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Boehringer Ingelheim's novel glucagon/GLP-1 dual agonist survodutide achieved significant weight loss of 16.6% delivering meaningful metabolic improvement in people with obesity or overweight in Phase III trial

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:47:00 +0700

* In SYNCHRONIZE-1, participants lost up to an average of 39.2 lb (17.8 kg) from baseline after 76 weeks of treatment with survodutide, a glucagon/GLP-1 receptor dual agonist1

* The trial met both weight loss primary endpoints and its key secondary endpoint evaluating waist circumference, a predictor of cardiometabolic risk, together demonstrating survodutide's potential to broadly improve metabolic health1

* In addition to these positive results, Boehringer is advancing its broad metabolic health R&D program, exploring multiple pharmaceutical approaches to weight management including oral treatments

Ingelheim, Germany. Boehringer Ingelheim today announced positive topline results from the Phase III SYNCHRONIZE-1 trial, in which survodutide (BI 456906) met the co-primary endpoints using both the efficacy and treatment-regimen estimands.*? Adults living with obesity or overweight, without type 2 diabetes, who were treated with survodutide experienced sustained weight loss of up to an average of 16.6% after 76 weeks using the efficacy estimand, a statistically significant decrease versus 3.2% in the placebo arm (p<0.0001).1 This level of weight loss supports survodutide's potential as a clinically meaningful treatment option for people living with obesity or overweight.1 Full data from the Phase III trial will be presented at the upcoming American Diabetes Association's (ADA) 2026 Scientific Sessions in June.

The trial met its other co-primary endpoint, with up to 85.1% of adults treated with survodutide achieving a body weight reduction of ≥5% after 76 weeks of treatment, using the efficacy estimand, versus 38.8% in the placebo arm (p<0.0001). Initial analysis indicates that body weight reduction with survodutide was driven predominantly by loss of fat tissue, with lean mass contributing only a small proportion of total weight.1

In a key secondary endpoint, adults treated with survodutide experienced a statistically significant reduction in waist circumference -- a clinical marker closely linked to visceral fat and cardiometabolic risk2 -- after 76 weeks versus placebo.1 Excess visceral fat, particularly around the abdomen, is a known contributor to metabolic dysfunction and is closely connected to impaired liver function.3 As a dual glucagon/GLP-1 receptor agonist,4 survodutide has the potential to address obesity while also supporting liver function, a key regulator of metabolic health.1

"I am encouraged by the data emerging from SYNCHRONIZE-1, which continue to demonstrate survodutide's potential as a clinically meaningful treatment option for people with the disease of obesity," said Professor Carel le Roux, M.D., Ph.D., Professor at University College in Dublin, Ireland, and Global Coordinating Investigator of the trial. "There is an urgent need for new therapies that go beyond weight reduction alone to support meaningful improvements in metabolic health. Survodutide's dual agonism is particularly exciting, as it offers a promising approach to addressing this significant unmet need in care."

Obesity is a chronic, complex metabolic disease that impacts more than 1 in 8 people worldwide in many different ways, and can have serious long-term consequences.5,6 It is closely linked to serious conditions including liver disease, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.7,8 Notably, up to 1 in 3 people living with obesity develop a serious liver condition called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), characterized by inflammation and liver damage.9

"Today's SYNCHRONIZE-1 topline results strengthen our confidence in survodutide as a treatment candidate capable of addressing obesity and potentially offering targeted weight loss to help address connected conditions including liver disease," said Shashank Deshpande, Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors and Head of Human Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim. "Survodutide has the potential to be the first global glucagon/GLP-1 dual agonist to help the more than 1 billion people living with obesity and MASH."

Survodutide's GLP-1 agonism decreases appetite while increasing fullness and satiety,10 while its glucagon agonism is thought to directly act on the liver to reduce hepatic fat, regulate metabolic function, resolve inflammation, and improve fibrosis.11,12,13

As expected with GLP-1 based therapies, participants in the trial experienced gastrointestinal events, with discontinuations happening more frequently during the dose escalation phase.1 These events were both mild to moderate in severity and temporary, with no new safety concerns observed outside of what is expected for the GLP-1 class.

Survodutide is an investigational agent and has not been approved for use; its efficacy and safety has not been established. SYNCHRONIZE-1 is part of a comprehensive global Phase III obesity program, evaluating survodutide in people living with overweight and obesity, among key sub-populations.14 Additional trial results are expected to read out during 2026. Survodutide is also being studied in two global Phase III clinical trials LIVERAGE and LIVERAGE-Cirrhosis investigating the efficacy and safety of survodutide in adults with MASH and fibrosis stages 2 or 3 and in those with compensated MASH cirrhosis (fibrosis stage 4).15,16

Survodutide is the first in a broader portfolio of therapies being developed for people living with obesity or obesity and connected metabolic health conditions, with multiple approaches under investigation. This includes an investigational, potential first-in-class triple GLP-1, GIP, NPY2 receptor agonist peptide (BI 3034701), which will be entering Phase II in the middle of 2026, as well as additional experimental approaches including oral treatment options.***

CGO IceKredit, Kong Chinang, bergabung dalam GrabX & AI Forward Summit di Jakarta, Mendorong Kolaborasi Tripartit untuk AI yang Bertanggung Jawab di ASEAN

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:41:00 +0700

JAKARTA, Indonesia, April 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Di AI Forward: Southeast Asia Policy Summit perdana yang diselenggarakan oleh Grab dan ASEAN BAC di Jakarta, Tn. Kong Chinang, Chief Growth Officer IceKredit, menyampaikan wawasannya tentang revolusi AI di Asia Tenggara. Beliau juga menyerukan pentingnya penguatan sinergi regional antara kebijakan, industri, dan pendidikan guna mendorong adopsi AI yang berkelanjutan serta bertanggung jawab.

KTT itu, yang diselenggarakan bersamaan dengan acara produk unggulan GrabX dari Grab di Shangri-La Jakarta pada tanggal 8 April 2026, mengumpulkan para pembuat kebijakan senior, pemimpin teknologi global, dan pakar industri untuk membentuk arah masa depan pengembangan dan penerapan AI di seluruh kawasan ASEAN.

Dalam sesi panel berjudul Mendorong tahap berikutnya transformasi AI di Asia Tenggara, Tn. Kong Chinang bergabung dengan sejumlah pembicara terkemuka, termasuk Tn. Timothy Yap (McKinsey), Tn. Dau Anh Tuan (Kamar Dagang dan Industri Vietnam), Tn. Gunish Chawla (Amazon), dan Tn. Yann AitBachir (Google), untuk membahas kondisi terkini serta arah perkembangan adopsi AI di Asia Tenggara ke depannya. Beliau menekankan bahwa meskipun ASEAN memiliki potensi besar untuk menjadi yang terdepan dalam lanskap AI global, pesatnya evolusi AI menuntut adanya langkah terkoordinasi lintas sektor.

Dalam pidatonya, Tn. Kong menyampaikan:

"ASEAN berada pada titik balik yang menarik untuk AI. Untuk sepenuhnya mewujudkan potensi transformatif itu, diperlukan keterlibatan regional yang lebih mendalam serta sinergi yang lebih kuat di antara tiga pilar utama, yaitu kebijakan, industri, dan pendidikan. Yang tak kalah penting adalah mengintegrasikan prinsip keberlanjutan dan tanggung jawab dalam setiap tahap adopsi AI sehingga teknologi mampu memberikan manfaat secara inklusif bagi masyarakat, pelaku usaha, dan perekonomian."

Acara yang berlangsung selama satu hari ini menghadirkan pidato dari sejumlah tokoh terkemuka, termasuk CEO dan Co-founder (salah satu pendiri) Grab Group Anthony Tan, beberapa menteri pemerintah Indonesia, serta pemimpin sektor industri. Selain itu, turut ditampilkan berbagai inovasi terbaru Grab berteknologi AI, termasuk robot pengantaran otonom Carri, yang mencerminkan pergeseran menuju layanan digital cerdas yang semakin terpersonalisasi.

Seiring transformasi AI dari konsep menuju implementasi berskala besar di seluruh Asia Tenggara, kolaborasi lintas sektor dan inovasi yang bertanggung jawab telah muncul sebagai prioritas utama untuk mendorong pertumbuhan inklusif serta memperkuat daya saing global di kawasan ini.

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6th Asian Beach Games opens in Sanya

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:38:00 +0700

SANYA, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 April 2026 -- The 6th Asian Beach Games opened on Wednesday evening in China's tropical resort city of Sanya, with the opening ceremony held at the seaside Yasha Park.

Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin declared the Games open after 45 delegations marched in for the continental Games, which had previously been scheduled to be held in 2020.

After having twice been postponed, chiefly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sanya Games has drawn around 10,000 participants, including 1,790 athletes.

The Games marks the first time Hainan has hosted a continental-level beach sports event. It is also the first major international sporting event since the island-wide Hainan Free Trade Port was inaugurated last December.

Scheduled from April 22 to 30, the Games features 14 sports, 15 disciplines and 62 events. It is the second time that China has hosted the Asian Beach Games, after the 2012 edition in Haiyang, Shandong Province.

China has sent a delegation of 255 members, including 171 athletes, competing in 13 sports and 60 events, marking the country's highest participation in Asian Beach Games history.

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

Pertemuan Regional Asian Post Alliance (RAPA) ke-3 Ditutup di Hanoi, Berfokus pada Kerja Sama Retail Lintas Negara dan Inovasi Digital

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:24:00 +0700

HANOI, Vietnam, April 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pertemuan Regional Asian Post Alliance (RAPA) ke-3 resmi ditutup di Hanoi, Vietnam, dengan mengangkat tema "Mentransformasikan Retail Melalui Kolaborasi Lintas Negara." Perwakilan dari operator pos Vietnam, Thailand, dan Indonesia bertemu untuk membahas pengembangan RAPA ke depannya serta peluang untuk memperkuat kolaborasi regional dalam bidang logistik, perdagangan digital, dan konektivitas retail.

Salah satu hasil utama dalam pertemuan itu adalah serah terima resmi jabatan Ketua RAPA dari Vietnam Post kepada Thailand Post. Anggota delegasi juga meninjau sejumlah inisiatif yang bertujuan meningkatkan integrasi antarjaringan pos serta mendukung perdagangan lintas negara di kawasan ASEAN.

Pertemuan dibuka dengan sambutan dari Tn. Nguyen Truong Giang, Pimpinan Vietnam Post, yang lalu diikuti dengan pidato dari Tn. Rathapol Bhakdibhumi, Pimpinan Thailand Post, yang menekankan pentingnya merealisasikan kerja sama regional menjadi implementasi nyata. Thailand Post akan memegang jabatan ketua bergilir RAPA hingga akhir tahun 2026.

Di antara peserta yang diundang, terdapat IceKredit yang hadir sebagai kontributor teknologi. Dr. Gu Lingyun, Pendiri IceKredit, menyampaikan presentasi berjudul "Mengungkap Nilai Data Pos: Perjalanan Digital dan AI," yang membahas bagaimana analitik data dan kecerdasan buatan dapat mendukung upaya modernisasi di sektor pos.

Dalam presentasinya, Dr. Gu menguraikan beberapa area penerapan potensial:
Standardisasi Data -- membuat struktur data pos dari berbagai sumber ke dalam format digital yang dapat digunakan
Dukungan Keputusan Cerdas -- menerapkan model AI untuk meningkatkan wawasan operasional
Integrasi Layanan -- mengemas kapabilitas digital ke dalam layanan modular untuk mitra eksternal
Setelah sesi tersebut, anggota delegasi bertukar pandangan mengenai berbagai topik, termasuk kecerdasan geospasial, pembelajaran terfederasi, pustaka pengetahuan, solusi kepatuhan, kolaborasi logistik, serta layanan bernilai tambah untuk jaringan pengiriman tahap akhir.

Tn. Kong Chinang menyampaikan informasi terbaru mengenai RAPA Shop, platform retail lintas negara milik aliansi yang dirancang untuk menghubungkan UMKM di negara anggota dengan konsumen regional melalui saluran pos dan digital.

Thailand Post meninjau progres sejak pertemuan Bangkok 2025, termasuk perkembangan aliansi strategis, kemitraan e-commerce, distribusi produk, koordinasi biaya pengiriman, serta aspek tata kelola. Para anggota juga menegaskan kembali dukungan terhadap pengembangan berkelanjutan RAPA Shop dan integrasi logistik yang lebih luas.

Pos Indonesia menyampaikan beberapa usulan untuk mendukung UMKM ASEAN melalui penyederhanaan proses logistik dan kepabeanan, termasuk uji coba ekspor produk seperti kopi, rempah-rempah, makanan ringan, dan tekstil. Vietnam Post memperkenalkan konsep Hub Logistik Regional yang berpusat di Kawasan Perdagangan Bebas Da Nang, yang bertujuan untuk meningkatkan efisiensi pengiriman dan mengurangi biaya.

Para peserta juga membahas tren retail domestik, perubahan perilaku konsumen, kerangka kerja kepabeanan, logistik perdagangan elektronik di platform media sosial, serta tantangan regulasi yang memengaruhi perdagangan lintas negara.

Dalam pidato penutup, Pimpinan Rathapol Bhakdibhumi kembali menegaskan sasaran jangka panjang RAPA untuk berkembang menjadi platform regional yang lebih kuat untuk kerja sama perdagangan dan logistik. Aliansi mengonfirmasi bahwa pertemuan berikutnya akan digelar di Indonesia pada kuartal keempat tahun 2026.

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Chinatown Singapore's Five Footway Festival Returns with Street Performances and Cultural Experiences

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:23:00 +0700

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 April 2026 - Australian travellers looking for a short-haul cultural escape to Singapore this May can experience the Five-Footway Festival, which is taking place from 2--10 May 2026 in Chinatown Singapore Smith Street.

Organised by the Chinatown Business Association, the Festival celebrates the theme "Our Living Heritage," transforming Chinatown Singapore's iconic five-footways into vibrant spaces of culture, storytelling and community.

Festival Highlights:

Visitors can look forward to a lively line-up of cultural programming, including:

Live stage performances by established groups such as Chin Woo, presenting traditional lion dances; Tian Eng, known for their captivating face-changing acts; and Choy's Brothers, delivering an action-packed musical performance.

Visitors can also participate in ticketed cultural including paper folding, tea appreciation, opera appreciation and a hands-on traditional wife-cake baking experience.

Cultural experiences such as Beijing Opera makeup experience, where participants can learn about the intricate artistry behind this traditional art form Community storytelling, where artisans and elders share personal histories across generations Game booths featuring traditional childhood games such as pick-up sticks, five stones and glass marbles.

More than a festival, the event brings to life the historical significance of five-footways as communal spaces--offering visitors a deeper understanding of Singapore's multicultural roots while engaging directly with its living traditions.

For Australians planning a May escape, the Five-Footway Festival presents a timely opportunity to experience Singapore beyond its skyline--through culture that is not just preserved, but actively lived.

Set against the backdrop of conserved shophouses, Chinatown Singapore offers a compelling mix of old and new--just minutes from the city centre and key lifestyle attractions. The Festival site is walking distance from Chinatown MRT and Maxwell MRT.

With frequent direct flights from major Australian cities, Singapore remains an easy and appealing destination for a cultural getaway or long weekend escape.

More details of the Five Footway Festival can be found on fivefootway.chinatown.sg.

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

EVIDENT Announces 6th Annual Image of the Year Award Winners

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:57:00 +0700

Star-like neurospheres brilliantly connect our inner and outer worlds

Neuronal Cosmos

Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurospheres consisting of neuronal cells, which self-organize into structures resembling the layered architecture of the human brain.

NEEDHAM, Mass., April 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evident unveiled the winners of its sixth annual Image of the Year contest, an awards competition that recognizes the world's best in scientific microscopic imaging. The winners were selected from submissions from 34 countries around the world.

Global Winner

Katie Holden of the United Kingdom was selected as the global winner for her striking image titled "Neuronal Cosmos." The image showcases induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurospheres consisting of neuronal cells, which self-organize into structures resembling the layered architecture of the human brain. Neurospheres serve as an important platform for studying brain cells, allowing for research into the effects of environmental and genetic factors on neuronal development.

"Visually, the star-like pattern reflects intriguing parallels between astronomy and biology at hugely different scales," Holden explained. In recognition of her grand prize submission, Holden will receive an Evident SZX7 stereo microscope with a DP23 digital camera or a set of X Line ^? UPLXAPO objectives.

Materials Science Winner

Muhammad Tahir Khan of Ireland was selected as the materials science winner. Khan's winning image shows a lignin fiber that closely resembles glowing desert dunes under a scanning electron microscope. Khan will receive an Evident SZ61 stereo microscope for his winning image.

Regional Winners

Three regional prizes were awarded to Gerd G?nther (Germany) for EMEA (stigma of chicory with pollen grains), Igor Siwanowicz (USA) for the Americas (mallow pollen on stigma) and Kentaro Mochizuki (Japan) for Asia Pacific (sarcomere structures within cardiomyocytes in a rat heart). Each regional winner will receive their choice of an Evident CX23 upright microscope or SZ61 stereo microscope.

Honorable Mentions

Honorable mentions include Javier Rup?rez (Spain), Joe McKellar (France), Marko Pende (Austria), Alexandre Dumoulin (Switzerland), Bettina R?k?czi (Hungary), Walter Ferrari (Argentina), Hannah Somers (United States), Yue Rong Tan (Taiwan), Tong Zhang (Canada), Hange Du (China), Hanyang Xue (China) and Jan Rosenboom (Germany).

The contest launched on October 8, 2025, with a call for users to submit their best scientific images through January 30, 2026. A third-party jury from the global scientific community evaluated all entries based on artistic and visual appeal, scientific impact and microscope proficiency.

"We are deeply inspired by the creativity and technical mastery reflected in this year's entries," said Wes Pringle, Evident CEO. "Each year, this contest celebrates what's possible when art and science come together to illuminate the unseen."

About the EVIDENT Image of the Year Award

Evident's Image of the Year Award began as the Image of the Year European Life Science Light Microscopy Award with the aim to celebrate both the artistic and scientific value of microscopy images. Today, the competition stays true to this mission by encouraging people around the world to look at scientific images in a new way, appreciate their beauty and share images with others.

To learn more about this year's award-winning images and the microscope techniques used to capture them, visit EvidentScientific.com/IOTYSixthAnnual.

About EVIDENT

For over 100 years as Olympus, we set the industry standard for optical precision in microscopy, helping the world see what was once out of view. Today, as Evident, we continue to help scientists, physicians, and engineers illuminate the unseen with advanced imaging solutions that combine renowned optics with cutting-edge digital innovation.

Our life science portfolio supports research, clinical diagnostics, and education, offering a comprehensive range of imaging methods from essential brightfield and darkfield microscopy to advanced fluorescence, 4D analysis, and digital pathology. In industrial microscopy, we deliver precision and flexibility through laser scanning, digital, and semiconductor microscopes designed for tasks ranging from routine inspection to intricate quality control and manufacturing analysis.

Whether advancing new therapies, ensuring product integrity, or exploring the unknown, Evident is defining a new era of discovery with easy-to-use tools that help unlock hidden answers and empower exciting new breakthroughs.

Evident is headquartered in Tokyo and supported by R&D and manufacturing centers in Japan, the United States, Germany, and China, with operations and dedicated sales and service centers around the world. For more information, visit EvidentScientific.com.

X Line is a trademark of Evident Corporation or its subsidiaries.

Evonik and Imubit launch AI pilot in Singapore

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:57:00 +0700

HOUSTON, April 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evonik and Imubit started a pilot collaboration to evaluate advanced industrial Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications within Evonik's facility in Singapore. The open-loop pilot will assess model-driven insights to support operating strategy execution in a production use case.

Initiated by Evonik's Advanced Process Innovation team in Singapore, the pilot is focused on real-time catalyst life insights and tightening collaboration between process and operations teams while testing Imubit's technology under real operating conditions, focusing on the practical application of advanced AI in a live production environment.

"At Evonik, we are currently exploring how advanced AI and deep learning can elevate operating strategies and unlock value across our production facilities. This pilot will enable us to evaluate whether advanced modeling and decision support can assist our teams in improving established processes under dynamic conditions," said Norbert Steier, Head of Production & Technology at Evonik.

Under the pilot, Evonik engineers will work directly with Imubit to develop and validate nonlinear, data-driven models using plant data to reflect process behavior and operational constraints within Imubit's Deep Learning Process Control (DLPC) framework. These models will be used to evaluate "what-if" scenarios and quantify the performance balances among throughput, yield, stability, and energy-cost efficiency within the defined operating boundary.

Insights generated during the pilot will be provided to operators and engineers in an open-loop format to support decision-making across shifts. In parallel, the collaboration will also establish performance baselines and measurement approaches to assess results objectively.

"Complex industrial processes involve tradeoffs that can be difficult to assess in real time. Our role in this pilot is to provide fit-for-purpose, data-driven models that clarify those tradeoffs and support transparent evaluation. Beginning in an open loop enables informed assessment before any consideration of further progression," said Hieu Bui, SVP, Product, Imubit.

The pilot is an evaluation effort. Any future deployment decisions will be made following review of results and in alignment with Evonik's safety and operational governance processes.

About Evonik. Leading beyond chemistry

Evonik goes beyond the boundaries of chemistry with its combination of innovative strength and leading technological expertise. The global chemical company, headquartered in Essen, Germany, is active in more than 100 countries and generated sales of ?14.1 billion and earnings (adjusted EBITDA) of ?1.9 billion in 2025. The common motivation of the approximately 31,000 employees: to provide customers with a decisive competitive advantage with tailor-made products and solutions as a superforce for industry, thereby improving people's lives. In all markets. Every day.

About Imubit

Imubit is the AI platform for Industrial Coordinated Operating Strategies (COS), helping industrial teams connect business objectives to operating decisions through explainable, high-fidelity models that progress from open-loop insight to augmented decision-making and, when appropriate, governed automation.

Mavenir Launches Cloud-Native Packet Core Foundation with Rakuten Mobile in Japan

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:56:00 +0700

RICHARDSON, Texas, April 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mavenir, the software company building AI-by-design mobile networks, today announced that its Converged Packet Core is now live in Rakuten Mobile's nationwide mobile network, deployed on Rakuten Cloud Platform. This deployment plays a key role in enabling Rakuten Mobile to provide multi-carrier roaming through 'JAPAN Roaming,' a new nationwide emergency roaming service in Japan launched by Japan's leading mobile carriers on April 1, 2026.

Mavenir's cloud-native packet core provides the scalable, resilient data foundation required for Rakuten Mobile to support cross-carrier access under emergency conditions, demonstrating how cloud-based core networks can strengthen national communications infrastructure and support service continuity at scale.

JAPAN Roaming enables users to temporarily connect to another domestic carrier's 4G LTE network if their primary service is disrupted by a large-scale disaster or major outage. The service supports 4G LTE Voice, SMS and data services, with an emergency-calls-only mode helping to ensure continued access to Japan's emergency services.

Ryo Watanabe, General Manager of the Core Network Department at Rakuten Mobile said, "Mobile connectivity becomes critical when normal life is disrupted. Mavenir's cloud-native packet core plays an important part in Rakuten Mobile's role in JAPAN Roaming, enabling flexible and reliable connectivity when it's needed most. This is an example of how state-of-the-art network architecture can support society in even the most testing of circumstances."

Michael Cooper, EVP & General Manager, Packet Core, Security & Messaging at Mavenir, said, "National communications infrastructure must perform under the most demanding conditions. This deployment shows how a cloud-native packet core can support resilient, large-scale connectivity when networks are under extreme stress. Mavenir is proud to support Rakuten Mobile in providing public safety and service continuity by contributing technology designed for real-world challenges."

Mavenir's cloud-native core portfolio supports voice, data, messaging, and fraud protection and security, and is designed to scale with operators' evolving service and resilience requirements. This approach to software-based architecture gives mobile operators the flexibility to introduce new services faster, automate more of their operations, and respond more effectively when network conditions change.

Mavenir has a long-standing relationship with Rakuten Mobile, supporting service innovation in its fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile network. Earlier collaborations include the deployment of Mavenir's cloud-native voice and messaging capabilities for Rakuten Link, demonstrating how Rakuten Mobile has used modern software architecture to launch and scale new services quickly.

Notes to the editor:

Related Rakuten Mobile press release: https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/press/2026/0318_01/?l-id=corp_top_press_20260318_01_lang_en
Converged Packet Core - Mavenir: https://www.mavenir.com/portfolio/mavcore/converged-packet-core/

About Mavenir

Mavenir is enabling intelligent, automated, programmable networks through the development of telco-first, cloud-native, AI-by-design software solutions for mobile operators. The company's deep telco domain expertise has been proven through deployments with 300+ operators globally in over 120 countries, which together serve more than 50% of the world's subscribers. Mavenir combines its deep telco experience with the cloud and IT expertise and data science skillsets essential to solving real customer challenges. Its proven software solutions are AI by design, delivering the AI-native future and operators' evolution to TechCos.

For more information, please visit www.mavenir.com

Mavenir PR Contacts:
Emmanuela Spiteri
PR@mavenir.com

Cyberport and NSTDA's Thailand Science Park Sign MoU to Accelerate I&T Collaborations beyond Borders Synergising Bilateral Ecosystem to Augment I&T Impact in ASEAN Markets

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:55:00 +0700

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 April 2026 - Cyberport today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) acting through Thailand Science Park (TSP), to establish a strategic partnership that strengthens innovation and technology (I&T) collaboration between Hong Kong and Thailand.

Cyberport today (28 April 2026) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) acting through Thailand Science Park (TSP), to establish a strategic partnership that strengthens innovation and technology (I&T) collaboration between Hong Kong and Thailand. Witnessed by Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport and Dr Chularat Tanprasert, Executive Vice President of NSTDA and Director of Thailand Science Park, the MoU was signed by Ir Eric Chan, Chief Public Mission Officer of Cyberport and Professor Dr Sukit Limpijumnong, President of NSTDA.

This marks a significant milestone for both sides since their first collaboration in 2024. The partnership aims to build a collaborative framework between Cyberport and NSTDA acting through TSP, create a reciprocal market-access gateway to facilitate start-ups' entry into both the Thai and Hong Kong markets through ecosystem support, soft landing initiatives, and cross market collaboration, as well as promote knowledge exchange, industry engagement, and joint initiatives in emerging technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, smart city solutions, and other digital technologies.

Cyberport today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) acting through Thailand Science Park (TSP), Group photo with Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport (centre-left); Dr Sukit Limpijumnong, President of NSTDA (centre-right); Ir Eric Chan, Chief Public Mission Officer of Cyberport (fourth from left); Dr Chularat Tanprasert, Executive Vice President of NSTDA and Director of Thailand Science Park (fourth from right); Parson Lam, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok (third from left); Leung Kwan Ho, Associate Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (second from right); and Mr Joseph Koc, Ambassador of Thailand (third from right).

Witnessed by Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport and Dr Chularat Tanprasert, Executive Vice President of NSTDA and Director of Thailand Science Park, the MoU was signed by Ir Eric Chan, Chief Public Mission Officer of Cyberport and Professor Dr Sukit Limpijumnong, President of NSTDA.

Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, said, "NSTDA and Thailand Science Park on our side will add strength to Cyberport's ever-growing ASEAN alliances, paving the way to Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland companies to take a stronghold in ASEAN markets. We look forward to supporting high-potential companies from Thailand to capitalise on the vast markets in the Greater Bay Area and the wider Chinese Mainland, and global markets. Together we will continue to serve as a gateway to empower Asian innovators and attract worldwide entrepreneurs."

Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, said, "Cyberport, as Hong Kong's digital tech hub, AI accelerator and key incubator, supported companies to have expanded to Thailand, the broader ASEAN region along the Belt and Road, and over 35 markets worldwide. NSTDA and Thailand Science Park on our side will add strength to Cyberport's ever-growing ASEAN alliances, paving the way to Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland companies to take a stronghold in ASEAN markets. We look forward to supporting high-potential companies from Thailand to capitalise on the vast markets in the Greater Bay Area and the wider Chinese Mainland, and global markets. This partnership significantly expands our bilateral collaborations in company soft-landing, ecosystem connection and proof-of-concept initiatives. Together we will continue to serve as a gateway to empower Asian innovators and attract worldwide entrepreneurs, to capitalise on new opportunities for digital economy and smart cities under the AI+ era."

Professor Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of NSTDA, said, "The collaboration is designed to establish practical mechanisms to support start-ups in expanding internationally, including market entry, industry partnerships, and pilot or proof-of-concept deployments. TSP and Cyberport have been working closely in recent years to support start-up growth, with a notable milestone being the success of Nano Coating Tech, a Thai deep tech start-up that was successfully admitted into Cyberport Incubation Programme."

Professor Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of NSTDA, said, "The collaboration is designed to establish practical mechanisms to support start-ups in expanding internationally, including market entry, industry partnerships, and pilot or proof-of-concept deployments. TSP and Cyberport have been working closely in recent years to support start-up growth, with a notable milestone being the success of Nano Coating Tech, a Thai deep tech start-up specialising in advanced nano coating solutions for industrial applications and solar panels, that successfully got admitted into Cyberport Incubation Programme for funding up to HK$500,000 and comprehensive support,"

NSTDA, as an autonomous government agency, manages Thailand's leading tech park, Thailand Science Park (TSP). Established in 2002 as Thailand's first and largest science and technology park, TSP is designed to promote I&T development and R&D activities. NSTDA's ecosystem is anchored by five national research centres, namely National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Metal and Materials Technology Centre (MTEC), National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (NECTEC), National Nanotechnology Centre (NANOTEC), and National Energy Technology Centre (ENTEC).

Alongside these centres, TSP is home to over 120 technology companies, nearly 40 percent of which are international firms. This reflects TSP's role as a regional R&D hub in ASEAN, trusted by both local and global technology companies that choose Thailand as a base for technology development. This is supported by a strong pool of talent and advanced testing infrastructure that meets international standards.

NSTDA has been a long-standing strategic partner of Cyberport through TSP since 2024. Both sides have co-created programmes, global landing initiatives and webinars, facilitated deep-tech start-ups joining Cyberport Incubation Programme, and facilitated Cyberport start-ups joining TSP for market expansion.

Today's MoU establishes a framework for joint activities that will support start-ups and technology companies from both Hong Kong and Thailand ecosystems. Key initiatives include:

Support start-ups and technology companies recommended by either side in exploring market opportunities, establishing presence, and expanding operations within the respective innovative ecosystems.
Facilitate connection to relevant industry partners, research institutions, and corporate networks to support collaboration, investment opportunities, technology adoption, market entry, and business development expansion.
Encourage and support participation of start-ups in incubation programmes, entrepreneurship, ecosystem activities, community events organised by both sides.
Jointly organise and promote seminars, forums, networking activities, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to strengthen collaboration between the two ecosystems.
Explore and identify opportunities for start-ups to conduct pilot projects, technology demonstrations, or proof-of-concept initiatives with industry partners and prospective end users.

TSP will strengthen this collaboration through the "TSP Scale X Landing Programme" to fast-track international start-ups' expansion into the Thai market, by connecting them to established partner networks and real industry demand in Thailand, while providing them with access to the country's research and testing infrastructure.

Leveraging its role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder", Cyberport continues to expand global partnerships to foster cross-regional growth of technology ecosystems and advance Hong Kong's innovation on a global stage. In ASEAN, Cyberport has forged strategic collaborations with Indonesia's Telkom University, Thailand's Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), as well as Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), apart from alliances in the Middle East, East Asia and North America, further strengthening Hong Kong's position as an international I&T hub.

About Hong Kong Cyberport
Wholly owned by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, Cyberport is Hong Kong's digital tech hub and AI accelerator, with a vision to empower industry digitalisation and intelligent transformation, to promote digital economy and AI development, and to foster Hong Kong to be an international AI, innovation and technology (I&T) hub. Cyberport gathers over 2,300 companies, including 17 listed companies and 9 unicorns. One-third of onsite companies' founders come from 27 countries and regions, while Cyberport companies have expanded to over 35 global markets.

Cyberport, with Hong Kong's largest AI Supercomputing Centre and AI Lab as the engine, has been building the AI ecosystem with industry-leading AI companies and over 500 AI and data science start-ups. Through development of tech clusters, namely AI, data science, blockchain and cybersecurity, Cyberport empowers industries across smart city and government, banking and finance, digital entertainment, culture and tourism, healthcare, education and training, property management, construction, transportation and logistics, green environment and more, while hosting Hong Kong's largest FinTech community. Commissioned by the HKSAR Government, Cyberport has implemented proof-of-concept and sandbox schemes, subsidisation for digital tech adoption, industry tech training and start-up incubation, to drive technology R&D, translation and commercialisation, thus propelling digital transformation and intelligent upgrade across industry and society.

Also as "State-level Scientific and Technological Enterprise Incubator" and Hong Kong's key incubator, Cyberport supports entrepreneurs with funding and office space, extensive networks of enterprises, investors, technology corporations and professional services for business growth and expansion to Chinese Mainland and overseas markets, all-round facilitation for landing in Hong Kong, talent attraction and cultivation, ready as a launchpad to take start-ups in any stages of development to the next level.

For more information, please visit https://www.cyberport.hk/en

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

Hotel101 Global Announces Strong Booking Performance at Hotel101-Madrid

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:54:00 +0700

SINGAPORE, April 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hotel101 Global Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ Ticker: HBNB) ("Hotel101 Global," "Hotel101," "HBNB" or the "Company") today announced robust early booking performance for its 680-room Hotel101-Madrid, the first Hotel101-branded property to operate outside the Philippines, which officially opened in March 2026.

Since it began officially accepting bookings on March 10, 2026, Hotel101-Madrid has generated more than 45,000 hotel night bookings, representing approximately ?5,443,000 in hotel revenue. The Company believes this successful start bodes well for continued recurring revenue generation from Hotel101-Madrid.

Hotel101-Madrid has been designated as an "Official Hotel" partner for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix from 2026 to 2035 through an exclusive agreement with MATCH Hospitality AG. Hotel101-Madrid is one of the top five largest hotels in Madrid by room count. Located on a 6,593-square-meter site in Valdebebas, Madrid, it is strategically positioned adjacent to the new Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix circuit, overlooking the iconic semicircular Turn 12 titled "La Monumental". The property offers convenient accessibility, located approximately a three-minute walk to Valdebebas Train Station, four minutes to the IFEMA convention complex, five minutes to the Real Madrid Sports Complex and seven minutes to the Adolfo Su?rez Madrid-Barajas International Airport.

The hotel features modern amenities, including an all-day dining restaurant, HBNB Kitchen by award-winning La Sucursal, two swimming pools, a fitness center, a children's playground, 24/7 reception, a business center, function rooms and a proprietary Hotel101 app that supports seamless guest services, including digital check-in and digital key access.

2026 Expansion Highlights

HBNB believes that 2026 is on track to be the year with the highest number of Hotel101-branded room openings in the history of HBNB and its subsidiaries and associates, with an estimated total of 2,229 additional hotel rooms slated to become operational this year, comprising 680 rooms in Madrid, Spain, which recently opened in March 2026, to be followed by 519⁽¹⁾ rooms in Davao, Philippines⁽²⁾, 548⁽¹⁾ rooms in Cebu, Philippines⁽²⁾ and 482⁽¹⁾ rooms in Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan.

Hotel101-Niseko, a 482-room⁽¹⁾ hotel, is expected to be one of the largest hotel projects in the Niseko area by room count upon completion. The project is expected to mark the Company's formal entry into the Japanese market and to generate recurring revenues in Japanese Yen, with operations expected to commence in December 2026.

Footnotes:
(1) Expected number of rooms are based on HBNB's estimates.
(2) Hotel101-Davao and Hotel101-Cebu are under development by HBNB's associate, Hotel of Asia, Inc. ("HOA"). HOA is not consolidated in HBNB's financial statements.

About Hotel101 Global

Listed on Nasdaq (Ticker: HBNB) with a market capitalization of approx. US$1.5 billion as of April 26, 2026, Hotel101 is an asset-light, prop-tech hospitality platform pioneering a global standardized "condotel" business model. Hotel101 aims to disrupt the global hotel and hospitality sector through its unique tech-enabled business model that positions it to generate revenues twice: first from the advance sale of individual hotel units during the construction phase; and second, from long-term recurring revenue derived from day-to-day hotel operations. The expansion of Hotel101 towards its long-term goal and vision to operate 1 million rooms in 100 countries globally is expected to be driven mainly by joint ventures and license agreements with local developers in various countries worldwide.

(Actual photo of the 680-room Hotel101 in Madrid, Spain)

Forward Looking Statements

This document includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of securities laws of certain jurisdictions, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this document, including statements regarding the future financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations of Hotel101 Global Holdings Corp. ("HBNB") and its subsidiaries (the "HBNB Group"), are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "believe," "may," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "should," "plan," "set," "expect," "slated," "scheduled," "predict," "potential" or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, HBNB's expectations concerning anticipated revenues, the location, expected number of rooms and expected project completion dates of projects of HBNB and projects of its associate, Hotel of Asia, Inc., HBNB's goals and vision, the outlook for the HBNB Group's business, productivity, plans and goals for future operational improvements and capital investments, operational performance, future market conditions or economic performance and developments in the capital and credit markets and expected future financial performance, as well as any information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the HBNB Group. These forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of the management of HBNB. Although HBNB believes that such plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, HBNB cannot assure you that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved or realized. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions and actual results or events may differ materially from those projected or implied in those statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, the HBNB Group's ability to execute on its business model, potential business expansion opportunities in foreign countries and growth strategies, manage future growth, retain and expand customers' use of its hotel services and attract new customers, and source and maintain talent; risks relating to joint venture partners, including owners of pre-sold condotel units in Hotel101 hospitality projects, who may have interests different from and may take actions that adversely affect the HBNB Group; risks relating to project cost and completion; risks relating to the HBNB Group's sources of cash and cash resources; risks relating to offering deferred payment schemes, including the risk of customer default; the HBNB Group's ability to effectively compete in the highly competitive hospitality industry; any declines or disruptions in the travel and hospitality industries or economic downturn; applicable laws and regulations to real estate development and marketing activities and hotel operation and management activities in the jurisdictions where the HBNB Group has operations or intends to expand into; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in HBNB's Shell Company Report on Form 20-F and under the heading "Risk Factors" in HBNB's registration statement on Form F-4 (File No.: 333-287130) and other documents to be filed by HBNB from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of HBNB's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that are not presently known to HBNB or that HBNB currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. HBNB cautions you against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect current beliefs and are based on information currently available as of the date hereof. Forward-looking statements set forth herein speak only as of the date of this document. HBNB does not undertake any obligation to revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances or changes in beliefs. In the event that any forward-looking statement is updated, no inference should be made that HBNB will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters or any other forward-looking statements.

onsemi and Geely Expand Strategic Collaboration to Elevate the Driving Experience

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:53:00 +0700

Geely showcases Super Electric Power System featuring onsemi EliteSiC power technologies

Geely 9X at Yosemite National Park

onsemi and Geely Auto Group have expanded their strategic collaboration to accelerate next-generation electric vehicle development. The partnership includes deeper integration of onsemi's EliteSiC technologies across vehicles built on Geely's SEA-S, the Super Hybrid variant of Geely's Sustainable Experience Architecture. These technologies enable higher-voltage 900V architectures that improve efficiency, extend driving range, and reduce charging times to deliver a faster, more reliable, and more convenient driving experience for customers worldwide.

Summary

onsemi and Geely Auto Group have expanded their strategic collaboration to accelerate next-generation electric vehicle development. The partnership includes deeper integration of onsemi's EliteSiC technologies across vehicles built on Geely's SEA-S, the Super Hybrid variant of Geely's Sustainable Experience Architecture. These technologies enable higher-voltage 900V architectures that improve efficiency, extend driving range, and reduce charging times to deliver a faster, more reliable, and more convenient driving experience for customers worldwide.

News Highlights

onsemi EliteSiC power technologies are integrated into vehicles built on Geely's SEA-S architecture
Support for next-generation 900V EV architectures, enabling faster charging, longer driving range and more consistent vehicle performance
Collaboration will accelerate system-level design and development

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. and HANGZHOU, China, April 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- onsemi (NASDAQ: ON) and Geely Auto Group today announced an expanded global strategic collaboration aimed at accelerating the development of next-generation electric and hybrid vehicles. The partnership deepens system-level integration of onsemi's advanced silicon carbide (SiC) technologies across Geely's vehicle platforms to drive faster, more efficient EV development.

EliteSiC Integrated into Geely's SEA-S?based SEP System

As part of the announcement, Geely is showcasing its SEA-S?based Super Electric Power (SEP) System that incorporates onsemi's EliteSiC power technologies at the heart of its electric drive systems. These next-generation vehicles are designed to take full advantage of high-voltage architectures, delivering faster acceleration, extended driving range, and significantly reduced charging times.

By enabling higher power density, onsemi's technology allows more performance to be packed into a smaller, lighter system, contributing to improved vehicle dynamics and interior space. At the same time, enhanced thermal performance helps maintain consistent output during demanding driving conditions while supporting long-term reliability. Together, these capabilities translate into a more responsive, efficient, and refined driving experience where drivers benefit from quicker starts, smoother power delivery, and longer range with less time spent charging.

Why 900V Architectures Matter for the Future of EVs

At its core, the shift to 900V vehicle architecture is about moving electricity through the car more efficiently. By increasing voltage, automakers can deliver more power with less heat and energy loss, which translates directly into benefits drivers can feel, such as faster charging times, longer driving range, and stronger, more consistent performance. onsemi's EliteSiC solutions enable this by handling higher voltages with greater efficiency and reliability, helping bring next-generation electric vehicles closer to the speed, convenience, and driving experience consumers expect.

Shaping the Next Phase of EV Platform Design

"The EV market is entering a new phase, driven by higher-voltage architectures and increasing system complexity. Our expanded engagement with Geely reflects how automakers and semiconductor partners are working more closely and earlier to shape critical vehicle design decisions. Together, we are enabling EVs that deliver higher efficiency and performance." ? Hassane El-Khoury, President and CEO, onsemi

"As we advance our electrification strategy, closer coordination with technology partners is increasingly critical. Integrating onsemi technologies across our SEA-S?based electric vehicle platforms reflects this deeper collaboration in action. Working with onsemi as a key system-level partner enables stronger alignment across platform design and engineering execution, supporting our goal of delivering high-performance, efficient electric vehicles to customers worldwide." ? Gan JiaYue, CEO, Geely Auto Group

Delivering Tangible Benefits for Drivers

The expanded collaboration directly translates into meaningful, real-world benefits for drivers:

Longer driving range through reduced energy losses
Faster charging times enabled by high-voltage architectures
Stronger acceleration and performance from higher power density
Greater reliability and durability through improved thermal management
A smoother driving experience from more efficient power delivery

As electric vehicle platforms grow more complex, automakers are placing greater emphasis on early system-level decisions that influence efficiency, reliability, scalability, and long-term performance. The expanded collaboration between onsemi and Geely reflects this industry shift by bringing semiconductor innovation to the forefront of vehicle design and enabling a new generation of electric vehicles that combine performance, efficiency, and everyday usability.

About onsemi
onsemi (Nasdaq: ON) delivers intelligent power and sensing technologies that enable electrification, energy efficiency, safety, and automation across automotive, industrial, and AI data center end-markets. With a highly differentiated and innovative product portfolio, onsemi helps customers solve complex challenges to achieve higher efficiency, improved performance, and lower system cost, while supporting a safer, cleaner, and more energy-efficient world. The company is part of the S&P 500? index. Learn more at www.onsemi.com.

onsemi and the onsemi logo are trademarks of Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC. All other brand and product names appearing in this document are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders. Although the Company references its website in this news release, information on the website is not to be incorporated herein.

About Geely Auto Group
Geely Auto Group is a global automotive group under Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, specializing the R&D, production, sales, and services of passenger vehicles. Its brand portfolio includes Geely Auto, Geely Galaxy, Lynk&Co, Zeekr, forming a comprehensive global brand matrix that covers both mainstream and luxury markets. Its product sales and service network covers more than 100 countries and regions worldwide.

Guided by the vision of "Making Smart Refined Cars for Everyone," Geely Auto Group remains committed to a user-centric philosophy, long-term development, and high-quality growth. The company has established 5 Global Design Centres and 5 Global R&D Centres, achieving full-stack in-house development across key technological domains, including Architecture, Safety, Electrification, Smart Cockpits, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Computing Centers, AI Large Models, and AI- Digital Chassis. This has enabled Geely to secure a leading position in new energy and intelligent vehicle technologies.

Meanwhile, Geely Auto Group is also actively promoting green, low-carbon, and sustainable development, taking the lead by setting a clear ESG target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. Committed to becoming a global Leading Intelligent Mobility, the company strives to deliver on its mission of "A Sustainable Future. A Better World."

Contact:

onsemi
Michael Mullaney
michael.mullaney@onsemi.com
+1 838-289-7314

ETC's Aerospace and Commercial/Industrial Units Awarded Contracts of Approximately $37 Million

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:52:00 +0700

SOUTHAMPTON, Pa., April 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Environmental Tectonics Corporation (OTC Pink: ETCC) ("ETC" or the "Company") announced that its Aerospace Solutions Segment has been awarded approximately $31 million in contracts for the delivery of Aircrew Training Systems ("ATS") to two international customers and included the following Aeromedical products:

Four GYRO Integrated Physiological Trainer (GYRO IPT II) Spatial Disorientation Trainers
G-LAB Human Centrifuge (G Trainer)
Pilot Selection System
General Aviation Trainer ? Pilot Attitude Test (GAT-PAT III)
Ejection Seat Simulator

ETC Simulation was awarded $1.1 million in contracts for the delivery of three of its Advanced Disaster Management Simulators.

ETC is also pleased to announce that its Sterilizations Systems Unit has been awarded a $5.3 million contract from a global medical device manufacturer. The contract includes the fabrication and installation of four large-capacity vacuum drying chambers.

"These contracts highlight ETC's commitment to innovation, leveraging multidisciplinary expertise to effectively meet the specific needs of the markets we serve." states Robert L. Laurent, Jr. ETC's Chief Executive Officer and President.

About ETC
ETC designs, manufactures, and sells software-driven products and services used to recreate and monitor the physiological effects of motion on humans, and equipment to control, modify, simulate and measure environmental conditions. Our products include aircrew training systems (aeromedical, tactical combat, and general), disaster management systems, sterilizers (steam and gas), environmental testing and simulation systems, and other products that involve similar manufacturing techniques and engineering technologies. ETC's unique ability to offer complete systems, designed and produced to high technical standards, sets it apart from its competition. ETC's headquarters is in Southampton, PA. For more information about ETC, visit http://www.etcusa.com/.

Forward-looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements, which are based on management's expectations and are subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstances. Words and expressions reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements, and these statements may include terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "future", "predict", "potential", "intend", or "continue", and similar expressions. We base our forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events or future financial performance. Our forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about ETC and its subsidiaries that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results implied by these forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Contact: Robert L. Laurent, CEO & President
Phone:(215) 355-9100
E-mail:info@etcusa.com

onsemi and NIO Expand Strategic Collaboration to Accelerate Next-Generation 900V EV Platforms

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:50:00 +0700

EliteSiC technology enables faster charging, longer range and stronger performance across NIO's latest EV platforms

Summary

onsemi is expanding its long-term collaboration with NIO to support the automaker's transition to next-generation 900V electric vehicle platforms. The partnership leverages onsemi's EliteSiC technology to improve efficiency, performance, and scalability across NIO's latest EV lineup, including models debuting at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show.

News Highlights

EliteSiC technology to enable NIO's 900V vehicle platforms, including flagship models
Longstanding partnership built on deep engineering and system-level collaboration
Multiple NIO models to be showcased at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show featuring onsemi technology

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- onsemi (Nasdaq: ON) today announced an expanded strategic collaboration with NIO Inc. (NYSE: NIO) to advance next-generation electric vehicle (EV) platforms. Building on a multi-year partnership, the companies are more closely engaging to accelerate NIO's transition from 400V to 900V architectures, enabled by onsemi's latest EliteSiC enhanced M3e technology.

Delivering Real-World Gains in Range, Charging and Performance

onsemi's EliteSiC enhanced M3e technology delivers optimized switching performance through improved body diode characteristics, reducing energy losses (Eon) while maintaining strong short-circuit robustness. These advances translate into higher system output, improved thermal performance, and increased overall drivetrain efficiency. For drivers, this means:

More miles from every charge, by reducing energy lost as heat in the powertrain
Stronger, more consistent acceleration, including at highway speeds and under load
Shorter charging times, supported by high-voltage, fast-charging systems
Reliable performance over time, with power systems designed to operate under demanding conditions

Longstanding Partnership Evolves from 400V to Next-Generation Platforms

The expanded collaboration builds on a longstanding partnership, which began with onsemi's EliteSiC technology supporting NIO's 400V platforms and has evolved into a strategic, system-level alignment. Today, onsemi's EliteSiC technology underpins NIO's transition to 900V architectures, including its latest flagship SUV, the ES9, and additional models debuting at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show.

Executive Perspectives on Strategic Collaboration and Industry Direction

"Electrification is entering a new phase where system efficiency and scalability are paramount," said Hassane El-Khoury, President and CEO of onsemi. "Our expanded collaboration with NIO demonstrates how deep engineering alignment and aligned technology roadmaps can accelerate the transition to high-voltage architectures. With our EliteSiC technology, we are enabling higher performance, improved efficiency, and faster time-to-market for next-generation EV platforms."

"NIO has consistently pushed the boundaries of intelligent electric mobility," said Alan Zeng, CEO of XPT, NIO's powertrain unit. "Our collaboration with onsemi has evolved alongside our technology roadmap?from early 400V systems to today's 900V platforms. The performance and reliability of onsemi's EliteSiC technology, combined with strong technical collaboration, are helping us deliver more efficient, high-performance vehicles to our customers worldwide."

Scaling the Next Generation of EV Technology

The companies' collaboration reflects a broader shift in the auto industry toward closer alignment between automakers and semiconductor companies, as vehicles become more power-intensive. By supporting system-level integration, onsemi is helping customers bring scalable, higher-performance electric vehicle platforms to market more quickly and efficiently while reducing development complexity and accelerating execution. This approach is becoming increasingly important as automakers transition to higher-voltage architectures and more advanced electric drive systems.

About onsemi
onsemi (Nasdaq: ON) delivers intelligent power and sensing technologies that enable electrification, energy efficiency, safety, and automation across automotive, industrial, and AI data center end-markets. With a highly differentiated and innovative product portfolio, onsemi helps customers solve complex challenges to achieve higher efficiency, improved performance, and lower system cost, while supporting a safer, cleaner, and more energy‑efficient world. The company is part of the S&P 500? index. Learn more at www.onsemi.com.

Contact:
onsemi
Michael Mullaney
michael.mullaney@onsemi.com
+1 838-289-7314

Ascott Star Rewards Expands Airline Partnerships, Offers Free Nights and Richer Stay Experiences to Mark 8-Millionth Member

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:49:00 +0700

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 27 April 2026 - The Ascott Limited (Ascott), the lodging business unit wholly owned by CapitaLand Investment (CLI), is celebrating the seventh anniversary of its loyalty programme, Ascott Star Rewards (ASR), with enhancements that expand how members earn and redeem rewards. Connecting stays, flights, tours and curated experiences on a single platform, ASR has evolved from a hotel loyalty programme into a fully integrated travel rewards ecosystem. Having surpassed eight million members, and with a series of enhancements designed to deliver greater value at every touchpoint of the travel journey, ASR is well-placed to reach its target of 15 million members by 2028.

Ascott Star Rewards invites members to celebrate its 7th anniversary ? offering a complimentary free night with a minimum of six qualifying nights across participating ASR properties from April to May 2026.

Ms Tan Bee Leng, Chief Commercial Officer, Ascott, said: "Seven years ago, Ascott Star Rewards set out to reward our guests for their stays. Today, we are rewarding them for how they travel ? from the moment they book a flight to the experiences they seek at their destination. Whether they are looking to earn more airline miles, unlock exclusive experience packages, or enjoy complimentary preview stays and free breakfasts, the latest ASR programme enhancements across flights, experiences and events are designed to deepen our relationship with ASR members, giving every one of them more reasons to Stay Rewarded with ASR. In 2025, ASR member revenue rose 23% year-on-year, with members accounting for over 90% of our online direct bookings and more than 60% returning for repeat stays. The trust that our members place in ASR as their travel companion is what drives our ambition to do more."

ASR Extends Its Rewards to Flights and Airline Miles
Flights are where many journeys begin, and ASR's rewards now extend there too. In a first for ASR, members can now convert their loyalty points directly into airline miles, making ASR one of the few hotel loyalty programmes globally to offer both earn and convert capabilities from its airline partnerships. In partnership with KrisFlyer, the lifestyle rewards programme of the Singapore Airlines Group, ASR members can now convert their ASR points to KrisFlyer miles at a rate of 20 ASR points to one KrisFlyer mile. A minimum of 5,000 ASR points is required, with conversions of up to 50,000 ASR points per calendar year per membership account. This is in addition to the existing benefit of earning 500 KrisFlyer miles on qualifying direct bookings on DiscoverASR.com and the ASR app.

Come June 2026, ASR will welcome Cathay Pacific, ranked No. 2 in World's Best Full-Service Airlines by Airlineratings.com, expanding its airline partner network which currently comprises KrisFlyer, ANA and AirAsia. Through this new partnership, ASR members will earn 500 Asia Miles on qualifying direct bookings, while Cathay Silver, Gold and Diamond members will be eligible for an ASR tier match. ASR members currently enjoy double-earning on qualifying stays, accumulating both ASR points and airline miles from a single booking ? a benefit not commonly found among hotel loyalty programmes globally.

From June 2026, members can also put their ASR points towards flight credits, with vouchers worth S$50, S$100 or S$200 redeemable across more than 640 airlines through DiscoverASR.com in partnership with Trip.com.

Unlocking Elevated Experiences Beyond the Stay
Beyond flights, ASR is broadening the programme to encompass destination experiences. Members can now book Tours and Experiences through DiscoverASR.com and accumulate ASR points in the process. From May 2026, points can go towards redeeming curated sporting and lifestyle events, Chelsea Football Club matchday experiences, selected ASR Local Signatures events, and tours and attraction tickets.

Recognising Loyalty with More Ways to Stay Rewarded
Every stay with Ascott earns members closer to a free night. ASR members can convert the points accumulated from their stays into complimentary nights across participating properties in 30 countries. For Platinum-tier members, complimentary breakfast is available when they book Ascott properties in Europe and, coming soon, China and Japan.

In addition, Ascott has introduced exclusive preview stays for Platinum-tier and Gold-tier ASR members at newly opened properties, offering privileged and complimentary access during the first month of opening. Piloted at Oakwood Cameron Highlands, which opened in March 2026, the programme is set to encompass a pipeline of upcoming Ascott property openings globally, including lyf Chinatown Singapore and Citadines Elizabeth Street Hobart.

Located in the heart of Tanah Rata, the 383-unit Oakwood Cameron Highlands was one of a medley of newly-opened properties that offered Platinum and Gold-tier ASR members exclusive preview stays in its opening month.

Mr Moustafa Elmalawany, an ASR Platinum-tier member who was among the first guests to experience Oakwood Cameron Highlands, said: "As an ASR member there are already plenty of perks, and being part of the Elite Preview Stay made me feel truly recognised. The arrival experience was smooth and the personalised attention throughout my stay made it very pleasant. Overall, the stay was a fantastic experience. I'm looking forward to coming back here."

ASR members can also look forward to locally curated in-room welcome gifts, tailored by membership tier, ranging from artisan confectioneries in Europe to seasonal tropical produce in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Across participating properties in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, all ASR members enjoy 20% dining discounts on buffet and ? la carte menus.

ASR Extends Its Rewards to Event Planners
As Ascott's MICE business expands, ASR is extending its rewards to the organisers and corporate bookers behind its growing events business. The refreshed ASR Meeting Planner programme awards two ASR points for every dollar spent on rooms and events, unlocking privileges including membership upgrades, discounts, vouchers and bonus points.

Unlike conventional hotel venues, Ascott's apartment-style accommodation and flexible event spaces support everything from short corporate offsites to long-stay project teams, product launches and celebrations. For groups seeking a more distinctive dining experience, Ascott partners with curated caterers and specialty chefs to design bespoke menus and immersive formats ? from live cooking stations to hyper-local tasting journeys ? at properties across its global portfolio.

ASR 7th Anniversary Campaign: Fast Track to Free Nights
To mark its seventh anniversary, ASR is rewarding members with a "Fast Track to Free Nights" campaign. Members who complete a minimum of six qualifying nights across participating ASR properties from April to May 2026, combining multiple bookings where needed, will earn a free night. Each member can earn a maximum of two free nights. The campaign is available across all participating ASR properties worldwide and is valid for bookings made via DiscoverASR.com and the ASR app. Terms and conditions apply.

About Ascott Star Rewards (ASR)
Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) offers members a range of exclusive privileges designed to elevate every aspect of their travel experience. From priority welcome services and access to airport lounges, to enhanced stay benefits such as car rental privileges, bonus ASR points, airline miles and travel vouchers, ASR ensures a seamless, start-to-finish experience. Beyond exceptional stays, ASR members also enjoy access to Ascott Privilege Signatures, which unlocks invitations to prestigious global events, including Premier League football matches, renowned tennis tournaments, and elite gastronomy and lifestyle experiences. To become an ASR member, sign up today at https://www.discoverasr.com/en/sign-up.

The Ascott Limited
The Ascott Limited (Ascott) is driven by a vision to be the preferred hospitality company, enriching global living with heartfelt experiences. With a portfolio of more than 1,000 properties spanning over 230 cities across more than 40 countries, Ascott's presence spans Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the USA. Its diverse collection of award-winning brands includes Ascott, Citadines, lyf, Oakwood, Somerset, The Crest Collection, The Unlimited Collection, Fox, Harris, POP!, Preference, Quest, Vertu and Yello.

Ascott specialises in managing and franchising a wide range of lodging options, including serviced residences, hotels, resorts, social living properties and branded residences, catering to the varying needs and preferences of global travellers. Through the Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) loyalty programme, members enjoy exclusive privileges and curated experiences, enhancing every aspect of their travel journey.

As a wholly owned business unit of CapitaLand Investment Limited, Ascott generates fee-related revenue by leveraging its expertise in both lodging management and investment management. It also drives the expansion of funds under management by growing its sponsored CapitaLand Ascott Trust and private funds.

For more information on Ascott and its sustainability programme, please visit www.discoverasr.com/the-ascott-limited. Alternatively, connect with Ascott on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

CapitaLand Investment Limited
Headquartered and listed in Singapore in 2021, CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) is a leading global real asset manager with a strong Asia foothold. As at 31 December 2025, CLI had S$125 billion of funds under management. CLI holds stakes in eight listed real estate investment trusts and business trusts and a suite of private real asset vehicles that invest in demographics, disruption and digitalisation-themed strategies. Its diversified real asset classes include retail, office, lodging, industrial, logistics, business parks, wellness, self-storage, data centres and credit.

CLI aims to scale its fund management, lodging management and commercial management businesses globally and maintain effective capital management. As the investment management arm of CapitaLand Group, CLI has access to the development capabilities of and pipeline investment opportunities from CapitaLand Group's development arm.

CLI is committed to growing in a responsible manner, delivering long-term economic value and contributing to the environmental and social well-being of its communities.

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

WeRide and Lenovo Collaborate to Deploy 200,000 Autonomous Vehicles Globally Over Five Years

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:47:00 +0700

WeRide and Lenovo signed a cooperation agreement at Auto China 2026

Liu Zhenya, Vice President of Technology at WeRide (third from left), and Peter Xu, Vice President and General Manager of Vehicle Computing at Lenovo (second from left), signed a cooperation agreement at Auto China 2026, witnessed by Dr. Tony Han, Founder and CEO of WeRide (fourth from left), and Ken Wong, Executive Vice President and President of Lenovo Solutions & Services Group (first from left)

BEIJING, April 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD, HKEX: 0800), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, announced an expanded collaboration with Lenovo (HKSE: 0992) at Auto China 2026 to accelerate the large-scale commercialization of Level 4 autonomous driving worldwide. Starting 2026, the two companies expect to jointly deploy 200,000 autonomous vehicles (AVs), including Robotaxis, globally over the next five years, marking one of the industry's most ambitious efforts to scale autonomous mobility.

WeRide x Lenovo

Liu Zhenya, Vice President of Technology at WeRide (third from left), and Peter Xu, Vice President and General Manager of Vehicle Computing at Lenovo (second from left), signed a cooperation agreement at Auto China 2026, witnessed by Dr. Tony Han, Founder and CEO of WeRide (fourth from left), and Ken Wong, Executive Vice President and President of Lenovo Solutions & Services Group (first from left)

This collaboration will accelerate the development of a global autonomous driving ecosystem, integrating critical elements across technology, computing infrastructure, and supply chain to enhance industry-wide collaboration and efficiency.

With R&D, testing, and operations across over 40 cities in 12 countries, WeRide has established the industry's widest global footprint in autonomous driving, supported by its advanced technology platform and a proven commercial model. Lenovo contributes its strengths in intelligent computing, as well as its global manufacturing and supply chain capabilities, providing robust AI computing infrastructure and system engineering expertise for large-scale fleet deployment.

By combining their respective strengths, the two companies will connect key capabilities from cloud to vehicle, accelerating the deployment of Physical AI in real-world mobility scenarios.

Autonomous driving is emerging as one of the first large-scale applications of Physical AI, bringing intelligent systems into real-world operations. Among its applications, Robotaxis have emerged as the most mature commercial use case, bringing tangible benefits to cities and people. By reducing human error, improving fleet efficiency, and enabling 24/7 operations, autonomous mobility enhances road safety, transportation accessibility, and urban efficiency, while laying the foundation for smarter, more sustainable cities.

However, scaling Robotaxi services globally remains complex. AVs must perform consistently across varied urban environments, regulatory frameworks, and traffic conditions. At the same time, achieving the right balance between high-performance computing, system reliability, and cost efficiency is essential to moving from pilot deployments to sustainable commercial scale.

To address these challenges, Lenovo and WeRide are advancing a scalable technology foundation for autonomous driving. In July 2025, Lenovo and WeRide jointly launched the HPC 3.0 high-performance computing platform, first deployed in the mass-produced WeRide Robotaxi GXR. Built on Lenovo's L4 autonomous driving domain controller AD1, HPC 3.0 is powered by the NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Thor system-on-chip and delivers over 2,000 TOPS of AI computing power.

The platform meets stringent global regulatory and safety requirements across complex road conditions with its auto-grade design and fully redundant hardware-software. From a cost perspective, HPC 3.0 reduces autonomous driving suite cost by 50% and lowers total cost of ownership (TCO) by 84% over its lifecycle compared to HPC 2.0, paving the way for large-scale L4 commercial deployment.

Lenovo supports the shift toward large-scale commercialization with its capabilities in vehicle computing, Hybrid AI, and global supply chain integration. Its AD1 domain controller combines high-performance AI computing with automotive-grade engineering to support stable deployment in complex environments, backed by its global manufacturing and delivery network.

Dr. Tony Han, Founder and CEO of WeRide, said: "Autonomous driving is entering a critical phase of commercial deployment, with industry competition shifting from pure technological capability to cost efficiency and scalable deployment. This expanded collaboration will further integrate WeRide and Lenovo's core strengths in autonomous driving systems and computing platforms, creating a strong foundation for the planned global deployment of 200,000 AVs over the next five years."

Peter Xu, Vice President and General Manager of Vehicle Computing at Lenovo, added: "Scalability is the defining challenge for autonomous driving, and computing is the foundation. Lenovo will continue to advance automotive-grade computing platforms while leveraging our global manufacturing and supply chain strengths to deliver replicable, large-scale capabilities for the industry. Deepening our collaboration with WeRide allows us to accelerate commercialization and bring Robotaxi services to global markets faster."

Looking ahead, WeRide and Lenovo will continue to deepen collaboration on L4 AVs, including autonomous minibuses and sanitation vehicles. By accelerating the integration of autonomous driving into urban mobility and public services, both companies aim to scale intelligent mobility globally and drive the new phase of deployment.

About WeRide

WeRide is a global leader and a first mover in the autonomous driving industry, as well as the first publicly traded Robotaxi company. Our autonomous vehicles have been tested or operated in over 40 cities across 12 countries. We are also the first and only technology company whose products have received autonomous driving permits in eight markets: China, the UAE, Singapore, France, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and the US. Empowered by the smart, versatile, cost-effective, and highly adaptable WeRide One platform, WeRide provides autonomous driving products and services from L2 to L4, addressing transportation needs in the mobility, logistics, and sanitation industries. WeRide was named to Fortune's 2025 Change the World and 2025 Future 50 lists.

https://www.weride.ai

About Lenovo

Lenovo is a US$69 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #196 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world's largest PC company with a full-stack portfolio of AI-enabled, AI-ready, and AI-optimized devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets), infrastructure (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), software, solutions, and services. Lenovo's continued investment in world-changing innovation is building a more equitable, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.

Media Contacts

WeRide:
Email: pr@weride.ai

Lenovo:
Email: baijie10@lenovo.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to," and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about WeRide's beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in WeRide's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and announcements on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release. WeRide does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Dark Horse Consulting Group and Porton Advanced Announce Memorandum of Understanding Providing a Streamlined Path to Conducting IITs in China

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:45:00 +0700

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. and SUZHOU, China, April 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --Dark Horse Consulting Group ("DHCG" or "the Group"), a leader in strategic and operational biotherapeutics consulting, and Porton Advanced, a premier contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a strategic collaboration aimed at accelerating the development and clinical translation of cell and gene therapies globally.

This partnership unites DHCG's comprehensive regulatory, CMC, nonclinical, clinical, quality & compliance, supply chain, commercial launch, and business analytics consulting capabilities with Porton Advanced's end-to-end GMP manufacturing infrastructure, spanning lentiviral vectors, AAV, mRNA/LNP, plasmids, and engineered cell therapies including CAR-T, CAR-NK, and iPSC-derived products. Together, the two organizations will offer client companies a cost-effective and rapid pathway into clinical-stage manufacturing, with particular emphasis on enabling Investigator-Initiated Trials (IITs) in China.

For clients seeking to conduct Investigator-Initiated Trials in China, one of the most rapidly growing and strategically significant markets for advanced therapies, this collaboration addresses a persistent challenge: navigating the intersection of international regulatory strategy and local manufacturing. Porton Advanced holds 24 IND clearances across the NMPA and FDA and has successfully supported over 30 IITs to date. DHCG brings deep experience guiding sponsors through the complex regulatory and clinical design requirements that such programs demand.

By combining these capabilities under a formal collaborative framework, DHCG and Porton Advanced will enable sponsors and investigators to move their programs forward with greater speed, confidence, and efficiency, reducing friction at the manufacturing-regulatory interface that can result in delays in IIT initiation.

"This MOU with Porton Advanced represents a streamlined pathway for our client partners that are interested in undertaking an IIT in China," said Anthony Davies, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Dark Horse Consulting Group. "For programs targeting the Chinese market, particularly those pursuing IITs, having a trusted, proven manufacturing partner with NMPA-aligned quality systems will provide DHCG clients with decreased times to first-in-human, and rapid tech transfer and manufacture. We are committed to helping developers move therapies to patients faster, and this MOU is a direct expression of that commitment."

"We are thrilled to enter into this agreement with Dark Horse Consulting Group, whose advisory capabilities spanning CMC, regulatory, nonclinical, and clinical are highly complementary to our manufacturing capabilities," said Andrew Chen, CEO of Porton Advanced. "As demand for IIT-enabling services in China from overseas sponsors continues to grow, the combination of Porton Advanced's end-to-end cell and gene therapy CDMO capabilities and proven track record, as well as DHCG's strategic consulting depth creates a genuinely differentiated offering for developers at every stage."

About Dark Horse Consulting Group

Dark Horse Consulting Group, a worldwide consulting organization with offices in North America, Europe, and APAC, was founded in 2014 with the purpose of accelerating development and delivery of cell and gene therapies through unmatched expertise. Since then, The Group's focus has expanded dramatically, with consulting team subject matter expertise now encompassing strategy, operations, Quality, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, modeling, supply chain, commercial launch, and business optimization across the biopharma landscape. DHCG's white-glove client service is grounded in rigorous scientific and technical expertise to support clients from early discovery through commercial launch. The Group comprises three business units: DHC, BioTechLogic, and Converge Consulting, with Bruder Consulting & Venture Group forming a specialized Regenerative Medicine department of DHC as of early 2026 and CJP joining the group as a Dark Horse Consulting company, also in early 2026.

About Porton Advanced

Porton Advanced Solutions is a subsidiary of the leading CDMO, Porton Pharma Solutions. Porton Advanced has headquarters in Cranbury, New Jersey, and two GMP sites in Suzhou, China, providing end-to-end CDMO solutions for ATMPs. We offer services from cell banking, process, and analytical method development, cGMP production to fill & finish, covering different stages of drug development from early research, IITs, Investigational New Drug (IND) applications, clinical trials, New Drug Applications (NDA), to commercialization.

Porton Advanced has developed specialized CRO and CDMO platforms focusing on plasmids, viral vectors (lentiviral vector, adenoviral vector, AAV, etc.), cell therapy CMC services including CAR-T, TCR-T, CAR-NK, HSC, exosome, etc.) and nucleic acid therapies. Our state-of-the-art, GMP-compliant facilities span an impressive 215,000 sq ft, equipped with 10 viral vector GMP-compliant production lines, 12 cell therapy GMP-compliant production suites and a multitude of clean rooms. As of now, we have successfully supported our clients to secure 24 global IND approvals from NMPA, FDA, and Medsafe, with 11 ongoing Phase I/II ATMP projects. Additionally, Porton Advanced has supported the successful transition of several overseas clinical-stage pipelines into China.

Porton Advanced is committed to a customer-centric approach, offering excellent global, end-to-end CDMO services to our clients, enabling effective drugs to benefit the public sooner.

Dark Horse Consulting Group and Porton Advanced Announce Memorandum of Understanding Providing a Streamlined Path to Conducting IITs in China

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:45:00 +0700

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. and SUZHOU, China, April 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dark Horse Consulting Group ("DHCG" or "the Group"), a leader in strategic and operational biotherapeutics consulting, and Porton Advanced, a premier contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a strategic collaboration aimed at accelerating the development and clinical translation of cell and gene therapies globally.

This partnership unites DHCG's comprehensive regulatory, CMC, nonclinical, clinical, quality & compliance, supply chain, commercial launch, and business analytics consulting capabilities with Porton Advanced's end-to-end GMP manufacturing infrastructure, spanning lentiviral vectors, AAV, mRNA/LNP, plasmids, and engineered cell therapies including CAR-T, CAR-NK, and iPSC-derived products. Together, the two organizations will offer client companies a cost-effective and rapid pathway into clinical-stage manufacturing, with particular emphasis on enabling Investigator-Initiated Trials (IITs) in China.

For clients seeking to conduct Investigator-Initiated Trials in China, one of the most rapidly growing and strategically significant markets for advanced therapies, this collaboration addresses a persistent challenge: navigating the intersection of international regulatory strategy and local manufacturing. Porton Advanced holds 24 IND clearances across the NMPA and FDA and has successfully supported over 30 IITs to date. DHCG brings deep experience guiding sponsors through the complex regulatory and clinical design requirements that such programs demand.

By combining these capabilities under a formal collaborative framework, DHCG and Porton Advanced will enable sponsors and investigators to move their programs forward with greater speed, confidence, and efficiency, reducing friction at the manufacturing-regulatory interface that can result in delays in IIT initiation.

"This MOU with Porton Advanced represents a streamlined pathway for our client partners that are interested in undertaking an IIT in China," said Anthony Davies, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Dark Horse Consulting Group. "For programs targeting the Chinese market, particularly those pursuing IITs, having a trusted, proven manufacturing partner with NMPA-aligned quality systems will provide DHCG clients with decreased times to first-in-human, and rapid tech transfer and manufacture. We are committed to helping developers move therapies to patients faster, and this MOU is a direct expression of that commitment."

"We are thrilled to enter into this agreement with Dark Horse Consulting Group, whose advisory capabilities spanning CMC, regulatory, nonclinical, and clinical are highly complementary to our manufacturing capabilities," said Andrew Chen, CEO of Porton Advanced. "As demand for IIT-enabling services in China from overseas sponsors continues to grow, the combination of Porton Advanced's end-to-end cell and gene therapy CDMO capabilities and proven track record, as well as DHCG's strategic consulting depth creates a genuinely differentiated offering for developers at every stage."

About Dark Horse Consulting Group

Dark Horse Consulting Group, a worldwide consulting organization with offices in North America, Europe, and APAC, was founded in 2014 with the purpose of accelerating development and delivery of cell and gene therapies through unmatched expertise. Since then, The Group's focus has expanded dramatically, with consulting team subject matter expertise now encompassing strategy, operations, Quality, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, modeling, supply chain, commercial launch, and business optimization across the biopharma landscape. DHCG's white-glove client service is grounded in rigorous scientific and technical expertise to support clients from early discovery through commercial launch. The Group comprises three business units: DHC, BioTechLogic, and Converge Consulting, with Bruder Consulting & Venture Group forming a specialized Regenerative Medicine department of DHC as of early 2026 and CJP joining the group as a Dark Horse Consulting company, also in early 2026.

About Porton Advanced

Porton Advanced Solutions is a subsidiary of the leading CDMO, Porton Pharma Solutions. Porton Advanced has headquarters in Cranbury, New Jersey, and two GMP sites in Suzhou, China, providing end-to-end CDMO solutions for ATMPs. We offer services from cell banking, process, and analytical method development, cGMP production to fill & finish, covering different stages of drug development from early research, IITs, Investigational New Drug (IND) applications, clinical trials, New Drug Applications (NDA), to commercialization.

Porton Advanced has developed specialized CRO and CDMO platforms focusing on plasmids, viral vectors (lentiviral vector, adenoviral vector, AAV, etc.), cell therapy CMC services including CAR-T, TCR-T, CAR-NK, HSC, exosome, etc.) and nucleic acid therapies. Our state-of-the-art, GMP-compliant facilities span an impressive 215,000 sq ft, equipped with 10 viral vector GMP-compliant production lines, 12 cell therapy GMP-compliant production suites and a multitude of clean rooms. As of now, we have successfully supported our clients to secure 24 global IND approvals from NMPA, FDA, and Medsafe, with 11 ongoing Phase I/II ATMP projects. Additionally, Porton Advanced has supported the successful transition of several overseas clinical-stage pipelines into China.

Porton Advanced is committed to a customer-centric approach, offering excellent global, end-to-end CDMO services to our clients, enabling effective drugs to benefit the public sooner.

HERE Technologies deepens collaboration with China's intelligent driving innovator neueHCT to accelerate global NOA expansion

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:43:00 +0700

AI, robotics and global map intelligence converge to advance next-generation Navigation on Autopilot (NOA)
HERE Technologies and neueHCT are working to scale production-ready intelligent driving systems globally

Beijing, Auto China 2026 ? HERE Technologies, the leading mapping and location data company, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with neueHCT, the intelligent driving company jointly established by Horizon Robotics and AUMOVIO (formerly Continental's automotive sub-group). The partnership is focused on strengthening next-generation intelligent driving programs and full-scenario NOA expansion for global automakers, accelerating the progression from L2+ capabilities toward higher levels of automation, including L4 and robotaxi use cases across international markets such as Europe and the Gulf region (GCC countries).

AI, maps and robotics converge for global intelligent driving

The partnership brings together neueHCT's extensive intelligent driving and automotive robotics software with HERE's industry-leading AI-powered live map and location services, enabling faster innovation in NOA and intelligent vehicle decision making- across diverse vehicle segments.

By integrating AI-driven perception, planning and control software with high precision, real-time global map data, the two companies aim to deliver more capable, safer and scalable intelligent driving systems. This collaboration specifically addresses the data compliance and localization needs for international markets, helping drivers experience smoother lane‑level guidance, enhanced hazard awareness and greater peace of mind on every journey.

From production-proven AI in China to global deployment

neueHCT contributes deep expertise in intelligent driving software R&D, mature NOA product solutions, and large-scale mass production experience with leading Chinese automakers. HERE adds globally consistent map data, cloud-based services, and an automotive-grade platform already trusted by OEMs worldwide.

Together, the partnership creates a clear pathway for China-born intelligent driving and automotive robotics technologies to scale globally, supporting OEMs as they expand intelligent driving programs across international markets.

Media Contacts

HERE Technologies
Vanessa Lee
+65 9188 6199
Vanessa.lee@here.com

About HERE Technologies

HERE is the global leader in mapping and location technology. For over 40 years, we've been powering innovation for the world's most recognizable companies: from launching our first digital map in 1985, to shaping the future of software-defined vehicles today. With the industry's freshest and richest unified map and a portfolio of products, services and solutions that serve the needs of multiple industries, HERE reveals opportunities that drive progress and unlock new possibilities for every moving vehicle. Discover more at here.com.

About neueHCT

neueHCT is a joint venture between Horizon Robotics and AUMOVIO. Adhering to the mission of 'To make every journey safer and better' and carrying the vision of 'To bring leading intelligent driving product to the corner of every continent', we aim to become a global industry leader by integrating the unique resources and advantages of the two parent companies.

Leveraging localized technological expertise and a global service network, neueHCT is accelerating the export of Chinese intelligent driving solutions worldwide, becoming a key enabler in the internationalization of the smart automotive industry.

Project3 Athletes Shatter Records at London Marathon to Earn $171,000 From Puma

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:43:00 +0700

LONDON, April 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PUMA will pay out a stunning $171,000 in prize money after its Project3 runners delivered show-stopping performances at the London Marathon.

Following a hugely successful launch last year, and a record-breaking payout of $63,000 at last week's Boston Marathon, Project3 returned to London and delivered the goods yet again for sub-elite runners.

In total, 176 participants from 16 countries raced across the capital city wearing PUMA's Fast-R NITRO? Elite 3 or Deviate NITRO? Elite 4 as part of the ground-breaking running programme.

Of the total group, 84 runners secured a new personal best, with 54 smashing their previous record time by over 3 minutes, meaning they each secured a $3,000 performance-based prize from PUMA ? more than is awarded to the top 3 elite runners.

With an unprecedented number of achievements, it was Chris Perry who finished as the first male (2:13:41) with a PB improvement by more than a minute. The fastest female runner was Katrina Ballantyne-Chalmers (2:35:32) who also beat her previous PB. The biggest time improvement was Carina Li who knocked a total of 19 minutes and 48 seconds off her PB.

Speaking at The NITRO? Lab after the race, Katrina Ballantyne-Chalmers said: "Being part of Project3 has been amazing. There's been such a great sense of community - engaging with the other athletes, as well as getting support and mentorship from PUMA. I wasn't expecting to be the first female finisher so it feels a bit surreal right now. The encouragement from the crowd today really helped to push me on ? what a day!"

In total, Project3 runners collectively knocked a stunning 6 hours, 21 minutes and 55 seconds off their previous records in what is the biggest time improvement ever recorded for the programme.

The record-breaking totals mean that PUMA has now paid out almost a quarter of a million dollars to Project3 runners in 2026. Since launch the program has now hosted over 600 runners paying out almost $400,000 in prize money.

Keep up to date with all the latest PUMA running news and future Project3 announcements by following @pumarunning on Instagram.

Imagery: here

For more information, please visit: www.puma.com

Media Contact: Stefan.Popovic@puma.com / Sarah.Fuller@puma.com

PUMA

PUMA is one of the world's leading sports brands, designing, developing, and selling footwear, apparel and accessories. Founded in 1948, PUMA helps the world's best athletes and teams perform at their best with its innovative products. Known for its iconic cat logo and the Formstrip, the company offers performance products in categories such as Football, Running and Training. Its Sportstyle collections are rooted in sports and inspire consumers by celebrating sports culture. With its long history and strong heritage, PUMA is proud of having one of the strongest archives in the industry, with many iconic products such as the Suede and the Speedcat. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf and stichd. The company distributes its products in over 120 countries, employs more than 20,000 people and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany. For more information, please visit https://about.puma.com.

Spesies Baru Terungkap! iCAUR Mendobrak Batas, Membawa Anda Ke Mana Saja

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:42:00 +0700

WUHU, Tiongkok, April 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merek kendaraan Chery Group, iCAUR, akan segera menyelenggarakan International Business Summit 2026. Anda dapat melihat seluruh produk iCAUR dari dekat, mengikuti uji coba di jalur off-road serta eksplorasi detail produk, sekaligus menikmati pesona gaya hidup Urban Outdoor dan keunggulan produk iCAUR secara langsung. iCAUR, merek premium yang menghadirkan spesies baru dalam mobilitas dan mendefinisikan ulang kendaraan bodi kotak yang tangguh, siap diluncurkan di Eropa.

Kendaraan ini menghadirkan kenyamanan melebihi mobil off-road konvensional, mengatasi keterbatasan mobil perkotaan berorientasi keluarga untuk melakukan perjalanan outdoor jarak jauh, sekaligus menyajikan keasyikan perjalanan off-road bagi audiens yang lebih luas. Keseruan aktivitas outdoor berevolusi dari petualangan solo menjadi pengalaman bersama keluarga dan teman, menandai pergeseran transformatif dari "Untuk Anda" menjadi "Untuk Semua".

Dengan mengusung konsep gaya hidup Urban Outdoor sebagai intinya, iCAUR melampaui batas desain kendaraan konvensional. Didukung oleh jarak tempuh yang jauh, kemampuan tangguh di segala medan, ruang yang lapang, serta kustomisasi yang fleksibel, iCAUR melampaui perannya sebagai sarana transportasi andal. Kendaraan ini menjadi pendamping eksplorasi dan kebebasan, sekaligus menghadirkan bagi konsumen Eropa pilihan mobilitas baru yang memadukan kepraktisan dan karakter.

iCAUR 1

iCAUR 2

Menolak Keseragaman, Mendefinisikan Mobilitas melalui Kepraktisan
Berpusat pada desain dan teknologi, iCAUR berkomitmen untuk tampil berbeda dengan kualitas yang autentik, dengan berfokus pada pengalaman yang hangat dan berfokus pada pengguna, bukan sekadar mengejar spesifikasi berlebihan. Siluet bodi kotak tegas dan minimalisnya membuatnya sesuai untuk mobilitas perkotaan maupun eksplorasi outdoor sehingga sesuai dengan selera konsumen Eropa yang mengutamakan kegunaan, kesederhanaan, dan selera yang berkelas.

iCAUR menyasar individu selektif yang menolak mengikuti tren. Mereka mengidamkan keseimbangan antara karier dan kehidupan pribadi, menghargai kepraktisan yang bersahaja, sekaligus menginginkan mobilitas harian yang efisien serta kebebasan untuk bereksplorasi.

iCAUR 3

Berakar Kuat di Eropa, Dirancang untuk Segala Skenario
iCAUR V27 memperkuat posisinya sebagai spesies baru dengan spesifikasi inti yang kuat: jarak tempuh gabungan lebih dari 1.000 km, tinggi kolong 224 mm untuk performa off-road yang percaya diri, serta jarak sumbu roda 2.900 mm untuk kapasitas ruang bagi keluarga dan bagasi yang luas. Performa sistem penggerak yang stabil mampu menghadapi medan basah dan pegunungan dengan mudah; sistem pintar intuitif menjaga pengoperasian tetap bersih dan lugas, sehingga pengguna dapat menemukan ritme ideal antara perjalanan perkotaan dan petualangan alam.

iCAUR 4

Kebebasan Bergerak, Filosofi Hidup Praktis
Tidak terikat oleh tren pada umumnya, iCAUR dirancang dengan mengutamakan kepraktisan, kesederhanaan, dan kehangatan, yang menghadirkan gaya hidup Urban Outdoor ke dalam setiap detailnya. iCAUR terus mengoptimalkan produk dan layanannya bagi pengguna Eropa untuk menghadirkan mobilitas yang nyaman dan bebas hambatan.

Kontak:
Zeng Zhaoqing
cengzhaoqing@mychery.com
https://www.icaurglobal.com/