SHANGHAI, Jan. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CARsgen Therapeutics Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 2171.HK), a company focused on innovative CAR T-cell therapies for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, announces that KJ-C2320, an allogeneic CAR T-cell therapy targeting CD38, has administered the first dose to a patient in an investigator-initiated trial (IIT).
KJ-C2320 is developed based on CARsgen’s THANK-uCAR® platform. An investigator-initiated trial is ongoing in China to evaluate KJ-C2320 for the treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML).
About THANK-uCAR®
THANK (Target to Hinder the Attack of NK cells)-uCAR® is CARsgen’s proprietary technology to generate allogeneic CAR-T cells with improved expansion and persistence by modifying donor-derived T cells. To minimize graft versus host disease (GvHD) and host versus graft response (HvGR) from allogeneic T cells, we disrupt the genomic loci encoding TCR and beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) to eliminate surface expression of the TCR or the human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-I), an approach that has been validated by previous research. However, natural killer (NK) cells can attack T cells without HLA-I expression, which then limits the expansion and persistence of the allogeneic CAR-T cells. To protect the allogeneic CAR-T cells from the patient’s NK cells’ attacks, we arm these TCR–/B2M–T cells with a CAR that recognizes NKG2A to hinder the NKG2A-positive NK cell rejection of the CAR T cells and therefore allow the THANK-uCAR-T cells to resist the attack by NK cells. Clinical studies have demonstrated that the BCMA CAR-T therapy developed on the THANK-uCAR® platform can expand in patients achieving complete response to levels comparable to autologous CAR-T, showing preliminary evidence of controllable safety and promising efficacy.
About CARsgen Therapeutics Holdings Limited
CARsgen is a biopharmaceutical company with operations in China and the U.S., focusing on innovative CAR T-cell therapies for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. CARsgen has established a comprehensive CAR T-cell research and development platform that covers target discovery, innovative CAR T-cell development, clinical trials, and commercial-scale production. Internally, CARsgen has developed novel technologies and a product pipeline with global rights to address significant challenges faced by existing CAR T-cell therapies. Efforts include improving safety profile, enhancing the efficacy in treating solid tumors, and reducing treatment costs. CARsgen’s mission is to become a global biopharmaceutical leader that provides innovative and differentiated cell therapies for cancer patients worldwide and makes cancer curable.
Forward-looking Statements
All statements in this press release that are not historical fact or that do not relate to present facts or current conditions are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements express the Group’s current views, projections, beliefs and expectations with respect to future events as of the date of this press release. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and factors beyond the Group’s control. As a result, they are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and actual events or results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements and the forward-looking events discussed in this press release might not occur. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those detailed under the heading “Principal Risks and Uncertainties” in our most recent annual report and interim report and other announcements and reports made available on our corporate website, https://www.carsgen.com. No representation or warranty is given as to the achievement or reasonableness of, and no reliance should be placed on, any projections, targets, estimates or forecasts contained in this press release.
TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Concept Medical Inc. (CMI), a global leader in innovative drug-delivery technology across vascular interventions, proudly announces the successful completion of patient enrolment in the SirPAD Trial, with over 1,250 patients now enrolled.
Concept Medical proudly announces that over 1,250 patients have successfully enrolled in the SirPAD Trial.
The SirPAD (Major adverse limb events in patients with femoro-popliteal and below-the-knee peripheral arterial disease treated with either sirolimus-coated or uncoated balloon) randomised controlled trial is the world’s largest study evaluating the treatment of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) using the MagicTouch PTA Sirolimus Coated Balloon (Concept Medical Inc.) versus uncoated balloons and one of the largest device studies ever performed for PAD.
More than 1,250 patients have been enrolled and will be followed up at 12 months to assess the primary outcome of major adverse limb events (MALE). Final results are expected by Q1-Q2 2026.
SirPAD is an investigator-initiated, multi-centre, randomized, open-label trial that aims to determine whether the MagicTouch PTA sirolimus-coated balloon is non-inferior to plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA). The trial will also explore the potential for superiority.
Principal Investigators Prof. Dr. med. Nils Kucher and Prof. Dr. med. Stefano Barco, from the University Hospital Zurich, who leads this ambitious study, said, “Sirolimus-coated balloons represent a promising technology in treating symptomatic PAD, supported by evidence primarily from studies with surrogate endpoints. While trials like SIRONA and ongoing studies such as SirPAD are expanding knowledge, robust data from randomized controlled trials with clinical outcomes are needed to guide treatment and shape future guidelines. This result, having been able to randomize so many patients in a PAD device study, is unprecedented and we are very thankful to all investigators and patients for having supported the trial” on achieving the significant milestone of enrolling 1,250+ patients and successfully completing this phase of the study.
With sirolimus-coated balloons gathering global momentum and MagicTouch PTA at the forefront, SirPAD is a crucial milestone in expanding the evidence for PAD treatment options. While patients with PAD have limited therapeutic avenues, SirPAD aims to bolster data supporting sirolimus-coated balloon technology. This large RCT was critical to evaluating treatment alternatives, and its year-long follow-up will provide much-anticipated answers.
“At Concept Medical, we are committed to generating robust clinical evidence to support our innovative technologies. Following the successful completion of SIRONA—the largest superficial femoral artery (SFA) trial comparing our device against paclitaxel drug-coated balloons (DCBs), which demonstrated non-inferiority—we are proud to announce the completion of enrollment for another historical milestone: the largest randomised clinical trial for peripheral all-comers patients, completed enrolment of 1250+ patients. With this achievement, Concept Medical continues to lead the way with the most extensive and advanced clinical trial program in the field, reinforcing our position as a global pioneer in patient-centric vascular innovations,” said Dr. Manish Doshi, Founder & Managing Director of Concept Medical.
About Concept Medical
Concept Medical Inc., headquartered in Tampa, Florida, has a global presence and is dedicated to enhancing patient care through cutting-edge research and development of drug-delivery technologies. Its proprietary platforms are designed to deliver pharmaceutical agents across vascular luminal surfaces with unparalleled precision. Concept Medical is the developer of the MagicTouch family of Sirolimus Coated Balloons (SCBs)—the world’s first and most utilized SCB technology—well recognized for its versatility and efficacy in treating coronary and peripheral artery disease. The revolutionary MagicTouch and Abluminus product lines have been used to treat over a million patients globally, setting a new standard for vascular therapy.
LOS BAÑOS, Philippines, Jan. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and smart agriculture technology leader XAG are set to accelerate agricultural automation and innovation in the Philippines through digital agriculture and precision farming using drone technology. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), IRRI and XAG will collaborate to validate the application of smart agriculture technologies in rice-based cropping systems through experimentation and research.
XAG and IRRI collaborate to promote agricultural automation in rice farming
XAG, through its Philippine partner Agridom, has donated agricultural drones to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to support its mission of advancing precision agriculture and sustainable farming practices. Agridom pioneered the introduction of XAG agricultural drones in the Philippines, bringing cutting-edge technology to local farmers and institutions. This collaboration with IRRI demonstrates Agridom’s unwavering commitment to driving agricultural innovation and empowering the sector with tools that enhance productivity and sustainability.
“Drones have been increasingly used for high throughput phenotyping, crop monitoring, improving agricultural productivity, and supporting precision farming. By providing efficient tools for crop monitoring, precision input application, and data-driven decision-making, drones provide the potential to significantly reduce costs and increase yields, optimizing resource use and minimizing environmental impact,” explained IRRI Senior Scientist and Digital Agriculture and Precision Farming Lead Engr. Steve Klassen.
This meant that drones could rapidly provide measurements of traits related to growth, yield, and stress adaptation. This technology is particularly valuable to smallholder farmers who must improve their productivity and reduce production costs to be competitive and stay in business in response to climate change, labor shortages, and higher input costs.
However, drone adoption in the Philippines is hindered by limited access to technology, lack of standard protocols, financial resources, and regulatory constraints. “To overcome these challenges, we need a comprehensive approach that involves targeted training, guidelines for best practices, financial incentives, and supportive government policies.”, Klassen said.
Klassen’s team is also working with the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) – National Program, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), and their allied bureaus on the Drones4Rice Project, which aims to streamline and standardize drone protocols for applying seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides in the Philippines. The donated drones will support the ongoing Drones4Rice project and other IRRI global initiatives on sustainable farming and digital accelerators.
“IRRI is a key research and technology partner in the Philippines, and through this effort, we hope to contribute to the country’s agricultural competitiveness through drone-based technologies.” shared XAG Head of International Business Wei Tong. “XAG’s agricultural drones can be applied to various precision farming scenarios, specifically but not limited to direct seeding, pesticide spraying, fertilizer operation, and remote sensing. We hope to expand our engagements abroad to strengthen global food security and tackle climate change, as rice is the primary staple food that feeds over half of the world’s population.”, Tong shared.
Beyond this collaboration, XAG is also a member of the IRRI-led Direct Seeded Rice Consortium (DSRC), which promotes direct seeding methods in rice cultivation by developing technologies and training farmers to adopt sustainable farming practices.
Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, India and Singapore record massive smartphone user bases
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jan. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Global cloud communication platform, Infobip has unveiled a new report titled ‘RCS: A New Era of Customer Engagement,’ which highlights research by IDC on the transformative potential of Rich Communication Services (RCS) in the Asia-Pacific region. The research reveals how a global smartphone user base of 5.1 billion presents new opportunities for brands to deliver personalized, interactive, and secure messaging experiences through RCS, particularly in countries such as Indonesia (146.3 million users), Malaysia (28.6 million users), Philippines (60.4 million users), India (653.1 million users), and Singapore (6.4 million users). With iOS now supporting RCS, brands can reach a broader audience with rich, engaging content directly on users’ mobile phones.
RCS: A New Era of Customer Engagement
As businesses increasingly adopt digital communication channels, the need for secure messaging has become critical with the rise in phishing attacks in 2024. With India, Japan, and Australia ranking among the top 10 most targeted countries, RCS helps businesses protect their customers from falling victim to phishing. By integrating verified sender IDs and brand logos, which add a vital layer of legitimacy to messaging campaigns, this security feature of RCS ensures that customers can easily distinguish authentic messages from malicious ones.
Beyond security, RCS empowers brands to deliver contextually relevant communication throughout the customer journey, fostering long-term customer value and loyalty. By 2029, the report predicts that 60% of G2000 firms will shift from traditional KPIs like sales and profit to experience-oriented metrics, such as customer journey analytics and omnichannel engagement. The effectiveness of RCS is already evident. In India, fintech platform BankBazaar saw an 80% higher click-through rate with RCS compared to SMS, which further increased to 130% with the use of GIFs. This innovation has doubled customer response rates and established RCS as a core component of their marketing strategy. Similarly, Niva Bupa, a leading insurance provider in India, achieved a 75% ROI and improved customer retention with RCS.
Ivan Ostojic, Chief Business Officer, Infobip, said, “As RCS becomes widely available on both Android and iOS, it is transforming the way brands interact with their customers. Highly personalized interactions have proven to be effective, with response rates several times higher than traditional communication channels, underscoring the value of tailoring communication to individual needs. With RCS, businesses can engage directly with customers through the native messaging app, delivering a more personalized and seamless experience.” He added, “RCS is not just a messaging channel but a vital component of a brand’s omnichannel strategy. In today’s competitive digital landscape, it empowers brands to build trust, drive engagement, and foster lasting relationships while meeting evolving customer expectations.”
Gain deeper insights into RCS and its impact on the APAC region by downloading the report. Click here.
About Infobip
Infobip is a global cloud communications platform that enables businesses to build connected experiences across all stages of the customer journey. Accessed through a single platform, Infobip’s omnichannel engagement, identity, user authentication and contact centre solutions help businesses and partners overcome the complexity of consumer communications to grow business and increase loyalty. It offers natively built technology with the capacity to reach over seven billion mobile devices and ‘things’ in 6 continents connected to over 9,700+ connections of which 800+ are direct operator connections. Infobip was established in 2006 and is led by its co-founders, CEO Silvio Kutić, Roberto Kutić and Izabel Jelenić.
Recent award wins include:
Infobip named number one among Established Leaders in RCS Business Messaging in Juniper Research’s RCS Business Messaging Competitor Leaderboard 2024 (Nov 2024)
Infobip named a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) 2024 for the second year running (June 2024)
Infobip named to Fast Company’s Annual List of the World’s Most Innovative Companies (March 2024)
Infobip named a leader in the CPaaS Leaderboard, Juniper Research (March 2024)
Infobip ranked as number one Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) provider, in the inaugural MetriRank CPaaS Report from Metrigy (Dec 2023)
Infobip named a leader in the CCaaS Leaderboard, Juniper Research (Dec 2023)
Omdia Ranks Infobip as Leader for the second year running in its CPaaS Universe Report (Nov 2023)
Infobip named a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) 2023 (Sept 2023)
Infobip named a leader in the Juniper Customer Data Platform Leaderboard Report (July 2023)
Infobip named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Communications Platform-as-a-Service (CPaaS) 2023 Vendor Assessment (doc #US50607923, May 2023)
HONG KONG, Jan. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Baguio Green Group Limited (”Baguio” or the ”Group”, Stock Code: 01397.HK) is pleased to announce that following success in securing contracts for private residential estates for the provision of smart food waste recycling machines (“Smart Food Waste Recycling Machines”) and maintenance services, the Group has recently won the following two service contracts from the Environmental Protection Department (“EPD”) of the HKSAR Government (“Government”):
Smart Food Waste Recycling Machines: An 18-month service contract to provide Smart Food Waste Recycling Machines to the EPD-designated locations across Hong Kong, supporting food waste recycling and waste reduction initiatives.
Smart Balances: A 22-month service contract to provide smart balances (“Smart Balances”) to the “GREEN@COMMUNITY” recycling stores and other locations, enabling and incentivizing public participation in recycling activities.
Winning these two new contracts demonstrates the Group’s outstanding capabilities in product innovation, research and development, and leading market position in the green technology sector as well as its alignment with Hong Kong’s goal of becoming a smart city.
In recent years, Baguio has been actively expanding its green technology business and successfully launched the all-in-one smart recycling system through the integration of smart digital solutions, big data analytics, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Users can track recycling volumes in real time, enabling precise logistics planning, reducing logistics costs and carbon footprint. The Group’s green technology products including smart recycling machines, Smart Food Waste Recycling Machines, and Smart Balances are widely used in Government organizations, public housing and private residential estates, shopping malls, universities, hospitals, large-scale exhibition centers, etc. It not only provides convenient recycling experience to the public but also improve the recycling efficiency, thus supporting the sustainable development of Hong Kong.
According to the latest statistics from the EPD, Hong Kong landfills received an average of 10,884 tonnes of municipal solid waste per day in 2023, of which approximately 30% was food waste. Addressing food waste problem is a key priority for achieving the Government’s goal of “Zero Landfill” by 2035. With a series of initiatives put forth by the Government to expand food waste recycling, including extending food waste recycling programs to public housing and private residential estates, as well as establishing public food waste collection points in suitable locations, gradually achieving the ultimate goals outlined in the “Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035″. The Group will continue to capitalize favorable Government opportunities and expand its Smart Food Waste Recycling Machine business to further facilitate the development of food waste recycling market in Hong Kong.
In addition, Baguio’s Smart Balances support a wide variety of recyclables, including plastics, paper, metals, etc. Designed for flexible deployment at fixed and mobile recycling points, Smart Balances enhance accessibility and convenience for the public. By incorporating a points-based rewards system, they also incentivize public participation in recycling, enhancing recycling experience.
The Group is committed to promote green technology innovation and will continue to contribute to the Hong Kong’s sustainable development.
HONG KONG, Jan. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hong Kong Airlines resumed direct flights to Vancouver, Canada, on 18 January. Celebrations were held at Hong Kong International Airport and Vancouver International Airport to mark the relaunch.
Before the flight took off, senior management from Hong Kong Airlines and senior representatives from the Airport Authority Hong Kong attended a ceremony at the boarding gate, interacted with the first flight’s passengers, and distributed bespoke souvenirs.
Hong Kong Airlines Chairman Mr Yan Bo said: “We are delighted to reinstate the Vancouver service, offering passengers more flight choices. Vancouver was Hong Kong Airlines’ first North American destination, which was first launched in June 2017, and has always been popular. Resuming this route not only marks our official return to the North American market but also demonstrates the progress of our strategic transformation from a regional to an international airline earlier this year and boosting our confidence in expanding our global route network coverage.”
To further enhance the passenger experience, the airline has curated a selection of Hong Kong-style in-flight meals for this route, offering a variety of Chinese, Western, and vegetarian options for both business and economy-class passengers.
Multiple choices are available for Business Class
Hong Kong’s signature “This this rice” is incorporated in the Economy class meal choice
Hong Kong Airlines President Mr Jeff Sun said, “Our Hong Kong-Vancouver route is operated by Airbus A330-300 aircraft, providing a high-quality and unique long-haul flight experience. Passengers from both Hong Kong and Canada can experience our attentive service and delicious meals, reflecting Hong Kong Airlines’ customer-centric service approach and commitment to serving passengers in North America and around the world. This also underscores our vision of becoming a leading full-service airline in the region and internationally.”
As a full-service airline, Hong Kong Airlines has actively improved its services and expanded its operations in recent years. Through strategic route network optimisation and fleet adjustments, it now serves over 30 destinations, demonstrating a strong recovery. Last year, flight numbers fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with an average passenger load factor of approximately 85% and over 5 million passengers carried. To support business growth, the company will continue to expand its fleet size as needed to further increase its capacity. By then, a fleet with diverse configurations will enhance operational flexibility and coverage, providing passengers convenient access to travel across mainland China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia via Hong Kong, as well as popular global travel destinations such as Australia, the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Hong Kong Airlines flight schedule* between Hong Kong and Vancouver is as follows (All times local):
Route
Flight Number
Departure
Arrival
Frequency
HKG – YVR
HX080
22:10
18:10
Tue
23:50
19:50
Sat
YVR – HKG
HX081
01:50
07:00+1
Wed, Sun
* Flight number and schedule may change without prior notice
Established in 2006, Hong Kong Airlines is a full-service airline firmly rooted in Hong Kong. The airline flies to 30 destinations across the Asia Pacific, and currently maintains interline and codeshares with multiple airline partners and ferry service providers. Hong Kong Airlines operates an all-Airbus fleet. It has been awarded the internationally acclaimed four-star rating from Skytrax since 2011. For more information, please visit hongkongairlines.com or our social media channels on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
As the launch in China draws massive fans, this unique collection will hit international markets later this year.
BEIJING, Jan. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On January 15, the MINISO×Black Myth: Wukong joint-themed store officially opened in Beijing, marking MINISO as the exclusive global offline distributor for official merchandise of the highly popular game, Black Myth: Wukong.
MINISO Launches Exclusive Black Myth Wukong Merchandise in Beijing MINISO Land
As one of the newly built MINISO LAND, Beijing MINISO LAND, situated in The Box Youth Energy Center in Beijing’s Chaoyang District, served as the Black Myth: Wukong joint-themed store and hosted the offline launch event, drawing long lines of fans eager to be among the first to purchase exclusive launch products. The store exterior was fully integrated with Black Myth: Wukong elements, creating an immersive atmosphere that brought iconic scenes from the game to life. The flagship stores in other launch cities, including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and Chengdu, were similarly transformed to reflect the rich universe of Black Myth: Wukong, offering fans a diverse, immersive shopping experience.
The joint-themed store introduced an exclusive Black Myth: Wukong merchandise section featuring plush toys, badges, socks, plush pendants, and more. Special collaborative items like IP-themed red envelopes, couplets, and shaker cards blind bags were also distributed as gifts. Popular items such as plush toys and blankets sold out within just a few days of release, highlighting the intense excitement and enthusiasm among fans.
Consumers in Beijing MINISO Land Store
Black Myth: Wukong, has captivated the gaming community and quickly became a global phenomenon as soon as it launched. It has sparked widespread interest in Chinese mythology, such as Journey to the West, among international players and online communities. The partnership between MINISO and Black Myth: Wukong will span with plans already in motion to extend its reach. Black Myth: Wukong merchandise will land in markets beyond China later this year, positioning the collaboration for a broader international presence and appeal.
It is worth mentioning that this joint-themed store is a MINISO LAND, the brand’s top-level store. MINISO LAND is an immersive IP-themed paradise created by MINISO for fans worldwide. The one in Beijing boasts a space of over 1,000 square meters dedicated to more than 40 globally renowned IPs, including Harry Potter, Disney, and Sanrio. The store offers an exceptional shopping experience, combining diverse co-branded merchandise with dedicated spaces for relaxation and entertainment that cater to modern consumer interests.
MINISO x Black Myth: Wukong – Expanding IP Horizons with Innovative Partnership
The collaboration between MINISO and Black Myth: Wukong represents an innovative exploration of IP partnerships. It integrates MINISO’s strengths in advanced supply chains with extensive IP resources. Capitalizing on the rising trend of interest-driven consumption, MINISO has identified the demands of the ACG good products. By partnering with popular gaming IPs such as Black Myth: Wukong, MINISO has introduced a range of appealing merchandise that resonate deeply with players’ passion for gaming. The result is a growing base of fans enjoying premium-quality merchandise at affordable prices, allowing MINISO to stand out in the competitive landscape of interest-based consumer markets.
Exclusive Black Myth Wukong Merchandise in MINISO Store
This venture with Black Myth: Wukong marks a significant step for MINISO in leading the interest-driven consumption trend and expanding its IP landscape. Each year, the company introduces more than 10,000 new IP products. Over the next decade, MINISO plans to bring 100 Chinese IPs to the global market.
As the collection rolls out in these five cities, MINISO plans to introduce the Black Myth: Wukong merchandise to more markets outside China. Leveraging its global network and IP strategy, MINISO also aims to launch a range of original, high-quality products of various IPs globally, bringing popular IPs from China and other countries to audiences worldwide.
An Exclusive Collaboration of Iconic Artistic IPs by Talented Artists from the Greater Bay Area, Celebrating Chinese Culture with Prosperity and Joy
MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 January 2025 – Today, Galaxy Entertainment Group (“GEG”) proudly unveiled the Boom and Bloom Exhibition, which has transformed the GalaxyArt, located within Galaxy Macau™, the world-class luxurious integrated resort (Galaxy Macau), into an artistic paradise. The exhibition brings together leading artistic talents from the Greater Bay Area and exclusively debuts the collaborative creations of two iconic IPs by Shenzhen based artist Ray Chan and Macau based artist Sanchia Lau. Curated by renowned Hong Kong art advocate Gary Mok, this vibrant art journey seamlessly blends creativity with Chinese cultural traditions, offering blessings of prosperity and joy for the festive season.
Distinguished guests including Mr. Cheang Kai Meng, Vice President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government (middle), Ms. Jennifer Si Tou, Head of Tourism Product and Events Department of the Macao Government Tourism Office (third from left), curator Mr. Gary Mok (first from right), artists Ms. Sanchia Lau (first from left) and Mr. Ray Chan (second from right), Mr. Buddy Lam, Director of Corporate Affairs of GEG (third from right) and Ms. Hazel Wong, Executive Vice President of Retail of GEG (second from left), honored the opening ceremony of the Boom and Bloom Exhibition with their presence.
This exhibition is supported by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government and Macao Government Tourism Office. The opening ceremony was graced by Mr. Cheang Kai Meng, Vice President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government and Ms. Jennifer Si Tou, Head of Tourism Product and Events Department of the Macao Government Tourism Office. Also, in attendance were curator Mr. Gary Mok, Shenzhen based artist Ray Chan, and Macau based artist, Macau Cultural Ambassador Sanchia Lau, Mr. Buddy Lam, Director of Corporate Affairs of Galaxy Entertainment Group (“GEG”) and Ms. Hazel Wong, Executive Vice President of Retail of GEG, celebrating together the launching of the remarkable exhibition. Adding to the day’s festivities, the artists hosted an engaging workshop with students from local universities, sharing not only their creative concepts and inspirations but also their IP’s collaborations across different fields.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Hazel Wong remarked: “Through our ongoing commitment to promoting local Macau talents and introducing international artists, GalaxyArt strives to foster cultural and artistic innovation and exchange within the Greater Bay Area through our ‘Culture + Art’ initiatives. The Boom and Bloom Exhibition showcases the creativity of a new generation of artists from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau. In this auspicious time of renewal, we are thrilled to present this extraordinary artistic journey of Chinese culture, offering Macau locals and global visitors alike an inspiring start to 2025”.
As the Chinese New Year approaches, The Boom and Bloom Exhibition emerges as a highlight of Galaxy Macau’s New Year celebrations. Curator Gary Mok has creatively transformed the 6,500-square-foot GalaxyArt into a traditional Chinese garden, complete with signature architectural features, vibrant plants, and colorful blooms. This serene and meandering landscape serves as the backdrop for the debut collaboration between Sanchia Lau’s Wishing Doll and Ray Chan’s Shake Money Tree.
Curator Mr. Gary Mok, artists Sanchia Lau and Ray Chan have joined forces for the first time to merge their well acclaimed artistic IPs — Wishing Doll and Shake Money Tree.
At the opening ceremony, the curator and two artists expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Macao SAR government and GEG for their generous support. Ray Chan shared the artistic vision behind their collaboration, blending pop art with trends popular among young people to reinterpret traditional Chinese New Year blessings. He remarked, “This is not just a visual and artistic feast; it’s a journey of cultural heritage.” Sanchia Lau introduced a new series of blessing-themed characters created for the exhibition, explaining, “The combination of the money tree and wish doll represents love and wealth.” Gary Mok highlighted GEG’s exemplary role in supporting the arts, noting that the exhibition offers both visual appeal and entertainment, benefiting artists and art enthusiasts alike.
Ray Chan’s Shake Money Tree centers around a fortune-attracting pine tree, symbolizing the harmonious coexistence of wealth and nature while emphasizing the importance of financial management. Designed as a roly-poly toy, it inspires young people to maintain a positive mindset and embrace hope and aspirations in life. Meanwhile, Sanchia Lau’s Wishing Doll reflects a profound understanding of the pursuit of dreams. Together, their works merge auspicious Chinese symbols with modern design, sparking a compelling dialogue between tradition and contemporary art that resonates deeply with younger audiences.
The exhibition features three specially commissioned thematic artworks premiering in Macau, alongside five captivating creations from the Shake Money Tree series. The three exclusive designs, known for their intricate craftsmanship and auspicious symbolism, are particularly noteworthy: “Joy and Glory” is inspired by precious jewels and metals, featuring large, lustrous “pearls” and glittering “gold ingots” that symbolize opulence and blessings for a prosperous year ahead. “Boom and Bloom” is an interactive installation that brings the Shake Money Tree to life. Guests can shake the golden tree to release symbolic gold ingots, attracting endless prosperity. Meanwhile, “A Propitious Omen” embodies the concepts of love and prosperity, with the lotus — the symbol of Macau — adding a unique touch and representing fortune and harmony for the new year.
The Boom and Bloom Exhibition showcases three specially commissioned thematic artworks —Boom and Bloom, A Propitious Omen, Joy and Glory— exclusively created for Galaxy Entertainment Group and premiering for the first time in Macau.
Throughout the exhibition, GalaxyArt transforms into a dazzling artistic paradise. Guests can explore the newly launched art boutique, showcasing limited-edition collectibles and exclusive merchandise inspired by the artists’ creations. The exhibition also features interactive photo zones and regular art workshops, offering a vibrant experience for visitors of all ages.
GalaxyArt unveiled an exclusive art boutique, offering a curated collection of meticulously crafted merchandise and limited-edition blind boxes by the featured artists, inviting guests to bring home a piece of this artistic journey.
GEG upholds its “Culture + Art” philosophy, actively fostering artistic exchange within the Greater Bay Area and establishing GalaxyArt as a premier hub for contemporary art and interactive experiences. Since its opening in July 2021, GalaxyArt has hosted an impressive array of solo and group exhibitions, featuring art talents from Macau, Hong Kong, and international artists. Spanning a variety of art forms and themes, these exhibitions have included live mural painting by resident artists, immersive digital art installations, cinematic photography, and large-scale installations. GalaxyArt has become a cornerstone of GEG’s commitment to advancing art and culture, while also playing a pivotal role in supporting the Macao SAR Government’s initiatives to promote the diversified development of the city’s tourism industry.
On the opening day, students from the local universities joined the artists for a special sharing session.
Exhibition Details
Event: Boom and Bloom Exhibition
Date & Time: 10am – 10pm, now until March 9, 2025 (Free Admission)
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
ABOUT GALAXY MACAU INTEGRATED RESORT
Galaxy Macau™, The World-class Luxury Integrated Resort delivers the “Most Spectacular Entertainment and Leisure Destination in the World”. Developed at an investment of HK$43 billion, the property covers 1.1 million-square-meter of unique entertainment and leisure attractions that are unlike anything else in Macau. Eight award-winning world-class luxury hotels provide close to 5,000 rooms, suites and villas. They include Banyan Tree Macau, Galaxy Hotel™, Hotel Okura Macau, JW Marriott Hotel Macau, The Ritz-Carlton, Macau, Broadway Hotel, Raffles at Galaxy Macau, Andaz Macau. Unique to Galaxy Macau, the 75,000-square-meter Grand Resort Deck features the world’s longest Skytop Adventure Rapids at 575-meters, the largest Skytop Wave Pool with waves up to 1.5-meters high and 150-meters pristine white sand beach. Two five-star spas from Banyan Tree Spa Macau and The Ritz- Carlton Spa, Macau help guests relax and rejuvenate.
As the dining destination in Asia, Galaxy Macau offers a wide variety of gastronomic delights, exquisite experiences and ingredients of the finest quality with over 120 dining options from Michelin dining to authentic delicacies.
Embark on a delightful and rewarding journey at Galaxy Promenade, the one-stop shopping destination boasting some of the world’s most iconic luxury brands. Be the first to get the latest limited-edition items; explore fascinating pop-ups by coveted labels and revel in fabulous shopping rewards and privileges. Our VIPs are entitled to a highly-curated experience with dedicated personal shoppers at guests’ service, and be invited to exclusive luxury brand events. A different caliber of privileges and rewards also await. Discover the joys of fashion and stand at the forefront of style and sophistication—Galaxy Promenade has everything guests need to stay ahead of the style game.
Galaxy Cinemas takes immersive movie experiences to the next level with the latest audio-visual technology, ultra-luxurious facilities and bespoke services; CHINA ROUGE, one-of-a-kind deluxe lounge that evokes the glitz and glamor of Shanghai’s golden era with entertainment in luxury and style; and Foot Hub presents the traditional art of reflexology to make you feel more relaxed and revitalized. For Authentic Macau Flavors & Vibrant Asian Experiences, Broadway Macau – just a 90-second walk via a bridge from Galaxy Macau, has over 35 Authentic Macau & Asian Flavors at its Broadway Food Street. The 2,500-seat Broadway Theatre plays host to world-class entertainers and a diverse array of cultural events.
Meeting, incentive and banquet groups are also well looked after with a portfolio of unique venues in Galaxy Macau and a professional service staff. Galaxy International Convention Center (GICC) is the latest addition to the Group’s ever-expanding integrated resort precinct and will usher in a new era for the MICE industry in Macau. GICC is a world- class event venue featuring 40,000-square-meter of total flexible MICE, and a 16,000-seat Galaxy Arena – the largest indoor arena in Macau.