HISTOINDEX AND A*STAR PARTNER TO ADVANCE EARLY-STAGE DEVELOPMENT OF PIPELINE THERAPIES FOR FIBROTIC DISEASES

SINGAPORE, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- HistoIndex, a pioneer in AI-driven digital pathology for fibrotic diseases, and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the preclinical evaluation and characterization of therapeutic candidates for various fibrotic diseases, including cancer-associated fibrosis.

The partnership will bring together A*STAR's scientific expertise and therapeutic development capabilities with HistoIndex's proprietary imaging technology and AI-powered fully quantitative tissue analysis. By providing objective, sensitive and accurate measures of fibrosis and treatment response, HistoIndex's platform will support the rigorous evaluation of A*STAR's pipeline of therapeutic candidates and help researchers make more informed decisions on which candidates to advance.

"Fibrotic diseases, including cancer-associated fibrosis, remain challenging to evaluate during early-development. Understanding whether a therapeutic candidate can prevent, halt or reverse fibrosis requires accurate and objective measurement of changes in fibrotic tissue. This collaboration will help us assess these effects more rigorously and make better-informed development decisions, ultimately helping to advance innovations that improve patient outcomes," said Dr Lisa Ooi, Assistant Chief Executive of A*STAR's Biomedical Research Council (BMRC).

"As one of A*STAR's early medtech spin-offs, this partnership holds special significance for HistoIndex. We are delighted to bring our globally validated and widely adopted technology back to Singapore, where our journey began, and to collaborate with the research community to identify promising therapies and advance precision medicine for a broad range of fibrotic diseases across multiple organs," said Dr Gideon Ho, Chief Executive Officer of HistoIndex.

Beyond the evaluation of therapeutic candidates, the collaboration will also provide a platform for scientific exchange between A*STAR and HistoIndex, with opportunities to explore areas such as biomarker discovery, translational research, joint therapeutic development and commercialisation.

Separately, HistoIndex will showcase its digital pathology and AI-based tissue analysis capabilities at this year's AASLD The Liver Meeting^® Exhibition in Denver, Colorado.

About HistoIndex

Founded in 2010, HistoIndex pioneers in stain-free, fully automated imaging solutions for visualizing and quantifying fibrosis in biological tissues. By combining cutting-edge biophotonic technology with AI-based analysis, HistoIndex provides innovative tools to improve the assessment of fibrosis changes and drug efficacy. HistoIndex's breakthrough digital pathology solutions are used today to accelerate clinical research, expedite pharmaceutical drug development, and transform medical standards worldwide.

About A*STAR

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the economy and society. As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. A*STAR plays a key role in nurturing scientific talent and leaders for the wider research community and industry. A*STAR's R&D activities span biomedical sciences to physical sciences and engineering, with research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis. For ongoing news, visit www.a-star.edu.sg

Media Contacts:        

Manuela Vidolova                                        Dione Chew
Histoindex Pte Ltd                                         Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
manuela.vidolova@histoindex.com              Dione_chew@a-star.edu.sg

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HISTOINDEX AND A*STAR PARTNER TO ADVANCE EARLY-STAGE DEVELOPMENT OF PIPELINE THERAPIES FOR FIBROTIC DISEASES

Proprietary trading firm establishes standalone brand ahead of product and market expansion, with an expanded leadership team. No change to conditions for existing traders.

EBENE, Mauritius, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The proprietary trading firm previously operating as Hantec Trader has today begun operating under the name RZR Funded, marking the start of a new phase of growth for the business.

The move to RZR Funded establishes a distinct identity for the proprietary trading business as it enters its next chapter, building on an established operating track record while creating greater scope for its future growth.

As part of this next phase, RZR Funded is expanding its leadership team, with additional senior appointments planned to support the company's growth strategy. The existing management team will remain in place, led by Director Bashaar Gokal, providing continuity while bringing additional experience and resources into the business. The firm is also preparing to broaden its product range and available markets, with the first of several new launches due within weeks.

There is no change to the service existing traders receive. All in-progress challenges and funded accounts continue exactly as they were, with the same logins, balances and progress toward targets. Profit splits, drawdown limits, evaluation targets, trading conditions and payout schedules are unchanged. Traders will also gain access to new products, tools and features as they are introduced.

"This is the start of an exciting new chapter for the business," said Bashaar Gokal, Director at RZR Funded. "We've built a strong track record and an experienced team, and RZR Funded gives us the platform to take the business to the next level. We have ambitious plans for where we want to go from here, and I'm looking forward to sharing more of those plans over the coming months."

The firm will continue publishing its payout record, including amounts, dates and processing times, as it has done to date.

"Nothing changes for anyone trading with us today, and I want to be completely clear about that," said Gokal. "Same conditions, same payout terms and the same team looking after you. RZR Funded represents where we want to take the business next, and traders should expect more from us over the coming years, not less."

Further announcements covering RZR Funded's expanded product range, leadership team and growth plans are expected shortly.

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Hantec Trader becomes RZR Funded as firm enters new phase of growth