Latest news with #Rie
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Cowbell-Gate and Toxic Crusaders push Super Rugby Pacific in the right direction
Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final Crusaders v Chiefs Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 21 June Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch Live blog updates on RNZ Analysis: Are we finally getting there as a rugby fanbase? This week's big rugby story wasn't about injuries, selections or even the impending All Black squad announcement. No, it was about the banning of an either beloved or despised noise maker (depending on where you're from) for Saturday night's grand final . The news that the Crusaders have forbidden cowbells for the game came out of nowhere on Wednesday. Well, almost nowhere as that's the best way to describe LinkedIn. The last time the headquarters of humblebragging made rugby news was during the fallout of Ian Foster infamously ducking a press conference, but this time it was the platform Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge used to pass his heavy-handed edict on the use of cowbells at Apollo Projects Stadium. Was it a total work from the start? Given the Chiefs' response was to encourage travelling fans to use a recently launched cowbell app, it certainly seems so. But if Mansbridge and his Chiefs counterpart Simon Graafhuis cooked this all up over a beer then it doesn't really matter, because it's this sort of outside the box thinking that rugby needs. Rugby writer Jamie Wall with Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge Photo: Supplied It's all on the back of a concerted effort by the Blues to use their social media platforms to show a bit of attitude, while Rieko Ioane is happy enough to simply do it himself. The current environment is one that's catching up with the way things are done overseas but also shows that things can head into that sweet spot of suspended disbelief and still generate legitimate interest. To put things in perspective: an RNZ Facebook post about the cowbell ban on Wednesday pulled in over 10 times the number of comments than any other story that day. Why? Because it was an easy outlet to vent frustration. You didn't need to know anything about the Crusaders and Chiefs final, or even rugby, but the door was opened to have a view on a much more black and white issue. Scott Barrett scores a try during the Crusaders v Chiefs, Super Rugby Pacific match, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch. Photo: Martin Hunter/ActionPress Because really, this was the Crusaders finally embracing the very powerful 'you might hate us, but we hate you even more' attitude, one they've unfortunately earned full right to make use of thanks to their now extensive trophy collection. Teams don't owe each other anything on the field, so why would they off it? Admittedly, due to the wider issue of hooliganism, football's restriction makes away trips all the more intimidating nonetheless. In a lot of countries you have to sit in one specific part of the stadium, alcohol is prohibited, and fans aren't even allowed in certain parts of the city before and after the match. English football fans jump the fence to get away from the violence. Photo: AFP There's nothing wrong with making another team's fans feel uncomfortable. If anything, it'll force them to adapt and support their team even louder, which is what happens when you pen everyone in an away section. Rugby has, for far too long, used the British crutch of it being a sport for the landed gentry to preclude itself from any forward-thinking marketing strategies. The irony in that is the cloyingly class-based restrictions being presented with a straight face, like the laughable 'respect the kicker' tradition in UK stadiums. The best part of Cowbell-Gate is how it should hopefully start some serious feudalism going forward. Win or lose, the Chiefs now have the entire off season to think of a way of getting back at the Crusaders and their fans, perhaps making each one entering FMG Stadium Waikato pass an eye test or proving their family's genealogy doesn't overlap too much. But if the Chiefs can pull of a win, there will be absolutely no surprises at all if the first thing they do is pull a cowbell out and give the home fans something to listen to when they're trudging home.
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
KB eyes Bukopin Finance sale in Indonesia turnaround push
KB Kookmin Bank is negotiating with JB Financial Group to sell PT KB Bukopin Finance, its Indonesian installment financing subsidiary, to stay afloat in the Southeast Asian market, according to sources familiar with the matter on Monday. 'Talks are underway between KB and JB,' said a JB Financial Group official. A KB official confirmed that the bank is currently reviewing a potential sale of its Indonesian subsidiary but added that no final decision has been made. Acquired by KB in 2008, PT KB Bukopin Finance specializes in auto installment loans, personal credit and loans to self-employed individuals. KB owns a 97 percent stake in PT KB Bukopin Finance, which turned profitable last year after four years of losses, reporting a net income of 12.46 billion rupiah ($1 million). If the deal is successful, JB Financial Group is poised to accelerate its expansion into Indonesia's auto finance sector, including auto installment financing through its key affiliate JB Woori Capital. The potential sale is part of KB's broader efforts to turn around its Indonesian operations, which have faced persistent challenges since the bank gained management control of its subsidiary, KB Bank Indonesia, in 2020. Despite recording a profit of 28.8 billion won ($23 million) in the first quarter of this year, its first positive quarterly result after years of losses, KB Bank Indonesia remains in the red on an annual basis. Since the acquisition, cumulative losses have reached 1.7 trillion won, spanning more than seven years of operational struggles. KB aims to return its Indonesian subsidiary to profitability by 2026, with a full-year profit target set for this year. A key component of this restructuring involves the possible divestment of PT KB Bukopin Finance, a significant asset within KB Bank Indonesia's subsidiary structure. The sale would allow KB to focus on strengthening its core domestic operations and improving the performance of its regional units. In addition to PT KB Bukopin Finance, KB Bank Indonesia's corporate structure includes PT Bank KB Bukopin Syariah, which provides Islamic banking services. Last month, the bank appointed Kunardy Darma Rie as its new president director. This marks the first time a non-Korean has been named to lead KB Indonesia, signaling a shift toward greater localization. Rie, a corporate finance expert, plans to establish a more locally focused management system and enhance revenue streams, aligning with the bank's strategic objectives. As part of its regional operational optimization, KB Financial Group is also preparing to establish a local financial holding company in Indonesia to comply with the country's financial conglomerate regulations.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Augustine Therapeutics appoints Rie Schultz Hansen, PhD as Chief Scientific Officer and establishes Copenhagen-based subsidiary
New recruit expands senior team capabilities as the business progresses its lead HDAC6 inhibitor program, AGT-100216, into the clinic for the treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease and continues building its pipeline in neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic diseases Subsidiary Augustine Therapeutics Denmark ApS, located in Copenhagen, Denmark to serve as hub for the company's research work in cardio-metabolic medicine LEUVEN, Belgium – 21 May 2025 – Augustine Therapeutics NV ('Augustine' or 'the Company'), a biotechnology company focused on developing new therapies for neuromuscular, neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic diseases through the inhibition of the cytosolic Histone DeACetylase 6 (HDAC6) enzyme, today announced the appointment of Rie Schultz Hansen, PhD, as Chief Scientific Officer, effective immediately. With more than 20 years' experience in drug discovery and early-stage drug development, Rie is an experienced executive with a strong background in cardio-metabolic and inflammation-driven diseases as well as peptide therapeutics. Prior to joining Augustine, she served as the Chief Scientific Officer at Aelin Therapeutics, where she played a key role in developing a degrader platform based on induced protein aggregation to neutralize disease-causing proteins. Later, she spearheaded an entrepreneurial initiative advancing AI/ML-based solutions derived from Aelin Therapeutics technology, securing initial funding and forging a collaboration for assay development and high-throughput screening capabilities. Rie spent the majority of her career at the peptide development specialist Zealand Pharma (CPH: ZEAL) where she worked across multiple functional areas, mainly focused on cardiovascular, metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Roles at Zealand Pharma included Innovation Officer, Vice President, Head of Discovery and Innovation, and Interim Chief Scientific Officer, governing the preclinical portfolio until CTA/IND submission and developing and implementing the strategy for research and chemistry for pre-clinical projects. Throughout her career Rie has maintained a strong connection with academia and has served for several years as a member of the Danish Cardiovascular Academy Grant committee. In addition, Augustine today announced the founding of a Copenhagen, Denmark based subsidiary, Augustine Therapeutics Denmark ApS, which will serve as the company's hub for research related to cardio-metabolic diseases. Gerhard Koenig, PhD, CEO of Augustine Therapeutics commented: 'Following the latest appointments of Virginie Cartage as Chief Financial Officer and Dr. Andy Hu as Chief Business Officer, I am pleased to further bolster our executive team. Rie's expertise will be instrumental in advancing Augustine's lead candidate, AGT-100216, through a Phase I/II proof-of-concept clinical trial in CMT and the Company's two other programs in discovery targeting peripherally-restricted and blood-brain barrier-penetrant HDAC6i for undisclosed neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic indications. Rie's deep knowledge around the biology of cardio-metabolic diseases will provide critical leadership as we as we grow into our next stage as a clinical stage company with a deep HDAC6i pipeline pursuing a range of clinical applications.' Rie Schultz Hansen, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Augustine Therapeutics added: 'Augustine is at a significant juncture in its development. With the Company's novel and next generation approach to selectively inhibit HDAC6 and successful Series A fundraise, I am eager to leverage my experience in early-stage drug development and maximise the potential of the Company's highly differentiated pipeline as we proceed into the clinic. Furthermore, the establishment of our Danish subsidiary will drive the for the expansion of our efforts in applying HDAC6i in cardio-metabolic diseases and allow us to tap into the unique depth of cardio-metabolic R&D capabilities in the Danish region.' Rie received her Master's in Biology and PhD at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Copenhagen. She is also a board member of the Peptide Therapeutics Foundation and a member of the DCAcademy Grant Committee (University of Copenhagen) and obtained her post doctorate in cardiovascular research. Media Contacts: Augustine TherapeuticsGerhard Koenig, CEOE-mail: info@ ICR Healthcare Amber Fennell E-mail: augustinetx@ About Augustine TherapeuticsAugustine Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on the treatment of neuromuscular, neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic diseases through its next-generation approach to selectively inhibit HDAC6. Augustine's HDAC6 inhibitors have been purposefully designed to selectively inhibit HDAC6 while preserving its beneficial non-catalytic functions. Augustine's lead program, AGT-100216, is the first selective HDAC6 inhibitor for long-term treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. With its novel non-hydroxamate, non-hydrazide producing chemotype, Augustine's HDAC6 approach is selective, avoids the limitations of other chemotypes, and built for chronic diseases. With this novel approach, the Company will also be targeting diseases beyond CMT, including neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic diseases. Augustine Therapeutics was founded on the ground-breaking research of Prof. Ludo Van Den Bosch from the VIB-KU Leuven in Belgium. The Company raised an oversubscribed EUR 78 million / USD 85 million Series A financing round in March 2025, led by Novo Holdings and Jeito Capital and supported by existing investors Asabys Partners, Eli Lilly and Company, AdBio partners, V-Bio Ventures, PMV, VIB, Gemma Frisius Fund, the US-based Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Research Foundation and Newton Biocapital. For more information visit in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
