KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — RHB Banking Group (“RHB” or the “Group”) entered into bancassurance and bancatakaful partnerships with Tokio Marine Life Insurance Malaysia Bhd. (“Tokio Marine Life”) and its takaful partners – Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Keluarga Berhad (“STMKB”), and its wholly owned subsidiary, Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Am Berhad (“STMAB”) (collectively referred to as “Takaful Malaysia”). These partnerships are formalised through separate Distribution Agreements – between RHB Bank and Tokio Marine Life, and between RHB Islamic and Takaful Malaysia, as well as the Framework Agreement entered into by all parties.

Under the Distribution Agreements, RHB will exclusively sell, distribute, market and promote the conventional life insurance products, the family takaful products and the general takaful products developed by Tokio Marine Life and Takaful Malaysia, in Malaysia. The Framework Agreement is entered into as part of the overall joint operating and governance framework for the banca partnerships.

The exclusive Distribution Agreements will be for a period of 20 years commencing 1 August 2025, at a Total Access Fee payable to RHB of up to RM1.6 billion. The Total Access Fee reflects the projected insurance and takaful business volume that RHB is expected to generate over the tenure of the Distribution Agreements, including anticipated sales of products through RHB’s network of branches and digital channels. These will contribute positively to the Group’s profit before tax.

Dato’ Mohd Rashid Mohamad, Group Managing Director/Group Chief Executive Officer of RHB Banking Group said, “This long term and exclusive banca partnerships reinforces our commitment to staying relevant to our customers, diversifying our income streams and driving sustainable long-term growth. By deepening our collaboration, we are able to deliver tailored financial solutions, enhance customer experience and unlock meaningful value for RHB as well as our banca partners. This aligns with our PROGRESS27 strategic priorities, which is already in motion, enabling us to deliver broader value to our stakeholders while driving our non-interest income streams.”

“This reflects the strength, resilience and maturity of our partnership. One that we have built over the years of collaboration and shared ambition. We are confident that this next chapter will see us deliver even greater value to the community, combining Tokio Marine’s global insurance expertise with RHB’s local reach and customer trust,” said Toi See Jong, Chief Executive Officer of Tokio Marine Life Insurance Malaysia Bhd.

Additionally, Nor Azman Zainal, Group Chief Executive Officer of Takaful Malaysia said, “This collaboration positions us to scale our takaful offerings and broaden our footprint within the Islamic financial ecosystem. It reflects our ongoing commitment to making ethical, Shariah-compliant protection more accessible to a wider base of consumers across our key markets.”

The product portfolio will continue to evolve in response to customer needs and emerging market trends.

Issued on behalf of RHB Bank Berhad by the Corporate Communications & Media Relations division.

For media enquiries, please contact Nishanthi Palani at nishanthi.palani@rhbgroup.com / 012-420 0812 or Joanne Lim at joanne.lim@rhbgroup.com / 012-304 7604

Customers may call our Customer Contact Centre at 03–9206 8118 for enquiries on RHB’s products and services.

About RHB Banking Group

RHB Banking Group is one of Malaysia’s longest-standing and leading financial institutions, with a proud heritage spanning over a century. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Group has a strong presence across seven ASEAN markets and is powered by a workforce of over 13,000 employees. United by a common purpose – Together We Progress – RHB is committed to empowering individuals, businesses and communities to grow and progress together.

As a fully integrated financial group, our core businesses are structured into six key pillars: Group Community Banking, Group Corporate & Business Banking, Group Wholesale Banking, Group Shariah Business, Group International Business and Group Insurance. We offer comprehensive and innovative financial solutions through RHB Bank Berhad and our key subsidiaries: RHB Investment Bank Berhad, RHB Islamic Bank Berhad, and RHB Insurance Berhad. Our asset management and unit trust businesses are undertaken by RHB Asset Management Sdn. Bhd. and RHB Islamic International Asset Management Berhad.

RHB Bank Berhad is listed on Bursa Malaysia with a market capitalisation of RM27 billion (as at 30 July 2025).

Guided by our purpose, RHB is focused on delivering meaningful and sustainable value by driving innovation, fostering inclusive growth, and strengthening long-term resilience to meet the evolving needs of our customers, communities, and the broader financial ecosystem.

For more information, please visit www.rhbgroup.com.

Malaysia | Singapore | Indonesia | Thailand | Brunei | Cambodia | Lao PDR

About Tokio Marine Life Insurance Malaysia Bhd.

Tokio Marine Life Insurance Malaysia Bhd. (“TMLM”) has over 75 years of presence in Malaysia and is financially strong with total assets of over RM12 billion**. Today, Tokio Marine Life is a member of Tokio Marine Group in Japan with more than 43,000 employees worldwide and operates in 45 countries and regions. The core company of Tokio Marine Group, Tokio Marine Nichido Fire is financially strong with net asset worth JPY 3,208,837 million+ and Tokio Marine Holdings with net asset worth JPY 5,103,545 million+ (consolidated) has a credit rating⁺ of A+ by Standard and Poor’s, Aa3 by Moody’s and A++ (Stable) by A.M. Best.

For more information, please visit www.tokiomarine.com

For media inquiries, please contact our Corporate Communications & Advertising department at: communications@tokiomarinelife.com.my

About Takaful Malaysia

Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Berhad (“STMB”) was incorporated on 29 November 1984. In accordance with the Islamic Financial Services Act 2013 (“IFSA”), STMB separated its composite license into two (2) licensed entities on 1 June 2018. STMB, now known as Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Keluarga Berhad (“Takaful Malaysia” or “Takaful Malaysia Keluarga”) manages the Family Takaful business whilst Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Am Berhad (“Takaful Malaysia Am”) manages the General Takaful business. Takaful Malaysia Keluarga is the holding company and owns 100% of Takaful Malaysia Am, and the Company has a share capital of RM357.87 million with total assets of RM17.2 billion at the Group level as at 31 March 2025. Both companies operate through the Takaful Malaysia brand with a combined network of branches in 23 locations nationwide. 

For media enquiries, please contact Firdaus Nasir at firdaus.nasir@takaful-malaysia.com.my / 012-295 1081.

SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Elegoo, a rapidly developing brand in global smart manufacturing, today unveils Nexprint, an open-source platform designed to connect creators worldwide by enabling seamless sharing and downloading of 3D models. The platform aims to foster a global creative hub that streamlines printing workflow for all-level 3D printer users, connects global creators and rewards their original designs. 

We believe everyone can enjoy the fun of 3D printing with ease, without worrying about complex 3D model building. Nexprint is here to offer countless 3D designs and deliver seamless one-click workflow for everyone:

• It is optimized for Elegoo printers by combining official model libraries with user-generated content for an enhanced printing experience.
• It is integrated with Elegoo Slicer and OrcaSlicer to ensure a smooth workflow from model selection to printing with most 3D printers in the market.
• It aggregates 3D models from platforms other than Nexprint, making it easy to browse and download high-quality models without switching between platforms.

The process will be made accessible for everyone, regardless of their skill levels or printer preference. This is possible because hundreds of thousands of creators contribute their designs. We greatly value each creator’s contribution to Nexprint community and encourage them to keep sharing their most creative and original designs. They will be rewarded with the following benefits:

• A points-based rewarding system for creative designs.
• Regular competitions with prizes for standout designs.
• Priority exposure and platform-wide recommendations for top 3D models.
• Dedicated support channels including support tickets and community engagement ensure rapid feedback for creators. 

“Nexprint is more than a platform—it’s a hub where creators can connect, innovate, and bring their ideas to life, while offering everyone seamless access to a world of inspiring models and immersive experiences,” said Ryan Siu, VP of Elegoo. “Our vision is to build an open, collaborative ecosystem driven by community feedback, empowering creators at every level to share, grow, and shape the future of digital creation. We’re really excited for what’s ahead.”

Currently in its early stages, Nexprint invites creators of all skill levels to join, contribute, and help shape its future as a global community. For more information please visit www.nexprint.com.

About Elegoo

Founded in 2015, Elegoo is a rapidly developing brand in the global smart manufacturing industry, specializing in R&D, manufacturing, and sales of consumer-grade 3D printers, laser engravers, STEM kits, and other smart technology products. Located in Shenzhen, the Silicon Valley of China, the company has sold millions of products across more than 100 countries and regions. In 2024, the company’s total sales revenue surpassed 220 million USD, with more than 1000 employees and nearly 30,000 square meters of office and manufacturing area. With a focus on programming and 3D printing technology, Elegoo provides unique and smart creation spaces for diverse consumers to enhance personalized experiences.

SINGAPORE, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — People Intelligence Singapore Pte. Ltd. (“Omni HR”) today announced the acquisition of MajuHR, a Singapore-based HR software company, for an undisclosed amount. This marks Omni’s first acquisition and a strategic step toward consolidating Asia’s fragmented HR technology landscape.

Strong growth drives expansion

Singapore-based Omni HR provides cloud-based HR and payroll solutions across 15+ Asian markets, offering automated workflows alongside local compliance capabilities. The company’s $7.4 million funding round in 2024 and rapid customer growth set the stage for its first acquisition.

MajuHR is a pioneer in omnichannel-native HR software in Southeast Asia, letting employees request time off or check their payslips through a simple WhatsApp message—the way many Asian teams already communicate. By integrating MajuHR’s chat-native DNA with Omni HR’s multi-country capabilities, the combined platform will deliver more intuitive HR experiences tailored to how modern Asian teams operate.

Market demands modern solutions

The deal reflects growing demand in Asia’s $6.4 billion HR software market for platforms that actually understand how business gets done in the region, combining sophisticated automation with regional compliance expertise—capabilities that many local providers have been slow to develop.

“At Omni HR, our focus has always been on bringing automation and flexible workflows to modern teams operating across borders in Asia. The acquisition of MajuHR allows us to deepen our product capabilities and broaden our client portfolio,” said Brian Ip, Founder & CEO of Omni HR.

“Omni’s track record in multi-country employee management across Asia is second to none. We’re thrilled to bring our chat-native DNA under the Omni banner and collectively unlock a more seamless, data-rich experience for HR and Finance leaders across the region,” said Roshan Ravishankar, Co-founder of MajuHR.

MajuHR’s customer base will transition to Omni HR’s platform, adding to the company’s growing portfolio of modern, tech-forward businesses across the region.

The acquisition positions Omni HR as a key player among emerging Asian HR technology companies that are developing platforms competitive with global software providers while maintaining deep local market knowledge.

Looking ahead, Omni HR plans to continue investing in deeper localisation. The company is also exploring additional partnerships and product extensions to better serve growing mid-market and enterprise clients across Asia. With the acquisition of MajuHR, Omni lays the groundwork for future expansion via both product development and strategic M&A.

About Omni HR: Founded in 2021, Omni HR provides cloud-based HR and payroll software for companies scaling across Asia. The Singapore-based company offers automated workflows, multi-country payroll processing, performance management, and employee onboarding across all major Asian markets. Backed by leading investors including Picus Capital and Alpha JWC Ventures, Omni HR has raised $9.8 million in funding to-date. For more information, visit www.omnihr.co.

About MajuHR: MajuHR is a Singapore-based, omnichannel chat-native HR platform used by thousands across Southeast Asia to manage full-suite HR through consumer chat apps. Founded by Charlie Angriawan and Roshan Ravishankar, with founding team members Dipansh Bhatt and Madhusudan Murali.

Shilpa Medicare Serves as Lead Investor, Positioning Alveolus Bio for Phase 2 Clinical Trials and First-in-Human Studies

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and BIRMINGHAM, Ala. and RAICHUR, India, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Alveolus Bio, a pioneering respiratory drug development biotech company founded by Dr. Vivek Lal from University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, has announced a strategic financing round led by Shilpa Medicare Limited (BSE: 524742) (NSE: SHILPAMED), a prominent global pharmaceutical company with extensive expertise in respiratory therapeutics manufacturing and biotechnology innovation.

Through this collaboration, Shilpa Biologics, the biologics arm of Shilpa Medicare, will become Alveolus Bio’s exclusive global development and manufacturing partner. This partnership propels Alveolus Bio’s live biotherapeutics and small molecule platform towards Phase 2 and first-in-human clinical trials, with a lead asset for COPD progressing rapidly.

Shilpa Medicare brings deep experience in drug discovery, development, and manufacturing, along with strong regulatory capabilities. Their investment and strategic involvement will accelerate the clinical advancement of Alveolus Bio’s resMIT (respiratory microbiota-based inhaled therapeutics) platform. This novel platform enables targeted delivery of inhaled therapies to deep lung regions, addressing unmet needs in diseases such as COPD, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), and Pulmonary Fibrosis.

“Securing Shilpa as our lead investor is a transformative step,” said Gaurav Mehta, CEO of Alveolus Bio. “Their global pharmaceutical leadership aligns perfectly with our vision to redefine how lung diseases are treated.”

“Alveolus Bio’s breakthrough science is poised to transform respiratory care. Through this strategic partnership with Shilpa, we combine disruptive biotech innovation with world-class commercialization, bringing life-changing therapies faster to the market,” said Dr. C. Vivek Lal, Founder and CSO, Alveolus Bio.

“Shilpa has always focused on enabling breakthrough biologics,” said Vishnukant Bhutada, Managing Director, Shilpa Medicare. “This partnership strengthens our innovation pipeline and reinforces our role as a trusted global partner for biotech development.”

The financing round remains open to other strategic investors who share Alveolus Bio’s vision of transforming respiratory medicine.

About Shilpa Medicare
Shilpa Medicare is a global pharmaceutical company with capabilities across drug discovery to commercialization, specializing in respiratory therapeutics and biotech innovation. Visit www.vbshilpa.com.

About Alveolus Bio
A Biostack Ventures company, Alveolus Bio is developing first-in-class therapies for lung diseases using its proprietary resMIT platform. Its pipeline includes programs for COPD, BPD, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Cystic Fibrosis, and more.

First Major Solo Exhibition in Korea by Mark Bradford to Open at Amorepacific Museum of Art
Pioneer of ‘Social Abstraction’ Unveiled in Landmark Exhibition in Seoul

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Amorepacific Museum of Art (Director: Seungchang Jeon) is proud to present Mark Bradford: Keep Walking, the first solo exhibition in South Korea by the internationally acclaimed American artist Mark Bradford. This landmark exhibition is also the largest presentation of Bradford’s work in Asia, offering an expansive overview of his artistic practice spanning more than two decades.

Born in 1961 in South Central Los Angeles, Bradford is known for his monumental abstract paintings that interweave personal history with broader social narratives. Drawing from his autobiographical experiences and from his deep ties to his local community, Bradford creates layered, tactile compositions using materials scavenged from the urban environment – billboard paper, flyers, endpapers from beauty salons, and fragments of everyday life. Through a process of building up, sanding down, tearing, and collaging, he transforms the detritus of the city into poetic and politically resonant works.

Bradford refers to his visual language as “Social Abstraction” – a practice that retains the formal strategies of abstraction while engaging directly with issues of race, gender, class, and the systems of power that shape contemporary society. His work has been widely celebrated across the globe, including representing the United States at the 2017 Venice Biennale. He was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2021 and ranked 19th on ArtReview’s Power 100 in 2024.

Keep Walking brings together approximately 40 works—including large-scale paintings, video installations, and newly commissioned pieces developed specifically for the museum’s architecture. Featured works include early seminal paintings such as Blue (2005) and Niagara (2005), the latter inspired by the eponymous 1953 film starring Marilyn Monroe. Also on view is Float (2019), a monumental floor installation that invites viewers to physically walk across its surface, experiencing the artwork through movement and proximity.

Visitors will encounter the visual and emotional weight of Bradford’s compositions—dense fields of color, texture, and meaning that reflect the turbulence and resilience of contemporary life. These works do not merely illustrate social conditions; they embody them through material and process. The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to engage with one of today’s most powerful voices in contemporary painting.

This presentation is part of an international touring exhibition organized by Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart in Berlin. The Seoul presentation expands upon the earlier iteration, incorporating new works and a site-responsive approach tailored to the distinctive architecture of Amorepacific Museum of Art.

“Mark Bradford has redefined what painting can be – not just as a formal exercise, but as a space where histories, identities, and communities collide and coalesce,” said Amorepacific Museum of Art. “Through this exhibition, we hope to offer Korean audiences a profound and immersive experience of Bradford’s artistic vision and his ongoing exploration of abstraction as a deeply social medium.”

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[Exhibition Overview]

• Title: Mark Bradford: Keep Walking
• Dates: August 1, 2025 (FRI) through January 25, 2026 (SUN)
•  Opening Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM (Closed on Mondays, January 1, Seollal and Chuseok holidays)
• Venue: Amorepacific Museum of Art (100, Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea)
• Admission: APMA website: http://apma.amorepacific.com
• Exhibition Support: Sulwhasoo