Regional News

Hyphens Pharma Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Hyphens Pharma International Limited, has launched Winlevi® (clascoterone) cream 1% in Singapore and Malaysia, marking its first entry into Southeast Asia. This innovative topical acne treatment is now available via prescription through clinics and hospitals in these countries, with plans for further rollout across the region.

Winlevi® is the first new class of molecule in acne treatment in over 40 years, targeting the androgen-sebum pathway directly within the skin. Its active ingredient, clascoterone, is the first commercially available topical androgen receptor inhibitor for acne, reducing sebum production and inflammation without systemic anti-androgen side effects. This makes it a safe option for both male and female patients.

The launch is part of Hyphens Pharma’s strategic expansion in dermatology, a core focus area that includes treatments for acne, atopic dermatitis, hyperpigmentation, and hair loss. The company has secured an exclusive licence and supply agreement with Cassiopea S.p.A., a subsidiary of Cosmo Pharmaceuticals, covering Winlevi® and its future product extensions across 10 Southeast Asian countries.

Lim See Wah, Executive Chairman and CEO of Hyphens Pharma, stated, “We’re proud to be the first to introduce Winlevi® to Southeast Asia. Acne affects millions in the region, yet for decades, patients have had limited treatment options. This launch marks a significant advancement in acne care.”

Winlevi® has already been approved and launched in several countries, including the US, where it has become the most prescribed branded topical acne treatment since its 2021 debut. The introduction of Winlevi® in Southeast Asia represents a significant step in addressing unmet needs in acne care, with a multinational Advisory Board of dermatologists supporting its integration into clinical practice.
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NTT Finance Corporation has successfully completed a monumental $17.5 billion notes offering, marking the largest issuance by an Asian corporate in the global debt market. The financing subsidiary of the NTT Group issued both US dollar- and euro-denominated notes, with the US dollar notes spread across seven tranches and the euro notes across four. The offering was finalised on 16 July 2025 and the notes are listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange.

The US dollar-denominated notes include tranches such as $1.25 billion of 4.567% senior notes due 2027 and $2.5 billion of 5.502% senior notes due 2035. Meanwhile, the euro-denominated notes feature €1.5 billion of senior floating rate notes due 2027 and €1.5 billion of 4.091% senior notes due 2037. This issuance is also the second largest dollar-denominated notes offering in the US high-grade market this year, according to Bloomberg data.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, a prominent law firm, advised NTT Finance on this transaction. The Skadden team was led by Corporate Partner Kenji Taneda, with support from Counsellor Ken Kiyota, Asia Pacific Counsellor Yuko Ozaki, and associate Spencer Rauner, all based in Tokyo. Skadden has a history of advising NTT Finance and NTT Group on over $12 billion in international notes offerings since 2021.

This significant financial move not only underscores NTT Finance’s robust position in the market but also highlights the growing influence of Asian corporates in global finance. The successful completion of this offering could pave the way for future large-scale issuances by Asian companies.
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The Pair’d Margaret River Region festival is set to return from 20 to 23 November 2025, promising an extraordinary blend of culinary, cultural, and sensory experiences. This year’s event will feature world-class chefs, including Singapore’s Michelin-starred talents Julien Royer, Rishi Naleendra, and Dave Pynt, alongside international culinary icon Francis Mallmann. The festival, which debuted successfully in 2024, will offer over 30 unique events, including the world-first sonic wine experience, “Tasting Notes: The Sound of a Region.”

The festival’s highlights include the Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines, offering unlimited wine tastings and rare vintages, and the atmospheric Ngilgi Reverie, a cultural collaboration featuring performances in Ngilgi Cave. The event will also host the Pair’d Beach Club at Meelup Beach, with a surf-and-turf feast by Michelin-starred chef Nathan Outlaw.

Western Australia’s Acting Tourism Minister, Don Punch, expressed excitement about the festival’s return, noting its role in attracting visitors to the region. “Pair’d is a celebration of the incredible wine and food of the Margaret River Region,” he said.

Festival Director Hannah Pike emphasised the event’s unique offerings, stating, “Pair’d is not just a festival; it’s a region-wide sensory experience that celebrates what makes this part of the world so special.”

With direct flights now available to Busselton-Margaret River Airport, the festival is more accessible than ever. Tickets are on sale from 16 July, and attendees are encouraged to book early due to high demand.
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SleekFlow, an AI-native omnichannel platform, has launched AgentFlow, a sales-first AI tool designed to enhance revenue outcomes from customer interactions. This innovative solution is now available to businesses in Singapore and Southeast Asia, aiming to bridge the gap between automated customer engagement and tangible business results.

AgentFlow is part of SleekFlow’s broader vision of “AI that converts,” focusing on helping businesses sell smarter. The tool functions like a digital sales assistant, using advanced AI to qualify, prioritise, and convert leads in real time. It supports multilingual conversations and processes complex data, ensuring context-rich responses. Asnawi Jufrie, Vice President & General Manager, Southeast Asia at SleekFlow, stated, “AI adoption is no longer about keeping up; it’s about driving measurable growth.”

The launch is supported by findings from SleekFlow’s whitepaper, which surveyed 1,100 respondents across Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It revealed that 70% of Southeast Asian consumers are likely to make purchases with AI support, yet only 23% of Singapore consumers find AI effective in completing purchases. Businesses highlighted cost concerns as a barrier to AI adoption, with 40% indicating that proven return on investment would change their stance.

Early testing of AgentFlow has shown promising results, including faster response times and more effective lead qualification. SleekFlow offers onboarding support to ensure smooth implementation, aiming to empower sales teams to close deals more efficiently.
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A recent study by MetaComp, a major payment institution licenced by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, has highlighted significant vulnerabilities in the detection of financial crime risks within blockchain transactions. The research, focusing on stablecoin flows, analysed 7,000 transactions on Ethereum and Tron using four leading Know Your Transactions (KYT) tools: Chainalysis, Elliptic, Merkle Science, and Beosin. Findings revealed that up to 25% of high-risk transactions were not flagged when relying on only one or two KYT tools.

The study underscores the importance of a multilayered KYT approach for effective Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) compliance. Tin Pei Ling, Co-President of MetaComp, stated, “For institutions operating in a regulated environment, especially those dealing with stablecoin flows, it is no longer sufficient to rely on a single tool for transaction screening.”

MetaComp’s analysis demonstrated that a three-tool screening model significantly improves risk detection whilst maintaining processing speed, making it suitable for real-time environments. This approach reduced the false clean rate to below 0.10%, ensuring near-instant results. The study also identified systemic weaknesses, such as fragmented risk coverage and inconsistent risk categorisation, contributing to screening inconsistencies.

The research focused on USDT and USDC stablecoins, given their prominence in institutional use cases. MetaComp recommends using at least three KYT tools per transaction to balance AML/CFT effectiveness, cost, and processing efficiency. The study’s findings aim to elevate industry standards for on-chain risk monitoring and support the development of a more trusted digital finance environment.
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A recent survey by Robert Walters Singapore reveals that 93% of employers have observed increased staff turnover or disengagement following delays in pay rises. The survey, which included nearly 200 professionals and employers, highlights the significant impact of monetary compensation on employee retention and engagement in Singapore.

The findings show that 45% of employers have either reduced or postponed pay rises, whilst 17% did not offer any pay increases this year. Consequently, 64% of employers noticed employee disengagement, and 29% reported higher turnover rates. Among professionals, 72% are actively seeking new jobs after not receiving their expected pay rise, and 58% of those who did receive a raise found it lower than anticipated. Furthermore, 92% of professionals feel underpaid compared to the market rate.

Kirsty Poltock, Country Manager at Robert Walters Singapore, commented on the financial pressures businesses face, stating, “Businesses are under immense pressure to keep costs down, and for many, salary increases just haven’t been feasible this year.” She emphasised the consequences of these decisions, noting the rise in turnover and drop in motivation.

The survey underscores a disconnect between employer decisions and employee expectations, with unmet expectations driving employees to explore new opportunities. Poltock advises employers to consider non-monetary perks such as career development and flexible working arrangements to retain talent. The Robert Walters 2025 Salary Survey offers insights into pay levels and hiring trends, aiding leaders in having transparent discussions about compensation.
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Skechers, renowned for its comfort technology and lifestyle footwear, is marking Singapore’s 60th birthday with the launch of the Skechers x Mr. Merlion & Friends collection. Set to debut on 18 July, this exclusive collection will be available only in Singapore and features a range of unisex short-sleeve tees for both adults and children, a tote bag, and Cali Bits accessories. The designs highlight Mr. Merlion engaging in popular sports alongside his food-inspired companions, Loti Bread, Chilli Krabby, and Kopi-O, embodying the vibrant spirit of Singapore.

The collection aims to blend playful local charm with Skechers’ signature performance innovation. To further celebrate the launch, Skechers is offering a special in-store promotion from 24 July to 11 August, allowing customers to purchase any two Mr. Merlion & Friends items for $60, excluding Cali Bits.

Available at selected Skechers concept stores and online, the tees and tote bags can be found at locations such as Bugis Junction, Century Square, and Jewel Changi Airport, among others. Meanwhile, the Cali Bits accessories will be offered at a curated list of stores, including Causeway Point and VivoCity.

This collaboration not only highlights Skechers’ commitment to local culture but also provides a unique way for Singaporeans to celebrate their nation’s milestone. As the collection launches, it promises to bring a touch of local flair to Skechers’ global brand.
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Rental prices and volumes for both HDB flats and condominiums in Singapore saw an uptick in June 2025, according to the latest report by 99.co and SRX. This increase is attributed to seasonal factors such as school holidays and mid-year lease renewals, alongside a pause in home purchases ahead of the July Build-To-Order (BTO) launch.

Condominium rental prices experienced a slight decrease of 0.2% compared to May 2025, with the Core Central Region (CCR) and Rest of Central Region (RCR) each seeing a 0.6% drop, whilst the Outside Central Region (OCR) rose by 0.2%. Despite this monthly dip, year-on-year figures show a 2.5% increase in overall condo rental prices. Rental volumes for condos surged by 18.8% month-on-month, with 6,674 units rented in June, marking a 10.7% rise from the previous year.

In the HDB rental market, prices increased by 0.3% from May 2025. Non-Mature estates saw a 0.8% rise, whilst Mature estates experienced a 0.2% decline. Notably, Executive flats recorded the highest price increase at 1.5%. Year-on-year, HDB rental prices rose by 2.8%. Rental volumes also climbed by 4.5% month-on-month, with 2,706 HDB flats rented in June.

Luqman Hakim, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at 99.co, noted that the rental market’s buoyancy is partly due to families relocating for better school access and expatriates renewing leases. The upcoming BTO launch, offering 10,000 new flats, has also led prospective buyers to temporarily turn to rentals, particularly in more affordable segments like Executive and 4-room HDB flats or OCR condos.
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Tiger Brokers, a leading online brokerage firm listed on Nasdaq, has been recognised by CNBC and Statista as one of the World’s Top FinTech Companies 2025. This accolade highlights the company’s ongoing influence in the fintech sector, particularly in the Wealth Technology category, where it continues to innovate and redefine global investing for the next generation.

The CNBC x Statista list evaluates fintech companies based on technological innovation, industry impact, and growth potential. Over 3,000 companies were assessed across seven verticals, including Payments, Alternative Financing, and Digital Assets. Tiger Brokers stood out in Wealth Technology, thanks to its strong focus on technology and seamless user experience. “In today’s world, no company can go far without continuous technological innovation,” said Wu Tianhua, CEO of Tiger Brokers.

Since its public listing on Nasdaq in 2019, Tiger Brokers has expanded globally, operating in Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, the US, Australia, and New Zealand. The firm now serves over 10 million users worldwide, with client assets exceeding $45 billion. Its flagship platform, Tiger Trade, offers multi-market, multi-currency, and multi-asset trading, supported by advanced tools like TigerAI.

In Q1 2025, Tiger Brokers reported record revenues of $122.6 million and a non-GAAP net income of $36 million, marking a 145% year-over-year increase. The company’s total trading volume reached $217.5 billion, underscoring its robust growth and commitment to technological advancement in the fintech industry.
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As Singapore marks its 60th anniversary, Grand Park City Hall is inviting locals to explore the island’s rich cultural heritage with a series of exclusive experiences. Located in Singapore’s Civic District, the hotel is offering a blend of history, gastronomy, and luxury to celebrate this national milestone.

Grand Park City Hall has curated a suite of experiences that highlight Singapore’s multicultural heritage. Guests can enjoy exclusive stay packages, including complimentary Club Lounge upgrades for Singapore citizens and permanent residents who book by 31 August. The hotel also offers Heritage Stay Packages and nostalgic in-room play amenities in the Family Suite.

Visitors can catch the celebratory fireworks every Saturday leading up to National Day on 9 August from the hotel’s Rooftop Garden. Additionally, guests can benefit from special perks and discounts at nearby museums and attractions, enhancing their cultural exploration.

Tablescape Restaurant at the hotel is offering a limited-time SG60 Celebration Menu, featuring local flavours in a neoclassical setting. Moreover, the Mid-Week SG60 Sale provides special room rates for bookings made every Wednesday and Thursday in August.

Grand Park City Hall, the flagship luxury hotel of Park Hotel Group, is situated within a three-minute walk from City Hall MRT, offering easy access to Singapore’s major train lines and cultural landmarks. With its blend of sleek design and Peranakan motifs, the hotel promises a uniquely Singaporean experience, reflecting the nation’s past and its forward-facing hospitality.
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