SINGAPORE, Sept. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda has announced its list of top rural destinations in Asia, offering travelers a chance to explore beyond bustling big-city hotspots. Malaysia’s lush Cameron Highlands took the crown for the most popular rural destination in Asia, followed by Khao Yai (Thailand) and Puncak (Indonesia) in the top three.

Rural destinations, particularly those nestled in mountains and hillsides, are gaining popularity among travelers seeking to immerse themselves in local culture and natural beauty. These charming highland locales offer a slower pace of life, allowing visitors to unwind and connect with the environment, away from the hustle and bustle of crowded urban hubs.

Agoda’s data, which ranks destinations across eight markets in Asia with a population under 50,000 based on accommodation searches made on Agoda between 15 February to 15 August 2025, also revealed that Fujikawaguchiko (Japan), Kenting (Taiwan), Sapa (Vietnam), Munnar (India), and Pyeongchang-gun (South Korea) earned a spot as the top eight rural destinations in Asia.

From the lush landscapes of Cameron Highlands in Malaysia to the serene beauty of Fujikawaguchiko in Japan, these secluded spots provide a distinct flavor and promise a refreshing escape from city life.

1. Cameron Highlands (Malaysia)
   Nestled in the heart of Malaysia, Cameron Highlands is renowned for its cool climate and stunning tea plantations. Travelers can explore lush green landscapes, visit vibrant flower gardens, and enjoy fresh produce from local farms. The highlands offer a peaceful retreat with opportunities for hiking and exploring charming villages.
2. Khao Yai (Thailand)
   Khao Yai is a nature lover’s paradise, home to Thailand’s oldest national park. Visitors can embark on wildlife safaris, explore waterfalls, and enjoy panoramic views from scenic viewpoints. The region’s rich biodiversity and outdoor activities make it a must-visit for adventure seekers.
3. Puncak (Indonesia)
   Located in West Java, Puncak is famous for its breathtaking mountain views and tea plantations. Travelers can enjoy a refreshing escape from the city, with opportunities for hiking, paragliding, and exploring local markets. The cool climate and natural beauty make Puncak a popular weekend getaway.
4. Fujikawaguchiko (Japan)
   Situated near Mount Fuji, Fujikawaguchiko offers stunning views of Japan’s iconic peak. Visitors can relax in hot springs, explore traditional Japanese gardens, and enjoy seasonal festivals. The town’s proximity to Mount Fuji makes it an ideal base for exploring the region’s natural wonders.
5. Kenting (Taiwan)
   Kenting is a coastal gem known for its pristine beaches and vibrant marine life. Travelers can enjoy water sports, explore coral reefs, and relax on sandy shores. The region’s national park offers hiking trails and scenic viewpoints, making it a perfect destination for nature enthusiasts.
6. Sapa (Vietnam)
   Sapa is a mountainous destination famous for its terraced rice fields and local villages. Visitors can trek through stunning landscapes, experience the unique culture, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Hoàng Liên Son mountain range. Sapa’s unrivaled charm and cultural richness make it a must-visit destination.
7. Munnar (India)
   Munnar is a hill station in Kerala known for its tea plantations and misty mountains. Travelers can explore lush green hills, visit tea museums, and enjoy wildlife sanctuaries. The region’s cool climate and natural beauty offer a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
8. Pyeongchang-gun (South Korea)
   Pyeongchang-gun is a winter wonderland, famous for hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics. Visitors can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports. The region’s beautiful landscapes and cultural attractions make it a year-round destination for travelers seeking adventure and relaxation.

Jun Dong, Associate Vice President, said, “Agoda is thrilled to highlight these rural destinations that offer travelers a chance to experience the heart and soul of Asia. Whether you’re seeking an escape from big-city life or a refreshing change of scenery, Agoda’s platform offers seamless bookings across flights, accommodations and activities so you can experience the irresistible charm of these secluded rural gems first-hand.”

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. Discover the best deals on Agoda’s mobile app and start planning the next small-town adventure. Visit Agoda.com for more information.

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JAKARTA, Indonesia, Sept. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — O.NE PEOPLE Co., Ltd., a leading provider of data privacy and security solutions, today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Asosiasi Pengguna Jasa Sekuriti Indonesia (APJASI), the Indonesian Security Services Users Association. The agreement establishes a framework for bilateral cooperation in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector and marks an important milestone in O.NE PEOPLE’s strategic expansion into the Indonesian market.

The signing ceremony took place at the Grand Mercure Kemayoran in Jakarta, with senior representatives from both organizations in attendance, including Mr. Nam Junghyo, Director of O.NE PEOPLE, and Mr. Subkhan, Director of APJASI.

Under the MoU, O.NE PEOPLE and APJASI will work together to exchange insights on ICT industry trends, emerging technologies, and policy developments. The two organizations will also collaborate to expand business opportunities for their member companies, share market intelligence on the evolving ICT sector, and jointly explore additional areas of cooperation to support sustainable growth.

“This MoU represents a significant step in aligning O.NE PEOPLE’s proven technological expertise with the rapidly expanding security services sector in Indonesia,” said Mr. Nam Jeong-hyo, Director of O.NE PEOPLE. “We are committed to working closely with APJASI and its members to address local data protection challenges and to position CatchSecu as a trusted platform for safeguarding personal information.”

Through this collaboration, O.NE PEOPLE aims to strengthen its regional network and accelerate the rollout of its flagship data protection solution, CatchSecu, across Southeast Asian markets.

About O.NE PEOPLE

O.NE PEOPLE Co., Ltd. is a data security company specializing in SaaS-based privacy compliance solutions for enterprises. Its flagship platform, CatchSecu, automates complex compliance processes, enabling organizations to meet evolving regulatory requirements while focusing on core business growth. Building on its successful track record in Korea, O.NE PEOPLE is actively pursuing global expansion with a strategic focus on Southeast Asia.

About APJASI

The Asosiasi Pengguna Jasa Sekuriti Indonesia (APJASI) is the representative body for companies and institutions utilizing security services in Indonesia. The association is dedicated to promoting the interests of its members, advancing industry standards, and supporting the sustainable development of the Indonesian security services sector, with a particular emphasis on ICT innovation and policy cooperation.

TAIPEI, Sept. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — TPIsoftware (TPEx: 7781) has partnered with the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) and the Youth Economy Agency (YEA) of Saint Lucia to launch an e-commerce platform to support youth and women entrepreneurship in Saint Lucia by accelerating the country’s digital transformation. The company looks to deepen global partnerships and solidify its market leadership, with AI agent adoption to ensure security and continued business success.

Launching the e-commerce platform marks a significant milestone for TPIsoftware amid its global expansion in recent years. The official ceremony was attended by Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Saint Lucia Nicole Su, YEA CEO Bryan Vidal, YEA Chairman Thomas Leonce, Chief of the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) Daniel Lee, and TPIsoftware Vice President Alvin Wu.

In collaboration with the TaiwanICDF’s Assisting the Economic Empowerment of Youth and Women Project, 525 young and female entrepreneurs in Saint Lucia were supported with training schemes essential for starting a business and 640 businesses were provided with consultancy and guidance. The new e-commerce platform helps increase the online presence of micro-, small- and medium-enterprises in the country, fostering competitiveness in the local marketplace.

“As e-commerce shifts consumer behavior, the new platform paves the way for Saint Lucian women and youths to establish their own start-ups and fulfill their entrepreneurial ambitions,” stated Nicole. “Taiwan is more than happy to share our technical expertise and experience to help entrepreneurs thrive in the local, regional or even global market.”

The e-commerce platform, built with AI and digital solutions by TPIsoftware, enables real-time order tracking and inventory management, integrates data analytics and provides market insights to eliminate barriers to entrepreneurship. This empowers young people and women to nurture their intent to set up a business, encourages their ventures and participation in competition.

TPIsoftware General Manager Yilan Yeh emphasized that the platform is built on the company’s core technologies to achieve process automation and intelligent management. Future upgrades will include guest checkout, vendor backend systems, customer reviews and advanced order tracking features. An online payment system will also be incorporated to build a digital business ecosystem with enhanced security and convenience.

PASAY CITY, Philippines, Sept. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), the parent firm of the SM group, has once again been recognized by TIME and Statista on the prestigious “World’s Best Companies 2025” list. This marks the second consecutive year that SM Investments has earned a place on the roster, underscoring its commitment to responsible growth anchored on strong financial performance, employee engagement, and sustainability practices.

Among the ten Philippine companies included in the global ranking, SM Investments placed third. China Banking Corporation (Chinabank), one of SM’s bank affiliates, was likewise recognized.

“This recognition inspires us to keep strengthening our efforts in creating value for our stakeholders and contributing positively to our communities,” said SM Investments President and Chief Executive Officer Frederic DyBuncio. “It also reflects our balanced approach to growth, delivering strong results for shareholders while also fostering long-term value and resilience for employees, partners, and communities.

The TIME World’s Best Companies list identifies and honors the most outstanding organizations across industries worldwide. Earlier this year, SM Investments was also included in TIME’s Asia-Pacific Best Companies 2025, building on its recognition in the 2024 World’s Best Companies list.

The evaluation process involved a three-stage screening. Companies first needed to have generated at least USD100 million in revenue in the last fiscal year. They were then assessed on revenue growth over the past three years, followed by extensive employer surveys measuring employee satisfaction. Finally, sustainability performance and transparency were factored into the final score.

About SM Investments Corporation 

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com 

SHANGHAI, Sept. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — EverBridge Group announced an Exclusive Commercialization Partnership with Cosmotec Inc. (a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of M3, Inc.; TSE: 2413) for the Japanese market.

This strategic collaboration underscores EverBridge Group’s leadership in proprietary R&D, stringent regulatory compliance, and value-driven ecosystem collaboration, marking a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy, further amplifying its international influence.

Simultaneously, the partnership underscores Cosmotec’s best-in-class digital commercialization platform, which accelerates market access for international medical devices and enables targeted engagement with clinical end-users.

“EverBridge Group’s portfolio demonstrates outstanding clinical efficiency and user-friendly design, aligning perfectly with Japanese physicians’ pursuit of advanced therapeutic solutions,” stated Suguru Ominato, CEO of Cosmotec. “By integrating M3’s academic platforms with our localized commercialization expertise, we will accelerate the adoption of these devices across the Japanese market.”

“Cosmotec’s digital commercialization model delivers both efficiency and accessibility, which aligns perfectly with our vision for equitable healthcare innovation,” said Jay Wang, CEO of EverBridge Group. “By navigating Japan’s rigorous technical and regulatory landscape, this partnership not only delivers transformative solutions to patients but also enhances our global R&D synergy. Lowering barriers to advanced care through innovation and ecosystem collaboration remains central to our globalization journey.”

About EverBridge Group

EverBridge Group is a leading medical technology group in Asia, committed to providing global customers with cutting-edge, high-quality, and affordable medical technologies. Our rapidly expanding product portfolio covers three major therapeutic areas: peripheral vascular, neuroscience, and oncology. Supported by Six specialized R&D and lean production centers, we offer top-tier OEM/ODM services in areas including balloons, catheters, stents, surface engineering, and active medical devices.

We collaborate extensively with outstanding enterprises worldwide, building a bridge for medical technology innovation between Asia and the rest of the world. Our goal is to offer healthcare professionals and patients globally better treatment options through advanced and accessible solutions.

For more information, please visit the official website: www.everbridgemed.com

Contact: Ann Chen, communications@everbridgemed.com

SINGAPORE and GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lion TCR, a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering T-cell receptor (TCR)-based therapies, today announced that it has received Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate phase1b/2 clinical trials for its proprietary TCR-T cell therapy, LioCyx-M004, in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This approval represents the third major regulatory milestone for the same product candidate, which previously received both Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designations for the treatment of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC).

The IND clearance authorizes Lion TCR to commence clinical studies of LioCyx-M004 in CHB patients – a global population exceeding 290 million – and marks the first TCR-T therapy to enter clinical development for chronic hepatitis B.

“This triple recognition from the FDA underscores the transformative potential of LioCyx-M004 and validates our strategic approach targeting HBV-associated diseases through TCR-T cell therapy,” said Dr. Xiaoming Peng, CEO of Lion TCR. “Having demonstrated promising anti-tumor and antiviral activity in liver cancer, we are now well-positioned to evaluate its impact on the underlying viral infection that drives cancer development.”

The company’s earlier regulatory achievements include Orphan Drug designation, which provides incentives for therapies targeting rare diseases such as HBV-HCC in the United States, and Fast Track status, designed to accelerate the development and review of treatments for serious conditions addressing unmet medical needs.

LioCyx-M004 represents an innovative autologous cell therapy engineered using mRNA to encode T-cell receptors that specifically target hepatitis B virus antigens. Preclinical and early clinical studies have demonstrated the therapy’s ability to reduce viral antigen load and promote T-cell-mediated clearance of infected cells, while maintaining a favorable safety profile to date.

Dr. Tina Wang, Chief Medical Officer of Lion TCR, added, “Our ability to successfully redirect our lead candidate from oncology to virology demonstrates the remarkable versatility and broad therapeutic potential of our platform. We look forward to initiating the CHB trial and exploring its potential as a functional cure for this chronic infection.”

The company’s mRNA-encoded in vivo TCR-T therapy targeting HBV has gained validation from a prominent U.S. cancer research institute. Studies have demonstrated significant efficacy in eliminating HBV-positive cells in animal models, with therapeutic effects comparable to ex vivo engineered T cells. This validation provides a robust scientific foundation for the industrialization of in vivo TCR-T therapy targeting HBV.

Lion TCR is actively advancing this innovative approach, accelerating the development of in vivo TCR-T therapy. Compared to traditional ex vivo T cell therapies, the in vivo platform offers distinct advantages including shorter production cycles, reduced costs, and enhanced accessibility, potentially expanding treatment opportunities for patients worldwide.

Additionally, the company is enhancing its AI-powered TCR discovery platform with plans to expand its product pipeline to address additional solid tumor indications, including lung cancer, breast cancer, and gastrointestinal cancers.

About Lion TCR

Lion TCR is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that originated from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore. The company’s lead product targets hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related diseases and represents the world’s first HBV-specific TCR-T cell therapy to receive U.S. FDA approval for an international multi-center Phase II clinical trial. It has been granted FDA Fast Track designation and Orphan Drug status, in addition to obtaining approval for clinical trials from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).

Utilizing an AI-powered TCR discovery platform and advanced RNA technology, Lion TCR is expanding its pipeline to address various solid tumors as well as infectious diseases. The company’s diversified portfolio includes both autologous cell therapies and off-the-shelf treatments, with a dedicated focus on developing in vivo TCR-T therapies aimed at significantly reducing costs and improving treatment accessibility.