SINGAPORE, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As consumers in Southeast Asia face a “triple-hit” of rising fuel costs, inflation, and economic volatility, leaders from some of the region’s major financial and technology companies highlight fintech’s and government’s role to enable economic resilience in a region navigating global shocks.

Talking about the situation in the Philippines, Martha Sazon, President and CEO of Mynt, the parent company of the country’s biggest finance app GCash, shared how the platform has strengthened its role as a primary distribution channel for government relief—taking a page from its playbook on how it helped keep the local economy running and aid flowing when mobility was restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have been helping in the distribution of government aid, especially fuel subsidies to public transport drivers and to encourage more mobility,” Sazon said.

In partnership with transport officials from the government, GCash facilitates the digital disbursement fuel subsidies to thousands of drivers and operators.

This effort is complemented by direct consumer incentives, such as a 50% fare discount for passengers of Metro Manila main rail lines, who can also pay via the GCash app.

These interventions have kept mobility accessible and domestic consumption steady. She also pointed to the role of GCash in supporting overseas Filipino workers (OFW). Until April 30, 2026, the company is waiving inbound and outbound transaction fees for Filipinos in the Middle East.

Moreover, aside from keeping fair loans accessible, the platform is fostering long-term resilience through livelihood opportunities by promoting digital micro-business tools like GCash Pera Outlet, and gig and employment platform GJobs, which provide alternative income streams for both local residents and repatriated workers. GCash has also ramped up financial literacy efforts to give customers practical knowledge on how to save more—while offering affordable and accessible investment and saving options.

Sazon shared these at the recent CNBC CONVERGE LIVE 2026 event at the Jewel in Singapore, joining other regional leaders: Hans Patuwo of GoTo Group and Huynh Thanh Phong of FWD Group. Patuwo noted Indonesia’s resilience but warned that looming subsidy cuts could trigger inflation and strain household consumption. Phong highlighted the importance of trust, stressing that insurers must help customers avoid emotional decisions that could leave them vulnerable during crises.

NEW YORK, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — X-Sense, a global leader in home safety technology, has partnered with the Markesan Fire Department in Wisconsin to boost local fire prevention. Through this partnership, X-Sense is donating wireless smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to support the community’s safety efforts.

Supporting Public Safety with Action

The Markesan Fire Department, a 501(c)(3) public charity, has served the community for years with emergency response and fire safety education. According to a March 25 announcement by the department, firefighters will install the donated X-Sense alarms during emergency calls, replacing outdated or non-working devices. This no-cost program ensures reliable home safety for residents, reaching those who need protection most.

Promoting Education Across the Community

The initiative also extends to schools and community events. Markesan firefighters are using X-Sense alarms for safety demonstrations, emphasizing correct alarm placement and the importance of working early warning systems. These interactive lessons help make fire prevention knowledge accessible for area families and students.

Delivering the Next Generation of Protection

Central to the donation are two trusted X-Sense alarms. The SC07-W Wireless Interconnected Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm is certified to the latest UL 217 Edition 9 standard and features a sealed long-life battery for minimal maintenance. With wireless interconnection, all linked alarms sound simultaneously when smoke or carbon monoxide is detected—providing more time to respond. The XC01-M Interconnected Smart Carbon Monoxide Alarm features an advanced sensor and real-time notifications via a base station. It can alert up to 12 contacts simultaneously in an emergency—ensuring faster awareness and response.

A Commitment to Saving Lives

Beyond the United States, X-Sense partners with fire stations in Germany, including local volunteer brigades such as Freiwillige Feuerwehr Krumhermersdorf, supporting community safety initiatives.
“We are truly honored to support the Markesan Fire Department,” said the CEO of X-Sense. “Working together allows us to bring the latest safety technology to those who need it most and furthers our mission of protecting lives.”

For information about X-Sense, visit x-sense.com.

About X-Sense

Founded in 2013, X-Sense has safeguarded more than 15 million households worldwide with its comprehensive range of smoke alarms, CO detectors, and environmental sensors. Backed by international certifications, and designed for long-term reliability and user convenience, X-Sense is committed to delivering innovative safety for every home.

Contact Information
Richard, Sales Executive
partners@x-sense.com

One night. Ten matches. A city watching together.

SINGAPORE, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The final day of the Premier League 2025/26 season is here, and the loudest roar will be at Clarke Quay. On 24 May, StarHub takes over with a football-filled night that goes far beyond your usual viewing experience. 

As Singapore’s exclusive Premier League broadcaster, StarHub will once again host fans for the final matchday, this time as StarHub WatchParty: Premier League Final Day, the first in a new series of live, shared entertainment experiences. 

The energy begins at 7pm, well before the 11pm kick-off. Hosted by Mediacorp personality, The Muttons from CLASS 95 radio station, fans can take on football simulators, goalkeeper challenges and interactive games throughout the evening. Registered attendees can enjoy free unlimited ice cream and snacks, while StarHub subscribers get additional perks, including 1-for-1 Guinness (while stocks last), exclusive event merchandise and more.

With the title race between Arsenal and Manchester City going down to the wire, the stakes are high. All 10 matches will be screened simultaneously across multiple zones, lanes and partner venues throughout Clarke Quay, allowing fans to move between screens and catch the action from different games as it happens. 

Admission is free. Slots are limited. Secure your spot at starhub.com/watchparty. 

Event Details:
Date: Sunday, 24 May 2026
Time: From 7pm (Kick-off at 11pm)
Venue: CQ @ Clarke Quay, Fountain Square

Follow StarHub’s social media channels for the latest updates.

Developed by China Medical University Hospital, Ever Supreme International Biotechnology Co., Ltd. and SHINE OUT BIO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., the platform facilitates intravenous, lesion-targeted delivery of BDNF mRNA and improved motor coordination in preclinical models.

TAICHUNG, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — China Medical University Hospital (CMUH), in collaboration with Ever Supreme International Biotechnology Co., Ltd. and SHINE OUT BIO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., has unveiled a targeted gene-engineered exosome platform for acute spinal cord injury (SCI) that enables intravenous, lesion-targeted delivery of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA. In preclinical models, the platform demonstrated significant improvement in motor coordination. The findings were published in Journal of Nanobiotechnology, a peer-reviewed journal.

Spinal cord injury remains one of the most challenging conditions in neurological medicine. According to the World Health Organization, the global incidence of spinal cord injury is estimated at 40 to 80 cases per million people each year, with many patients facing permanent disability and long-term rehabilitation. Existing treatment approaches often involve invasive procedures, while recovery outcomes remain suboptimal.

CMUH said the newly developed mBDNF@αITG EV gene-engineered exosome platform is designed to address two major barriers in SCI treatment: the need for invasive local administration and the limited targeting ability of conventional exosomes. By using intravenous delivery, the platform is intended to guide therapeutic cargo to injured spinal cord tissue in a non-invasive manner.

Addressing Key Clinical Limitations in Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

Spinal cord injury often results in severe functional loss and permanent disability. Superintendent Der-Yang Cho, a neurosurgeon at CMUH, said current cell-based therapies typically require direct injection into the injury site, which may increase the risk of secondary trauma and infection in already damaged tissue and can limit broader clinical use due to procedural complexity.

At the same time, conventional unmodified exosomes generally lack lesion-targeting specificity. Once introduced into systemic circulation, they may be rapidly cleared and face difficulty crossing the blood-spinal cord barrier, reducing therapeutic concentration at the injury site.

To overcome these limitations, the research team applied nanoengineering and genetic engineering strategies to create an exosome-based delivery system designed to selectively homing to injured spinal cord tissue after intravenous administration. The approach supports a more precise and less invasive regenerative treatment strategy for neural repair.

Dual-Action Neural Repair: Modulating Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

According to Ming-Chuan Li, Deputy General Manager of SHINE OUT BIO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., cells in the injured spinal cord microenvironment upregulates molecular marker, integrin αvβ8. The team engineered exosomes to display a corresponding recognition ligand on their surface, creating the αITG EV targeting carrier. The exosomes were also loaded with BDNF mRNA, a therapeutic payload associated with neural repair.

Once delivered to the lesion site, the BDNF mRNA@αITG EV platform was found to exert both immunomodulatory and metabolic effects. The researchers reported that the platform helped shift local microglia from a pro-inflammatory state to a reparative phenotype and significantly reduced inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α and IL-1β.

Ming-You Shie, Deputy Director of the Xenotransplantation Translational Research Center at CMUH, said the delivered BDNF mRNA enhanced antioxidant protein expression and stabilized mitochondrial dynamics, helping ameliorate secondary oxidative damage.

“By simultaneously modulating neuroinflammation and inhibiting neuronal ferroptosis, we observed marked recovery in motor coordination in rat models,” Shie said. “Our goal is to transform SCI treatment from supportive care to active neural regeneration.”

Commercialization and Regulatory Strategy: Advancing a Translational Pathway for Regenerative Medicine

The publication in Journal of Nanobiotechnology provides peer-reviewed support for the platform’s preclinical findings. CMUH and its partners said the results point to the potential of a non-invasive, targeted treatment strategy for spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders.

In January 2026, Ever Supreme International Biotechnology Co., Ltd. integrated SHINE OUT BIO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. through a share-swap transaction to strengthen its capabilities in exosome and cell-based therapy development and expand its presence in central nervous system applications. The integration creates a powerful synergy between CMUH’s clinical expertise and the partners’ manufacturing capabilities.

Li said Taiwan’s regenerative medicine framework may help accelerate the clinical development and regulatory review of therapies targeting severe disability and life-threatening conditions. As the platform advances through future clinical development, the team plans to work within the applicable regulatory framework to explore opportunities for earlier patient access, subject to safety, efficacy and regulatory requirements.

“Time is the most precious resource for patients with spinal cord injuries,” Li said. “We hope continued development of this platform will expand future treatment options for patients.”

The collaboration aims to advance a safer and more precise therapeutic approach for spinal cord injury and support the broader development of neuroregenerative medicine.

*Note: Leading International Journal in Nanobiotechnology

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12951-026-04222-7

GoodWe-backed solar firm opens Bangkok office as distributed photovoltaic demand surges across the region

BANGKOK, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Yude Solar officially opened its Thailand operations today at a ceremony in Bangkok, marking the company’s formal entry into Southeast Asia and the beginning of what executives describe as a broader global expansion strategy.

Backed by GoodWe Group, a global solar technology conglomerate, Yude Solar positions the Thailand launch not as a simple overseas branch, but as the foundation of a full photovoltaic service ecosystem.

The company plans to partner with local engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms and financial institutions to make rooftop solar accessible to households and businesses across the country.

“Clean energy should not be a luxury — it should be accessible to everyone,” Bryan Bao, CEO of Yude Solar, stated at the launch event, Yude Solar’s philosophy has guided its operations since founding. In China, Yude Solar has served nearly 100,000 residential and commercial customers, building a track record it now intends to replicate in Southeast Asia.

Bryan Bao’s stated goal is to become one of the five leading distributed photovoltaic providers in Southeast Asia. Distributed solar — where electricity is generated on-site at homes and commercial buildings rather than at centralized power plants — is seen as a critical tool for the region as it grapples with energy security pressures and the need for greater economic resilience.

Thailand serves as the company’s regional beachhead. From Bangkok, Yude Solar plans to introduce its mature technology platform, implementation experience, and partner ecosystem to local markets — enabling buildings to generate and consume their own clean electricity.

The launch comes at a moment of strong momentum for solar across Southeast Asia. Traditional energy infrastructure across the region faces growing strain, and governments are increasingly prioritizing affordable, decentralized alternatives. Distributed solar is widely viewed as one of the most practical near-term solutions.

Bryan Bao said it will continue to expand its presence in Thailand and across the broader Southeast Asian region, working with local partners to build what it calls “a clean energy ecosystem for the new era of green development.”

GoodWe, established in 2010, is a world-leading PV inverter and energy storage systems manufacturer listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (stock code: 688390). The company has more than 6,000 employees across 15 countries and a team of over 1,000 engineers working at its R&D centres to continuously optimize and advance energy storage technology. GoodWe’s storage inverters were ranked among the top three globally by Wood Mackenzie in 2022. The company was also recently recognized as a leading power inverter manufacturer by BloombergNEF Tier 1 (Q1 2026).

Yude Solar Technologies, a subsidiary of GoodWe, was established in May 2021 and is a top five rooftop solar developer in China. The company has more than 450 employees and operates in over 20 provinces across the country. It has been recognized as one of China’s most influential brands in household solar systems for three consecutive years (2022–2025) and has received the CQC Household Photovoltaic System 2A certification. With a vision to become the preferred value creator in the zero-carbon era, the company began as a residential solar provider and has since developed and commissioned over 3 GW of residential and Commercial & Industrial projects. For more information about Yude Solar Technologies, please visit us at www.yudesolar.com