SINGAPORE, Dec. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Gene Solutions, a pioneering genetic testing company, announced key achievements at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Asia Congress 2025—held in Singapore on December 5–7. Highlights included a full-house symposium, seven scientific abstracts with two earning Best Poster designations, and meaningful engagement with thousands of oncologists from across the Asia-Pacific region at the company’s exhibition booth.

2025 has marked a year of substantial progress for Gene Solutions, with expanded presence and partnerships across India, Turkey, Taiwan region, Hong Kong SAR, and Mainland China. The company advanced precision oncology through Asia’s first multicancer early detection (MCED) test in a large prospective study of 9,024 participants (published in BMC Medicine). In parallel, a real-world circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) molecular residual disease (MRD) study involving 623 patients (published in JCO Oncology Advances, ASCO Publications) demonstrated high accuracy for early relapse detection versus imaging, supporting more timely interventions.

Symposium Highlights: AI-Powered Liquid Biopsy & Multi-Omics Across the Cancer Care Continuum

Chaired by Prof. Herbert Ho Fung Loong (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR) and Prof. Nick Pavlakis (The University of Sydney, Australia), the symposium — “Ai-powered Liquid Biopsy And Multi-omics In Action: Bridging The Gap In Genomic Insights Across The Asia-pacific Region”— drew a full-house audience. It featured actionable clinical evidence spanning early detection, treatment selection, and post-treatment monitoring.

Faculty included Asst. Prof. Aaron Tan Chia-Ken (National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore), Dr. Le Son Tran and Dr. Dang L. Nguyen (Medical Genetics Institute, Vietnam), and Prof. Aya El Helali (The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR). Key topics addressed:

• Early detection at scale (SPOT-MAS): A single 10 mL blood, multi-omics assay combining genetic, epigenetic, fragmentomic features through deep-targeted and shallow genome-wide sequencing.
  Trained on data from over 20,000 cancer patients and 25,000 healthy controls, it incorporates retrospective (K-DISCOVERY) and prospective (K-DETEK) cohorts of more than 11,000 asymptomatic individuals, with real-world deployment in over 30,000 people across six Asian countries.
• Real-world performance of SPOT-MAS in 10 cancers: In a large real-world study comprising 12,281 individuals (median age 43 years) with enrichment for familial cancer risk (24.5%), the assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 78.2%, specificity of 99.8%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 67%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 99.9%, and tumor-of-origin prediction accuracy of 80.3%. These results were comparable to previously reported in the K-DETEK prospective validation study (n = 9,024).
• Treatment selection & monitoring (K-TRACK ctDNA-MRD): Validated across colorectal, breast, lung, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and gastric cancers to enable risk stratification and earlier intervention. Real-world Asian data indicate ctDNA detection of progression up to 14 months ahead of imaging and identification of resistance mechanisms in metastatic settings.
• Advanced AI-driven Biomarkers (K-4CARE): The K-4CARE platform integrates DNA profiling (504 genes), transcriptomic profiling (19,435 genes), and longitudinal ctDNA-MRD monitoring—to support precision decision-making, including complex scenarios such as detecting tissue-of-origin with 87.7% prediction accuracy in cancer of unknown primary (CUP) and improving fusion detection by 20%.
• ESMO consensus: The recent ESMO consensus (EBAI), published in November 2025, provides basic requirements for AI-based biomarkers in oncology – including ground truth, performance, generalizability, fairness and evidence requirements to establish their robustness.

Selected faculty insights:

“The challenge is balancing multi-cancer early detection performance with affordability—we achieve this via robust feature engineering, supervised machine learning, and high-quality multi-omics training datasets” said Dr. Le Son Tran.

“In early-stage cancer, cancers may still recur in some patients despite adjuvant treatment, while some patients may already be cured and do not need additional adjuvant therapy. MRD testing has the potential to transform how we manage these patients by allowing clinicians to escalate or de-escalate treatment more appropriately” added Asst. Prof. Tan Chia-Ken Aaron.

“AI driven biomarkers won’t replace molecular testing; they will amplify it—especially when tissue is limited” commented Prof. Herbert Ho Fung Loong.

Scientific Recognition: Seven Abstracts and Two Best Posters

Gene Solutions presented seven posters spanning MCED, tumor profiling, MRD, immunotherapy, and population genetics. Two studies received Best Poster awards:

Best Poster (229P) – Integrated cfRNA + ctDNA Liquid Biopsy for Improved Early Colorectal Cancer Screening — Trang T. Tran
Best Poster (183P) – Scalable Platform to Produce Allogenic NonGenetically Modified NK Cells and Predict Cytotoxicity in Solid Tumors — Thu Dao

Additional abstracts:

• 913P: Multimodal cfDNA assay for early detection of lung cancer in patients with suspicious pulmonary nodules — Ho D. Vo
• 11P: BRCA1/BRCA2 pathogenic variant spectrum in 14,529 Vietnamese women — Le Phuong Thuy
• 227P: Integrated genomic & immune profiling improves chemotherapy benefit prediction in resectable colorectal cancer — Tran B. Nguyen
• 791P: Harnessing multi-omics data from tumor and plasma ctDNA in advanced lung cancer — Phuc Nguyen
• 784P: Real-world performance of hybrid tumor informed & tumor agnostic ctDNA testing predicting recurrence/progression in Southeast Asia — Van Anh H. Nguyen

Exhibition Engagement:

Live demonstrations and clinical discussions at Gene Solutions’ exhibition booth engaged thousands of oncologists and researchers from across Asia, underscoring the need for accessible, high precision genomic solutions to improve patient outcomes

“Our presence at ESMO Asia program highlighted regionally validated multi-omics solutions—from SPOT-MAS to K-TRACK and K-4CARE—alongside the recognition of our scientific contributions through two Best Poster awards” said Dr. Sinh Nguyen, Oncology Medical Director, Gene Solutions. ”Moving into 2026, we remain committed to enhancing access through costs optimization, and strategic partnerships, enabling broader patient benefit from earlier detection, informed treatment decisions, and real-time monitoring.”

About Gene Solutions

Gene Solutions is a global biotechnology company headquartered in Singapore with a mission to make advanced genomic solutions accessible and affordable. Leveraging multi-omics, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), and Artificial Intelligence, the company offers a comprehensive portfolio, including next-generation prenatal screening for fetal and maternal health (triSure), multi-cancer early detection (SPOT-MAS), and comprehensive tumor profiling and ctDNA monitoring (K-TRACK, K-4CARE).

Since 2017, Gene Solutions has performed over three million genetic tests worldwide through CAP-accredited laboratories across multiple markets. Through continuous innovation and strategic collaborations, the company is advancing earlier cancer detection, precision care and reproductive health globally.

For more information, visit www.genesolutions.com or contact pr@genesolutions.com

Important Disclaimer

Tests described may be offered as laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) in CAP-accredited laboratories; availability and regulatory status vary by country/jurisdiction. Results are for professional use only. Performance characteristics are study-specific and may vary by population, setting, or sample quality. This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations regarding study outcomes, test performance, clinical utility, partnerships, and potential benefits. Actual results may differ materially due to risks and uncertainties, including regulatory, clinical, market, and competitive factors. Gene Solutions undertakes no obligation to update these statements.

Against a backdrop of unparalleled aviation connectivity, China will leverage the FITUR trade fair to elevate its tourism positioning.

MADRID, Dec. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 2026 FITUR International Tourism Fair, taking place from 21 to 25 January 2026 at Madrid’s IFEMA exhibition centre, will further cement the deepening cooperation between China and Spain’s tourism sectors. According to data from the Spanish National Tourist Board’s Beijing office, Chinese tourist arrivals to Spain reached 163,856 in the first quarter of 2025, representing a 26.12% increase compared to the same period in 2019. Separate statistics from the Chinese Embassy in Madrid indicate approximately 157,000 Spanish travellers visited China in 2024.

The 2026 FITUR International Tourism Fair, taking place from 21 to 25 January 2026 at Madrid’s IFEMA exhibition centre, will further cement the deepening cooperation between China and Spain’s tourism sectors.

China will occupy a strategic position at FITUR 2026, with the China National Tourism Administration and the tourism authorities of the Macao and Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions participating in an official capacity. Airlines including Cathay Pacific, local tourism bureaus from Shanghai and Beijing, alongside leading tourism technology companies such as Shiji Group and Xiwang, will also join the event. China’s prominence at this year’s fair coincides with enhanced aviation connectivity: China Southern Airlines has recently launched a Madrid–Guangzhou route, with direct weekly flights projected to reach a record high of 61 during the 2025-2026 winter season.

A report from Spain’s National Tourism Secretariat indicates that by 2025, the country’s tourism sector will benefit from a strong tailwind from the Chinese market. Following a recovery in spending during 2024, China’s outbound travel demand continues to gain momentum. Meanwhile, Spain’s position as a tourism brand has been further consolidated, securing its place among the most popular travel destinations. Meanwhile, the latest data indicates that Chinese tourists’ expenditure in Spain will reach €1.417 billion in 2025, representing a 1.4% increase over 2024. This trend demonstrates Spain’s growing appeal to Chinese visitors, particularly among high-purchasing-power segments.

Regarding China’s overall tourism demand, the Spanish National Tourism Administration notes that both domestic and international source markets are experiencing sustained growth in travel expenditure. By 2026, driven by the lifting of travel restrictions, consumption recovery, and improved air connectivity, China’s domestic source market is projected to grow by 6%, while the international source market is expected to increase by 9% to 10%.

Media Contact: 
Helena Valera
International Press
Tel.: 629 64 42 08
evalera@ifema.es

Alejandra Elorza
Chief Press
Tel.: 629 64 49 68
aelorza@ifema.es 

A new edition of FITUR, the International Tourism Fair held at the IFEMA Madrid exhibition centre, which has established itself as one of the benchmarks for the tourism sector with the presence of 156 countries and an attendance of more than 250,000 people, including professionals and visitors.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Dec. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — One Universal Production Group (OUP), a leading intellectual property (IP) ecosystem and tourism company in Asia, today celebrated the official opening of its new corporate building, marking a significant milestone in its journey of creating world-class entertainment and edutainment experiences.

The opening reflects OUP’s growing role in shaping IP-led entertainment, edutainment, and themed tourism across Asia and beyond. Over the past decade, the company has built a reputation for record-breaking productions and large-scale immersive experiences, earning recognition from the Guinness World Records, ASEAN Book of Records, and Malaysia Book of Records.

OUP is widely known for delivering some of the region’s most successful thematic attractions and live shows, including Ultraman Live 2015, one of Asia’s highest-attended live entertainment productions, the longest-running Pokémon Festival, the world’s largest inflatable duck installation, and award-winning family experiences such as Discover Fun with CoComelon.

As a master licensee and strategic partner to leading global IP owners, OUP manages and develops a diverse portfolio of internationally recognised brands, including CoComelon, Ultraman, Bruce Lee, Blippi, Angry Birds, Crayola, and B.Duck. The company integrates these IPs into immersive attractions, live experiences, retail activations, and tourism developments tailored for Asian audiences.

During the event, OUP formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kayou Cultural Creativity Co., Ltd., China’s largest collectible card company. Under the partnership, Kayou will enter the Malaysian market alongside OUP, introducing new IP-driven collectible products and entertainment concepts aimed at Southeast Asian fans.

OUP also unveiled its upcoming international development roadmap, including the Hadi Excellence Collection – Thematic Safari Villas in the UAE, and the Hadi Premium Collection in Malaysia, featuring Malaysia’s first sea-front crystal-clear lagoon villas.

Commenting on the milestone, Alvin Lee, CEO of One Universal Production & Group of Companies, said the new headquarters represents OUP’s next chapter in delivering world-class, IP-led experiences globally.

The largest ever Japanese delegation will participate in FITUR 2026, aiming to promote partnerships and global expansion.

MADRID, Dec. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Japan’s growing presence in the international tourism market and its close relationship with Spain will be demonstrated at the international tourism fair ‘FITUR 2026’, held at IFEMA Madrid from 21 to 25 January. According to the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), the number of Spanish visitors to Japan reached approximately 182,300 in 2024, marking a 57.3% increase compared to 2023. A significant turning point was the launch of Iberia Airlines’ direct Madrid–Tokyo service (three weekly flights) in October 2023.

Meanwhile, the Spanish Tourism Promotion Agency (Turespaña) announced that Spain welcomed over 410,000 Japanese tourists in 2024. This represents a 32.1% increase year-on-year, with total spending reaching €1.164 billion – a 48% rise compared to 2023. The Japanese market stands out for its exceptionally high daily travel expenditure, ranking among the top markets globally. According to Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE), the number of Japanese visitors increased by a further 8% in the second quarter of 2025.

Moreover, these awareness metrics reflect Spain’s sustained rise in popularity within Japan. A YouGov survey indicates Spain ranked third in “consideration for visiting” and second in “travel intention” for 2025, showing significant growth compared to 2024. Furthermore, satisfaction among travellers who actually visited Spain rose from 58.5% to 68.3%.

Against this backdrop, FITUR 2026 saw the largest ever Japanese delegation participate. Alongside the official representatives from the Japan National Tourism Organisation and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, attendees included the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB), the JTB Group’s global DMC network, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Experience, Himeji Tourism Convention Bureau, JR Tokai Hotels, JTB Global Marketing & Travel, Miki Tourist x HIS, Fujita Kanko (WHG Hotels), Sky Hop Bus Tokyo, DMC Japan by KNT, and numerous operators. Furthermore, FITUR 2026 is expected to see participation from numerous leading Spanish agents specialising in the Japanese market.

This business growth reflects the vitality of Japan’s tourism market, which recorded a record high of 36.8 million international visitors in 2024, a 47.1% increase year-on-year. Consequently, FITUR 2026 will be a crucial platform for strengthening tourism collaboration between Spain and Japan and creating new opportunities for cooperation.

Media Contact:
Helena Valera
International Press
Tel.: 629 64 42 08
evalera@ifema.es

Alejandra Elorza
Chief Press
Tel.: 629 64 49 68
aelorza@ifema.es 

A new edition of FITUR, the International Tourism Fair held at the IFEMA Madrid exhibition centre, which has established itself as one of the benchmarks for the tourism sector with the presence of 156 countries and an attendance of more than 250,000 people, including professionals and visitors.

Photo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/fitur_japan.jpg

NEW YORK, Dec. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CASEKOO, a leader in tech accessories, today announced a strategic brand evolution and its preliminary 2026 growth plan. The roadmap centers on a refined user focus and global market expansion.

Refined Brand Strategy and User Focus

CASEKOO is now strategically focused on two core audiences: Innovation Enthusiasts and Style Pioneers. This pivot marks a fundamental evolution from tech accessories to modern lifestyle essentials designed to fit how people live, move, and express themselves—a new ethos that now guides everything from product development to marketing. Every design is crafted to blend purposeful innovation with expressive style, deepening the brand’s bond with its design-conscious, trend-setting users.

To embody this direction, CASEKOO will launch a rejuvenated brand identity—including an updated logo and visual system—in early 2026. This evolution goes beyond aesthetics, reflecting the brand’s renewed clarity, confidence, and relevance in a world where technology and personal identity are inseparable. Aligning with the refreshed look, the brand will also pursue new IP collaborations, carefully selected to reinforce cultural relevance, design leadership, and functional excellence, while upholding its high standards for quality and innovation.

Preliminary Fiscal 2026 Growth Outlook and Market Expansion

Building on this strategic brand foundation, CASEKOO has established a preliminary outlook for its fiscal 2026 growth. The company will intensify its focus on the North American market while actively expanding into Europe and Asia. A core pillar of this strategy is excelling in serving overseas customers by deeply understanding their behaviors, expectations, and shopping preferences.

To drive this international growth, CASEKOO will open new sales channels, including:

• Optimizing its official online storefront to deliver a more intuitive, conversion-driven customer journey
• Launching on emerging social commerce platforms such as TikTok Shop
• Entering key Asian markets through localized marketplaces, including Rakuten in Japan and Coupang in South Korea

This multi-channel approach is designed to build global brand presence and provide a seamless, locally relevant shopping experience for a worldwide audience.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements concerning our strategic plans, brand initiatives, and growth outlook for fiscal 2026. These statements reflect our current expectations and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ due to various factors, including market acceptance, competitive dynamics, supply chain conditions, and the broader global economic environment. CASEKOO intends to update and finalize its detailed fiscal 2026 outlook in early 2026.

About CASEKOO

CASEKOO is a design-led lifestyle brand dedicated to creating style-forward phone accessories for life in motion. Built for Innovation Enthusiasts and Style Pioneers, CASEKOO blends purposeful protection, modern design, and personal expression—empowering individuals to protect what matters while expressing who they are.

Explore our vision and updates at casekoo.com.

JAMNAGAR, India, Dec. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Global football icon Lionel Messi made a special visit to Vantara, a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre founded by Anant Ambani. At the centre, initiatives traditionally begin with seeking blessings in accordance with Sanatana Dharma, which emphasises reverence for nature and respect for all living beings. Messi’s visit reflected this cultural ethos, as he participated in traditional Indian rituals, observed wildlife, and interacted with caregivers and conservation teams. His engagements during the visit reflected the humility and humanitarian values for which he is widely recognised and highlighted the warm bond and friendship he shares with Anant Ambani, rooted in a shared commitment to wildlife conservation.

Messi, accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, was welcomed in a grand traditional style with vibrant folk music, a shower of flowers symbolising blessings and purity of intent, and a ceremonial aarti. The football legend also participated in a Maha Aarti at the temple, including Ambe Mata Puja, Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja and Shiv Abhishek, offering prayers for world peace and unity, in keeping with India’s timeless ethos of reverence for all living beings.

Following the welcome, Messi embarked on a guided tour of Vantara’s expansive conservation ecosystem, home to rescued big cats, elephants, herbivores, reptiles, and fostered young animals from across the globe. He also visited the green energy complex and the world’s largest refinery complex, where he expressed amazement at the scale and vision behind the operations.

At the care centre for lions, leopards, tigers and other endangered species, Messi interacted with animals thriving in enriched, naturalistic environments, many of whom approached him with curiosity. He then visited the Herbivore Care Centre and the Reptile Care Centre, where he observed animals flourishing under specialised veterinary care, customised nutrition, behavioural training, and husbandry protocols that reflect Vantara’s global leadership in wildlife welfare. During the visit, he also toured the multi-speciality wildlife hospital, witnessing real-time clinical and surgical procedures, and later fed the okapis, rhinos, giraffes and elephants. From a global perspective, he also praised the commitment of the Prime Minister of India to advancing wildlife care and conservation across the country.

At the Foster Care Centre, dedicated to orphaned and vulnerable young animals, Messi learned about their journeys of resilience. In a heartfelt gesture, Anant Ambani and Radhika Ambani together named a lion cub “Lionel,” a name that now represents hope and continuity, given in honour of the football legend.

The highlight of the tour came at the Elephant Care Centre, where Messi met Maniklal, a rescued elephant calf saved along with his ailing mother, Prathima, from harsh labour in the logging industry two years ago. In a moment that captured hearts across the centre, Messi engaged in an impromptu football enrichment activity with Maniklal, demonstrating the universal language of play. The calf responded enthusiastically to the activity, making playful moves that showcased his own emerging skills, marking one of the most memorable moments of Messi’s visit to India.

Responding in Spanish to Anant Ambani, who thanked him for visiting Vantara and for inspiring everyone selflessly towards animals and mankind, Messi said, “What Vantara does is truly beautiful—the work for animals, the care they receive, the way they are rescued and looked after. It is genuinely impressive. We had a wonderful time, felt completely at ease throughout, and it is an experience that stays with you. We will surely visit again to continue inspiring and supporting this meaningful work.”

“For the first time, two global icons came together—one renowned for sporting excellence, the other for leadership in business and wildlife conservation” Says Bharat Mehra, Chief Advisor to Anant Ambani.

As the visit came to a close, Messi participated in Nariyal Utsarg and Matka Phod, traditional rituals symbolising goodwill and auspicious beginnings. The ceremony concluded with chants for peace and well-being, underscoring the shared values that align Vantara’s mission with Messi’s global legacy. Messi, who leads the Leo Messi Foundation dedicated to social causes, education, healthcare and children’s welfare worldwide, expressed a deep sense of alignment with Vantara’s purpose and appreciation for its vision of compassionate, science-driven care for animals.

Messi experiences Vantara with Anant Ambani

Messi experiences Vantara with Anant Ambani

Messi experiences Vantara with Anant Ambani