Markets

Eisai, in partnership with BioArctic AB, is launching Leqembi in Europe, starting with Austria and Germany. Leqembi, approved by the European Commission in April 2025, is the first therapy targeting the underlying cause of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Indicated for early AD patients (ApoE ε4 non-carriers or heterozygotes) with confirmed amyloid pathology, Leqembi demonstrated a 31% reduction in clinical decline in trials. Lecanemab selectively binds to aggregated soluble and insoluble forms of amyloid-beta (Aβ). It has already been approved in U.S., Japan, EU, China, etc. Common adverse reactions include infusion-related reactions and ARIA.

Argenx’s VYVGART® demonstrated statistically significant improvements in AChR-Ab seronegative generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) patients in the ADAPT SERON phase 3 study (p=0.0068). This is the first global Phase 3 study showing benefits across MuSK+, LRP4+, and triple seronegative subtypes. Argenx plans to submit an sBLA to the FDA by the end of 2025 to expand VYVGART’s label. The drug maintained its consistent safety profile. The results position VYVGART as a potential foundational therapy for a broader gMG population.

Xiaohongshu (Red) is reportedly launching its “Xiaohong Card” program by the end of September, pushing into the local lifestyle services market. The initiative, targeting F&B, leisure, and entertainment businesses in pilot cities like Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, aims to connect online discovery with offline transactions. The “Xiaohong Card,” similar to Alibaba’s 88VIP, offers exclusive discounts (at least 10%) to users at participating merchants. Youzan is the exclusive service provider, facilitating traffic conversion into sales through integrated solutions.

Willis Towers Watson (WTW) is expanding its Corporate Risk & Broking team in Japan, hiring 22 professionals in 2025. This growth targets Japan’s projected insurance market expansion from JPY11.7 trillion in 2024 to JPY12.7 trillion by 2028. New hires strengthen Risk & Analytics, Reinsurance, Marine, Business Development, and Claims divisions, bringing expertise from firms like Marsh and Tokio Marine. Japan’s significant marine insurance market, representing 11% of the global fleet, is a key focus area.

This article examines the pervasive phenomenon of “small essays” – market rumors – in China’s stock market and their impact on stock prices. Fueled by social media virality and exploiting information asymmetry, these narratives often prioritize speed over accuracy, influencing retail investors and even algorithmic trading. The article categorizes common rumor themes, discusses the low-cost, high-reward nature of their creation and dissemination, and highlights challenges in regulating them. While authorities are cracking down, the article concludes that a better understanding of investments, more transparent dissemination of information and greater regulation are needed to combat their influence.

HUTCHMED (HCM) CEO Dr. Weiguo Su is taking a leave of absence for health reasons. CFO Johnny Cheng has been appointed Acting CEO, retaining his CFO responsibilities. The Board assures that ongoing research, development, and commercial activities will remain on track. Dr. Su expressed confidence in the team’s ability to execute the company’s strategy. Cheng acknowledged Dr. Su’s 20 years of leadership and contributions to HUTCHMED.

Golden Lake Exploration (GOLXF) secured a C$50,000 convertible note with a 10% annual interest rate, maturing on December 31, 2025. The funds will ensure its Jewel Ridge claims remain active through payments to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The outstanding capital can be converted into common shares at $0.05 each, subject to a four-month hold. This financing aims to maintain the mining claims but introduces potential shareholder dilution.

Arch Linux, the foundation of SteamOS, is experiencing a persistent DDoS attack since August 2025. The attack is primarily affecting the main website, Arch User Repository (AUR), and forums, causing intermittent outages. The Arch Linux team is working to mitigate the effects and restore full functionality, while investigating the origin of the attack. Users are advised to monitor the service status page for updates. The incident highlights cybersecurity threats to open-source projects and their downstream impacts.

Nulntale has emerged as a leading brand in air source heat pumps, recognized by Frost & Sullivan for its #1 sales of variable frequency models in 2024 and 2025. Offering a diverse portfolio covering residential, commercial, and industrial needs, Nulntale prioritizes top-tier components and innovative features like a ten-layer noise reduction system achieving ultra-quiet operation. With installations in over 80 countries and positive user testimonials citing cost savings and reliable performance in extreme conditions, Nulntale is solidifying its reputation for quality and performance.

A “Lu Xun-inspired knitted vest” from People’s Literature Publishing House is trending on Weibo. Dubbed “literary armor,” it’s seen as a symbol of intellectuality. Lu Xun’s grandson, Zhou Lingfei, views such popularization as positive for cultural preservation, but expressed concern about disrespectful caricatures of Lu Xun. Lu Xun’s enduring influence is evident in his works being included in Chinese school textbooks.