Latest news with #Mazumdar
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Relay Therapeutics Appoints Claire Mazumdar, Ph.D., to Board of Directors
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Relay Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: RLAY), a clinical-stage precision medicine company transforming the drug discovery process by combining leading-edge computational and experimental technologies, today announced the appointment of Claire Mazumdar, Ph.D., to the Company's Board of Directors, effective June 9, 2025. 'It is a privilege to welcome Claire to our Board, where she will draw from her strategic and operational experience in clinical-stage oncology to offer guidance as we prepare to initiate our Phase 3 ReDiscover-2 trial in breast cancer soon,' said Sanjiv Patel, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Relay Therapeutics. Dr. Mazumdar is the founding Chief Executive Officer of Bicara Therapeutics (Nasdaq: BCAX), a clinical-stage oncology company. Prior to Bicara, Dr. Mazumdar led business development and corporate strategy at Rheos Medicines, where she supported the precision medicine company's global partnership with Roche Pharmaceuticals. Earlier in her career, she held a position at Third Rock Ventures, where she focused on company formation and business development. She holds a B.S. in biological engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and earned both an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Ph.D. in cancer biology from Stanford School of Medicine. About Relay Therapeutics Relay Therapeutics (Nasdaq: RLAY) is a clinical-stage precision medicine company transforming the drug discovery process by combining leading-edge computational and experimental technologies with the goal of bringing life-changing therapies to patients. As the first of a new breed of biotech created at the intersection of complementary techniques and technologies, Relay Therapeutics aims to push the boundaries of what's possible in drug discovery. Its Dynamo® platform integrates an array of leading-edge computational and experimental approaches designed to drug protein targets that have previously been intractable or inadequately addressed. Relay Therapeutics' initial focus is on enhancing small molecule therapeutic discovery in targeted oncology and genetic disease indications. For more information, please visit or follow us on Twitter. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, without limitation, implied and express statements regarding Relay Therapeutics' strategy, business plans and focus; the progress and timing of the clinical development of the programs across Relay Therapeutics' portfolio; the expected therapeutic benefits and potential efficacy and tolerability of RLY-2608, both as a monotherapy and in combination with other agents, and its other programs, as well as the clinical data for RLY-2608; the interactions with regulatory authorities and any related approvals; the potential market opportunity for RLY-2608; the cash runway projection; the expected benefits resulting from the implementation of the cost saving measures and potential ability to fund key value drivers; and the expectations regarding Relay Therapeutics' use of capital and expenses. The words 'may,' 'might,' 'will,' 'could,' 'would,' 'should,' 'plan,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'believe,' 'expect,' 'estimate,' 'seek,' 'predict,' 'future,' 'project,' 'potential,' 'continue,' 'target' and similar words or expressions, or the negative thereof, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and important factors that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including, without limitation, risks associated with: Relay Therapeutics' restructuring activities may be more costly or time-consuming than we expect or may not achieve their intended results; the timing, execution, and expected impact of Relay Therapeutics' restructuring plans (including the scope and timing of workforce reductions); the expected decrease in annual spending; the expected sufficiency of Relay Therapeutics' existing cash resources; the internal and external costs required for Relay Therapeutics' ongoing and planned activities, and the resulting impact on expense and use of cash, may be higher than expected, which may cause the company to use cash more quickly than expected or to change or curtail some of Relay Therapeutics' plans or both; the impact of global economic uncertainty, geopolitical instability and conflicts, or public health epidemics or outbreaks of an infectious disease on countries or regions in which Relay Therapeutics has operations or does business, as well as on the timing and anticipated results of its clinical trials, strategy, future operations and profitability; significant political, trade, or regulatory developments, such as tariffs, beyond Relay Therapeutics' control; the delay or pause of any current or planned clinical trials or the development of Relay Therapeutics' drug candidates; the risk that the preliminary or interim results of its preclinical or clinical trials may not be predictive of future or final results in connection with future clinical trials of its product candidates and that interim and early clinical data may change as more patient data become available and are subject to audit and verification procedures; Relay Therapeutics' ability to successfully demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its drug candidates; the timing and outcome of its planned interactions with regulatory authorities; and obtaining, maintaining and protecting its intellectual property. These and other risks and uncertainties are described in greater detail in the section entitled 'Risk Factors' in Relay Therapeutics' most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as any subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent Relay Therapeutics' views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Relay Therapeutics explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. No representations or warranties (expressed or implied) are made about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. Contact:Pete Rahmerprahmer@ Media:Dan Budwick1AB973-271-6085dan@
Mint
06-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Retail inflation seen dropping to 3% or below in May—lowest since 2019
New Delhi: India's retail inflation is expected to have eased further to 3% or below in May—its lowest since April 2019—driven by higher supplies of tomatoes, onions, and potatoes, softer global gold prices, and a favourable base effect, economists said. That would mark a fourth consecutive month of sub-4% print, extending a streak of continuous easing after several months of elevated inflation because of stubborn food prices. The consumer inflation reading for May is likely to fall to 2.7% primarily due to a drop in food inflation, Dipanwita Mazumdar, economist at Bank of Baroda, said in a recent note. 'Even globally, food and energy prices remain in favour. Q1FY26 also has the advantage of a favourable base for the inflation print," Mazumdar said, adding that 'inflationary pressures remain skewed to the downside". 'The volatile TOP (tomatoes, onions, and potatoes) prices are still holding ground supported by better production. A moderation in the gold price in May '25 would also largely cap core inflation," she added. Also read | Early monsoon in India sparks hopes for bumper harvests, easing inflation The Reserve Bank of India on Friday lowered its inflation forecast for 2025-26 to 3.7%, with estimates of 2.9% for the ongoing April-June first quarter, 3.4% for Q2, 3.9% for Q3, and 4.4% for Q4. RBI had previously forecast retail inflation at 4% for 2025-26, with quarterly estimates of 3.6% for Q1, 3.9% for Q2, 3.8% for Q3, and 4.4% for Q4. 'The risks are evenly balanced," RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) cut the policy repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.50%. Typically, higher availability of tomatoes, onions, and potatoes eases food inflation, as increased supply tends to lower prices. According to data from the Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics (UPAJ), TOP arrivals rose 26.4% year-on-year in May, reversing a 16.1% decline in the same month last year. Mazumdar, however, cautioned that weather-related risks remain. 'These volatile TOP prices are already showing some degree of monthly buildup in prices. Especially for potato- and onion-producing states, rainfall has been in excess or large excess," she said. 'Thus, vigilance is required for any weather-related disruption in prices in the coming days." Also read | Centre plans to leverage high productivity in northeastern states to boost output of pulses, ease food inflation Lowest in six years Union Bank of India has pegged retail inflation for May at 3%, driven by easing prices of cereals and pulses, even as prices in other categories firmed up. In a recent report, it added that weak demand and stable commodity prices are likely to keep core inflation under check. Retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose 3.16% in April year-on-year, easing from 3.34% in March and 3.61% in February. In comparison, inflation stood at 4.83% in April last year. Food inflation in April eased to 1.78% from 2.69% in March, 3.75% in February, and 4.83% in the same month last year. India last saw CPI inflation fall below 3% in April 2019. During the first half of 2019, CPI inflation stayed below 3% for several months—1.97% in January, 2.57% in February, 2.86% in March, and 2.99% in April, before rising to 3.05% in May and 3.18% in June. Rating agency Icra Ltd also expects CPI inflation at 3% in May, citing largely benign food prices. 'Barring a vegetable price shock, we foresee average FY2026 retail inflation at 3.5%," said Aditi Nayar, chief economist at Icra. A senior government official, too, said retail inflation is likely to ease in May and the coming months due to falling food prices. 'Though inflation is primarily addressed by the RBI, we at the government feel that it's under control," the official said, adding that seasonal supply-side issues are being monitored closely, with steps underway to lower the cost of essential commodities. Also read | Retail inflation eases again in April, but signs of price pressures are there More rate cuts? However, some economists see a slightly higher inflation print for May—around 3.25%—due to modest rises in food and core prices. Debopam Chaudhuri, chief economist at Piramal Enterprises Ltd, projects a 3.25% year-on-year rise, attributing it to modest increases in both food and core prices. 'A measured increase in core inflation reflects a normally functioning, healthy economy and is not a worrying trend," said Chaudhuri. 'Importantly, inflation is projected to remain well below the RBI's 4% threshold in the near term, thereby preserving ample space for further monetary easing—potentially another 50 bps of rate cuts." Policymakers are increasingly focused on reviving growth momentum amid global and domestic headwinds, including weak consumption and sluggish corporate earnings. Meanwhile, external factors such as US President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs and regional geopolitical tensions have further clouded the outlook. RBI expects India's GDP to grow at 6.5% in FY26, down from its earlier projection of 6.7% growth.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AI data startup WisdomAI nabs $23M with a smart way to avoid hallucinations
Rubrik co-founder Soham Mazumdar, who left in 2023, has a new data startup called WisdomAI. The company offers AI data analytics that can deliver business insights with structured, unstructured, and even "dirty" data, meaning data not cleaned of typos or errors. Working with data where and how it is, that's essentially the holy grail for enterprise business intelligence software and why Coatue led the giant seed round of $23 million. Madrona, GTM Capital, The Anthology Fund, and others also participated. Rather than asking a data analytics team to run reports, business managers can ask WisdomAI questions and drill into the details. Mazumdar gives an example of a chief of revenue wanting to know, 'How am I going to close my quarter?' WisdomAI's answer would offer a list of pending deals the team should focus on, along with the information on what's delaying each one, such as the list of the questions each customer is waiting on. 'You can get the CRO to literally see all the way down to this last level of detail through our platform with, like, five key strokes, as opposed to a process which involves five individuals, including some analysts, and a whole lot of time,' Mazumdar told TechCrunch. That's just one example of the type of questions WisdomAI hopes to answer. Another early customer is an oil and gas company that has thousands of workers in the field using WisdomAI to ask questions about production, tapping into data from everything from stored documents to telemetry. Obviously, every business analytics tool already available — and a host of startups — are also offering AI-powered natural language prompts. WisdomAI stands out for the pedigree of the founders — all previously worked with Mazumdar at Rubrik. But the platform's superpower is its accuracy, even against messy data, Mazumdar says. It can find answers in structured data like databases as well as unstructured data stored in files. Equally importantly, WidsomAI won't deliver hallucinations. Most enterprises are pursuing AI app accuracy by focusing on the data used to train their AI models, as well as model size, prompt engineering, and, perhaps, real-time retrieval techniques like retrieval-augmented generation (RAG). Yet they still run the risk of fabricated answers. WisdomAI uses GenAI in the query formation — not in the creation of answers. 'Ultimately, GenAI can hallucinate. What we use GenAI to do is to write small little programs … that can query these different systems,' Mazumdar says. So if WidsomAI's model hallucinates, all it will do is write a fake query that fails to retrieve data. The data itself – the answer to the question – won't be fabricated.
Mint
28-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
India to continue capex focus to drive economic growth amid global caution, says Deloitte's Rumki Mazumdar
New Delhi: The government is likely to maintain a strong focus on capital expenditure, aiming to boost infrastructure and cut logistics costs—key drivers in its ambition to become the world's third-largest economy—amid a cautious global environment, Rumki Mazumdar, chief economist and director at Deloitte India said. "I believe capital expenditure will remain a key focus for the Indian government, as there is still significant ground to cover in reducing logistics costs and advancing infrastructure development," she told Mint. "This emphasis on capex is expected to continue, as we have seen in the past with many advanced economies." The Union government has set a capital expenditure (capex) target of ₹ 11.21 trillion for FY26, marking a modest 0.9% increase over the previous year's budget estimate of ₹ 11.11 trillion. However, the actual spending for FY25 is projected to fall short at ₹ 10.18 trillion, attributed to delays caused by the 2024 general elections. Mazumdar said the government has made a significant bet with the latest tax exemptions, aiming to put more income in the hands of young, consumption-driven earners. By targeting a demographic with high-income elasticity, the government expects that increased disposable income will quickly translate into higher spending, Mazumdar said. "While direct tax collections may decline initially, the government is banking on a rise in indirect tax revenues as consumption strengthens, ultimately supporting overall revenue growth," she added. In the Union Budget 2025–26, the government introduced tax reforms aimed at stimulating consumption and supporting economic growth. The new tax structure exempts individuals earning up to ₹ 12.80 lakh annually from paying income tax, a substantial increase from the previous threshold of ₹ 7 lakh. Additionally, the highest tax rate of 30% now applies only to incomes exceeding ₹ 24 lakh. Mazumdar noted that India's economic growth for FY25 is expected to align with Deloitte's January forecast of 6.5-6.8%, though growth for FY26 could be revised from the agency's earlier estimate of 6.7-7.3%. "While trade may impact growth, there is optimism that the effect will be limited, as India is now strongly committed to securing a bilateral agreement with the US," she said. Mazumdar and her team at Deloitte are slated to release their latest India economic outlook later this week. "The US is eager to strengthen trade relations with India, as evidenced by J.D. Vance's recent visit. His trip highlights the US's desire for closer ties, especially as it increasingly confronts China," she said. "This evolving dynamic is likely to work in India's favour," she added. Earlier in April, the US imposed a 27% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods in response to India's 52% average duty on US imports, part of a broader effort to address trade imbalances. However, a few days later, the US reduced the tariff to 10%, providing temporary relief to India and other partners. "As the situation stabilizes, India is likely to benefit from ongoing trade tariffs. If an agreement is reached by the fall, most reciprocal tariffs are expected to be neutralized," Mazumdar said. She highlighted that the US views India as a key partner in Asia, particularly as it competes with China on multiple fronts. First Published: 28 Apr 2025, 05:58 PM IST
Japan Times
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Arunima Mazumdar: ‘Japanese literature has a niche but deeply engaged readership in India'
Arunima Mazumdar, 39, is the founder of Dokusha Book Club, a New Delhi-based group dedicated to Japanese literature. The club reads Japanese books in English translation, opening up conversations around a literary niche that is enjoying a recent boom in India. Outside of the club, Mazumdar works as a communications professional. 1. What sparked your interest in Japanese literature? I studied English literature at Delhi University, and that's when my love for reading really deepened. But we never read any Japanese works — the English honors program is still very colonial. I discovered Japanese literature around 2011 or 2012 when I picked up 'Sputnik Sweetheart' by Haruki Murakami, which became my gateway to Japanese literature. 2. What inspired you to start Dokusha Book Club? Few of my friends were into Japanese literature; most found it boring or absurd. I didn't have anyone to discuss these books with. In December 2022, I had a month-long break between jobs, so I decided to start documenting my Japanese literature reading journey. I just put it out there on Instagram — and organically, the community grew. Before I knew it, we had 4,000 members. 3. What is the significance of the name 'Dokusha'? I don't know any Japanese, and I was looking for a name that would be easy to remember and also represent reading in some way — so I settled on dokusha (reader). 4. Did you face any challenges in establishing the book club? Not really, because I didn't start it with any particular agenda. It was, and still is, a passion project. I'm not doing it for money or fame. It's simply something I love and wanted to share with others. But Japanese books are expensive by Indian standards, and a lot of my audience are students or young language learners. I try to work with publishers to offer discounted or complimentary copies whenever possible. 5. How has the response been? The response has been overwhelmingly positive since day one. I received so many DMs from people eager to join. Our first in-person session in July 2023, held in collaboration with the Japan Foundation, had over 60 attendees. The audience was diverse, with both young readers and older ones, including a retired doctor who spoke about Japanese classics. It showed me how many hidden pockets of Japanese literature lovers there are across India. I also try to keep the club inclusive by encouraging members to talk about manga, anime and films, since all of these forms are deeply connected. 6. Where are your members based? The majority are from the Delhi NCR, then Bangalore and Mumbai. There are also people from Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Jaipur, Guwahati, Itanagar, Dehradun and elsewhere. Dokusha Book Club has members from all across India and holds quarterly events, with lively discussions about Japanese literature on WhatsApp in between. | Courtesy of Arunima Mazumdar 7. What are your criteria for selecting books? I try to keep up with current trends — like popular titles or ones shortlisted for major prizes — but I also make space for older or lesser-known works. I post reviews of books I'm reading. Sometimes I highlight authors who aren't widely available in India, or bring attention to reissued classics with new covers. It's a mix of what's timely and what I feel deserves more visibility. 8. Are there particular themes or genres within Japanese literature that resonate more with your members? Right now, anything related to Japan is really popular in India. It's less about a specific genre and more about the fact that the book is from Japan — readers are excited to explore Japanese literature in general. 9. What does a typical book club meeting look like? We mostly meet in person quarterly, and there's also a lot of ongoing discussion in our WhatsApp group. I've tried online meetings before, but the turnout hasn't been great. People prefer meeting face-to-face. 10. Can you share any memorable feedback you've received from a club member? One member wrote to me saying that discovering Izumi Suzuki through the club turned out to be 'quite a nice read.' It really affirmed my effort to spotlight lesser-known Japanese authors in India. 11. Are there specific aspects of Japanese culture that inspire discussion? One theme that really stands out — and often comes up in our discussions — is the quiet loneliness that many Japanese characters seem to carry. There's also this contradiction we notice: Japanese books often feel calm, introspective, even beautiful in their simplicity — but the societal realities they hint at, like extreme work culture or isolation, are far from that. Take 'Convenience Store Woman' — the protagonist is content with her highly routine life, which is so different from how Indian people try to break monotony with multiple pursuits. These contrasts spark a lot of curiosity, and I think that's why Japanese literature attracts a niche but deeply engaged readership in India. 12. How has running the club changed your relationship to Japanese literature and culture? I have Google alerts set up with keywords like 'Japanese literature,' 'Japanese books,' 'Japanese film' and 'Japanese art,' so I stay constantly updated on what's new — what's being adapted into film, what's been shortlisted for awards and so on. I'm actively following news around Japanese literature and culture. Even if I don't read or buy every new release, I make sure I know about it. 13. Has Japanese literature influenced any of your daily habits? After reading 'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle,' I started ironing my clothes when I feel anxious, like the protagonist. It's become a calming ritual for me. 14. Does the club organize other activities to promote Japanese culture? Not at the moment, but we're thinking about small activities like a sushi workshop in collaboration with a restaurant. That said, I want to keep the focus on literature and make sure the club doesn't become too commercial or event-driven. 15. Has a particular Japanese book ever changed the way you see the world? 'Hunchback' by Saou Ichikawa really moved me. It reminded me of a wheelchair-bound reader in my club who couldn't attend a meet-up due to lack of accessibility. The book made me reflect deeply on how much we take for granted — like simply holding a book — and how little the publishing world does to support disabled readers. 16. Are there any points of confluence between Japanese literature and contemporary Indian society? Themes like patriarchy, body image and identity struggles are common in both Japanese literature and contemporary Indian society. 17. Do you see the Dokusha Book Club as building cultural bridges between Japan and India? Yes, absolutely. What began as my personal passion project has organically grown into a space for cultural exchange, bringing Japanese literature closer to Indian readers and encouraging meaningful cross-cultural conversations. 18. What's a lesser-known Japanese book or author you think deserves more global recognition, especially in India? I'd say Izumi Suzuki. Her work was ahead of its time, and she's not widely read in India. 19. Has the club collaborated with Japanese authors or translators? I had the chance to interview Asako Yuzuki when she came to India for the Alliance Literary Festival in Bangalore. I also met Ginny Tapley Takemori, the translator of 'Convenience Store Woman,' at the same festival and eventually interviewed her. Another memorable interview was with Michiko Aoyama. That one was arranged by her publisher, as was my interview with Yoko Tawada for her book 'Spontaneous Acts.' 20. If you could invite any Japanese author, living or dead, for a Dokusha Book Club session, who would it be? It would have to be Haruki Murakami! He's such a recognizable name that even people who haven't read him know who he is. I would like to ask, 'You've been in the running for the Nobel Prize so many times — do you still hope it'll happen someday?' And also, 'What's changed in your writing over the past decade?'
