The European Union is rolling out a new space traffic management initiative to build up its abilities in the field while working with both the United States and the United Nations.

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Amsterdam and cannabis go way back. In fact, cannabis culture took root in the city before it spread throughout the rest of the Netherlands. Even before prohibition, Amsterdam was home to the dedicated and passionate pioneers that would propel our history forward.

A lot has changed since then regarding cannabis policy throughout Amsterdam and the Netherlands as a whole.

Today, we want to spotlight important points in Amsterdam's cannabis history that helped put the city on the map. Nowadays, people are familiar with the city as a laidback, free-willed, cannabis-friendly oasis (especially for tourists). Let's go back in time to see how Amsterdam and cannabis' stories weave together.

1913: Cannabis is Criminalized

You likely already know about the Netherlands' cannabis criminalization in 1913. This was happening across many other parts of the world around the same time, too. International drug regulation was in its infancy.

It wasn't until the 1960s that citizens began a movement tied to cannabis and other rights. This movement was the start of the liberal, free-thinking city of Amsterdam that we have today. Prior to this point in time, though, the Opium Law lumped cannabis right in with hard drugs like cocaine and heroin.

The 1960s: Cannabis Culture Movement

The hippie culture movement running frenzied in the United States made it over to the Netherlands around the same time. Specifically, the hippie movement hit Amsterdam. With it, the number of drug-related violations in the nation started escalating.

(For reference, there were only 10 to 25 cases annually up until 1966. In 1966, that number had jumped to 74. That number drastically increased again to 544 for 1969. You get the idea.)

Provo, a small hippie movement in 1965, provoked authorities by organizing activities like manifestations and smoking sessions. Cannabis was smoked out in the open. This eventually evolved into the cultural phenomenon that it is today.

With such a record high of drug-related violations for the country, the government was forced to make a decision. At first, Dutch police persecuted any and all cannabis users. Then, though, restrictions began to loosen.

Heroin addiction had increased throughout the nation, so focusing on harder drugs' eradication compared to cannabis became a priority. The implementation of drug legislation was finally underway for drugs like cannabis, albeit with specific guidelines.

1970s: Cannabis Restrictions Loosen

June 1970 is when 1969's drug legislation implementation guidelines first took place. There was a Dutch pop festival being held in Rotterdam. Authorities merely observed the crowd rather than arrest cannabis users among the crowd.

Police officers got to witness drug use for the first time without the need to report it or arrest someone. The atmosphere was so pleasant and inviting, many were caught up in the vibe. It was quickly discovered soon after just how friendly and accommodating pot smokers are.

After this point, authorities were no longer able to justify incriminating such an innocent plant. It was soon after that lawyers and politicians alike began standing up for decriminalization and even legalization.

However, restrictive state laws remained in place. The need for a new cultural model was created, and thus, coffeeshops were born. In 1972, the first coffeeshop opened its doors. Known as a teashop back then was the very first coffeeshop, Mellow Yellow.

It only took three years for another two coffeeshops to be founded in Amsterdam. The 1970s was a beautiful start to the blossoming of coffeeshops across the country. Finally, in 1976, the Opium Law was revised. The law distinguished between cannabis products and “substances with a big risk for the individual's health.”

1992: New Coffeeshop Criteria

The number of coffeeshops in the Netherlands had peaked by the 1980s, paving the way for changes in the ‘90s. Coffeeshop-specific regulations were developed in 1991 and adopted officially in 1994.

New criteria arose in 1992 amidst this. BHOJG criteria strictly monitored and observed coffeeshops across the country.

If a shop were to commit a violation, it was closed immediately. Violations might include stocking or selling large quantities, allowing people under 18 years of age to enter, advertising cannabis, and more.

2003: Medical Cannabis Access

Cannabis policy had become more strict by 2003. However, the pharmacy began allowing users to get medicinal cannabis. Essentially, you must have a medical card, prescribed only by a doctor. With this card, you gain access to legal, medicinal cannabis. 

Fun fact: there's only one company in the Netherlands that can legally grow and supply cannabis to pharmacies. It's the only company commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports to do so.

2006: “No Smoking” Attempt

Notice that we say attempt. The “no smoking” signs implemented throughout Amsterdam eventually became something of a collector's item. Certain squares or entire streets weren't allowed to be smoked on. Smoking anyway could result in a fine.

And while the citizens respected the no smoking rules, the signs were still stolen. To be a good sport, the city of Amsterdam responded by offering the signs for sale online. All proceeds ended up going to a worthy cause for the city.

2012: Introduction of Wietpas

Cannabis regulation was being tirelessly worked on. In another attempt, politicians introduced the Wietpas across the southern part of the Netherlands. The weed pass, or Wietpas, only lasted for a few months before it was abolished.

Regardless, it started the requirements that coffeeshop customers had to show proof of identity and residency. The rule essentially prevented tourists and foreigners from being able to buy cannabis legally within Amsterdam.

2014: Joint Regulation Manifest

By 2014, politicians wanted to see a different approach to drug regulation. The mayor of Amsterdam sought exactly this, started the Joint regulation manifest. This manifest went on to accept signatures from 60 other municipalities, even gaining support from some members of the government. Unfortunately, the manifest didn't make much progress after this point, as it didn't gain support from the Minister of Justice. Also, in 2014 it was estimated that in the Netherlands 1 Biljon KWH of electricity was tapped for the cultivation of Cannabis. It is unknown how much of this was used in Amsterdam but you can expect a lot!

2019: Introduction of Wietproef

What used to be a pioneering country for cannabis has since been left behind. Many states in the United States now have more legal cannabis rights than the Netherlands. And while Amsterdam continues to fight for our legal right to the plant, there's still much progress to be made. In the meantime, we cherish what we do have in regard to cannabis.

The Wietproef experiment is still underway. 10 different Dutch municipalities have the chance to sell cannabis from legal growers. We're excited to see the results of such a rewarding project. Likewise, we're eager to see more milestones in history for Amsterdam and cannabis.

Stichting Mediwiet

50 Years after founding Mellow Yellow, Wernard Bruining is still very much involved in the Cannabis Scene but now with a Foundation and a website dedicated to the workings and creation of THC Oil. It's called; Stichting Mediwiet.

This kind of dedication and passion for cannabis is common in Amsterdam. In due time we will add more stories about the pioneers of this industry in Amsterdam and why it is that we produce a Unique quality of Seeds.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that the BlackByte ransomware group has breached the networks of at least three organizations from critical US infrastructure sectors over the past three months. This was first revealed in a joint cybersecurity advisory released on Friday with the US Secret Service. “As of November 2021, BlackByte ransomware had compromised […]

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Tokyo, Japan, Feb 14, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - Quantum FOMM Limited ("QF"), a subsidiary of Quantum Solutions ("Quantum") and a joint venture with FOMM Corporation ("FOMM"), announced on 31 January 2022 that it has entered into a Framework Agreement ("Agreement") with FOMM for the manufacturing and distribution of FOMM One, FOMM's first electric vehicle model and one of Japan's few approved EV kei car on the road today. This Agreement solidifies Quantum's entry into the EV sector, laying the groundwork to become a leader in quality, affordable, micro-EV.

Through this Agreement, FOMM grants QF the exclusive licensing rights for the manufacturing and sales of FOMM One, along with all necessary intellectual property rights, in the countries and regions of China (including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan), Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Latin America. In FOMM One's existing markets of Japan and Thailand, QF will partner with existing dealers for distribution of the vehicles.

Based in Kanagawa Prefecture, FOMM was founded in 2013 by a team of auto engineers who had previously developed electric vehicles at Suzuki Motor Corporation. Over the years, FOMM developed its first micro, electric four-seater kei car model, FOMM One, to cater to the specific needs of the Japanese market.

Specifically, in Japan, kei means "light", and these vehicles are known for their affordability and small engines. The category makes up about a third of new domestic automobile sales annually, as the vehicles are a popular means of transportation especially in rural areas, where public transport systems are sparse and roads are narrow. While FOMM One is geared towards general consumers in the kei car category, demand is also expected from local governments, commercial businesses such as logistics company, ride-shares and more. As the Japanese government pledges to decarbonize Japan by 2050 with plans to ban the sale of new gasoline-only vehicles by mid-2030's, FOMM One is well positioned for market share growth in the Japanese car market.

Beyond Japan, Quantum and QF plans to expand its footprint to select ASEAN and Latin America cities where national and local governments are embracing affordable and sustainable mobility solutions in unprecedented ways. Compensation of such rights is 200 million JPY, as announced in the "Notification for Change in Use of Funds from 8th Series of Stock Acquisition Rights." Quantum plans to raise 175 million JPY through the Series 8 Stock Acquisition Rights and allocate the remaining 25 million JPY from cash on hand.

About Quantum Solutions Limited (2338.T)
Quantum Solutions is a Tokyo Stock Exchange listed company engaged in the EV sector.

About Quantum FOMM Limited
Incorporated in Hong Kong, Quantum FOMM is a subsidiary of Quantum Solutions and a joint venture with FOMM Corporation. The joint venture is designated for EV business of Quantum.

About FOMM Corporation
Based in Kanagawa prefecture of Japan and established in 2013, FOMM is an R&D and design-oriented mobility company specializing in planning and developing compact mobility using innovative designs and technologies.


Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.comQuantum FOMM Limited ("QF"), a subsidiary of Quantum Solutions ("Quantum") and a joint venture with FOMM Corporation ("FOMM"), announced on 31 January 2022 that it has entered into Framework Agreement with FOMM for the manufacturing and distribution of FOMM One, FOMM's first electric vehicle model and one of Japan's few approved EV kei car on the road today.

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Cybersecurity authorities from Australia, the UK, and the US published a joint advisory on Wednesday warning of an increase in organized, high-impact ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure organizations across the world in 2021. The attacks targeted a broad range of sectors, including defense, emergency services, agriculture, government facilities, IT, healthcare, financial services, education, energy, charities, legal institutions, and […]

HONG KONG, Feb 10, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - The biopharmaceutical company focusing on oncology therapeutics - Lepu Biopharma Co., Ltd. ("Lepu Biopharma" or the "Company", stock code: 2157), today announced the proposed listing of its shares on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited ("Hong Kong Stock Exchange").

Lepu Biopharma plans to offer 126,876,000H shares (subject to the Over-allotment Option), of which 114,188,000 H shares will be International Offer Shares (subject to reallocation and the Over-allotment Option), representing 90% of the initial offer shares; the remaining 12,688,000 H shares will be Hong Kong Offer Shares (subject to reallocation), representing 10% of the initial offer shares. Offer Price is between HK$6.87 and HK$7.38 per Offer H Share. Lepu Biopharma will open for Hong Kong Public Offering in Hong Kong at 9 a.m., 10 February 2022 (Thursday), and close at 12:00 noon, 15 February 2022 (Tuesday). Dealings in shares of Lepu Biopharma on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange is expected to commence on 23 February 2022 (Wednesday). The shares will be traded in board lot of 1,000 shares each. The Company's stock code is 2157.

-- China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited and Morgan Stanley Asia Limited are the Joint Sponsors and Joint Global Coordinators.

-- China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited, Morgan Stanley Asia Limited (exclusively for Hong Kong Offer Shares), Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc (exclusively for International Offer Shares), Haitong International Securities Company Limited, Huatai Financial Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited, China Galaxy International Securities (Hong Kong) Co., Limited and Valuable Capital Ltd. are the Joint Bookrunners.

-- China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited, Morgan Stanley Asia Limited (exclusively for Hong Kong Offer Shares), Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc (exclusively for International Offer Shares), Haitong International Securities Company Limited, Huatai Financial Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited, China Galaxy International Securities (Hong Kong) Co., Limited, Valuable Capital Ltd. and Tiger Brokers (HK) Global Limited (exclusively for International Offer Shares) are the Joint Lead Managers.

Lepu Biopharma was incorporated in 2018 and is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on oncology therapeutics. The Company has designed pipeline with a range of oncology products. As of the Latest Practicable Date, the Company had pipeline including eight clinical-stage drug candidates, three pre-clinical drug candidates and three clinical-stage combination therapies of the candidates in the pipeline. The product pipeline of Lepu Biopharma features broad-spectrum anti-tumor drugs, including primarily the anti-PD-1 antibody candidate, as the backbone, and a dual focus on ADC and oncolytic virus drug candidates, maximizing synergies in both drug efficacy and commercialization and enabling company to expand indications and addressable market. The Company takes Anti-PD-1 antibody candidate as the cornerstone of its immunotherapies, advances the research and development of related products. The Company filed an NDA of HX008 in melanoma in June 2021 with the NMPA, and filed an NDA of HX008 in MSI-H/dMMR solid tumors in October 2021 with the NMPA. In addition, the Company focus on the development of innovative drugs including ADC and oncolytic virus. According to Frost & Sullivan, the Company house the leading ADC drug candidate pipeline in China in terms of the number of clinical-stage ADC drug candidates. The comprehensive ADC and oncolytic virus pipeline of company creates synergies and maximizes its competitive strength in commercialization. As of the Latest Practicable Date, company had initiated 28 clinical trials, among which three had entered registration trial phase and two were ongoing in the U.S.

Core Product with Encouraging Clinical Trial Results and Advance R&D Smoothly

The major pipeline assets of Lepu Biopharma consist of four core products, namely, MRG003, MRG002, HX008 and LP002, and three key clinical-stage drug candidates.

Among core products, MRG003 and MRG002 are ADC drug candidates, MRG003 is the most advanced EGFR-targeted ADC in clinical-stage development in China and has the potential to seize market opportunities. The Company is conducting Phase II clinical trials of MRG003 in recurrent or metastatic advanced HNSCC, advanced NSCLC, BTC and NPC in China, and expects to initiate clinical trials in recurrent or metastatic advanced HNSCC in the U.S. and expand MRG003 indications based on the clinical data obtained, further expanding the overall addressable market with the aim of achieving international commercialization with MRG003.

MRG002 is an innovative HER2-targeted ADC. Company's pre-clinical studies revealed better efficacy as compared to T-DM1 (trastuzumab emtansine) in multiple Herceptin-resistant HER2 over- and low-expressing PDX models of the gastric cancer and breast cancer. The Company had initiated Phase II clinical trials of MRG002 in HER2 low-expressing and over-expressing breast cancer, UC (urothelial cancer) and HER2 over-expressing BTC. For HER2 over-expressing breast cancer, the Company had obtained approval from the NMPA of registration trial.

HX008 and LP002 are anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 drug candidates, HX008 is a humanized antagonist mAb to human PD-1, which demonstrated efficacy and a good safety profile in the completed Phase Ia clinical trial in solid tumors. As of the Latest Practicable Date, the Company was also in the process of conducting a Phase II clinical trial of HX008 in NMIBC and a Phase III clinical trial of HX008 in the second-line gastric cancer. LP002 is a humanized mAb against PD-L1, which has shown a favorable safety profile in a Phase Ia clinical study in advanced solid tumors. Lepu Biopharma are in the process of a cohort expansion trial in advanced digestive system cancer and have completed patient enrollment and entered the follow-up period for Phase II clinical trials in ES-SCLC in China.

Core Technology Platforms to Buttress Products

Lepu Biopharma has demonstrated capabilities in the development of innovative drugs spanning across early-stage molecular target identification and validation, pre-clinical development and CMC development. The Company has three synergistic core technology platforms around its pipeline specializing in ADC technology, antibody discovery and advanced process and analytical development.

The Company has fully integrated ADC technology platform covering discovery, process and analytical development and manufacturing, is able to design and create new molecules with innovative mechanisms and utilize cutting-edge technology, such as GlycoConnect(TM) site-specific conjugation technology. It has, among others, cutting-edge ADC technologies including sophisticated DAR control technology, advanced ADC conjugation technology, identification and validation of early-stage molecular targets, ADC process development and a well-established quality analysis system.

The Company has constructed a full human naive antibody library of 1011 scale, the platform reduces the reliance on animal immune systems to produce antibodies, and significantly shorten the development period of innovative drug candidates to four to six weeks compared to the traditional hybridoma technology. The Company has also constructed a trispecific antibody T cell engager platform by utilizing protein binding domains, such as nanobodies and scFv, to augment T cells' response to solid tumors.

Lepu Biophamra has an advanced process and analytical development platform for antibodies and ADCs. The Company has impl emented a comprehensive set of quality analysis methods and inspection technology to assess and control the product quality in the course of process and analytical development and production to fulfill the requirements for registration, in order to ensure a standardized process and analytical development and quality control.

Intellectual Property Promotes the Sustainable Development of Drugs
Implement Manufacturing and Commercialization Layout

Intellectual property is pivotal to the sustainable development and commercialization of drugs, the Company endeavors to ensure global full-life-cycle IP protection for drug candidates. As of the Latest Practicable Date, Company had 11 issued patents in China, 20 in the U.S., nine in Japan, seven in the European Union and one in each of South Korea, Australia, Chile, India, Colombia, Indonesia, New Zealand and Israel, and 74 pending patent applications, consisting of 15 in Mainland China and 59 in overseas jurisdictions such as the U.S., Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Israel, and the European Union. Our patent portfolio spans across mAb structure, targeted epitope, CMC, usage, biopharmaceutical formulation and indications.

While Lepu Biopharma advancing its drug candidates, it has mapped out and is implementing the manufacturing and commercialization strategies. Company commenced the operation of a 2,000L GMP-compliant antibody production line in Beijing in 2019 in support of clinical trials for the antibody products, it is building a production line for oncolytic virus drugs in Beijing with a designed capacity of 200L, as well as a biologics manufacturing center in Shanghai Biotech Park, including production line with a designed capacity of 12,000L initially, coupled with laboratories and manufacturing facilities, and one production line with capacity of 6,000L under construction. The Company is building marketing forces in China and seeking partnership opportunities to support international expansion and commercialization.

Expedite Innovative Drugs Development
Advance Pipeline and Technology Platforms Construction

Lepu Biopharma strives to expedites immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy development, aims to achieve expedited and adequate market coverage of HX008 through both medical institutions and direct-to-patients distribution channels by leveraging the broad spectrum of indications covered by MSI-H/dMMR solid tumors. The Company expects to establish effective sales channels and strengthen the commercialization capabilities through the commercialization of HX008, which would also benefit its efforts to commercialize other drug candidates. The Company also plans to seek strategic partnerships with preeminent pharmaceutical companies internationally to maximize the clinical and commercial value of its immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Lepu Biopharma advances the clinical development of its candidates including ADC candidates, oncolytic virus candidates and combination therapies, plans to stay focused on the development of innovative products, create a pipeline for novel therapies, design and develop innovative products and build advanced technology platforms. In addition, the Company is committed to strengthening its overseas business development of pipeline, enhancing the brand awareness and continuously exploring the commercial value of its products and technology in the international market, and will make efforts to pursue out-licensing partnership opportunities in overseas markets. Furthermore, to meet the commercialization demand, the Company will expand GMP-compliant manufacturing facilities to increase capacity and enhance product quality.

The Founder, Chairman and Executive Director of Lepu Biopharma Co., Ltd. Dr. Pu Zhongjie said, "Since our inception, Lepu Biopharma focuses on the development of innovative drugs, the design and well-establishment of pipeline, we have established an integrated end-to-end platform across drug discovery, clinical development and CMC and GMP-compliant manufacturing. As an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company leveraging an internationally integrated research and development system, we are committed to fulfilling current medical needs. Lepu Biopharma has solid R&D capabilities, advanced development platforms and comprehensive pipeline, we will the hold future trend and of the whole industry, use our competitive strengths to keep Lepu Biopharma's status in the market and maxmize the created value for shareholders and investors."



Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.comThe biopharmaceutical company focusing on oncology therapeutics - Lepu Biopharma Co., Ltd. ("Lepu Biopharma" or the "Company", stock code: 2157), today announced the proposed listing of its shares on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited ("Hong Kong Stock Exchange").