Industry News

Aria Bioscience, a leading biotech firm in Singapore, has announced a collaboration with the A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (A*STAR IMCB) to explore the potential of mitochondrial biologics in consumer healthcare. This partnership focuses on developing applications for skin rejuvenation and hair restoration, leveraging A*STAR’s research on cellular resilience and mitochondrial function.

The collaboration seeks to bridge the gap between aesthetics and clinical medicine by applying mitochondria-targeted science to manage skin and hair ageing. A*STAR IMCB researchers have identified key cellular mechanisms and developed methods to enhance mitochondrial performance, which are crucial for maintaining cellular energy and function.

Timothy Chen, Executive Director of Aria Bioscience, stated, “We are working closely with A*STAR IMCB to assess the translational potential of the technology through human safety and efficacy studies. Our short-term goal is to launch medical-grade serum for epidermal application within the next six months.” A*STAR’s patented technology aims to restore mitochondrial quality by delivering functional mitochondria to specific cell types, potentially rejuvenating skin and hair cells.

This innovative approach could lead to next-generation longevity interventions, addressing ageing at the cellular level. Enhanced mitochondrial function is expected to improve cellular repair and tissue maintenance, offering promising solutions for age-related changes in skin and hair.

Thales, Singtel Group, and Bridge Alliance have unveiled the world’s first multi-operator enterprise eSIM connectivity network for the Internet of Things (IoT) in Asia Pacific. This innovative platform allows businesses to manage IoT devices across multiple countries and networks through a single, centralised solution, addressing the complexity of connectivity management and reducing operational costs.

The platform, developed with Bridge Alliance operators including Singtel, Optus, AIS, and Globe Telecom, has successfully passed interoperability testing and is now ready for enterprise IoT deployments across the region. It is set to expand to additional operators, enhancing its reach and capability.

The demand for flexible connectivity solutions is rising, with cellular IoT connections in Asia Pacific projected to hit 1.3 billion by 2030, according to GlobalData. Industries such as automotive, retail, utilities, logistics, and industrial sectors are driving this growth. The new eSIM network allows devices to automatically connect to the most suitable mobile network as they move between countries, eliminating the need for SIM card replacements and manual interventions.

Jorge Fernandes, Group Chief Technology Officer at Singtel, highlighted the platform’s ability to provide “seamless, easy-to-manage connectivity” and enhance operational efficiency. Nicolas Bouverot, VP Mobile Connectivity Solutions at Thales, emphasised the platform’s role in transforming cross-border IoT device management.

This development is particularly beneficial for sectors reliant on long-term connectivity, such as connected vehicles, utilities, and retail, offering improved resilience and reduced operational costs. As the platform expands, it promises to further streamline IoT deployments across Asia Pacific.

Seviora Holdings and Churchill Asset Management have announced the successful closure of a $400m Collateralised Fund Obligation (CFO), combining Asian and US private capital strategies. This initiative provides institutional investors with diversified exposure across various sponsors, investment strategies, and geographies.

The CFO, equally divided between Seviora’s Asian private credit and global fund-of-funds strategies and Churchill’s US junior capital and private equity secondaries strategies, was oversubscribed. This reflects strong demand, particularly from US insurance companies seeking highly rated fixed income investments. The transaction builds on a strategic partnership established in September 2025, when Temasek invested in Nuveen Private Capital, Churchill’s parent company.

Gabriel Lim, CEO of Seviora Holdings, highlighted the importance of partnerships in developing innovative investment solutions. “This collaboration brings together the strengths of Churchill and Seviora, reflecting Seviora’s ambition to forge global partnerships that broaden institutional investors’ access to private markets,” he stated.

Ken Kencel, CEO of Churchill, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, noting the robust demand for high-quality, diversified private market investments. He emphasised the appeal of the differentiated investment strategies and the alignment with parent companies TIAA and Temasek.

The CFO’s success underscores the growing interest in diversified private capital opportunities, offering investors a strategic blend of credit exposure, yield enhancement, and geographical diversification. As the financial landscape evolves, such collaborations are likely to become more prevalent, providing investors with innovative solutions to meet their evolving needs.

The first preview weekend of Dunearn House, a new residential development in Singapore’s Bukit Timah Turf City, saw approximately 5,900 visitors by 6pm on 12 July 2026. The development, a collaboration between Frasers Property, CSC Land Group, and Sekisui House, is the tallest in the area and offers a unique opportunity for homebuyers in a masterplanned precinct.

Dunearn House’s appeal lies in its strategic location and thoughtfully designed units, attracting a diverse range of potential buyers. These include owner-occupiers from Bukit Timah and neighbouring districts, families seeking proximity to quality schools, and investors interested in the precinct’s long-term potential. The development offers 380 units, including two-bedroom, three-bedroom, and four-bedroom options, with prices starting at S$1.475m for a two-bedroom unit.

The development is characterised by its green surroundings and strong connectivity, with a four-minute walk to the Sixth Avenue MRT station and future access to the Turf City MRT station. A spokesperson for the consortium noted the interest from buyers seeking a nature-centric lifestyle and flexible living spaces.

Sales bookings for Dunearn House are set to begin on 25 July 2026, offering potential buyers a chance to secure a home in one of Singapore’s most sought-after districts. The development’s strategic location and design are expected to continue drawing interest from a wide spectrum of buyers.

Kin Global Limited has announced robust commercial momentum for the inaugural PPA Asia 500 Leapmotor Singapore Open, set to take place from 23 to 26 July 2026 at The Sports Arena, Singapore EXPO Hall 10. The event, part of a multi-year partnership with Professional Pickleball Association Asia (PPA Asia), has garnered significant sponsorship and player interest, reinforcing Kin Global’s strategy to commercialise popular sports events.

The tournament, Singapore’s first-ever Professional Pickleball Association event, has attracted sponsorship from international brands such as Skechers, FedEx, Asahi, and PARKROYAL on Beach Road, alongside pickleball-specific brands like JOOLA and Franklin. Player registrations have reached full capacity, with professional participants competing for over $70,000 and 500 PPA ranking points, whilst amateur categories offer $9,000 in prize money.

Vincent Chai, CEO of Kin Global, emphasised the event’s role in advancing the company’s strategy to enhance its sports IP portfolio. “The PPA Asia 500 Leapmotor Singapore Open represents an important step in Kin Global’s strategy to move up the events tourism value chain,” he stated.

The event has seen over 80% of tickets sold, with weekend sessions fully booked, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity in Asia. Research by UPA Asia and YouGov Singapore indicates that approximately 1.9 billion people across 12 Asian markets are aware of pickleball, with over 282 million participating monthly.

The tournament’s success underscores Kin Global’s capability in delivering integrated partnership opportunities and highlights the increasing commercial appeal of pickleball as a platform for consumer engagement.

Changi Airport Group (CAG) has announced the completion of its first satellite gate, a remote boarding and disembarkation facility aimed at improving passenger experience for flights using remote aircraft parking stands. The facility, which will be operational for selected flights by August 2026, is designed to offer a seamless journey with direct aircraft access via aerobridges.

The satellite gate, located in the airfield, features a 200-square-metre air-conditioned building with a canopy entrance and a 60-metre ramp for easy accessibility. It supports both narrow and wide-body aircraft operations, providing a fully sheltered walkway for passengers. This development is part of Changi’s strategy to maximise apron space usage during peak periods, with 98% of flights currently using contact gates.

In line with sustainability efforts, the satellite gate is a zero-energy facility powered by rooftop solar panels, with smart features like automated air-conditioning based on flight schedules. Koh Ming Sue, Executive Vice President of Engineering & Development at CAG, highlighted the integration of environmental sustainability and smart technology to enhance service efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

Training sessions and dry runs have been conducted since May 2026 to prepare over 500 staff for the new operations. Yeo Kia Thye, Managing Director of Airport Operations Control at CAG, noted the importance of such facilities in supporting Changi’s operations as passenger traffic grows, particularly ahead of the opening of Terminal 5 in the mid-2030s. The satellite gate is expected to provide greater operational flexibility and improve the passenger journey during peak periods.

Singapore investors are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) for financial tasks at a rate surpassing the global average, according to a recent HSBC study. The research highlights that 76% of Singapore’s mass affluent and high-net-worth (HNW) investors utilise AI for finance and investment, compared to a 73% global average. Despite this, they remain cautious, preferring to validate AI insights with human advisers before making decisions.

The study, part of HSBC’s global Human-AI Advantage research, surveyed over 600 Singapore investors in early 2026. It found that whilst AI is integrated into their research processes, Singapore investors still prioritise expert human advice at critical decision points. This cautious approach is evident as only 8% rely solely on AI for major investment decisions, with 40% opting for a hybrid AI-then-adviser model.

Generational trends reveal that AI adoption is not limited to younger investors. Gen X and Baby Boomers in Singapore show significant AI usage at 72%, outpacing their global counterparts. High-net-worth investors, with assets over US$2m, show even higher AI adoption at 95%, attributing 40% of their investment returns to AI influence.

HSBC is enhancing its AI capabilities with tools like Wealth Intelligence and AI Prepare, aiming to support advisers with comprehensive insights and client engagement. The bank’s partnership with Google Cloud is set to expand AI use cases globally, further integrating AI into wealth management.

Ashmita Acharya, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking at HSBC Singapore, noted, “Singapore’s investors are using AI with discipline, setting a higher bar for what good advice looks like.” The study underscores the balance Singapore investors maintain between AI innovation and human judgement.

IHH Healthcare Singapore has unveiled its new Healthspan programme at the FutureHealth.Now 2026 event, marking a significant shift towards preventive health and longevity. The programme aims to help individuals live healthier, more fulfilling lives by focusing on early detection and personalised health management. A key feature of Healthspan is AgeQ™, a first-of-its-kind clinical assessment that estimates an individual’s biological age using a proprietary algorithm analysing seven blood biomarkers.

Healthspan represents a move from traditional episodic care to a continuous health management model, integrating IHH SG’s clinical expertise and data-driven insights. This initiative connects individuals to an extensive care ecosystem, including four private hospitals, over 50 clinics, and more than 1,500 specialists.

The programme is designed to address the gap between life expectancy and years lived in good health. “We are living longer than our parents and grandparents, but the challenge is also for us to achieve longer years without illness and disabilities,” said Dr Peter Chow, CEO of IHH Healthcare Singapore. Healthspan aims to make proactive longevity care more accessible and integrated with everyday healthcare.

Healthspan offers a comprehensive suite of capabilities, including baseline health profiling, proactive risk identification, personalised care programmes, and precision lifestyle optimisation. It is guided by the LIFT framework—Learn, Interpret, Finetune, and Track—ensuring long-term wellbeing.

Individuals can choose from five distinct screening experiences, each offering varying levels of diagnostic depth and personalised intervention. Dr Kristine Xie, Clinical Director of Healthspan, noted, “Healthspan was developed to bridge the gap, helping people translate clinical data into personalised, actionable guidance to preserve their vitality, independence, and quality of life.”

The Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) has announced the appointment of Teo Ser Luck and Bicky Bhangu to its Board of Governors, effective from 1 June 2026. This move aims to bolster the federation’s capabilities as Singapore’s manufacturing sector undergoes significant growth driven by technological advancements and sustainability initiatives.

Teo Ser Luck, an Independent Non-Executive Chairman at BRC Asia Limited and former Minister of State for Trade and Industry, brings a wealth of experience in economic policy and corporate governance. His extensive background in both public and private sectors is expected to enhance SMF’s strategic direction. Meanwhile, Bicky Bhangu, currently an Operating Partner in Emerging Technology at Temasek and President of the United Nations Global Compact Network Singapore, offers decades of expertise in manufacturing and technology. His leadership in sustainability and emerging technologies is anticipated to help shape the future of the industry.

Lennon Tan, President of SMF, expressed enthusiasm about the new appointments, stating, “The breadth of experience that Mr Teo Ser Luck and Dr Bicky Bhangu bring will strengthen SMF’s ability to support manufacturers through these opportunities.”

The appointments come as SMF seeks to reinforce its role as a leading voice in the manufacturing sector, ensuring that Singaporean manufacturers remain competitive and resilient in a rapidly evolving global market.

Retail sales in Singapore increased by 3.0% in May 2026 compared to the same month last year, according to the latest figures from the Retail Sales Index. The growth, however, was a slowdown from the 5.4% rise observed in April 2026. Excluding motor vehicles, parts, and accessories, retail sales saw a 3.7% increase. In contrast, the Food & Beverage (F&B) services sector experienced no growth year-on-year, maintaining the same level as May 2025.

The total retail sales value for May 2026 was estimated at $4.5 billion, with online sales accounting for 15.1% of this figure. Notably, the Computer & Telecommunications Equipment sector had the highest online sales proportion at 59.4%. Meanwhile, the F&B services sector recorded a total sales value of $1.7 billion, with 19.8% of sales conducted online.

Within the retail sector, the Recreational Goods and Watches & Jewellery industries led the growth, with increases of 23.6% and 11.7% respectively. Conversely, the Food & Alcohol and Department Stores sectors saw declines of 3.7% and 3.3% respectively. On a month-on-month basis, retail sales fell by 2.3%, with notable declines in Wearing Apparel & Footwear and Motor Vehicles, Parts & Accessories.

In the F&B sector, Fast Food Outlets and Food Caterers saw year-on-year sales increases of 2.6% and 1.9% respectively, whilst Food Courts & Other Eating Places experienced a 5.3% decline. Month-on-month, the F&B sector saw a 0.6% decrease, with Fast Food Outlets and Food Caterers experiencing the most significant drops.

The data highlights the ongoing shifts in consumer behaviour, with online sales continuing to play a significant role in both retail and F&B sectors. As the year progresses, these trends will be crucial for businesses to monitor and adapt to.