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Sarawak Wins Second M&C Asia Stella Award for Sustainability

KUCHING, Malaysia, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sarawak’s approach to creating lasting impact through business events has once again earned international recognition, with the destination named Best Sustainability Initiative (Destination) at the Meetings & Conventions Asia Stella Awards 2026. The win marks Sarawak’s second in the category, after 2024, reinforcing legacy impact as an important part of its approach to sustainable destination development.

Dato Sri Abdul Karim receives award, which recognises the sustainable practices of its business events industry. Award presented by Datu Hii, Jason Tan (CEO, BESarawak) and Rose Bruce (Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications, BESarawak)
Dato Sri Abdul Karim receives award, which recognises the sustainable practices of its business events industry. Award presented by Datu Hii, Jason Tan (CEO, BESarawak) and Rose Bruce (Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications, BESarawak)

The win was driven by Sarawak’s legacy impact approach, which demonstrates how business events can be intentionally designed to create meaningful long-term outcomes beyond the event itself. By focusing on economic development, social progress, and environmental responsibility, the approach connects business events with Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

This year’s recognition carries added significance as the award was determined through public nominations and voting. Public support for Sarawak reflects the growing relevance of legacy impact beyond the business events industry, showing that the value of creating meaningful, lasting outcomes is resonating with the wider community.

“Winning this award for the second time demonstrates the importance of sustainability and legacy to Sarawak’s business events strategy and wider development,” said The Honourable Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak. “Sustainability must go beyond the environment to include social and economic progress, while legacy ensures that the value created through business events can continue long after an event has ended.”

Since its first M&C Asia Stella Award victory in 2024, Sarawak has continued to advance its legacy agenda through programmes and platforms focused on education, measurement and industry participation. The focus is increasingly on embedding legacy throughout the event journey and strengthening the industry’s ability to translate intent into meaningful outcomes.

“This recognition reflects the collective effort behind Sarawak’s legacy journey,” said Datu Hii Chang Kee, Deputy State Secretary (Operation) and Chairman of BESarawak. “What began with advocacy is gaining greater participation across the industry. Legacy is ultimately about shaping the future together, with government, industry, organisers and communities each playing a role in creating shared and meaningful outcomes.”

“This award signals that legacy impact is gaining greater relevance, not only for Sarawak but across the Asia Pacific business events industry,” said Jason Tan Chin Foo, Chief Executive Officer of BESarawak. “Our next phase is to drive greater adoption across the ecosystem, ensuring that legacy outcomes are consistently planned, measured and demonstrated, while strengthening the industry’s capability to deliver them. That is how we turn recognition into lasting value for Sarawak.”

The M&C Asia Best Sustainability Initiative (Destination) Award 2026 marks another milestone in Sarawak’s legacy journey, strengthening its commitment to advancing legacy impact as a driver of sustainable destination development.  

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About Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) / Biro Konvensyen Sarawak / 砂拉越会展局
Established by the Sarawak Government in 2006, Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) is the destination marketing organisation responsible for attracting high-value business events aligned with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030. Through business events, BESarawak drives visitor expenditure, innovation, global expertise, and strategic partnerships – creating economic, social, and environmental impact that strengthens Sarawak’s economy, intellectual capital and sustainability. More at www.businesseventssarawak.com.

About Legacy Impact
Legacy impact refers to the positive, long-term change generated through business events. In Sarawak, conventions and exhibitions are structured to create legacies, whereas corporate meetings and incentive programmes emphasise the experience of legacies. Through strategic event planning, programming, and curated experiences, Sarawak aims to build a legacy of innovation, collaboration, and sustainable impact, generating tangible benefits for communities, industries, and the region.

Institutional-Grade Allocation in a Single Account: BiFu’s Wealth Suite Takes Shape, Bringing Managed Funds and RWA Under One Roof

HONG KONG, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BiFu, an all-asset trading platform, has completed the build-out of its Wealth suite, which runs on two product lines: a Wealth product line offering five funds managed by licensed asset management institutions across fixed income, gold, quantitative strategies, Hong Kong IPOs, and foreign exchange; and an RWA (real-world assets) product line that brings tokenized private-market equity on-chain, opening a category once reserved for institutions and high-net-worth investors.

These are not two separate features. They answer the same question: once a user’s capital crosses a certain threshold, what else can an exchange offer?


The Industry Backdrop: RWA Is Now a $38 Billion Market

According to industry data platform RWA.xyz, as of August 2026, total on-chain RWA value stands at roughly $38 billion, total asset holders have surpassed 2 million, up more than 60% in 30 days, and asset issuers number 281.

Two numbers deserve a closer look. First, holder growth is far outpacing growth in total value: new inflows are dominated by smaller tickets, and RWA is moving from an institutional niche toward retail adoption. Second, 281 issuers against two million holders means supply remains scarce, which helps explain why leading offerings fill their subscription windows quickly.

The asset mix, however, is a reminder that RWA is not shorthand for “low risk.” US Treasuries, at roughly $14.7 billion, are a conservative core holding; but commodities, private credit, equities, private equity, and alternative funds sit closer to the medium-to-high end of the risk spectrum.

BiFu’s read: Treasuries and commodities solve a yield problem, but the real growth frontier lies in private equity and alternative funds, because those solve an access problem. What retail investors lack is not an extra point of yield. It is access to assets they simply cannot buy.

The Wealth Line: Five Funds, Five Distinct Sources of Return

BiFu’s Wealth product line currently hosts five funds, all rated Medium Risk, whose underlying assets do not overlap: a compact allocation shelf rather than a product list.

FX Stable Return Fund: expected annualized rate of return of 8.00% to 10.00%, a 365-day offering cycle, initial investment of 10,000 USDT, and a subscription quota of 5,000,000 USDT. The fund invests in a master fund established by Trivesta Group in the Cayman Islands, managed through foreign exchange (FX) and precious metals (including gold) trading strategies within an established risk management framework focused on controlling volatility and drawdowns.

Gold Spot Enhanced Fund: It adopts a classic strategy of “gold spot base holdings + dynamic option yield enhancement (e.g., covered calls)”, capturing gold’s long-term appreciation Beta through spot positions while earning option premium Alpha during market consolidation. Managed by Duxton Asset Management.

Ark One Quantitative Fund: expected annualized rate of return of 15.00%, a 365-day cycle, initial investment of 20,000 USDT, a quota of 5,000,000 USDT, and recruitment progress of 69.85%. The only fund with digital assets as the underlying, it is an arbitrage yield-enhanced quantitative fund of funds combining “steady arbitrage + flexible timing enhancement” to navigate bull and bear cycles. Primary manager Wellspring Asset Management holds a BVI Approved Manager license, with over 7 years of crypto quantitative experience and historical AUM exceeding USD 140 million; Shenwan Hongyuan Securities (Singapore) acts as co-manager.

Stable Yield Fixed Income Fund: expected annualized rate of return of 7.00%, a 180-day cycle, initial investment of 5,000 USDT, a quota of 5,000,000 USDT, and recruitment progress of 75.39%. The only six-month product, it adopts the MAS-regulated VCC structure and invests in supply chain finance assets with a real trade background, targeting counter-cyclical industries such as packaging, plastics, and deep processing of agricultural products. Duxton Asset Management is primary manager, with Shenwan Hongyuan Securities (Singapore) as co-manager.

HKEX Anchor Investment Flagship Fund: expected annualized rate of return of 15.00%, a 365-day cycle, initial investment of 10,000 USDT, a quota of 5,000,000 USDT, and recruitment progress of 56.92%. Managed by Duxton Asset Management, it directly participates in the offline anchor placement of high-quality unicorn IPOs on the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), capturing initial offering dividends while avoiding long-term secondary market volatility.

The shelf has a clear layered design: fixed income, FX, Hong Kong IPOs, gold, and crypto quant each contribute a distinct return stream, with entry points tiered from 1,000 to 20,000 USDT.

All product information is drawn from BiFu’s public website and does not constitute investment advice or any promise of returns. Expected annualized rates are projections, not guarantees; past performance is not indicative of future results, and investments involve the risk of principal loss.

The Manager Lineup: A Licensed Roster Rarely Seen in Crypto Wealth Products

Duxton Asset Management, founded in 2009, is dually regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS, holding a CMS license) and Australia’s ASIC. Its core team originated from the Asset Management division of Deutsche Bank, with 17 years in cross-border investment and wealth management. Shenwan Hongyuan Securities (Singapore) is a holding subsidiary of a large comprehensive securities firm directly under China Investment Corporation (CIC) and Central Huijin. Wellspring Asset Management holds a BVI Approved Manager license and specializes in digital asset quantitative hedging. Trivesta Group covers the FX and precious metals mandate and issues two equity projects on the RWA line.

Under BiFu’s roadmap, the Wealth suite will operate as an open venue: the platform provides the compliance rails, user base, and settlement infrastructure, and invites additional licensed asset managers to issue products and assets.

The RWA Line: Turning Private-Market Tickets into Stablecoin-Sized Shares

BiFu’s RWA Project List currently features three investable projects, all structured as funds and rated Medium Risk:

StepFun Equity Project: initial investment of $15,000, issued by Trivesta Group, scale upper limit of $5,000,000, recruitment progress 56.91%. It invests in the Pre-IPO equity of StepFun, a leading unicorn in China’s Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) sector, standing in the domestic first tier for multi-modal large model technology.

Sunrise Equity Project: initial investment of $20,000, also issued by Trivesta Group, scale upper limit of $5,000,000, recruitment progress 41.65%. It invests in Sunrise, a scarce target in China’s AI computing infrastructure sector focused on the independent R&D of dedicated GPUs for large model inference.

Musk Unicorn Opportunities Fund: initial investment of $50,000, managed by Duxton Asset Management, scale upper limit of $10,000,000, now marked Fundraising Closed. A Pre-IPO unicorn opportunities fund holds scarce equity of pre-listing tech giants through a compliant fund structure.

All three are private-market equity that ordinary investors can barely reach through traditional channels. This is where RWA delivers its most tangible value: allocations that once started at a million dollars compress to $15,000 to $50,000, subscribable in stablecoins. It converts what people could not buy into products they can hold by the share. Private-market equity remains medium-to-high risk, and expected annualization figures do not constitute any guarantee of returns.

For Asset Issuers: BiFu’s Next Phase

RWA is a two-sided market. BiFu has laid out the path it will offer asset issuers going forward, in three steps: asset tokenization, market trading, and investment allocation. Projects move from application through compliance structuring to token issuance; tokens then list, connect to liquidity, and open to global investors, who allocate in stablecoins and can exit through the secondary market. 

BiFu’s support spans compliance architecture, smart contracts, and full-cycle issuance services, underpinned by partner law firms, auditors, and custodians. For asset owners, fundraising and liquidity get solved together: a tokenized issuance creates a continuously tradable market the moment the raise completes.

The Second Half for Exchanges Is a Contest of Asset Supply

As the industry settles into a battle for existing users, pure trading-efficiency gains yield less and less. BiFu’s Wealth suite points to a different path: the core competency of an exchange is shifting from matching trades to organizing assets. Whoever can source assets others cannot, and package institutional-grade structures into retail-accessible shares, will keep the users with the largest balances.

Users still need only one account. What that account can hold is expanding from crypto to gold, foreign exchange, supply chain finance, Hong Kong IPOs, and private-market equity.

About BiFu

BiFu is a next-generation all-asset trading platform connecting trading, assets, and future markets. Through a unified account system, BiFu offers crypto derivatives, FX CFDs, tokenized stocks and RWA, prediction markets, Earn, and copy trading.

One Account, Trade the World.

Blossom & Wood Media Scales Global Creator Operations with PhotonPay

HONG KONG, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — When Blossom & Wood Media says “global creators, powered by Blossom & Wood Media”, they mean it literally.

Blossom & Wood Media Scales Global Creator Operations with PhotonPay
Blossom & Wood Media Scales Global Creator Operations with PhotonPay

The agency runs local hubs in Bangkok, Jakarta, São Paulo, and Mexico City, managing an influencer network of nearly 100,000 creators across Europe, the Americas, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. At any given time, the agency coordinates multi-market campaigns — matching creators to briefs, managing tight production schedules, handling approvals, and tracking performance across platforms.

The Challenge: Aligning Financial Infrastructure with Global Scale

At Blossom & Wood Media’s scale, managing global campaign funds requires coordinating hundreds of payouts across dozens of currencies and time zones.

For the finance team, executing these disbursements through traditional banking networks created continuous friction:

  • Unpredictable Intermediary Fees: Intermediary banks frequently deducted hidden fees mid-transit, creating discrepancies between the amount sent by the agency and the net amount received by overseas creators.
  • Operational Bottlenecks: Manually processing batch transfers across disparate local payment methods consumed valuable finance bandwidth and increased administrative error rates.
  • Delayed Campaign Schedules: When creator bank details contained minor errors, resolving returned transfers required multi-party coordination between business managers, finance teams, and creators, which slowed down campaign momentum.

As Blossom & Wood Media expanded its footprint, it sought a specialized fintech partner to solve both the volume and complexity of its global capital flow.

“We needed a partner who genuinely understands overseas business models. Compliance, the ability to handle complex operational scenarios, and rapid response speed when edge cases arise were our three non-negotiables.”

— Eva Long, Co-founder of Blossom & Wood Group

Consumer Electronics in LATAM: One Campaign, Two Markets, Zero Fragmentation

Blossom & Wood Media brought PhotonPay in to manage the payment complexity that comes with running multi-market campaigns at scale. The consumer electronics vertical illustrates clearly how that works in practice.

For a consumer electronics client running concurrent campaigns across two key LATAM markets, Blossom & Wood Media built a tiered creator structure: vertical creators in tech and fitness for product demonstrations, and crossover creators in streetwear, entertainment, and anime to reach broader youth audiences. One market alone generated close to 3 million content impressions, with the overall CPM held below $10.

Behind those results was a disbursement operation involving multiple creator cohorts, two separate market budgets, and staggered payment timelines running in parallel. Using PhotonPay’s multi-currency accounts and batch payment tools, Blossom & Wood Media consolidated disbursements for both markets into a single management flow. Payments were batched by cohort and campaign phase, fees were transparent and predictable, and reconciliation was tied directly to campaign milestones, so finance always had a clear view of which payments belonged to which market and which phase, without piecing together separate processes manually.

Short Drama Goes Global: Production Payments and Flexible Settlements

Blossom & Wood Media has built significant capability in short-form drama. These projects move fast: local casting, on-the-ground production crews, and post-production partners may be spread across several countries, with tight delivery windows from pre-production through final delivery.

Blossom & Wood Media uses PhotonPay to handle project-level disbursements — payments to local production teams, actors, and collaborators across markets, managed in batches with full reconciliation visibility. Payment details are verified before disbursement, and when exceptions do arise, PhotonPay’s team resolves them quickly enough that they rarely affect the production schedule.

Furthermore, in high-growth markets like Latin America, local currency volatility and banking restrictions lead some clients to settle campaign and media buying budgets (for TikTok and Meta ad spend) in USDT or other stablecoins.

To accommodate client preferences without creating accounting friction, Blossom & Wood Media leverages PhotonPay’s multi-asset wallet and conversion capabilities. PhotonPay helps accept stablecoins from clients and seamlessly converts digital assets into USD or other fiat currencies.

What Made PhotonPay the Right Fit

PhotonPay’s global infrastructure aligns directly with Blossom & Wood Media’s localized corporate structure:

  • End-to-End Local Collection & Payouts: With support for over 19 local accounts and direct access to local clearing rails across 113 regions, PhotonPay enables clients to collect funds and pay global creators locally, eliminating unnecessary FX markups and multi-hop intermediary deductions.
  • Automated Batch Processing & Reconciliation: Transparent fee structures reduce payment discrepancies, allowing finance teams to upload mass payout files and reconcile campaign budgets automatically.
  • Dedicated Exception Management: When account details need correction, PhotonPay’s 24/7 dedicated support team resolves exceptions rapidly, protecting fixed campaign delivery schedules.
  • Enterprise-Grade Compliance: PhotonPay maintains financial licenses across major global jurisdictions. Its infrastructure features SOC 2 Type I attestation, full Travel Rule enforcement, real-time AI transaction screening, and strict data protection protocols.

“The next round of competition will be won by whoever can make their money and operations truly local, not just their content. We’ve built local entities and local settlement capabilities across multiple markets. That’s where the industry is heading, and we need our payments infrastructure to move at that exact same pace.”

— Eva Long, Co-founder of Blossom & Wood Group

In an era when global growth demands seamless localization, money movement must evolve alongside creative execution. Together, Blossom & Wood Media and PhotonPay are bridging this gap by co-architecting a flexible, borderless financial network that unlocks access to emerging markets, accommodates evolving payment preferences, and shapes the future of global creator commerce.

About PhotonPay

PhotonPay is a stablecoin-powered financial operating system built for global infrastructure. Designed for modern enterprises, PhotonPay enables businesses to send, receive, convert, and settle funds across both fiat and stablecoin rails through a single, compliance-first integration, spanning 200+ countries and territories.

For more information, visit [www.photonpay.com].

 

TIER IV joins Open Invention Network 2.0 to drive the expansion of the open-source ecosystem for autonomous driving through a patent strategy

TOKYO, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TIER IV, the pioneering force behind open-source software for autonomous driving, has joined Open Invention Network (OIN) 2.0, a new framework established by OIN, a global network dedicated to protecting open source software from patent risks. As the leading developer of Autoware, open source software for autonomous driving, TIER IV will leverage its participation in OIN 2.0 to help reduce patent risks and create an environment where a wide range of partners, including automakers, suppliers, and semiconductor makers, can confidently leverage open-source technologies, while promoting the expansion of the open-source ecosystem for autonomous driving from a patent strategy perspective.

OIN provides a global patent non-aggression framework that supports the development and growth of open source software, with thousands of companies and organizations around the world participating in the network. Through the OIN framework, participants grant one another royalty-free cross-licenses to patents covering the Linux System as defined by OIN, helping to reduce patent risks associated with Linux and related open source software. Launched in January 2026, OIN 2.0 expands the scope of the Linux System, broadening the range of technologies covered by OIN’s patent non-aggression framework.

TIER IV has led the development of Autoware since its initial release in 2015. Built on open source software, including Linux and ROS, Autoware serves as the foundation of TIER IV’s software platforms for bringing autonomous driving into society. In recent years, TIER IV has been expanding the autonomous driving ecosystem by collaborating with automakers, suppliers, semiconductor makers, and other partners to leverage an open technology foundation spanning software, AI, and automotive computing.

To advance the deployment of autonomous driving in collaboration with partners around the world and help create a safer and more sustainable society, it is essential to foster an ecosystem built on open source software, in addition to advancing technological development within individual companies. This requires creating an environment that reduces patent risks associated with open source software and enables its use with greater confidence. By joining OIN 2.0, TIER IV will participate in OIN’s framework for patent non-aggression and enhanced governance, while also pursuing a patent strategy that balances the use of open-source software with the protection of intellectual property. Through these efforts, the company will contribute to the healthy and sustainable development of the open-source ecosystem supporting autonomous driving.

About TIER IV

TIER IV stands at the forefront of deep tech innovation, pioneering Autoware, open-source software for autonomous driving. With a comprehensive suite of platforms and services built around Autoware, TIER IV provides everything from software development and vehicle procurement to operational support. Through the Autoware ecosystem, TIER IV works with partners worldwide to shape the future of intelligent vehicles with open-source software, aiming to create mobility that is safer, more sustainable, and accessible to all.

The word marks and logos of TIER IV are trademarks or registered trademarks of TIER IV, Inc. in Japan and other countries. All other company names, product names, service names, and logos referenced herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Autoware is a registered trademark of the Autoware Foundation.

Media contact

pr@tier4.jp 

Brii Biosciences Provides Corporate Updates and Reports 2026 Interim Financial Results

Topline Data from Phase 2b Studies Inform HBV Functional Cure Strategy; Additional Data Expected in 2H 2026

Emerging Discovery Programs Build Momentum

BRII-5395 mRNA Cancer Vaccine Moving into Clinical Evaluation for HCC

Strong Cash Position Supports Continued Strategic Execution

Conference Call Scheduled: August 21 at 8:30 a.m. HKT

DURHAM, N.C. and BEIJING, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Brii Biosciences Limited (“Brii Bio,” or the “Company,” stock code: 2137.HK), a biotechnology company developing therapies to improve patient health and choice across diseases with high unmet medical need, today provided a corporate update and reported its financial results for the six-month period ended June 30, 2026.

In the first half of 2026, Brii Bio generated additional clinical data supporting its differentiated hepatitis B virus (HBV) functional cure strategy while continuing to expand its internal discovery capabilities and advance its RNA-based technology platforms.

In its HBV clinical program, the Company presented end-of-study data from its Phase 2 ENSURE study at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress 2026. On July 3, the Company also announced topline end-of-treatment data from its Phase 2b ENRICH and ENHANCE studies. To date, findings across the ENSURE, ENRICH and ENHANCE studies have consistently supported the potential of BRII-179 to improve functional cure outcomes as part of a combination regimen. Detailed data from the ENRICH and ENHANCE studies are expected to be presented in the second half of 2026.

Beyond its HBV portfolio, the Company continued to advance its internal discovery capabilities and invest in the development of RNA-based technology platforms. Subsequent to the reporting period, the first participant was dosed in a clinical study evaluating BRII-5395, an internally discovered mRNA therapeutic vaccine for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This milestone represents the first clinical evaluation of an RNA-based therapeutic originating from Brii Bio’s internal discovery efforts. While BRII-5395 is an mRNA therapeutic vaccine, the Company’s broader RNA platforms encompass multiple RNA modalities. During the first half of 2026, Brii Bio progressed multiple internally discovered candidates across various stages of discovery and preclinical development, including programs that extend the application of its technology platforms into additional therapeutic areas beyond infectious diseases.

With effective cost control measures and optimized operating structure in place, Brii Bio remains well-capitalized, with a cash position of approximately US$260 million as of June 30, 2026, providing financial flexibility to support its late-stage HBV programs and early discovery initiatives.

“Our progress in the first half of the year reflects meaningful advances across both our late-stage HBV portfolio and our expanding discovery capabilities,” said Dr. Zhi Hong, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Brii Bio. “Data generated across our HBV studies continue to inform our functional cure strategy. At the same time, the initiation of clinical evaluation for BRII-5395 demonstrates our ability to translate internal discovery into pipeline assets. We look forward to sharing additional milestones later this year. Together, these efforts are building a more diversified pipeline and strengthening the foundation for sustainable innovation and long-term value creation.”

Corporate and Clinical Updates

HBV Program

Brii Bio continued to advance its HBV pipeline with a focus on achieving higher functional cure rates through novel combination regimens. The Company’s differentiated HBV portfolio, including BRII-179, a recombinant protein-based HBV immunotherapeutic, and elebsiran, an HBV-targeting siRNA, has generated a growing body of clinical data supporting Brii Bio’s functional cure strategy through the completed Phase 2b ENSURE study and ongoing ENRICH and ENHANCE Phase 2b studies.

  • The Phase 2b ENSURE study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of combination approaches aimed at improving functional cure outcomes. Cohorts 1-3 evaluated elebsiran in combination with PEG-IFNα compared to PEG-IFNα monotherapy. Cohort 4 evaluated the potential role of BRII-179 in enhancing immune responsiveness and improving hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss rates. In the first half of 2026, end-of-study data from Cohorts 1-4 of the Phase 2 ENSURE study were presented at EASL 2026, demonstrating that:
    • The HBsAg loss benefit observed in the elebsiran and PEG-IFNα combination cohorts resulted in a higher functional cure rate compared to the PEG-IFNα alone cohort.
    • BRII-179-experienced participants achieved higher functional cure rates, particularly among anti-HBs responders, suggesting that BRII-179 may play an important role in achieving durable immunological control of HBV. 
  • To further define the role of BRII-179 in HBV treatment and identify an optimal combination regimen for potential registrational development, the Company is evaluating BRII-179 in two additional ongoing Phase 2b studies: ENRICH and ENHANCE studies.

    The ENRICH study evaluates BRII-179 as a priming therapy administered prior to elebsiran and PEG-IFNα treatment. The ENHANCE study evaluates a concurrent triple combination regimen of BRII-179, elebsiran, and PEG-IFNα to enhance the functional cure rates. In July, the Company announced topline end-of-treatment data from its Phase 2b ENRICH and ENHANCE studies.

    • At EOT, the ENRICH study evaluating pre-treatment with BRII-179 followed by elebsiran and PEG-IFNα achieved HBsAg loss rates of 42.9% (42/98) and 40.0% (20/50) across two BRII-179 dosing schedules (five doses administered every 3 weeks and 7 doses administered every 2 weeks, respectively). These results were consistent with the 41.9% (13/31) HBsAg loss rate observed in ENSURE Cohort 4 among patients previously treated with BRII-179, supporting the potential immune-priming role of BRII-179.
    • Subgroup analyses from the ENRICH study suggest potential differentiation in subjects with higher baseline HBsAg levels (1000-3000 IU/mL) comparing with other HBV functional cure regimens under development by other companies, consistent with prior findings from ENSURE Cohort 4, indicating that BRII-179 may induce beneficial immune responses regardless of baseline HBsAg levels in this difficult-to-treat population.
    • At EOT, the ENHANCE (Part A-1) study evaluating a concurrent triple combination did not demonstrate improved HBsAg loss rates compared with ENSURE Cohorts 2 and 3, 29.7% (11/37), with an observed rate of 25.5% (25/98). Higher HBsAg loss rates, however, were observed compared with the PEG-IFNα control arm, 10.2% (5/49).
    • The ENHANCE study also evaluated a sequential approach designed to potentially shorten PEG-IFNα therapy in its Part A-2 by administering BRII-179 plus elebsiran during the first 24 weeks followed by 24 weeks of elebsiran and PEG-IFNα. At EOT, this combination regimen achieved an HBsAg loss rate of 22.5% (18/80), suggesting that a full course of PEG-IFNα therapy may be important for achieving optimal functional cure outcomes.

No new safety concerns have been identified across ENSURE, ENRICH and ENHANCE to date.

On August 19, 2026, the Company received an email notification from one of its central laboratory service providers of a product recall involving a commercial assay kit[1] used for HBsAg testing in the ENHANCE study. Based on the information currently available and the Company’s preliminary assessment, the potential impact on the clinical data of the Company’s sponsored trials publicly disclosed to date appears limited to the EOT HBsAg data for Part A-2 of the ENHANCE study. The Company is working with the service provider to identify potentially affected samples and arrange retesting using unaffected assay kits. Subject to completion of the retesting and further analysis, as at the date of this announcement, the Company has not identified any indication at this stage that the matter would materially affect its overall interpretation of the study results or the program development decisions announced to date. The Company will continue to evaluate the matter and provide updates as appropriate if any material developments arise.

The Company plans to present detailed data from the ENRICH and ENHANCE studies, including additional efficacy, safety and subgroup analyses, at a scientific conference in the second half of 2026.

Discovery Program Update

Brii Bio is expanding its RNA platforms beyond infectious diseases into new therapeutic areas. In the first half of 2026, the Company progressed multiple early-stage candidates spanning various stages of discovery and pre-clinical development, with a focus on generating differentiated therapeutic opportunities in diseases with significant unmet medical needs.

  • BRII-5395 is a novel mRNA therapeutic vaccine internally developed by Brii Bio. It is being evaluated as part of a combination immunotherapy approach for HBV-related HCC.
    • On August 12, 2026, subsequent to the reporting period, the first participant was dosed in a clinical study evaluating BRII-5395 in participants with advanced HCC. The study, conducted at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, immunogenicity and preliminary anti-tumor activity of BRII-5395 in combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody and an anti-VEGF antibody. The current standard of care of immune checkpoint inhibitors have limited efficacy against HCC.
    • As the first internally developed mRNA-based cancer therapeutic vaccine from Brii Bio to enter clinical evaluation, BRII-5395 represents an important milestone in the advancement of the Company’s internal discovery capabilities and RNA-based technology platform.

While BRII-5395 is an mRNA therapeutic vaccine, the Company’s broader RNA platforms encompass multiple RNA modalities. In addition, the Company has extended the application of its technology platforms into additional therapeutic areas beyond infectious diseases.

Further program updates are expected throughout the remainder of 2026. The Company is actively exploring partnership opportunities to advance selected discovery programs to maximize the value of its emerging pipeline.

Additional Clinical Programs

  • Brii Bio is actively seeking strategic partnerships for long-acting anti-HIV and multidrug resistant (MDR) antibacterial therapeutic candidates to maximize the development and commercialization potential.

Other Corporate Updates

On April 16, 2026, the Company and Brii Biosciences Offshore Limited, a subsidiary of the Company, submitted a Demand for Arbitration to the United States-based Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. against Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (the “Arbitration”).

The Company announced the commencement of the Arbitration on April 16, 2026 and provided a further update on May 22, 2026. As of June 30, 2026, the Arbitration remained in its early stages, and the parties had not reached a resolution of the claims.

In light of the ongoing arbitration, the Company is not currently advancing elebsiran into Phase 3 development and future development plans for elebsiran remain under evaluation pending resolution of the Arbitration. The Company will continue to monitor developments and update shareholders as appropriate.

Outlook

Looking ahead, the Company remains focused on advancing its differentiated HBV portfolio while continuing to progress its RNA-based discovery efforts.

The Company plans to continue investing in its internal discovery capabilities and RNA platform to support the advancement of future pipeline candidates. Through these efforts, Brii Bio aims to generate new therapeutic opportunities and build a sustainable pipeline of innovative medicines addressing diseases with significant unmet medical needs.

With a strong balance sheet and disciplined execution, Brii Bio is well positioned to pursue value-creating opportunities and deliver on its strategic priorities.

Interim 2026 Financial Results

  • The Company maintains a strong cash position to support its operations through 2029. Our bank deposits and cash and cash equivalents were RMB1,770.8 million as of June 30, 2026, representing a decrease of RMB170.2 million or 8.8% compared with RMB1,941.0 million as of December 31, 2025. The decrease was primarily due to payout of research and development activities and daily operations.
  • Through pipeline prioritization, resource optimization, internalization of certain clinical development activities, and cost-saving measures of third-party vendors, we have effectively controlled our operational expenses. Research and development expenses were RMB98.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, representing a decrease of RMB18.7 million or 16.0%, compared with RMB117.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025. The decrease was primarily attributable to organizational optimization, compensation framework adjustments, and lower third-party contracting costs as Phase 2 study activities for the HBV programs wound down, partially offset by increased investment in early-stage discovery.
  • Administrative expenses were RMB52.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, representing a decrease of RMB5.6 million or 9.6%, compared with RMB58.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025. The decrease primarily reflected lower employee costs following organizational optimization and adjustments to the senior management compensation framework, partially offset by the increase in professional fees and the depreciation and amortization cost.
  • Other income was RMB19.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, representing a decrease of RMB8.6 million or 30.6%, compared with RMB28.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025. This was mainly due to the decrease in bank interest income of RMB7.9 million attributable to the declining interest rates on time deposits.

Conference Call Information

The Company will host a live conference call in Chinese on August 21 at 8:30 a.m. HKT (8:30 p.m. ET on August 20). For the registration link, please click here.

All participants shall use the link provided above to complete the online registration process prior to the conference call. A replay of the conference call will be available after the call and can be accessed by visiting the Company’s website at www.briibio.com under the Investor Relations section.

This press release contains references to third-party information. Such information is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in this press release. Brii Bio disclaims responsibility for such third-party information.

About Brii Bio

Brii Biosciences Limited (“Brii Bio”, stock code: 2137.HK) is a biotechnology company developing therapies to improve patients’ health by addressing high unmet medical needs with limited treatment options. The Company is advancing a broad pipeline of unique therapeutic candidates with lead programs against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The Company is led by a visionary and experienced leadership team and has operations in both China and the United States. For more information, visit www.briibio.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

The information communicated in this press release contains certain statements that are or may be forward-looking. These statements typically contain words such as “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “plans” and “anticipates,” and words of similar import. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There may be additional material risks that are currently not considered to be material or of which the Company is unaware. These forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance. Against the background of these uncertainties, readers should not rely on these forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no responsibility to update forward-looking statements or to adapt them to future events or developments.

[1] The relevant kit is Roche Elecsys HBsAg II quant II. For details of the product recall, please see the public recall announcement: https://qxzh.yjj.sh.gov.cn/openApi/recallDetail?recall.recallId=525e2adbd3454202bdc748ad47efb17a 

 

Aiper unveils next-generation smart outdoor care solutions, expanding the Aiper Smart Yard Ecosystem

  • Unveiling its latest generation of smart pool care and irrigation innovations in Australia, Aiper is introducing the Scuba V3, Scuba S3, and IrriSense N2 SE to deliver a simpler, smarter approach to outdoor maintenance
  • The new product range builds on Aiper’s Smart Yard Ecosystem, helping homeowners spend less time maintaining their outdoor spaces and more time enjoying them
  • The latest innovations were showcased at Aiper’s 2026 Pool Party on the Gold Coast, celebrating the future of smart outdoor living alongside Australia’s coastal lifestyle

GOLD COAST, Australia, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Aiper, the world’s No.1 smart robotic pool cleaner brand and a global leader in smart yard innovation*, is announcing the arrival of its latest generation of smart outdoor care innovations in Australia, expanding its vision for a connected and effortless backyard experience.

Aiper Smart Yard Ecosystem
Aiper Smart Yard Ecosystem

The launch introduces the next evolution of Aiper’s Smart Yard Ecosystem, featuring the Scuba V3, Scuba S3, and IrriSense N2 SE – a new generation of smart solutions designed to simplify pool and lawn maintenance through intelligent technology, automation, and user-focused design.

The new products were unveiled on August 20th at Aiper’s 2026 Pool Party on the Gold Coast, where media, creators and industry experts experienced the future of outdoor living through interactive demonstrations of Aiper’s latest innovations.

Building on Aiper’s commitment to redefining outdoor maintenance, the new range reflects the brand’s focus on creating products that are neat, reliable, and carefree, reducing the time and effort traditionally required to maintain a backyard, while helping Australians make the most of their outdoor spaces.

Designed to make everyday pool care smarter and more effortless, the Aiper Scuba V3 brings Cognitive AI to an essential robotic pool cleaner. Its front-facing camera powers AI Patrol Cleaning to detect and target debris in real time, while VisionPath™ Adaptive Path Planning helps it navigate the pool efficiently and reduce unnecessary repeat cleaning. Cognitive AI Navium™ Mode goes a step further, using pool size, weather conditions and cleaning history to build autonomous cleaning plans for more hands-free maintenance. JetAssist™ Horizontal Waterline Cleaning extends care from the pool floor to the waterline, helping Australians spend less time maintaining their pools and more time enjoying their backyard.

Also joining the range is the Scuba S3, a next-generation robotic pool cleaner designed to provide reliable, hands-free pool care. Engineered for everyday convenience, the Scuba S3 is lightweight, features quick water release, and delivers intelligent cleaning performance while eliminating the hassle of traditional manual pool maintenance.

Expanding Aiper’s smart yard capabilities beyond the pool, the IrriSense N2 SE brings intelligent irrigation technology to lawn care, whilst saving up to 40% of water. Designed to provide a seamless watering experience, the smart irrigation system helps homeowners maintain healthier lawns with automated scheduling and efficient water management. Together with Aiper’s robotic pool cleaners, the IrriSense N2 SE extends the brand’s vision of carefree outdoor living from the pool to the garden. 

For those looking to take pool care even further, Aiper will soon introduce the flagship Scuba V3 Ultra to Australia. Combining dual-camera AI with VisionPath™ 2.0 navigation and Cognitive AI Navium™ Mode, it can intelligently identify and tackle areas throughout the pool, from the floor and walls to the waterline and surface. Powerful dual-pump suction and MicroMesh™ ultra-fine filtration further enhance its cleaning performance, delivering a premium, hands-free solution for keeping pools pristine with minimal effort.

“At Aiper, we believe outdoor maintenance should be effortless, giving people more time to enjoy the spaces they love,” says Andres Gomez, Aiper’s Vice President of Sales. “Our Smart Yard Ecosystem represents our commitment to creating smarter, more sustainable solutions that take the complexity out of pool and lawn care. With our latest innovations, we’re continuing to deliver products that are neat, reliable and carefree, helping Australians transform their backyards into places to relax and enjoy.”

The Scuba V3 is now available through Aiper’s online store and selected retail partners, with the Scuba S3 and IrriSense N2 SE launching in September. For more information, visit aiper.store/au/store.

ALL IT Hypermarket Returns with Tech The Emissions Down 2026 – Now Powered by Atome and Blueshark in Malaysia’s Most Impactful Tech Retail ESG Campaign

Second edition of the groundbreaking e-waste and green mobility campaign offers Malaysians the chance to win a Blueshark Solo 1C EV Bike and MacBook Neo – simply by recycling their unwanted electronics.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ALL IT Hypermarket Sdn Bhd proudly presents the second edition of Tech The Emissions Down (TTED), now running until 31 December 2026, co-powered by Atome and Blueshark Malaysia. There is still plenty of time to join the green movement.

From left to right: Blueshark Malaysia Head of Marketing Strategy & Communications, Mr. Eric Lim; ALL IT Hypermarket Head of Marketing, Mr. Cagen Tan; Atome Head of BNPL Malaysia, Mr. Danny Lim
From left to right: Blueshark Malaysia Head of Marketing Strategy & Communications, Mr. Eric Lim; ALL IT Hypermarket Head of Marketing, Mr. Cagen Tan; Atome Head of BNPL Malaysia, Mr. Danny Lim

Returning with Purpose: A Response to Overwhelming Support

The inaugural TTED 2025 exceeded all expectations, drawing over 120,000 participants across Malaysia and generating significant awareness.

As a technology retailer, ALL IT recognises a responsibility beyond selling the next device. Improperly disposed electronics release toxic materials into landfills – and TTED was built on the belief that tech retail can be a force for good.

“Malaysians genuinely care about the environment – they just need a platform that makes it easy and rewarding to act. We are in the business of technology, and with that comes a responsibility to ensure it does not burden our planet. By partnering with Atome and Blueshark, we are building something that goes far beyond a campaign – a long-term commitment to a greener Malaysia.”

– Cagen Tan, Head of Marketing, ALL IT Hypermarket Sdn Bhd

 

Atome Joins as Preferred BNPL Partner – Making Green Choices More Accessible

TTED 2026 is co-branded as Atome x TTED by ALL IT, with Atome as Preferred BNPL Partner. Through Atome’s 0% interest instalment plan, Malaysians can invest in green technology without financial barriers.

“At Atome, we believe that financial flexibility and sustainability go together. When we make green choices more affordable and accessible, we empower more Malaysians to make smarter and more responsible choices. Our partnership with ALL IT through TTED 2026 is a meaningful step in that direction – connecting our platform’s reach with a campaign that truly matters. We are proud to play our part in driving positive environmental impact, one purchase at a time,”

– Danny Lim, Head of BNPL, Atome Malaysia

 

Blueshark Malaysia Champions Green Mobility as Official EV Bike Partner

As Official EV Bike Partner, Blueshark Malaysia brings its Solo 1C EV Bike as the campaign’s Grand Prize. Two lucky winners will be announced on 8 January 2027.

“Meaningful change happens when sustainable choices become the easiest choices. That’s why this partnership is such a natural fit for Blueshark. Together with ALL IT and Atome, we’re proudly mobilising that shift by bringing technology, retail and smart mobility together to encourage more Malaysians to make everyday decisions that collectively have a lasting impact. Whether it’s recycling an old device, choosing cleaner, smarter transport or simply becoming more conscious of our footprint, every small action matters. We hope TTED 2026 inspires more Malaysians to take that first step towards smarter, more sustainable living.”

– Eric Lim, Head of Marketing Strategy & Communications, Blueshark Malaysia

 

E-Waste Drop-Off Available at All ALL IT Outlets Nationwide

ALL IT Hypermarket provides convenient e-waste collection points at all its retail outlets across Malaysia, channeling all collected items to authorised recycling partners for responsible processing.

Win a Blueshark Solo 1C EV Bike or MacBook Neo – Just by Going Green

Participants can earn lucky draw entries by recycling e-waste at any ALL IT outlet (1 free entry, no purchase required), spending a minimum of RM200 in a single receipt (1 stamp entry), or paying with Atome (1 additional bonus entry). Sign up as an ALL IT Rewards Lite Member (FREE) via the ALL IT Rewards web-app to collect and track stamps digitally.

Prizes: 2 x Blueshark Solo 1C EV Bike – Grand Prize, 2 winners announced on 8 January 2027. 3 x Apple MacBook Neo (512GB) – Bi-Monthly Prize, 1 winner each in August, October and December 2026. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information on the Atome x Tech The Emissions Down 2026 campaign, e-waste drop-off locations and prize details, visit ALL IT Hypermarket’s official website and social media channels:

Website: www.allithypermarket.com.my
Facebook & Instagram: @allithypermarket

 

About ALL IT Hypermarket

ALL IT Hypermarket Sdn Bhd is Malaysia’s largest IT retail chain, with over 14 outlets across the Klang Valley. Established in 2002, ALL IT offers a wide range of consumer electronics, computing products and smart devices, complemented by its ALL IT Rewards loyalty programme and a growing digital presence through its official webstore.

About Atome

Atome is one of Asia’s leading Buy Now, Pay Later platforms, offering consumers flexible and interest-free installment payment options across a wide network of retail and online partners across Asia.

About Blueshark Malaysia

Now part of PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad, Blueshark is an innovation-driven electric mobility company redefining everyday transportation through smart, connected two-wheel mobility solutions. Proudly assembled in Malaysia, Blueshark combines advanced vehicle technology, intelligent connectivity and practical ownership solutions to make electric mobility more accessible for consumers, businesses and
fleet operators alike.

IGEL Brings Now & Next Workspace & Endpoint Security Summit to Melbourne, Australia

The event brings together customers, partners, and industry leaders to advance endpoint security, resilience, and secure workspace delivery.

MELBOURNE, Australia, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IGEL®, a global software company delivering the IGEL Adaptive Secure Endpoint Platform™, today announced it is bringing the IGEL Now & Next® Workspace & Endpoint Security Summit to Melbourne, Australia, for a showcase on September 17, 2026, at Park Hyatt Melbourne. The one-day program will bring together IT and security leaders to examine the endpoint security, resilience, and workspace delivery priorities shaping enterprise strategy across the region.

IGEL Brings Now & Next Workspace & Endpoint Security Summit to Melbourne, Australia
IGEL Brings Now & Next Workspace & Endpoint Security Summit to Melbourne, Australia

The Melbourne event extends IGEL’s flagship Now & Next® series following its five-city European roadshow earlier this year. It arrives as organizations across healthcare, government, transportation, and critical infrastructure weigh the cost of replacing endpoint hardware against the need to keep operations running through disruption.

“What we are hearing from customers is consistent: organizations want stronger control at the endpoint, greater resilience when disruption occurs, and a practical path to support both current and emerging workspace models,” said Klaus Oestermann, CEO of IGEL. “The Now & Next® summit roadshow is designed to bring those conversations closer to home, together with the customers and ecosystem partners, helping define the next phase of endpoint strategy.”

The summit will bring together IGEL leaders, customers, and ecosystem partners to share perspectives on secure endpoint strategy, resilience, and the future of digital work. IGEL executives and technical leaders will anchor the program, with Klaus Oestermann, CEO, and Matthias Haas, Managing Director and CTO, leading sessions on IGEL strategy and the IGEL Adaptive Secure Desktop® in contact center and healthcare environments. Sterling Wilson, Field CTO for BC&DR, will address endpoint resilience and business continuity, while James Millington, Field CTO for Healthcare, EMEA, will explore clinical workspace delivery and IT/OT convergence.

Complementing the IGEL-led sessions, customers and ecosystem partners will bring real-world perspectives and expertise to the program, including event sponsors Nutanix, NVIDIA, Omnissa, and UltrArmor.

“As organizations rethink the endpoint as a more controlled, resilient, and centrally governed part of the security architecture, the discussion is shifting from device management alone to recovery, governance, and continuity,” Oestermann added. “That is the conversation we want to lead in Melbourne.”

The summit runs from morning sessions through the afternoon customer panel and networking happy hour at Park Hyatt Melbourne, 1 Parliament Square. Attendance is open to enterprise IT and security leaders across Australia and New Zealand.

To review the full agenda, explore speakers, and register, visit the event page.

About IGEL

IGEL® is a global software company delivering the IGEL Adaptive Secure Endpoint Platform™, a trusted and governed endpoint platform for secure access to cloud, VDI, DaaS, SaaS, Secure Browsers, enterprise applications, as well as OT endpoints. At its foundation is IGEL OS, an immutable operating system that helps reduce endpoint attack surface, preserve a known-good endpoint state, and support secure access across distributed work environments. Through the IGEL Preventative Security Model®, the platform adds attested workload delivery, centralized governance, and contextual enforcement, aligning endpoint security with Zero Trust and SSE/SASE architectures from key IGEL Ready partners.

IGEL Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery™ (BC&DR) helps organizations restore secure access on Windows endpoints affected by ransomware, other cyberattacks, or outages. Founded in 2001, IGEL is headquartered in Germany with U.S. offices in San Francisco and Fort Lauderdale, working with an ecosystem of 130 leading technology brands. Learn more at www.igel.com.

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