Biotech Breakthroughs in Anti-Aging: Decoding the Hallmarks of Aging and the Longevity Code
Clinical Evidence Confirms Anti-Aging Efficacy of Plant-Based Stem Cell Exosomes – A Truly Effective Age-Defying Breakthrough
Dr Fred Zülli (second from right), Founder and Business Development Director of Mibelle Biochemistry, Francis Kwan (second from left), President of HKSCC, Cirrus Chu (first from left), Sales Director of TPMC International Limited and Fanny Cheung (first from right), Director of NF Essential Limited attended the anti-aging seminar.
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 July 2025 - From the popularity of anti-aging supplements and aesthetic treatments to Silicon Valley billionaires' pursuit of immortality, the global wave of anti-aging is gaining momentum, and Hong Kong is no exception. Questions like "How to stay young?", "Is NMN really effective?" and "At what age should you start anti-aging care?" have become part of everyday conversation. While many are eager to delay the signs of aging, few truly understand the science behind it.To address this knowledge gap, Dr. Fred Zülli, Founder and Business Development Director of Swiss-based biotech company Mibelle Biochemistry, was specially invited to Hong Kong to co-host a seminar with the Hong Kong Society of Cosmetic Chemists. The seminar provided an in-depth look at the latest advancements in Swiss anti-aging research, starting with the 12 "Hallmarks of Aging" theory published in the journal. Dr. Zülli explained how Swiss biotechnology is strategically targeting these biological mechanisms of aging and translating scientific breakthroughs into practical applications in skincare and aesthetic medicine, making age-defying solutions a scientific reality rather than a distant ideal. During the seminar, Dr. Zülli also revealed several truly effective, science-backed methods to combat aging.Exosomes have rapidly emerged as one of the most promising technologies in the skincare industry. According to market data, the global exosome market was valued at over US$140 million in 2023 and is projected to expand at 28% CAGR by 2030. In the U.S., Google searches for "exosomes" surged 17% in one year, evidence of rising consumer interest. Dr. Fred Zülli explains that exosomes are tiny vesicles that are released by cells into the extracellular space, rich in proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. They can be derived from human, animals or plants cells, including plant stem cells, and reconstructed using liposome technology. These "cellular messengers" play key roles in intercellular communication, immune modulation, and drug delivery. When used in skincare or microneedling treatments, they accelerate wound healing, enhance skin regeneration, and deliver deeper, faster, and safer results. Exosomes offer dual benefits: they strengthen the skin barrier while activating deeper cellular repair, improving overall skin quality, reducing fine lines, and restoring firmness for true inside-out anti-aging effects.Swiss researchers at Mibelle have developed the PhytoCellTec™ Exosomes technology, using natural Goji Stem Cell Extract to stimulate exosome production. This powerful natural ingredient demonstrates "dual action", promoting keratinocyte differentiation and the expression of epidermal growth and antioxidant-related genes to reinforce the skin's outer barrier.Meanwhile, it reactivates mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), boosting collagen synthesis and cellular vitality to enhance skin elasticity and density. Clinical studies show that a cream containing just 0.4% of Goji Stem Cell Extract significantly reduces fine lines and wrinkles after 56 days. Results can be seen in just 28 days with improved skin density and facial contour, and even firmness and lifting effects when applied to the breast area, showcasing its applications well beyond facial skincare.With proven regenerative and wound-healing properties, exosomes are emerging as a viable alternative to stem cell therapies. As non-living biological elements, they are more stable and easier to handle. Exosome-based serums are particularly effective when used with microneedling, enabling deep skin repair and faster healing.Plant-derived exosomes have been shown to be bioavailable to mammalian cells and exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumour, and skin-repairing benefits. Recent studies confirm their ability to combat skin aging, reinforcing their growing role in both cosmetic dermatology and everyday skincare. As this technology evolves, it promises a new era of personalized, science-backed beauty.TheJelly is an edible functional jelly formulated with dual stem cell active ingredients, Swiss apple stem cells and grape stem cells. These ingredients are renowned for enhancing cellular vitality, delivering antioxidant protection, and shielding the skin from UV damage.Meanwhile, LAB 91, a Swiss-made brand, specializes in microneedle skincare solutions. Its signature innovation, the Dual Plant Stem Cell Exosome Complex, combines rare Swiss apple stem cells with goji stem cells to deeply penetrate the skin and trigger cellular repair. Proven results include improved skin elasticity, lifted facial contours, and visibly diminished wrinkles.The brand offers a range of ampoule serums tailored to various skin concerns, including anti-aging, brightening and intensive repair. Together, the edible jelly and topical microneedle treatments deliver synergistic, cell-level rejuvenation from the inside out.Hashtag: #ESDLife
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About ESDlife
ESDlife, a joint venture of CK Hutchison (formerly Hutchison Whampoa) and Hewlett-Packard HK SAR, operates the award-winning website (www.esdlife.com) and establishes it as one of the most popular and trusted online lifestyle media in Hong Kong. The online platform of ESDlife is furnished with a wide range of lifestyles information under the categories of Wedding, Family and Health. In addition to the prominent No. 1 position of its Wedding Channel in Hong Kong, an e-commerce platform is provided to consumers by offering medical check-up ordering services. ESDlife also delivers integrated marketing and digital solutions to diversified corporate clients.
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Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
What migrant worker deaths reveal about Malaysia's fragile Socso system
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But Jebaraj did not receive any help from Perkeso until almost two months after his death, while Riyanie received assistance almost immediately. Their stories expose the stark difference in outcome on a system that arguably relies too much on employers and luck for workers with little support system here. 'For migrants, it is essential to be covered by (Perkeso) as migrants work in 3D (dirty, dangerous, difficult) sectors where injuries can happen anytime,' said Sumitha Shaanthinni Kishna, founder and director of the migrant labour rights group Our Journey. 'Perkeso has a very strong system when it works as intended.' Foreign workers working,Semenyih 12 May 2023—Picture by Raymond Manuel Without Perkeso The case of Jebaraj illustrates what could happen to a worker if the unthinkable happened without Perkeso's assistance. On March 6, 2024, the 48-year old man from Tamil Nadu, India was working in the kitchen of a restaurant in Bangsar, when a gas tank exploded. He sustained severe burns on 80 per cent of his body and was the only one injured, according to news reports on the incident. He was brought to Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) for treatment. No one had notified his family. His 25-year-old daughter, who asked to be identified only as Suba, told Bernama via an interpreter that they only knew something was wrong when her father failed to call them at 6.30 pm as scheduled. She called her father's employer, who informed her that Jebaraj had been injured at work and was in the hospital. 'He told me my father was ok, he was awake and talking,' she said via Google Meet. 'We didn't fly to see him because we thought he was going to be ok.' She said in reality, her father was in a coma. She and her mother asked to talk to Jebaraj, or see photos of him recovering in the hospital, but the employer said HKL did not allow any phones on its premises. Things got worse from there. Jebaraj passed away on June 2, 2024. 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'Perkeso has investigated this case and confirmed that the case is covered under the Employment Injury Scheme (Act 4) and eligible to receive benefits from Perkeso,' the group said. Suba confirmed her mother has begun receiving dependent's benefits through the scheme. Malaysia made Perkeso coverage mandatory for foreign workers in 2019, and expanded its Invalidity Scheme to foreign workers in July 2024 to provide disability pension, funeral and death benefits, as well as survivors' benefits. Failure to comply could result in a RM10,000 fine or two-years' imprisonment or both. Perkeso has covered Malaysian workers' since 1971 via the Employees' Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4), Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 (Act 789) and Employment Insurance System Act 2017 (Act 800). With Perkeso Riyanie vividly recalls the terrifying moment the car struck her-her body and purse flying into the air. Just moments earlier, she had been waiting for the light to turn green so she could cross. 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'I received physiotherapy from Perkeso too-they covered everything,' she said, adding that her employer had enrolled her in the programme as required by law, and also provided coverage under the Indonesian government's workers' insurance scheme. The accident took place on May 6 this year. Today, Riyanie is fully healed, healthy and moving without any aches or pains. She described the entire process as smooth and mostly hassle-free. All she had to do was provide her Perkeso number to the hospital staff, and if she didn't have it, her employer would do it for her. For Riyanie, the system worked as intended. Differences in response Both are foreign workers who met with an accident at work. Both have Perkeso coverage. Yet, the paths diverged sharply. Experts said the difference came down to how helpful the employers are. For foreign workers, who are often alone and lack a support network here, this reliance on the employer is compounded. 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Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
Health Ministry struggles to cope with chronic underfunding — Chan Chee Khoon
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Why Malaysia needs to double its public sector healthcare spending Our post-Merdeka improvements in life expectancies at birth were internationally acclaimed, all the more remarkable given our very modest government healthcare expenditures (rarely exceeding 2 per cent GDP). The Rural Health Service's initiatives in village midwifery (bidan kampung), vaccine-preventable childhood ailments, tandas curah ('Jitra bowl'), the Applied Food and Nutrition Programme (AFNP), potable water supply, and control of communicable diseases were very well-chosen low-cost interventions which markedly reduced mortality among young children and mothers. Commendable increases in life expectancy at birth however mask a much less satisfactory trend in life expectancy in late adulthood, in comparison with Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and other developed countries in the Asia-Pacific region: This poor adult life expectancy largely reflects Malaysia's burgeoning epidemics of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), along with the highest prevalence in Southeast Asia of risk factors like obesity and being overweight. Meanwhile, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus had almost tripled from 6.3 per cent in 1986 to 11.6 per cent in 2006 to 17.5 per cent in 2015 (Yap et al, 2019; Safurah Jaafar et al, 2013). Malaysia's well-distributed primary healthcare system might have performed well for acute, episodic, self-limiting diseases in our early decades, but we are currently in new territory amidst escalating epidemics of NCDs. This epidemiological-cum-demographic transition requires multi-sectoral promotive as well as comprehensive primary health care, and the commensurate financial, staffing, and material resources to deliver it. We should not be captive to historical health budgeting practices whose modest annual increments are no longer adequate for the scale of effort that is now required—the prevention, detection, and oftentimes lifelong treatment of NCDs, with referral linkages and continuity of care at multiple levels, provided in a timely manner at adequately staffed and equipped facilities. Chronic underfunding of Health Ministry has obliged many Malaysians to prepare for contingencies – Picture by Raymond Manuel MOH's chronic underfunding At a public forum in September 2019, Tan Sri (Dr) Abu Bakar Suleiman (DG Health, 1991–2001) attributed the chronic underfunding to a developmental strategy premised on large inflows of FDI attracted through competitive lowering of corporate and income tax rates, which hobbled the fiscal capacity of states. This however was not the sole reason for MOH's chronic underfunding. There was concurrently active encouragement of for-profit healthcare, with tax incentives and subsidies, to cater to 'market-capable' segments of society. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (PM 1981–2003) unwisely chose not to expand the public sector to meet increasing healthcare needs, preferring instead to allow space for the rapid growth of for-profit healthcare. Seductive logic of targeting Faced with this chronic underfunding, a succession of health ministers argued that Malaysians who could afford it should patronise the private sector (suitably encouraged thus with income tax rebates) so that the government could conserve its modest resources for the 'truly deserving poor'. This intuitively appealing rhetoric of targeting will more likely hasten the arrival of a two-tier healthcare system of deluxe priority care for the rich, and a rump, underfunded public sector for the rest. RakanKKM to the rescue of market failures? Chronic underfunding of MOH has obliged many Malaysians to prepare for contingencies they will likely face when seeking urgently needed inpatient care at congested public hospitals. For those without deep pockets, such contingency plans invariably look to commercial hospitals and the requisite insurance coverage for urgent critical care if and when its need arises. When large segments of the 'market-capable' middle class get entangled however in a tug-of-war between profit-driven health providers and profit-driven health insurers, the government is compelled to intervene, in this case with a 'premium economy' option RakanKKM in publicly owned hospitals. It is far from clear that MOH has enough spare capacity to scale up proof-of-concept trials to cater to policy holders abandoning unaffordable premiums. This could exacerbate existing backlogs of regular MOH patients even as neighbouring Singapore is aggressively recruiting Malaysian doctors and nurses for their own envisaged non-profit MOH hospitals. Unkept promises and a proposed Tabung Kesihatan Negara Meanwhile the Madani government continues to ignore electoral promises and calls for increased allocations and expanded capacity for publicly provided healthcare. This would require a dedicated ring-fenced Tabung Kesihatan Negara which could be funded by a supplementary progressive health tax, corporate taxes, property and capital gains taxes, Tobin-type taxes, 'sin' taxes, (zakat?), with credible stakeholder representation, accountability, and transparency. This however seems to be off the radar screen currently, hobbled in part by public scepticism over the stewardship of public financial resources. Will the Madani government live up to its name, or will we need to elect a government which keeps electoral promises, and which we can trust with the management of public monies? * This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
