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Agoda Highlights Rise of Secondary Destinations in Travel Ahead of World Tourism Day

SINGAPORE, Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda is spotlighting the growing appeal of secondary destinations this World Tourism Day. As travelers increasingly seek unique experiences, Agoda notes a rise in accommodation searches for these lesser-known locales, even outpacing traditional hotspots. This trend not only has the potential to enrich the travel experience but could also unlock economic opportunities for local communities, according to the company.

Agoda Celebrates World Tourism Day
Agoda Celebrates World Tourism Day

Agoda’s data reveals that travelers are increasingly searching for secondary destinations, and at a pace 15% faster than top tier destinations compared to the same period in 2023. This shift is evident in some of Asia’s most popular tourism markets, like India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand, where tourism ministries actively promote secondary destinations. For instance, Japan’s marketing focus on regional tourism and India’s UDAN regional air connectivity program are playing a notable role in driving this change.

As a digital travel platform, Agoda plays a key role in promoting Asia’s secondary cities by enabling properties in rural areas to transition to digital platforms, increasing their visibility and accessibility. By partnering with Destination Management Organizations, Agoda leverages its extensive data insights and marketing channels to highlight lower-profile destinations.

Omri Morgenshtern, CEO of Agoda, shared, “The increasing popularity of secondary destinations provides an opportunity to create a more prosperous travel industry and boost local economies. Agoda is proud to support this transformation by raising the profile of these locations to a global audience as we know spreading the tourism dollar more widely brings a wide range of benefits to communities.”

In celebration of World Tourism Day, Agoda is launching a special sales campaign. Running from September 24 to October 8, the World Tourism Day sale will offer up to 60% off hotel bookings, with special flash sales on September 27 and October 6 offering up to 70% off, along with exclusive deals on flights and activities. Agoda VIP members will receive early access to deals from September 21 to 23. Discover more at Agoda.com and find the best deals on Agoda’s mobile app.

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Catalent Announces Opening of its New Global Corporate Headquarters in Tampa, Florida

Relocation reflects a strategic expansion in Florida alongside long-standing manufacturing facility in nearby St. Petersburg

New headquarters designed to support innovation, collaboration and growth

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Catalent, Inc., the leader in enabling the development and supply of better treatments for patients worldwide, today announced the opening of its new global corporate headquarters in Tampa, Fla. The state-of-the-art site has been designed to showcase innovation, collaboration and excellence, supporting the Company’s commitment to driving value for its pharmaceutical, biotech and consumer health customers through unparalleled service excellence and a Patient First mindset.

Earlier this year Catalent announced it would relocate from its previous headquarters in Somerset, N.J. and open a corporate office in Bridgewater, N.J. and a new corporate headquarters in Tampa. The move to Tampa reflects a strategic expansion in Florida, where the Company has a long-standing presence through its 500,000 square foot site in St. Petersburg, which has more than 630 employees and serves as the Company’s primary softgel development and manufacturing facility in North America.

“The opening of our new global headquarters in Tampa is an important milestone that reflects our aspirations for continued growth and recognizes our heritage as an organization built on innovation, service excellence and integrity,” said Alessandro Maselli, President & Chief Executive Officer of Catalent. “For nearly half a century, we have enjoyed a presence in the Tampa region where today we provide services ranging from early phase development to full-scale commercial manufacturing at our St. Petersburg site. We are excited to expand our presence in the region.”

Catalent hosted a ribbon cutting event today to commemorate its new global corporate headquarters. The event was attended by Catalent executives and state and local officials, including J. Alex Kelly, Secretary of the Florida Department of Commerce; Jane Castor, Mayor of the City of Tampa; Craig Richard, President & CEO of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council; and Mike Swesey, President & CEO of the St. Petersburg Economic Development Corp.

Catalent’s new global corporate headquarters is located on the 41st floor of Bank of America Plaza, a 42-story Class “A” office tower owned by Banyan Street Capital and located in the heart of Tampa’s Central Business District at 101 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33602.

For more information, visit www.catalent.com.

Himel Elevates Global Presence with ‘I Love Control’ Initiative and Expands Power Infinity Vision Worldwide

HONG KONG, Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Himel, the globally acclaimed manufacturer and supplier of electrical products has successfully launched its “I Love Control” campaign across Bangladesh, Mongolia, South Africa, Malaysia, and Indonesia—marking a significant milestone in advancing its core “Powering Infinity” brand vision. Founded in Spain in 1958, Himel has expanded from its roots to serve over 60 countries, delivering reliable, affordable, and innovative electrical products. Its “Powering Infinity” vision embodies a commitment to long-term growth and empowering communities worldwide through smart energy solutions.

The “I Love Control” initiative, focused on industrial control and HVAC automation, has resonated strongly in each market. It showcases Himel’s comprehensive portfolio—including AI-powered EBA (Energy Management & Building Automation) systems (delivering up to 30% energy savings), SP Series Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) with built-in pumping protection, globally top-ranked smart relay controllers, and the new X series contactor, overload relay, motor circuit breaker designed for flexible application across pumping, HVAC, conveyor systems, and machinery. All solutions are tailored to enhance efficiency in HVAC systems, industrial ventilation, pumping operations, and residential/commercial electrical setups. The initiative has received positive feedback from partners and customers, who highlight the portfolio’s durability, safety, and alignment with local infrastructure development goals.

Himel’s “I Love Control” campaigns drive engagement, secure partnerships at regional expos
Himel’s “I Love Control” campaigns drive engagement, secure partnerships at regional expos

Koon San Ang, Himel’s International Sales Vice President, noted: “Amid global political and economic instability, our ‘I Love Control’ campaign underscores our steadfastness—trusted channel partners and user-centric solutions drive our growth. By deepening partner collaboration, we’re building an ecosystem that supports partners while meeting local communities’ demands.” Danny Wang, Himel’s Chief Marketing Officer, added: “‘I Love Control’ is a core pillar of our ‘Powering Infinity’ brand vision. Under this vision, it showcases our product strength by empowering HVAC systems and partners with smart solutions. Each achievement in this initiative boosts our brand value, expands our global influence, and helps ‘Powering Infinity’ reach more regions—solidifying our role in driving industry efficiency and sustainability.”

Himel showcased key products from the "I Love Control" initiative
Himel showcased key products from the “I Love Control” initiative

Himel is set to introduce the products and EBA solutions to Saudi Arabia and The United Arab Emirates in the coming months, further expanding its global presence and bringing its innovative and sustainable solutions to more communities worldwide.

To learn more about Himel’s products and the “I Love Control” initiative, visit https://www.himel.com/gb.

 

TIER IV partners with Elm to collaborate on autonomous driving solutions in Saudi Arabia

TOKYO, Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — TIER IV, the pioneering force behind open-source software for autonomous driving, is thrilled to announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding to jointly explore opportunities to foster the development of sovereign autonomous mobility and implement autonomous driving solutions with Saudi Arabian digital services and autonomous mobility developer Elm. Through this strategic collaboration, both companies aim to realize smart mobility services powered by advanced sovereign autonomous driving technologies in Saudi Arabia, as well as grow local engineering talents.

Collaboration details

By leveraging Elm’s background in developing innovative sovereign solutions and technologies for Smart and Autonomous Mobility in the Middle East, and TIER IV’s track record of autonomous mobility powered by Autoware *1 in Japan, the companies plan to accelerate safe and scalable autonomous vehicle deployments adapted to the diverse use cases across Saudi Arabia.

This collaboration is further strengthened by initiatives between the governments of Japan and Saudi Arabia to jointly drive economic development and innovation in the public and private sectors.

TIER IV will work with Elm in the following areas:

  • Promotion of new mobility services such as robotaxis, adapted to local driving environments and regulations in Saudi Arabia
  • Engineering talent development via Autoware-based training programs for academic and research institutions in Saudi Arabia, as well as through autonomous driving competitions
  • Autoware ecosystem development in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East

Background

Saudi Arabia has formulated a long-term plan aimed at economic and social transformation called Saudi Vision 2030, with a focus on diversifying its economy. Key initiatives include fostering talent in the private sector, creating employment opportunities, and improving quality of life. Among its objectives, Saudi Arabia aims to make 15% of public transportation autonomous by 2030*2.

TIER IV and Elm are exploring opportunities for autonomous mobility services and the development of local engineering talent in Saudi Arabia under a Japanese government-backed initiative overseen by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

As a pioneer of Autoware, open-source software for autonomous driving, TIER IV is advancing the deployment of autonomous driving technology through global collaborations with automakers, Tier 1 suppliers, transportation operators, and system integrators. The company is also committed to developing skilled human resources through autonomous driving technology training programs and AI-powered autonomous driving competitions.

“At TIER IV, we have dedicated ourselves to accelerating the deployment of autonomous driving with Autoware, collaborating with partners worldwide,” said Shinpei Kato, founder and CEO of TIER IV. “This new partnership with Elm, a leader in digital transformation services in Saudi Arabia, will advance the localization of innovative autonomous technology and nurture engineering talent with skills adapted to Saudi Arabia’s specific needs, ultimately supporting local communities. From Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai to Expo 2030 Riyadh, we are thrilled to undertake this joint endeavor amidst growing international cooperation between Japan and Saudi Arabia.”

Majid bin Saad Alarifi, official spokesperson and Executive Vice President of Marketing at Elm, emphasized that the memorandum reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening the Kingdom’s position in smart mobility technologies. He explained “Our collaboration with TIER IV represents a qualitative step toward introducing and localizing world-class solutions that serve our national priorities, while investing in developing Saudi engineering capabilities and developing an innovation system capable of enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life. This partnership positions the Kingdom at the forefront of the global autonomous mobility industry”.

*1 Autoware is a registered trademark of the Autoware Foundation.
*2 Source: Arthur D. Little, Autonomous Mobility Journal, Edition IV.

About TIER IV

TIER IV stands at the forefront of deep tech innovation, pioneering Autoware, open-source software for autonomous driving. Harnessing Autoware, we build scalable platforms and deliver comprehensive solutions across software development, vehicle manufacturing, and service operations. As a founding member of the Autoware Foundation, we are committed to reshaping the future of intelligent vehicles with open-source software, enabling individuals and organizations to thrive in the evolving field of autonomous driving.

Media contact
pr@tier4.jp

Jacobio Chairman and Concerted Parties Increase Shareholding by Nearly HK$100 Million, Demonstrating Confidence in Long-term Growth

BEIJING, SHANGHAI and BOSTON, Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Jacobio Pharmaceuticals (1167.HK) today announced that its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Yinxiang Wang, together with concerted parties, have recently increased their shareholding in the Company by 11.06 million shares, representing a total investment of approximately HK$96.34 million. This action underscores their strong confidence in the Company’s long-term growth prospects.

In addition, the Company’s share repurchase plan with an upper limit of HK$100 million, which was approved by the Board in July 2025, has already led to the repurchase of 326,400 shares, with a cumulative payment of HK$2.67 million. The Company will continue to implement the repurchase plan based on market conditions.

In the interim results for 2025 released earlier, Jacobio reported multiple encouraging R&D achievements. The Company continues to focus on two major R&D pillars – KRAS and iADC – with core programs making steady progress, further demonstrating Jacobio’s competitiveness and growth potential in the global biopharmaceutical sector.

Within the KRAS pathway, Jacobio has established a comprehensive development strategy. In May 2025, the Company’s KRAS G12C inhibitor, Glecirasib, was approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for second-line monotherapy in KRAS G12C mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and successfully launched in China. This milestone not only marked Jacobio’s first commercial entry into the Chinese market but also triggered a milestone payment of RMB 50 million from its partner Allist. At the same time, Glecirasib is being evaluated in combination with the SHP2 inhibitor sitneprotafib for first-line NSCLC.

Beyond its marketed product, Jacobio’s pan-KRAS inhibitor JAB-23E73 has shown important progress. In the dose-escalation phase of its Phase I clinical trial, multiple confirmed partial responses (PRs) have been observed, with favorable safety and pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles consistent with expectations. Full Phase I data are expected to be released in the first half of 2026, which will mark a critical milestone for the global pan-KRAS landscape. Meanwhile, the Company is actively advancing next-generation KRAS inhibitors. The EGFR-KRAS G12D tADC project, which utilizes EGFR as the targeting antibody and KRAS G12D as the payload to enable precise and efficient treatment, is expected to submit an IND application in the second half of 2026.

In its other R&D pillar, iADC, Jacobio also maintains a leading position. The Company is developing JAB-BX467, a HER2-STING iADC candidate. By using a STING agonist as the payload, this innovative program is designed to convert “cold tumors” into “hot tumors,” offering a novel treatment option for solid tumors where PD-1 monotherapy has limited efficacy. The program is currently at the preclinical stage, with IND submission planned for the second half of 2026.

As an innovation-driven biotechnology company, Jacobio is already positioned among the global leaders in KRAS and iADC research, with a clear development roadmap and significant commercial potential. The Company believes that its current share price does not fully reflect the value of its pipeline or its long-term growth potential. The decision by the Chairman and concerted parties to increase their shareholding by nearly HK$100 million not only demonstrates the strong alignment of interests between management and shareholders but also underscores their unwavering confidence in the Company’s long-term value creation.

About Jacobio Pharma

Jacobio Pharma (1167.HK) is committed to providing breakthrough treatments for patients. With an induced allosteric drug discovery platform, the company’s core projects focus on the KRAS pathway. The company envisions becoming a global leader in research and development, fostering strategic partnerships to drive innovation. Jacobio’s  R&D centers are in Beijing, Shanghai (China), and Boston (USA). Clinical trials are conducted at over 180 sites in China, more than 30 sites in the USA, and over 10 sites across several European countries. For more information, please visit: http://www.jacobiopharma.com

Seoul Tourism × JENNIE Campaign Surpasses 600 Million Views “Tourism Promotion Has Never Looked This Hip”

  • Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Tourism Organization have completed release of seven campaign films with global superstar JENNIE; total global views top 600 million.
  • The campaign’s film-like storytelling with JENNIE starring as the main character “DALTOKKI” and featuring her song “Seoul City” from the album Ruby helped spread Seoul’s appeal worldwide.

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Seoul’s global tourism campaign, “Absolutely in Seoul,” starring global K-pop artist JENNIE, has reached a cumulative 600 million views worldwide since the videos were released.

Seoul X JENNIE Digital GOODS
Seoul X JENNIE Digital GOODS

This milestone sets a new record in the history of Seoul’s global tourism campaigns – the biggest achievement in eight years – and underscores the powerful synergy between JENNIE and Seoul.

Centered on the theme “Anything is possible in Seoul,” the campaign was produced with cinematic, slightly fantastical storytelling and striking visual direction, designed to play like a short film.

The first main episode, “DALTOKKI,” follows a moon rabbit character (JENNIE) who loves Seoul and ultimately embarks on a whimsical journey to the city.

The second main episode, “SEOUL CITY,” uses the track “Seoul City” from JENNIE’s debut solo album “Ruby” as its soundtrack and showcases JENNIE as she explores hotspots across the city. Featured locations include the Hangang Bus, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), SEOULDAL, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, COEX, Seongsu-dong, Bukchon Hanok Village, Euljiro, and Nodeulseom Island.

Public response to the campaign has been exceptionally enthusiastic. JENNIE’s appointment as Honorary Tourism Ambassador for Seoul generated 1,181 international news reports, and the campaign videos have been reposted over 50,000 times across social media, propelling the campaign to global virality.

Viewers from around the world left enthusiastic comments in multiple languages, praising the creative concept and JENNIE’s portrayal of Seoul: “JENNIE perfectly captures the charm of Seoul, where the old and the new coexist,” “Using JENNIE’s track “Seoul City” was a perfect match for a tourism campaign,” “After watching this, I’m eager to visit Seoul immediately,” etc.

Building on strong digital performance, the Seoul Tourism Organization plans to sustain global momentum through TV advertising and high-impact outdoor media in major overseas markets throughout the second half of the year.

“Today’s results demonstrate how Seoul has become a magnetic destination through K-pop and broader Hallyu content,” said an official from the Seoul Tourism Organization. “We will continue to pursue active global marketing to achieve our goal of attracting 30 million international visitors.”

The ‘Absolutely in Seoul’ Campaign – Interview Video
The ‘Absolutely in Seoul’ Campaign – Interview Video

Building a National Lung Cancer Screening Model with AI: Early Lessons from Australia

BRISBANE, Australia and SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Coreline Soft announced today it will host an international webinar on Tuesday, October 14, sharing firsthand experiences and insights from the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) in Australia. The event, presented in collaboration with Lungscreen Australia, will explore the theme: “Building a National Model for Lung Cancer Screening in Australia.”

Australia officially launched its NLCSP on July 1, 2025. With three months of the program now underway, the upcoming webinar will serve as a timely opportunity to review early adoption and field experiences. Rather than focusing solely on AI use cases, discussions will highlight how a nationwide screening model operates and how AI contributes to improving diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency with real-world data.

A keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Siavash Es’haghi, CEO and Medical Director of Lungscreen Australia, who has been instrumental in shaping Lungscreen’s role within the NLCSP. Lungscreen provides centralized teleradiology reporting services that support equity and access to lung cancer screening across Australia. Representing Coreline Soft, Co-Founder and CTO Jaeyoun Lee will share how the company’s AI solutions are supporting radiologists participating in the national screening program by improving reporting consistency and workflow efficiency.

Australia’s NLCSP is designed as more than a CT scanning program, forming a comprehensive early detection system encompassing smoking cessation counseling, patient risk assessments, and longitudinal follow-up care. This integrated approach places new demands on diagnostic precision, clinician efficiency, and patient communication—areas where AI technologies are increasingly seen as essential solutions.

Coreline Soft has a proven record of enhancing diagnostic accuracy and operational efficiency in global large-scale lung cancer screening projects such as Europe’s 4ITLR, Italy’s RISP, and Germany’s HANSE. Following the HANSE project, AI was highlighted as a recommended tool for first-line lung cancer screening in Germany, with similar momentum now emerging in France and other European countries.

In addition to the webinar, Coreline Soft will participate in the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) Annual Scientific Meeting, taking place in Melbourne from October 23–25, 2025. At the event, Coreline will be present alongside its Australian distribution partner, ParagonCare, to engage radiologists, showcase live demonstrations, and provide workflow consultations.

Extending this commitment beyond the conference, Coreline has also launched a dedicated online page on its official website for Australian clinicians, providing guidance on AI-supported screening processes and implementation strategies.

 

CLO Launches Marvelous Designer for Linux, Expanding Support for Professional Pipelines

NEW YORK, Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CLO Virtual Fashion, a global leader in digital garment simulation and the creator of Marvelous Designer, today announced the release of Marvelous Designer for Linux, with support for Rocky Linux 9, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9, and equivalent distributions.


Marvelous Designer is now available on Linux. This release supports Rocky Linux 9, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9, and equivalent distributions, enabling professional artists and studios to integrate Marvelous Designer directly into their Linux-based 3D pipelines.

Designed with an emphasis on stability and simulation accuracy, the Linux release for Marvelous Designer delivers a smooth user experience and seamless integration into professional 3D workflows. It also includes a Python API, enabling users to write and run scripts directly within Marvelous Designer, batch import and export files, adjust simulation parameters, and more.

“We’re excited to release Marvelous Designer for Linux to support many of our large VFX and game studio clients with complex pipelines primarily operating in Linux environments.” said Sean Jeon, CTO at CLO Virtual Fashion. “With a native Linux version, Marvelous Designer can now connect more naturally with existing Linux-based creation tools, opening up broader possibilities for automation across the production process.”

A free trial of Marvelous Designer for Linux, complete with all of the features of the standard release, is available here https://www.marvelousdesigner.com/pricing/trial/form

For more information, including full technical specifications and licensing options, visit the official Marvelous Designer website or email sales@marvelousdesigner.com.

About CLO Virtual Fashion:

CLO Virtual Fashion is the creator of Marvelous Designer, the Academy Award-winning 3D garment simulation software used and trusted by animators, game development studios, and VFX artists. With over two decades of research and development in accurate garment simulation, CLO Virtual Fashion’s mission is to empower users at every step of the garment journey. In addition to 3D garment design software, CLO Virtual Fashion’s products include CLO 3D (a leading 3D fashion design software),  CLO-SET (a digital collaboration platform), CONNECT (a digital fashion hub and marketplace), and consumer-facing solutions such as e-commerce virtual fittings. CLO’s interconnected and ever-growing product ecosystem is built to power the future of everything related to garments.