-- Protagonist Therapeutics (PTGX) 週二表示，該公司已行使其權利，選擇退出與武田製藥 (TAK) 就 rusfertide 達成的全球許可和合作協議中規定的 50/50 美國利潤和虧損分成安排。 因此，Protagonist Therapeutics 將有資格獲得高達 4 億美元的退出補償金。 聲明還指出，該公司還將在 rusfertide 獲得美國批准後獲得 7,500 萬美元的里程碑付款，以及高達 9.75 億美元的其他里程碑付款和基於淨銷售額的分級特許權使用費。 武田製藥目前擁有 rusfertide 在美國的獨家開發和商業化權利。 Protagonist Therapeutics 表示，rusfertide 目前正在接受美國食品藥物管理局 (FDA) 的優先審查，用於治療成人真性紅血球增多症患者。
Price: $99.31, Change: $+0.84, Percent Change: +0.85%
(Updates prices and adds UAE's Withdrawal from OPEC in the final two paragraphs.)West Texas Intermediate (WTI) closed higher on Tuesday, with the U.S. benchmark price flirting with the US$100 per barrel for the first time in three weeks as hopes for an end to the war on Iran fade and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.WTI crude oil for June delivery closed up US$3.56 to settle at US$99.93 per barrel as it failed to hold the US$100 mark it topped during the session, while June Brent oil was last seen up US$2.58 to US$110.81.Weekend talks expected to be held in Pakistan between Iran and the United States failed to take place, while a Monday proposal from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in return for lifting a U.S. blockade of its ports and deferring talks over its nuclear program was rejected by President Trump.Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after the United States and Israel launched attacks on the country on Feb. 28. The Strait is the chokepoint for 20% of daily global oil demand supplied by Persian Gulf nations and its closure has produced the largest-ever supply shock, pushing up oil prices by 49% since the start of the war."Oil extended its rally ... amid no signs of progress toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, where US and Iranian blockades have reduced daily transits to near zero. Warnings over the severity of the global supply squeeze continue to intensify, with tightness in refined fuel markets already pushing diesel and jet fuel prices toward USD 200 per barrel," Saxo Bank noted.The closure of the Strait has pushed up spot price for oil, as the Asian nations that rely on Gulf producers compete for available barrels. Rising prices have heightened inflation and raises the risk of a global recession as the lack of supply forces demand destruction and chokes off economic growth."Alarm bells will ring loudly if the SoH (Strait of Hormuz) doesn't reopen during May. Spot crude and product prices will trade higher and higher. And if a decent reopening doesn't take place before June/July, then the risk is significant for a real crisis where the world may be forced to reduce its oil consumption closer to the level of availability," Bjarne Schieldrop, chief analyst commodities at SEB Research, wrote.Also on Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates, the No.3 OPEC producer and the No.7 global oil exporter, said it will withdraw from OPEC on May 1, freeing itself from the cartel's quota system that restricted its output well below its production capacity."We reaffirm our appreciation for the efforts of both OPEC and the OPEC+ alliance and wish them success. During our time in the organisation, we made significant contributions and even greater sacrifices for the benefit of all. However, the time has come to focus our efforts on what our national interest dictates and our commitment to our investors, customers, partners and global energy markets," the country's government said in a release.
Apple (AAPL) is planning a complete redesign of the built-in photo editing features for its products in a move to rely more on artificial intelligence-powered tools, Bloomberg reported Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.The company is working on a new suite of tools that are powered by its Apple Intelligence platform for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, which are set for release this fall, the sources told the media outlet.The new tools will permit users to extend, enhance, and reframe images using AI models that are on the device, with processing typically taking a few seconds, according to the report.With the move, Apple is aiming to better compete with Android devices, which have offered AI-photo editing capabilities for years, according to the report.Apple did not immediately reply to a request for comment from.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)Price: $270.27, Change: $+2.65, Percent Change: +0.99%
UFP Industries (UFPI) said Tuesday it has acquired the operating assets of Berry Pallets, for about $20 million.The purchase, including real estate, of the pallet maker in Waseca, Minnesota, expands its footprint and strengthens its ability to serve customers in the upper Midwest, UFP said.The acquisition adds about $23 million in annual sales, the company said. It expects to close the transaction May 18.Price: $95.66, Change: $-0.33, Percent Change: -0.34%