Home Blog Page 1555

SL Aesthetic Group Celebrates 22 Years of Growth and Innovation Across Singapore and Southeast Asia


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 January 2026 – SL Aesthetic Group celebrates its 22nd anniversary, marking its growth from a single clinic into a multi-brand medical aesthetics and healthcare group.

Founded in Singapore in 2003, the Group has grown to encompass five specialised brands operating more than twenty outlets across Singapore and the region.

  • SL Aesthetic Clinic offers doctor-led skin, face and body treatments, and is one of Singapore’s longest-running medical aesthetics clinic.
  • SkinLab The Medical Spa, a dermatology-focused medical spa, specialises in medical-grade facials and skincare products for sensitive skin.
  • TrichoLab, a dedicated hair and scalp health brand specialising in medical hair loss solutions.
  • Euphie (Malaysia) is the Group’s Malaysia-based extension comprising Euphie Skin Solutions and Euphie Clinic, delivering medically supervised aesthetic care.

The Group has served more than 100,000 patients, with care provided by a team of 12 doctors and more than 100 trained specialists.

Over the past two decades, the concept of beauty and wellness has broadened into a more holistic approach to personal care—one that goes beyond aesthetics to support overall wellbeing. People are placing greater emphasis on long-term health, from their mental health and nutrition to their physical appearance. This shift has driven growing demand for preventive, medically supervised services that integrate aesthetics with broader health concerns.

In response to these changing needs, SL Aesthetic Group has expanded its medical services beyond skin and hair treatments, introducing more than 40 new offerings across its five specialised brand portfolios, including women’s health services.

Dr Kelvin Chua, Founder and Senior Medical Director of SL Aesthetic Group, said: “Reaching 22 years reflects the continuity of care we have built over time. As patient expectations change, our focus remains on delivering medically supervised services that support long-term health and well-being.”

As part of this expansion, the Group launched Prologue The Lifestyle Medical Clinic and Prologue Centre for Women’s Wellness in 2025. Prologue The Lifestyle Medical Clinic focuses on preventive care for chronic conditions, supported by artificial intelligence–enabled health screenings for early detection of conditions such as dementia and cancer. Meanwhile, Prologue Centre for Women’s Wellness addresses women’s health needs across different life stages, including perimenopause, menopause, and postpartum recovery.

Within Singapore, the group strengthened its physical presence with the opening of its tenth SL Aesthetic Clinic and SkinLab The Medical Spa outlet at iMall in Marine Parade, as a response to strong and sustained demand from patients in the eastern region.

Regionally, SL Aesthetic Group marked a milestone as its Malaysia-based brand, Euphie — comprising Euphie Skin Solutions and Euphie Clinic — celebrated its first anniversary. Building on this foundation, the Group plans to open an additional outlet in Malaysia, extending its medically supervised services to a wider patient base.

Looking ahead, SL Aesthetic Group plans to continue expanding its clinical footprint while maintaining regulatory compliance, clinical standards, and patient safety.

For more information, visit: https://slaestheticgroup.com/
Hashtag: #SLAesthetic

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About SL Aesthetic Clinic

SL Aesthetic Group is one of Singapore’s longest-established medical aesthetic groups, with a presence in Singapore and Malaysia. The Group houses a diverse portfolio of brands, including SL Aesthetic Clinic, SkinLab The Medical Spa, TrichoLab, PROLOGUE, and Euphie (Malaysia).

Founded in the 2000s, SL Aesthetic Group specialises in skin and hair health, women’s wellness, and holistic medicine. Across its clinics and outlets, the Group offers a comprehensive range of FDA-approved aesthetic and medical treatments, all supervised by trained and certified healthcare professionals holding Certificates of Competency (COC) recognised by the Singapore Medical Council’s Aesthetic Practice Oversight Committee (APOC).

Agoda Data Shows Vietnam Rising as a Favorite End-of-Year Destination for Families Across Asia and Beyond

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda reveals that Vietnam is becoming an increasingly popular year-end travel choice for families in the region and beyond. Based on searches made between September and November 2025 for stays during December 2025 and January 2026, Agoda recorded a 30% increase in family travel interest to Vietnam compared with the same period the previous year.

Agoda data shows that Vietnam is attracting more international families than ever this winter holiday season. South Koreans take the lead as the top market interested in traveling to Vietnam in December and January, with families from India, Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia rounding out the top five. Notably, Agoda reported that Indian families showcased the highest growth in travel interest to Vietnam during this period, with a 186% increase in searches. Malaysians also, are expressing strong growth in interest, with a 74% increase in searches, highlighting Vietnam’s appeal as a family destination in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Families are choosing Vietnam for its storied culture and cuisine, diverse landscapes, and abundance of family-friendly resorts and attractions.

Phu Quoc Island leads as the most sought-after destination among international family travelers with a 47% increase in searches, popular for its sandy beaches, calm waters, and nature parks ideal for multi-generation vacations. Da Nang follows with 42% growth in travel interest, noted for its beaches, soft adventure activities, and access to Ba Na Hills theme park. Nha Trang comes in third place, remaining a favorite for its long coastline, family-oriented resorts, and island experiences. In fourth place, Ho Chi Minh City appeals with its vibrant food scene, entertainment complexes, and day trips to the Mekong Delta. In the north, Hanoi continues to draw families with its cultural landmarks, museums, and festive atmosphere, rounding out the top five most family-friendly year-end destinations in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, although Vietnamese families traditionally travel less internationally at the end of the year – typically preferring to wait for the Lunar New Year – China is becoming a noticeable exception. Among the top 20 outbound destinations preferred by Vietnamese families during the December-January period, searches for Shanghai increased 58%, while Beijing increased 59%. This shift is supported by the launch of new direct routes between Hanoi and selected Chinese cities earlier this year, making end-of-year overseas trips more accessible than ever.

Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director at Agoda, said: “It is wonderful to see Vietnam increasingly chosen as an end-of-year holiday destination for families from across Asia and beyond. Agoda’s data shows that travelers are recognizing Vietnam’s family-friendly appeal, which further strengthen its position on the global travel map. As more families plan their festive-season or year-end getaways, we are delighted to support them through Agoda’s simple, intuitive platform and our wide range of stays, flights, and activities.”

With over 6 million properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities, all bookable in one seamless itinerary, Agoda helps families plan memorable year-end holidays, whether they choose a peaceful beach break, a cultural city escape, or an international exploration to mark the close of the year.

Qantec Automation Partners with ABB to Deliver the Next Generation of Open, Energy-Efficient Smart Building Solutions Across Australia

MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Qantec Automation, a leading Australian distributor specialising in Building Management Systems (BMS) and IoT automation, has announced a strategic alliance with ABB, a global leader in electrification and automation technologies. This collaboration aims to accelerate the delivery of open, sustainable, and future-ready smart building solutions across Australia.

By combining ABB’s world-class portfolio of scalable building automation technologies with Qantec’s strong local expertise and technical support, the alliance will enable building owners, developers, and facility managers to create smarter, greener, and more efficient environments.

“By aligning ABB’s global innovation with Qantec’s local knowledge, we’re helping customers achieve greater flexibility, sustainability, and control over their building systems”, said Bianca Nicholson, Chief Marketing Officer at Qantec Automation. “This collaboration empowers our clients to unlock the full potential of intelligent, future-ready buildings”

As demand for energy-efficient and interoperable building systems continues to grow, Qantec and ABB will deliver end-to-end automation solutions that simplify integration, reduce operational costs, and meet evolving sustainability standards.

“Collaborating with Qantec Automation allows ABB to expand its reach in Australia through a trusted and capable local partner”, said Matthew Doley, National Market Development Manager at ABB Australia. “Together, we’re delivering global technology with local support to help customers accelerate smart building adoption.”

About Qantec Automation

Qantec Automation is an Australian leader in open Building Management Systems (BMS), IoT devices, and smart automation technologies. As an authorised ABB partner, Qantec delivers flexible, scalable, and vendor-neutral solutions that empower clients to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and embrace digital transformation.

Learn more at qantecautomation.com

About ABB

ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. With over 140 years of innovation, ABB connects engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are powered and operated in over 100 countries.

Learn more at new.abb.com/au

A New Era of Digital Innovation: Elitery Global Technology Sdn. Bhd. Granted Malaysia Digital (MD) Status

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Elitery Global Technology Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of PT Data Sinergitama Jaya Tbk, proudly announces that it has been awarded the prestigious Malaysia Digital (MD) Status by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). This recognition marks an important milestone in Elitery’s regional growth journey and reaffirms the company’s commitment to advancing the digital economy through innovation, technology excellence, and strategic collaboration. The MD Status, conferred by the Government of Malaysia, is awarded to companies that meet stringent criteria in driving approved digital activities and contributing to the nation’s digital transformation agenda.

Elitery Global Technology Sdn. Bhd.
Elitery Global Technology Sdn. Bhd.

“Receiving the Malaysia Digital Status is a major milestone for Elitery Global Technology Sdn. Bhd.,” said Kresna Adiprawira, Director of Elitery Global Technology Sdn. Bhd. “This recognition not only validates our current digital initiatives but also opens up greater opportunities to accelerate our growth, enhance our capabilities, and strengthen our contribution to Malaysia’s digital ecosystem.”

The MD Status provides Elitery access to key incentives and privileges under the Malaysia Digital Bill of Guarantees (BoGs). These benefits include the flexibility to hire both local and foreign talent, full freedom of ownership, and the ability to raise and borrow capital globally to support its expansion across the region. Furthermore, the company is allowed to invest in foreign currency assets both in Malaysia and abroad, enabling stronger business diversification and growth. Beyond financial advantages such as income tax exemptions and investment tax allowances, the MD Status connects Elitery to Malaysia’s thriving digital ecosystem through business-matching initiatives, partnership opportunities, and grant facilitation.

This recognition will empower Elitery Global Technology Sdn. Bhd. to expand its digital product portfolio, invest further in local talent, and strengthen its presence across regional markets. As part of this commitment, the company will continue to uphold full compliance with all MD Status requirements, including the annual submission of the Self-Declaration Form (SDF), ensuring sustained alignment with Malaysia’s digital economy standards.

About Elitery

Elitery (IDX: ELIT) is a premier IT Managed Services provider specializing in cloud and cybersecurity. A strategic Google Cloud partner and two-time Public Sector Partner of the Year (2023-2024), ELIT leverages 14+ years of expertise to drive secure digital transformation across Asia-Pacific.

Daingt Co., Ltd. Introduces New Gim Products Featuring Customized Raw Materials and Recipes

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Daingt Co., Ltd. announced that it has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of new gim (seaweed) products developed to reflect preferences across different consumer segments and distribution channels.

The newly launched products were developed based on Daingt’s accumulated production experience and its extensive database of graded raw materials. By analyzing preferred textures, aromas, and thicknesses by consumer group and distribution channel, the company selected raw materials best suited to each product’s intended market.

Beyond raw material selection, Daingt applied customized recipes during the product development process to enhance overall quality and completeness. This approach allowed the company to differentiate the new products from existing offerings while ensuring adaptability across diverse distribution environments.

To further strengthen hygiene standards and quality consistency, Daingt applied HACCP-certified facilities and automated production processes. The company noted that these new products were planned with a long-term vision of expanding a brand-centered product lineup and are expected to serve as a starting point for its mid- to long-term product strategy.

 

Lynk Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Phase III Topline Data of Zemprocitinib (LNK01001) in Rheumatoid Arthritis

HANGZHOU, China, SHANGHAI and BOSTON, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lynk Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Lynk Pharmaceuticals”), a clinical stage innovative drug development company focused on developing innovative therapies for immune and inflammatory diseases, today announced positive topline results from its Phase III clinical trial evaluating zemprocitinib (LNK01001) in patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study met its primary and key secondary efficacy endpoints, demonstrating statistically significant improvements versus placebo (P < 0.0001), with a favorable safety and tolerability profile.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III study (CTR20232969, NCT06276998) evaluated the efficacy and safety of zemprocitinib in patients with moderate to severe active RA who had an inadequate response to biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). The trial was led by Professor Xiaofeng Zeng from Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and enrolled a total of 430 patients, who were randomized 1:1 to receive zemprocitinib 12 mg twice daily or placebo (PBO) twice daily. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving an ACR20 response at Week 24, with key secondary endpoints including the proportion of patients achieving ACR50 and DAS28 (CRP) ≤ 3.2 at Week 24.

The study results showed that response rates in the zemprocitinib treatment group were significantly higher than those in the placebo group across all primary and key secondary efficacy endpoints, with the differences reaching statistical significance. Specifically, the ACR20 response rates at Week 12 and Week 24 vs. PBO were 74.0% versus 29.9% (P < 0.0001) and 79.1% versus 39.7% (P < 0.0001), respectively. The ACR50 response rates at Week 12 and Week 24 vs. PBO were 41.4% versus 9.3% (P < 0.0001) and 55.8% versus 22.0% (P < 0.0001), respectively. The proportion of patients achieving DAS28 (CRP) ≤ 3.2 at Week 12 and Week 24 vs. PBO were 51.2% versus 15.0% (P < 0.0001) and 67.0% versus 23.4% (P < 0.0001), respectively. In terms of safety, zemprocitinib was generally well tolerated. The majority of treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were mild to moderate in severity (Grade 1–2). The incidence of serious adverse events was comparable between the zemprocitinib and placebo groups, and no new safety signals were observed. The overall safety profile was consistent with previous studies. The primary results of this study are planned to be formally presented at an upcoming international scientific conference.

Professor Xiaofeng Zeng, the principal investigator of this study from Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disease that can severely impact patients’ quality of life and physical health. In this Phase III study, zemprocitinib demonstrated strong efficacy, showing statistically significant improvements across the primary and key secondary efficacy endpoints, while maintaining a favorable safety and tolerability profile. These results suggest that zemprocitinib has the potential to offer a new treatment option for this patient population.”

Dr. Zhao-Kui (ZK) Wan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lynk Pharmaceuticals, said: “We are very encouraged by the positive topline results from this Phase III trial of zemprocitinib. This represents the first disclosed trial results in China for a selective JAK1 inhibitor in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to prior biologic therapies. We believe that zemprocitinib, as a promising oral therapy, has the potential to offer a meaningful new treatment option for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the patients, investigators, and all teams involved for their dedication and contributions in achieving this important milestone.”

Gaobo Zhou, Chief Investment Officer of Simcere, said: “As the commercialization partner of zemprocitinib, we are pleased to see the strong performance of this Phase III study in rheumatoid arthritis. These results further highlight the therapeutic potential of zemprocitinib. We will continue to support its subsequent development and remain committed to bringing improved oral treatment options to patients with rheumatoid arthritis.”

About Zemprocitinib (LNK01001):

Zemprocitinib (LNK01001) is a highly selective, next generation JAK1 inhibitor with best in class potential, being developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, and vitiligo. Compared with first-generation JAK inhibitors with lower selectivity, zemprocitinib exhibits significantly greater selectivity for JAK1, which may enhance efficacy while reducing off-target adverse effects. Zemprocitinib potently and dose-dependently inhibits multiple inflammation-related signaling pathways mediated by JAK1. In March 2022, Lynk Pharmaceuticals entered into a commercialization collaboration with Simcere to jointly advance the development and commercialization of zemprocitinib for rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis in Greater China.

About Lynk Pharmaceuticals:

Lynk Pharmaceuticals, a clinical stage company, was founded by senior drug R&D experts and executives from Pfizer, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson. Lynk Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative drugs for the treatment of immune and inflammatory diseases. Driven by a higher goal, Lynk Pharmaceuticals aims to be a market leader to address unmet medical demands by the development of innovative therapies. We thrive to provide differentiated innovative therapies to benefit patients globally. To date, Lynk Pharmaceuticals has independently developed several innovative new drug candidates and successfully completed a number of clinical studies.

About Simcere:

Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Limited (2096.HK) is a pharmaceutical company driven by innovation and focusing on four therapeutic areas including Neuroscience, Oncology, Autoimmune Diseases and Anti-infection. We proactively explore areas with significant unmet needs, and our mission is For patients, for life. Driven by our in-house R&D efforts and synergistic innovation, Simcere has established strategic cooperation partnerships with many innovative companies and research institutes.

Brave Connective Partners with Plug and Play to Drive Innovation and Regional Growth

MANILA, Philippines, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Brave Connective Holdings Inc. (BCHI) has entered into a strategic partnership with Plug and Play, one of the world’s largest global innovation platforms. This collaboration marks a milestone in Brave Connective’s roadmap to scale its digital ecosystem across advertising, data, communications, and loyalty through global startup and technology co-creation.

Under the partnership, Plug and Play will co-develop an Innovation Strategy Roadmap to accelerate Brave Connective’s multi-brand growth and regional expansion. The engagement will also allow Brave Connective and its portfolio companies to connect with Plug and Play’s global network of over 550 corporate partners, 100,000 startups, and 60 innovation hubs worldwide.

“Brave Connective hopes to integrate the strengths of its portfolio companies—m360 for omnichannel communications, AdSpark for data-driven marketing and advertising, Inquiro for analytics and privacy-first insights, and Rush for loyalty and customer engagement—to help Philippine enterprises scale in the digital economy,” said Nikko Acosta, President and Group CEO of Brave Connective Holdings Inc. “Our partnership with Plug and Play helps fulfill this mission by giving us access to global innovation practices and startup ecosystems, plus open up new opportunities for collaboration with multiple markets,” adds Acosta.

Through this engagement, Brave will gain access to Playbook, Plug and Play’s innovation platform, curated startup introductions, participate in the APAC Summit and other global industry expos. This will help Brave recognize and test promising technologies, and establish strategic relationships aimed at strengthening its capabilities in AI, MarTech, AdTech, and CPaaS.

“Plug and Play is delighted to welcome Brave Connective into our global innovation community,” said Jupe Tan, Managing Partner, Plug and Play APAC. “Brave’s ecosystem of digital companies is a strong example of how venture building can drive transformation. Together, we aim to co-create new pathways for the Philippines and Southeast Asian digital industries and markets to thrive in a bigger innovation landscape.”

This partnership forms part of Brave’s broader strategy to institutionalize innovative technologies across its growing portfolio of companies, and enhance its market position in the Philippines, and expand into regional opportunities. It also reflects the shared vision of Globe and 917Ventures to strengthen the country’s participation in the global innovation economy by linking enterprise challenges with world-class startup capabilities.

About Brave Connective Holdings Inc.
Brave Connective Holdings Inc. (BCHI) is an omnitech solutions provider and a wholly owned subsidiary of Globe Capital Ventures Holdings, Inc. Its portfolio integrates communications (m360), digital advertising (AdSpark), data technology (Inquiro), and customer engagement solutions (Rush) to power AI-enabled customer engagement, privacy-first personalization, and scalable business transformation. BCHI serves enterprise partners across Southeast Asia.

https://www.braveconnective.ph/

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we’re present in 60+ locations across five continents. We offer corporate innovation programs and help our corporate partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also organize startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC to drive innovation across multiple industries, where we’ve invested in hundreds of successful companies, including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi. 

Our Asia Pacific headquarters was launched in Singapore in 2010, and we are now present in five cities in Southeast Asia with additional locations in China, Japan, Korea and India. We work closely with both the public and private sectors with programs, innovation initiatives, and startup investments across the region. 

For more information, visit https://www.plugandplayapac.com 

Plug and Play Press Contact
Ming Yang Khong
press@pnptc.com 

 

Obol joins forces with Mastercard to Bring AI-Driven Cash Flow Management to Australian Businesses

Obol launches in Australia, supported by Mastercard Open Finance

NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Obol, an AI-driven cash flow management platform for modern businesses, announced its official launch in Australia through a strategic collaboration with Mastercard. This enables Obol to power its platform using Mastercard’s open banking capabilities, supporting secure connectivity to financial data and expanding access to real-time cash flow management for Australian businesses.

This launch marks Obol’s expansion into Australia, following strong adoption amongst businesses across the United States. Obol will now be available to Australian businesses, supporting finance teams, business owners, and operators with connected financial infrastructure for managing cash flow.

“Australia represents a major milestone in Obol’s international expansion,” says Aviv Sadra, Co-Founder of Obol. “Cash flow is the cornerstone of every business, and Obol is built to manage it at scale. Teaming up with Mastercard allows us to launch in Australia with an established open banking infrastructure and secure access to financial data. We’re excited to bring Obol to Australia and give small and mid-sized businesses a stronger way to manage and control their cash flow.”

Obol will integrate with Mastercard’s open banking capabilities to support standardized access to banking data across participating financial institutions in Australia.

“Open finance is unlocking new opportunities for businesses to better understand and manage their finances,” says Brenton Charnley, Head of Open Finance at Mastercard Australasia. “We’re excited to work with Obol, supporting the expansion of their cash flow management solution in Australia by enabling secure and reliable access to financial information.”

Obol will be available to Australian businesses commencing February 2026, with pre-release sign-up available today.

About Obol
Obol is an AI-powered cash flow management platform that allows businesses to plan, monitor, and manage all cash flow operations in one system. By securely connecting to banks, ERP, and payment processors, Obol provides continuously updated cash data and automated reporting across accounts and entities. Obol is used by finance teams, business owners, and operators across leading U.S. brands, including Quizlet, Maxio, and Lessen, to support day-to-day operations and scale cash flow management as their organizations grow.

www.obol.ai

About Mastercard
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realise their greatest potential.

www.mastercard.com

Media contact
Orly Davidov, Marketing Lead at Obol
orly.d@obol.app
+972 52-955-0565