Tag: Singapore

Juniper Biologics Expands Caris Life Sciences’ Distribution in MEA

SINGAPORE, June 24, 2024 — Singapore-headquartered Juniper Biologics Pte Ltd (Juniper), a leading healthcare and pharmaceuticals company focused on commercialising novel therapies, has been granted distribution rights for Caris Life Sciences (Caris)’ solid tumour molecular profiling services in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). Caris is the leading next-generation AI TechBio company and precision medicine pioneer. This expansion follows the initial January 2023 distribution rights partnership with Caris for the same services in Southeast Asia (SEA). Juniper is now poised to offer Caris’ advanced solid tumour molecular profiling services across a broader region, enhancing patient access to personalised treatment options.

Caris’ best-in-class molecular profiling, combined with proprietary artificial intelligence, provides more precise and individualized cancer treatments. This profiling approach assesses DNA, RNA, and proteins, revealing a molecular blueprint that identifies treatment options specific to each patient’s cancer. Caris has developed the world’s largest and most informative platform for cancer analysis, featuring the most advanced tumour profiling available, including Whole Exome and Whole Transcriptome Sequencing across over 23,000 genes. By analysing biomarkers found in tumours, Caris helps healthcare providers make informed choices for personalised care.

Juniper Biologics is committed to driving positive change in the pharmaceutical industry on a global scale. Aligned with its mission to deliver transformative therapies through bold scientific innovation, Juniper’s collaboration with Caris will enhance access to quality treatments for patient communities in the Middle East and Africa. Juniper continues to pursue impactful partnerships aimed at uplifting communities and individuals, especially in underserved regions where access to advanced therapies is limited.

Raman Singh, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Juniper Biologics, spoke on the successful acquisition: “Caris molecular profiling bridges the gap between tumour biology and cancer treatments, guiding precision medicine through personalised treatment selection for physicians and their patients. Our exclusive partnership with Caris Life Sciences to distribute this service in the Middle East and Africa will significantly empower healthcare professionals to make informed decisions for their patients. This service enables oncologists to recommend highly personalised treatments that specifically target a patient’s cancer, thereby improving and expanding their care options. This targeted approach offers patients, particularly those with rare or aggressive cancers, an improved quality of life.”

“Caris is pleased to expand the distribution of our molecular profiling services in the Middle East and Africa through our partnership with Juniper Biologics,” said Caris President David Spetzler, MS, PhD, MBA. “This collaboration aligns with Caris’ goal of enabling clinicians worldwide to make the best individualised treatment choices for their patients and ultimately helping to improve patient outcomes.”

LRQA showcases its EiQ platform at NRF 2024, making a significant impact

SINGAPORE, June 20, 2024 — At the recent NRF 2024 Retail Show in Singapore, LRQA made a notable impact by showcasing its cutting-edge EiQ platform. This event offered a unique opportunity for the LRQA team to engage with potential clients, explore emerging retail trends, and demonstrate the transformative capabilities of their innovative solutions.

LRQA NRF Retail Show 2024

The NRF 2024 Retail Show in Singapore gathered industry leaders, innovators, and influencers to explore the latest trends and technologies shaping the retail sector. This event served as a hub for networking, knowledge-sharing, and presenting groundbreaking solutions aimed at transforming the retail landscape.

During the event, LRQA leveraged the opportunity to engage with industry professionals, potential clients, and partners. These face-to-face interactions led to insightful discussions about the future of retail and the role of technology in driving sustainability. Such interactions were instrumental in understanding client needs and tailoring LRQA’s solutions accordingly.

JP Stevenson, Director of ESG Analytics at LRQA, expressed his enthusiasm about participating in NRF 2024 and the potential of the EiQ platform. He stated, “Participating in NRF 2024 was an excellent opportunity for LRQA to showcase EiQ, the world’s first ESG supply chain due diligence platform which is now playing an important role in helping retailers globally comply with emerging ESG due diligence legislation.”

KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse Expands: New Nature-Centric Centers in the East

SINGAPORE, June 20, 2024 — Babilou Family Singapore, a leading early childhood education provider, has unveiled two new KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse centres in the eastern part of Singapore. The premium preschool centres are nestled in the heart of East Coast and Mountbatten and offer children aged two months to 6 years a truly unique and immersive preschool experience. Combining innovative education and sustainable practices, these centres are a haven for young minds, fostering a love for learning and the environment amid nature’s embrace.

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A Nature Wonder for Winning Minds

The new KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse centres are enveloped by nature, and each occupies an average floor area of 2,800 square metres, providing vast open spaces for children to explore, discover, and thrive. The centres were designed in response to the growing demand from parents for preschools that go beyond education – they yearn for expansive, open areas where their children can engage in active play and connect with the natural world. This focus on outdoor learning is a proactive measure against the increasing prevalence of myopia in young children, as exposure to greenery and time away from screens offer many benefits for a child’s holistic development.

Both centres are housed in heritage sites and feature expansive space layouts, allowing KiddiWinkie to introduce its specialised integrated outdoor learning spaces or learn-and-play nodes, such as a Sensory Trail, Nature Harvest, and an outdoor playground and splash park area. These nodes serve as dynamic classrooms, allowing educators to blend lessons seamlessly with the wonders of nature and foster a lifelong appreciation for learning and the environment in each child.

Sustainable Education™ – Planting Seeds for a Greener Future

At the heart of KiddiWinkie’s approach lies its trademarked Sustainable Education™ curriculum. This unique curriculum is designed to nurture children to flourish and become conscientious individuals poised to make meaningful contributions to the world. The preschool’s inquiry-based learning approach combines purposeful play and school readiness. The curriculum also emphasises English and Chinese, aiming to cultivate bilingual proficiency in children as part of preparation for the rigours of primary school.

The centres offer comprehensive programmes tailored to various age groups:

  • Infant Care (2 to 17 months): A nurturing environment featuring the Sensory Oasis™ multi-sensory room, a first in Singapore, that promotes relaxation and stimulation in infants as they explore their surroundings using all five senses.
  • Early Years (18 months to 3 years): An age-appropriate programme that fosters developmental milestones through structured play and interactive learning experiences.
  • Preschool Years (4 to 6 years): Preparing children for primary school with a focus on inquiry-based learning, creative expression, and bilingual education.

Enrichment classes like FIITercise™, Artsy Fingers™, Cook & Bake, Playtinkers™, and the screen-free coding programme Tech Crafters™ complete the holistic learning experience.

Expanding Accessibility and Meeting Community Needs

Located at East Coast and Mountbatten, the new centres cater to the demand for premium preschools in the area, as identified by Babilou through its market research. By bringing premium early childhood education solutions to the East, KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse aims to support the community and create a learning environment for children to flourish.

“The beautiful new school in East Coast has amazing facilities with a huge outdoor area, a sandpit and playground, a reading corner, and more,” said Margaryta Badegruber, a delighted parent whose child attends KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse @ East Coast. “We chose this school for the extensive outdoor time and great curriculum it offers. Our daughter finished her first week here and enjoys everything about the school! She looks forward to going (to school) every morning – this makes us very happy as parents.”

NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific Concludes with Stellar Attendance and Industry Participation

SINGAPORE, June 18, 2024 — The inaugural NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific, organised by the National Retail Federation (NRF) in the U.S. and global event organiser Comexposium, successfully wrapped up with stellar attendance and a resounding impact on the future of retail. Held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore on June 11-13, the three-day event attracted over 7,000 registrations and participation from 238 exhibitors from across Asia Pacific and the globe.

Themed “Fast Track Your Success”, NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific featured more than 100 speakers across 60 sessions, including keynotes, panel discussions, special programmes and tours, addressing the latest trends, technologies, and strategies transforming the retail landscape in Asia Pacific.

Industry leaders from renowned companies such as AEON Group, Amazon, Coca-Cola, Central Retail Corporation (Thailand), Domino’s, Fast Retailing (UNIQLO), Hermès, Mastercard, Moët Hennessy, Puma, Lotte Corporation, and Wumart, among others, shared their insights on topics ranging from omnichannel retailing and sustainable practices to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and the evolution of customer experience.

“NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific met our expectations as an exhibitor in areas of attendance, thought leadership and influence. It’s clear that this event is a pivotal platform for driving the future of retail, fostering meaningful connections and sparking transformative ideas,” said Mette Krogh, Chief Marketing Officer, RELEX Solutions. “We are looking forward to leveraging the invaluable insights and connections gained at the event to propel our initiatives for Asia Pacific forward.”

One of the highlights of NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific was the NRF Innovation Lab, showcasing the most visionary retail technologies available on the market today. Attendees had the opportunity to experience firsthand the advancements in areas such as AI, augmented reality, data analytics and Web3, which were set to power the new retail in the digital age.

“As a speaker, I was impressed by the breadth of topics covered and the depth of expertise shared at the conference,” said Xu Ying, President, Wumei Technology Group. “The showcase of retail solutions at the expo, and the exchange of innovative ideas and best practices, have left a lasting impact. NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific has not only set a new standard for industry events but also solidified its influence as a cornerstone for retail thought leadership and innovation.”

“The warm and favourable reception we have received from the retail communities spanning across India, Japan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and New Zealand strongly indicates a significant demand for a pan-regional retail event,” said Ryf Quail, Managing Director, NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific, Comexposium. “The energy and enthusiasm from participants have been incredible, underscoring the dynamic and evolving nature of the retail industry in the region. We are proud to provide a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and innovation that drives the industry forward.”

Looking ahead, NRF is excited to announce that NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific will take place on June 3-5, 2025, at the same iconic venue in Singapore. The upcoming event promises to build on the success of this year’s show, with even more visionary speakers, pioneering technologies, and unparalleled networking opportunities.

Rebooking has commenced for existing exhibitors now. For new exhibitors, bookings will open from July 1, 2024. Retail professionals, technology innovators, and industry stakeholders are encouraged to mark their calendars and join the largest and most influential retail conference in the Asia Pacific region.

MoneyGram Partners with Rashid Khan to Promote Trusted Services

SINGAPORE, June 18, 2024 — MoneyGram International, Inc. (“MoneyGram” or the “Company”), a leading global financial technology company that connects the world’s communities, announced a partnership with esteemed Afghan cricketer, Rashid Khan. This association with Rashid will help the Company continue to expand its global presence and promote its trusted and reliable services in Afghanistan and around the world. The collaboration was recently formalized via a signing ceremony in Ahmedabad, India.

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“I am thrilled to officially announce my endorsement of the MoneyGram brand,” shared Rashid. “MoneyGram helps bring families closer through reliable and fast global money transfers, and I am delighted to share more about MoneyGram with my numerous cricket fans around the globe. I look forward to our long-term partnership.”

This partnership comes as the Company continues to expand its presence in Afghanistan. Senders across Europe, Canada and the United States can visit MoneyGram Online, the Company’s leading website and mobile app, or one of its hundreds of thousands of agent locations to send funds to loved ones in Afghanistan. Receivers in Afghanistan can pick up funds in either USD of AFN from one of the Company’s 200+ agent locations across the country.

“As the captain of the Afghanistan national team, he understands the value of teamwork and has a strong commitment to excellence. These qualities closely align with MoneyGram’s values, emphasizing the Company’s commitment to providing best-in-class services to our customers.” Said Sabrina Chan, Head of Field Marketing Asia Pacific and South Asia.

Orchard Hotel Singapore Introduces Aiello Voice Assistant (AVA)

SINGAPORE, June 18, 2024 — Aiello is excited to announce the introduction of its cutting-edge Aiello Voice Assistant (AVA) to the Singapore hospitality market, debuting exclusively at The Orchard Hotel Singapore. This AI-powered device connects guests with hotel staff and provides data-driven insights to enhance customer service and streamline operations. As AVA makes its first appearance in Singapore, Orchard Hotel Singapore leads the way for Millennium Hotels and Resorts in offering innovative guest experiences.

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Established in the late 1950s and reaching a milestone in 1978 with its contemporary twin-tower design featuring 656 rooms, Orchard Hotel Singapore has long been a symbol of luxury and excellence on Orchard Road. Its iconic clock tower and prime location have made it a favorite among travelers seeking an unforgettable stay.

Guests at Orchard Hotel Singapore, a flagship property of Millennium Hotels and Resorts, will now benefit from AVA, their personal guide to amenities, services, and local recommendations. Embracing modernity, the hotel has replaced all telephone handsets, enabling guests to enjoy a hands-free stay facilitated by AVA for all communication needs. Acting as an in-room assistant, AVA responds promptly to voice commands, allowing guests to effortlessly connect with other rooms or contact the front desk.

“Our commitment to innovation and exceptional guest experiences is unwavering,” said Jacqueline Ho, General Manager at Orchard Hotel Singapore. “The integration of AVA is a transformative step, combining state-of-the-art technology with personalized service to enhance guest convenience and comfort while reinforcing our leadership in the hospitality industry.”

“We’re not just introducing a voice assistant; we’re integrating AI seamlessly into the existing hotel technology ecosystem,” said Mr Vic Shen, CEO and Co-founder of Aiello. “Being the first in Singapore is just the beginning – our focus is on providing a holistic and technologically advanced guest experience that aligns with Orchard Hotel Singapore’s legacy of excellence.”

Matrixport Makes the Hurun Global Unicorn List 2024

SINGAPORE, June 18, 2024  — Matrixport, a global-leading and Asia’s largest digital assets financial services platform, announced that it has made the Global Unicorn List 2024 released by Hurun Research Institute.

Matrixport Logo

The Global Unicorn Index 2024 released by Hurun Research Institute includes the world’s start-ups founded in the 2000s, worth at least a billion dollars and not yet listed on a public exchange. Hurun Research Institute has been tracking unicorn companies since 2017, and this is the sixth year of the Global Unicorn Index. According to Hurun, fintech, artificial intelligence, blockchain and new energy were the fastest growing industries in the past year. The fintech industry as an important driver of economic growth is also an important part of the market economy.

As a global-leading and Asia’ largest digital assets financial services platform, Matrixport provides institutional and accredited investors in multiple countries and regions with services ranging from digital assets trading, lending, assets management and custody. In 2021, two years after its establishment, Matrixport completed over $1 billion Series C financing, and became a unicorn company. In 2022, it was named by CB Insights as one of the 50 most promising blockchain companies in the world.

The listing demonstrates Matrixport ‘s continued contribution to the development of the blockchain industry with its strong market influence, technological capabilities, innovation capabilities, compliance efforts and ecosystem-building capabilities. In the meantime, Matrixport actively contributes to the development of digital assets and financial technologies. At the welcome dinner of the Global Prosperity Summit 2024 held in Hong Kong on May 13th, Matrixport Co-Founder Mr. Jihan Wu and Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Mr. John Lee delved into recent development of global asset management. They also discussed the significance of Hong Kong’s regulatory framework in shaping global digital asset governance. Matrixport affirmed its commitment to bolster investment in Hong Kong, leveraging the city’s talent and financial ecosystem. The Chief Executive encouraged Matrixport to further develop the asset business in Hong Kong, attract and nurture more talents. He emphasized that Hong Kong will continue to build a more robust and complete digital assets ecosystem and attract more creative and competitive digital asset firms to develop and thrive in Hong Kong.

Middleton Int’l School in Top 10 for World’s Best School Prize 2024 for Health Support

SINGAPORE, June 18, 2024 / — Middleton International School, an independent school in Singapore, which blends health and wellbeing with academic rigour, has been named in the Top 10 shortlist for the World’s Best School Prize 2024 for Supporting Healthy Lives.

Only two schools in Singapore, Middleton International School and Dulwich College (Singapore) are among the Top 10 shortlists for the World’s Best School Prizes 2024 for the Supporting Healthy Lives and Environmental Action categories respectively.

Founded by T4 Education in collaboration with Accenture, American Express, and the Lemann Foundation, the World’s Best School Prizes are prestigious education prizes and this year’s winners will share a $50,000 prize fund. The five World’s Best School Prizes – for Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation, Overcoming Adversity, and Supporting Healthy Lives – were established in the wake of COVID in 2022 to give a platform to schools that are changing lives in their classrooms and far beyond their walls, sharing their best practices to help improve education everywhere.

The winners of the five Prizes will be chosen by an expert Judging Academy based on rigorous criteria. In addition, all 50 shortlisted schools across the five Prizes will also take part in a Public Vote, which opened today. The school which receives the most public votes will receive the Community Choice Award and membership to T4 Education’s Best School to Work programme to help them support teacher wellbeing and solve the teacher recruitment and retention crisis.

Vikas Pota, Founder of T4 Education and the World’s Best School Prizes, said:

“Unless we solve the urgent challenges global education faces – from learning gaps exacerbated by COVID to chronic underfunding and the growing teacher wellbeing, recruitment and retention crisis – we will have failed the next generation.

“Trailblazing Singapore schools like Middleton International School and Dulwich College (Singapore), which have cultivated a strong culture and aren’t afraid to innovate, show the difference that can be made to so many lives. Schools everywhere can now learn from their solutions, and it’s time governments do so as well.”

Kickstarter Success poised to disrupt Fitness Industry in Singapore

SINGAPORE, June 17, 2024  — Launched on Kickstarter on November 9, 2021, the startup Speediance has quickly gained traction in the fitness world, recently securing Pre-A funding to accelerate its growth and revolutionize smart home fitness. The Kickstarter campaign was a resounding success, raising over $1 million from backers eager to bring this innovative product to market. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of self-sustainability, as people adapted to working and exercising at home when gyms were closed.

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Changing the Fitness Landscape

Traditionally, the fitness industry has relied heavily on gym memberships and a variety of specialised equipment. However, during the pandemic, numerous home workout options emerged, ranging from YouTube videos to equipment like the Peloton bike. Despite these advancements, resistance training remained largely unaddressed, particularly in space-constrained areas like Singapore, where having bulky gym equipment is impractical.

Speediance Smart Home Gym is poised to radically disrupt this industry by introducing the ability to have a fully functional home gym set up on just the side of an average-sized fridge. Historically, most resistance workouts involved lifting heavy concrete blocks or metal plates. Speediance, however, employs magnetic resistance technology and intelligent software to create customizable weight experiences ranging from 0.5 kg to 100 kg at the push of a button. This new approach provides a seamless and efficient experience, making resistance training more accessible for home users.

Financial Considerations: Speediance vs. Gym Memberships

In Singapore, the cost of gym memberships can be significant. On average, a mid-range gym membership can be quite costly per month, while high-end gyms can charge even more. Over a year, this translates to a substantial expense on gym memberships alone.

Instead of recurring gym membership fees, Speediance requires a one-time purchase. For the cost equivalent to one to two years of a high-end gym membership, users receive a comprehensive fitness solution.

  • All-in-One Solution: Speediance eliminates the need for multiple pieces of gym equipment, offering a full range of resistance training options.
  • Convenience: Having Speediance at home eliminates commuting to the gym, saving both time and transportation costs. This is particularly beneficial for busy parents and executives.
  • Personalized Training: The integrated screen with pre-recorded sessions led by personal trainers offers a guided and motivational workout experience, similar to what personal trainers provide at gyms, usually at an additional cost.

Technological Innovation

Speediance’s use of magnetic resistance technology and intelligent software marks a significant advancement in home fitness equipment. This technology allows for precise and easily adjustable resistance levels, catering to various fitness needs and goals. The addition of pre-recorded sessions led by personal trainers further enhances the user experience, providing structured and engaging workouts.

Global Expansion and Future of Fitness

Since its successful launch, Speediance has grown into a global brand, now available in over 36 countries worldwide. This expansion signals a potential shift in the fitness industry as more people discover the benefits of smart home fitness solutions. The traditional gym model might face new challenges due to the convenience, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of products like Speediance.

With its innovative approach and successful Kickstarter campaign, Speediance is poised to play a crucial role in this evolving landscape, making advanced resistance training accessible to a broader audience across the globe.

Pall Corporation Launches Dollar150M Facility in Singapore for Semiconductor Demand

SINGAPORE, June 13, 2024 — Pall Corporation, a leader in filtration, separation and purification technologies, today held its opening ceremony for a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Singapore that will serve regional and global customers within the growing semiconductor industry. Pall has invested approximately US$150 million on the facility which will primarily produce lithography and wet-etch filtration, purification and separation solutions that will help meet the high demand for advanced node semiconductor chips.

“Throughout an almost 80-year history, Pall has been on the forefront of solving some of the world’s most complex challenges using advanced filtration. This new facility is not only an important development for advancing semiconductor manufacturing technology, but also an important next step for Pall. We will continue to leverage our experience and expertise to help solve global challenges, from the increased demand for advanced chips to aiding in the transition to greener manufacturing,” said Mr. Naresh Narasimhan, Danaher Group Executive, High Growth Markets & Pall Corporation.

The now-completed seven-acre facility will include more than 18,000 square meters of high-volume manufacturing (HVM) and office space and will integrate core research and development capabilities in the future. The new facility will allow customers in highly demanding industries to meet growing end market demand for data processing and storage.

“Newer applications like generative artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing (HPC), next generation communications and autonomous vehicles require cutting-edge semiconductor chips that are made in advanced node fabs. The high technology filtration solutions manufactured by this new facility are specifically designed to support the production of these advanced node logic and memory chips,” said Mr. Shangaza Dasent, Vice President and General Manager Microelectronics, Pall Corporation.

It is expected that the new site will create up to 300 jobs over the next few years across science, engineering and advanced manufacturing, with an emphasis on training and developing new talent as well as enabling transfer of knowledge to contribute to the growth of the sector as part of Singapore’s long-term strategy. There will be a consistent focus on talent development aligned to broader strategic national priorities to ensure that the advanced manufacturing industry can thrive in Singapore. With the addition of Pall’s new facility, Pall is building more capacity to support cutting-edge technologies and help scale new applications like generative AI.

“We warmly welcome Pall’s new manufacturing facility to Singapore’s vibrant semiconductor ecosystem. This addition not only strengthens Singapore’s position as a critical node within the global semiconductor industry, but also improves the resiliency of the supply chain for the region. Singapore is committed to nurturing talent, building our R&D capabilities and ecosystem, and working with the industry to build a robust and diverse advanced manufacturing cluster,” said Mr. Tan Kong Hwee, Executive Vice President, Singapore Economic Development Board.