With the Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia’s approval, the Ria Payroll Management System, coupled with the Ria Wallet and Prepaid Card Program, in collaboration with Mastercard, aims to promote financial inclusion among unbanked migrant workers throughout Malaysia, offering employers a secure and compliant way to manage their payroll needs.KUALA LUMPUR, June 13, 2025 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Ria Money Transfer (“Ria”), a global leader in the cross-border money transfer industry and business segment of Euronet Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: EEFT) has been officially approved by the Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) for the disbursement of digital wage payments via the Ria Wallet. By streamlining wage distribution through digital means, the Ria Prepaid Card Program, in collaboration with Mastercard, provides an omni-channel solution to employers who may struggle with conventional banking access for their workforce.The Ria Wallet facilitates various financial activities such as depositing funds, withdrawing cash from ATMs, paying bills, and conducting domestic and international transfers. Customers will also be able to make payments in millions of locations in Malaysia via QR payment linked to DuitNow. In addition, the Ria Wallet streamlines payroll management for Malaysia-based companies throughout industries heavily dependent on migrant workers, including construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.According to the International Organization of Migration (“IOM”), migrants represent an estimated 15.3% of Malaysia’s total workforce, many of whom are unbanked. The Ria Wallet addresses the challenges faced by both workers and employers in the country's cash-centric payment landscape.Ria’s presence in Malaysia since 2001 has positioned Ria as one of the leading players in the money transfer industry. Leveraging its strong physical network of 624,000 locations worldwide and its presence in nearly 200 countries and territories, Ria aims to provide a diverse and seamless service experience to all customers.Espen Kristensen, Ria Money Transfer’s Managing Director Asia Pacific, expressed his excitement for the expansion of Ria's service portfolio in Malaysia. He emphasized, “We understand the challenges employers in Malaysia face when it comes to managing wages for their workers. Through the Ria Wallet, companies will be able to benefit from a digital solution that improves transparency and compliance across their operations”.In collaboration with Mastercard, The Ria Prepaid Card Program underscores the company’s commitment to driving positive social impact through the financial empowerment of different communities worldwide. About Ria Money TransferRia Money Transfer, a business segment of Euronet (NASDAQ: EEFT), delivers innovative financial services including fast, secure, and affordable global money transfers. With the world’s largest cross border real-time money movement network, Ria moves money where it matters. Bridging the gap between digital and physical spaces, Ria’s omnichannel products and services provide unprecedented consumer choice, including real-time payments, mobile wallets, currency exchange, home delivery, and cardless ATM payouts. Ria’s global infrastructure, powered by the Dandelion real-time, cross-border payments network, facilitates financial access to customers, agents and partners alike. By creating new market opportunities and promoting economic growth around the world, Ria opens ways for a better everyday life. Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.
SINGAPORE / INDIA, June 13, 2025 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Asia Research & Engagement (ARE), a leading sustainability-focused consultancy and capital markets engagement firm, has expanded its India team with two senior appointments: Shishir Soti, Director, Global Operations and Partnerships and Arun Kumar, Strategic Advisor – Power Markets and Technology Innovation.Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Singapore, ARE works across Asia’s key economies – including China, India, and Japan – to drive sustainability outcomes through the alignment of capital markets, corporate strategy, and policy. India’s expanding influence in energy, agriculture, and capital markets makes it not just a domestic focus but a regional anchor for accelerating Asia’s net-zero transition.“India is already making bold strides on its decarbonisation journey,” said Benjamin McCarron, Founder & Managing Director, ARE. “Expanding our footprint here strengthens our ability to connect investor expectations and corporate ambition across the region, from Tokyo to Bangkok to Singapore. India’s scale and innovation are pivotal to designing future-fit systems across all of Asia.”Shishir Soti brings more than 25 years of experience to ARE, having held senior positions in banking and financial services at institutions including Standard Chartered and ICICI Bank, as well as senior roles at environmental groups such as the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation and Environmental Defense Fund. At ARE he will help deepen the integration of India into ARE’s regional programmes on financed emissions, sustainable food systems, and transition financing. He will also spearhead stakeholder engagement and fundraising strategy for ARE’s India programmes, advancing efforts to align Indian corporates and banks with net-zero goals.“India’s ambition to reach net-zero by 2070 has implications far beyond its borders,” said Soti. “Its energy and agricultural transitions will shape supply chains, investment flows, and climate ambition throughout Asia. I’m proud to support ARE’s work connecting policy, capital, and corporate action at this critical intersection.”Arun Kumar joins ARE with more than 25 years of experience in power markets, technology, and strategy, having held leadership positions at PTC India, HSBC Securities, KPMG and CRISIL where he was consistently ranked among India’s top energy analysts. He will provide strategic insights into regulatory trends, market innovation, and grid decarbonisation.“ARE’s investor-informed approach has already helped shift conversations in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia,” said Kumar. “India’s power market is on the cusp of transformation, and I look forward to helping shape the trajectory through collaborative engagement and technology foresight.”Soti and Kumar will work closely with Rituj Sahu, Director – Protein Transition (India), who has been leading ARE’s work on food systems, climate finance, and impact stewardship in India since 2022. Their collective expertise positions ARE to deepen its regional impact across three core pillars: Energy transition and financed emissions engagement with corporates and banks; Sustainable food and agriculture systems, with a focus on the protein transition; Capital mobilisation, bridging global finance with local sustainability outcomes.The India expansion complements and strengthens ARE’s ongoing work in Singapore, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Thailand – creating a more connected and coordinated platform for sustainable transformation across Asia.“To solve regional sustainability challenges, we need local intelligence, regional coordination, and global capital alignment,” added McCarron. “India is integral to the systems change ARE is driving across the region.”About Asia Research & Engagement (ARE)Creating change through investor-backed engagement. ARE's pioneering approach fills an engagement gap to bring leading investors into dialogue with Asian-listed companies. ARE currently works with investors representing US$10trillion. ARE covers Asian-listed companies from the financial sector, energy-related industries, and food value chains, seeking to advance a sustainable and compassionate Asia.For media interviews and further enquiries, please contactWani DiwakarAsia Research & Engagement (ARE) wani.diwarkar@asiareengage.com Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS- Revenue up by 20.7% to HK$782.3 million- Gross profit increased by 22.4% to HK$413.7 million- Consolidated profit attributable to equity shareholders grew by 51.2% to HK$197.3 million- The Board recommends a final dividend of HK11.5 cents per share- Flagship proprietary brands Ho Chai Kung, Po Chai Pills, and Flying Eagle Woodlok Oil delivered robust growth through effective brand management campaigns- Concentrated Chinese medicine granules (“CCMG”) remained resilient, providing a steady contribution to overall business performanceHONG KONG, Jun 12, 2025 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - JBM (Healthcare) Limited ("JBM Healthcare" or the "Company"; Stock Code: 2161, together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"), a leading branded healthcare products marketer and distributor in Hong Kong, today announced the annual results of the Group for the year ended 31 March 2025 ("FY2025" or the "Reporting Period").Despite a lackluster retail environment in Hong Kong, JBM Healthcare delivered a robust financial and operational performance in FY2025. Revenue from the branded healthcare business rose by 20.7% year-on-year to HK$782.3 million. Gross profit grew by 22.4% to HK$413.7 million, while consolidated profit attributable to equity shareholders surged 51.2% to HK$197.3 million.This significant increase in consolidated profit attributable to equity shareholders was driven by robust sales of flagship brands - including Ho Chai Kung, Po Chai pills, and Flying Eagle Woodlok Oil, complemented by the resilient performance of its CCMG business. These strong results underscore the effective execution of the Group’s integrated sales and marketing strategies, and its strategic foresight in capturing growth opportunities in the branded consumer healthcare market across Hong Kong, Macau, and major cities in the Greater Bay Area.The Board recommends a final dividend of HK11.5 cents per share. Including the interim dividend of HK5.5 cents per share already paid, the total dividend for FY2025 will be HK17.0 cents per share.Solid Performance Across Core SegmentsIn the branded medicines business, sales revenue recorded strong growth of 43.2%, propelled by Ho Chai Kung’s sustained market momentum. Ho Chai Kung successfully expanded its market penetration through precisely targeted marketing initiatives that broadened its consumer base while simultaneously reinforcing brand recognition.Sales in the proprietary Chinese medicines segment grew by 5.0% against the backdrop of softened local retail sentiment of Chinese medicines and herbs, driven by the momentum of flagship brands Po Chai Pills and Flying Eagle Woodlok Oil, alongside the resilient performance of the CCMG business. Po Chai Pills enhanced brand visibility through sustained TVC placements and title sponsorship of popular television programs. Meanwhile, Flying Eagle Woodlok Oil reinforced its market position with an integrated campaign themed “Flying Eagle – The Real Master’s Choice”, highlighted by a viral “Flying Eagle Bro” billboard at Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier, which tripled brand awareness.In the health and wellness products segment, revenue increased by 44.9%, driven by the steady growth of Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score Test (“Oncotype DX”), along with the expansion of our product portfolio and enhanced marketing efforts to meet consumer healthcare demands of the mass market. Oncotype DX has gained increasing recognition among healthcare professionals in Hong Kong and Macau.Capturing the Growth Potential of Cross-Border E-Commerce and TCM SectorThe Group has made steady progress in expanding its online presence on cross-border e-commerce platforms as well as strategically positioned to capitalise on the growing traditional Chinese medicine (“TCM”) sector in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. The Group’s flagship stores on Tmall Global and JD.com have performed strongly, with Ho Chai Kung ranking among the top 10 overseas medicines during the 2024 Double 11 sales event. To drive sustainable growth, the Group is also diversifying into new categories while enhancing both its B2B and B2C sales networks.Strategic Acquisition of Tin Hee TongIn April 2025, the Group completed the acquisition of a 90% stake in Tin Hee Tong Medicine Factory, Limited, whose flagship product, Tin Hee Tong Tin Hee Pills, is a well-recognised brand in Hong Kong and mainland China, particularly among female consumers for its efficacy in regulating the menstrual cycle and supporting reproductive health. The acquisition expands the Group’s proprietary Chinese medicine portfolio and creates synergies by integrating Tin Hee Tong’s brand with the Group’s manufacturing and marketing strengths. Leveraging its expertise in brand management, the Group will launch a comprehensive marketing campaign to boost awareness, enhance engagement, and broaden distribution.Mr. Patrick Wong, Chief Executive Officer of JBM Healthcare, commented, “Amid the challenging retail environment, we delivered strong financial and operational performance, driven by our robust portfolio, the enduring appeal of our flagship brands, and our unwavering focus on operational excellence.”“Looking ahead, we remain committed to disciplined growth and operational excellence. With rising health awareness, increasingly sedentary lifestyles, and an ageing population continuing to fuel demand, we are well-positioned to capitalise on growth opportunities in the consumer healthcare sector. We will continue to sharpen our brand management capabilities, strengthen our core brand equity, expand our product offerings, and extend our market reach.”About JBM (Healthcare) Limited (Stock Code: 2161)JBM Healthcare is a Hong Kong-based company that markets and distributes branded healthcare products across Greater China, Southeast Asia, and other select countries. The Group is a distinctive player in the sector with marketing expertise and heritage in pharmaceuticals that prioritises product efficacy and quality to meet consumers' healthcare needs. As a renowned healthcare brand operator in Hong Kong, the Group carries a wide-ranging portfolio of branded healthcare products comprising branded medicines, proprietary Chinese medicines, and health and wellness products, which include well-recognised household brands such as Po Chai Pills, Ho Chai Kung Tji Thung San, Tin Hee Tong Tin Hee Pills, Flying Eagle Woodlok Oil), Tong Tai Chung Woodlok Oil, Shiling Oil and Konsodona Medicated Oil. JBM Healthcare has been a constituent stock of the MSCI Hong Kong Micro Cap Index since 27 May 2021. For more details about JBM Healthcare, please visit: www.jbmhealthcare.com.hk Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.
HONG KONG, Jun 12, 2025 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - At the 62nd Congress of the European Renal Association (ERA 2025), Everest Medicines presented new results findings on both NEFECON® (budesonide delayed release capsules), the world’s first and only approved therapy that directly targets the underlying cause of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and EVER001, a next-generation covalent reversible BTK inhibitor. The latest results provide robust evidence for NEFECON®’s efficacy across the full disease spectrum and reinforce its foundational role in the emerging IgAN treatment strategy: “Treat the Cause, Treat Early, Treat All”. The nine studies covered biomarker-based prediction, treatment outcomes across various diagnostic timelines and baseline kidney function levels, long-term treatment durability, and mechanistic insights.Two studies further validated the critical role of NEFECON® in targeting the underlying mechanisms of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), reinforcing its position as the first-line etiological treatment for the disease. One study, based on the "Four-Hit" hypothesis, demonstrated that NEFECON® significantly impacts the first three pathogenic steps, ultimately reducing the risk of kidney function deterioration by 50%. Another study found that reductions in pathogenic Gd-IgA1 and polymeric IgA levels during the first two months of treatment closely correlated with improvements in proteinuria, suggesting their potential as predictive biomarkers to guide treatment.Two additional studies confirmed the clinical benefits of “Treat Early” with NEFECON®. A subanalysis of the NefIgArd study showed that patients who began treatment within six months of diagnosis experienced greater kidney protection and more significant reductions in proteinuria compared to those diagnosed earlier. This highlights the importance of early intervention to slow disease progression and achieve better long-term outcomes. Another prospective study supported this finding, showing that earlier treatment may more effectively reduce pathogenic immune factors and control inflammation, potentially preventing disease relapse or irreversible progression.Finally, two studies provided strong clinical evidence supporting NEFECON®’s “Treat All” strategy by confirming its broad applicability across different patient types. A subanalysis of the NefIgArd study found that NEFECON® effectively reduced proteinuria and preserved kidney function across all baseline eGFR levels. A separate multicenter study showed that patients with active pathological changes, such as endocapillary hypercellularity or crescent formation, experienced even more pronounced improvements in proteinuria and delayed disease progression.NEFECON® is the first and only fully approved etiological treatment for IgAN in China, the U.S., and Europe. It has been included in the KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline For The Management Of Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN) And Immunoglobulin A Vasculitis (IgAV) (public review draft). With updated data presented at ERA 2025, NEFECON® further solidified its position as a first-line cornerstone therapy, demonstrating a clear mechanism of action, sustained long-term benefits, and suitability for a wide range of patients. As NEFECON® continues to gain approvals across global markets, expand reimbursement coverage in China, and advance in tandem with diagnostic tools such as the Gd-IgA1 diagnostic kit under development, Everest Medicines is building a comprehensive “diagnosis-treatment-monitoring” ecosystem. This integrated approach is designed to shift IgAN management from symptomatic support toward precise, long-term disease control.In parallel, Everest Medicines’ proprietary next-generation covalent reversible Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, EVER001, was featured in a focused oral presentation at the 62nd Congress of the European Renal Association (ERA 2025). EVER001 has best-in-class potential for the treatment of primary membranous nephropathy (pMN) and other autoimmune kidney diseases such as IgAN, MCD, FSGS, and LN, targeting a global patient population of over 10 million. As no drug is currently approved for pMN, EVER001 offers a promising new option. Preliminary results from the ongoing Phase 1b/2a trial show that EVER001 is well tolerated and demonstrates strong clinical and immunological responses, including reductions in proteinuria and anti-PLA2R autoantibodies. The study also includes long-term follow-up data, supporting its potential in chronic disease management. Everest Medicines is continuing to expand clinical research to gather more data across patient groups and longer treatment durations.This advancement complements NEFECON® and exemplifies Everest Medicines’ “dual-engine” strategy, which combines in-licensed and internally developed innovations to broaden its kidney disease pipeline. Together, NEFECON® and EVER001 empower Everest Medicines to build a precise and durable kidney disease management ecosystem, accelerating global expansion and providing patients with accessible, effective treatment options. Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.
