Proprietary technology and 300+ global deployments underpin the company’s expanding microgrid leadership
CHANGZHOU, China, July 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — StarCharge, a provider of integrated energy solutions, has been named the 2026 No. 1 Microgrid Brand at the fifth GGII Energy Storage Industry Summit and Energy Storage Top Brand Awards. The award recognizes StarCharge’s strengths across four dimensions: technology innovation, product competitiveness, commercial deployment, and market reputation.
Building on more than a decade of experience in EV charging and energy services, StarCharge has developed an integrated platform connecting smart charging, scenario-based microgrid and virtual power plants. The platform coordinates energy generation, storage, dispatch, consumption and electricity trading.
StarCharge offers microgrid solutions for more than 300 application scenarios, including factories, industrial parks, solar-storage-charging sites, mining operations, communities, islands and off-grid locations. Its portfolio includes grid-connected, off-grid and grid-forming systems supported by proprietary control algorithms and energy management software.
A key technology behind the award is StarCharge’s photovoltaic and energy storage microgrid system, which enables seamless transitions between grid-connected and off-grid operation. The system integrates a static transfer switch, a proprietary power conversion system and a microgrid central controller.
This architecture enables switching in sub-20-millisecond, compared with a typical industry switching time of approximately 50 milliseconds. It is designed to maintain power continuity in weak or unstable grid environments and reduce production losses caused by outages.
StarCharge has deployed over 300 microgrid projects worldwide and has been included in BloombergNEF’s Tier 1 energy storage manufacturer list for multiple consecutive quarters.
In China, the company has delivered integrated solar-storage-charging projects, low-carbon industrial parks and vehicle-to-grid applications. Internationally, it has signed strategic energy storage agreements with energy companies in markets including Latvia and Moldova, with a combined planned capacity of nearly 3.5 GWh.
StarCharge provides end-to-end services covering site assessment, system design, hardware and software integration, commissioning and operational optimization. The company will continue to invest in microgrid and virtual power plant technologies while expanding its global project and service network.
DUBAI, UAE, July 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is pleased to announce new upgrades to Bybit Dual Asset, introducing a newly added simulator, a simplified interface and expanded access to VIP-tier products for all users.
Bybit Dual Asset is a short-term, non-principal-protected structured investment product with built-in yield. It allows users to set a target price to buy or sell crypto at a preferred rate. Regardless of whether the target price is reached at settlement, participating users earn APR rewards on their principal, combining price flexibility with a competitive yield for Bybit traders.
Dual Asset, Multiple Benefits
The upgrade introduces an ultra user-friendly simulator, allowing users to preview potential outcomes before placing an order. Within the simulator, users can select a preferred token from a searchable list, enter a custom investment amount, choose from available durations and view both settlement scenarios side by side in a single, clear illustration. A “Match My Assets” filter also surfaces coins based on a user’s current holdings, streamlining product selection. To access the simulator, traders can switch on “Beginner Mode” by navigating to “Choose Product Plan”.
In addition, the Dual Asset interface has been redesigned for a simpler, more intuitive experience, reducing the steps required to compare terms and place an order.
As part of the upgrade, VIP-exclusive Dual Asset products with enhanced APR rates will be unlocked for all Bybit users every Friday, during which weekly window no VIP membership is required. This further broadens access to enhanced-rate products that were previously reserved for top-tier accounts.
The new and improved Bybit Dual Asset retains all the most loved features about the product while introducing exclusive benefits:
Competitive yield: when the target trade is executed, users settle at the preset price while also earning additional APR rewards.
Better pricing: compared with direct trading, users can buy at a lower price or sell at a higher price once the target price is reached.
Inclusive access: VIP-tier products with enhanced rates now are available to all users every Friday, extending VIP benefits to the broader Bybit community.
We believe every person should have access to every financial opportunity on earth. That’s why we’re building the first intelligent platform that connects anyone, anywhere to the world’s finance.
Trusted by more than 80 million users worldwide, Bybit brings together investing, trading, payments, and wealth-building in a single secure and intelligent ecosystem. Through the combination of AI-powered technology, deep global liquidity, robust security, and transparent operations, Bybit makes global finance more accessible, efficient, and empowering for everyone.
Built for everyone. Powered by intelligence. Open to the world.
Johor has established itself as Malaysia’s second-largest residential market in 2025, based on both transaction volume and value, according to JLL.
JOHOR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 July 2026 – From 1 January 2026, foreign purchasers of residential property in Malaysia are subject to a flat 8% stamp duty rate on the transfer, replacing the previous fixed 4% rate. Meanwhile, a separate stamp duty remission continues to apply within the Forest City Special Financial Zone (SFZ), subject to defined eligibility conditions. Forest City has published a property verification guide for prospective foreign buyers, providing a detailed overview of the ownership framework, foreign-purchaser requirements and applicable tax treatment for property acquisitions within Forest City in Johor.
Forest City waterfront residential development in Iskandar Puteri, Johor
Forest City is a master-planned development in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, with many residential units held under freehold tenure. Foreign buyers may purchase residential property in Forest City subject to Malaysia’s foreign-ownership rules. Under the Forest City Special Financial Zone framework, eligible individual purchasers who buy completed residential or commercial units directly from the developer may receive a 50% stamp duty remission on the instrument of transfer and the loan or financing agreement. To qualify, the sale and purchase agreement (SPA) must be executed between 1 September 2024 and 31 December 2034, and construction must have been completed before 1 September 2024.
Foreign Ownership and Title Structure in Forest City Foreign buyers are permitted to purchase residential units in Forest City, provided the transaction meets Malaysia’s applicable foreign ownership rules, including any state authority approval required for the acquisition.
Foreign buyers should distinguish between Malaysia’s general state-level minimum purchase-price rules and the Forest City SFZ-linked route, as the applicable threshold may depend on the buyer’s intended purchase and residency pathway. Johor’s general minimum threshold for foreign residential acquisition is generally set at RM1 million. The Forest City SFZ MM2H-linked route generally starts at RM500,000 for qualifying purchases from the developer, but buyers should confirm the current threshold, timing and source-of-purchase requirements with a licensed Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) agent and Malaysian conveyancing lawyer.
The majority of residential units at Forest City are held on freehold tenure, meaning the tenure is not subject to a fixed lease-expiry period. Upon conducting a land title search, the buyer’s lawyer will obtain the title document, which clearly indicates the tenure type, whether freehold or leasehold. Marketing materials, project descriptions and buyer summaries should not be treated as substitutes for title verification.
Forest City SFZ Stamp Duty Remission Within the Forest City SFZ, eligible individual purchasers buying completed residential or commercial units directly from the developer may claim a 50% remission on stamp duty payable on the instrument of transfer and on the instrument of loan or financing agreement.
The remission is subject to gazetted eligibility conditions, including purchaser type, source of purchase, SPA execution period and construction completion date. Sub-sale and resale transactions do not fall within the stated scope of this individual-purchaser remission. Corporate purchasers should assess any applicable SFZ treatment separately against the relevant remission order and professional tax advice.
In practical terms, the remission may reduce two key transaction costs: stamp duty on the property transfer and stamp duty on the loan or financing agreement. The actual saving will depend on the property price, financing amount, buyer category and applicable stamp duty rate. EY Malaysia and Lexology provide additional details from a third-party perspective.
Forest City SFZ Stamp Duty Remission vs Standard Rules for Foreign Buyers:
Element
Forest City SFZ Stamp Duty Remission
Standard Stamp Duty Rules for Foreign Buyers
(from 1 Jan 2026)
Stamp duty on transfer
50% remission under the gazetted order
Flat 8% on residential property
Stamp duty on loan/financing
50% remission under the gazetted order
0.5% of loan amount, standard
SPA execution period
1 Sep 2024 – 31 Dec 2034
No specified expiry date
Construction completion required
Before 1 Sep 2024
Not applicable
Eligible buyer type
Individual purchasers only
Applicable to all buyers, subject to the relevant rules
Eligible purchase source
Direct purchase from the developer only
Developer purchase or sub-sale transaction
What the Forest City SFZ Adds Beyond Stamp Duty The Forest City SFZ offers benefits beyond the stamp duty remission described above. For property buyers, the designation provides three key considerations for property buyers: the 50% stamp duty remission for eligible direct purchases, the SFZ-tier MM2H pathway for qualifying buyers purchasing a Forest City property valued at RM500,000 or above, and the broader policy support associated with Forest City’s role within Johor’s cross-border growth strategy.
While the SFZ MM2H requires applicants to purchase property in Forest City, they are not required to live in it. Approved holders can rent out the property and are free to live anywhere in Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and other cities. In other words, the SFZ MM2H not only offers a convenient pathway to long-term residency but also gives holders considerable flexibility in where they live. Even without long-term residency in Johor, the SFZ MM2H may offer a comparatively accessible pathway to long-term residency, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements, with lower entry requirements and a clearer approval process, balancing affordability, policy stability, and proximity to Singapore.
Under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) framework, policy consultations and commitments are turning into approved projects, investment, and employment opportunities, while cross-border facilitation measures continue to improve, supporting greater cross-border mobility between Johor and Singapore. Forest City itself has built a comprehensive ecosystem of amenities, combining daily convenience, residential safety, and international connectivity. Residents can reach Singapore via the Second Link, and Forest City is only about two kilometres from Singapore across the Johor Strait. The upcoming Johor-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS Link) is expected to further improve cross-border connectivity once passenger service begins.
The area is home to residents from over 20 countries, forming a diverse international community. Forest City features international schools and convenient access to a range of healthcare facilities, making it ideal for long-term family residence. Even for those not residing long-term, Forest City’s comprehensive planning, 24-hour property management, and dedicated security system ensure that owners’ assets are well protected. Furthermore, two championship-level golf courses and waterfront facilities offer high-quality leisure options.
These amenities, combined with the MM2H residency status, present a viable solution that balances quality of life and residency planning. More importantly, the financial district is rapidly evolving into a leading financial and digital economy hub, having already attracted 260 investment enquiries and being on track to exceed its RM2 billion investment target this year, as financial institutions and businesses progressively establish a presence there. At the same time, Forest City has secured Malaysian Digital Status and duty‑free island status, contributing to the continued growth of its resident population and consumer market. These policies and infrastructure enhancements significantly reinforce Forest City’s attractiveness and cross‑border connectivity. In particular, the economic activity and population growth supported by SFZ’s tax incentives, industrial clustering, Digital Status, and duty‑free island policies provide robust structural support for the long‑term value of its properties.
Key Considerations Before Entering an SPA in 2026
Title and tenure: Confirm the title type and tenure of the selected unit through a current land title search conducted by a Malaysian conveyancing lawyer.
SFZ stamp duty remission: Review eligibility for the 50% remission, including purchaser type, source of purchase, SPA execution period and unit completion date.
Foreign-buyer threshold: Confirm the applicable minimum purchase, including whether the general Johor threshold or the Forest City SFZ MM2H-linked pathway applies.
Stamp duty treatment: Request a written breakdown of stamp duty on the property transfer and any loan or financing agreement, before and after the SFZ remission.
MM2H linkage, if applicable: Where the purchase is linked to an SFZ MM2H application, confirm the current deposit, age, minimum-stay and property-purchase timing requirements with a licensed MM2H agent.
Is Forest City Worth Buying in 2026? Three Buyer Profiles Forest City properties may serve different purposes for cross-border homeowners, MM2H applicants and institutional or corporate investors.
Singapore-based foreign buyers: For buyers seeking a freehold cross-border base, the SFZ stamp duty remission is relevant where the unit qualifies. Together with the upcoming RTS Link, Forest City’s cross-border accessibility is expected to improve further.
MM2H-route buyers: For buyers using the Forest City SFZ MM2H pathway, the RM500,000 entry point for qualifying developer purchases is a key consideration. The property purchase requirement is part of the route, and buyers should confirm the applicable 90-day post-approval purchase timeline with a licensed MM2H agent.
Institutional and business-linked investors: The SFZ incentives are primarily designed for financial institutions, family offices, fintech operators and related business activity. For this segment, residential investment considerations should be assessed alongside broader SFZ-related economic activity, including family-office activity, the potential inflow of skilled professionals and JSSEZ-related demand.
What Buyers Should Confirm Separately This guide does not provide fixed price quotations, guarantee rental yields or project future capital appreciation, as these depend on unit type, launch phase, vacancy assumptions, financing terms and market conditions.
Prospective buyers should confirm current pricing with recent market listings and current prices provided by the developer’s sales gallery. They should also verify foreign-buyer rules, unit-level tenure, and title procedures with a Malaysian conveyancing lawyer. A current title search can help confirm the registered owner, tenure, encumbrances and other legal particulars of the selected unit before the buyer signs an SPA or makes a deposit.
Financing should also be assessed separately with Malaysian banks or a mortgage broker, as foreign-buyer loan-to-value ratios, rates and approval conditions vary by borrower profile and lender. Forest City’s investment overview provides broader context, but transaction-specific pricing, financing, title status and yield assumptions should be verified independently.
Conclusion While no property guide can replace advice from a Malaysian conveyancing lawyer, tax adviser or licensed property consultant, Forest City’s 2026 proposition is now supported by clearer reference points: unit-level title verification, a gazetted 50% SFZ stamp duty remission, and the RTS Link’s expected five-minute Johor Bahru–Singapore rail crossing once passenger service begins.
With the SFZ remission window running until 31 December 2034, 2026 should therefore be viewed not as a deadline, but as an appropriate time for careful due diligence. Purchasers should assess unit-level eligibility, transaction costs and long-term objectives with appropriate professional support. The key consideration for Forest City property buyers in 2026 is that the legal and tax framework for eligible transactions is now sufficiently defined to allow detailed verification before an SPA is signed.
Hashtag: #ForestCity
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Forest City Special Financial Zone
Located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Forest City Special Financial Zone (FCSFZ) is Malaysia’s first designated special financial zone and a key financial-services component of the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone. It is positioned to attract financial institutions, multinational corporations, high-net-worth individuals and businesses operating in wealth management, financial technology and global business services.
Its incentive framework includes a 0% income tax rate for qualifying Single Family Office Vehicles for up to 20 years, a preferential 5% corporate tax rate for approved qualifying activities, and a special 15% personal income tax rate for eligible knowledge workers, subject to the applicable conditions, regulatory approvals and prevailing legislation. Forest City also holds duty-free island status, further strengthening its appeal as a regional investment, business and wealth-management destination near Singapore.
LONDON, July 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ECARX Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: ECX) recognises today’s key update from SiEngine Technology Co., Ltd., its incubated automotive semiconductor investment.
SiEngine has secured US$200 million in new equity capital from institutional investors over the course of H1 2026, hitting a transformative funding milestone as one of China’s top vehicle-grade semiconductor designers.
The investment strongly validates ECARX’s long-term vertical integration strategy and the powerful, eight year-long collaborative success between ECARX and its flagship silicon innovation affiliate.
Co-founded in 2018 by ECARX and Arm China, SiEngine has evolved into an independent automotive semiconductor enterprise, with ECARX retaining its position as the company’s largest single shareholder.
SiEngine was created to develop tailor-made, vehicle-grade silicon chips optimized exclusively for ECARX’s full-stack software-defined vehicle ecosystem, delivering strong cost-performance advantages for intelligent mobility platforms.
This US$200 million equity injection will fuel SiEngine’s next-phase R&D, production capacity expansion, globalization and international customer growth, further strengthening the unique ECARX vertical silicon-to-software competitive moat.
Co-Developed Silicon & Computing Platform Ecosystem with Proven Scale
The two parties have jointly built an integrated technology system centered on SiEngine’s Longying series SoCs and ECARX’s Antora® central computing platforms, delivering mature coordinated chip-and-software solutions. Antora® solutions powered by the 7nm Longying I chip have achieved global deployment, supporting dozens of vehicle models including Geely Galaxy, Lynk & Co and FAW Hongqi.
Drawing on ECARX’s worldwide OEM reach and SiEngine’s custom high-performance automotive silicon, the pair secured a landmark multi-year supply agreement with a major global automaker to drive further volume growth.
SiEngine’s newly unveiled 5nm Longying II cabin-driving fusion SoC integrates native large language model functionality and boosted AI compute performance. Purpose-built for ECARX’s next-generation Antora central computing platforms and Flyme Auto OS, the chip establishes a new industry benchmark for China’s end-to-end software-defined vehicle technology.
Beyond their core passenger vehicle offering, ECARX and SiEngine have broadened their combined technology and commercial footprint via strategic alliances with commercial vehicle and robotaxi manufacturers.
ECARX and SiEngine’s unified silicon solutions now support passenger vehicles, commercial fleets, and full-spectrum L2 to L4 intelligent driving use cases, expanding the partnership’s total addressable market and unlocking long-term growth opportunities.
About ECARX Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: ECX)
ECARX (Nasdaq: ECX), headquartered in London, is a leading global automotive intelligence company. ECARX provides the intelligent brain that powers the next generation of software-defined and AI defined vehicles. The company delivers end-to-end, full-stack solutions spanning advanced system-on-chip hardware, high-performance central computing platforms, intelligent cockpit technology, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, cloud connectivity and physical AI, alongside bespoke vehicle software and intelligent operating systems. As automakers transition to software-first and AI-first vehicle architectures, ECARX empowers automakers to streamline integration, reduce systemic complexity and optimize long-term cost efficiency. ECARX’s proven technology is deployed across over 11 million vehicles worldwide and is currently partnered with 18 global automakers and 28 vehicle brands to shape the future of automotive intelligence. Founded in 2017 and listed on Nasdaq in 2022, ECARX operates from 13 major international locations across Europe, the Americas and Asia, with a global team of over 1,400 employees.
About SiEngine Technology Co., Ltd.
Founded in 2018 with strategic founding investment from ECARX, SiEngine is a leading domestic automotive semiconductor enterprise focused on high-performance, vehicle-grade cockpit and ADAS SoC design and mass production. Its flagship chip series powers ECARX’s market-leading Antora computing platforms, delivering high-reliability, customized silicon solutions for the new generation of intelligent vehicles.
WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 July 2026 – The second edition of 1win Essence, the international online Dota 2 tournament series organized by 1win, is now underway, bringing together 10 internationally recognized teams from Europe, Asia, North America, and South America.
Running through August 5, the tournament reflects 1win’s commitment to supporting the global eSports movement by creating opportunities for top organizations to compete and engage with fans worldwide.
Building on the inaugural edition, 1win Essence II features a refined competitive format designed to deliver a more streamlined experience for participating teams and viewers. This year’s lineup includes BetBoom Team, Team Liquid, Team Falcons, 1win Team, Nigma Galaxy, MOUZ, GamerLegion, LGD Gaming, Vici Gaming, and OG.
The tournament opened with a round-robin group stage, where teams were divided into two groups of five competing in best-of-two series. The competition will continue with double-elimination playoffs before concluding with the Grand Final on August 5.
As matches continue throughout the week, 1win Essence II highlights 1win’s broader commitment to supporting competitive gaming and fostering opportunities for players, organizations, creators, and esports communities around the world.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About 1win Essence
1win Essence is a global online Dota 2 tournament. Organized by 1win, the competition combines elite-level gameplay, substantial prize pools, and professional broadcasts, offering fans high-quality Dota 2 action throughout the season.
The Attapeu Provincial People’s Court sentenced 15 officials for corruption, including 10 who received life imprisonment. Attapeu Province, Laos. 30 July 2026.
On July 30, the Attapeu Provincial People’s Court sentenced 15 provincial officials for corruption, handing down life imprisonment to 10 of the defendants in one of the province’s most sweeping corruption verdicts in recent years.
Lattana Simavath, Head of the Attapeu Provincial People’s Court Office, announced the verdict. She said the offenses took place between 2021 and 2024, with Sulixay “Mou” Suliyalay, 37, a former deputy section head of the research department at the provincial office, leading the scheme.
Investigators found that the corruption scheme moved a total of roughly LAK 103.5 billion (about USD 4.8 million), USD 2,356,000, and VND 1.5 billion (about USD 58,000) through the defendants’ hands. This total covers all the money investigators traced through the scheme, including funds the defendants later converted from Vietnamese dong into Lao kip and Thai baht to help cover their tracks.
The court found that Attapeu Province’s actual, confirmed loss, the real damage the state now needs to recover, came to about LAK 51.9 billion (USD 2.4 million), USD 2,316,000, and THB 60,000 (about USD 1,850).
The court sentenced nine other defendants alongside Sulixay to life imprisonment: Sulichanh Phonkeo, 55, former Chief of Provincial Office; Sounnakhone Keoviengkham, 59, former Head of the Planning & Investment Department; Khamphery Somthavone, 60, a retired official and former Head of the Provincial Finance Department; Thounxay Mekdavong, 60, a retired official and former Deputy Head of the Provincial Finance Department; Somsack Mountivong, 45, a former provincial official; and Inpong Silavikone, 38, a former technical officer in the same section.
The court also sentenced Manisone Phetvilay, 34, a former finance technical officer, to life imprisonment, along with Nipaphone Phothilath, 34, a volunteer staff at the provincial office, and Phouthidavanh Kaysonesena, 36, an official at the Provincial Finance Department, bringing the total sentenced to life imprisonment to 10.
The court gave the remaining five defendants lesser terms based on their individual roles.
It sentenced Outthali Singthammavong, 43, former Head of the Administration Section at the provincial office, to 20 years, and Simmali Khamman, 44, a provincial office official, to 18 years and 6 months. It also sentenced Keophouthone Vilathum, 47, a former official at the provincial Finance Department, to 16 years and 6 months.
The remaining two received shorter terms.
The court sentenced Souksavanh Bounphan, 55, former Deputy Head of the provincial Finance Department, to 5 years, and Phonpiloun Xaysombath, 49, former Deputy Head of the Accounting/Audit Department, to 2 years and 6 months, of which she had already served 7 months and 11 days.
The court closed the case against a sixteenth defendant, Soukmay Soutbounlon, following his death during proceedings, though his estate remains liable for civil damages through his seized assets.
17 Sentenced in Vientiane Capital
The Attapeu verdict follows closely on a separate wave of corruption rulings in the capital.
Earlier in July, the Vientiane Capital People’s Court sentenced 17 defendants across four major cases involving the State Inspection Authority, the Bank of the Lao PDR, the Agricultural Promotion Bank, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Electricity of Laos (EDL).
The court ordered the defendants to pay a combined total exceeding USD 27 million in damages and compensation, with the largest sum, over USD 24.8 million, tied to the EDL hydropower case alone.
The court handed life sentences to at least ten defendants, including former EDL executives and a Thai businessman convicted in a hydropower corruption scheme, alongside senior banking and foreign affairs officials found guilty of bribery, embezzlement, and document forgery.
Together, the two rounds of verdicts point to intensifying efforts by Lao courts to prosecute high-level corruption and recover state assets, with life imprisonment increasingly applied to officials found to have abused positions of trust across finance, energy, and administrative agencies.
HKSTP Hosts Showcase Featuring Clinical Progress from 10 Park Companies and Real-Life Patient Stories
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 July 2026 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) today hosted the HKSTP Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Showcase 2026 at the Charles K. Kao Auditorium, Hong Kong Science Park, with support from Invest Hong Kong. The event brought together more than 200 representatives from the healthcare, academic, investment and regulatory sectors, both locally and from overseas. A major milestone announced at the event was that HKSTP partner company Hong Kong Regen Medtech Limited (HKRM) has become the first facility in Hong Kong to be recognised by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong (PPBHK) as an allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) PIC/S GMP manufacturing facility, enabling the production of advanced therapy products for clinical trials.
HKSTP hosted the HKSTP CGT Showcase 2026, bringing together local and overseas I&T enterprises, medical experts, researchers, investors and patient representatives to explore the clinical translation and broader development of cell and gene therapy.
Mr Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said in his remarks: “Cell and gene therapy is one of the fastest-growing fields in life and health tech. The establishment of Hong Kong’s first stem cell production facility certified to PIC/S GMP standards at Hong Kong Science Park marks a significant milestone for the city’s life and health tech ecosystem. The significance of this certification goes far beyond technology alone. It signifies not only that production has met the highest international safety standards, but also that patients and their families can choose locally manufactured cell therapy products with confidence and complete trust. This is a tangible achievement that will enable every Hong Kong citizen to benefit directly. As the orchestrator of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem, HKSTP has been proactively connecting the life and health tech community with partners, investors and academia. Through a diverse range of incubation programmes, we provide our park companies with seed funding, innovation space, world-class infrastructure and regulatory support, helping them overcome challenges in the journey from laboratory research to clinical translation and turning scientific breakthroughs into real therapeutic outcomes for patients. We will continue to drive ecosystem development and fully support local I&T enterprises in bringing research achievements ‘Made in Hong Kong’ to the global stage.”
Hong Kong’s First PIC/S GMP Stem Cell Production Facility Bridges a Critical Gap from Research to Clinical Application
One of the highlights of the event was HKRM, an HKSTP partner company, recently obtaining Hong Kong’s first PIC/S GMP licence for stem cell production and operating the related manufacturing facility at Hong Kong Science Park, marking a key step in advancing the clinical translation of advanced therapies in Hong Kong. PIC/S GMP is internationally recognised as the gold standard for pharmaceutical manufacturing quality. Facilities must undergo rigorous international assessment to ensure that every batch is produced in a strictly controlled environment.
Mr Stanley Sy, HKRM Co-founder and CEO, said: “HKRM’s attainment of Hong Kong’s first PIC/S GMP certification for stem cell production marks not only an important milestone in the company’s development, but also signifies that Hong Kong now has the critical infrastructure needed to further support the clinical translation of advanced cell therapies. A stringent, internationally recognised manufacturing quality system helps ensure product consistency and traceability, while strengthening the confidence of medical and regulatory authorities in locally manufactured cell-based products. Based at Hong Kong Science Park, HKRM is grateful for the longstanding support of HKSTP. We also look forward to working with research and clinical partners in the Park to bring more promising therapeutic solutions from Hong Kong to the international stage.”
Patients, Families and Doctors Share First-hand Stories of the Journey from Cell Banking to Clinical Breakthroughs
The event also featured first-hand experiences from patients, their families and doctors on their treatment journeys. Park company Mononuclear Therapeutics (MonoTx) operates Hong Kong’s first AABB-accredited public cord blood bank and haematopoietic stem cell apheresis facility at Hong Kong Science Park, with more than 2,000 cord blood units in storage.
Dr Wendy Cheng, Chief Operating Officer of MonoTx, joined Professor Leung Tak Yeung and Professor Ronald Wang of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to share research findings and patient cases with patient families.
Professor Leung Tak Yeung’s team at CUHK is studying a treatment for foetuses with severe alpha-thalassaemia by processing the mother’s stem cells through MonoTx and infusing them into the foetus, to investigate whether the foetus can develop immune tolerance to the mother’s stem cells and thereby improve clinical outcomes.
Professor Ronald Wang’s team is using cord blood to treat neonatal brain injury. Preliminary findings suggest that cord blood infusion within 48 hours of birth may help repair brain injury and improve the child’s developmental outcomes later in life.
360 Life Sciences Companies Gather at Hong Kong Science Park, Reinforcing Hong Kong’s Position as an International Health and Medical Innovation Hub
Hong Kong Science Park is home to more than 360 life sciences companies, while the number of cell and gene therapy (CGT) enterprises continues to grow, spanning frontier fields such as stem cells, gene editing, personalised cancer vaccines and CAR-T immunotherapy, and addressing diseases including cancer, heart failure and neurodegenerative disorders. HKSTP will continue to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international health and medical innovation hub by accelerating the translation and application of more locally developed R&D outcomes for the benefit of patients, the industry and society. In doing so, it aims to make innovative therapies more accessible and enable Hong Kong to play an even greater role on the global life and health tech stage.
Hashtag: #HKSTP
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 to create a thriving I&T ecosystem grooming 14 unicorns, more than 17,000 research professionals and over 2,400 technology companies from 26 countries and regions focused on developing healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies, etc.
Our growing innovation ecosystem offers comprehensive support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation for technology ventures, with the I&T journey built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong, where sectors including advanced manufacturing, micro-electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined.
Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen plays positive roles in connecting the world and the mainland with our proximity, strengthening cross-border exchange to bring advantages in attracting global talent and allowing possibilities for the development of technology companies in seven key areas: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech and sustainability, with both dry and wet laboratories, co-working space, conference and exhibition facilities, and more.
Through our R&D infrastructure, startup support and enterprise services, commercialisation and investment expertise, partnership networks and talent traction, HKSTP continues to contribute in establishing I&T as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong.
More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.
Laos has launched the LAeID digital identity application nationwide, giving citizens electronic access to official documents and gradually replacing paper household registration books and older national ID cards. (Photo: LAeID)
Laos has launched its LAeID digital identity application nationwide, giving citizens electronic access to their identity documents and gradually replacing paper household registration books and older national ID cards.
The Census Management and Grassroot Development Department under the Ministry of Public Security launched the system on 18 July.
LAeID connects to national citizen and ID databases, replacing paper documents and verifying citizens’ identities in digital environments. It lets users store and verify multiple official documents in one account, including ID cards, residence registration details, birth and marriage certificates, passports, driving licenses, and vehicle registrations.
Authorities said the system gives citizens faster, more secure access to their personal data and to public services.
The ministry has urged citizens to download the app, create accounts, and update their personal details so more people can use the platform.
Authorities also encourage government agencies, businesses, and organizations to accept LAeID as a legal reference document for official transactions and administrative procedures. Officials confirmed that many procedures will no longer require a household registration book, since the digital system already holds that information.
Older national ID cards, including the previous white and green versions, will no longer work for administrative procedures, authorities said.
The nationwide rollout builds on a series of digital identity reforms Laos has introduced over the past year.
In August 2025, authorities announced plans to replace paper-based IDs with chip-equipped digital cards featuring biometric data and QR codes. Nationwide issuance of these cards began in December 2025, following a pilot phase in Vientiane Capital.
In March 2026, Laos announced it would also phase out paper household registration books, known as Family Books. Under that policy, citizens already entered into the national digital database use electronically generated household information certificates instead of paper documents.
www.hkstp.org
