Media OutReach

LiveSpo Pharma – Vietnamese pioneer in spore probiotics with international clinical publications, welcomes former BioGaia AB CEO to its Board

Published

3 months ago

10/09/2025

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2025 – Amid the robust growth of the global probiotics market, LiveSpo Pharma, a Vietnamese company, has made its mark with a series of clinical studies consistently published in the Nature Portfolio. These achievements not only affirm the international standing of spore probiotics ‘Made by Vietnam’ but also attracted Isabelle Ducellier, former CEO of BioGaia AB, to join the company’s Board of Directors.

Mrs. Isabelle Ducellier, Member of the Board of Directors at LiveSpo, during her official visit with the LiveSpo R&D team in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The global probiotics market is witnessing exponential growth, projected to reach nearly USD 375 billion by 2034, according to a report by Towards Healthcare⁽¹⁾. Beyond digestive health, probiotics are expanding into respiratory, immune and other new research directions. This presents major opportunities for enterprises with strong scientific capacity and the ability to translate research into community solutions. LiveSpo Pharma, a biotechnology company with the mission ‘A Future Without Antibiotics’,’ has emerged as Vietnam’s representative on the global probiotics map.

In August 2025, researchers at the Spobiotic Research Center (ANABIO R&D) and LiveSpo Pharma, in collaboration with Vietnamese pediatricians, published two important clinical trials in the Nature Portfolio. These pioneering studies evaluated Bacillus spore probiotics in nasal spray form (LiveSpo NAVAX) and high-dose oral form (LiveSpo DIA30), demonstrating effectiveness in shortening treatment time, reducing antibiotic demand, and restoring microbial balance in the respiratory and digestive tracts of children.

Speaking about LiveSpo NAVAX, the nasal spray probiotic, Isabelle Ducellier, newly appointed Board Member of LiveSpo Pharma, said: “There are many nasal sprays available on the market, but none that contain probiotics. When reviewing the scientific data developed by LiveSpo’s R&D team, I was truly impressed by the robust, systematic evidence of effectiveness. The studies were conducted rigorously, and the results highlighted the potential to improve community health, worthy of recognition by prestigious scientific journals.”

This is precisely why LiveSpo Pharma has attracted Ms. Isabelle Ducellier, former CEO of BioGaia AB (Sweden), a global probiotics brand, to its Board of Directors. With over 25 years of experience at leading European and global corporations, Ms. Ducellier successfully expanded BioGaia’s presence to more than 100 countries.

LiveSpo was founded by Dr. Nguyen Hoa Anh, who earned a Ph.D. in Life Sciences from Tohoku University (Japan), with the mission of developing water-based spore probiotic technology. After more than a decade, the company has created spore probiotic technology featuring six breakthroughs: liquid form, multi-strain, high concentration, heat resistant, acid resistant and long shelf life.

Remarkably, LiveSpo has developed a nationwide distribution network, present in leading pharmacy chains, traditional drugstores, and mother & baby retail systems, while its e-commerce channels directly reach more than 1 million users.

A key differentiator of LiveSpo is its scientific transparency. All clinical trials are registered on the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) ClinicalTrials.gov system. To date, LiveSpo Pharma has had six studies published in the Nature Portfolio—clear evidence of the rigor, transparency, and scientific value of its products. Nature Portfolio, under Springer Nature, is one of the world’s leading scientific journal systems, renowned for rigorous peer review standards and significant global impact. Within the system, Communications Medicine focuses on biomedical and clinical research, while Scientific Reports is an open-access journal with large-scale publications, ranked among the most-cited worldwide (with over 830,000 citations annually).

The most recent study, published in Communications Medicine – Nature (Impact Factor 2024: ~6.3; SCImago Q1), is titled ‘Bacillus spore-based nasal spray probiotics in the treatment of pneumonia in children with RSV and bacterial co-infection: a randomized clinical trial’ (Le T.H. et al., 2025). The trial demonstrated that LiveSpo NAVAX shortened treatment duration by an average of one day, reduced antibiotic use by nearly 15%, and improved the nasal microbiota by reducing pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. Within one month of publication (07/08/2025), the article attracted nearly 1,800 views and reached an Altmetric score of 12—indicating notable engagement for a clinical research article.

Another study published in Scientific Reports – Nature reported that the use of LiveSpo DIA30 significantly shortened treatment duration and reduced antibiotic usage by 25 per cent. This paper by Dang T.H. et al. (2025), titled ‘High-dose multi-strain Bacillus probiotics enhance treatment and reduce antibiotic usage in children with persistent diarrhea through immune and microbiota modulation’.

The strength of these publications lies not only in their findings but also in their international resonance. They align with major global research directions, such as RSV vaccine study at Yale university (Du et al., 2025; Nature Medicine), the nasal influenza vaccine study at the Icahn School of Medicine (Vasilev et al., 2025; NPJ Vaccines) and gut microbiota studies on diarrhea (Vasilev et al., 2025; Yang et al., 2025; Nature Communications). With strong reader engagement and alignment with leading research directions in the Nature Portfolio, these results highlight the potential of spore-based probiotics to improve child health, reduce disease burden, and curb antibiotic resistance—particularly in resource-limited countries.

With a solid scientific foundation, strategic development roadmap, and partnerships with seasoned international experts, LiveSpo is gaining vital momentum for breakthrough growth. The addition of Ms. Isabelle Ducellier, former CEO of BioGaia AB, to the Board of Directors not only brings global expertise and perspective but also opens opportunities to connect with international networks, markets, and standards. Especially, the recent clinical publications in the Nature Portfolio further reinforce LiveSpo’s scientific credibility, laying the groundwork for delivering safe, effective Vietnamese healthcare solutions to both domestic and global communities, and highlighting Vietnam’s growing contributions to global probiotic research.

⁽¹⁾: https://www.towardshealthcare.com/insights/probiotics-market-sizing

REFERENCES

1. Dang, H.T., Phung, T.T.B., Tran, D.M. et al. High-dose multi-strain Bacillus probiotics enhance treatment and reduce antibiotic usage in children with persistent diarrhea through immune and microbiota modulation. Sci Rep 15, 30231 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15199-y

2. Thi Le, H., Thi Bich Phung, T., Thi Bui, H. et al. Nasal-spraying Bacillus spore probiotics for pneumonia in children with respiratory syncytial virus and bacterial co-infections: a randomized clinical trial. Commun Med 5, 336 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-025-01029-9

Hashtag: #LiveSpo

https://livespo.com

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Media OutReach

Payment Options Singapore Secures In-Principle Approval from MAS for Major Payment Institution Licence

Published

13 hours ago

08/12/2025

Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 December 2025 – Payment Options Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based payment solutions provider, is pleased to announce that it has received In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for a Major Payment Institution (MPI) licence under the Payment Services Act 2019.

Payment Options Pte Ltd office in Singapore

This milestone underscores Payment Options’ commitment to supporting Singapore’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with simple, secure, and accessible digital payment solutions.

If granted the licence, Payment Options Pte Ltd will be authorised to provide three regulated payment services: Merchant Acquisition, Domestic Money Transfer, and Cross-Border Money Transfer. Through these services, the company aims to empower SMEs with a full suite of payment capabilities — from online payment gateways and QR code payments to the upcoming SoftPOS payments technology — enabling merchants to accept digital payments easily and securely.

“We remain deeply committed to supporting Singapore’s SMEs as they grow and compete in an increasingly digital-first economy. Our vision is to position digital payments as a growth enabler — not a challenge — for small businesses”, said Aaron Yip, Director of Payment Options Pte Ltd. “Our goal is to make digital transactions seamless, secure, and accessible for every business, regardless of size.”

Building on this vision, if the licence is granted, Payment Options will continue to work closely with local merchants, financial institutions, and technology partners to enhance payment accessibility and drive innovation across Singapore’s SME ecosystem.

“We reaffirm our commitment to regulatory compliance and innovation, as we contribute to Singapore’s ongoing journey toward a secure, inclusive, and cash-lite economy.”

The IPA granted by the MAS indicates that a licence may be issued upon the fulfilment of specified conditions and provided there are no material adverse developments affecting the applicant. The IPA does not constitute a licence to provide payment services at this stage, and MAS reserves the right to rescind the approval if it deems appropriate.
Hashtag: #PaymentOptions

https://www.paymentoptions.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/payment-options/
https://www.facebook.com/PaymentOptions.int/
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Payment Options Pte Ltd

Payment Options Pte Ltd is a Singapore-based financial technology company providing innovative and secure payment solutions designed to help SMEs and merchants simplify digital transactions. With a focus on compliance, technology, and customer experience, the company aims to make digital payments accessible for every business.

Media OutReach

Financial Assistance at SIM: Breaking Barriers to Education

Published

14 hours ago

08/12/2025

Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 December 2025 – For many aspiring learners, financial constraints remain one of the biggest obstacles to achieving their goals. SIM is determined to change that. Guided by the principle that no student should be left behind because of cost, SIM has built a comprehensive ecosystem of financial aid, scholarships, and bursaries to make quality education attainable for all.

At the heart of this mission is the SIM Impact Fund, a S$60 million initiative dedicated to empowering students from diverse backgrounds and ensuring that financial hardship never stands in the way of academic or personal growth. By blending need-based assistance with merit-driven opportunities, SIM is creating an inclusive learning environment where talent and ambition define success.

Empowering Learners Through the SIM Impact Fund

In 2024, SIM introduced the SIM Impact Fund, a S$60 million initiative dedicated to supporting students from lower-income households and ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder educational aspirations. Administered through SIM Trust, the fund is designed to empower learners within and beyond SIM’s community by removing barriers to access. Beginning in 2025, Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents with a per-capita income of S$1,750 or below can benefit from tiered assistance, ranging from S$6,000 up to S$13,500 for those with PCI of S$600 or less, S$4,500 to S$6,750 for PCI between S$601 and S$1,000, and S$2,000 for PCI between S$1,001 and S$1,750. Beyond tuition aid, the fund also provides support for overseas internships and merit-based scholarships, benefiting approximately 500 students annually.

Beyond Tuition: Comprehensive Financial Aid

SIM’s commitment to learning accessibility goes far beyond tuition subsidies. Through its Financial Assistance schemes, students can tap into a range of support options tailored to different needs. These include Enhanced Bursaries Aid, which provide up to S$13,500 per year for Singapore Citizens, and a SIM GE Crisis Fund offering emergency relief of up to S$5,000 for unforeseen circumstances. In addition, SIM encourages global exposure through Study Abroad Awards, enabling students to broaden their horizons without financial strain. Together, these initiatives reflect SIM’s ethos of inclusivity and resilience, ensuring that financial challenges never derail academic aspirations.

Community-Focused Support

The Dr Richard K M Eu – SIM Social Entrepreneurship Centre (RESSEC) exemplifies SIM’s deep-rooted commitment to community empowerment and social impact. Launched in July 2024 in partnership with the late Dr Eu’s family,

RESSEC received a combined S$8 million donation, S$6 million from the Eu family and S$2 million from SIM, marking a significant investment in nurturing social entrepreneurship. Guided by Dr Eu’s vision of transforming social service through ethical leadership and innovation, the Centre equips learners and social service professionals via initiatives such as a specialised postgraduate Diploma in Social Entrepreneurship, mentorship, and collaborative dialogues.

RESSEC also provides 12 bursaries of S$10,000 each for SIM Global Education students (check that this is accurate and that it’s not also extended to those outside the SIM ecosystem) who demonstrate strong community service and leadership and those with per-capita income up to S$1,750, prioritising those with per-capita income less than S$1,000. Through this initiative, SIM embeds purpose-driven learning into its mission, empowering students to create sustainable, positive impact in Singapore and beyond

Scholarship for Excellence

SIM offers a diverse range of scholarships under SIM Global Education to recognize excellence and resilience among its students. These include the SIM STARRR Award, which provides up to S$36,000 to outstanding achievers who demonstrate academic distinction and leadership qualities, and the Sports & Arts Talent Award, also valued at S$15,000 for students who excel in athletic or artistic pursuits. Additionally, the Chairman’s Award for Resilience grants S$3,000 to students who successfully balance work and study commitments, showcasing perseverance in the face of challenges. Together, these scholarships complement SIM’s need-based financial aid, creating a holistic support system that rewards merit while ensuring inclusivity.

Conclusion: Building a Future Without Barriers

SIM’s financial assistance framework is more than a set of policies, it is a promise to the community. By investing in initiatives like the SIM Impact Fund and expanding bursaries and scholarships, SIM is actively dismantling the barriers that prevent talented individuals from reaching their potential. This approach does not just benefit students, it strengthens society by cultivating a diverse pool of graduates equipped to lead, innovate, and give back. In a world where education often comes with a hefty price tag, SIM stands out as a beacon of accessibility and empowerment. For students and families seeking assurance that quality education is within reach, SIM offers not just hope but a clear, actionable path forward.

References:

Bursaries & Financial Aid (Enhanced) – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/bursaries-and-financial-aids
Dr Richard K M Eu – SIM Social Entrepreneurship Centre (RESSEC) – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/sim-global-education/ressec
The Dr Richard K M Eu – SIM Social Entrepreneurship Centre (RESSEC) Opens to Advance Singapore’s Social Sector – https://www.sim.edu.sg/news-events/the-dr-richard-k-m-eu-sim-social-entrepreneurship-centre-%28ressec%29-opens
SIM Scholarship – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/scholarships
SIM’s STARRR Award – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/scholarships/sim-starrr-award-for-new-undergraduate-students
SIM Award and Sports & Artistic Award – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/scholarships/sim-global-education-scholarship
SIM Global Education Diploma Scholarships – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/scholarships/sim-global-education-diploma-scholarships
Chairman’s Award for Resilience – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/scholarships/chairman-s-award-for-resilience

Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About SIM Global Education

SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes with some of the world’s most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE’s cohort is made up of 16,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 36% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.

SIM GE’s holistic learning approach and culturally diverse learning environment aim to equip students with knowledge, industry skills and employability competencies, as well as a global perspective to succeed as future leaders in a fast-changing, technologically driven world.

For more information on SIM Global Education, visit sim.edu.sg

Media OutReach

Beyond Academic Excellence: SIM Scholarships Champion Leadership, Resilience, and Talent

Published

1 day ago

07/12/2025

Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 December 2025 – The Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) is proud to reaffirm its commitment to developing future-ready graduates through a comprehensive scholarship framework that goes beyond academic achievement. These scholarships are designed to recognize and nurture qualities such as leadership, resilience, and talent. These attributes are essential for success in today’s dynamic global environment.

For decades, scholarships have been synonymous with academic excellence. SIM is redefining this narrative by adopting a holistic approach that values character, contribution, and courage alongside academic performance. This initiative reflects SIM’s mission to prepare graduates who are adaptable, innovative, and socially responsible.

Scholarships That Go Beyond Academics

SIM’s scholarship ecosystem reflects its belief that success is multidimensional. Rather than focusing solely on grades, these awards celebrate qualities such as resilience, leadership, and talent. The SIM STARRR Award, for instance, supports freshmen who embody Resilience, Resourcefulness, and Responsibility, offering up to S$36,000 in tuition fees, along with living and exchange allowances, without any bond requirement.

For students who shine in sports or the arts, the SIM Award & Sports/Artistic Talent Award provides S$15,000, disbursed in two tranches, to help them balance academic and extracurricular excellence.

International students pursuing diploma programmes can benefit from the Diploma Scholarships, which cover up to 100% of course fees for academic excellence or 50% for merit-based achievements.

For working adults who have overcome significant challenges, the SIM Chairman’s Award for Resilience offers S$3,000, recognizing perseverance and determination in the face of adversity.

Stories That Inspire

SIM’s scholarships are more than financial aid. They are catalysts for transformation, opening doors for students to turn challenges into triumphs. Take Ernita Tanudjaja, an international student who refused to let pandemic disruptions derail her ambitions. Instead, she leveraged technology to livestream events and boost engagement, showcasing resilience and resourcefulness.

Similarly, Chow Kah Ying, an ICU nurse, managed the intense demands of frontline healthcare during COVID-19 while completing her degree, showcasing perseverance and purpose. Likewise, Michelle Seah transformed O-level failure into triumph, excelling in javelin and academics to earn the SIM Sports & Artistic Talent Award, proof that determination and discipline can rewrite any story.

These journeys reflect SIM’s unwavering belief that leadership and resilience matter as much as grades, and that true achievement lies in character and contribution as much as in academic performance.

The Broader Vision

SIM’s scholarships represent more than financial assistance. They serve as a strategic platform for transformation and growth. Recipients benefit from networking opportunities that connect them with alumni and industry leaders, fostering mentorship and career development. Many scholarships also provide international exposure through exchange programmes that broaden perspectives and enhance global competencies.

In addition to academic achievement, students cultivate essential life skills such as leadership, resilience and adaptability through experiential learning and community engagement. These qualities equip graduates to excel in uncertain environments and contribute meaningfully to society.

This commitment reflects SIM’s core belief that education is not limited to examinations. It is about shaping leaders who create impact and drive positive change in a rapidly evolving world.

References: