- Expansion adds first BioReliance® Cell Line Characterization and GMP Next-GenerationSequencingin Asia Pacific
- Enhanced testing capabilities to deliver speed, sensitivity, and sustainability for biopharma customers in the region
- Supports industry shift to molecular methods and animal-free testing
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 August 2026 – Merck, a leading science and technology company, is expanding its Singapore lab to further strengthen analytical and biosafety testing services for customers across the Asia Pacific region. Biosafety testing is a critical step in the drug development and manufacturing process, helping to ensure that biologics are safe, effective, and compliant with regulatory requirements.
The expansion builds on Merck's global testing expertise of more than 75 years and marks a significant milestone in providing an advanced, local contract testing services portfolio for the region's growing biopharma industry.
"Localizing these BioReliance® testing capabilities means our Asia Pacific biopharma customers can accelerate their development timelines, improve operational efficiency, and meet evolving regulatory and sustainability standards" said Paolo Carli, Head of Advanced Solutions for the Life Science business of Merck. "This investment underscores Merck's commitment to empowering medicine makers by providing industry-leading analytical and biosafety testing services and technical expertise."
Merck's Singapore laboratory will become the first BioReliance® facility in Asia-Pacific to offer both Cell Line Characterization services and GMP next-generation sequencing (NGS) capabilities. It will also offer advanced molecular methods including Blazar®, a proprietary platform for rapid virus detection.
The expanded facility aims to support the industry's move towards state-of-the-art quality control testing of biologics and 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement of animal use) through advanced molecular methods.
"Merck's expansion of the BioReliance® lab will bring world-class and next-generation testing services to biopharmaceutical companies in Singapore and the region. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Merck to strengthen Singapore's ecosystem, build new capabilities within our local workforce, and enable the delivery of innovative therapies to patients," said Goh Wan Yee, Senior Vice President and Head of Healthcare, Singapore Economic Development Board.
The Singapore BioReliance® lab was opened in 2018, and the expansion will bring the total lab area to over 1,000 square meters. This expansion is also a key step in Merck's broader strategy to support the region's dynamic life science ecosystem and drive scientific progress.
Hashtag: #Merck #BioReliance #biosafety
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Merck
Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. More than 62,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2025, Merck generated sales of € 21.1 billion in 65 countries.
Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck's technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare, and EMD Electronics in electronics.
All Merck press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck website. Please go to www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.
** This press release is distributed by Media OutReach Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 11 August 2026 - UstarPay, a PayFi infrastructure platform connecting crypto to real-world payments, announced that the UstarPay App and Virtual Card officially launched on July 30, 2026. The initial launch is available to eligible users, enabling them to deposit and spend USDT through a secure and practical digital payment experience.
This launch marks an important milestone for UstarPay's mission of "Real Crypto, Real Life." It turns the company's vision into action by allowing users to move beyond simply holding digital assets and begin using them in real-world spending scenarios. UstarPay will continue improving the product experience in future versions, including usability, supported features, payment scenarios, regional coverage, and infrastructure capabilities.
Digital assets have changed how people store and exchange value, but using crypto in daily life has often remained difficult. UstarPay was created to solve this gap. With the launch of its App and Virtual Card, UstarPay is taking its first step toward making crypto more accessible, spendable, and useful for everyday life.
A UstarPay spokesperson said: "The UstarPay App and Virtual Card officially launched on July 30, and this is only the beginning. This first version allows users to deposit and spend USDT through the UstarPay App and Virtual Card, but our vision goes far beyond that. We will continue to improve the product in upcoming versions, listen closely to users, and build a smoother, broader, and more powerful payment experience."
What This Launch Means for UstarPay
The first launch of the UstarPay App and Virtual Card creates a major impact for the UstarPay ecosystem. It moves UstarPay from infrastructure vision to real user experience, giving people a direct way to interact with the platform and use digital assets in practical payment situations.
For UstarPay, this launch:
- Validates the "Real Crypto, Real Life" mission by turning USDT into a usable payment balance.
- Introduces UstarPay to real users in the market, allowing the company to quickly gather market feedback and continuously optimize the product experience.
- Creates the foundation for future product expansion, including more features, broader use cases, and improved payment access.
- Strengthens UstarPay's role in PayFi infrastructure by connecting digital assets with real-world financial activity.
- Builds trust through practical utility, showing users that crypto can be more than an investment or trading asset.
This launch is not the final destination. It is the foundation for UstarPay's next stage of growth.
What UstarPay Changes
UstarPay changes the way people interact with crypto by making digital assets easier to use in everyday life. Instead of keeping crypto inside exchanges, wallets, or trading platforms, UstarPay helps users turn USDT into real spending power.
This launch changes the user experience in several key ways:
- From holding to spending: Users can move from simply holding USDT to using it for everyday payments.
- From complex to simple: The UstarPay App provides users with a clearer and more convenient way to manage and use digital assets.
- From digital-only to real life: The Virtual Card helps connect crypto balances with real-world payment scenarios.
- From delayed access to faster usability: Users can deposit USDT and access spending functions through a single platform.
- From fragmented tools to one ecosystem: UstarPay brings wallet and card functions together within one unified payment experience.
For freelancers, remote workers, travelers, Web3 users, and digital entrepreneurs, this means crypto can become more practical, flexible, and closely connected to everyday needs.
Key Features of the First Version
The first version of the UstarPay App and Virtual Card includes:
- USDT Deposits: Users can deposit USDT into the UstarPay App.
- Virtual Card Access: Users can use the virtual card in supported payment scenarios.
- Everyday Digital Spending: Designed for online shopping, travel bookings, subscriptions, and other digital payment needs.
- Simple Account Experience: Manage digital assets and payment functions within one app.
- Availability for Eligible Users: Open to eligible users.
- Secure Payment Infrastructure: Built with a focus on compliance, transparency, and asset protection.
As the first version, UstarPay will continue to develop and improve the platform based on user needs, market feedback, and technical upgrades.
The UstarPay App and Virtual Card officially launched on July 30, 2026.
Regulated Area Check:
Before downloading or using UstarPay services, users should confirm whether their country or region is within UstarPay's supported and compliant service areas. Please refer to the latest regulated area list.
Download UstarPay & Regulated Area List:
https://linktr.ee/UstarPay
Hashtag: #UstarPay
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About UstarPay
UstarPay is a PayFi infrastructure platform connecting crypto to real-world payments. Through its wallet, card, and payment infrastructure, UstarPay enables users and businesses to transform digital assets into practical spending power.
UstarPay has obtained a Canadian MSB license and is committed to compliance, transparency, and security as it promotes the use of digital asset payments in real-world scenarios. With the mission of "Real Crypto, Real Life," UstarPay is building seamless infrastructure for a financial future that is digital, mobile, human-centered, and borderless.
Website: www.ustarpay.com
X / Twitter: https://x.com/ustarpay
Telegram: https://t.me/ustarpay
** This press release is distributed by Media OutReach Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
