LUXEMBOURG, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ferrero Group announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Bold Snacks, a leading Brazilian premium protein snack company. Founded in 2018, Bold Snacks has seen strong growth from the outset, driven by its digital strategy and innovative portfolio of protein bars, and has recently expanded into whey powders.
Bold Snacks
“We’re thrilled to welcome Bold Snacks to Ferrero, marking our first foray into the better-for-you segment in South America,” said Daniel Martinez Carretero, Chief Financial Officer of Ferrero Group. “Bold Snacks is a distinctive brand with strong momentum in Brazil, and this transaction further strengthens our presence in the category while supporting the continued development of our portfolio across key geographies.”
As part of the transaction, Ferrero will take over Bold Snack’s office and factory in Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, with approximately 300 employees expected to join Ferrero Brazil.
“Becoming part of Ferrero is an amazing opportunity for our business and our people,” said Bold Snacks Founder and CEO Gabriel Ferreira. “Being recognized by a global food leader with a strong track record of building and nurturing iconic brands provides a unique opportunity to accelerate our growth and help bring Bold Snacks to more consumers than ever before.”
The planned acquisition adds Bold Snacks to Ferrero Group’s growing stable of better-for-you brands such as Eat Natural and FULFIL in Europe and Power Crunch in North America. In Brazil, Ferrero and its affiliated company Dori Alimentos, owned by Ferrara, currently employ 4,500 people across five plants and three offices.
The proposed transaction is expected to close in the coming months, subject to customary closing conditions.
About Ferrero Group
Ferrero Group is a global leader in sweet-packaged foods, renowned for iconic brands such as Nutella®, Kinder®, Ferrero Rocher®, and Tic Tac®, alongside local favorites.
Founded in 1946 in Alba, Italy, Ferrero marks 80 years as a family-owned group now in its third generation, with 50,000 employees and operations in over 170 countries. The company combines a strong heritage and commitment to quality with continuous innovation across established brands and new categories, including ice cream, biscuits, bakery, breakfast cereals, and better-for-you offerings. Guided by a long-term vision, Ferrero focuses on sustainable and responsible growth, strengthening its presence in emerging segments while staying true to its values of excellence and care.
JAKARTA, Indonesia, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fintech lending plays an important role in Indonesia’s economy by expanding financing access for households and micro-entrepreneurs. Through digital platforms, it strengthens household resilience, supports microbusiness growth, and stimulates economic circulation across sectors.
The Institute for Economic and Social Research, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia presents findings on the economic impact of fintech lending, using AdaKami as a case study, estimating the company’s contribution to Indonesia’s GDP at IDR 6.95–10.96 trillion in 2024
A recent study by Institute for Economic and Social Research, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia (LPEM FEB UI) finds AdaKami, a fintech lending platform licensed and supervised by the Financial Services Authority (OJK), contributed between IDR 6.95 – 10.96 trillion (USD 411 – 649 million) to Indonesia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024 through the multiplier effect of its loan disbursement. AdaKami has operated in Indonesia since 2018.
The study shows AdaKami’s loan disbursement stimulates economic circulation by supporting household spending and business activities, generating added value across at least 185 economic sectors. The financing is estimated to support employment for 47,000 – 78,000 people across 17 sectors, including trade, education, and agriculture.
“Loan disbursement generates a ripple effect through increased household consumption and business activity, stimulating sectors such as retail, transportation, manufacturing, and primary industries. This demand ultimately drives economic activity and production,” said Mohamad Dian Revindo, Deputy Head of LPEM FEB UI.
Beyond consumption support, the research highlights fintech lending’s growing role in enabling microbusiness growth. Among AdaKami users who borrowed for business purposes, 53.1% used financing to increase inventory, while 28.1% reported revenue growth.
The study also indicates strong demand for accessible financing. Around 24.5% users stated that without formal financing, they would rely on savings or sell assets to meet their needs, suggesting fintech lending helps bridge financing gaps faced by many households and micro-entrepreneurs.
Encouragingly, the research finds AdaKami users demonstrate high financial literacy. 89.2% of respondents understood loan interest rates, fees, and tenors, indicating awareness of borrowing costs and financial obligations.
AdaKami Chief of Public Affairs Karissa Sjawaldy said the findings highlight how responsible fintech lending supports economic resilience and delivers broader benefits to communities.
“We believe inclusive financing access, when managed prudently and responsibly, can deliver benefits to communities. This motivates us to continue providing sustainable services while enhancing literacy so users can manage their finances responsibly and support long-term economic growth,” Karissa said.
The study also found AdaKami’s financing helps households meet urgent needs and maintain consumption levels, underscoring fintech lending’s growing role in Indonesia’s formal financial ecosystem.
Media Correspondence: Silvia Caroline Corporate Communications silvia01@adakami.id
Inviting visitors to Hong Kong Art Month for a cultural journey connecting art and the city
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 March 2026 – Art Central, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, is launching a digital Hong Kong Art Month Discovery Guide alongside a series of travel and experience packages for the Fair’s eleventh edition. These offerings bring visitors from the Greater Bay Area and overseas a seamless art travel experience, allowing them to enjoy Hong Kong’s diverse hotels, dining, attractions, and transport networks alongside their visit to the Fair.
As a cornerstone event of Hong Kong Art Month, Art Central returns to the iconic Central Harbourfront from 25 to 29 March 2026. The Fair brings together contemporary art, curated programmes, and a vibrant community of galleries, artists, collectors, overseas visitors, and local audiences to build a dynamic platform for artistic exchange. Art Central 2026 is financially supported by the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.
Entering its second decade, Art Central 2026 will assemble 117 galleries and 500 artists from Hong Kong, Asia, and around the world, further reinforcing its position as an integral platform for discovery and exchange among collectors and curators. Co-curated by Enoch Cheng and Zoie Yung, the Fair’s eleventh edition will present a series of artistic programmes—including performances, video art, large-scale installations, and talks—examining the frictions and intimacies that shape contemporary social and virtual life, foregrounding emergent Asian voices.
To enrich the artistic journey for visitors, Art Central, in partnership with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, proudly presents the digital Hong Kong Art Month Discovery Guide. The guide compiles exciting events across the city’s art districts, covering gallery exhibitions, special museum showcases, and performing arts programmes across Central, Sheung Wan, Wan Chai, Tai Hang, the Southern District, Tsim Sha Tsui, and the West Kowloon Cultural District. Beyond visual arts, the guide offers detailed dining recommendations in the vicinity, perfectly illustrating Hong Kong’s diverse culinary culture. The curated selections range from local street food and refined Cantonese cuisine to Michelin-starred contemporary European dining. Featured establishments include MIAN, Amber, Belon, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Chinesology, Gu Liang Cai, and the historic Luk Yu Tea House. Through this comprehensive guide, visitors can easily navigate the city’s streets and alleys alongside their visit to Art Central, seamlessly transitioning from visual arts to culinary delights while deeply experiencing Hong Kong’s unique charm as Asia’s events capital. Explore more in the Hong Kong Art Month Discovery Guide.
To allow visitors to incorporate the Fair into their broader Hong Kong itineraries with ease, Art Central has introduced a brand-new Flexible Date Ticket, available in limited quantities exclusively during the advance sale period. Holders of the Flexible Date Ticket may select any single day between 25 and 29 March 2026 for entry during general admission hours without the need for advance date selection.
Art Central has also launched comprehensive packages on various travel platforms covering accommodation, attractions, and transportation for the convenience of visitors. For example, through Ctrip, visitors can book curated packages combining Fair admission with selected offers and enjoy a HK$50 no-minimum-spend Uber Taxi promo code with the purchase of any ticket, easily charting a cultural journey connecting art and city life.
Ctrip’s accommodation bundles span top-tier five-star luxury properties such as Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, and The Murray, Hong Kong, as well as boutique options including The Pottinger Hong Kong, offering convenient and elevated choices for cultural getaways and weekend itineraries.
Additionally, attraction bundles will extend the Fair experience to multiple transportation options and popular leisure destinations, including the Peak Tram, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel, the Star Ferry, and the Airport Express. This allows visitors to integrate transportation, accommodation, and urban cultural experiences, extending their exhibition visit into a city journey exploring Hong Kong’s art and lifestyle.
Furthermore, Art Central has launched combo packages on Klook, pairing the Flexible Date Ticket with admission to the Hong Kong Observation Wheel at the Central Harbourfront (HK$302) or a Cupping Room coffee e-voucher (HK$314). These allow visitors to take in the spectacular views of Victoria Harbour or take a relaxing coffee break following their visit to the Fair. After viewing the exhibition, visitors can also take the “WestK Ferry” from Central Pier 9—a short eight-minute ferry ride—to effortlessly reach the West Kowloon Cultural District and continue their exploration at M+, the Hong Kong Palace Museum, and the WestK FunFest.
Package offers are exclusively available for purchase via Ctrip and Klook. For more details regarding participating hotels, dining, attractions, and transport partners, please visit artcentralhongkong.com/tickets. Ticket Packages might be subject to change without prior notice and are available in limited quantities while stocks last.
Hong Kong Observation Wheel Ticket + Uber Taxi HK$50 Promo Code
Adult: HK$164 Child: HK$54
Ctrip
Experience
Art Central Advance Ticket + Star Ferry World Star / Shining Star Water Tour Ticket + Uber Taxi HK$50 Promo Code
Adult: HK$351 Child: HK$188
Ctrip
Transport
Art Central Advance Ticket +
Airport Express Ticket to/from Central (Hong Kong Station) + Uber Taxi HK$50 Promo Code
Child: HK$89
Ctrip
F&B
Art Central Advance Flexible Date Ticket +
Cupping Room HK$50 Coffee E-Voucher
HK$314
Klook
Experience
Art Central Advance Flexible Date Ticket +
Hong Kong Observation Wheel Ticket
HK$302
Klook
Hotel
Art Central Advance Ticket + Hotel Bundle
RMB ¥581+
Ctrip
Options include: Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong / The Upper House / Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong / Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong / The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel / JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong / The Pottinger Hong Kong / Two MacDonnell Road, Hong Kong / Lan Kwai Fong Hotel @ Kau U Fong / Bishop Lei International House
Opening Dates and Hours Tuesday 24 March VIP Preview (by invitation)
Wednesday 25 March Fair Hours 12 pm – 5 pm Night Central 5 pm – 9 pm
Thursday 26 March Fair Hours 12 pm – 7 pm
Friday 27 March Fair Hours 12pm – 7 pm
Saturday 28 March Fair Hours 11 am – 7 pm
Sunday 29 March Fair Hours 11 am – 5 pm
Venue Central Harbourfront Hong Kong, 9 Lung Wo Road Hashtag: #ArtCentralHK #ArtCentralUOB #HongKongArtWeek
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Art Central
Art Central, a cornerstone event of Hong Kong Art Week, presents the next generation of talent from Asia’s most forward-thinking galleries alongside celebrated artists from across the globe. Since its inaugural edition in 2015, Art Central has established itself as a leading platform for innovation in contemporary art, advancing the profiles of artists and galleries and reinforcing their presence within the international art landscape. Today, the Fair is recognised for the strength of its curatorial programming and as a vital meeting point for discovery and exchange among collectors and curators representing private, corporate, and institutional collections worldwide.
Fair Director Corey Andrew Barr joined Art Central as Fair Director in 2019. A champion of Hong Kong artists, Barr has expanded the Fair’s platform to highlight local talent and underscore its position as a benchmark for aspiring galleries from around the world. He was formerly the director of a prominent Hong Kong- and London-based gallery focusing on contemporary Asian art, and prior to that, served as Specialist and Head of Sales for Phillips in New York, where he also organised exhibitions of contemporary art, photography, and design by leading international artists.
Curator Enoch Cheng is an artist-curator whose work spans curation, moving image, installation, performance, dance, and fashion. His cross-disciplinary multimedia practice reinterprets norms, stories, and myths through contemporary lenses, drawing on a range of creative practices and engaging audiences through diverse cultural traditions. Cheng was awarded the Asian Cultural Council Fellowship (2020) and held artist residencies at the Museum of Arts and Design, New York (2022), and the American Museum of Natural History, New York (2020). He was most recently named Artist of the Year (Visual Arts) at the 2025 Hong Kong Arts Development Awards, recognising his contributions to the arts, including his role at Art Central since 2024.
Curator Zoie Yung, currently based in Hong Kong, is an independent exhibition consultant and curator, and former exhibition manager of chi K11 art museum in Shanghai. She provides a unique approach to exhibition production by combining practice in exhibition spatial arrangement and her knowledge of Chinese Xuanxue as well as Western astrology. Selected recent exhibitions include Wonder-verse (chi K11 art space, Hong Kong, 2022) and Curve of Buoyancy (Duddell’s, Hong Kong, 2021). She also actively organises public education campaigns; she has collaborated with local organisations, including Tai Kwun Contemporary, Para Site, 1a Space, and Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre.
About UOB UOB is a leading bank in Asia. Operating through its head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, UOB has a global network of more than 470 branches and offices in 19 markets in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. Today, UOB is rated among the world’s top banks: Aa1 by Moody’s Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings.
For nine decades, UOB has adopted a customer-centric approach to create long-term value by staying relevant through its enterprising spirit and doing right by its customers. UOB is focused on building the future of ASEAN – for the people and businesses within, and connecting with, ASEAN.
The Bank connects businesses to opportunities in the region with its unparalleled regional footprint and leverages data and insights to innovate and create personalised banking experiences and solutions catering to each customer’s unique needs and evolving preferences. UOB is also committed to helping businesses forge a sustainable future, by fostering social inclusiveness, creating positive environmental impact and pursuing economic progress. UOB believes in being a responsible financial services provider and is steadfast in its support of art, social development of children and education, doing right by its communities and stakeholders.
About Mega Arts and Cultural Events (ACE) Fund The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government sets up the Mega ACE Fund to attract and support international or large-scale arts and cultural events which bring significant arts, cultural or economic values and can be recurrent and anchored in Hong Kong, or events which can bring exceptionally significant arts or cultural merit, as well as publicity and image building values to Hong Kong as an arts and cultural hub with a view to contributing to Hong Kong’s development into an arts and cultural metropolis as well as a tourist destination, providing development opportunities for the arts, cultural and creative sectors, and facilitating arts and cultural exchange.
CHENGDU, China, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 2026 European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC) will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, from March 25 to 28, 2026 (local time). At this congress, the final OS analysis from the pivotal study (OptiTROP-Lung03) of sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT, also known as SKB264/MK-2870) (佳泰莱®), a TROP2 ADC developed by Sichuan Kelun-Biotech Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (“Kelun-Biotech” or the “Company”, 6990.HK), has been selected as a Late-Breaking Abstract (LBA) (Presentation Number: LBA4). Professor Yunpeng Yang from the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center will present the findings to the global research community during a Mini Oral Session. The abstract was published on the ESMO Open.
The OptiTROP-Lung03 study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of sac-TMT monotherapy (5 mg/kg every other week) versus docetaxel for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutant NSCLC who have previously treated with an EGFR-TKI and platinum-based chemotherapy. Previously reported results presented at the ASCO 2025 meeting in 137 randomized participants demonstrated that sac-TMT achieved statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to docetaxel——the hazard ratio (HR) for BICR-assessed PFS was 0.30 (95% CI: 0.20–0.46, one-sided p<0.001) and HR for OS was 0.49 (95% CI: 0.27–0.88, one-sided p=0.007)[1]. Based on these positive results, sac-TMT received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for this indication, which has also been included in China’s National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL).
At the 2026 ELCC, the final OS analysis, along with updated PFS and additional data from the OptiTROP-Lung03 study will be presented. As of December 11, 2025, the median follow-up was 23.8 months. Key highlights are as follows:
In the docetaxel control group, 41.3% of patients crossed over to receive sac-TMT after disease progression.
Considering the impact of OS from crossover treatment in the control group, adjusted and analysed by the pre-specified rank-preserving structural failure time (RPSFT) model, the median OS was 20.0 months in the sac-TMT group vs 11.2 months in the docetaxel group (HR 0.45, 95% CI: 0.28–0.73), with 18-month OS rate of 54.7% vs 9.1%. Without adjustment for subsequent sac-TMT treatment in the control group, median OS was 20.0 months vs 13.5 months (HR 0.63, 95% CI: 0.40–0.98).
Median PFS assessed by investigators (INV) was 7.9 months vs 2.8 months (HR 0.23, 95% CI: 0.15-0.35).
Notably, based on another study, the OptiTROP-Lung04 study, sac-TMT has been approved by the NMPA for the treatment of advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutant NSCLC after progression on EGFR-TKI therapy, with the findings concurrently published in The New England Journal of Medicine[2]. In this study among the EGFR-mutant NSCLC population who have progressed after prior EGFR-TKI and platinum-based chemotherapy, sac-TMT demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful increase in overall survival,with a median OS of 20 months. The consistent positive findings from two pivotal registrational studies further reinforce sac-TMT’s leading position in the treatment landscape for pre-treated EGFR-mutant NSCLC, offering a more definitive and long-term survival benefit option for patients with advanced lung cancer.
About Sac-TMT
Sac-TMT, a core product of the Company, is a novel human TROP2 ADC in which the Company has proprietary intellectual property rights, targeting advanced solid tumors such as NSCLC, breast cancer (BC), gastric cancer (GC), gynecological tumors, among others. Sac-TMT is developed with a novel linker to conjugate the payload, a belotecan-derivative topoisomerase I inhibitor with a drug-to-antibody-ratio (DAR) of 7.4. Sac-TMT specifically recognizes TROP2 on the surface of tumor cells by recombinant anti-TROP2 humanized monoclonal antibodies, which is then endocytosed by tumor cells and releases the payload KL610023 intracellularly. KL610023, as a topoisomerase I inhibitor, induces DNA damage to tumor cells, which in turn leads to cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. In addition, it also releases KL610023 in the tumor microenvironment. Given that KL610023 is membrane permeable, it can enable a bystander effect, or in other words kill adjacent tumor cells.
In May 2022, the Company licensed the exclusive rights to MSD (the tradename of Merck & Co., Inc, Rahway, NJ, USA) to develop, use, manufacture and commercialize sac-TMT in all territories outside of Greater China (which includes Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan).
To date, four indications for sac-TMT have been approved and marketed in China for: EGFR mutant-positive locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC following progression on EGFR-TKI therapy and platinum-based chemotherapy; unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who have received at least two prior systemic therapies (at least one of them for advanced or metastatic setting); EGFR mutant-positive locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who progressed after treatment with EGFR-TKI therapy; unresectable or metastatic HR+/HER2- (IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) BC who have received prior ET and at least one line of chemotherapy in advanced setting. The first two indications listed above have been included in China’s National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL). This inclusion is expected to bring clinical benefits to a greater number of patients with BC and NSCLC. Additionally, sac-TMT has been granted six Breakthrough Therapy Designations (BTDs) by the NMPA.
Sac-TMT is the world’s first TROP2 ADC drug approved for marketing in lung cancer. As of today, Kelun-Biotech has initiated 9 registrational clinical studies in China. MSD is evaluating 17 ongoing Phase III global clinical studies of sac-TMT as a monotherapy or with pembrolizumab or other anti-cancer agents for several types of cancer. These studies are sponsored and led by MSD.
About Kelun-Biotech
Kelun-Biotech (6990.HK) is a holding subsidiary of Kelun Pharmaceutical, which focuses on the R&D, manufacturing, commercialization and global collaboration of innovative biological drugs and small molecule drugs. Kelun-Biotech focuses on major disease areas such as solid tumors, autoimmune, and metabolic diseases, and in establishing a globalized drug development and industrialization platform to address the unmet medical needs in China and the rest of world. Kelun-Biotech is committed to becoming a leading global enterprise in the field of innovative drugs. At present, Kelun-Biotech has more than 30 ongoing key innovative drug projects, of which 4 projects with 8 indications have been approved for marketing, more than 10 projects are in the clinical stage. Kelun-Biotech has established one of the world’s leading proprietary ADC and novel DC platforms, OptiDC™, and has 2 ADC projects with 5 indications approved for marketing, and multiple ADC and novel DC assets in clinical or preclinical research stage. For more information, please visit https://en.kelun-biotech.com/.
Reference:
[1] Fang W, Li X, Wang Q, et al. Sacituzumab tirumotecan versus docetaxel for previously treated EGFR-mutant advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: open label, randomised, multicentre trial[J]. BMJ. 2025 Jun 5:389:e085680. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2025-085680.
[2] Fang W, Wu L, Meng X, et al. Sacituzumab Tirumotecan in EGFR-TKI-Resistant, EGFR-Mutated Advanced NSCLC[J]. NEJM. 2026 Jan 1;394(1):13-26. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2512071. Epub 2025 Oct 19.
Software enhancements strengthen compliance support with better traceability, audit readiness, and operational efficiency
SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Picarro Inc., a global leader in high-precision gas concentration analytical solutions, today announced the launch of the PI2124 Analyzer, an advanced solution for vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) monitoring in pharmaceutical and other regulated manufacturing environments. The new analyzer continuously measures VHP at levels as low as 3 ppb and features software enhancements that improve data integrity, audit readiness, and operational efficiency, strengthening compliance support and day-to-day workflows.
Picarro’s New PI2124 Analyzer Improves VHP Monitoring and Compliance in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
VHP is widely used in pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing for isolator and equipment decontamination. Reliable measurement of residual VHP concentrations is critical for verifying aeration clearance, maintaining safe production conditions, and documenting compliance with quality and regulatory expectations.
“Accurate measurement is only part of the equation in regulated manufacturing environments,” said Milos Markovic, Vice President of Analytical Instruments at Picarro. “The PI2124 Analyzer provides precise, real-time measurements of VHP while also improving how measurement data is recorded, reviewed, and documented. Customers that adopt the PI2124 can leverage the new software capabilities while preserving validated hardware, improving compliance workflows without disrupting existing installations.”
The PI2124 Analyzer: Enabling Precise, Real-time VHP Monitoring Across Aeration, Production, and Process Development for Pharmaceuticals
The PI2124 Analyzer provides continuous, real-time measurement of VHP, delivering actionable insight across critical phases of isolator operation:
Aeration Cycle Monitoring During post-decontamination aeration, continuous VHP measurements can be used to verify clearance to site-defined ppb-level targets before production begins. Instead of relying solely on fixed aeration times, operators can use real-time concentration data to dynamically determine the aeration endpoint, helping minimize unnecessary downtime while maintaining product integrity.
Production Campaign Monitoring Continuous monitoring can also be used during production campaigns to detect unexpected VHP sources, such as off gassing from materials or components inside isolators. Measurement data provides documented evidence that VHP concentrations remain within safe and acceptable limits throughout production and supports investigation if excursions occur.
Process Development and Optimization Historical VHP concentration data can support development and optimization of aeration cycles for sensitive products, materials, and isolator configurations. Comparing concentration profiles across cycles and campaigns helps evaluate process consistency and enables data-driven improvements to sterilization processes.
See Picarro at ISPE Aseptic Conference
Picarro will debut the PI2124 Analyzer at the ISPE Aseptic Conference, March 23-24, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Visit booth #507 for a live demo.
About Picarro
For more than 25 years, Picarro has provided solutions that precisely measure, monitor, and analyze hazardous pollutants, greenhouse gases, trace gases, and stable isotopes, empowering the world with timely, trusted, and actionable intelligence. Our solutions are used for industrial applications ranging from natural gas distribution, fenceline monitoring, commercial sterilization, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, as well as for scientific research. For more information about Picarro solutions, visit www.picarro.com.
Premier marketing and e-commerce events bring together global industry heavyweights to unlock growth
HONG KONG, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse – Asia’s premier annual e-commerce and marketing events – will be held concurrently on 19 March at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Under the theme “Generate New Growth”, this year’s conferences focus on how brands can rethink their growth strategies amid global market uncertainty, helping to turn challenges into forward momentum. From strategic insights to practical implementation, the events will comprehensively reveal new directions for growth, bringing together about 70 global e-commerce experts, marketing executives, brand representatives and advertising elites to share valuable insights and success stories relating to global marketing and e-commerce trends. Featuring 30 thematic sessions, seminars and demonstration sessions, the events will help to foster cross-sector exchange and boost collaboration within the industry.
The rise of e-commerce has injected new momentum into global economic growth, while the government is actively encouraging small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) to develop e-commerce capabilities that can enhance their market competitiveness. This year’s conferences will focus on the latest developments in e-commerce, helping participants seize growth opportunities in the current market environment through a dual-track approach that advances both e-commerce development and brand marketing. A lineup of experts will speak on topics such as agentic AI, lifestyle e-commerce, quick commerce and global brand expansion. They will examine innovation in e-commerce along with global marketing trends and emerging consumer opportunities, while exploring how the industry can generate new growth amid a rapidly evolving marketing landscape.
Tech marketing expert shares insights on data‑driven growth Jinhee Lee, Chief Operating Officer of Olive Young, South Korea’s leading health and beauty brand, will present on the theme “Beyond Retail, Building an Ecosystem: Driving Collaborative Growth of Olive Young and K-Beauty”. Drawing on perspectives from both marketing and e‑commerce, he will explain how seamless omnichannel operations and data‑driven marketing strategies are being leveraged to build a high‑growth ecosystem for Korean beauty brands, while continuously expanding their global footprint. Well-known for harnessing data to drive innovation, Mr Lee has spearheaded a series of digital transformation initiatives and integrated retail strategies, using technology to enable Olive Young to stay ahead of trends and become a leader in the global beauty market.
Breaking new ground in marketing through the China experience and new retail Atour Group is a leading player in Chinese Mainland’s mid‑ to high‑end hotel chain market. Its Founder, CEO & Chief Experience Officer, Haijun Wang, will focus on two key themes during his presentation: 1) Experience Differentiation Strategy — placing differentiated experiences at the core to build distinctive product and service offerings across both the hotel and retail businesses; and 2) Customer Segment Operations Strategy — using a core customer base that pursues a quality lifestyle as the connective thread to deeply integrate the hotel and retail businesses, thereby shaping a unique brand group model.
Enhancing brand value through aesthetic intelligence in e-commerce Pauline Brown, former Chairman of LVMH North America, will share how to leverage “aesthetic intelligence” to elevate brand value, shape consumer perception and strengthen overall online-to-offline experiences and marketing strategies. She will also discuss how brands can continuously cultivate “taste” and aesthetic acumen and explain how aesthetics and elevated storytelling can be utilised to build truly compelling brands in a rapidly changing e-commerce and technological landscape.
Exploring the latest trends in agentic AI and quick commerce Quick commerce and agentic AI are bringing unprecedented changes to the e-commerce market in the Chinese Mainland, continuously reshaping consumers’ shopping patterns, habits and demands. Yatong Qiu, Vice President of Taobao&Tmall Group, Alibaba, will share on how brands and merchants can tackle demand through flexible merchandising strategies, real-time marketing and speed-oriented innovations to maintain competitiveness and seize time-sensitive opportunities. Meanwhile, Terry Li, Vertical General Manager of Smart Retail, Tencent, will take a deeper dive into agentic AI-driven e-commerce strategies. Looking from the perspectives of service providers and e-commerce ecosystems, he will share practical approaches and future innovation directions for agentic AI solutions, helping brands and businesses seize the initiative in the new era of e-commerce.
Decoding cross-border growth and market entry strategies for ASEAN As ASEAN continues to rise as one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions, enterprises from the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong are actively setting their sights on Southeast Asia, particularly seeking growth opportunities through e-commerce channels. The conferences will feature a session titled “Decoding the Gateway to ASEAN: Cross Border Growth and Market Entry Strategies“, exploring strategies for entering the ASEAN market. Speakers including Luca Barni, SVP, Commercial, Lazada Group, will share their practical experiences in expanding within ASEAN. Attendees will get a comprehensive understanding of the growth opportunities and common pitfalls in this growing market, addressing e-commerce legal and regulatory challenges, as well as brand and product localisation strategies.
Cracking the Threads audience engagement plus celebrity insights The recent rise of social platform Threads is further driving the evolution of brand marketing models. In the “Threads for Consumer and Audience Engagement” session, Kenie Kwok, Creative Strategy Lead at Meta, will share the latest trends in brand account management and user preferences from the platform’s perspective. Actor and “Threads Admin” Ng Siu-hin will share his insights on how to stand out as a content creator, offering practical tips on building engagement with netizens from a creator’s viewpoint. In addition, IN.DECIDE, renowned for managing social media platforms for multiple brands as an “admin”, will analyse its promotional campaign for the film Peg O’ My Heart, detailing how the virtual character “Choi San-keung” successfully broke the fourth wall with the audience.
This year’s “Meet the Celebrity” dialogue series has invited actor and singer-songwriter Louis Cheung to speak on the topic “Chasing the Golden Boy Within”. He will share his career journey in personal brand management and talk about his multifaceted development across the acting, music and creative fields. Meanwhile, content creator and MUSE TV Founder Mayao will discuss how he strategically leverages innovative promotional approaches to market music works, generating broad and lasting public impact and driving sustainable market growth.
Exploring the “healing economy” and IP marketing When engaging with younger generations, who place strong emphasis on emotional connection, brands must understand “oshikatsu culture”, where young people identify strongly as a fan of an idol, along with the healing trend and intellectual property (IP)‑driven consumer behaviour. The session “Healing Economy and IP Marketing” will feature speakers including Yiying Wang, Founder and Designer of Noodoll Limited, who will explore how brands can keep abreast of the latest trends, such as designing sustainably interactive experiences and campaigns with an “oshikatsu mindset”, incorporating healing elements into products or marketing to enhance resonance, and collaborating with popular IPs to boost reach and engagement, thereby deepening connections and relationships with younger demographics.
The conferences will introduce a new feature, “e-Commerce Connect”, showcasing the latest one-stop e-commerce solutions, with close to 30 local and international exhibitors. Additionally, a series of digital marketing and e-commerce workshops will enable participating brands to gain hands‑on practical experience. Multiple networking activities will be organised, and participants can take advantage of one‑to‑one business matching services to facilitate cross‑sector exchange and collaboration. The event will also feature live music performances, including a set from popular local singer James Ng.
MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse will be held on 19 March at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Pictured are the MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse events held in 2025
NEW YORK, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LILYSILK, the world’s leading silk brand dedicated to inspiring people to live spectacular, sustainable lives, today announced the launch of its SilkContour™ Collection. Built around a new patent-pending silk-based blend developed for everyday movement and lightweight performance wear, the collection reimagines active essentials through a soft, close fit, and second-skin comfort. Designed for everyday sports and dynamic lifestyles, it includes biker shorts, flared pants, leggings, and supportive sports bras in blush pink, coffee bean, and black.
LILYSILK SilkContour™ Collection: A Patent-Pending Silk Blend Designed for Movement and Ease
SilkContour™ is a patent-pending tri-blend fabric composed of 36% silk, 42% recycled nylon, and 22% LYCRA®. Unlike traditional shapewear that relies on compression, SilkContour™ contours softly without squeezing or restricting movement. The double-faced knit construction places durable nylon outward for structure while silk rests gently against the skin to deliver a breathable comfort and refined stretch.
The fabric offers four-way stretch with high recovery, quick-dry performance, and wrinkle resilience, together with everyday durability engineered for abrasion resistance and shape retention. Incorporating recycled nylon, the material also reflects LILYSILK’s ongoing commitment to responsible innovation.
LILYSILK SilkContour™ Collection: A Patent-Pending Silk Blend Designed for Movement and Ease
Key pieces highlight the versatility of the collection that are designed to transition seamlessly between active and everyday settings. The SilkContour™ Second Skin Short combines technical structure with breathable comfort to offer medium support for both hard training sessions and daily wear. The Drape Flow Pant blends elegant drape with functional stretch to create a flattering silhouette that moves fluidly from active settings to everyday wear. The Streamline Pant features contour lines and contrast piping that enhance the body’s natural curves while maintaining a smooth, second-skin fit. The Streamline Bra and Air Touch Bra provide medium support through sculpted seams and silk-lined interiors that balance strength with softness to ensure stability without compromising ease or refinement.
“We spent a long time asking whether comfort could also feel refined,” said David Wang, CEO of LILYSILK. “With SilkContour™, we wanted to create something that follows the body’s natural lines without pinching or squeezing. It’s not about reinventing shapewear, but about creating something that simply feels good to wear.”
The SilkContour™ Collection marks LILYSILK’s continued evolution beyond traditional silk apparel and marks its expansion into performance-driven essentials that unite material innovation, sustainability, and everyday elegance.
HOUSTON, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — After serving more than 30 million customers online, VEVOR officially opened its first U.S. flagship retail store in Houston earlier this month, marking a major milestone in the company’s expansion from e-commerce into physical retail. More than just a new storefront, the launch brings VEVOR’s core promise to life: pro-level performance without the pro-level price.
The nearly 32,000-square-foot space is designed as a hands-on destination for local homeowners, DIYers, and small businesses — and, just as importantly, as the starting point for a long-term commitment to supporting Houston’s local communities and neighborhoods.
The grand opening also drew an appearance by a Houston Rockets player, adding to the excitement and turning the event into a celebration of hands-on creativity.
Located at 10951 Farm to Market 1960 Road W, the store arrives just as Houston enters its busiest home improvement season. Designed around a “try before you buy” concept, the flagship aims to give customers a more confident and practical way to shop for tools. Alongside the launch, VEVOR also announced a partnership with Rebuilding Together Houston, committing to support home repair projects for families in need across the city this spring.
Crowds gather at the VEVOR Houston flagship on opening day, eager to explore the brand’s first-ever physical store.
Crowds gather at the VEVOR Houston flagship on opening day, eager to explore the brand’s first-ever physical store.
A Spring Season Built for Getting Things Done
Inside the store, the atmosphere feels less like a traditional retail space and more like a working garage. Instead of quiet aisles, visitors hear power tools running and conversations about torque, pressure, and performance.
In the store’s “Hands-on Pro Zone,” a local contractor tests the lifting power of a car jack, while nearby a homeowner compares the pressure output of several power washers. The goal is simple: let people interact with the tools before taking them home.
March marks the start of Houston’s peak home improvement season, when homeowners begin projects ranging from yard cleanup to garage upgrades. To coincide with this seasonal momentum, VEVOR has launched a spring promotion spanning multiple categories — from garage organization systems to outdoor cleaning equipment — aimed at both DIYers and professionals preparing for new projects.
“Buying tools online used to feel like opening a mystery box,” said a Houston resident shopping for lawn care equipment. “The photos might look impressive, but when the product arrives it’s not always what you expected. Here I can actually pick it up, feel the weight, check the build quality, and decide if it’s right for my garage.”
For VEVOR, that confidence is exactly what physical retail is meant to deliver.
“We want to be a helpful and trusted presence in the community,” said Gavin Wu, VEVOR’s brand director. “When people want to renovate their homes, organize their garages, or maintain their yards, they should have a place where they can try the tools, ask questions, and leave ready to start the project.”
Beyond Retail: Supporting Homes Across the Community
Alongside the store opening, VEVOR is also investing in the community through its partnership with Rebuilding Together Houston, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping vulnerable homeowners maintain safe living conditions.
In a city like Houston, home maintenance costs can be a significant burden for many households, particularly for low-income families and elderly residents. Issues such as leaking faucets, loose stair railings, or broken outdoor fixtures can affect daily comfort and sometimes pose safety risks.
Through the partnership, VEVOR will support a repair and yard improvement project for one local family, with employee volunteers participating in hands-on work alongside Rebuilding Together Houston. The effort is designed to help create a safer, more functional, and more welcoming home environment for the selected household.
“We don’t just want to be part of people’s home improvement projects,” Wu said. “We also want to support families who need help creating safer, more livable spaces. For a brand entering a new market, running ads is easy. But working alongside residents to help repair homes — that’s how real trust is built.”
Looking Ahead
As the Houston flagship store begins its first season of operation, VEVOR sees the location as a model for future expansion in the United States — one that combines hands-on retail with deeper community engagement.
But for Houston this spring, the story may be less about how many tools leave the store and more about how many homes become safer and more livable through the partnership.
Residents interested in learning more about VEVOR’s spring promotions or supporting community repair projects with Rebuilding Together Houston can visit the Houston flagship store or explore the brand online.
About VEVOR
VEVOR is a global home improvement brand that empowers home creators, who actively reshape living spaces to express their inner pursuits, finding joy in turning visions into reality with their own hands to upgrade spaces with pro-level gear at fair prices. From backyard makeovers to apartment innovations, VEVOR delivers uncompromised quality through vertical integration — combining precision engineering with the joy of making.
Founded in 2007 as an eBay seller, VEVOR began selling on Amazon in 2013 and launched vevor.com in 2020. The brand unveiled its refreshed identity in 2025. Today, VEVOR operates in over 50 countries, with a network of 200+ global warehouses and a catalog of over 15,000 products spanning tools, outdoor equipment, and home improvement solutions.
The brand’s promise is built on four pillars: professional-grade performance, unexpected value, complete home ecosystem coverage, and uncompromising quality. This commitment is reflected in its 90% customer satisfaction rate, supported by 24/7 assistance and a 30-day hassle-free return policy.
For more information, visit www.vevor.com or search “vevor” on Amazon.