SINGAPORE, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The increase in 2025 is expected to be across various types of financings including social trade loans, securitizations, co-financing partnerships with development agencies, term loans and revolving working capital facilities, as well as IPOs.
“The pipeline is across markets, products, and different sectors. We are also seeing increasing investor demand for access to invest in social finance, and it is increasingly becoming a key asset class,” said Jorge Rubio Nava, Global Head of Social Finance at Citi.
In 2024, Citi led social finance transactions raised over US$2 billion across Asia. These included areas across microfinance, food security and sustainable agriculture systems, healthcare, education, infrastructure and digital connectivity, and affordable housing for underserved and low-income communities.
In 2024, Citi led 76 transactions across Asia.
US$2.4 billion funds mobilized – over 50% of the bank’s total transactions and more than 40% of total funds making it largest region globally for Citi for social finance financings.
1.56 million underserved and low-income households reached, including 565,000 (36%) women.
9 countries – Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.
Social Finance segments – Economic and financial inclusion, Healthcare, Food security and sustainable agricultural, Education, Affordable housing and basic infrastructure as well as Digital connectivity.
“We are confident that we can grow this further in 2025, supporting our clients on their journeys towards sustainable growth in their local economies,” added Jorge.
SINGAPORE, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On 12 Feb 2025, Lion TCR announced that its mRNA-encoded T-cell receptor (TCR)-T cell therapy product Liocyx-M004 has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate an international multicenter Phase 2 clinical trial. This significant progress further solidifies Lion TCR’s leading position in the mRNA-based TCR-T field and brings new hope to patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Hepatitis B and liver cancer are significant global public health challenges. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading risk factor for liver cancer, particularly HCC. Globally, an estimated 296 million people live with chronic HBV infection. Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. In 2020 alone, there were approximately 905,000 new cases and 830,000 deaths from liver cancer globally. Liocyx-M004 is the world’s first mRNA-encoded TCR-T cell therapy targeting HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma. The FDA-approved international multicenter Phase 2 clinical trial will evaluate the efficacy of Liocyx-M004 as a monotherapy and in combination with lenvatinib. Lenvatinib, a well-established first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, demonstrates the ability to reprogram the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment into an immune-supportive state, thereby enhancing tumour-killing efficacy. When combined with Liocyx-M004, this therapy is anticipated to create synergistic effects, further amplifying its anti-tumour potential and improving patient outcomes.
Dr. Tina Wang, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Lion TCR, explained: “In patients with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma, HBV-specific T cells are often functionally exhausted, leading to a significant impairment in their ability to eliminate liver cancer cells and HBV-infected liver cells with HBV-DNA integration. Our research has shown that HBV-specific TCR-T cells can effectively target and destroy these cancerous cells. This makes the adoptive transfer and supplementation of autologous HBV-specific TCR-T cells a promising therapeutic strategy, with the potential to restore the HBV-specific T cell pool in patients. This approach enables targeted killing of liver cancer cells and infected liver cells expressing HBV antigens, providing a novel treatment option for HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma. While systemic therapies for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma have made significant strides in recent years, including the development of targeted combination immunotherapies, precision treatments for HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma remain limited. By investigating the combination of Liocyx-M004 with lenvatinib, we aim to further improve response rates and survival outcomes for these patients. The FDA’s approval of this international multicenter Phase 2 clinical trial is a major milestone that strengthens our confidence and commitment to advancing mRNA-encoded TCR-T therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma. Moving forward, we will accelerate the trial’s progress and gather clinical data to bring this innovative treatment to patients as soon as possible.”
Dr. Xiaoming Peng, CEO of Lion TCR, remarked: “Liocyx-M004 is the first TCR-T therapy targeting HBV viral antigens to receive IND approval from the U.S. FDA and the first of its kind to be granted Fast Track designation. This approval for Liocyx-M004 to proceed with international multicenter Phase 2 clinical trials underscores its significance as an innovative therapy for liver cancer and represents a major milestone for Lion TCR. It also signifies a critical step in Lion TCR’s transition from the clinical stage to commercialization. While advancing our lead product through these critical trials, we are simultaneously accelerating the development of an ‘off-the-shelf’ (or ‘universal’) in vivo TCR-T product platform, leveraging mRNA-LNP delivery technology to significantly reduce production costs. In parallel, we are enhancing our AI-powered TCR discovery platform to expand our pipeline into treatments for various solid tumors with high unmet needs, including lung cancer, breast cancer, and gastrointestinal cancers.”
Liocyx-M004 has already demonstrated promising outcomes in earlier clinical trials, achieving a median overall survival of 33.1 months in patients with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma.
About Lion TCR
Lion TCR is a clinical-stage biotechnology company, originally spun off from Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and a pioneer in mRNA-encoded TCR-T cell therapies for the treatment of solid tumors and infectious diseases. Its flagship product, Liocyx-M004, is the world’s first FDA-approved TCR-T cell therapy targeting HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to enter international multicenter Phase 2 clinical trials. The therapy has also been granted FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations. In November 2024, Lion TCR achieved another milestone with IND approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), marking significant progress in advancing TCR-T cell therapy.
By leveraging cutting-edge mRNA technology and an AI-driven TCR discovery platform, Lion TCR is expanding its pipeline to target various solid tumors and infectious diseases, including lung cancer, breast cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer. The company is also developing both autologous cell therapies and ‘off-the-shelf’ therapies using mRNA-LNP delivery technology to significantly reduce production costs while ensuring scalability in manufacturing.
Lion TCR has successfully raised over 300 million yuan in funding, led by Guangzhou Industrial Investment Fund, alongside Guangzhou Guoju Investment Fund (a private equity subsidiary of Guangzhou Hi-Tech Investment Group Co., Ltd.) and CSPC NARD Capital Fund. The company has established its China headquarters in Guangzhou Sino-Singapore Knowledge City and is constructing a GMP-compliant innovative drug facility. This facility complements its GMP base in Singapore, creating a comprehensive global platform that integrates research, clinical operations, and production. Through its China–Singapore collaboration, Lion TCR aims to establish itself as a global leader in mRNA-encoded TCR-T cell therapies.
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2025 – Globally recognized multi-asset broker JustMarkets received three awards from AllForexBonus, a leading Financial Portal that covers all types of Forex, CFD & Options’ Promotion released by brokers worldwide. The company has earned the prestigious titles of the Best Forex Broker Middle East 2024, Best Educational Broker 2024, and Best Mobile Application 2024, solidifying its high position in the trading industry.
These awards once again prove JustMarkets dedication to constant improvements and customer satisfaction. The broker has always prioritized the latest technologies, competitive conditions, and friendly support, and the team continues to move forward.
Expanding Opportunities for Traders in MENA
Recognition as Best Forex Broker Middle East 2024 highlights JustMarkets growing presence in the MENA region. The company keeps strengthening in this key market by providing tailored services and access to a broad range of financial instruments.
The broker also ensures that traders from MENA have access to Arabic-language support, region-specific payment solutions, and educational initiatives to give them more growth opportunities.
Empowering Traders Through Knowledge
As Best Educational Broker 2024, JustMarkets has been acknowledged for its commitment to trader education. The company offers extensive learning materials, market insights, and analytical tools designed to help traders at all experience levels.
Understanding that knowledge is a key driver of success, JustMarkets has developed a comprehensive educational ecosystem, featuring in-depth guides, case studies, daily analytics, Help Center section, and 24/7 support for any questions.
Setting a New Standard for Mobile Trading
The Best Mobile Application 2024 award follows a significant upgrade to JustMarkets Trading App in June 2024. This update introduced In-App Trading, allowing traders to execute trades directly from their mobile devices.
Previously, the app was only used for managing orders, but with the new functionality, traders can seize market opportunities anytime and anywhere. The JustMarkets app is highly popular among users, being available for download on both Google Play and the App Store.
Focusing on Innovation and Client Success
Since its founding in 2012, JustMarkets has built a strong reputation in the trading industry, serving clients in more than 180 countries. The company operates under multiple regulatory licenses, including the Financial Services Authority in Seychelles, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority in South Africa, and the Financial Services Commission in Mauritius. Its dedication to transparency, security, and trader success has earned JustMarkets more than 50 industry awards.
“We are deeply honored to be recognized by the trading community,” a JustMarkets spokesperson said. “This recognition inspires us to continue improving our services, expanding our offerings, and delivering the best possible trading experience to our clients from every part of the world.”Hashtag: #JustMarkets
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
JustMarkets
JustMarkets is a globally recognized multi-asset broker providing reliable and transparent trading services since 2012. The company has earned over 60 industry awards, highlighting its excellence in the financial sector. JustMarkets offers a diverse array of trading instruments, including forex, stocks, commodities, indices, metals, energies, and cryptocurrencies, serving clients in over 160 countries.
BOSTON, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — JA Worldwide, one of the world’s largest and most impactful youth-serving NGOs, today announced the launch of The JA Institute. As the new research, insights, and thought leadership arm of JA, The JA Institute will drive global conversations on youth education and empowerment, while producing innovative research and scalable solutions that advance economic opportunity for millions of young people.
JA Worldwide launches The JA Institute
For more than a century, JA Worldwide has been at the forefront of youth education, operating in over 100 countries and delivering more than 19 million learning experiences annually. Through immersive programs in entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial health, JA equips students with the skillset and mindset to create businesses, secure meaningful employment, and build thriving communities. The organization has also been recognized with Nobel Peace Prize nominations since 2022 for its role in fostering social stability, economic empowerment, and peace.
JA Worldwide CEO, Asheesh Advani, sees great promise in the institute. “The JA Institute marks a bold new era for JA,” he said. “In this era of accelerated transformation, we’re at our most impactful when we’re investing in research; supporting innovation labs at our local, regional, and global JA locations; and creating opportunities for young people to lead and participate in global conversations.”
“JA’s extensive global operations already generate invaluable insights, but a more systematic investment in capturing and sharing these lessons will greatly benefit the sector,” added Dr. Rebecca Winthrop, Senior Fellow at Brookings Institution, co-author of The Disengaged Teen, JA Worldwide Board Member, and the inaugural member of the Research Advisory Council for The JA Institute.
Look for the institute’s first publication, the JA Global Impact and Insights Report 2025, in Q1 of 2025. After its release, The JA Institute will publish research on GenAI’s impact on entrepreneurship education among underserved communities in ten countries, pilot JA’s own large language model for young entrepreneurs and their teachers and mentors, and expand our thought leadership around youth issues.
The JA Institute is committed to incubating bold ideas and scaling effective solutions. By leveraging data-informed insights, developing in-house technologies, and fostering partnerships, the institute aims to expand JA’s reach and deepen its impact. Through its initiatives, The JA Institute will ensure that young people worldwide are prepared to thrive in an ever-evolving global economy.
About JA Worldwide Delivering more than 19 million student learning experiences each year in entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial health through 700,000+ teachers and business volunteers, JA Worldwide is one of few organizations with the scale, experience, and passion to build a brighter future for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda has revealed the top five most romantic domestic destinations for South Korean couples to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Seoul has been named the most popular city, followed by Jeju, Busan, Incheon, and Gangneung. This ranking showcases preferences for a variety of romantic getaways, from city staycations to beach resorts.
With Valentine’s Day falling on a Friday, couples in South Korea have the perfect opportunity to celebrate with romantic staycations and local trips. According to Agoda data, there has been a 54% increase in accommodation searches for domestic destinations.
Agoda recommends these five destinations where couples can celebrate their love:
Seoul
A city where modern charm meets traditional beauty, Seoul offers couples the perfect rendezvous with romantic walks along the Han River and night views from Namsan Tower. The city is filled with vibrant spots for intimate get-togethers. Couples can enjoy a bike date along the Han River or visit various eateries and cafes together.
Jeju
Boasting pristine nature with blue seas and majestic mountains, Jeju is the perfect romantic retreat for couples. The beautiful scenery of Hallasan and sunsets on the beach make tender moments even more special. Walking along the beach or climbing an oreum together will create unforgettable memories.
Busan
Haeundae Beach and the night view of Gwangandaegyo Bridge make Busan a romantic travel destination. A relaxing walk with the sea as a backdrop or a romantic dinner offers couples magical moments.
Incheon
Incheon’s Chinatown and Songdo Central Park are places to enjoy a unique romance. Various activities await where tender moments can be shared amidst the city’s unique charm. A leisurely walk in Songdo Central Park and a beach drive in Wolmido provide the perfect date activities for couples.
Gangneung
The beautiful beaches of Gangneung and the attractions of Coffee Street offer couples a perfect romantic trip. Couples can enjoy the sunrise on the beach or savor the charm of Gangneung with a cup of coffee in this place where nature and culture blend.
Lee Joonhwan, Country Director, South Korea at Agoda said, “Agoda offers the perfect mix of accommodations and activities in various romantic destinations, from the city of love, Seoul, to the natural beauty of Jeju, to make this Valentine’s Day even more special for couples.”
Agoda provides over 5 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, offering the convenience of booking everything at once to help couples create even more special moments for Valentine’s Day. More information can be found on Agoda.com, and the best deals are available on Agoda’s mobile app.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2025 – X0PA AI, a leading innovator in AI-powered talent acquisition, today announced the launch of its groundbreaking Agentic AI Suite, featuring advanced AI-driven agents designed to transform the hiring landscape. The initial release introduces two powerful AI agents, Alex and Kate, marking a significant milestone in recruitment automation and intelligence.
Meet the Agents:
Alex – An AI-powered screening expert agent, revolutionizing candidate evaluation with unprecedented precision. Alex automates and streamlines the screening process by analysing multiple data points to evaluate skills, experience, and cultural fit, ensuring only the best-matched candidates move forward in the hiring pipeline.
Kate – A recruitment analytics specialist agent, delivering real-time, data-driven insights for strategic hiring decisions. Kate transforms complex recruitment data into actionable intelligence, enabling HR teams to optimize their recruitment strategies and enhance hiring outcomes through predictive analytics and trend analysis.
“As hiring the best suited talent for the company becomes increasingly critical, AI-driven bias free and precision hiring is the key to staying ahead,” said Nina Alag Suri, Founder and CEO, X0PA AI. “Our Agentic AI Suite revolutionizes the recruitment journey, empowering businesses to find, engage, and secure top talent effortlessly while ensuring data-backed decision-making.”
X0PA AI’s position as an industry leader is firmly established through:
Multiple patents and trademarks in AI technology
Achievement of AI VERIFY certification, the gold standard for ethical, responsible, and explainable AI
Proven track record of successful implementations across enterprise, academia, and government organizations
Consistent innovation in AI-driven recruitment solutions
The Agentic AI Suite is built on responsible, explainable AI principles, ensuring fairness and transparency throughout the hiring process. This commitment to ethical AI practices is validated by X0PA AI’s AI VERIFY certification, demonstrating the company’s dedication to responsible innovation.
“We at X0PA are always in the lookout for any technology that can augment recruiters in talent acquisition process and the launch of our Agentic AI Suite delivers that balance perfectly.,” explained Sri Harsha Allamraju, CTO of X0PA AI. “Over the next coming weeks, we plan to put in front of our customers a system of AI experts that can work alongside recruiters from job requisition, screening, sourcing to hiring and onboarding. This marks the transition of our AI Recruiter platform to a system-of-experts platform ideology. Additionally, this framework allows us to move towards minimalistic user experience thereby contributing to reduced cognitive load for our end users. We are excited for this launch and can’t await to see the potential upside it provides to our customers across Enterprise and other segments. ”
Future Expansion: This launch marks just the beginning of X0PA AI’s vision for intelligent recruitment. The company is developing additional specialized agents focused on:
Candidate engagement optimization
Talent pipeline management
Interview intelligence
Strategic workforce planning
Each new agent will be designed to enhance specific aspects of talent acquisition, making hiring faster, smarter, and more strategic than ever before. Hashtag: #x0paai
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About X0PA AI
X0PA AI is a Singapore-headquartered AI company dedicated to transforming talent acquisition through ethical, responsible, and explainable AI. Serving enterprise, academia, and government organizations globally, X0PA AI optimizes recruitment with advanced automation, reducing costs and time-to-hire while minimizing bias in decision-making.
For more information about X0PA AI’s Agentic AI Suite, visit www.x0pa.com
MIAMI and AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Global private investment firm, Bridgewest Group, recognized for developing innovative companies in life sciences, software, and deep tech, is pleased to announce the promotion of seasoned executive Rees Ward to Operating Partner and General Manager, New Zealand. With a deep understanding of Bridgewest Group’s operations and a strong background in investment management, governance, and business development, Ward’s new role amplifies the firm’s expansion in New Zealand.
“Rees has been instrumental in shaping our New Zealand presence,” said Dr. Masood Tayebi, Founding Partner and CEO of Bridgewest Group. “His strategic insight, leadership, and ability to navigate complex business landscapes make him the ideal person for this role. We are excited for the continued impact he will have in advancing our portfolio.”
Since joining Bridgewest Group in 2017, Ward has played a pivotal role in expanding the firm’s investments and operations across New Zealand. He serves on the boards of Provoke Solutions and SuiteFiles, where he applies his expertise in law, business, and finance to help companies innovate and scale effectively.
Most recently, Ward held the position of Executive Vice President and COO for Bridgewest Group’s New Zealand holdings, overseeing portfolio growth, real estate investments, and corporate governance. Additionally, as CEO of Bridgewest Finance New Zealand, he provided financial leadership to support the company’s evolving investment strategies.
“I’m excited to step into this new role and continue contributing to Bridgewest Group’s success,” said Rees Ward. “We have a strong foundation in New Zealand, and I look forward to driving new opportunities, fostering innovation, and supporting our portfolio companies in achieving their full potential.”
Before joining Bridgewest Group, Ward was the founding Director of the Wellington ICT Graduate School and served as New Zealand’s Deputy Consul General to Western USA in Los Angeles. He also worked as a legal advisor to New Zealand’s Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment.
Ward holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration (B.C.A.) in Management, Marketing, and Japanese from Victoria University of Wellington.
With this appointment, Bridgewest Group reinforces its commitment to strategic leadership and long-term growth in New Zealand.
About Bridgewest Group
Bridgewest Group is an innovative and privately held global investment firm with over $3B in private capital. Founded in 1999, the global firm has earned a long-standing reputation for creating and scaling transformational businesses to achieve outsized success. Bridgewest Group leverages its expertise and global eco-community in key sectors where it can have the greatest impact including Life Sciences, Software, Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence/Deep Tech. Customized financial investment services and diverse real estate holdings augment equity assets and support portfolio companies as they grow. Bridgewest Group is based in the US, with investments primarily in the US, Europe, China, Australasia and India.
An exclusive launch of statement pieces from the Barre and Inside Out collections
BOSTON, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — HEARTS ON FIRE, the international jewelry brand known for the unparalleled sparkle of its diamonds, announces its debut at New York City’s iconic Bergdorf Goodman.
From today through February 25, 2025, this historic fashion landmark will host an exclusive preview of Hearts On Fire’s newest collection, Inside Out, for a limited time ahead of its nationwide release in April 2025. New statement pieces from Hearts On Fire’s Barre collection, including a Barre Diamond Collar necklace and coordinating Barre Diamond Pavé Bracelet, will also be pre-launched exclusively at the store.
“We are excited to debut Hearts On Fire at the historic Bergdorf Goodman landmark store in New York. Following our global rebrand last year, we continue to evolve our luxury retail network and reach new audiences with the brilliance, sparkle and sheer beauty of our diamonds,” says Rita Maltez, Global President of Hearts On Fire.
Since 1901, Bergdorf Goodman has represented the pinnacle of style, service and modern luxury. A curated assortment from both Hearts On Fire’s collections will be showcased in the Jewelry Salon on the 1st floor.
About HEARTS ON FIRE
HEARTS ON FIRE® is a modern diamond jewelry brand renowned for the beauty of its signature cut diamonds.
Since 1996, HEARTS ON FIRE® has set the highest standards of quality and cut to transform nature’s gifts into diamonds of incomparable brilliance. With an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, combined with innovation and creativity, HEARTS ON FIRE® jewelry is designed to bring joy to every moment.
HEARTS ON FIRE® is part of the Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, which acquired the company in 2014 and is sold through HEARTS ON FIRE® boutiques, official website and in 680 jeweler locations worldwide. For more information, visit www.heartsonfire.com.