HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Sept. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — TuniTuni, a leading Korean early childhood playgym, has officially opened its first direct-operated center in Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City on September 8.

The TuniTuni program is designed to nurture not only children’s physical development but also their cognitive and social-emotional growth. Its unique curriculum combines storytelling, movement, and imaginative play, with fresh themes introduced weekly to keep children engaged and inspired.

TuniTuni is already a trusted name in South Korea, where one in six children has experienced its programs. Building on this strong foundation, the brand chose Thao Dien — a lively community known for young families and international schools — as the location for its first center in Vietnam.

To celebrate the opening, families who enroll by September 21st will receive a 15% discount.

TuniTuni has also gained strong momentum in other international markets. In Hong Kong, high demand has led to waiting lists of more than 300 children, with a third center set to open this November. In Malaysia, the brand recently launched its second center in Bukit Jalil. In the U.S., a newly opened center in Fort Lee, New Jersey earned an average parent satisfaction rating of 9.8 out of 10 during pilot classes.

With the opening of its first center in Ho Chi Minh City, TuniTuni looks forward to welcoming local families in Thao Dien and becoming part of the community.

Contact:
TuniTuni Thao Dien
Thao Dien Green Mall, 2F, 192 Nguyễn Văn Hưởng, Thảo Điền, Thủ Đức, Hồ Chí Minh 700000
Instagram: @tunituni_vn

About TuniTuni Vietnam

Founded in Korea in 2003, TuniTuni is an early childhood playgym program that blends storytelling, physical activity, and imaginative play to support children’s holistic development. Over the past two decades, TuniTuni has grown into a trusted brand in Korea, where one in six children has experienced its programs.

Building on this success, TuniTuni Vietnam aims to bring the same joyful and purposeful learning experience to families in Ho Chi Minh City. With its first direct-operated center now open in Thao Dien, TuniTuni Vietnam is committed to providing young children with a safe, engaging, and development-focused environment.

SHANGHAI, Sept. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Epigenic Therapeutics (“Epigenic”), a clinical-stage innovative drug development company, today announced the completion of a $60 million Series B round of financing led by Lapam Capital, with continued participation from existing investors Qiming Venture Partners and OrbiMed, and addition of new investors including IFSC and a renowned investment firm in the industry. This round of funding will primarily support the ongoing clinical development of EPI-003 for chronic hepatitis B functional cure and EPI-001 for hypercholesterolemia treatment. Additionally, the fund will accelerate the advancement of multiple preclinical programs and further strengthen the company’s technology platforms, providing strong momentum for Epigenic’s deep commitment to innovation of epigenetic medicine.

As a pioneering biotechnology company dedicated to developing next-generation gene modulation therapy utilizing epigenome regulation to treat prevalent diseases, Epigenic has consistently remained at the forefront of the industry. Its proprietary EPIREG™ technology platform enables efficient, durable, and specific silencing of target genes through precise DNA methylation and histone modification. Unlike traditional gene-editing tools that rely on DNA cleavage, EPIREG™ offers a safer and revolutionary therapeutic approach for patients with chronic diseases, effectively mitigating safety concerns associated with conventional gene editing. 

Notably, Epigenic has independently developed EpiTax™, an in-vivo LNP delivery platform, to precisely deliver EPIREG™ tools to the liver as well as multiple extrahepatic organs. This further expands the application scope of EPIREG™ across a broader range of disease areas, further enhancing Epigenic’s technology portfolio and competitive edge. 

In addition, the AIAID™ platform developed by Epigenic empowers the molecular design, target selection, and precise modulation of epigenetic medicine. The platform is equipped with a self-developed foundational model for epigenetics, providing precise core data and algorithm support. The multi-agent collaborative virtual lab autonomously performs tasks such as target discovery, target investigation, accessibility prediction, sgRNA design and evaluation, virtual epigenetic modulation, and multi-omics analysis. Furthermore, the platform utilizes AI-driven de novo protein design and AI-directed evolution to accelerate the discovery, iteration, and optimization of EPIREG™. 

“We are deeply grateful for the trust and support from both new and existing shareholders,” said Dr. Bob Zhang, Co-founder & CEO of Epigenic Therapeutics. “Since our inception, we have remained focused on advancing epigenetic modulation technologies and have achieved remarkable progress in just a few years. We will continue to drive the clinical development of our core pipelines to deliver safe and effective therapies to patients as soon as possible.” 

“Epigenetic drug development is a highly promising field, and Epigenic has demonstrated outstanding technological advantages and growth potential,” said Mr. Zhihua Yu, Chairman of Lapam Capital. “The combination of its EPIREG™ platform and EpiTax™ delivery system provides a unique solution for disease treatment. With this financing, we believe Epigenic will achieve further breakthroughs in clinical development and technological innovation, solidifying its leadership in epigenetics and bringing transformative therapies to patients worldwide.” 

About Epigenic Therapeutics

Epigenic Therapeutics is a frontier biotechnology company dedicated to developing next-generation gene modulation therapy utilizing regulation of epigenetic genome for a variety of diseases. Founded in 2021 by leading scientists focused on discovering genetic technologies and developing gene modulation therapies, the company has multiple product candidates in the pipeline, including treatments for metabolic, cardiovascular, viral hepatitis, ocular and autoimmune diseases, etc. For more information, please visit www.epigenictx.com 

About Lapam Capital 

Headquartered in Beijing, Lapam Capital is a leading venture capital firm specializing in the biomedical sector in China. The frim currently manages five RMB funds and one USD fund, with total assets under management exceeding RMB 10 billion. Notably, it is the only biomedical investment institution that has received funding from China’s two most prominent RMB limited partners (LPs)-the National Social Security Fund and the National SME Development Fund. Lapam Capital focuses on innovative pharmaceuticals and cutting-edge medical devices, with a stategic emphasis on early-stage and early-to-mid-stage enterprises. To date, the firm has invested in a total of 200 enterprises, including over 160 innovative drug companies and more than 30 innovative medical device companies. Lapam Capital’s leadership team includes multiple partners with over 20 years of experience in both international and domestic biopharmaceutical R&D and management. This enables the firm to provide comprehensive value-added services to its portfolio companies.

About Qiming Venture Partners

Qiming Venture Partners was founded in 2006. Currently, Qiming Venture Partners manages eleven US Dollar funds and seven RMB funds with $9.5 billion in capital raised. Since its establishment, it has invested in outstanding companies in the Technology and Healthcare industries at the early and growth stages.

To date, Qiming Venture Partners has backed over 580 fast-growing and innovative companies. Over 210 of our portfolio companies have achieved exits through IPOs at the NYSE, NASDAQ, HKEX, Shanghai Stock Exchange, or Shenzhen Stock Exchange, or through M&A or other means. There are also over 80 portfolio companies that have achieved unicorn or super unicorn status. For more, please visit www.qimingvc.com

About OrbiMed

OrbiMed is a leading global healthcare investment firm, with over $17 billion in assets under management across a range of private equity funds, public equity funds, and private credit/royalty funds. It invests across the healthcare industry, from start-ups to large multinational corporations. OrbiMed’s team of over 100 scientific, medical, investment, and other professionals are based in key markets around the world. For more information on OrbiMed, please visit www.orbimed.com

About IFSC

Founded in 2017, IFSC is an investment institution focused on the life sciences. Guided by the philosophy of “value investing driven by basic science,” it seeks out “scientist-entrepreneurs.” The firm continuously targets unmet clinical needs in order to advance human health. To date IFSC has managed more than twelve funds, pursues a high-win-rate strategy, and has seen six of its ten historical healthcare investments go public through IPOs.

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, Sept. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Worldwide Stablecoin Payment Network (WSPN), a leading global digital payments company, today announced the successful acquisition of Aplauz NL B.V., a licensed Dutch Electronic Money Institution (EMI) and subsidiary of Aplauz Financial Services Ltd. The transaction was approved by De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) in June 2025 and finalized in July 2025.

The acquisition underscores WSPN’s commitment to building a global presence while advancing compliant stablecoin payment ecosystems across key markets. It reflects WSPN’s determination to drive the standardization of stablecoin services and to broaden its reach into diverse real-world applications, helping accelerate the development of future financial infrastructure.

Executive Statements

“The acquisition of Aplauz NL B.V. strengthens our European presence and accelerates our mission to pioneer transparent and inclusive digital payments,” said Raymond Yuan, Founder & CEO at WSPN. “With Aplauz’s established platform and team, we will explore broader market opportunities in productizing stablecoin use cases, delivering innovative next-generation payment network solutions to more partners and users.”

“We are delighted to complete this next step in our journey,” said Goran Abramović, Director of Aplauz Financial Services Ltd. “The successful sale of our Dutch operations to WSPN highlights the strength of the Aplauz platform and its relevance in today’s evolving digital payments landscape. We are confident that WSPN will build on this foundation and unlock exciting opportunities for Aplauz NL B.V.”

About WSPN

WSPN is a leading provider of next-generation stablecoin infrastructure, committed to building a more secure, efficient, and transparent payment solution for the global economy. Its product portfolio includes stablecoins and a diverse suite of productized solutions for real-world stablecoin payment scenarios, all designed to build and expand the WSPN network ecosystem. Guided by its “Stablecoin 2.0” vision, WSPN places usability, reliability, and accessibility at the core of its approach, driving the mainstream adoption of stablecoins worldwide.

About Aplauz

Aplauz Financial Services Ltd. is a financial technology company that develops and operates platforms and regulatory services enabling partners to build and scale compliant digital payment solutions. Founded in 2020, Aplauz has evolved from a consumer-focused payments provider into a B2B technology and compliance partner.

As part of this strategic transformation, Aplauz has divested its European EMI operations — including Aplauz NL B.V. and previously Aplauz CH GmbH — to focus on delivering technology, licensing, and regulatory infrastructure that empower businesses in the digital payments sector.

SINGAPORE, Sept. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda has unveiled a curated list highlighting Asia’s most stunning libraries, inviting travelers to take a literary journey through Asia. These libraries, ranging from garden-based wooden structures to architectural marvels, serve as spaces that inspire curiosity, foster learning, and offer a sense of escape. With their unique charm and cultural depth, they stand as more than just places to read—they are experiences waiting to be discovered by bookworms, architectural enthusiasts, and curious travelers alike.

Libraries across Asia hold a special place as cultural landmarks and architectural treasures, offering a glimpse into the heritage and creativity of their communities. The eco-conscious design of Beitou Library in Taipei and the colonial grandeur of Ho Chi Minh City’s General Sciences Library are just two examples of how these spaces blend beauty with purpose.

Agoda’s curated selection celebrates libraries across Asia that provide not only a quiet retreat but also a meaningful connection to history, culture, and the written word.

1.      Beitou Library, Taipei, Taiwan

Nestled in the lush greenery of Beitou Park, this eco-conscious library is a haven for nature and book lovers alike. Its wooden structure, designed to minimize environmental impact, blends seamlessly with its surroundings. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful reading experience while soaking in the natural beauty of Taipei’s hot spring district.

2.      Starfield Library, Seoul, South Korea

Located in the bustling COEX Mall, Starfield Library is a visual feast with its towering bookshelves and vibrant atmosphere. This photogenic space is as much a cultural hub as it is a library, hosting events, exhibitions, and a diverse collection of books in multiple languages.

3.      David Sassoon Library and Reading Room, Mumbai, India

A Gothic Revival gem in the heart of Mumbai, this historic library has been a cultural landmark since 1870. Its stunning architecture, tranquil garden, and rich collection of books make it a perfect escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. It’s a place where history and literature come alive.

4.      Neilson Hays Library, Bangkok, Thailand

A neoclassical treasure in Bangkok, Neilson Hays Library is a serene retreat for book lovers. Its elegant interiors, lush gardens, and rich history make it a must-visit for those seeking a quiet moment in the heart of the city.

5.      Kanazawa Umimirai Library, Kanazawa, Japan

This minimalist masterpiece is a modern architectural wonder. Its honeycomb-like facade and serene interiors create a calming atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for quiet contemplation and inspiration.

6.      Ho Chi Minh City General Sciences Library, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

A relic of French colonial architecture, this library is a hidden gem in the bustling city. Its grand interiors and tranquil reading spaces offer a glimpse into Vietnam’s literary and cultural heritage, making it a unique stop for history and book enthusiasts.

Jun Dong, Associate Vice President at Agoda shared, “Asia’s libraries are as diverse as the stories they hold, offering a special haven for everyone, whether you’re a bookworm or just looking for a quiet escape. Fort travelers looking to turn the page on traditional sightseeing and discover destinations that inspire and educate, these libraries offer a gateway to architectural beauty, culture, and history. Agoda is thrilled to help travelers discover these incredible spaces, making them must-visit stops on any journey. “

Travelers looking to read their way through Asia can find over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities on Agoda’s platform, making it easier than ever to plan a trip that combines culture, relaxation, and a literary adventure. Visit Agoda.com or download the Agoda mobile app for the best deals and seamless booking options.

SINGAPORE, Sept. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MediSun Energy, a Singapore-based leader in integrated brine management, has signed two landmark Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with GreenTech Environmental, a China-based innovator in water treatment and resource recovery, during the Global Water Expo in Riyadh.

The partnerships bring together MediSun’s breakthrough technologies — Reverse Electrodialysis (RED) and Selective Electrodialysis Metathesis (S-EDM) — with GreenTech’s Newater House, a containerized desalination solution designed for rapid deployment and scalable impact. Capable of both Brackish Water Reverse Osmosis (BWRO) and Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO), Newater House will now be enhanced with MediSun’s technologies: RED for energy generation and brine management in SWRO and BWRO, and S-EDM to increase water recovery and brine minimization in BWRO. Together, the combined solution addresses some of the world’s most pressing water challenges with higher efficiency, lower energy use, and reduced brine discharge.

Under the first MoU, MediSun will distribute Newater House across the Middle East and Africa, while GreenTech introduces MediSun’s technologies in China. The second MoU takes the partnership further in Saudi Arabia through MediSun Arabia — a joint venture with MOAJ Holding, a respected Saudi investment group — where the focus extends beyond deployment to building local capacity. This includes manufacturing, technology transfer, and training programs designed to grow expertise within the Kingdom.

Joseph Chua, Co-Founder and President of MediSun, said : “Partnering with GreenTech marks a major step forward. Together, we are accelerating the rollout of the modular Newater House while expanding into key markets. Through MediSun Arabia and the support of MOAJ, we are also building long-term capabilities in Saudi Arabia to deliver lasting impact on the ground.”

Eric Zhang, Chairman of GreenTech Environmental, added : “This collaboration unites international innovation with Saudi strength. By working alongside MediSun and MediSun Arabia, we are advancing solutions that directly support Vision 2030 and extend sustainable water management far beyond the Kingdom.”

Dr. Ayman Alshelfan, Chairman of MediSun Arabia, added: ” This partnership represents a significant milestone in enhancing Saudi Arabia’s water security. By localizing cutting-edge desalination technologies, it establishes a foundation for a sustainable industry that generates employment opportunities, fosters local expertise, and solidifies the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for innovative water solutions.”

By localizing innovation, the collaboration directly supports Saudi Vision 2030, fostering industrial resilience, creating jobs, and positioning the Kingdom as a global hub for next-generation desalination. From Saudi Arabia, the partners aim to not only strengthen domestic water security but also export sustainable water solutions worldwide — delivering water security for Saudi, from Saudi.

About MediSun Energy

MediSun Energy is an integrated brine management company headquartered in Singapore. The company turns desalination brine and industrial waste streams into valuable resources through energy-efficient, circular solutions. Its proprietary technologies — including RED, EDM, and CO₂ mineralization — are designed to decarbonize energy-intensive sectors such as desalination and heavy industry, supporting a more sustainable and resource-resilient future.

About GreenTech Environmental

GreenTech Environmental is a China-based leader in advanced water treatment and resource recovery. Its modular, next-generation Newater House systems maximize efficiency, minimize cost , and transform brine into valuable resources. Leveraging proprietary GreenTech delivers scalable solutions for sustainable urban development, industrial efficiency, and national water security.

For more information, visit www.medisun.energy or email info@medisun.energy. Follow MediSun Energy on LinkedIn for the latest updates.

Celebrating a decade of impact, this year’s festival presents a dynamic lineup to help professionals adapt, innovate, and thrive in the fast-evolving AI era

SINGAPORE, Sept. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — NUS-ISS has kicked off the 10th edition of its flagship Learning Festival, set to run from 5 September to 14 November 2025. This landmark edition commemorates a decade of inspiring digital leaders and innovators while reinforcing the importance of equipping professionals to thrive in an AI-enabled future. Held as part of the NUS120 anniversary celebrations, the NUS-ISS Learning Festival 2025 continues its mission to uplift the digital capabilities of professionals across industries and foster meaningful connections within the community.

The theme “Always Learning and Always Leading in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” underscores the pressing need for organisations and individuals to stay ahead in the age of AI. With emerging technology, particularly generative AI, rapidly transforming industries, NUS-ISS Learning Festival 2025 provides a platform for practitioners, business leaders and organisations to explore the latest trends and uncover practical pathways to thrive.

A series of exciting activities will unfold over three months, engaging and connecting the NUS-ISS community throughout the festival season.

Key event highlights include:

• Main festival opening (5 Sep):

NUS-ISS Learning Festival 2025 will open with its flagship full-day event at the institute’s campus, setting the stage for an energetic exchange of ideas and perspectives among industry professionals. Through insightful talks, fireside chats, panel discussions, hands-on workshops and networking opportunities, participants will explore how AI is powering smarter systems, and reshaping industries such as healthcare, cybersecurity, digital banking, and beyond. Participants can also look forward to gaining fresh insights from leading industry experts and organisations such as AI Singapore, EY, Google, IBM, Monetary Authority of Singapore, NCS Group, Synapxe, and more. With conversations spanning both strategic opportunities and real-world applications of AI, professionals can gather valuable tips on how to harness the shift and capture the opportunities that AI brings.

To provide access to a wider international audience, selected sessions will also be livestreamed, enabling participants from around the world to gain insights from the experts in real time. As an extension of the main festival day, a series of online webinars on Digital Resilience, Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence will also be made available to international audiences from 15 September 2025 onwards. These sessions will further deepen the conversation and enable professionals across borders to continue learning and exchanging ideas beyond the event.

• Back to School Alumni Talk “Symbiotic Intelligence in Manufacturing: Collaborative Robotics and Agentic AI for Industry 5.0 and Beyond” (12 Sep):

Specially curated for NUS-ISS alumni, this talk by Dr Xavier Xie, Senior Lecturer & Consultant, Artificial Intelligence Practice, at NUS-ISS, explores the frontier of Industry 5.0, where human creativity and machine intelligence converge. It examines the role of agentic AI as an emerging force and how collaborative robotics can serve as human-centric enablers in manufacturing. Anchored in the Singapore context, the talk highlights how businesses can build resilient, adaptive, and ethically aligned AI ecosystems that balance innovation with responsibility.

• NUS-ISS TalentXperience 2025 (17 Oct):

Now in its third year, NUS-ISS TalentXperience has become a cornerstone event for students embarking on their digital careers. With over 100 interviews conducted at TalentXperience 2024, this year’s edition promises more opportunities for students to accelerate their careers and build long-lasting professional connections.

Students from NUS-ISS’ graduate programmes can look forward to connecting with leading companies across diverse industries – including DBS, National Dental Care Singapore, Infineon Technologies, Keysights Singapore and many others that are eager to welcome the next generation of digital talent. They will also get to network directly with hiring managers and professionals who can provide first-hand advice on navigating the competitive job market and receive real-time feedback on how to sharpen their profiles and differentiate themselves.

• NUS-ISS Annual Luncheon 2025 (14 Nov):

Among the highlights of the NUS-ISS Learning Festival 2025 is the by-invitation Annual Luncheon, convening alumni, key industry partners and staff.  The luncheon serves as a platform for the NUS-ISS community to look ahead and envision the next chapter of the institute’s mission: to equip the next generation of digital leaders with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to navigate an evolving AI landscape with confidence and impact.

“As AI transforms industries, reshapes work, and accelerates innovation, lifelong learning has never been more essential,” says Mr Khoong Chan Meng, Chief Executive Officer of NUS-ISS. “For the past 10 years, the NUS-ISS Learning Festival has empowered professionals and organisations alike to exchange ideas, embrace new technologies, and celebrate progress. The future belongs to those who can continuously evolve, lead, and innovate with courage. At NUS-ISS, we are enabling a digital economy that is Always Learning and Always Leading. We remain committed to equipping industry professionals in Singapore and across the region in staying relevant and competitive in the fast-changing technology landscape.”

To find out more about the NUS-ISS Learning Festival, please visit https://www.iss.nus.edu.sg/learning-festival/2025

About National University of Singapore (NUS)

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore’s flagship university, which offers a global approach to education, research and entrepreneurship, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. We have 15 colleges, faculties and schools across three campuses in Singapore, with more than 40,000 students from 100 countries enriching our vibrant and diverse campus community. We have also established more than 20 NUS Overseas Colleges entrepreneurial hubs around the world.

Our multidisciplinary and real-world approach to education, research and entrepreneurship enables us to work closely with industry, governments and academia to address crucial and complex issues relevant to Asia and the world. Researchers in our faculties, research centres of excellence, corporate labs and more than 30 university-level research institutes focus on themes that include energy; environmental and urban sustainability; treatment and prevention of diseases; active ageing; advanced materials; risk management and resilience of financial systems; Asian studies; and Smart Nation capabilities such as artificial intelligence, data science, operations research and cybersecurity.

For more information on NUS, please visit www.nus.edu.sg

About NUS-ISS

Established in 1981, NUS-ISS nurtures digital talent for the industry through graduate education, executive education programmes, consultancy, applied research, and career services. NUS-ISS guides individuals and organisations to bridge future opportunities through a unique portfolio of multiple learning pathways such as blended learning and stackable programmes, leading the way in shaping the next curve of digital excellence. It offers a wide spectrum of programmes in critical industry disciplines, such as digital leadership, software development, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, product management, smart health and digital innovation.

To date, over 200,000 digital leaders and professionals from across 9,647 corporate client organisations, and 8,277 graduate programmes alumni have benefitted from NUS-ISS’ suite of services. Its programmes are delivered by NUS-ISS staff with an average of more than 20 years of industry experience and supported by a strong network of partners. NUS-ISS also works with industry partners and associations locally and globally to co-create a digital learning ecosystem that inspires and shapes solutions for the digital economy.

For more information on NUS-ISS, please visit www.iss.nus.edu.sg