Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1187474
COMMERCIAL 20 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 NOVEMBER 2019 A specific research in a particular kid- ney disorder has been boosted by a €25,000 donation presented by Nes- café 3in1 LifeCycle Challenge to Uni- versity of Malta's Research, Innova- tion and Development Trust (RIDT). The money is part of this year's title sponsorship from Nestlé's signature brand Nescafe 3in1 to LifeCycle (Mal- ta) Foundation. LifeCycle Founder Alan Curry said: "Following talks with University of Malta and Mater Dei Hospital, Life- Cycle has been advised to support a research programme in polycystic kid- ney disease. Since 2014, LifeCycle has made this its mission to further sup- port research programmes at the Uni- versity of Malta. Thanks to Nescafé 3in1 brand, we are again able to assist in this much needed research." A team of researchers from the Uni- versity's Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology in collaboration with the Division of Nephrology of the Depart- ment of Medicine and Mater Dei Hos- pital, namely Jean Calleja Agius, Ema- nuel Farrugia, Edith Said and Graziella Zahra, will be investigating polycystic kidney disease (PKD). PKD is an inherited disorder in which clusters of cysts develop pri- marily within the kidneys, causing the kidneys to enlarge and lose function over time. The disorder may be present in childhood and adolescence if it is se- vere, or later on in life if symptoms are mild. The clinical presentation is very vari- able as well as the disease progression. PKD can be inherited in a dominant (ADPKD) or a recessive (ARPDK) manner. "Patients with ADPKD in Malta have so far been diagnosed clinically and the genetic aetiology of this condition is as yet not fully defined. The research project will aim to determine the un- derlying genetic defect in patients with ADPKD in Malta and to offer proper genetic counselling to families with individuals with ADPKD," said lead researcher Jean Calleja Agius. "The full study is expected to be spread over three years and will re- sult in the analysis of most families with ADPKD in Malta," added Calleja Agius. Nestlé Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager Alfred J. Borg said: "As part of our mission to enhance the quality of life and con- tribute to a healthier future for the communities, through our Nescafé 3in1 coffee brand, we have partnered with LifeCycle (Malta) Foundation to further support their noble mission in enhancing the lives of persons living with kidney disorder." LifeCycle (Malta) Foundation, the only NGO that raises funds to support patients suffering from kidney failure, covers three principle areas: aware- ness, treatment and research. To achieve these goals, the Foun- dation works hand in hand with the medical staff at the Renal Unit of Ma- ter Dei Hospital and the University of Malta Research Trust. University of Malta's Rector and RIDT Chairman Alfred Vella thanked Nestlé Malta and LifeCycle Challenge for understanding the need to further their support in medical research, said: "We are very appreciative of today's donation to further renal research in Malta. In the first year we are aim- ing to involve in the study at least 50 patients over the age of 18 years that have a positive family history of AD- PKD." Nescafé 3in1 LifeCycle Challenge continues to boost kidney disorder research through University Research Trust HARVEST Technology plc, the technology group comprising IT solutions provider PTL Ltd, payment gateway specialist APCO Systems Ltd, and automa- tion and security company APCO Ltd, is launching an Initial Public Offering representing 40 per cent of its issued share capital. The shares will be listed on the Malta Stock Exchange. This Equity Issue, the net proceeds of which are ex- pected to amount to €13.2 million, is aimed at fulfill- ing the aims of Harvest Technology's parent company 1923 Investments plc as it pursues further growth through acquisitions. This is in line with the scope of 1923 Investments to act as an investment vehicle by embarking upon purchase and sale transaction oppor- tunities. Harvest Technology's portfolio of successful busi- nesses delivers impactful, intuitive solutions to custom- ers operating in sectors like banking, aviation, pharma- ceuticals, state agencies in Malta and internationally, online gaming, retail, and others. Harvest Technology's team is composed of 120 industry specialists. Harvest Technology plc is offering for sale 9.11 mil- lion shares at €1.50 per share. The board of directors' objective is to distribute an annual final dividend to shareholders, amounting to an estimated 4% net divi- dend yield, meaning that cash dividends are intended to be paid out to shareholders relative to the compa- ny's market value at specific points in time. Informa- tion and documentation, including the prospectus, are available at www.harvest.tech. Application forms will be available from Tuesday, November 26. The closing date is December 12, 2019. Harvest Technology plc launches IPO of 40% of issued share capital LifeCycle Chairperson Shirley Cefai presented the donation to Alfred Vella