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Singapore’s Digital Economy at 18.6% of GDP, up from 14.9% in 2019; Growth fuelled by accelerating digitalisation and AI adoption across sectors and firms

  • Pulse survey conducted by IMDA unveiled 3 in 4 workers are using AI tools regularly, with 85% of the AI-using workers polled finding that AI helps them to work faster and better.
  • SMEs’ AI adoption rate more than tripled in just one year: 14.5% of SMEs and 62.5% of non-SMEs adopted AI in 2024.

SINGAPORE, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Digitalisation is essential to the growth of Singapore’s overall economy. In 2024, Singapore’s digital economy grew by S$12 billion[1], expanding to a total of S$128.1 billion. This accounts for 18.6% of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), up from 18.0% in 2023 and 14.9% in 2019.

According to IMDA’s Singapore Digital Economy (SGDE) Report 2025, more than two-thirds of Singapore’s digital economy came from non-Information & Communications (I&C) sectors. This shows that Singapore’s digital growth is not just driven by tech companies, but by digitalisation across all industries. Among these non-I&C sectors, Finance & Insurance remained the largest contributor, followed by Wholesale Trade, and Manufacturing, underscoring the critical need for all enterprises — regardless of industry — to embrace digitalisation to drive growth. 

Digitalisation Benefits All Firms, with 95% of SMEs onboard

According to the report, enterprises are making digitalisation central to how they operate. In 2024, the digital adoption rate[2] rose. 95.1% of SMEs have adopted at least one digital area out of the six[3] measured.

SMEs are leading the charge in deepening digitalisation, and this is evident in several ways:

a.  Their digital adoption intensity[4] saw the largest jump in years, with SMEs using an average of 2.3 digital areas of the six measured, up from 2.0 in 2023.

b.  The adoption of sector-specific digital solutions[5], as recommended in IMDA’s Industry Digital Plans (IDPs)[6], also increased considerably. Almost all (97%) SMEs adopted at least one sector-specific solution, up from just 85% the year before.

Tech Workforce Expands, Offering Strong Prospects Beyond I&C sectors

Singapore’s tech workforce continued to expand from 208,300 in 2023 to 214,000 in 2024, with roles related to AI & Data and Cybersecurity among the fastest growing. This growth was primarily driven by non-I&C sectors, reflecting the deepening of digitalisation across the economy.

Tech jobs also continue to offer good wages and strong career prospects. In 2024, the median monthly wage for resident tech workers was S$7,950, much higher than the overall resident median monthly wage of S$4,860.

The demand for specific tech skills has also shifted. Between 2019 and 2024, programming languages such as Python and SQL were among the more highly sought-after tech skills, and there was an increase in demand for skills associated with cloud platforms and scalable digital infrastructure they support. Conversely, tech skills associated with web development became relatively less prominent.

Zeroing in on AI, the number of tech job postings requiring AI skills has steadily increased between 2019 and 2024, in tandem with the rise in AI adoption in Singapore. This growth was driven by rise in demand across all sectors, including I&C, Finance & Insurance, Manufacturing, and Professional Services.

AI Fast Becoming Essential Tool for Enterprises and Workers

Enterprises deepening AI adoption

AI adoption among SMEs tripled in one year. 14.5% of SMEs adopted AI in 2024, up from 4.2% in 2023. Among non-SMEs, the AI adoption rate also jumped from 44% to 62.5%.

Those who adopt AI also gain tangibly. SMEs tapping AI-enabled solutions under the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) achieved an average cost savings of 52% in 2024. SMEs that adopted AI-powered cybersecurity solutions under PSG achieved even higher average cost savings of 71%, highlighting the strong returns from investing in AI-enhanced security measures.

Firms are implementing AI in various tasks and across business functions. According to an IMDA-commissioned pulse survey of enterprises[7]:

a.  Firms are applying AI tools to multiple business functions. SMEs are using AI in an average of 3 business functions. In contrast, non-SMEs are using AI in an average of 5 business functions. The most common functions using AI were the same for both SMEs and non-SMEs: IT, Customer Service, and Finance & Accounting.    

b.  While the majority of the AI-adopting firms (84%) reported using off-the-shelf generative AI tools, more than half (52%) have adopted AI-enabled digital solutions tailored for domain-specific tasks such as human resources and accounting software. Another 44% of AI-using firms have implemented customised or proprietary AI tools, showing a growing sophistication in how businesses are embedding AI into their operations.

c.  More than two-thirds of the surveyed AI-adopting firms intend to prioritise training and upskilling their workforce in the next 1 to 2 years, while 63% expect to redesign jobs to better integrate AI into daily operations.

More workers using AI tools

AI is now being used more in the workplace. IMDA’s recent pulse survey[8] of working individuals found that:

a.  Nearly 3 in 4 workers (73.8%) reported using AI tools at work, with many using AI several times a week or even daily. Among these surveyed AI users, 58% used AI for brainstorming and ideation, alongside writing and editing (54%) and administrative tasks (42%).

b.  AI is delivering benefits for workers across multiple dimensions. A large majority (85%) of AI users reported improvements in productivity, time savings and work quality (i.e. doing work better). Beyond such efficiency gains, nearly half of AI users (48%) indicated using AI to enhance their creativity (i.e. doing better work), while one-third (33%) saw benefits in using AI for capability development (i.e. for learning).

c.  Employers are also actively providing support for their employees to use AI at work. About 7 in 10 surveyed AI users said their employers had provided support, most often through training opportunities (62%), access to paid AI tools (42%), and clear guidelines and policies on AI use (30%).

Architecting Singapore’s Digital Future

Mr. Kiren Kumar, Deputy Chief Executive, IMDA, said: “We are encouraged by the strong growth momentum of our Digital Economy, now accounting for 18.6% of Singapore’s GDP. We will broaden and deepen our support for sectors, enterprises and talent to harness digitalisation and AI for innovation and productivity. At the same time, we are laying the foundation for frontier technologies including Embodied AI, Agentic AI, Quantum Computing and Communications, ensuring Singapore stays competitive and inclusive in the digital future.”

In partnership with government agencies, industry players, and the workforce, IMDA will strengthen Singapore’s position as a leading digital economy — deepening enterprise capabilities, supporting workforce transformation, and fostering innovation in emerging technologies.

About the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation by developing a vibrant digital economy and an inclusive digital society. As Architects of Singapore’s Digital Future, we foster growth in Infocomm Technology and Media sectors in concert with progressive regulations, harnessing frontier technologies, and developing local talent and digital infrastructure ecosystems to establish Singapore as a digital metropolis.

For more news and information, visit http://www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on LinkedIn (IMDAsg) and Instagram (@imdasg).

***

[1] The DE VA for 2023 has been revised to S$116.1 billion (18.0% of GDP) due to the annual revision to National Accounts statistics by Singapore Department of Statistics (DOS).

[2] Digital adoption rate refers to the percentage of firms that adopted at least one of the six digital areas measured.

[3] The six digital areas measured were Cybersecurity, Cloud, e-Payments, e-Commerce, Data Analytics, and AI

[4] Digital adoption intensity refers to the average number of digital areas adopted per firm, out of the six areas measured.

[5] Digital solutions can either address general business functions or be sector-specific. General business functions could be applied across sectors, such as resource management and revenue generation functions. Examples of sector-specific solution categories include Integrated POS (with mobile features) in the Retail sector, and Digital Ordering systems in the Food Services sector.

[6] Industry Digital Plans (IDPs) provide SMEs with a step-by-step digitalisation guide, which includes a tailored set of sector-specific digital solution categories for adoption by SMEs at different stages of their growth.

[7] Analysis in this segment is based on an IMDA-commissioned pulse survey of about 500 AI-using firms, conducted in May and June 2025.

[8] Analysis in this segment is based on a recent online pulse survey conducted by IMDA among about 320 working individuals in May and June 2025.

 

Factsheet: Company Profiles

NewGens: Cutting Hiring Time in Half with IMDA’s GenAI Sandbox

  1. NewGens is a local consultancy firm with over two decades of experience serving the financial services sector in areas such as business continuity, anti-money laundering (AML), and risk management. 
  2. Their hiring process was previously too time-consuming — screening large volumes of resumes often delayed timely engagement with candidates and led to missed opportunities with quality ones.
  3. Through IMDA’s GenAI Sandbox, NewGens adopted a GenAI-powered talent acquisition tool to automatically screen resumes and identify top candidates based on relevant skills and experience. The tool applied consistent and data-driven criteria to mitigate bias during candidate screening, as well as improved candidate engagement through personalised responses and faster turnaround times.
  4. Since the implementation, they have improved their hiring efficiency by 50%, speeding up recruitment which allowed hiring managers to focus on higher-value work.
  5. Having seen the positive impact, NewGens is now exploring more ways to harness AI/GenAI to drive business growth.

 

Nanyang Inc: Transforming Event Logistics with IMDA’s GenAI X Digital Leaders Initiative

  1. Founded in 1965 as a local logistics service provider for events, Nanyang Inc is reinventing itself as a tech-driven leader in Singapore’s event logistics sector.
  2. Frustrated by fragmented systems, manual inventory tracking and management, and slow customer responses, Nanyang Inc turned to Gen AI—first testing a customer-service chatbot that cut handling time for website inquiries by 82%, through the support of IMDA’s GenAI Sandbox Programme.
  3. Impressed by these results, Nanyang Inc leveraged IMDA’s GenAI x Digital Leaders initiative, gaining access to Tech Giants’ expertise and resources to further deepen Gen AI usage. Through the initiative, Nanyang Inc worked with Google and Tridoriana tech consultancy firm, to develop AutomateAI — a unified platform powered by Google’s Vertex AI and BigQuery. AutomateAI uses AI agents to automatically handle tasks that previously required manual coordination across multiple departments.
  4. By leveraging this technology, Nanyang Inc slashed order-processing time by 67%, saved 850 man-hours a month and boosted customer retention by 65%, delivering a 257% ROI in its first year.
  5. Building on the success of AutomateAI, Nanyang Inc plans to expand its AI suite to include generative models for 3D impressions and drawn-to-scale mock-ups, enabling them to streamline workflows further.  

 

Thomson Medical: Building Capabilities Through IMDA’s Digital Leaders Programme

  1. Thomson Medical is one of the major private providers of healthcare services for women and children in Singapore.
  2. Thomson Medical was able to accelerate its digital transformation journey, with support from IMDA’s Digital Leaders Programme, to achieve its aim of seamless patient care experience and operational efficiency.
  3. The organisation deepened internal digital capabilities by hiring skilled talent and collaborating with technology partners to implement digital initiatives, while leadership also attended IMDA’s Masterclasses to gain knowledge and know-how in leading digital transformation across the organisation.
  4. To relieve administrative stress on operations, they developed an automated discharge solution that leveraged GenAI to consolidate information from medical records and treatment notes, draft discharge and care summaries, and create personalised care plans for patients.
  5. The solution is expected to save 20 minutes for time taken per patient discharge, and uplift revenue by 5% as a result of improved post-discharge engagement.
  6. This is a great example of a healthcare provider adopting just the right digital tools to make a big difference to operations and patient experience.

 

Foodpanda: Pivoting from Pharmacist to Software Engineer with the PowerUp Tech Traineeship Programme

  1. Mr Lim Ying Fu, a pharmacist with four years in healthcare, faced the challenge of pivoting to software engineering with no formal programming qualifications or coding background.
  2. Determined to embrace the tech industry’s learning curve, Ying Fu applied to foodpanda’s PowerUp Tech Traineeship programme in 2023.
  3. The intensive six-month programme combined three months of classroom training with three months of hands-on experience in foodpanda’s Payment Integration team, where he deployed new system features, diagnosed technical issues, and implemented testing protocols.
  4. Ying Fu’s end-to-end ownership of tasks earned him recognition and a permanent position as Backend Engineer I with foodpanda.
  5. He has since been promoted to Backend Engineer II, demonstrating successful career progression from healthcare to tech through the traineeship programme.

   

8Wonder Makes the Impossible Possible, Bringing G-DRAGON 2025 WORLD TOUR [Übermensch] to Vietnam


HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 October 2025 This November, for the very first time, Vietnamese audiences will be immersed in an unprecedented music event: the global superstar G-DRAGON’s world tour, landing right on the Eastern bank of Hanoi. Few realize that securing the nod from G-DRAGON required 8Wonder, the mega-festival brand of Vingroup, to overcome the incredibly stringent standards set by this S-tier artist, thereby making the “impossible possible” and marking a watershed moment for Vietnam’s entertainment industry.

Photo (1)

Vietnam Secures a True “World Tour”

Following “earthquakes” across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, the WORLD TOUR [Übermensch] by the King of K-Pop, G-DRAGON, is officially set to touch down at 8Wonder Ocean City – Vinhomes Ocean Park 3.

For millions of fans, it’s thrilling news, for industry professionals, it represents a genuine upheaval. Realizing a world-class tour of this caliber demands an organizer to navigate a chain of rigorous processes, often taking years. This includes negotiating schedules, meeting international-standard requirements for sound systems, adopting the original tour’s modular stage design, and ensuring absolute security. Every single detail requires partnership with the world’s leading experts.

While developed countries often have ready-made concert infrastructure, organizers in Vietnam must undertake new investment or “tailor-make” facilities to meet these global benchmarks. Despite hosting several top-tier global stars over the years, no Vietnamese organizer had previously met the necessary conditions to stage a true, internationally standardized world tour.

Dr. Bui Quoc Viet, former member of the Independent Consulting Council of the Vietnam Tourism Association, commented: “For a real world tour by a global star to choose Vietnam, the organizer needs more than strong financial capacity. Crucially, they must demonstrate proven management expertise, brand credibility, risk management capability, and the ability to meet international service standards for hundreds of thousands of spectators. This is a challenge not merely of finance, but of vision and corporate reputation.”

This reality held true, until 8Wonder, Vingroup’s mega-festival brand, stepped in.

“If Not 8Wonder, No One Could Have Done It”

Leveraging formidable potential and the professional support of the Vingroup ecosystem, 8Wonder successfully surpassed every exacting condition to put Vietnam on the map for the G-DRAGON 2025 WORLD TOUR [Übermensch], opening a new chapter for the national entertainment industry.

Despite entering the industry just three years ago, 8Wonder has rapidly amassed a powerful portfolio, successfully bringing artists like Charlie Puth, Maroon 5, Imagine Dragons, J Balvin, DJ Snake, and The Kid Laroi to Vietnam. Crucially, 8Wonder has consistently taken the lead in elevating the scale and standards of organization, personnel management, stage design, and the integration of travel, dining, and entertainment experiences.

Season after season, 8Wonder has relentlessly raised the bar, achieving the stature of a global organizer and becoming a “signature festival” in Asia, ultimately securing a coveted spot for Vietnam on the 2025 World Tour [Übermensch] itinerary.

Performance Art Researcher Dinh Tien Dat explains 8Wonder’s rapid maturity: “8Wonder possesses a dual advantage from its parent Group: financial clout, international-standard operational experience, and a large-scale tourism-entertainment-service ecosystem capable of integrating diverse experiences. This has allowed 8Wonder to transform every concert into a pinnacle event, where the audience can enjoy music, tourism, cuisine, and shopping synchronously in one space. That is something no other organizer in Vietnam has been able to achieve.”

“Vingroup’s reputation in the region and globally is a reliable assurance that meets the essential criteria top-tier global stars demand. If not 8Wonder, no one could have done it,” Dr. Bui Quoc Viet concurred.

The New Frontier for Vietnam’s Entertainment Industry

More than just a world-class international concert, G-DRAGON and his team’s selection of Vietnam as a tour destination validates the credibility and allure of a Vietnamese brand, simultaneously opening the door to the influx of future international world tours.

The most visible impact is the ripple effect it will create for tourism and services. Experts predict that a concert of this magnitude can attract hundreds of thousands of attendees, including a significant percentage of international visitors, creating unlimited promotional value for an image of a young, dynamic, integrated, and attractive Vietnam in the eyes of the world.

Beyond the immediate boost to tourism and services, this event reflects a clear paradigm shift in the Vietnamese entertainment industry: moving from passive reception to proactive standard-setting, confidently leading professional, large-scale organizational models. Crucially, 8Wonder creates opportunities for Vietnamese producers and artists to collaborate directly with international teams, helping to elevate Vietnamese music and establish a new standing, positioning Vietnam as a convergence point for contemporary world art and culture.

The greatest expectation among experts is that this first world tour will become a “Big Bang” to propel the national entertainment industry to a new echelon.

“When a world-class world tour chooses Vietnam, we not only elevate the entertainment sector but also contribute to nation-brand positioning, showcasing Vietnam’s readiness to embrace global cultural and economic flows,” emphasized specialist Dinh Tien Dat.

Dr. Bui Quoc Viet also believes that the success of bringing the G-DRAGON 2025 WORLD TOUR [Übermensch] to Vietnam has paved the way, establishing a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s cultural industry. He hopes that by maintaining the quality and frequency of world tour organization, following the door opened by the “pioneer” Vingroup, Vietnam can absolutely become a “concert destination” on par with Singapore or Bangkok.

On November 8th, when the lights of the G-DRAGON 2025 WORLD TOUR [Übermensch] illuminate Ocean City, it will be more than a musical moment. It will be a landmark declaration that Vietnam is ready to become the new entertainment hub of Asia, ushering in an era of international-level concerts and world tours bearing the distinct mark of Vietnamese intellect.
Hashtag: #8Wonder

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Fudan University and Singapore Management University Forge Strategic Partnership for Greater Societal Impact

SHANGHAI and SINGAPORE, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Fudan University and Singapore Management University (SMU) have elevated their partnership of 17 years to a strategic level to focus on pressing societal challenges in the digital age.

Through a Memorandum of Agreement signed at the 2025 Fudan University–Singapore Management University Forum on Artificial Intelligence, Digital Governance and Sustainable Societies by Fudan University President Jin Li and SMU President Lily Kong, both universities have committed to deeper cooperation across research and education in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) governance, computational social science, urban sustainability and successful ageing.

Signed by SMU President Lily Kong and Fudan President Jin Li on 29 September 2025, the Memorandum marks a new chapter of closer ties and deeper cooperation between two leading city universities.
Signed by SMU President Lily Kong and Fudan President Jin Li on 29 September 2025, the Memorandum marks a new chapter of closer ties and deeper cooperation between two leading city universities.

Solid foundation to realise new ambitions

Since the launch of their undergraduate exchange programme in 2008, SMU and Fudan have worked together on numerous joint research projects across the disciplines of Law, Economics and Information Systems, academic programmes including a double master’s degree in law, as well as three high-level joint forums since 2014.

This rich history of collaboration has laid a solid foundation to realise new ambitions under the strategic partnership, particularly an interdisciplinary Joint Programme in Digital Technology and Society, which will integrate education, research and community engagement to advance knowledge and develop solutions at the intersection of management, social sciences and technology.

The two universities say that their strategic partnership goes beyond academic excellence, aiming to develop new knowledge for real-world impact and to transform lives.

At the signing ceremony, President Jin Li stated that this strategic partnership is an important initiative by Fudan University in response to the national strategies of “Digital China” and “Sustainable Development,” as well as a demonstration of both universities’ responsibility to contribute to global governance. Leveraging complementary strengths, Fudan and SMU will jointly establish an interdisciplinary programme focused on “Digital Technology and Society,” with particular emphasis on the intersections of artificial intelligence, digital governance, and urban sustainability.

President Lily Kong noted that the elevation to a strategic partnership reflects the shared vision of both universities to develop and deliver meaningful impact to the communities they serve, and to bridge Singapore and China through transformative education and cutting-edge research. Based in cities that are exemplars of progressive urban planning and development, SMU and Fudan have every opportunity to contribute insights that make Singapore and Shanghai more sustainable, enduring and inclusive. “SMU and Fudan will work together to address the pressing societal challenges of today and tomorrow, building more sustainable and inclusive urban societies, nurturing future-ready talent, and developing innovative strategies to address ageing societies — all of which are central themes of today’s forum.”

Multiple perspectives and enhanced international collaboration in higher education for the digital era

Ahead of the signing ceremony, the forum featured in-depth discussions on the themes of artificial intelligence, digital governance and a sustainable society. SMU President Lily Kong and Fudan University Vice President Chen Zhimin delivered opening remarks, reflecting on the two universities’ history of collaboration and outlining future directions for partnership.

Leading scholars from Shanghai, Singapore and beyond delivered keynote addresses. University of Göttingen Institute of Computer Science Chair Professor and Fudan Research Centre for Social Intelligence Chief Scientist, IIEEE Fellow, Professor Fu Xiaoming, examined social mobility in ancient empires and the digital age through the lens of AI for Social Sciences and Humanities (AI4SSH). Associate Dean of SMU’s School of Computing and Information Systems, Associate Professor Zhu Feida, discussed how collaborative intelligence and tokenised economies could drive a sustainable digital future. Peking University School of Transnational Law Associate Professor of Law and SMU Centre for Digital Law Research Fellow, Associate Professor Gilad Abiri, analysed the normative frameworks for AI legitimacy. Fudan Institute on Ageing Professor and Secretary-General of the Shanghai Population Association, Professor Li Qiang, explored the opportunities and challenges of digital and intelligent solutions for elderly care in light of China’s demographic trends.

In the subsequent roundtable discussions, international academics and industry leaders engaged in dialogue on two key topics: “AI Governance: Co-evolution, Tensions and Synergies in the Public Good” and “AI Leadership and Business Value Creation.” Involving SMU School of Computing and Information Systems Professor Siau Keng Leng, the panels examined how AI can deliver efficiency gains for public benefit while raising challenges of ethics and fairness, and explored enterprise transformation, talent development and value creation in the digital era. Speakers underscored the need for dynamic balance to ensure that technology ultimately serves the good of society, offering practical insights to inform future academia–industry collaboration between the two universities.

About SMU

A premier university in Asia, SMU is internationally recognised for its world-class research and distinguished teaching. Established in 2000, SMU’s mission is to generate leading-edge research with global impact and to produce broad-based, creative, and entrepreneurial leaders for the knowledge-based economy. SMU’s education is known for its highly interactive, collaborative, and project-based approach to learning.

Home to over 13,000 students across undergraduate, postgraduate professional and postgraduate research programmes, SMU comprises eight schools: School of Accountancy, Lee Kong Chian School of Business, School of Economics, School of Computing and Information Systems, Yong Pung How School of Law, School of Social Sciences, College of Integrative Studies, and College of Graduate Research Studies. SMU offers a wide range of bachelors’, masters’, and PhD degree programmes in the disciplinary areas associated with its schools, as well as in multidisciplinary combinations of these areas.

SMU emphasises rigorous, high-impact, multi- and interdisciplinary research that addresses Asian issues of global relevance. SMU faculty members collaborate with leading international researchers and universities around the world, as well as with partners in the business community and public sector. SMU’s city campus is a modern facility located in the heart of downtown Singapore, fostering strategic linkages with business, government, and the wider community. www.smu.edu.sg

Minesto tidal energy kites featured in Forbes and TV documentary on Arte

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Minesto tidal energy kites and the Faroe Islands tidal opportunity feature in new Forbes online article and TV documentary on Arte. 

Minesto tidal energy kites feature in new Forbes online article Faroe Islands: 100 % Renewable Goal With Global Relevance

“The Faroe Islands are to reach 100 percent renewable energy by 2030 – uniquely challenging due to the isolation from the rest of the world. If they can make it there, we can make it anywhere, and the trick may be tidal power,” writes Forbes contributor Mattias Goldmann.

In addition, Minesto feature in new in-depth TV documentary Das größte Kraftwerk des Planeten – Strom aus dem Meer – Die ganze Doku | ARTE , directed by German film creator Michael Gärtner and airing on Arte. The documentary is available in German and French.

Press contact:
Cecilia Sernhage, Chief Communications Officer
+46 735 23 71 58
press@minesto.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/minesto-ab/r/minesto-tidal-energy-kites-featured-in-forbes-and-tv-documentary-on-arte,c4245823

 

Immuno Cure wins Grand Prize at the National GBA Entrepreneurship Competition

“a prominent recognition attracting RMB 60M investment EOI”


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 October 2025 – Immuno Cure BioTech (“Immuno Cure“) is delighted to announce victory at the National Final of the 1st GBA Entrepreneurship Competition (the “Competition“) on 27 September 2025 in Foshan, Guangdong. Immuno Cure stood out among 7,146 entries nationwide with its first-in-class, therapeutic DNA Vaccine for HIV/AIDS, ICVAX, winning the Grand Prize as the Champion in the Biomedical and Bio-manufacturing Track of the Competition. Further highlighting the event, Immuno Cure attracted an expression of interest for RMB 60 million investment from a major mainland investment fund. Such recognition had demonstrated Immuno Cure’s huge potentials in the field of innovative biomedicine.

Dr. Xia JIN, Co-founder and CEO of Immuno Cure, introduced ICVAX in the roadshow (Left) and on stage at the award ceremony of the competition (right).
Dr. Xia JIN, Co-founder and CEO of Immuno Cure, introduced ICVAX in the roadshow (Left) and on stage at the award ceremony of the competition (right).

Jointly hosted by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office, the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, and the Guangdong Provincial People’s Government, the Competition, started in May this year, has brought together high-quality technological and innovative companies nationwide. Over 30% of the contestants in the finals were from Hong Kong and Macao. Dr. Xia JIN, Co-founder and CEO of Immuno Cure fully demonstrating the project’s technological breakthrough and market potential throughout several rounds of the Competition.

Immuno Cure’s therapeutic DNA Vaccine for HIV/AIDS (“ICVAX“) is developed based on the patented technology invented by Professor Zhiwei CHEN and his team at the AIDS Institute of the University of Hong Kong (“HKU“). This technology can significantly enhance cellular immunity and immune response in human, with remarkable effects in controlling viral infections and suppressing tumor growth. Based on the patented technology that was exclusively and globally licensed-in from the HKU, Immuno Cure has developed its “PD-1-Enhanced Vaccine Technology Platform” for the treatment of infectious diseases and a wide range of cancers. Currently, ICVAX has completed the Phase I clinical trial with promising safety and immunogenicity profiles, and will enter Phase II clinical trials shortly. Upon meeting of the endpoints of the Phase II trial, Immuno Cure plans to submit an application for Breakthrough Therapy Designation for ICVAX, aiming for an advanced commercialization in 2028, and bringing a novel solution for global HIV treatment.

Dr. Xia JIN, Co-founder and CEO of Immuno Cure, said: “I am deeply honored in receiving the Grand Prize, which fully demonstrated the judge’s high recognition of our cutting-edge technology and the potential of ICVAX. This honor is attributed to the following factors: firstly, it is due to the profound expertise of our team who has been in the field of HIV for decades; secondly, our project targets at HIV, a long-established global challenge, with the goal of developing the world’s first solution to HIV; thirdly, our progress has been remarkably rapid and successful, achieving a significant leap from initial cellular-based research to clinical trials in human currently. These strengths are key reasons for our standout success. Furthermore, the EOI of RMB 60 million investment by a major investment fund further reflects the capital market’s strong confidence in the market potential of ICVAX. The Greater Bay Area, with its robust innovation ecosystem, abundant investment capital, and vast market, is a fertile ground for biomedical enterprises. Immuno Cure will leverage the advantages of the Greater Bay Area to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative drugs.”

Dr. Percy CHENG, MH, Chairman of Immuno Cure, expressed excitement about the award: “Winning this national award does not only put Immuno Cure in the limelight but also gain a valuable recognition on the merits of our DNA vaccine technology platform. This success is attributed to the dedication of our project team and collaboration partners, without whom we could not have reached this new height. We are committed to focus our expertise and resources on developing more award-winning technologies and products for the sustained long term growth of the Company. ”

Immuno Cure continues to uphold its core mission of “translating cutting-edge science into clinical treatment solutions” and contribute to high-quality development of the biomedical industry in the Greater Bay Area.
Hashtag: #ImmunoCure #醫克生物 #医克生物


The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Immuno Cure

Immuno Cure is a clinical stage biotechnology group based in the Hong Kong Science Park, focusing on research and development of innovative DNA medicines and antibody immunotherapies to fight against cancers, inflammatory and infectious diseases based on its patented PD-1-enhanced DNA Vaccine, Anti-Δ42PD1 Antibody; and Vaccine Delivery platforms.

To learn more about Immuno Cure, please visit:

Stéphanie Lynch-Habib appointed Managing Director of Covage, France’s third-largest fibre optic infrastructure provider for enterprises, serving the wholesale market

PARIS, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Altitude Group announced the appointment of Stéphanie Lynch-Habib as Managing Director of Covage, succeeding Aymeric de Cardes, effective 15 September 2025.

Covage, acquired by the Altitude Group in 2021, is the only French wholesale operator to offer a comprehensive range of connectivity solutions, from fibre (FTTO, FTTH, FTTE) to mobile (4G, 5G), on a network exclusively dedicated to the business market.

 

 

In recent years, under the leadership of its Managing Director Aymeric de Cardes, the company has completed its integration and invested heavily in the expansion, consolidation and digitalisation of its network to offer a better quality of service.

To continue this momentum, Covage is embarking on a new phase of its development and welcomes Stéphanie Lynch-Habib as its Managing Director.

With over 25 years of international experience, she built her career at Lucent Technologies and AT&T, where she held various management positions in finance, marketing, sales and strategy.

She then served as Chief Marketing Officer at Colt Technology Services, spearheading a marketing transformation and repositioning the company in the large enterprise market.

As Chief Marketing Officer of the GSMA, she restructured event management and completely transformed the marketing function, enabling the business to continue operating in a completely disrupted environment. More recently, she was the President of euNetworks, where she led operations and the go-to-market strategy during the group’s recapitalisation.

“I am delighted to join Covage, part of the Altitude Group, to lead this new phase of development alongside the teams. We have a unique capillarity across France to meet the connectivity needs of businesses of all sizes and to accelerate the digital development of regions,” said Stéphanie Lynch Habib.

Dorothée Lebarbier, Chairperson and CEO of the Altitude Group, added: “Stéphanie’s appointment comes at an important time in Covage’s history. After several years of consolidation, we are entering a new phase of growth in which her leadership, industry experience and development expertise will be key to achieving our goals. I wish her, and the Group’s Executive Committee, every success in her new role. We would also like to thank Aymeric de Cardes for his commitment and professionalism and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

About the Altitude Group

Founded in 1990, Altitude is a family-owned group led by Dorothée Lebarbier, Chairperson and CEO. The 3rd largest fibre optic infrastructure operator in France, with uninterrupted growth since its creation, the Altitude Group, a fibre optic infrastructure operator and B2B telecoms expert, is a key player in the strategy to develop superfast broadband in France. With a team of 2,000 experts, the Altitude Group deploys an agile and efficient model. The Altitude Group is committed to delivering sustainable digital transformation for businesses and regions with strong brands:

Altitude Infra, Airmob, Covage, Linkt, Netwo, Phibee Télécom, Ubicité

About Covage

Covage is France’s 3rd-largest infrastructure operator in the business market. It is the only wholesale operator capable of offering the full range of fibre and 5G solutions exclusively dedicated to the business market. Over 200 operators rely on its networks to provide high-value-added, superfast connectivity solutions to businesses and public sites. The Covage network serves 150,000 end customers and covers 70% of French businesses with dedicated fibre (FTTO) and 75% with shared fibre (FTTH Pro). As a national operator, Covage relies on 380 employees and more than 20 branches to offer local services.

www.covage.com | X: @Covage_NewsCovage LinkedIn

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2788405/Altitude_Logo.jpg

Press Contact:
covage@lanouvelle-agence.com 

S.PELLEGRINO YOUNG CHEF ACADEMY ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS OF THE COLLATERAL AWARDS AHEAD OF THE GRAND FINALE 2024-25

MILAN, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy today unveiled the global winners of its three prestigious collateral awards, a significant milestone leading up to the Grand Finale of the 2024-25 Competition. These talented chefs, representing diverse regions, have distinguished themselves through an extensive selection process that began with local competitions across 15 regions worldwide.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
https://www.multivu.com/s_pellegrino/9358151-en-young-chef-academy-announce-winners-collateral-awards-ahead-grand-finale-2024-25  

Chef Zanté Neethling (Africa, Middle East & South Asia) receives the S.Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award, chef Noah Wynants (North Europe) is named winner of the Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award and chef Nicolás A. López (USA) takes home the Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award.

Each award recognises a young chef whose work goes beyond culinary excellence to reflect deeper values of sustainability, cultural connection and personal expression. As the international culinary community looks ahead to the Grand Finale of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-25, set to take place in Milan on 28-29 October, these collateral awards highlight the multifaceted talent emerging in the global culinary landscape.

The S.Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award, presented to South African chef Zanté Neethling, celebrates a dish that best expresses the principle of social responsibility. The award acknowledges a chef’s commitment to responsible practices, ethical sourcing, and a positive impact on their community, and is voted for by The Sustainable Restaurant Association.

Neethling’s dish, Tribute to the Khoi-Khoin Taras, was praised for its integration of indigenous knowledge. Currently Executive Sous Chef at Beyond in Cape Town, Neethling has established herself as a strong voice for regenerative practices and biodiversity in modern gastronomy.

“This recognition is deeply personal and significant to me,” said Neethling. “Sustainability isn’t just a trend, it’s a responsibility to regenerate, preserve and pass on the knowledge that connects us to nature and to each other.”

Juliane Caillouette Noble, Managing Director of The Sustainable Restaurant Association, noted: “Zanté’s signature dish is not only a carefully sourced tribute to South Africa’s ancestral roots, but also a roadmap for how chefs can lead in building a more ethical and equitable food system.”

Chef Noah Wynants of the Netherlands has been named winner of the Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award. This prize, selected by the competition’s mentors, celebrates the young chef whose signature dish best reflects harmony between tradition and innovation. Wynants impressed with his plant-based take on a global classic, Dutch ‘Rendang’, which reinterprets a traditionally meat-based dish using local fruits and vegetables.

“With this dish, I want to show that worldly flavours can be achieved with products from our own country or region,” Wynants said. “This dish is entirely based on vegetables and fruits and contains no animal products. By doing this, we challenge ourselves and demonstrate that the same flavours can be achieved without using animal ingredients.”

Mentors from the competition commended Wynants for a dish that demonstrates how sustainable sourcing and cultural storytelling can come together in a refined and contemporary expression of gastronomy.

Chef Nicolás A. Lopez of the United States has been awarded the Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award, promoted by Fine Dining Lovers. This is the only award in the competition decided by public vote and recognises the young chef whose dish best expresses their personal beliefs and values. Lopez was selected from 15 regional finalists for his ability to use his dish, Pork with Hints of the Sea, to communicate a compelling narrative and emotional resonance that connected with audiences worldwide.

“This dish reflects my journey, from local pubs to fine dining, and the lessons passed down by the chefs who inspired me.” Lopez said. “I pushed myself to use unfamiliar ingredients and techniques, while embracing a sustainable approach that minimises waste and honours every element on the plate.”

The three awards reflect the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy’s ongoing commitment to supporting young culinary talent who are not only skilled professionals, but also ambassadors of change, sustainability and cultural dialogue. The winners will be formally awarded at the Grand Finale, where the overall S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2024-25 will be announced in front of a Grand Jury consisting of seven internationally recognised chefs.

About S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy

Gastronomy has the potential to transform society, shaping a more inclusive, sustainable future, but it requires talent. That’s why S.Pellegrino has created S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy, a platform to attract, connect and nurture the next generation of culinary talents, empowering them through education, mentoring and experience opportunities, as well as through the renowned global competition.

The Academy opens its doors to members from over 70 different countries, ensuring that talent is not constrained by geography, ethnicity or gender. This is a place where passionate young chefs interact with the most influential players in global gastronomy, and where together they cultivate an inspiring culinary community.

To discover more please visit: https://www.sanpellegrinoyoungchefacademy.com/

About S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna

S.Pellegrino, Acqua Panna and Sanpellegrino Italian Sparkling Drinks are international trademarks of Sanpellegrino S.p.A., which is based in Milan, Italy. Distributed in over 150 countries through branches and distributors on all five continents, these products represent quality, excellence by virtue of their origins and perfectly interpret Italian style worldwide as a synthesis of pleasure, health and well-being. Sanpellegrino, with its iconic products and a history of over 120 years is the leading company in Italy in the non-alcoholic beverage sector, offering a wide range of mineral waters, aperitifs, and soft drinks.

Sanpellegrino has always been committed to enhancing this primary good for the planet and works responsibly and passionately to ensure that this resource has a secure future.

L-R: Zanté Neethling, Noah Wynants & Nicolás A. López
L-R: Zanté Neethling, Noah Wynants & Nicolás A. López

 

 

Olympus and W. L. Gore & Associates Enter into International Distribution Agreement to Expand the Olympus EndoTherapy Portfolio

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., and HAMBURG, Germany, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Olympus Corporation, a global MedTech company committed to making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling, has entered into an international distribution agreement with the medical products business of U.S.-based W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. (hereinafter Gore), a global materials science company that develops innovative products across diverse industries.

GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis
GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis

The agreement allows Olympus to become the exclusive international distributor and have distribution rights of the GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis for endoscopic placement. Olympus will begin commercialization efforts over the coming months starting in Europe and phasing in other countries over time. The addition of the GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis for endoscopic placement in the Olympus hepatopancreatobiliary (HBP) portfolio will enable Olympus to expand its global presence in the rapidly growing gastrointestinal (GI) metal stent market.

Gore and Olympus bring together talent and technology, and this agreement presents opportunities to elevate the standard of care, as both companies share a history of delivering innovative interventional therapeutic products to improve outcomes for patients. With the addition of the GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis for endoscopic placement to its existing portfolio of stents designed for the biliary tree, Olympus offers healthcare professionals and their patients a broad range of GI devices.

The GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis for endoscopic placement is a fully covered self-expanding metal stent offering a differentiated alternative to relieve symptoms associated with biliary strictures.* An easy-to-use delivery system and non-foreshortening design enables accurate deployment positioning. The GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis for endoscopic placement features a nonporous ePTFE/FEP (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene/fluorinated ethylene propylene) lining that creates a strong, durable barrier, providing the advantage of a covered stent in the prevention of tumor ingrowth, without increasing the migration rate that is typically seen for covered stents.1,2,3,4 

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Gore, a global leader in innovative technologies. The VIABIL stent is a critical device for GI patient care, and this agreement will complement our industry leading ERCP portfolio,” said Mike Callaghan, Global SVP/General Manager EndoTherapy for Olympus. “Olympus is committed to helping healthcare organizations and professionals deliver high quality care for their patients, and the relationship with Gore is an important step toward achieving that goal.”

“Gore is pleased to partner with Olympus. We strongly believe the demonstrated commercial prowess of Olympus’ EndoTherapy team will pair nicely with Gore’s medical device innovation expertise to better serve patients with unique solutions for many years to come,” said Jake Goble, Cardiac and Surgical Solutions Business Leader for Gore.

* Regional differences exist in intended use. Always consult the Instructions for Use for complete information on indications, contraindications, and relevant safety information in your region.

 If deployed as instructed, the endoprosthesis will not appreciably foreshorten. 

1. Brown MA. Biliary Fully Covered Metal Stents: Systematic Review of the Clinical Literature. W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ; 2019. [Work plan]. WP111272. Attachment 1: Literature Appraisal for Viabil, Attachment 2: Literature Appraisal for Other Fully Covered Biliary Stents (FCBS), Attachment 3: Migration Rate Comparison.

2. Guzmán-Calderón GE, Chirinos J, Díaz-Arocutipa C, et al. Covered Versus Uncovered Metal Stents for the Drainage of the Malignant Distal Biliary Obstruction With ERCP: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 2025;59(3):276-284.

3. Krokidis M, Fanelli F, Orgera G, et al. Percutaneous treatment of malignant jaundice due to extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: covered Viabil stent versus uncovered Wallstents. Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiology 2010;33(1):97-106.

4. Krokidis M, Fanelli F, Orgera G, et al. Percutaneous palliation of pancreatic head cancer: randomized comparison of ePTFE/FEP-covered versus uncovered nitinol biliary stents. Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiology 2011;34(2):352-361. 

About Olympus

At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide innovative solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. For more information, visit olympus-global.com and follow our global X account: @Olympus_Corp. 

About Gore

W. L. Gore & Associates is a global materials science company dedicated to transforming industries and improving lives. Since 1958, Gore has solved complex technical challenges in demanding environments — from outer space to the world’s highest peaks to the inner workings of the human body. With approximately 13,000 associates and a strong, team-oriented culture, Gore generates annual revenues of $5 billion. For more information, visit gore.com.