Author: Neel Achary

AAVantgarde appoints Philip Lao as Senior Vice President of Business Development

April 02, 2026 — AAVantgarde Bio (AAVantgarde), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering therapies for inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) focused on large gene delivery via its two proprietary Adeno-Associated Viral (AAV) vector platforms, today announced the appointment of Philip Lao as Senior Vice President of Business Development.

Mr. Lao joins the Company’s leadership team and will report to Dr. Natalia Misciattelli, Chief Executive Officer. “Philip brings extensive genetic medicine and ophthalmology experience, and his track record of creating value through strategic partnerships will significantly strengthen our business development capabilities at this crucial time for AAVantgarde,” said Dr. Natalia Misciattelli, Chief Executive Officer of AAVantgarde. “Philip’s proven track record will help drive the company’s future strategic growth. We are pleased to welcome him to AAVantgarde.”

“I am excited to join AAVantgarde and help accelerate the company’s progress by expanding strategic partnership and commercial opportunities for our novel pipeline of retinal
therapeutics and beyond. I am confident that our proprietary platforms will deliver transformative therapies for underserved patients who currently lack effective treatment
options,” said Mr. Philip Lao, Senior Vice President of Business Development of AAVantgarde.

Prior to joining AAVantgarde, Mr. Lao served as Head of Business Development at Adverum Biotechnologies, a retinal gene therapy company, where he led the successful sale of the company to Eli Lilly in December 2025. His career includes extensive experience in M&A an strategic licensing roles at Novartis, Pfizer, and Takeda, where he led cross-functional teams in the evaluation and execution of complex global transactions. Philip began his career in the Healthcare Investment Banking team at Deutsche Bank and holds a BA in Economics and an MBA, both from the University of Chicago.

PPDS and AVARA Bring Home Comforts to Sternenbrücke Children’s Hospice with Philips MediaSuite TVs

Amsterdam, April 26: PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary solutions, is proud to share that 30x Philips MediaSuite TVs have been selected to bring personalised home comforts to patients and their families staying at the Sternenbrücke children’s and youth hospice in Hamburg. 

Carrying the motto ‘We can’t give life more days, but we can give more life to the days’ – the Sternenbrücke hospice opened its doors in 2003, with a focus on providing specialist care and a safe environment for children, adolescents, and young adults suffering from life-shortening illnesses. 

With an outdated TV system with minimal capabilities and often experiencing obstructed channels, the Sternenbrücke team turned to AV integration specialists, AVARA, and PPDS, to deliver a modern solution. Key requirements included bringing the familiarity and ‘barrier free’ accessibility of a range of entertainment services similar to those enjoyed at home. In addition, the hospice required the ability to create and share important information directly to patients, collectively in communal areas, via the TV screen, rather than paper. 

Home from home entertainment

30x Philips MediaSuite TVs (32”-55”), as well as a Philips Business TV, were installed inside a range of environments around the hospice, including private and communal areas, each tailored around the needs of the patients within those spaces. 

AVARA’s system delivered simple and clear operation and menu navigation with a diverse range of age appropriate entertainment, including the option for subtitles, and a simple remote control. 

AVARA connected the Philips Professional Displays using PPDS’ CMND server, implementing a network that significantly reduces workload by enabling the control and updating of all TVs centrally, eliminating the need for individual management in each room. 

Shared moments

Each room is now equipped with access to a wide range of apps and streaming services, allowing families to tune in to their favourite films and series, browse media libraries, listen to the radio, or enjoy gaming on the connected PlayStations. 

In addition, AVARA integrated a dedicated information portal for parents, providing access to general details about Sternenbrücke, as well as up to the minute news and information. 

By modernising the TV system, AVARA has helped create a home-from-home environment where patients and families can come together without concern. The modern, intuitive technology enables families to share valuable moments focused entirely on comfort, ease of use, and joy. 

Peer Gent from the management team at Stiftung Kinder-Hospiz Sternenbrücke commented: “Our new Philips MediaSuite TVs give our guests joy, distraction from the often stressful everyday life, and precious moments together.” 

“Thanks to the committed cooperation of all those involved, we were able to implement a barrier free and easy-to-use TV system that goes beyond technical improvements. We are thrilled and would like to thank AVARA and PPDS for their generous support in realising this project.”

Justo Realfintech Launches Chestertons India Entering Institutional Real Estate Advisory Through a 220-Year-Old Global Brand

Chestertons India Private Limited (Chestertons India) incorporated as wholly owned subsidiary; brand usage arrangement executed with Chestertons Global Network; commercial operations expected in Q1 FY27

Mumbai, Apr 02: Justo Realfintech Limited is pleased to announce the incorporation of Chestertons India Private Limited as its wholly owned subsidiary, and the execution of a brand usage and business rights arrangement that brings the Chestertons name, one of the world’s oldest and most respected real estate advisory brands, into the Indian market. This marks a significant strategic milestone in the beginning of Justo’s evolution from a project marketing and residential advisory platform into a full-spectrum, institutionally capable real estate services group

Founded in London in 1805, Chestertons operates across more than twenty countries, offering advisory services across residential and commercial property, capital markets, leasing, valuation, and cross-border transactions. Chestertons is a founding member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), reflecting its adherence to the highest global standards of professional practice, ethics, and governance in real estate advisory.

In India, the brand will be operated exclusively through Chestertons India Private Limited, a company wholly owned by Justo Realfintech Limited. The launch of Chestertons India represents a deliberate and calibrated dual brand expansion strategy to address two different market segments. Justo’s core business shall focus on the mid segment product in range of Rs. 50 lacs to Rs 3.5 crore. Chesterton India will be positioned to operate in premium and super premium category with the support of Justo’s extensive developer network and channel partner network across key markets and will serve as the primary operating leverage for Chestertons India’s business development.

Further, the Company intends to diversify its revenue into various allied verticals which may include sale of high-end premium residential and plotting schemes and villas, commercial leasing, cross border outreach for investments in India using Chestortons’s international network, capital market services and hospitality services. The Company shall make formal announcement on the initiation of such planned services as it moves forward in this journey.

Chestertons’ global presence across the Middle East, Europe, the UK, and Southeast Asia creates a structured pathway for bilateral investment advisory between global capital and Indian real estate origination, besides providing access to established international client base and NRI investors that is difficult to reach through domestic positioning.

As part of the agreement with Chestertons Global Network, the Company intends to undertake Project and Development management services in association with Arbour Investments Private Limited, a leading company in the real estate investment management space in India. Details of this arrangement shall be made available upon finalisation of terms and subject to applicable laws and regulations.

“The India entry of Chestertons through our wholly owned subsidiary is a calibrated strategic step in the evolution of Justo’s advisory business. It allows us to participate more meaningfully in larger, institutionally aligned and higher-value segments of the real estate lifecycle while remaining anchored in our execution-led approach. We believe this initiative strengthens our service architecture, broadens our market relevance and enhances our ability to create long-term value through a wider advisory canvas.”

Pushpamitra Das, Chairman and Managing Director, Justo Realfintech Limited

“India represents one of the most compelling real estate growth stories globally. In Justo, we see a partner with on-ground execution credibility, local market understanding and a disciplined advisory orientation. That combination makes Justo the right fit for Chesterton’s India entry and for building a business that can serve developers, investors and property owners with both global standards and local delivery.”

Mohamed Mussa, Managing Director, Chestertons Global

“The launch of Chestertons India is a transformational moment for Justo and for the advisory ecosystem it is building. This initiative brings together global institutional credibility and deep local market expertise in a way that is genuinely differentiated. We are excited to be associated with Chestertons India Private Limited under the Project Management Consultancy and Development Management service verticals and are confident in creating value through our experience and expertise.”

Chirag Mehta, Director, Arbour Investments

Dr Bhargav Mallappa Appointed as Director of SIIA Data Analysis Research Council (SIIADARC)

The appointment aims to strengthen legal oversight and institutional governance within the Council

New Delhi, Apr 1: The SIIA and Data Analysis Research Council (SIIADARC) has announced the appointment of Dr Bhargav Mallappa as Director of, following an official selection process and approval by the competent authority. The appointment has been made by Dr. Lijo Kuriyadath, Director, SIIADARC.

Dr Mallappa, will serve in this nominated position for a fixed tenure of five years. The role is honorary in nature and aligned with the Council’s broader objective of strengthening institutional governance and legal oversight within its framework.

Speaking on the appointment, Dr. Lijo Kuriyadath, Director, SIIADARC, said, “Dr Bhargav Mallappa’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the Council continues to strengthen its institutional framework. His experience and commitment to professional integrity will play an important role in advancing the Council’s objectives.”

Accepting the role, Dr Bhargav Mallappa stated, “I am honoured to take on the responsibility Director at SIIADARC. I look forward to contributing to the Council’s mission while upholding its values, bylaws and the principles of the Constitution of India.”

The Council reiterated that the position carries a strong emphasis on ethical conduct, accountability and compliance. Any deviation from its bylaws or legal standards may invite disciplinary action, including termination of the appointment.

SIIADARC continues to focus on strengthening its institutional processes through such appointments, ensuring a robust and accountable framework for its operations.

The Offshore Crypto Problem Regulators Can No Longer Ignore

New Delhi, Apr 01 : Globally, the virtual digital asset (VDA) space is emerging as one of the fastest-growing and most innovative sectors. Yet, it continues to face persistent challenges, including a lack of regulatory clarity, legal uncertainty, skepticism, and high taxation. A recent report by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) highlights another growing concern for the industry: virtual asset platforms that operate across borders while remaining largely out of reach of regulators.

These platforms, known as offshore Virtual Asset Service Providers (oVASPs), are exchanges or platforms that are registered in one country but serve customers in another, often without proper registration, consumer protections, or safeguards against illicit activity. The FATF cautions that such operations expose a structural gap in the global financial system, increasing vulnerability to risks like money laundering and terrorist financing.

The core issue here is regulatory evasion. While countries that follow FATF standards require VASPs to register with financial regulators, verify user identities, and report suspicious transactions, oVASPs often sidestep these requirements entirely. Their operations are typically fragmented, with senior management, servers, and compliance functions spread across jurisdictions, far from where their services are actually used. This makes it difficult for enforcement authorities to establish contact, obtain information, and ensure compliance—especially when such platforms are based in countries with weak virtual asset laws.

There are two types of oVASPs, those that may not fully understand the rules that apply to them and those that deliberately design their operations to avoid oversight. The latter pose a far greater risk. The FATF report notes that such entities are often non-responsive to enforcement authorities, deny their legal obligations, or appoint “dummy” compliance representatives who lack the authority or information to engage meaningfully.

To evade scrutiny, these platforms use a range of tactics, including onboarding users through local affiliates, encouraging VPN usage, and falsifying information. They may also rely on complex corporate structures to obscure accountability, making it difficult to identify a responsible entity and causing delays for authorities. This becomes even more concerning when oVASPs are suspected of enabling on-chain illicit activities such as large-scale money laundering and terrorist financing.

India’s experience illustrates how oVASPs can undermine regulations for commercial advantage. Despite requirements for platforms serving Indian users to maintain a physical presence in the country, offshore operators continue to onboard users with diluted KYC norms, gaining a pricing edge over compliant platforms. A significant share of users has shifted to these exchanges, which continue to accept UPI deposits and enable withdrawals into Indian bank accounts through intermediaries—while remaining outside India’s regulatory reach.

The report also acknowledges progress in some jurisdictions. India, for instance, has improved detection capabilities, reinforced physical presence requirements, and established better domestic coordination mechanisms. However, challenges remain. The FATF recommends that countries actively identify oVASP activity, adopt risk-based supervision, and strengthen cooperation with both domestic and international authorities. Home jurisdictions must supervise the global operations of locally registered VASPs and respond promptly to information requests, while host jurisdictions should require oVASPs to obtain local licenses and share intelligence with home regulators.

For the private sector, the responsibility is equally important. Banks, payment platforms, and VASPs must assess and limit their exposure to unlicensed offshore entities and report any suspicious activity to regulators.

oVASPs thrive in the gaps between jurisdictions, agencies, and regulations. Closing these gaps will require stronger cross-border supervision, more accountable platforms, and a coordinated global approach that treats virtual asset risks as a shared responsibility.

Rajagopal G Appointed as Chairman of the Association of Senior Living India

Mumbai, April 1, 2026: The Association of Senior Living India (ASLI), the premier national organisation representing the senior living and care industry, has appointed Rajagopal G as its Chairman for the 2026–2028 term. He succeeds Rajit Mehta, following a period of notable advocacy for the sector.

 A veteran with over three decades of experience, Rajagopal is the Co-founder, Director, and Group CEO of Lifebridge Group. Under his leadership, the group has pioneered a uniquely integrated model across the continuum of aging: Serene Communities (Senior Living), KITES Senior Care (Out-of-hospital Geriatric Care), and Seniorshield (Preventive Health Technology). Together, these platforms support thousands of seniors across India, reflecting his core belief that aging must be addressed as a holistic system delivering high quality solutions

Speaking on his appointment, Rajagopal said: “I am honoured to lead ASLI as India stands on the cusp of a ‘silver wave.’ Our priority will be to collaborate with the government and industry stakeholders to standardise care, advocate for inclusive insurance models, and ensure that every senior in India has access to a life of dignity, innovation, and compassion.”

His appointment comes at a defining moment for India’s “Silver Economy,” as the sector shifts toward specialised geriatric services and elder-centric policy frameworks to meet the needs of a rapidly growing senior population.

SonicWall Report Highlights ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ of Cyber Protection in 2026

Bangalore ,  Apr 1: SonicWall today announced the release of the 2026 SonicWall Cyber Protect Report, marking a landmark reframing from traditional threat reporting in favor of the protection outcomes that matter most to business leaders.

 At the heart of the report is a sobering finding: most SMBs aren’t failing because of sophisticated attacks. They’re failing because of seven predictable, preventable gaps that SonicWall has named the Seven Deadly Sins of Cybersecurity.

The 2026 report continues to draw on data from SonicWall’s global network of more than one million security sensors to reveal a threat landscape that is growing more precise and more relentless. Some key statistical findings include:

• High and medium severity attacks surged 20.8% to 13.15 billion hits. Attackers aren’t striking more often, they’re striking smarter.
• Automated bots now generate more than 36,000 vulnerability scans per second, accounting for more than half of all internet traffic. Bad bot traffic alone has surged to 37% of all global internet traffic.
• IoT attacks climbed 11% to 609.9 million hits; Log4j alone generated 824.9 million IPS hits in 2025, four years after disclosure.
• Identity, cloud, and credential compromise account for 85% of actionable security alerts. The stolen password, not the zero-day, is the attacker’s weapon of choice.
• SMBs bear a disproportionate ransomware burden: 88% of their breaches involved ransomware in 2025, more than double the rate seen at large enterprises.

“SonicWall data reveals attacks are getting faster, and in some instances, they’re getting a little more sophisticated,” said Michael Crean, SVP and GM of Managed Security Services at SonicWall. “But the vast majority of the attacks that we’re seeing and investigating are basic fundamentals that continue to be missed. The danger isn’t that AI isn’t working; it’s that we’re using it as an excuse not to do the things we already know we should.”

The 2026 SonicWall Cyber Protect Report is the first in the company’s history to be built around protection outcomes rather than threat statistics alone. In preparing this year’s research, SonicWall identified seven recurring patterns, dubbed the Seven Deadly Sins that consistently define the difference between resilience and exposure across SMB breach investigations, security assessments, and incident reviews.

The Seven Deadly Sins of Cybersecurity

Rather than attributing breach risk to exotic or emerging attack methods, the 2026 Protect Report identifies seven operational failures that appear repeatedly across investigations and that remain largely preventable. The Seven Deadly Sins are:

1. Ignoring the Fundamentals — Weak authentication, unpatched systems, and excessive admin privileges remain the primary attack surface.
2. False Confidence — Believing you’re too small to be targeted, overestimating control effectiveness, and assuming resilience without testing it create dangerous blind spots.
3. Overexposed Access — Overly permissive rules, flat networks, and implicit trust after authentication give attackers an unobstructed path once inside.
4. Reactive Security Posture — Without 24/7 monitoring and proactive threat hunting, attackers set the timeline. The average breach goes undetected for 181 days.
5. Cost-Driven Security Decisions — Deferring investment based on short-term budget pressure creates costs that arrive later — with interest. A single SMB breach can exceed $4.91 million when downtime and recovery are included.
6. Reliance on Legacy Access Models — VPNs that authenticate once and grant broad network access remain one of the most exploited entry points in enterprise security. VPN CVEs grew 82.5% over the analyzed period.
7. Chasing Hype Over Execution — Buying the latest tools without deploying them completely, and expecting technology to compensate for process gaps, is its own form of vulnerability. Tools don’t create outcomes — execution does.

“The organizations that suffer the most are not failing because of sophisticated attacks, they’re failing because of predictable, preventable gaps,” Crean continued. “SMBs are the backbone of the U.S. economy, representing 99% of all U.S. businesses and nearly half of private sector employment. Protecting them protects entire communities. That’s why this report is designed around protection outcomes, not just threat statistics.”

Commenting on the findings, Debasish Mukherjee, Vice President of Sales, APJ at SonicWall said,

 “This year’s report reflects what we are consistently seeing across APJ, SMBs continue to be impacted by gaps in fundamental security practices that are both predictable and preventable. By reframing our research around protection outcomes, SonicWall aims to help organizations move beyond threat awareness to action, focusing on the areas that directly reduce risk. As attackers become more precise and increasingly AI-enabled, closing these gaps will be critical for SMBs across the region to strengthen resilience and make more informed decisions.”

In keeping with SonicWall’s partner-first mission, the 2026 Cyber Protect Report is designed to equip MSPs and MSSPs with the data and language needed for strategic conversations with SMB decision-makers, translating technical threat intelligence into business risk that leaders can act on.

The SonicWall 2026 Cyber Protect Report makes one thing clear: the gap between protected and exposed rarely comes down to technology. It comes down to execution. For the SMBs and the MSPs and MSSPs who protect them, this report is designed to close that gap with data, clarity, and a road map for what to do next.

To learn more about SonicWall and download the complete 2026 SonicWall Cyber Protect Report, please visit sonicwall.com/threat-report.

Standard Chartered appoints Nalini Tarakeshwar as Global Head of Standard Chartered Foundation

London / Mumbai , Apr 1: Standard Chartered Foundation (the Foundation) announces Nalini Tarakeshwar as Global Head, Standard Chartered Foundation and Corporate Philanthropy. The appointment was made as the Foundation scales its ambition to facilitate access to quality jobs and opportunities for young people in response to the growing youth employability gap, which increased to 12.4 per cent in 2025 and hits disadvantaged young people hardest.

Tarakeshwar will lead Standard Chartered’s corporate philanthropy agenda and the Foundation’s global strategy, which addresses barriers to employability and entrepreneurship through the development of programmes, partnerships and financing solutions that unlock opportunities for young people. Drawing on over 20 years of experience including most recently as Deputy CEO, UBS Optimus Foundation, Tarakeshwar brings a wealth of experience to the role and will help expand the impact of the Foundation’s capital and resources globally.

 Tanuj Kapilashrami, Chief Strategy and Talent Officer, Standard Chartered and Trustee,Standard Charted Foundation, said: “Today’s world has the largest generation of young people in history, making them a critical driver of future growth and stability. Yet globally, one in five young people are not in employment, education or training. Corporate philanthropy has a critical role to play in addressing this challenge and through the Foundation, we’ve to date enabled over 100,000 jobs, impacting over 700,000 lives. As we scale and leverage our role as a global ‘super-connector’ to deliver transformational outcomes across our markets, Nalini’s experience will be a catalyst for further impact.”

Commenting on her appointment, Nalini Tarakeshwar, said: “Standard Chartered is a powerful global bank and purpose-led brand. The Standard Chartered Foundation has already had a significant impact, enabling jobs for under-served young people, especially young women. We now have an opportunity to build on this success to achieve impact at scale, working with our networks across the business and others who are committed to this goal. I’m proud to join the Foundation at this unique juncture to unlock opportunities that will help young people shape their own futures and generate an outsized impact on communities and markets globally.”

Global youth unemployment increased to 12.4 per cent in 2025 (up from 12.3 per cent in 2024), with around 260 million young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) Women also continue to face systemic barriers largely driven by social norms and stereotypes, with data outlining that they are 24 per cent less likely than men to participate in the labour force.3 The Foundation aims to help address this by supporting young people to gain skills and sustainable employment, and entrepreneurs to build thriving microbusinesses.