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Samyang Corp. Introduces A High-Purity Crystalline Soluble Fiber ‘Kestose’ at Future Food-Tech San Francisco 2026

– Showcased features and application cases of ‘Crystalline Kestose,’ a soluble fiber containing over 99% fructooligosaccharides

– Demonstrated sugar reduction and fiber fortification benefits, offering tasting samples of sports drink mix with Crystalline Kestose [1]

SEOUL, South Korea, March 20, 2026  /PRNewswire/ — Samyang corp. announced that it participated in Future Food-Tech San Francisco 2026 (FFT 2026), held on March 19–20 in San Francisco, California, where it unveiled its high-purity crystalline soluble fiber, Kestose, for the first time on the global stage.

Samyang corp. presenting its high-purity crystalline soluble fiber, Kestose at Future Food-Tech 2026
Samyang corp. presenting its high-purity crystalline soluble fiber, Kestose at Future Food-Tech 2026

FFT 2026 is a leading international conference that brings together global food companies, startups, investors, and research institutions to explore innovative technologies and emerging trends in the food industry. This year’s event attracted more than 1,500 industry professionals from over 200 companies across 40 countries.

At the conference, Samyang introduced its proprietary high-purity crystalline soluble fiber, Kestose, through a technical presentation. Dr. Hyerim Kim, Principal Researcher at Samyang corp., presented key insights on global dietary fiber trends, as well as the physico-chemical properties, functional benefits, and category-specific application cases of Crystalline Kestose.

Kestose is a type of fructooligosaccharide (FOS), a prebiotic ingredient that serves as a nutrient source for beneficial gut bacteria.[1]

Unlike conventional liquid or powder-type dietary fiber ingredients, Kestose is distinguished by its crystalline form. Developed based on Samyang’s proprietary technology, it exhibits low hygroscopicity, minimizing clumping, and offers fast dissolution. These physical properties enable easy application across a wide range of products, including confectionery and powdered beverages.

Crystalline Kestose also offers differentiated nutritional benefits. Containing over 99% fructooligosaccharides, it supports dietary fiber intake while delivering approximately 30% of the sweetness of sugar, with sugar content as low as around 1%.[1]

This enables manufacturers to achieve both sugar reduction and fiber fortification without compromising sweetness. As a result, Crystalline Kestose is well-suited for use in high-value, nutrition-focused products such as snack bars, yogurt, protein beverages, and dietary supplements.

During the conference, Samyang corp. also offered tasting samples of sports drink mix with Crystalline Kestose, engaging with global food companies and industry stakeholders to explore potential applications and collaboration opportunities.

“FFT 2026 marked the first global introduction of our high-purity crystalline soluble fiber, Kestose,” said Jung-Sook Han, Head of Samyang corporation’s Food R&D Center. “We will continue to strengthen our R&D capabilities in functional food ingredients, expand partnerships with global food companies, and enhance our competitiveness in the global market.”

Meanwhile, Samyang corp. is accelerating its expansion into the global specialty ingredients market by strengthening R&D in products such as the alternative sweetener allulose and functional dietary fiber resistant dextrin.

 

SiiPet Highlights Spring Health Priorities for Cats as Seasonal Initiative Expands Access to AI‑Driven Monitoring

LOS ANGELES, March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SiiPet, a growing pet tech startup, announced its Spring Sale initiative, running from March 15 to March 31, marking a renewed effort to make advanced feline health monitoring more widely accessible during a season when many cats experience elevated health risks.

SiiPet LitterLens, the world's first health monitoring litter box camera
SiiPet LitterLens, the world’s first health monitoring litter box camera

SiiPet Founder and CEO Brian Fu emphasized the seasonal importance: “Spring is one of the most overlooked yet critical periods for feline health. Higher risks of urinary conditions, hydration imbalances, and behavioral fluctuations tend to emerge during this time. Our Spring initiative is intended to reduce cost‑related barriers, and to support timely, proactive monitoring that can surface early signs before they develop into more serious concerns.”

The limited‑time pricing applies to the SiiPet’s flagship monitoring device, LitterLens, an AI‑powered litter box camera designed to provide continuous insight into key indicators of feline wellness, and functions as a universally compatible, hardware‑light solution that works with any existing litter box setup.

Built for proactive feline health monitoring, LitterLens’ AI system analyzes litter box usage frequency, urination patterns, and behavior‑related activity, generating insights that help identify anomalies over time. It detects abnormal patterns, such as unusual visit frequency or prolonged stays in the litter box, or signs of urinary discomfort, and sends an instant alert. This early warning for potential urinary tract infections (UTI) or urethral obstruction helps cat owners seize the treatment window before it becomes an emergency.

This approach diverges from many smart litter box products on the market, which often rely on proprietary hardware priced between $500 and $700. LitterLens instead delivers core diagnostic value through a single camera‑based system, allowing more households to access monitoring tools without replacing their current setup. It clips onto most litter boxes, including standard, high-sided, enclosed, and automatic models. Its long-lasting battery, waterproof and scratch-resistant housing, and night-vision capability ensure reliable monitoring in any environment.

The system also captures photo and video evidence of stool quality and behavior changes, giving veterinarians clearer context and helping prevent misdiagnosis. With up to 12 months of health history stored in the app, cat owners gain long‑term visibility into trends related to digestive health, kidney function, and overall well-being.

Advancing a Preventative Approach to Feline Health

The Spring Sales initiative builds on SiiPet’s continuing effort to shift everyday pet care from reactive responses toward long‑term, data‑supported decision‑making. Traditional cat health management often depends on noticeable symptoms such as appetite loss, lethargy, or physical discomfort. These are signs that typically appear only after a condition has advanced. By contrast, the LitterLens system focuses on subtle variations in daily patterns, enabling a preventative model centered on continuous observation rather than intermittent checks.

LitterLens‘ temporary price reduction to $59.99 marks the lowest level in the product’s history and underscores SiiPet’s intention to broaden adoption of accessible monitoring tools. As part of a longer‑term vision, the platform is designed to evolve into a comprehensive ecosystem supporting personalized analysis, behavioral trend mapping, and streamlined data‑sharing capabilities for veterinary professionals.

About SiiPet

SiiPet is an intelligent pet care platform designed to enhance understanding, monitoring, and daily support for companion animals through advanced, automated insights. The brand’s mission centers on applying cutting-edge AI and science-driven health management to extend pets’ healthy lifespans, fostering longer and safer shared experiences. Positioned as the world’s smartest pet caretaker platform, SiiPet delivers technology that empowers more informed and proactive approaches to long term animal well-being.

For more information, please visit: www.siipet.com.

 

Bybit Enhances AI Trading Skills Hub with Copy Trading, Advanced Bots, and Institutional-Grade Security Upgrades

DUBAI, UAE, March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, today announced a major upgrade to its AI Trading Skills Hub, further advancing its vision of seamless, agentic trading. Building on the successful launch of AI Trading Skills, the latest enhancements introduce copy trading integration, expanded bot management capabilities, advanced algorithmic strategies, and a new dual-source verification security framework.

The upgrade strengthens Bybit’s position at the forefront of AI-powered trading by enabling users and AI agents to not only execute trades, but also replicate strategies, automate portfolio management, and interact with sophisticated execution algorithms — all through natural language.

With this upgrade, Bybit AI Trading Skills Hub evolves from a powerful execution tool into a more comprehensive trading orchestration layer.

Copy Trading Integration

Users can now retrieve recommended lead traders directly through AI and seamlessly establish leader-follower relationships. This allows both new and experienced traders to mirror proven strategies with minimal effort, making professional-grade trading approaches more accessible.

Advanced Bot Management

The AI Trading Skills Hub now also supports full lifecycle management of trading bots. Users can create, close, and manage risk parameters — including take-profit, stop-loss, and trailing stop — across a wide range of bot strategies, including:

  • Spot Grid
  • Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA)
  • Futures Grid
  • Futures Martingale
  • Futures Combo Bots

This enables AI agents to dynamically adjust strategies in response to market conditions, enhancing automation and precision.

Algorithmic Strategy Trading

A newly introduced suite of algorithmic execution tools brings institutional-grade strategies into the AI workflow. Supported strategies include:

  • Chase Limit Orders
  • Iceberg Orders
  • Time-Weighted Average Price (TWAP)

These execution methods allow users to minimize market impact, optimize entry and exit points, and execute large orders more efficiently — all through simple AI-driven instructions.

Security Reinforced with Dual-Source Verification

As AI-driven trading becomes more powerful, Bybit continues to prioritize security at the infrastructure level. The latest upgrade introduces a dual-source verification mechanism designed to mitigate supply chain attack risks.

Relying on a single distribution source can expose users to vulnerabilities:

  • A compromised code repository (e.g., GitHub) could distribute malicious files
  • A compromised delivery channel (e.g., CDN or intermediary attack) could result in tampered data

Bybit’s dual-source verification requires consistency across two independent trust channels before execution. This significantly raises the barrier for malicious actors, who would need to compromise both systems simultaneously to inject harmful code.

This enhancement reflects Bybit’s commitment to safeguarding user interactions with AI agents, ensuring that automation does not come at the expense of security.

To find out more about Bybit AI Skills, traders can visit: https://www.bybit.com/ai

For further technical details, users may visit: GitHub – Bybit AI Skills

#Bybit / #CryptoArk

About Bybit

Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 80 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com

For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

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CNOOC Limited Announces Huang Yongzhang as Chief Executive Officer

HONG KONG, March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CNOOC Limited (the “Company”, SEHK: 00883 (HKD Counter) and 80883 (RMB Counter), SSE: 600938) announces today that Mr. Huang Yongzhang has been appointed as the Vice Chairman, an Executive Director, the Chief Executive Officer, the President and a member of the Strategy and Sustainability Committee.

The biographical details of Mr. Huang Yongzhang are set out below:   

Born in 1966, Mr. Huang is a professor-level senior engineer with a Doctor of Science degree. Mr. Huang previously served as Vice President of CNPC International (Nile) Ltd., Vice President and Chief Safety Officer of China Oil Exploration and Development Corporation, Executive Vice President and President of CNPC Middle East Corporation, and Director of CNPC Middle East Regional Coordination Committee. From April 2020 to September 2025, Mr. Huang served as Vice President of China National Petroleum Corporation during which he concurrently served as the Chief Safety Officer. From September 2020 to September 2025, Mr. Huang served as a Director of PetroChina Company Limited, during which he concurrently served as the President from March 2021. Mr. Huang has served as a Director and the General Manager of China National Offshore Oil Corporation since September 2025.

— End —

Notes to Editors:

More information about the Company is available at https://www.cnoocltd.com.

*** *** *** ***

This press release includes forward looking information, including statements regarding the likely future developments in the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, such as expected future events, business prospects or financial results. The words “expect”, “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “objective”, “ongoing”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “should”, “believe”, “plans”, “intends” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company as of this date in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company currently believes are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet the current expectations and predictions of the Company is uncertain. Actual results, performance and financial condition may differ materially from the Company’s expectations, including but not limited to those associated with macro-political and economic factors, fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices, the highly competitive nature of the oil and natural gas industry, climate change and environmental policies, the Company’s price forecast, mergers, acquisitions and divestments activities, HSSE and insurance policies and changes in anti-corruption, anti-fraud, anti-money laundering and corporate governance laws and regulations.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company cannot assure that the results or developments anticipated will be realised or, even if substantially realised, that they will have the expected effect on the Company, its business or operations.

*** *** *** ***

*** *** *** ***

For further enquiries, please contact:

Liu Cui
Media & Public Relations
CNOOC Limited
Tel: +86-10-8452-6641
Fax: +86-10-8452-1441
E-mail: mr@cnooc.com.cn

Cheng Yao
Ever Bloom (HK) Communications Consultants Group Limited
Tel: +852 5540 0725
Fax: +852 2111 1103
E-mail:cnooc.hk.list@everbloom.com.cn

 

Yunji to Report Second Half and Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results on March 27, 2026

HANGZHOU, China, March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Yunji Inc. (“Yunji” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: YJ), a leading membership-based social e-commerce platform, today announced that it plans to release its unaudited financial results for the second half and fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, before the market opens on Friday, March 27, 2026. The earnings release will be available on the Company’s investor relations website at https://investor.yunjiglobal.com/.

The Company will hold a conference call on Friday, March 27, 2026 at 7:30 A.M. Eastern Time or 7:30 P.M. Beijing/Hong Kong Time to discuss its earnings. Listeners may access the call by dialing the following numbers:

International:

1-412-902-4272

United States Toll Free:

1-888-346-8982

Mainland China Toll Free:   

4001-201203

Hong Kong Toll Free:      

800-905945

Conference ID:  

Yunji Inc.

The replay will be accessible through April 03, 2026 by dialing the following numbers:

United States Toll Free:

1-855-669-9658

International:

1-412-317-0088

Replay Access Code:

4499274

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company’s investor relations website at https://investor.yunjiglobal.com/.

About Yunji Inc.

Yunji Inc. is a leading social e-commerce platform in China that has pioneered a unique, membership-based model to leverage the power of social interactions. The Company’s e-commerce platform offers high-quality products at attractive prices across a wide variety of categories catering to the day-to-day needs of Chinese consumers. In addition, the Company uses advanced technologies including big data and artificial intelligence to optimize user experience and incentivize members to promote the platform as well as share products with their social contacts. Through deliberate product curation, centralized merchandise sourcing, and efficient supply chain management, Yunji has established itself as a trustworthy e-commerce platform with high-quality products and exclusive membership benefits, including discounted prices.

For more information, please visit https://investor.yunjiglobal.com/

Investor Relations Contact

Yunji Inc.
Investor Relations
Email: Yunji.IR@icrinc.com
Phone: +1 (646) 224-6957

ICR, LLC
Robin Yang
Email: Yunji.IR@icrinc.com
Phone: +1 (646) 224-6957

Earendil Labs Announces $787 Million in Financing to Scale AI-Driven Biologics Discovery and Development

WILMINGTON, Del., March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Earendil Labs, an AI-driven biotechnology company advancing next-generation biologics, today announced that it has raised $787 million in financing rounds. The investment included participation by a group of leading global investors, including Dimension Capital, DST Global, INCE Capital, Luminous Ventures, Miracle Capital, Sanofi, and Biotech Development Fund (created by Hillhouse and Pfizer), alongside other existing and new technology and healthcare-focused investors.

The funding will accelerate Earendil Labs’ AI-driven R&D platform, expand its interdisciplinary teams, and advance a growing pipeline of antibody and biologics programs, with the goal of delivering first-in-class and best-in-class therapies for patients with serious diseases.

“AI is at the core of everything we do — not as a research tool, but as a production engine for real therapeutic programs,” said Jian Peng, PhD, Founder and CEO of Earendil Labs. “This financing allows us to operate at a fundamentally different scale, advancing multiple programs toward the clinic while building an R&D organization designed for long-term impact.”

Earendil Labs integrates artificial intelligence across the full life cycle of biologics R&D, enabling the systematic generation and progression of differentiated therapeutic programs. The company’s AI-native platform has produced more than 40 programs, including HXN-1001, a half-life extended anti-TL1A antibody which is ready for Phase 2 clinical development, together with multiple IND submissions planned in 2026 and 2027.

“Our focus is ultimately on patients suffering from diseases that still lack effective treatment options,” said Zhenping Zhu, MD, PhD, Co-Founder, President and Co-CEO of Earendil Labs. “This funding greatly strengthens our ability to translate AI-enabled innovation into potentially transformative medicines and provides opportunities to partner with global leaders to accelerate our research and development programs worldwide. “

The platform’s productivity and R&D execution are further validated through strategic collaborations with Sanofi. In 2025, Earendil Labs announced a worldwide exclusive license agreement with Sanofi for next-generation bispecific antibodies for autoimmune and inflammatory bowel diseases, covering HXN-1002 and HXN-1003. More recently, Earendil Labs and Sanofi entered a broader strategic collaboration to apply its AI-driven discovery platform to multiple autoimmune and inflammatory disease programs.

“Earendil Labs stands out for its ability to translate AI innovation into real, scalable R&D execution,” said Zavain Dar, Founding Managing Partner at Dimension Capital. “The team has shown that AI can consistently generate high-quality biologics programs and advance them toward the clinic. We are excited to support Earendil Labs as it builds a new paradigm for biologics discovery and development.”

With this funding, Earendil Labs plans to scale its AI-driven research and development across biologics discovery and development while expanding its scientific, engineering, and translational teams to support pipeline growth. The capital will also advance multiple internal programs toward clinical milestones and deepen strategic partnerships to accelerate the delivery of innovative biologics to patients globally.

About Earendil Labs Earendil Labs is an AI-powered biotechnology company advancing next-generation biologics for patients with autoimmune diseases, cancer, and other areas of significant unmet medical need. By integrating artificial intelligence across the full R&D life cycle, Earendil Labs and its affiliate Helixon Therapeutics have been building a scalable engine to systematically generate and advance high-quality therapeutic programs.

The company’s AI-native approach enables efficient creation, optimization, and progression of protein-based biologics with the potential to be first-in-class and best-in-class, translating computational innovation into real clinical and patient impact. Through a combination of internal pipeline development and strategic partnerships, Earendil Labs aims to deliver transformative medicines to patients worldwide.

 

Eason Technology announces election of new director

HONG KONG, March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Eason Technology Limited (“Eason” or the “Company”) (NYSE American: DXF), today announced that Haitao He has been elected to the board of directors, and concurrently serves as the head of the healthcare business team.

Haitao is an accomplished serial entrepreneur. He has participated in the founding and successful establishment of multiple healthcare enterprises, and concurrently serves as the CEO of a healthcare investment company.

Eason’s CEO Stanley commented, “I would like to welcome Haitao as a valuable addition to the Eason board. Haotao’s experience, perspectives and strategic insights are a great fit for Eason Tech. The Company’s management has full confidence in expanding its real estate operations and digital technology businesses into the application scenarios of the healthcare industry.”

About Eason Technology Limited

Eason Technology Limited is a company engaged in real estate operation management and investment and digital technology security business in Hong Kong, China.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements made in this release are “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words “estimates,” “projected,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “future,” “propose” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, are the ability to manage growth; ability to identify and integrate other future acquisitions; ability to obtain additional financing in the future to fund capital expenditures; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions; costs or other factors adversely affecting our profitability; litigation involving patents, intellectual property, and other matters; potential changes in the legislative and regulatory environment; a pandemic or epidemic. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Such information speaks only as of the date of this release.

HKSH Cancer Centre’s Precision Targeting Technologies Leading the Evolution of “Hypofractionation”

Asia’s First Study: 5 Sessions of Proton Therapy to Control Early-Stage Prostate Cancer

HONG KONG, March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HKSH Medical Group (HKSH) today announced the results of Asia’s first clinical study on early-stage prostate cancer patients receiving five-session of proton therapy.* The results show significant efficacy, with a marked decline in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and only mild side effects. Proton therapy for prostate cancer generally requires about 30 treatment sessions over 8 to 9 weeks. Since the launch of proton therapy service in 2023, HKSH Cancer Centre has advanced the precision of treatment to achieve “hypofractionation”, drastically reducing the number of treatment session by 80%. For early-stage prostate cancer, there is an option of 5 sessions of proton therapy within 2 to 3 weeks to achieve disease control. The unique physical properties of proton beam can precisely target the tumour with minimal damage to nearby vital organs such as the bladder and bowel, thereby helping to enhance patients’ quality of life throughout their cancer journey.

(From left) Dr. Ben YU, Head of Medical Physics Department of HKSH, Dr. Joseph CHAN, Chief Medical Officer, HKSH Medical Group and Deputy Medical Superintendent, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, Mr. Wyman LI, Chief Operating Officer, HKSH Medical Group and Director, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, Dr. Darren POON, Associate Director, HKSH Comprehensive Oncology Centre announced the data from Asia’s first MRI-guided five-session proton therapy study for early-stage prostate cancer patients.
(From left) Dr. Ben YU, Head of Medical Physics Department of HKSH, Dr. Joseph CHAN, Chief Medical Officer, HKSH Medical Group and Deputy Medical Superintendent, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, Mr. Wyman LI, Chief Operating Officer, HKSH Medical Group and Director, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, Dr. Darren POON, Associate Director, HKSH Comprehensive Oncology Centre announced the data from Asia’s first MRI-guided five-session proton therapy study for early-stage prostate cancer patients.

Mr. Wyman LI, Chief Operating Officer of HKSH Medical Group and Director of Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, remarked, “The integration of proton therapy and targeting technologies is the cornerstone to the successful implementation of hypofractionation. This achievement also reflects HKSH’s ongoing commitment to advancing clinical application, enabling cancer patients to benefit from even more advanced precision treatments with less side effects. Taking a further leap forward, the HKSH research team is now exploring the feasibility of further reducing treatment of early-stage prostate cancer using proton therapy from 5 to 2 sessions. HKSH has also introduced the world’s first Photon-Counting CT Simulation System (PCCT-Sim) with advanced simulation capabilities which can be applied in prostate cancer proton therapy planning for even more effective disease control.”

Asia’s First Study: Five Sessions of Proton Therapy to Target Prostate Tumours

Prostate cancer predominantly affects older adults, but risk does not simply rise with age, the incidence is highest among those aged 65–74.  Local data in 2023 shows that new cases in this age group account for about half of all diagnoses, underscoring the urgent need for more effective cancer management strategies. To assess the clinical efficacy of five-session proton therapy, HKSH commenced a clinical study to analyse the data of 94 early-stage prostate cancer patients who received Stereotactic Body Proton Therapy between June 2024 and January 2026. The report covers a median follow-up of 10.93 months (range: 0.9 to 25.5 months). After five sessions of proton therapy, the patients’ PSA levels dropped sharply from a baseline of 12.57 ng/mL (±13.59 ng/mL) to 1.13 ng/mL (±2.07 ng/mL) three months post-treatment, maintaining high efficacy despite fewer treatment sessions.

Dr. Darren POON, Associate Director of HKSH Comprehensive Oncology Centre and Specialist in Clinical Oncology, who led this study explained that due to the high concentration of proton beams and precise delivery to the target area striking the tumour, the majority of patients in the study did not experience adverse reactions of Grade ≥2 toxicities after treatment. Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) indicated favorable urinary and bowel function scores three months post-treatment, suggesting minimal impact on quality of life. The most common adverse reactions were related to the urinary system. During the acute phase, 33.0% (31/94) of patients experienced relatively mild Grade 1 dysuria i.e. having difficulty in urination, which subsequently improved. This study is still ongoing to gather long-term follow-up data. As Asia’s first study on magnetic resonance imaging-guided five-session proton therapy, it further establishes HKSH’s leading position in the field of proton therapy within the region and provides an important foundation for developing more precise and safer treatment options across Asia in the future.

Hypofractionation: Precision Planning and Targeting

Dr. POON pointed out that the core technologies behind “hypofractionation”: “For every case and treatment, our proton therapy team would utilise Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) with pencil-beam scanning. Before treatment, the tumour’s shape and size are delineated, and the radiation intensity of each beam at different positions within the tumour is precisely calculated. Patients would also undergo MRI and CT scans before treatment, which are cross-referenced with the proton therapy system’s real-time X-ray imaging to ensure accurate targeting.” To further protect nearby organs, doctors may use rectal spacers to increase rectum-prostate distance. Bladder volume scans are also performed to assess bladder filling before each treatment session, aiding in accurate tumour targeting to minimise unnecessary radiation exposure.

Hypofractionation: Overcoming Tumour Movement, Minimising Side Effects

Proton beam accurately targeting the tumour according to treatment plan can greatly reduce side effects. However, prostate tumours may shift slightly due to soft-tissue movement. Even though these movements are slight, HKSH strives to minimise any deviation to the smallest possible range, further reducing the risk of side effects. Multiple techniques are applied clinically, including implanting fiducial markers within the prostate to track the tumour’s position real-time, ensuring precise radiation delivery to the tumour.

The number of treatment sessions and potential side effects are primary factors for cancer patients when considering radiotherapy. The promising clinical results of HKSH’s five-session proton therapy provide strong reassurance to patients, allowing greater flexibility for personalised treatment plans. Building on this, HKSH has already commenced a clinical study on two-session proton therapy. This study will enroll 35 patients with histologically diagnosed low-to-intermediate risk localised prostate cancer and will follow them for five years. The aim is to investigate both the short-term and long-term safety and efficacy of the treatment. These findings will help doctors and patients make more informed decisions about “hypofractionation”.

HKSH firmly believes that talent and technology are equally important. HKSH collaborated with the National Cancer Centre to organise the ‘Proton Therapy Joint Training Course’ in June 2025 and subsequently commenced the 10-month ‘HKSH Cancer Centre Proton Therapy Training Programme’. In November 2025, HKSH hosted the Annual Conference of the Asia-Oceania Particle Therapy Co-operative Group (PTCOG-AO) as a platform to integrate clinical expertise with a global perspective. HKSH aims to establish a premier platform for continuous learning and advancement in the Asia-Pacific region, elevating the overall standard of proton therapy to benefit more patients.

Patient Sharing – Mr. Li

Mr. Li, a 69-year-old retired teacher, discovered elevated PSA levels (>12 ng/mL) and an enlarged prostate during a routine checkup in December 2024, despite no symptoms. The checkup also revealed coronary artery blockage, requiring an angioplasty procedure and anticoagulant medication in March 2025, delaying prostate cancer treatment. In September 2025, Mr. Li underwent a biopsy at a public hospital and was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer with no metastasis. As Mr. Li and his family preferred to avoid surgery, the public hospital considered conventional radiotherapy more suitable for Mr. Li’s overall health condition than the shorter-course stereotactic body photon radiotherapy, and advised him to undergo 20 sessions of treatment.

Although his PSA had risen to over 14 ng/mL by then, Mr. Li and his family were concerned about the relatively long course of conventional radiotherapy and its potential side effects. After learning more about proton therapy with minimal impact on surrounding vital organs and the prospect of controlling the tumour with just five sessions, he decided to proceed with proton therapy and commenced his 2.5-week course of treatment in December 2025. Mr. Li shared that he experienced almost no discomfort during or after the treatment, with just some markings on his hip, describing it as “feel like haven’t undergone any treatment at all”. His PSA level has also dropped significantly. Mr. Li is grateful for the opportunity to receive proton therapy as he can now continue to enjoy jogging and travelling with his wife, spending quality time with his grandchildren.

*Stereotactic Body Proton Therapy (SBPT) for Localized Prostate Cancer: Preliminary Clinical Results of Clinician- and Patient-Reported Outcomes [source – PTCOG-AO 2025]

# Please email to RCH-StudyInquiry@hksh-hospital.com for more information about HKSH’s proton therapy clinical study. 

About HKSH Medical Group

Officially launched in September 2017, HKSH Medical Group promotes public health and advanced medicine through a multi-faceted, coordinated approach across clinical services, medical education, scientific research and public health education. Members of the Group, including Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, HKSH Healthcare, HKSH Eastern Medical Centre, HKSH Cancer Centre and HKSH Institute for Innovation & Professional Development, are dedicated to offering top-quality holistic care to patients.

Established in 1922, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital is one of the key members of HKSH Medical Group and a leading private hospital in Hong Kong. Living up to its motto of ‘Quality in Service, Excellence in Care’, the Hospital is committed to serving the public as well as promoting medical education and research.

For more information about HKSH Medical Group, please visit http://www.hksh.com.