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OFAC Designations: 7 Individuals and 3 Entities Under Nicaragua Sanctions Program

OFAC added 7 individuals and 3 entities to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List under Executive Order 13851. Designations include Nicaraguan government officials, gold sector miners, and associated companies operating in Nicaragua. All property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of these persons are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

Hangzhou Broncus Medical US12605198B2 Multi-Path Perfusion Control Injection Pump Patent

USPTO granted patent US12605198B2 to Hangzhou Broncus Medical Co., Ltd. for a multi-path perfusion control method and apparatus for injection pump used in ablation procedures. The patent covers technology for real-time temperature-based control of perfusion channels during ablation tasks, with 7 claims allowed. The invention aims to reduce operation delay and errors caused by manual determination while improving timeliness, accuracy, and pertinence of liquid perfusion.

GOAT Opposition to GOATVIBE Trademark Application

1661, Inc. d/b/a GOAT filed an opposition proceeding against Shenzhen Hongyiweike E-Commerce Co., Ltd. before the USPTO Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, challenging the registration of the GOATVIBE trademark (Application No. 91306728). The opposition was filed on April 20, 2026, initiating a formal administrative proceeding to prevent registration of the contested mark.

Tender of 3-Year RMB Institutional Government Bonds via Re-opening, RMB1bn

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the HKSAR Government, announces a competitive tender of 3-year RMB Institutional Government Bonds through re-opening of existing 5-year bond issue 05GB2912002 under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. An additional RMB1.0 billion will be on offer at a coupon rate of 2.37% per annum payable semi-annually, with settlement on 27 April 2026. The tender is open only to appointed Primary Dealers, with results expected by 3:00 pm on 23 April 2026.

Tentative Issuance Schedule for HKD and RMB Institutional Bonds, April to September 2026

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, as representative of the HKSAR Government, published a tentative issuance schedule for institutional Government Bonds denominated in Hong Kong dollars and Renminbi for the six-month period from April to September 2026. The bonds will be offered under the Infrastructure Bond Programme and Government Sustainable Bond Programme via competitive tendering. The schedule contains tentative tenors, tender dates, issuance sizes, issue dates, and methods of issuance, all subject to market conditions.

Scam Alert: Fraudulent Bank Websites

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority issued a scam alert on 20 April 2026 alerting the public to fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens impersonating Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited and Chong Hing Bank Limited. The HKMA clarified that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks to conduct transactions, nor will they request sensitive information such as login passwords or One-Time Passwords by phone, email, or SMS. Members of the public who may have provided personal information or conducted transactions through these scams are advised to contact the relevant bank and report the matter to the Hong Kong Police Force Crime Wing Information Centre.

Macrocyclic Compounds, SRC MET Inhibitor, Cancer Treatment

USPTO granted patent US12606571B2 to Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc. for macrocyclic compounds that inhibit SRC and MET and/or CSF1R, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of using such compounds to treat cancer. The patent contains 9 claims and was granted on April 21, 2026.

Annual Section 609 Certification of Shrimp-Harvesting Nations

The Department of State certified wild-caught shrimp from 37 nations and Hong Kong as eligible for US import based on sea turtle protection programs under Section 609 of Public Law 101-162. Specific certified fisheries in 6 additional nations were also approved. Nations not certified may only export aquaculture shrimp. All US-bound shrimp imports must be accompanied by form DS-2031.

Annual Determination and Certification of Shrimp-Harvesting Nations 2026

The Department of State has certified to Congress the nations and fisheries whose wild-caught shrimp and shrimp products are eligible for U.S. importation under Section 609 of Public Law 101-162. Thirty-eight nations and Hong Kong are certified, including twelve nations with comparable sea turtle incidental-take programs and nations with cold-water fisheries or small-boat fisheries posing no sea turtle threat. Several additional nations are certified for specific fisheries using turtle excluder devices or specific methods posing no sea turtle threat. All eligible shrimp imports must be accompanied by Form DS-2031.

Olympus Thunderbeat II Surgical Shears Recall - Tip Detachment Risk

Olympus Corporation of the Americas is recalling the Thunderbeat II Shears with Ultrasonic Mode (Model TB2-0520FC) due to potential detachment of a distal tip component during surgical use. The recall affects 830 units distributed internationally to Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Europe. The FDA determined the cause to be a device design issue, and consignees were notified via email on March 23, 2026 to cease use, quarantine affected inventory, and arrange for product return.

Olympus Thunderbeat II Shears Class II Recall - Potential Tip Detachment

Olympus Corporation of the Americas initiated a Class II medical device recall for its Thunderbeat II Shears with Ultrasonic Mode (Model TB2-0525FC) on March 23, 2026, after identifying a potential for detachment of the distal tip component during use. The FDA determined the root cause is a device design issue. Consignees have been instructed to immediately cease use, quarantine affected inventory, and return all units. A total of 365 units were distributed internationally to Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Europe.

Olympus Thunderbeat II TB2-0545FC Recall, Class II, 490 Units

Olympus Corporation of the Americas initiated a Class II recall of its Thunderbeat II Shears w/Ultrasonic Mode (Model TB2-0545FC) on March 23, 2026. The recall covers 490 units distributed internationally to Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Europe. FDA determined the cause as device design, with a potential for detachment of the distal tip component during surgical use.

Anticholinergic Agents Patent US12606549B2, Rezubio Pharma

The USPTO granted US Patent 12606549B2 to Rezubio Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd covering muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist compounds (including M3 antagonists) and pharmaceutical compositions for treating hyperhidrosis. The patent contains 19 claims and names Yusheng Xiong and Hongping Guan as inventors.

DANISCO US Inc. Modified Yeast Over-Expressing GDS1 for Ethanol Production

The USPTO granted patent US12606599B2 to DANISCO US Inc. on April 21, 2026, covering modified yeast strains that over-express the glycerol-deficient suppressor GDS1. The patented yeast produces increased ethanol and decreased acetate compared to parental cells, making it suitable for large-scale ethanol production from starch substrates where acetate is undesirable. The patent names Zhongqiang Chen, Min Qi, Luan Tao, and Quinn Qun Zhu as inventors and covers compositions and methods for industrial fermentation applications.

Anti-TIGIT Antibodies Treat Cancers, Viral Infections

USPTO granted patent US12606619B2 to Huahui Health Ltd. on April 21, 2026. The patent covers human monoclonal antibodies targeting TIGIT (T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains) and their use in treating immune-related diseases including cancers and viral infections. Inventors: Jianhua Sui, Fang Yang, Linlin Zhao, Zhizhong Wei. The application includes 21 claims.

City of Hope AAV Bioreactor Patent US12606784B2

USPTO granted patent US12606784B2 to City of Hope for a cell cultivation apparatus and method for high-density cell growth and adeno-associated virus (AAV) production. The apparatus includes a membrane with surface features for cell placement, a gas-permeable material, and compartments configured to reduce media flow shear forces on cells. The patent names Colin Andrew Cook, Yuman Fong, Yu-Chong Tai, and Saswati Chatterjee as inventors.

Lawrence Lau Named Managing Director, Debt Market Development

HKEX announced the appointment of Mr Lawrence Lau as Managing Director and Head of Debt Market Development. Lau will lead a new team focused on Fixed Income and Currency business development, covering both primary market (bond issuance, issuer engagement) and secondary market (liquidity, market infrastructure). He brings over 25 years of capital markets experience, most recently from Bank of China International.

7-Year HKD Bonds, HK$1.25B Re-Opening Tender, 22nd Apr

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced a tender of 7-year HKD institutional Government Bonds through re-opening of existing issue 07GB3302001 under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. The tender will be held on 22 April 2026 for settlement on 23 April 2026. An additional HK$1.25 billion will be on offer, maturing on 7 February 2033 with interest at 2.91% per annum payable semi-annually. The tender is open only to Primary Dealers appointed under the Infrastructure Bond Programme.

HK$0.75B 3-Year HKD Institutional Government Bond Re-Opening Tender, 22 Apr 2026

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced a tender of HK$0.75 billion 3-year HKD Institutional Government Bonds through re-opening of existing 5-year bond issue 05GB2912001 under the Infrastructure Bond Programme, to be held on 22 April 2026 for settlement on 23 April 2026. The bonds carry an interest rate of 3.23% per annum payable semi-annually and will mature on 5 December 2029.

Tender of 15-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds through Re-opening

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the HKSAR Government, announced a tender of HK$1.0 billion in 15-year HKD Institutional Government Bonds through re-opening of issue 15GB3912001 under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. The tender is scheduled for Wednesday, 22 April 2026, for settlement on Thursday, 23 April 2026. The bonds carry an interest rate of 3.75% per annum payable semi-annually and mature on 5 December 2039.

Analyte Sensor Inserter Design Patent Granted April 21, 2026

The USPTO granted Design Patent USD1123164S1 for an analyte sensor inserter to inventors Shun Hui, Zhongyi Ding, and Guochang Li. The patent application (No. 35522868) was filed on October 18, 2024, and the design is classified under A61B 17/205, A61B 2017/925, and A61M 37/0015. One claim was allowed.

Mindfulness Training RCT for Hotel Staff

NIH's ClinicalTrials.gov has registered NCT07541027, a mixed-methods randomized controlled trial evaluating a 6-week mindfulness-based professional development program for 60 hotel staff at a hotel in Shatin, Hong Kong. The study will examine psychological well-being, work-related stress, and work performance outcomes using mixed-effects modeling, mediation analysis, and thematic analysis. Data collection includes both quantitative and qualitative measures of job-related outcomes and participant lived experiences.

PCPD Learning Session on National 15th Five-Year Plan

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) in Hong Kong convened an internal learning session on 17 April 2026 to educate staff on the Outline of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. HKSAR CPPCC National Committee member Ms Agnes CHAN Sui-kuen served as guest speaker, sharing insights on China's development objectives and Hong Kong's role in the plan. The Privacy Commissioner expressed support for the HKSAR Government's first Five-Year Plan and reaffirmed PCPD's commitment to safeguarding national security.

WellCell Holdings 1-into-4 Share Subdivision Adjusted Price Display

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (SEHK) issued a participant circular informing that WellCell Holdings Co., Limited (stock code 2940) will implement a 1-into-4 share subdivision effective 21 April 2026, converting existing shares of HK$0.005 each into subdivided shares of HK$0.00125 each. The Exchange will display an Adjusted Previous Closing Price on the OTP-C temporary stock page on 21 April 2026, calculated using the standard formula of Closing Price on the day immediately before Share Subdivision becoming effective multiplied by the Ratio (R) of 1/4.

SFC obtains HK$4M compensation order against former Coolpad executive

The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong obtained a compensation order of HK$4 million against Mr Zhang Wei, a former executive director of Coolpad Group Limited. Zhang was also disqualified from holding directorships for five years for his role in transactions that caused significant losses to the company.