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☆ China to import 45 foreign video games, grants multiple licences to Tencent
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Josh Ye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BEIJING, Dec 29 (Reuters) - China's video games regulator granted publishing licences to 45 foreign games for release in the country，including seven South Korean games, further lifting rigid curbs that have hammered the industry for 18 months. The approval of imported games effectively marks the end of Beijing's crackdown on the video games industry which began last August when regulators suspended the game approval process. Unlike in most other countries, video games need approval from regulators before release in China, the world's largest gaming market. Other imported games approved include CD Projekt's (CDR.WA) "Gwent: The Witcher Card Game" and Klei Entertainment's "Don't Starve". China approved 76 imported games in 2021 and 456 in 2017.

☆ Eisai, Biogen Alzheimer's drug slows cognitive decline, safety for some becomes focus
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Deena Beasley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The drug, lecanemab, was associated with a type of brain swelling in 12.6% of trial patients, a side effect previously seen with similar drugs. He suggested that could be because homozygous study patients who were given a placebo fared better than expected. Overall, lecanemab patients benefited by 23% to 26% compared with a placebo on these secondary trial goals. Detailed data from the study were presented at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease meeting in San Francisco and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Howard Fillit, chief science officer at the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, said doctors always balance the benefits and risks of therapies.

☆ Experimental drug appears to slow progression of Alzheimer’s disease in clinical trial but raises safety concerns
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

It involved 1,795 adults, ages 50 to 90, with mild cognitive impairment due to early Alzheimer’s disease or mild Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia. Such a score is consistent with early Alzheimer’s disease, with a higher number associated with more cognitive impairment. By 18 months, the CDR-SB score went up 1.21 points in the lecanemab group, compared with 1.66 in the placebo group. Overall, there were serious adverse events in 14% of the lecanemab group and 11.3% of the placebo group. The researchers also wrote that about 0.7% of participants in the lecanemab group and 0.8% of those in the placebo group died, corresponding to six deaths documented in the lecanemab group and seven in the placebo group.

☆ Poland's CD Projekt third-quarter profit soars thanks to Cyberpunk boost
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Nov 28 (Reuters) - Polish video game maker CD Projekt's (CDR.WA) third-quarter net profit jumped 500%, topping expectations, helped by sales of its flagship Cyberpunk 2077 game. The studio behind the Cyberpunk and The Witcher franchises said the figure came in at 98.7 million zlotys ($21.94 million), compared to the 88 million zlotys expected by analysts. ($1 = 4.4981 zlotys)Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka; Editing by Jan HarveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ New Zealand government to introduce 'open banking' for consumers
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WELLINGTON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - New Zealand will introduce open banking over the next two years, the government said in a statement on Thursday, making the sector the first to have rules giving consumers full control of their financial data. "Open banking" is already in place in a number of markets overseas, including Australia and the United Kingdom. Proponents of "open banking" say it may allow consumers to share their banking data with other providers to get better and cheaper services than what they already have. Australian banks, which dominate New Zealand's banking sector, are increasing their reliance on data to approve loans and better sharing of data supports this. New Zealand Bankers' Association chief executive Roger Beaumont said it is important to get the open data sharing right for consumers and they needed time to implement.

☆ Deutsche upgrades Dave & Buster's on solid outlook despite slowing economic prospects
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Investors looking for a solid restaurant play can expect a "compelling" risk-reward from shares of Dave & Buster's Entertainment , Deutsche Bank says. Analyst Brian Mullan upgraded shares of the restaurant and entertainment stock to a buy from a hold rating, saying in a note to clients that the "setup seems pretty decent" even in a bleak macro environment. Deutsche Bank also upped its price target on the stock to $48 a share, suggesting shares could rally nearly 30% in the months ahead. The stock has held up relatively better than the broader market this year, down just 3.5%. To be sure, Dave & Buster's isn't immune to a slowing macro environment, but Deutsche Bank believes the stock price is already reflecting that potential outcome.

☆ CD Projekt announces Witcher remake
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

GDANSK, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Poland's biggest video game maker CD Projekt (CDR.WA) announced on Wednesday that work is in progress on a remake of its flagship game "The Witcher". The project, which is being developed by external studio Fool’s Theory, was previously referred to by the code name Canis Majoris during the company's strategy update earlier in October. CD Projekt shares were up 4.1% by 1447 GMT. Reporting by Adrianna Ebert Editing by David GoodmanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Catalonia seeks Spain's agreement for new independence referendum
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Joan Faus | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has favoured dialogue with Catalonia to rebuild relations after a chaotic unilateral bid for independence in 2017 plunged Spain into its worst political crisis in years. It remains, however, staunchly opposed to independence and has hitherto ruled out a legal referendum. A similar proposal by Catalonia in 2012 was firmly rejected by the then conservative government in Madrid. The wealthy northeastern region held a referendum five years later despite a ban by the courts, and issued a short-lived unilateral independence declaration. Catalan government head Pere Aragones told the regional parliament that for another referendum, Catalonia needed Madrid's buy-in.

Shares of Biogen and Eisai were halted, but shares of Eli Lilly & Co , which is also developing an Alzheimer's drug, were up 6.7% in after hours trade. Aduhelm was the first new Alzheimer's drug approved in 20 years after a long list of high-profile failures for the industry. Symptomatic brain swelling was seen in 2.8% of those in the lecanemab group and none of the placebo group, they said. Aduhelm's approval was a rare bright spot for Alzheimer's patients, but critics have called for more evidence that amyloid-targeting drugs are worth the cost. Other plaque-targeting antibodies in late-stage development for Alzheimer's patients include Roche Holding AG's (ROG.S) gantenerumab and Eli Lilly's donanemab.

Globally, the figure could reach 139 million by 2050 without an effective treatment, Alzheimer's Disease International said. Aduhelm was the first new Alzheimer's drug approved in 20 years after a long list of high-profile failures for the industry. read morePatient advocacy groups hailed the news of positive lecanemab trial results. Micro hemorrhages in the brain occurred at a rate of 17% in the lecanemab group, and 8.7% in the placebo group. Aduhelm's approval was a rare bright spot for Alzheimer's patients, but critics have called for more evidence that amyloid-targeting drugs are worth the cost.

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