– UCSD’s Dr. Davey Smith, former ACTIV-2 Protocol Chair, endorses ‘Xafty’ as “The weapon to end the virus war.” 
– Announces “One Drug, Two Tracks” strategy: Targeting Dengue in Vietnam and Respiratory Viruses (Flu, COVID, RSV) in the U.S. with the same drug. 
– Dr. Davey Smith: “With this multi-virus treatment, 2026 may mark the inaugural year of modern treatments that can treat multiple viruses with one drug, perhaps even viruses that haven’t hit us yet.”

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Bioscience (KOSDAQ: 048410) today announced a groundbreaking roadmap to combat global viral epidemics, officially declaring its entry into Phase 2 clinical trials in the United States.

Presenting at the Biotech Showcase 2026, the company unveiled its pre-emptive therapeutic strategy using Xafty™, a broad-spectrum antiviral drug. The presentation highlighted a bold transition: “Preparation in Vietnam is complete. Now, it is America.”

– Dr. Davey Smith: “The Broad-Spectrum Weapon We Have Been Waiting For.”

The core of the announcement centered on the clinical strategy designed in collaboration with Dr. Davey Smith, Professor of Medicine and Assistant Vice Chancellor at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD).

Dr. Smith, a world-renowned expert who previously led the U.S. government’s ACTIV-2 COVID-19 trials, diagnosed the current U.S. healthcare crisis as a “tripledemic” of Influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 variants, for which there is no unified countermeasure.

In a statement regarding the new clinical design, Dr. Smith emphasized, “We now have a promising weapon to fight multiple viruses at the same time. Xafty’s ‘Basket Trial’ design is the only efficient way to solve this multi-viral crisis.” He further urged, “There is no time to lose. We must proceed with the trials necessary with maximum speed to deliver this solution to patients who are currently defenseless.”

– “One Drug, Two Tracks”: A Universal Solution

Hyundai Bioscience presented its unique “One Drug, Two Tracks” global strategy. The company is using the same drug (Xafty) to target:

* Dengue Fever in Vietnam (Track 1)

* Upper-Respiratory Infection Viruses in the US (Track 2)

This approach validates the drug’s breadth and potency, demonstrating its potential to treat both mosquito-borne and respiratory viral infections. This mechanism is analogous to modern antibiotics that can treat multiple bacterial types with a single drug.

Mr. Jason Kim, CEO of Hyundai Bioscience USA, stated, “At the showcase, we confirmed that our strategy, designed with Dr. Smith, perfectly aligns with the unmet needs of the U.S. medical field. Our preparation is complete. We are ready to submit our IND application to the FDA immediately.”

– Vision: “2026, The Inaugural Year of a Virus-Free Era”

The announcement concluded with a historic vision for global public health, articulated by Dr. Smith. “For too long, we have been chasing after variants,” Dr. Smith noted. “But with this pre-emptive, broad-spectrum approach, we are finally getting ahead of the curve. I am confident that this trial will be a turning point for modern antivirals that can tackle multiple viruses with one drug.”

About Hyundai Bioscience:

Hyundai Bioscience is a biotechnology company focused on developing novel drug delivery systems (DDS) to repurpose existing drugs for new therapeutic applications. The company is a member of the US Medical CBRN Defense Consortium (MCDC). Its lead candidate, Xafty (CP-COV03), is an oral antiviral drug based on niclosamide, modified for enhanced bioavailability.

This press release contains forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements except as required by law.

Media Contact:
Jason Kim
gbd@hyundaibio.com
(562)964-3910

HONG KONG and MACAU, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Manulife Hong Kong and Macau (“Manulife”) is proud to support “Galaxy Macau Presents: The Jimmy O. Yang Chinese New Year Show,” underscoring its commitment to mental well-being as an essential pillar of holistic health and spreading joy across the community by bringing people together through laughter and shared experiences. The occasion is especially meaningful as Manulife celebrates 30 years of serving the Macau community with trusted financial solutions and guidance, alongside its ongoing dedication to promoting emotional wellness.

The show offers a fresh entertainment experience featuring international film star and stand-up comedy icon Jimmy O. Yang. Audiences can look forward to a vibrant mix of stand-up comedy, live performances, and guest engagement, complemented by special guest appearances from Jackson Wang, Tyson Yoshi and Wan Kwong — each bringing their own flair to create a festive and unforgettable event.

Event Details:
Dates & Times: February 21, 2026 (Saturday) at 8:00 PM and February 22, 2026 (Sunday) at 6:00 PM
Venue: Galaxy Arena
Ticket Prices: HKD/MOP 880 / 780 / 680 / 480 / 380
Language: Primarily in English, with occasional Cantonese and Mandarin

“As we celebrate 30 years in Macau, we are excited to support an event that fosters emotional connection and brings people together,” said Celia Ling, Chief Marketing Officer of Manulife Hong Kong and Macau. “We believe true well-being goes beyond financial security – it encompasses physical wellness and mental health. By supporting this event, we hope to create meaningful experiences for customers and inspire families to embrace a holistic approach to living well.”

Manulife continues to empower people to make decisions easier and lives better, helping communities thrive through innovative solutions and strong partnerships. This commitment to the community is reflected by our enduring presence in Macau, soon to be symbolized by the renaming of our Macau office building to Manulife Plaza. 

For more information about “Galaxy Macau Presents: The Jimmy O. Yang Chinese New Year Show”, please visit https://www.manulife.com.mo/en/individual/promotions/jimmy-o-yang-show.html.

About Manulife Hong Kong and Macau

Manulife Hong Kong has been a trusted name for more than 125 years, while we have served the Macau market for nearly three decades. Since our operations began in Asia in 1897, we have grown into one of the top-tier providers of financial services, offering a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to over 2.6 million customers in Hong Kong and Macau. We are committed to helping make decisions easier and lives better for our customers.

Manulife Hong Kong and Macau, through Manulife International Holdings Limited, owns Manulife (International) Limited, Manulife Investment Management (Hong Kong) Limited, and Manulife Provident Funds Trust Company Limited. These entities are all subsidiaries of Manulife Financial Corporation.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping our customers make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice and insurance for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2024, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 109,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 36 million customers. We trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under ‘945’ in Hong Kong.

Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

SINGAPORE, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda has witnessed a rise in travel interest to South Korea’s Goyang and Busan as well as other key tour cities following the announcement of BTS’s world tour dates earlier this week. This marks the group’s first tour after a four-year hiatus, and fans are ready to “spring day” into action to catch their favorite group live. Following the announcement of their tour dates on Tuesday, Agoda observed a nearly 8x increase in accommodation searches to Goyang, where BTS’s tour will kick off on April 9 and continue on April 11-12, compared to the week before. Busan has also seen a 47% rise in searches, as fans prepare to “run” to these iconic concert destinations.

The announcement has ignited a wave of excitement among BTS fans across Asia, with the highest travel interest to South Korean tour destinations coming from Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and China. Notably, searches to Busan and Goyang from the Philippines increased by over 7x, while Hong Kong saw a 145% rise, with fans eager to catch BTS before their scheduled March 2027 concert dates in Manila and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, searches from China have more than doubled, with fans “burning up” to experience BTS live, given the absence of a planned stop in their market.

Beyond South Korea’s Goyang and Busan, other Asian cities are also experiencing a “mic drop” in search activity. Kaohsiung has seen a 2x increase in searches, and Tokyo has experienced an 18% rise in searches following this week’s announcement of BTS tour dates, indicating that fans are willing to travel far and wide to be part of the BTS Army.

Matteo Frigerio, Chief Marketing Officer at Agoda shared, “BTS fans are truly ‘dynamite’ in their enthusiasm, and Agoda is thrilled to help them experience the ‘euphoria’ of catching the K-pop group live at these exciting tour destinations. With Agoda, fans can easily plan their trips and ensure they don’t miss a beat of the BTS magic, all while enjoying great deals on accommodations and flights.”

As fans prepare to “go go” on their BTS journey, Agoda offers over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, all of which can be combined in the same booking. For the best deals, fans are encouraged to check out Agoda’s mobile app or visit Agoda.com.

BANGKOK, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — International Healthcare Week is set to return to Thailand (8-10 July 2026, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok), bringing together the region’s most influential health and wellness stakeholders. Organised by Informa Markets, this flagship event will co-locate three major exhibitions: CPHI South East Asia, WHX Bangkok (formerly Medlab Asia and Asia Health), and Medtec Southeast Asia. These events will unite cutting-edge pharmaceutical, medical device, medical laboratory and design and manufacturers of medical devices under one roof, attracting an expected 26,000+ visitors.

Demonstrating Informa’s strong commitment to expanding and deepening industry networks, International Healthcare Week 2026 will feature over 1,000 leading local, regional and international exhibitors. This expansion underscores the event’s vital role as a strategic platform to advance the health and wellness industry throughout Southeast Asia.

By uniting pharmaceutical, medical device, medical laboratory, and medical technology manufacturing, International Healthcare Week 2026 plays a critical role in accelerating regional healthcare integration and improving health outcomes for diverse communities. The event supports Southeast Asia’s healthcare priorities, promoting sustainable development and advanced medical technologies that benefit the entire region.

The events’ collaborative approach empowers stakeholders to share knowledge, build partnerships, and create scalable solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by Southeast Asia countries. This cultivates a robust healthcare ecosystem that enhances access, quality, and affordability of care.

International Healthcare Week 2026 promises to be an unparalleled convergence of industry expertise and business opportunities, strengthening Southeast Asia’s collective capacity in health innovation and delivering lasting impact across the region.

“Thailand is at the heart of Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing healthcare market, making it the perfect location to showcase our biosensor technology. WHX Bangkok offered an excellent opportunity to connect with prospective buyers and strengthen relationships with existing partners. This platform aligned seamlessly with our goals of expanding our presence in Asia, reaffirming our leadership in the diagnostic market, and driving sustainable growth in the region.” Haeun Jung, Global Marketing Manager, i-SENS, Korea

“Participating in CPHI South East Asia has been an incredible experience for us! This event serves as a dynamic platform to connect with our valued customers, explore emerging market trends, and gain valuable industry insights. Our goal in being part of CPHI South East Asia is to strengthen our presence in the region, build meaningful relationships with customers, and proudly showcase our innovative drug delivery systems, active material science solutions, and services that advance patient care and improve treatment outcomes.” Anand Hiremath, Vice President, Aptar Pharma, India.

With the theme “Local & Regional to Global Networking,” the event aims to empower companies to scale their businesses from local markets to the wider global stage.

With a focus on addressing the needs of around 700 million Southeast Asia citizens, the event fosters innovation, delivers cutting-edge healthcare solutions, and encourages knowledge transfer and cross-border collaboration among industry leaders, policymakers, and investors.

Thailand – Southeast Asia’s Hub for Healthcare Innovation

Thailand’s robust infrastructure, supportive regulatory environment, and flourishing innovation ecosystem make it an ideal gateway for Southeast Asia-wide healthcare development. Positioned as a major regional hub, International Healthcare Week 2026 reinforces Thailand’s growing role as a centre for healthcare, medical technology, and pharmaceutical development. This premier event offers unparalleled opportunities for forging new partnerships, attracting investments, and driving market expansion throughout the health ecosystem in ASEAN and beyond.

Be Part of International Healthcare Week 2026

The event offers unmatched opportunities to build meaningful partnerships and contribute to shaping the future of healthcare in Southeast Asia and extend global impact. Don’t miss the chance to advance your career and position yourself at the forefront of healthcare evolution.

For more information and registration details, please visit https://inthealthcareweek.com/

About Informa Markets

Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio is comprised of more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world’s leading exhibitions organiser, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.

For Media enquiries, please contact:

Gautam Jatwani
Senior Marketing Manager
Informa Markets
Gautam.jatwani@informa.com