolio currently includes five commercial-stage antibiotics: Baxdela® (delafloxacin), Kimyrsa™ (oritavancin), Minocin® (minocycline) for Injection, Orbactiv® (oritavancin), and Vabomere® (meropenem and vaborbactam). With an unsurpassed commitment to providers and the patients they serve, we work to ensure that all people who need our therapies can receive them. We focus our expanding portfolio on serving patients with an unmet need because that’s how we make the most meaningful impact. At Melinta, we’re visionaries dedicated to innovation while staying grounded in what matters most: patients. Visit www.melinta.com for more information.

Contacts

Susan Blum

Chief Financial Officer

Melinta Therapeutics, LLC

+1 312-767-0296

info@melinta.com

Categories
Business

AM Best affirms credit ratings of the Allstate Corporation and its key subsidiaries

OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #insurance—AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “aa” (Superior) of the members of Allstate Insurance Group (Allstate). Additionally, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of “a” (Excellent) of the members of Allstate New Jersey Insurance Group (collectively referred to as Allstate New Jersey) (headquartered in Bridgewater, NJ). AM Best also has affirmed the FSR of B+ (Good) and the Long-Term ICRs of “bbb-” (Good) of members of Castle Key Group (Castle Key). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term ICR of “aa” (Superior) of American Heritage Life Insurance Company (American Heritage) (Jacksonville, FL). At the same time, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “a” (Excellent), and all existing Long- and Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IR; Short-Term IR) of the ultimate parent, The Allstate Corporation (Allcorp). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. All the above named companies are headquartered in Northbrook, IL, except where specified. (See link below for a detailed listing of the companies and ratings.)

The ratings of Allstate reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, favorable business profile and very strong enterprise risk management (ERM). The group’s favorable market position in the private passenger auto and homeowners markets, as well as its strong geographic reach and distribution capabilities are the underpinnings for its historically profitable operations and favorable risk-adjusted capitalization. Allstate’s trend of profitable growth is supported by its underwriting expertise and proactive pricing actions, as well as its ongoing expense efficiencies. The group’s favorable margins are attributable to enhanced pricing accuracy and risk optimization, along with its solid core underwriting capabilities, prudent capital management and sizable investment income. Allstate’s approach to innovation across its operations is a driver of its success competing in its core lines of business. Through the company’s forthcoming divestiture of its life and annuity operations and its recent acquisitions, management has demonstrated its focus on its long-term growth strategy, enhancing scale and overall diversification. However, despite Allstate’s very strong risk management practices and robust reinsurance program, the company remains inherently exposed to natural disasters occurring throughout the United States. Allcorp maintains strong financial flexibility through its access to capital markets and various other sources of liquidity. The organization’s financial leverage and coverage metrics are in line with peers and more than adequate for its current ratings.

The ratings of Allstate New Jersey reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate ERM. Additionally, the ratings recognize the financial strength, ERM and continued support of Allstate Insurance Company and Allcorp. The company’s risk-adjusted capitalization remains at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), driven by its consistently profitable operating performance and management’s strong capabilities. However, the group’s business concentration within one state creates material exposure to local market disruptions and the potential for localized catastrophe weather events. The ratings also reflect the consistent profitability trends in underwriting in recent years, along with AM Best’s expectation that trends in capitalization and operating performance will continue in the near to medium term.

The ratings of Castle Key reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as adequate, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate ERM. Castle Key’s risk-adjusted capital, as measured by BCAR, is currently adequate, reflecting growth of its business. AM Best notes that the company’s limited business profile primarily reflects its geographic concentration of property/casualty (P/C) business written in Florida. As a result, Castle Key maintains significant exposure to hurricanes, with a corresponding substantial reliance on catastrophe reinsurance. The company has posted operating profitability and surplus accumulation over the past several years despite periodic catastrophe losses brought on by weather-related events.

The ratings of American Heritage reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, favorable business profile and very strong ERM. The company’s balance sheet is anchored by its strongest risk-adjusted capital, as well as its favorable liquidity and overall surplus growth reported in recent years. American Heritage markets Allstate’s workplace benefits business in all segments of the market, including small, middle and large. While the company continues to report generally favorable growth sales and new premiums, excluding the impact of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the benefits market is highly competitive and may continue to challenge top line growth going forward.

A complete listing of The Allstate Corporation and its P/C and life/health subsidiaries’ FSRs, Long-Term ICRs and Long- and Short-Term IRs also is available.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media – Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2021 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Kate Steffanelli
Senior Financial Analyst
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5063
kate.steffanelli@ambest.com

Edin Imsirovic
Associate Director
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5740
edin.imsirovic@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Jim Peavy
Director, Communications
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com

Categories
Business Special/Sponsored Content

Shoe Station to hold its Vendor Day Brand Showcase Saturday

 The Southeastern retail chain Shoe Station is holding its Vendor Day Brand Showcase Saturday, July 10, 2021. The event, which takes place in all 21 Shoe Station stores, features brand ambassadors from approximately 50 famous brands.
“The freshest styles from leading designers will be showcased at this special event,” President and CEO Brent Barkin stated. “Shoe Station anticipates an enthusiastic consumer response due to pent-up consumer demand, a growing economy, changing weather, and families using some of their stimulus funds.”
This Vendor Day Brand Showcase will feature jaw-dropping Doorbuster specials for one day only. With these limited time deals, customers can save up to 75% off original prices.
There are also significant giveaways, which occur at all store locations, and end 30 minutes after stores open at 9AM.
  • The first 150 adults (ages 16 and older) per store will be receive a $10 Shoe Station gift voucher.
  • Each of the first 100 children in line will receive one free Pop Fidget!
  • One lucky customer (16 years of age or older), per store, will win a $100 Shoe Station gift card at 9AM.
Consumers can meet with brand ambassadors from their favorite brands and have them find the right fit. Famous brands include: Skechers, Asics, b.o.c., Blowfish, Brooks, Dansko, Dockers, Floafers, Keen, Sperry, Rainbow, Rockport, Reef, Sanuk, Clarks, Teva, Under Armour, Vionic, Volatile and more!
Members of the chain’s loyalty program, which is named Shoe Station Select, will receive the one-day-only SUPER COUPON – 20% off almost everything. Few exclusions apply. Shoppers can become a member today at www.shoestation.com/select. On 8/2/21, one Shoe Station Select member will win a $1000 Shoe Station gift card.
Additional details :
  • All Girlie Girl, Columbus and Joe Jax t-shirts will be buy one, get one free only on 7/10/21. Coupons do not apply.
  • A special, one-day-only coupon will be valid on almost everything in store. The coupon is valid to Shoe Station Select members. Join today by visiting shoestation.com/select .
  • There will be also be discounts on regularly excluded categories and brands.
  • The limited-time promotion includes accessories such as collegiate apparel, handbags, wallets, t-shirts, and hats.
“Fashion lovers will welcome this opportunity to meet footwear industry leaders and to be fitted for the sandals, shoes, and boots that best suit their feet,” Barkin stated.
For more information about Shoe Station, a family-owned Southeast-based chain, visit www.shoestation.com. Founded in 1984 in Mobile, AL, Shoe Station is a supporter of: United Way of Southwest Alabama, Alabama Public Radio, Distinguished Young Women, and the University of South Alabama’s Mitchell College of Business. Shoe Station has 21 open-shelf locations in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida.
Categories
Business Technology

NICE sets the standard for responsible design and deployment of AI-powered robots by unveiling its Robo-Ethical Framework

A first in the robotics industry, NICE’s five guiding ethical principles demonstrate commitment to ensuring responsible robot-human dynamics in the workplace

 

HOBOKEN, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #NICE—NICE (Nasdaq: NICE) today unveiled a Robo Ethical Framework promoting responsibility and transparency in the design, creation and deployment of AI-powered robots. NICE’s ethical guidelines set the standard for designing, building and deploying robots, and form the basis for solid and ethically sound robot and human collaboration. Comprising a set of five guiding principles, NICE’s Robo-Ethical Framework underlies every interaction with process robots – from planning to implementation – and drives ethically sound human-robot partnerships in the workplace. The launch of this framework reiterates the company’s dedication to these standards and invites industry wide adoption. For more information, please click here.

Sarah Burnett, partner at Emergence Partners said, “NICE RPA scored well in our Ethics in Technology Assessment (ETA) framework. It is commendable to see NICE taking a strong stand by establishing a Robo-Ethical framework. The upsurge in adoption of AI necessitates commitment to doing what is ethical, and respectful to customers. NICE’s move in this direction is admirable and I advise other organizations to follow suit.”

The rapid acceleration of AI has driven the proliferation of robots in various roles across both home-based work and business environments. With their integration, robots are being granted more access to business and customer data. Yet ethical standards that provide guidance around the development and application of robots and AI have been lacking. There has been much discourse around the topic in the robotics industry but steps to formalize guidelines on an industry level have yet to be taken.

By introducing the industry’s first set of standards to self-govern the creation of responsible AI-driven robotics, NICE commits to ensuring transparent design, development and implementation of process automations as is already inherent to its RPA platform. Deeply rooted in its product capabilities, NICE’s ethical framework is shared with every customer along with their robotic license. While the ultimate determination of what is beneficial to humanity is subjective and contextually rooted, NICE aims to keep the importance of ensuring a positive impact in RPA top of mind in the industry. The five guiding principles that are intended to ensure good ethical standards, underlying the robot-human relationship in the workplace include the following:

  • Robots must be designed for a positive impact: Robots must be built to contribute to the growth and well-being of the human workforce. With consideration to societal, economic, and environmental impacts, every project that involves robots should have at least one positive rationale clearly defined.
  • Bias-free robotics: Personal attributes such as color, religion, sex, gender, age and other protected status are eliminated when creating robots so their behavior is employee agnostic. Training algorithms are evaluated and tested periodically to ensure they are bias-free.
  • Robots must safeguard individuals: Careful consideration is given to decide whether and how to delegate decisions to robots. The algorithms, processes, and decisions embedded within robots must be transparent, with the ability to explain conclusions with unambiguous rationale. Accordingly, humans must be able to audit a robot’s processes and decisions and have the ability to intervene and redress the system to prevent potential offenses.
  • Robots must be driven by trusted data sources: Robots must be designed to act based upon verified data from trusted sources. Data sources used for training algorithms should be maintained with the ability to reference the original source.
  • Robots must be designed with holistic governance and control: Humans must have complete information about a system’s capabilities and limitations. Robotics platforms must be designed to protect against abuse of power and illegal access by limiting, proactively monitoring, and authenticating any access to the platform and every type of edit action in the system.

Barry Cooper, President, NICE Workforce & Customer Experience Group, said, “We are at an exciting time in history where with the support of AI-driven smart robots, the human workforce can deliver brand-differentiating, next-gen CX. NICE is proud to take the lead in ensuring the use of robots for the betterment of humankind, articulating the ethical principles that act as guidelines for the development of our own AI-driven innovations and, through this framework, across the RPA field. Our industry’s first robo-ethical framework reflects our commitment to this effort, and we urge industry leaders to join us.”

About NICE

NICE (Nasdaq: NICE) is the world’s leading provider of both cloud and on-premises enterprise software solutions that empower organizations to make smarter decisions based on advanced analytics of structured and unstructured data. NICE helps organizations of all sizes deliver better customer service, ensure compliance, combat fraud and safeguard citizens. Over 25,000 organizations in more than 150 countries, including over 85 of the Fortune 100 companies, are using NICE solutions. www.nice.com.

Trademark Note: NICE and the NICE logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of NICE Ltd. All other marks are trademarks of their respective owners. For a full list of NICE’s marks, please see: www.nice.com/nice-trademarks.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements, including the statements by Mr. Cooper, are based on the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of NICE Ltd. (the “Company”). In some cases, such forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “seek,” “may,” “will,” “intend,” “should,” “project,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “estimate,” or similar words. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results or performance of the Company to differ materially from those described herein, including but not limited to the impact of changes in economic and business conditions, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; competition; successful execution of the Company’s growth strategy; success and growth of the Company’s cloud Software-as-a-Service business; changes in technology and market requirements; decline in demand for the Company’s products; inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications; difficulties or delays in absorbing and integrating acquired operations, products, technologies and personnel; loss of market share; an inability to maintain certain marketing and distribution arrangements; the Company’s dependency on third-party cloud computing platform providers, hosting facilities and service partners;, cyber security attacks or other security breaches against the Company; the effect of newly enacted or modified laws, regulation or standards on the Company and our products and various other factors and uncertainties discussed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting the company, refer to the Company’s reports filed from time to time with the SEC, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise them, except as required by law.

Contacts

Corporate Media
Christopher Irwin-Dudek, 201-561-4442, ET

chris.irwin-dudek@nice.com

Investors
Marty Cohen, +1 551 256 5354, ET

ir@nice.com

Omri Arens, +972 3 763 0127, CET

ir@nice.com

Categories
Business Technology

Vonage Contact Centre for Salesforce Service Cloud Voice now available on Salesforce AppExchange

Solution brings automation, intelligence and global calling capability to Service Cloud Voice, driving enhanced productivity, better agent and customer experiences

 

HOLMDEL, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Vonage (Nasdaq:VG), a global leader in cloud communications helping businesses accelerate their digital transformation, today announced that it has launched Vonage Contact Centre (VCC) for Service Cloud Voice, empowering customers to enhance the agent and customer experience with intelligent, omnichannel and global calling capabilities – all within Service Cloud Voice, powered by Vonage.

Integrated directly with Salesforce Service Cloud, Vonage Contact Centre for Service Cloud Voice is currently available on Salesforce AppExchange.

Service Cloud Voice brings together phone, digital channels and CRM data in one central view for service agents. Customers can now connect their preferred phone solutions into Service Cloud Voice with Service Cloud Voice for Partner Telephony, creating a unified agent and digital channel experience to deliver faster, smarter and more personalised service.

“Today’s customer demands personalised, intelligent experiences to meet the needs of the new modern workplace,” said Savinay Berry, EVP of Product and Engineering for Vonage. “Vonage has one of the most complete and global set of solutions in the market and, with the addition of VCC for Service Cloud Voice, we are providing our customers with yet another way to make meaningful connections with their own customers, creating a better experience.”

Added Berry, “Participation in this offering for Partner Telephony is a testament to our longstanding collaboration with Salesforce and we expect this innovation to drive significant growth over the coming years.”

“The Vonage Contact Centre solution is a welcome addition to the Service Cloud Voice ecosystem,” said Patrick Beyries, VP of Product Management, Service Cloud. “The expansion of Service Cloud Voice for partner telephony enables customers to integrate the telephony experience natively within the agent workspace, combined with CRM data, process and voice intelligence.”

Key Features of Vonage Contact Centre for Service Cloud Voice

Vonage Contact Centre has a 4.9/5 rating from more than 800 reviews on AppExchange. VCC for Service Cloud Voice differentiates in the market for its ease of integration, high quality audio, global telephony coverage, and omnichannel presence. With completely native Service Cloud Voice implementation, Vonage has a Service Cloud Voice holistic offering for customers:

  • More than 80 countries supported – Vonage can support Service Cloud Voice in North America, EMEA and APAC
  • Omnichannel visibility across all customer conversation channels—including chat, email, messaging, SMS, and social
  • Omnichannel Supervisor and Tableau CRM Service Cloud Voice Analytics
  • Speech and desktop analytics deeply embedded in Salesforce, generating actionable insights
  • High quality and fast transcription powering next-best action, call wrap-up recommendations, and article recommendations
  • Vonage’s Virtual Assistant delivering voice activated self-service
  • Real-time ‘warm’ transfers and consults between agents
  • Fully telephony agnostic contact centre, with a WebRTC App available
  • 24×7 professional global support

“It is not surprising that Vonage is one of the first to deliver a generally-available Partner Telephony solution for Service Cloud Voice,” explains Sheila McGee-Smith of McGee-Smith Analytics. “Vonage has a long history of success in the market and has worked closely with Salesforce to bring innovation to their current and future customers.”

As a part of the pilot for VCC for Service Cloud Voice, Vonage customers have reported improved customer experience as calls are easily routed to the best and most appropriate agent, as well as enhanced productivity for agents and overall improved resolution times.

About Vonage

Vonage, (Nasdaq:VG) a global cloud communications leader, helps businesses accelerate their digital transformation. Vonage’s Communications Platform is fully programmable and allows for the integration of Video, Voice, Chat, Messaging and Verification into existing products, workflows and systems. Vonage’s fully programmable unified communications and contact centre applications are built from the Vonage platform and enable companies to transform how they communicate and operate from the office or anywhere, providing enormous flexibility and ensuring business continuity.

Vonage Holdings Corp. is headquartered in New Jersey, with offices throughout the United States, Europe, Israel, and Asia. To follow Vonage on Twitter, please visit twitter.com/vonage. To become a fan on Facebook, go to facebook.com/vonage. To subscribe on YouTube, visit youtube.com/vonage.

About Salesforce AppExchange

Salesforce AppExchange, the world’s leading enterprise cloud marketplace, empowers companies, developers and entrepreneurs to build, market and grow in entirely new ways. With more than 6,000 listings, 9 million customer installs and 117,000 peer reviews, AppExchange connects customers of all sizes and across industries to ready-to-install or customizable apps and Salesforce-certified consultants to solve any business challenge.

Salesforce, AppExchange, Service Cloud and others are among the trademarks of salesforce.com, inc.

Contacts

Vonage Media: Santina Stankevich, 201.407.8474, santina.stankevich@vonage.com
Vonage Investors: Hunter Blankenbaker, 732.444.4926, hunter.blankenbaker@vonage.com

Categories
Business Technology

NICE Actimize wins FTF Innovation Award for Best Financial Crime Surveillance Technology and its SURVEIL-X Holistic Conduct Risk Surveillance solution

NICE Actimize’s SURVEIL-X Holistic Conduct Risk Surveillance Suite enables accurate detection and thorough investigation of market abuse, conduct risk, and inappropriate sales practices

 

HOBOKEN, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #NICEActimize–For the fourth consecutive year, NICE Actimize, a NICE (Nasdaq: NICE) business, was named a category winner in Financial Technologies Forum / FTF News 2020 Technology Innovation Awards, this year achieving the Best Financial Crime Surveillance Technology accolade, an inaugural award category for the publication. The final award winners for this year’s competition were determined by votes cast online by FTF News’ readers and industry participants.

This year’s award for Financial Crime Surveillance Technology honors “advances in surveillance that help firms protect themselves from danger and reputational damage,” noting that internal and external financial crimes against financial institutions are on the rise and firms are fighting this battle on many fronts.

Supporting this win in surveillance excellence is NICE Actimize’s SURVEIL-X Holistic Conduct Surveillance Suite which offers unparalleled risk coverage and enables accurate detection and rapid, thorough investigation of market abuse, inappropriate sales practices, conduct risk and otherwise undetectable compliance risks to insulate firms from fines and reputational damage which align its win to the FTF Innovation Award’s criteria.

“Protecting financial services firms from reputational damage, NICE Actimize’s SURVEIL-X Holistic Conduct Surveillance offers advanced capabilities to help firms manage conduct risk and enforce cultures of accountability. With concerns around the remote workforce, especially regulated employees, managing conduct risk has never been more challenging or critical,” said Chris Wooten, EVP, NICE. “We thank the readers of FTF News for their continuing confidence in our financial crime risk solutions and surveillance platforms.”

“As we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the FTF Awards and the 15th Anniversary of FTF, it has proven to be one of the most competitive to date. Not only did we get more than 220 nominations, but we also had a staggering number of votes from the industry — 20,000+,” said Maureen Lowe, Founder and President, FTF and FTF News. “Congratulations to those firms, such as NICE Actimize, that demonstrated leadership and innovation in the highly competitive surveillance field during a very challenging period in our industry where fraud and financial crime is at an all-time high. All of our winners should be proud of their accomplishments, and we honor their dedication and service to our industry.”

NICE Actimize’s SURVEIL-X Holistic Conduct Surveillance solution provides 360-degree visibility into misconduct and where it’s occurring – across teams, departments, and/or divisions within the financial services organization. Using SURVEIL-X Conduct’s enterprise-wide dashboards, senior level analysts and business executives instantly know where the greatest risks lie, whether or not current controls are working, and where more resources need to be allocated. SURVEIL-X Conduct incorporates best-in-class case management and workflow automation to streamline investigations and ensure potential misconduct is consistently investigated.

For more information on NICE Actimize’s SURVEIL-X Conduct Surveillance, please click here.

About Financial Technologies Forum

Financial Technologies Forum, LLC (FTF) is the place to learn from, market to and interact with the people and companies that are driving the post-trade processing industry. FTF is committed to being a timely and reliable source for thought-leading opinions and insights, valuable news and effective training for everyone in post-execution operations. For vendors to this industry, the forum provides an efficient, cost-effective platform from which to generate top-of-mind awareness among their target markets via content marketing, sponsorships, webinars, advertising and much more.

About NICE Actimize

NICE Actimize is the largest and broadest provider of financial crime, risk and compliance solutions for regional and global financial institutions, as well as government regulators. Consistently ranked as number one in the space, NICE Actimize experts apply innovative technology to protect institutions and safeguard consumers’ and investors’ assets by identifying financial crime, preventing fraud and providing regulatory compliance. The company provides real-time, cross-channel fraud prevention, anti-money laundering detection, and trading surveillance solutions that address such concerns as payment fraud, cybercrime, sanctions monitoring, market abuse, customer due diligence and insider trading. Find us at www.niceactimize.com, @NICE_Actimize or Nasdaq: NICE.

About NICE

NICE (Nasdaq: NICE) is the world’s leading provider of both cloud and on-premises enterprise software solutions that empower organizations to make smarter decisions based on advanced analytics of structured and unstructured data. NICE helps organizations of all sizes deliver better customer service, ensure compliance, combat fraud and safeguard citizens. Over 25,000 organizations in more than 150 countries, including over 85 of the Fortune 100 companies, are using NICE solutions. www.nice.com.

Trademark Note: NICE and the NICE logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of NICE Ltd. All other marks are trademarks of their respective owners. For a full list of NICE’s marks, please see: www.nice.com/nice-trademarks.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements, including the statements by Mr. Wooten, are based on the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of NICE Ltd. (the “Company”). In some cases, such forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “seek,” “may,” “will,” “intend,” “should,” “project,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “estimate,” or similar words. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results or performance of the Company to differ materially from those described herein, including but not limited to the impact of changes in economic and business conditions, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; competition; successful execution of the Company’s growth strategy; success and growth of the Company’s cloud Software-as-a-Service business; changes in technology and market requirements; decline in demand for the Company’s products; inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications; difficulties or delays in absorbing and integrating acquired operations, products, technologies and personnel; loss of market share; an inability to maintain certain marketing and distribution arrangements; the Company’s dependency on third-party cloud computing platform providers, hosting facilities and service partners;, cyber security attacks or other security breaches against the Company; the effect of newly enacted or modified laws, regulation or standards on the Company and our products and various other factors and uncertainties discussed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting the company, refer to the Company’s reports filed from time to time with the SEC, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise them, except as required by law.

Contacts

Corporate Media:

Cindy Morgan-Olson, +1-646-408-5896, ET

cindy.morgan-olson@niceactimize.com

Investors:

Marty Cohen, +1 551 256 5354, ET

ir@nice.com

Omri Arens, +972 3 763 0127, CET

ir@nice.com