New Nasdaq Global Indexes survey finds private markets the top-ranked area of client demand across every region

Among asset managers, 80% now use AI in the product development process, but only 26% actively use it across multiple stages

NEW YORK, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nasdaq, Inc. (Nasdaq: NDAQ) today released the 2026 Global Voice of the Issuer Study, which finds that asset managers have converged on private markets as their top area of client demand and now use AI routinely in product development, but face increasing difficulty bringing new products to meaningful scale.

The study, conducted in partnership with Escalent, gathered insights on product development, differentiation, distribution, technology, and index provider partnerships from 406 senior investment product professionals (356 asset managers and 50 insurance firms) at firms with $25 billion or more in assets under management across seven countries.

While private markets ranked first in client demand across every region surveyed and AI adoption reached 80%, the research suggests the industry's biggest challenge is no longer identifying growth opportunities, but turning them into products that succeed at scale. Seventy-one percent of asset managers say it is increasingly difficult to break through in a crowded market, while 66% say many new product innovations struggle to accumulate meaningful assets.

"Asset managers have identified where they want to grow. The harder question is what it takes to get there," said Emily Spurling, Global Head of Indexes at Nasdaq. "As firms move quickly to satisfy demand for a range of exposures, including private markets and AI, what they need from index providers has changed - a partner in the room at the design stage, one that moves at their speed and can help them scale strategically. That is where the next phase of growth gets built."

Private Markets Lead Client Demand Globally

Across both institutional and advisor channels, private markets rank first among the product areas asset managers say their clients are asking for most. Among institutional-focused firms, 82% of Americas respondents place private markets in their top five client demand areas, alongside 71% in APAC (Japan and South Korea) and 67% in Europe (the U.K., Germany, France, and Italy).

As the category grows, firms point to the data and benchmark standards behind it as the areas with the most room to develop. Among surveyed respondents, 58% identified private-market benchmarks as the largest unmet need presented in the survey, followed by digital asset benchmarks (41%). Asset managers active in private markets identify access to differentiated data (27%) and a clear investment narrative (27%) as the two factors most critical to stand out.

AI Adoption Is Broad, but Implementation Remains Shallow

Artificial intelligence has become a standard part of product development, though its use remains uneven. Eighty percent of asset managers globally report using AI in some capacity, rising to 84% in APAC, but only 26% actively deploy it across multiple parts of the process, with most limiting it to idea generation (69%) and product design (61%).

Among firms not yet using AI or still exploring it, the barriers are organizational rather than technological, led by compliance concerns (53%), lack of internal expertise (53%), and questions about the accuracy and transparency of AI outputs (50%). Firms are also divided on whether to talk about it - 63% believe AI use should feature in go-to-market messaging, while those opposed, concentrated in Europe, worry it signals experimentation over expertise.

Scale Depends on Credibility and Distribution

Asset managers report that product design alone no longer determines which launches succeed. Brand credibility and recognition is the leading competitive differentiator globally (55%), ahead of unique product design and structural innovation (46%), pricing (42%), and sales distribution capability (42%).

Distribution is among the leading constraints on scale, cited by 41% of firms and rising to 54% in the Americas, and 53% still depend on wealth channel home office approvals to reach meaningful scale, rising to 58% in the Americas and 60% in APAC. Firms are adapting through data-driven targeting (54%), greater use of digital distribution (50%), and increased emphasis on advisor education (43%).

Regional Priorities Diverge Across the Americas, Europe, and APAC

In the Americas, firms show the deepest engagement across emerging product areas, including digital assets (32% versus 13% in APAC) and options-based strategies (48% versus 17%), and decision-making is distribution-led, with 64% involving distribution and sales teams in go-to-market decisions.

In Europe, regulatory requirements are the leading barrier to scaling products (51%), reflecting the complexity of MiFID II, SFDR, and divergent national frameworks, and firms hold the highest speed-to-market expectations globally. In APAC, firms lead globally in AI adoption (84%) and show the strongest appetite for external research support.

Index Providers as Strategic Growth Partners

Asset managers increasingly want index partners involved more deeply in the ideation and development of new products, but also in the support of product growth in market. Sixty-eight percent say they need support during the product design phase, and 65% say it would be valuable for an index provider to act as an extension of their research team.

The support they most want to source externally is analytical - competitive intelligence (53%), research and insights (45%), and global market coverage (39%). Expectations are also outpacing delivery: 73% expect a new index product within six months, but only 62% say that timeline is met, extending the partnership model beyond benchmark construction into design, research, and go-to-market.

The full study is available at https://a-nasdaq.vev.site/voice-of-the-issuer-2026

About Nasdaq

Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading technology platform that powers the world's economies. We architect the infrastructure of the world's most modern markets, power the innovation economy, and build trust in the financial system. We empower economic opportunity by designing and deploying advanced technology, data, and intelligence solutions that enable our clients to capture opportunities, navigate risk, and strengthen resilience. To learn more about the company, technology solutions and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on X www.nasdaq.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Information set forth in this release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Nasdaq cautions readers that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "will," "believe," "next phase," "future," "growth," "opportunity," "evolving," and other words and terms of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to asset managers' future growth priorities; expected demand for private markets, artificial intelligence, digital assets and other investment strategies; future product development, commercialization and scaling opportunities; anticipated industry trends; and the evolving role of index providers. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond Nasdaq's control.

These risks and uncertainties are detailed in Nasdaq's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q which are available on Nasdaq's investor relations website at http://ir.nasdaq.com and the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Nasdaq undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Nasdaq is a registered trademark of Nasdaq, Inc. The information contained above is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice, either on behalf of a particular security or an overall investment strategy.

Neither Nasdaq, Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any recommendation to buy or sell any security or any representation about the financial condition of any company. Statements regarding Nasdaq-listed companies or Nasdaq proprietary indexes are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investors should undertake their own due diligence and carefully evaluate companies before investing. ADVICE FROM A SECURITIES PROFESSIONAL IS STRONGLY ADVISED.

2026. Nasdaq, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

In the Past 5 Years Deako Has Shipped Over 32 million Units of Its Technologies Including Its Smart Home Plug-In Wall Switches, with Over $26M in Revenues in 2025 

Deako is a Leading Technology Supplier to Over 50 U.S. Builders Including D.R. Horton, Toll Brothers, Risewell Homes, Adams Homes, Maronda Homes, Shea Homes, Schumacher Homes, Among Others, and is Expected to Fast Track SKYX's Technologies to the Vast Builder Market

Deako's Lead Investor and Board Member, Include Paul Jacobs, former Chairman and CEO of Qualcomm, and Board Member Marwan Fawaz, former CEO of Nest

SKYX and Deako Management will Hold a Conference Call Today, September 10, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, to Discuss Merger Aspects. See below for dial-in information.

MIAMI, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SKYX Platforms Corp. (NASDAQ: SKYX) (d/b/a SKYX Technologies) (the "Company" or "SKYX"), an award winning highly disruptive advanced safe-smart home and AI platform technology company with over 100 U.S. and global pending and issued patents and a portfolio of 60 lighting and home d?cor websites, with a mission to make homes and buildings become advanced, safe and smart instantly as the new standard, today announced it has signed a merger agreement with U.S. AI smart home Silicon Valley backed company Deako Inc., aiming to lead the AI smart home, builder and hotel markets with their combined plug and play smart home and AI platform technologies.

Merger Agreement Highlights and Economics

Deako Inc. is a smart home AI platform and intelligent lighting company with 20 U.S. and global patents and patent pending applications for plug & play advanced, smart home and AI activated lighting wall switches.

The merger agreement between SKYX and Deako will enable SKYX to address from A-to-Z the smart electronic real estate of electrical outlet boxes in homes and buildings including wall outlets, wall switches and ceiling outlet boxes for smart home and safety products, lighting, ceiling fans, smoke detectors, among others, all with advanced and smart home plug & play solutions.

Most smart home solutions today require time-consuming and costly wired installation and address only part of the A-to-Z opportunity, while the SKYX Deako merger is aiming to facilitate an entire A-to-Z solution, all plug & play for advanced, smart home AI platforms and products.

Based on SKYX technology's safety aspects, during the past years its safe instant plug & play ceiling outlet receptacle system has received vote approvals from U.S. leading building safety standardization organizations including 10 segments in the NFPA-NEC code book (National Fire Protection Association / National Electrical Code) and its technology's specifications received an approval vote by ANSI/NEMA as a standard.

In the past 5 years Deako has shipped over 32 million units of its technologies including its smart home plug-in wall switches, with over $26 million in revenue in 2025.

Deako is a leading technology supplier to the builder market with over 50 U.S. builders, including D.R. Horton, Toll Brothers, Risewell Homes, Adams Homes, Maronda Homes, Shea Homes, Schumacher Homes, among others.

The merger is expected to fast track SKYX's technologies and products into Deako's vast builder market footprint of over 50 U.S. builders, including those named above. Additionally, the merger will open the door for Deako's products into SKYX projects including Marriott and European hotels, Miami's $4 billion Smart City, among others.

The SKYX Deako merger is expected to increase Deako's SKU count to the builder, hotel and pro markets five-fold.

Why are all cars smart while 90% of homes are not? The main reason and barrier are the complexity, time consuming, costly and rigorous wiring installation. The SKYX Deako merger provides an instant smart home safe plug & play solution for homes, buildings, hotels among others.

The merger is expected to provide deployment opportunities of millions of combined products into the builder, hotel and pro market and future recurring revenue opportunities from plug & play product interchangeability, AI services, monitoring, subscriptions, licensing, among others.

The merger will enable significant cost saving synergies including overhead consolidation in software, accounting, general administration, sourcing, efficiency optimization and other benefits.

Deako's Founder and CEO is Derek Richardson, former sales leader in prominent tech companies Blackberry and Cypress. Derek will remain CEO of Deako and will lead SKYX's growth including to the builder, hotel, and pro markets.

Deako's Board members include Paul Jacobs (former Qualcomm Chairman and CEO), Marwan Fawaz (former CEO of Nest), and Executive Chairman, Scott Vertrees.

As consideration for the merger SKYX will issue common stock, equal to 18.46% of the Company, totaling 25,000,000 shares subject to up to a 2-year lockup/leak out agreement (1-year full lock up, in addition to 9-12 months leak out) with Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.

Post merger, current SKYX's shareholders will own 84.4% of the Company and Deako's shareholders and lender collectively will own 15.6%.

In addition, SKYX will pay Deako's lender a payment of $4M by closing and issue a note of $8.5M, with $2.25M paid in Q-1 2027, and the remaining $6.25M in Q-4 2027.

The merger will expand the collective patent portfolio where SKYX has over 100 patents and pending applications and Deako with 20 patents and patent pending applications to over 120 patents and patent pending applications, related to platforms, smart home, AI and plug & play products.

Paul Jacobs, Deako Board Member, former Chairman and CEO of Qualcomm, said: "Throughout my career, I have been deeply involved in building ecosystems and platforms to integrate diverse capabilities into smartphones and other devices. The merger of SKYX Platforms and Deako brings together two synergistic platforms for the home. To date, the smart home has advanced slowly device by device. SKYX combines its position at the ceiling, its all-in-one smart home hub and AI platform and its safe plug & play ceiling outlet receptacle, with Deako's wall receptacle, intelligent switches and more than 32 million products already shipped into homes. Together they provide the electronic real estate of homes, buildings and hotels, where power, control, sensing and AI intelligence will naturally live. This merger can drive the new standard for safe, smart and AI intelligent homes."

Marwan Fawaz, Deako Board Member and former CEO of Nest, said: "Smart home solutions have historically been overly complicated to bring to market; they need an easier and more intuitive consumer experience. The combination of SKYX and Deako provides a broad array of products to solve these complex and challenging problems in the home with innovation, simplicity, and safety in mind. Going forward, the combined companies will work in tandem with the large technology/AI providers to capitalize on the tsunami of innovation coming to the intelligent home experience."

Steve Schmidt, President of SKYX and former CEO of A.C. Nielsen, said: "We are excited about the SKYX Deako merger. I strongly believe that our combined plug & play platform technologies with vast electronic real estate and endless offerings including home safety sensors, smart home sensors, AI intelligence and much more will be game-changing for the smart home, building and hotel industries. Working with Rani for many years, I would emphasize that this merger and its growth potential really demonstrate how Rani's vision, and business acumen are as unique as his inventing capabilities."

Derek Richardson, CEO and Founder of Deako Inc., said: "We are very excited for our merger with SKYX and its game-changing platform technologies, including its all-in-one smart home and AI platform technology, as well as its plug & play ceiling outlet receptacle platform that was voted by ANSI / NEMA and NFPA - NEC based on its significant safety aspects. The smart home is won or lost at the moment a house is being built - that's why we built Deako for the builder channel first. As the intelligent home emerges, the electronic real estate inside a house becomes critical infrastructure, and the ceiling and the wall are everything. Joining SKYX pairs what we've built at the wall with what they've built at the ceiling that maximizes performance of smart home products and gives builders one complete, plug-and-play solution instead of a collection of parts."

Rani Kohen, Founder and Executive Chairman of SKYX Platforms, said: We are very excited for our merger with Deako and its team members. We strongly believe that the SKYX Deako combined platform technologies, patent portfolio, and collective teams, will significantly grow our market penetration in the builder, hotel and pro market and will offer future additional recuring revenue opportunities from plug & play product upgrades, AI services, monitoring, subscriptions, licensing, among others. The SKYX-Deako merger and its terms provide tremendous value validation of our technologies, including our vast global patent portfolio and our safety-related building code approvals by NFPA-NEC and ANSI/NEMA, while also delivering significant value to our shareholders.

For more information about Deako: Click Here

For a video demo of SKYX's technologies: Click Here

SKYX Signs Merger with Leading U.S. AI Smart Home Silicon Valley Backed Company Deako

Dial In Information

Participating Management

SKYX Representatives

Deako Representatives

Conference Call and Webcast Details

Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026

Time: 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time

U.S. dial-in: 1-877-407-0792

International dial-in: 1-201-689-8263

Webcast: https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1775971&tp_key=18e7862478

Participants should connect approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled start Participant Listening: 1-877-407-0792 or 1-201-689-8263

Call me: 

https://callme.viavid.com/viavid/?callme=true&passcode=13760591&h=true&info=company&r=true&B=6

- Participants can use Guest dial-in #s above and be answered by an operator OR click the Call me link for instant telephone access to the event.

- Call me link will be made active 15 minutes prior to scheduled start time.

Telephone replay

A telephone replay will be available approximately three hours after the call through October 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

U.S. replay dial-in: 1-844-512-2921

International replay dial-in: 1-412-317-6671

Replay access ID: 13762632

About SKYX Platforms Corp.

As electricity is a standard in every home and building, our mission is to make homes and buildings become safe-advanced and smart as the new standard. SKYX has a series of highly disruptive advanced, safe, smart and AI platform technologies, with over 100 U.S. and global patents and patent pending applications. Additionally, the Company owns 60 lighting and home d?cor websites for both retail and commercial segments. Our technologies place an emphasis on high quality and ease of use, while significantly enhancing both safety and lifestyle in homes and buildings. We believe that our products are a necessity in every room in both homes and other buildings in the U.S. and globally. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.skyx.com/ or follow us on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release are not based on historical facts, but are forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "can," "could," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "evaluate," "forecast," "guidance," "intend," "likely," "may," "might," "objective," "ongoing," "outlook," "plan," "potential," "predict," "probable," "project," "seek," "should," "target" "view," "will," or "would," or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These statements reflect the Company's reasonable judgment with respect to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which have outcomes difficult to predict and may be outside our control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and statements include, but are not limited to, risks relating to the merger, including risks arising from the diversion of management's attention from the Company's ongoing business operations, an increase in the amount of costs, fees and expenses and other charges related to the merger agreement or the merger, the outcome of any litigation that the Company or Deako may become subject to relating to the merger, the extent of, and the time necessary to obtain, any regulatory approvals that may be required for completion of the merger, risks of disruption to the Company's business as a result of the public announcement of the merger, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement or other agreements relating to the merger, an inability to complete the merger in a timely manner or at all, including due to a failure of any condition to the closing of the merger to be satisfied or waived by the applicable party, a decline in the market price for the Company's common stock if the merger is not completed, risks that the merger disrupts current plans and operations of the Company or Deako and potential difficulties in Company or Deako employee retention as a result of the merger, the Company's ability to pay the interest and principal on the promissory notes to be issued in connection with the merger, and the ability to implement business plans, forecasts and other expectations after the completion of the merger, realize the intended benefits of the merger, and identify and realize additional opportunities following the merger.

Such risks and uncertainties also include statements relating to the Company's ability to successfully launch, commercialize, develop additional features and achieve market acceptance of its products and technologies and integrate its products and technologies with third-party platforms or technologies; the Company's ability to expand its market presence and control the market following the merger with Deako; the Company's ability to achieve positive cash flows; the Company's efforts and ability to drive the adoption of its products and technologies as a standard feature, including their use in homes, hotels, offices and cruise ships; the Company's ability to capture market share; the Company's estimates of its potential addressable market and demand for its products and technologies; the Company's ability to raise additional capital to support its operations as needed, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's ability to execute on any sales and licensing or other strategic opportunities; the possibility that any of the Company's products will become National Electrical Code (NEC)-code or otherwise code mandatory in any jurisdiction, or that any of the Company's current or future products or technologies will be adopted by any state, country, or municipality, within any specific timeframe or at all; risks arising from mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and other collaborations; the Company's ability to attract and retain key executives and qualified personnel; guidance provided by management, which may differ from the Company's actual operating results; the potential impact of unstable market and economic conditions on the Company's business, financial condition, and stock price; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q.

There can be no assurance as to any of the foregoing matters. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by U.S. federal securities laws. 

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

Collaboration brings Mistral's frontier models and capabilities directly to Cloudera customers' governed data, giving enterprises greater control, choice, and flexibility to build and deploy private AI anywhere

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cloudera, the only company bringing AI to data anywhere, and Mistral, a global frontier AI lab, today announced a landmark strategic partnership to bring secure, sovereign AI directly to enterprise data wherever it resides.

Cloudera and Mistral will combine Cloudera's hybrid data and AI platform with Mistral's sovereign AI models to give enterprises a secure path to build, customize, and run AI using their own private data. The collaboration will enable organizations to bring intelligence directly to their data across cloud, on-premises, edge, sovereign, and air-gapped environments-without requiring sensitive information to leave their control.

For enterprises managing the world's largest and most sensitive data estates, this approach provides greater control, choice, and flexibility over how and where AI runs. Organizations can run inference privately, customize AI using proprietary data, and deploy AI applications within their existing security and governance boundaries, while gaining greater control over the economics of AI at scale.

"Enterprise AI is entering a new phase where organizations need more than access to powerful models, they need the freedom to unlock specialized intelligence using their data, on their terms," said Abhas Ricky, Chief Business Officer & GM, Applied AI at Cloudera. "Together with Mistral, we are giving enterprises the ability to run AI where their data lives, customize it with their own intellectual property, and maintain control over their data, infrastructure, and economics. That combination of intelligence and control is essential to moving AI from experimentation into production."

Bringing Intelligence to the Data

For enterprises operating in highly regulated and data-intensive industries, moving sensitive or proprietary information to external AI services can introduce regulatory, security, and operational challenges.

Cloudera and Mistral are addressing these challenges by bringing secure, sovereign AI directly to the enterprise data perimeter.

Mistral's suite of frontier models and tools will be integrated with Cloudera's hybrid data and AI platform, enabling customers to run their own custom AI models and applications across 30 exabytes of data. Enterprises will have the deployment flexibility across public, private, on-premises, and fully air-gapped environments, while maintaining consistent governance and control over their context.

The partnership will span Mistral's broad portfolio of frontier AI models and tools, including reasoning, chat, coding, document intelligence, and voice, giving Cloudera customers greater choice in how they apply AI to their enterprise data.

By enabling organizations to run inference within their own environments, the collaboration also gives customers greater flexibility over the economics of AI. Enterprises can choose the deployment model and infrastructure that best fit their workloads rather than depending exclusively on public API consumption models as AI usage scales.

From Private Inference to Proprietary Intelligence

Through the integration of Mistral Forge, a system for enterprises to build frontier-grade AI models grounded in their proprietary knowledge, organizations utilizing Cloudera's platform will be able to customize and train models against large volumes of private enterprise data within controlled environments. For enterprises with petabytes of proprietary information, this creates an opportunity to transform decades of institutional data and domain expertise into differentiated AI while maintaining ownership and sovereignty over both the data and resulting intelligence.

Developers and practitioners will also be able to securely build AI-powered experiences using private enterprise data within local environments-from conversational access to governed data to AI-assisted software development and agentic workflows-without exposing sensitive business context or intellectual property to external environments.

Cloudera and Mistral also intend to collaborate on the next generation of AI at the edge, bringing increasingly capable inference closer to where enterprise data is created. This will enable organizations to explore intelligent applications across disconnected, latency-sensitive and resource-constrained environments where relying on centralized cloud infrastructure is not practical.

"Our mission is to make frontier AI available to enterprises without requiring them to give up control over their data, infrastructure, or intellectual property," said Kamal Brar, SVP of Partnerships and Alliances at Mistral. "Cloudera manages some of the world's most valuable enterprise data estates, making this partnership a powerful opportunity to bring our technology directly to where that data lives. Together, we can give customers the ability to build AI that reflects their own data and expertise and deploy it securely wherever their business requires."

Expanding Choice for Enterprise AI

The partnership also expands the Cloudera Enterprise AI Ecosystem, through which Cloudera works with leading AI models, infrastructure, application, and technology providers to give customers flexibility in how they build and deploy enterprise AI.

Mistral adds a significant new dimension to that ecosystem by enabling customers to access and customize its models and AI capabilities directly alongside their governed enterprise data. The partnership reinforces both Cloudera's and Mistral's commitment to an open approach to enterprise AI, giving customers choice across models, infrastructure, and deployment environments rather than locking their data or AI strategy into a single technology stack.

The joint Cloudera and Mistral solutions will be available through Cloudera's enterprise sales team and partner ecosystem, with additional integrations and capabilities rolling out over time. To learn more, visit Cloudera.com.

About Cloudera

Cloudera is the only hybrid data and AI platform company that large organizations trust to bring AI to their data anywhere it lives. Unlike other providers, Cloudera delivers a consistent cloud experience that converges public clouds, on-prem data centers, sovereign clouds, and the edge, leveraging a proven open-source foundation. As the pioneer in big data, Cloudera empowers businesses to apply AI and assert control over 100% of their data, in all forms, improving security, governance, and real-time and predictive insights. The world's largest brands across all industries rely on Cloudera to transform decision-making and ultimately boost bottom lines, safeguard against threats, and save lives.

To learn more, visit Cloudera.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X. 2026 Cloudera and associated marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cloudera, Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.  

About Mistral

Mistral is a global AI lab building state-of-the-art open-weight models, products and infrastructure that enable enterprises, public institutions and advanced industries to truly own, customize, and control their AI. Headquartered in France, Mistral has a strong international presence across Europe, North America and Asia.

Learn more at mistral.ai and follow us on LinkedIn and X.

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) ("Teva") announced today that it successfully priced its offering of approximately $4.9 billion (equivalent) of senior notes (the "Notes").

Teva expects to use the net proceeds from the offering, together with cash on hand, (i) to fund the redemptions of certain existing notes as further set out below (the "Conditional Redemptions"), (ii) to pay fees and expenses in connection therewith and (iii) to the extent of any remaining proceeds, for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of outstanding debt upon maturity, tender offer or earlier redemption. Net proceeds may be temporarily invested pending application for their stated purpose.

The Notes that successfully priced today consist of (i) Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands II B.V.'s ("Teva Finance II") EUR1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.250% EUR-denominated Senior Notes maturing in 2033, (ii) Teva Finance II's EUR500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.625% EUR-denominated Senior Notes maturing in 2036, (iii) Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III B.V.'s ("Teva Finance III") $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.500% USD-denominated Senior Notes maturing in 2034, (iv) Teva Finance III's $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.750% USD-denominated Senior Notes maturing in 2037, and (v) Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands IV B.V.'s ("Teva Finance IV" and, together with Teva Finance II and Teva Finance III, the "Issuers") $1,200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.250% USD-denominated Senior Notes maturing in 2032.

The settlement of the Notes is expected to occur on or about September 16, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. The settlement of the Notes in the amount indicated herein will satisfy the condition of the Conditional Redemptions that the applicable Issuers receive funding in an amount satisfactory to each such Issuer and in any case sufficient to pay the redemption price for the applicable series of notes in full and to cover all related expenses.

The Notes will be unsecured senior obligations of the Issuers and will be unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Teva.

In connection with the Conditional Redemptions, Teva issued notices of conditional redemption on September 8, 2026, pursuant to which it intends to redeem in accordance with the terms set forth in the relevant indentures: (i) all of the 6.750% Senior Notes due 2028 that are outstanding, (ii) all of the 7.875% Sustainability-Linked Senior Notes due 2029 that are outstanding, (iii) all of the 7.375% Sustainability-Linked Senior Notes due 2029 that are outstanding, (iv) up to $450,000,000 in principal amount of 4.750% Sustainability-Linked Senior Notes due 2027 and (v) up to EUR1,250,000,000 in principal amount of 4.375% Sustainability-Linked Senior Notes due 2030. Teva may, in its sole discretion, decide to issue additional notices of conditional redemption and redeem certain of its other outstanding notes, or to amend the principal amounts to be redeemed under any of the foregoing notices, in each case in accordance with the terms set forth in the relevant indentures pursuant to which such notes were issued, although it is under no obligation to do so. On September 10, 2026, Teva expects to (a) issue an additional notice of conditional redemption pursuant to which Teva intends to redeem all of the 8.125% USD Sustainability-Linked Senior Notes due 2031 and (b) issue a notice of reduction pursuant to which Teva intend to reduce the amount of 4.375% Sustainability-Linked Senior Notes due 2030 being redeemed from up to ?1,250,000,000 to ?1,150,000,000.

The offering and sale of the Notes were made pursuant to our effective automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3, including our base prospectus, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 7, 2025. The offering of these Notes was made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus, which have been filed with the SEC. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus along with other documents that Teva has filed with the SEC and that are incorporated by reference into the prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus for more complete information about Teva and this offering. These documents are available at no charge by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov. Alternatively, a copy of the prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus related to this offering may be obtained, when available, by contacting BNP PARIBAS, 16, boulevard des Italiens, 75009 Paris, France, Attention: Fixed Income Syndicate (emails: dl.syndsupportbonds@uk.bnpparibas.com); BNP Paribas Securities Corp., 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019, United States of America, Attention: Debt Syndicate Desk (email: DL.US.Syndicate.Support@us.bnpparibas.com); Citigroup Global Markets Europe AG or Citigroup Global Markets Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, United States of America, Telephone: (800) 831-9146, E-mail: prospectus@citi.com; Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE, Marienturm, Taunusanlage 9-10, 60329 Frankfurt am Main, Germany, Attention: High Yield Syndicate Desk (Tel: +49 69 7532 1000, Fax: +44 (0)207 774 2330); J.P. Morgan SE, Taunustor 1 (TaunusTurm), 60310 Frankfurt am Main, Germany, Attention: Head of EMEA Capital Markets Group (email: Head_of_EMEA_DCMG@jpmorgan.com) and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, United States of America, Attention: Investment Grade Syndicate Desk, Tel: (212) 834-6081).

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About Teva

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) is transforming into a leading innovative biopharmaceutical company, enabled by a world-class generics business. For over 120 years, Teva's commitment to bettering health has never wavered. From innovating in the fields of neuroscience and immunology to providing complex generic medicines, biosimilars and pharmacy brands worldwide, Teva is dedicated to addressing patients' needs, now and in the future. At Teva, We Are All In For Better Health.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that could cause our future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from that expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks relating to: completion of the offering of senior notes and conditional redemptions for certain outstanding notes; our significant indebtedness, which may limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, engage in additional transactions or make new investments; and our potential need to raise additional funds in the future, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; other financial and economic risks; and other factors discussed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2026, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, including in the sections captioned "Risk Factors" and "Forward Looking Statements," and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at www.sec.gov.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or other information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that the transactions described herein will be consummated or as to the ultimate terms of any such transactions.

It may be unlawful to distribute this press release in certain jurisdictions. This press release is not for distribution in Canada, Japan or Australia. The information in this press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in Canada, Japan or Australia.

The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area ("EEA"). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2016/97/EU (as amended, the "Insurance Distribution Directive"), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investors in the United Kingdom. For these purposes, the expression "retail investor" means a person who is either one (or both of the following): (i) not a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No. 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018; or (ii) not a qualified investor as defined in paragraph 15 of Schedule 1 to the Public Offers and Admission to Trading Regulations 2024. Consequently, no disclosure document required by FCA Product Disclosure Sourcebook ("DISC") for offering, selling, or distributing the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and, therefore, offering, selling, or distributing the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the DISC and the Consumer Composite Investments (Designated Activities) Regulations 2024.

Promotion of the Notes in the United Kingdom is restricted by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ("FSMA"), and accordingly, the Notes are not being promoted to the general public in the United Kingdom. This announcement is for distribution only to, and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), (iii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom they may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order or (iv) persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of any notes may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons").

The Notes will only be available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such Notes will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. This announcement is directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by anyone who is not a relevant person.

The Notes have not, may not and will not be offered, sold or delivered in the Netherlands, other than to qualified investors (as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129).

The Notes have not, may not and will not be offered, sold or delivered in Israel, other than to persons who qualify as one of the types of investors listed in the First Addendum to the Israeli Securities Law, subject to and in accordance with the requirements set forth in the First Addendum to the Israeli Securities Law.

Source: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

Check the Lazada app for final-day deals, Stack & Save savings, RM19 drops and limited-time offers, and complete your purchase before it all ends at 11:59pm on 11 September.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 10 September 2026 - Lazada's 9.9 Mega Brands Sale ends tomorrow, 11 September, at 11:59pm, marking the final stretch for shoppers to complete their planned purchases before campaign offers end.

If household essentials, long-awaited upgrades or favourite brands are still sitting in your cart, now is the time to open the Lazada app, claim available vouchers and complete your checkout before the sale ends. Throughout the final stretch, Lazada will continue releasing limited-time deals and offers at selected times, giving shoppers more reasons to keep checking the app and catch the next drop while it is available.

Do not stop at "Add to Cart." Complete your purchase while promotional stock and campaign offers remain available. Once the clock hits 11:59pm tomorrow, 9.9 is over.

Catch these final 9.9 offers before time runs out

Stack & Save: Claim and combine eligible vouchers across participating LazMall stores to maximise savings at checkout.

RM19 All Out Surprise Deals*: Look out for limited-time surprise offers during selected timeslots, while promotional stock lasts.

Surprise Box*: Catch daily mystery-box drops throughout the day until 11 September.

Semua Free Shipping* & Lowest Price Guarantee*: Enjoy applicable free shipping vouchers and price protection on eligible purchases.

Last chance for 9.9 savings on Malaysian favourites

The final countdown is also an opportunity to shop homegrown brands through Lazada's partnership with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) under Jom Beli Produk Malaysia (Jom Malaysia).

Participating Malaysian brands are showcasing new collections, exclusive launches and campaign offers through their official LazMall stores, spanning home appliances, fashion, wellness, groceries and automotive essentials. Shoppers can explore Russell Taylors, KHIND, OGAWA, PerySmith, TTRacing, POH KONG, Case Valker, Dr Cardin, Trapo, Hoppi Malaysia, Signature Market and Beacon Mart, giving them one last chance to add Malaysian favourites to their 9.9 checkout.

Your final checkout checklist

*Review your cart: Check that the items you have been planning to buy, including your preferred colours, sizes or models, are still available.

*Apply your savings: Claim eligible vouchers and make sure they are applied before completing payment.

*Complete your checkout: Finish your purchase by 11:59pm on 11 September 2026, before the 9.9 Mega Brands Sale ends.

Last call: Shop before 9.9 ends tomorrow

Open the Lazada app now and catch the final deals and limited-time drops before 11:59pm on 11 September. Miss the deadline. Miss the 9.9 deals.https://www.lazada.com.my

https://x.com/LazadaMY

https://www.facebook.com/LazadaMalaysia

https://www.instagram.com/lazada_my/

Hashtag: #LazadaMalaysia #Lazada99 #MegaBrandsSale #JomMalaysia #ShopLocal

Lazada Group is Southeast Asia's pioneer eCommerce platform. For the last 14 years, Lazada has been accelerating progress in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam through commerce and technology. Today, a thriving local ecosystem links about 160 million active users to more than one million actively selling sellers every month, who are transacting safely and securely via trusted payments channels and Lazada Wallet, receiving parcels through a homegrown logistics network that has become the largest in the region.

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

Issuer: The Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC)

HANOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 10 September 2026 - Vietnam Industry and Technology Week 2026 (VITW 2026) officially opened today, bringing together more than 2,000 booths from leading Vietnamese and international companies.

Under the theme "Technology Leads - Industry Transforms - Breakthrough Beyond", VITW 2026 combines exhibitions and technology demonstrations with specialised conferences and business matching, offering an up-to-date view of the trends shaping global industry.

The exhibition runs until 11 September at the Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC) in Dong Anh, Hanoi, and is expected to draw more than 70,000 visits.

Exhibitors include hundreds of leading companies in vehicle electrification, automation, green manufacturing and supply-chain restructuring, from Vietnam and around the world. Over the three days, they will look for buyers and investment partners, extend their networks and gain an early read on the latest trends in the industry.

In 2026, VITW brings together more than 2,000 booths across more than 70,000 m? at VEC, organised into seven exhibition, fair and conference zones: the Vietnam International Industrial Fair 2026 (VIIF 2026); the International Manufacturing Congress 2026 (IMC 2026); the Hanoi Major Industrial Products Fair 2026 (Hanoi MIP Fair 2026); Automation World Vietnam 2026; the Vietnam International Technology Exhibition Series 2026; the 3rd International Clean Energy, Power and Energy Storage Industry Exhibition Series; and the 3rd Vietnam International Hardware, Hand Tools, Fasteners and Electromechanical Equipment Exhibition 2026.

Among these, the Vietnam International Industrial Fair 2026 (VIIF 2026) is one of the flagship events, spanning three exhibition halls. It showcases complete motor vehicles alongside their ecosystem of components, batteries, charging infrastructure, robots, machinery and manufacturing software.

In vehicles and supporting industries, the highlights include VinFast with its electric vehicle range and Hai Au with its Chenglong trucks; Tinh Nhue Hung Yen together with Hatico, Bristar, Navicom and FECO Vietnam, presenting mechanical products, components, seats, displays, dashcams and emission-reduction equipment; and battery and charging-infrastructure players such as Mikano and Wanxianghui.

Next comes the mechanical engineering and automation group, with industrial robotics solutions from CNCTech and Roboworld; high-precision machinery and mechanical equipment from AKC Engineering, T&T Vina, XYD Vietnam and AIT Innovation; industrial software from VINIS; and smart home appliances from VPlus Vietnam.

The gathering of major industry names at VIIF 2026 - from electric vehicles, components and energy to robotics, mechanical engineering and software - reflects the shift in Vietnamese industry towards electrification, automation and stronger domestic supply capacity. VIIF also opens the door for companies to find suppliers, partners and markets in a new phase of growth.

Adjoining VIIF 2026 is the Hanoi Major Industrial Products Fair 2026 (Hanoi MIP Fair 2026), organised by the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade. Across more than 9,000 m?, the fair presents five strategic sectors: microchips and semiconductors; information technology; electrical, electronics and refrigeration; mechanical engineering and automation; and healthcare, textiles and garments, leather and footwear, and food and beverage. Visitors can see technology applications first-hand and speak with companies at their booths, connecting Hanoi's businesses with manufacturers, buyers and technology partners from around the world.

Speaking at Hanoi MIP Fair 2026, Mr. Tran Duc Hai, Member of the Hanoi Party Committee and Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, said: "Organising the Hanoi Major Industrial Products Fair 2026 demonstrates the effort and commitment of the city of Hanoi to actively and effectively implementing the Central Committee's resolutions on industrial development, science and technology, innovation and private-sector development."

Alongside the exhibitions, dmg events ? one of the world's leading exhibition organisers - and VEC are co-hosting the International Manufacturing Congress 2026 (IMC 2026), bringing together 60 speakers: policymakers, business leaders, investors and experts from Vietnam and abroad. Through 17 in-depth sessions, IMC focuses on the issues now shaping companies' competitiveness, including advanced manufacturing, AI and automation, attracting high-value investment, supply-chain restructuring, energy security, green manufacturing and workforce development.

Alongside IMC, the Business Matching programme gives companies a direct channel to buyers, distributors, investors and technology partners - to find outlets for their products, evaluate solutions and build future partnerships.

IMC 2026 also marks the start of a long-term partnership between VEC and dmg events. dmg events' international organising experience, combined with VEC's operating capability and domestic partner network, will continue with the Vietnam International Industrial Fair 2027 (VIIF 2027). Building on VIIF's 35-year history and 32 editions, the two sides aim to expand the exhibition footprint, raise the quality of stands and the visitor experience, and deepen the professional content through the accompanying conferences, forums and investment-matching activities.

Representing the organiser, Ms L? Hoa Li?n, Deputy General Director of Business Development and External Relations at the Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC), said: "Through Vietnam Industry and Technology Week 2026, VEC hopes to help realise the vision of making Hanoi a major innovation hub of the Asia-Pacific region by 2045 - a place where ideas grow into projects and connections create value for the capital and the country. From VITW 2026, VEC will continue to bring international industrial and technology event series to Vietnam, widening the opportunities for Vietnamese companies to partner and reach global markets. We believe that, drawing on our own strength and the support of our international friends, Vietnam will achieve new breakthroughs in the nation's era of rising."

As a partner to VEC and to the Vietnamese market more broadly, Mr Christopher Hudson, President of dmg events, said: "Vietnam is well positioned to benefit from the trends reshaping global industry. Manufacturing contributes about 24.5% of GDP, while manufactured exports reached more than US$421 billion in 2025, close to 89% of total exports - evidence of Vietnam's growing role in global production and supply chains. As manufacturing enters a period of deep transformation in AI, automation, digitalisation, energy and talent, dmg events wants to work with VEC to build a strategic platform that strengthens the competitiveness of Vietnamese manufacturing."

VITW 2026 builds on the success of VITW 2025. In 2025, more than 70,000 visits and VND 600 billion in signed contracts showed that VITW's model of "multiple specialised exhibitions in one space" works, helping to lift the competitiveness and appeal of Vietnamese industry.

Programme details: https://vec.global/events/vitw2026

Hashtag: #VEC

About the Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC)

The Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC) in Co Loa, Dong Anh, Hanoi opened on 19 August 2025 with a total area of 900,000 m? and is a large-scale exhibition and convention complex in Vietnam. With the mission "Bringing Vietnam to the world and the world to Vietnam", VEC works with international organisers to develop a system of annual specialised exhibitions in industry, energy, healthcare and education.

About dmg events:

Founded in 1989, dmg events has spent 37 years creating connections that drive growth, innovation and commercial opportunity across markets worldwide. With 13 offices globally, dmg events organises more than 30 events a year in energy and policy. Spanning four continents, the company's flagship events - including ADIPEC and Gastech - bring together policymakers, industry leaders, investors and innovators to address the issues shaping the future of energy systems and global markets.

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

Collaboration strengthens lubricant and metalworking fluid additives (LMWF) portfolio to support formulation capabilities, accelerate innovation, and expand access to specialty products across the region

MEXICO CITY, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Univar Solutions M?xico, a subsidiary of Univar Solutions LLC ("Univar Solutions" or "The Company"), a leading global solutions provider of specialty ingredients and chemicals, today announced a new distribution agreement through its Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions division with LANXESS, a global leader in specialty chemicals.

Through the agreement, the Company will distribute LANXESS's portfolio of additives for lubricant and metalworking fluid applications throughout Mexico, including detergents, corrosion inhibitors, antiwear additives, sulfur-based extreme pressure additives, antioxidants, yellow metal inhibitors, and additive packages.

"Our partnership with LANXESS represents a significant step in strengthening our specialty chemicals portfolio in Mexico," said Jorge Buckup, president of Latin America for Univar Solutions. "By combining LANXESS's distinguished additive technologies with Univar Solutions' robust global distribution network, diverse customer base, and strong local presence, we are well positioned to offer customers high-performance solutions that help enhance efficiency, reliability, and innovation across industrial markets. From positioning products closer to customers to accelerating delivery times, our goal is to help support and elevate the lubricants and metalworking fluids value chain throughout the region."

Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions offers a broad portfolio of chemistries used in metalworking fluids, coolants, industrial lubricants, and greases, including base stocks and performance additives from leading suppliers. These solutions support a wide range of applications, from metalworking operations and industrial machinery to automotive, transportation, and general manufacturing processes where lubrication, cooling, and wear protection are critical. Together, both companies remain focused on technologies that help meet evolving performance, environmental, and regulatory requirements across the industry.

"We are confident that this strategic collaboration with Univar Solutions will enable us to better support our specialty customers and further elevate our level of service in Mexico," said Rafael H. Nicolas, head of sales, lubricant additives business - LATAM for LANXESS. "By combining our high-quality lubricant additives with Univar Solutions' deep market knowledge and strong customer relationships, we aim to help customers meet demanding performance requirements. The partnership will also advance the technical offerings needed to optimize formulations and address specific application needs."

"As customers across Mexico look to improve equipment performance and operational reliability, our expanded collaboration with LANXESS strengthens our ability to deliver the lubricant and metalworking fluid solutions they need," said Matthew Oliver, senior vice president of Performance Materials for Univar Solutions. "This agreement reflects our commitment to bringing advanced technologies, technical expertise, and dependable supply to market."

Customers and suppliers across Mexico will also benefit from Univar Solutions' global Solution Centers, including its regional flagship facility in Mexico City, where technical teams develop tailored formulation solutions that help meet evolving performance expectations and regulatory requirements. The Company offers comprehensive product development resources, formulation expertise, and supply chain capabilities to help customers accelerate innovation and remain competitive in dynamic markets.

Learn how Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions helps support lubricant and metalworking fluid applications across industries.

About Univar Solutions

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers. With one of the industry's largest private transportation fleets and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, the Company is well-positioned to offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries, and applications.

While fulfilling its purpose to help keep communities healthy, fed, clean, and safe, Univar Solutions is committed to helping customers and suppliers innovate and focus on Growing Together. Learn more at univarsolutions.com.

About Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions

Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions brings the best products, people, and results to specialty customers and suppliers seeking to power modern life. By combining science, innovation, and deep expertise with a leading specialty portfolio, we help find the solutions needed to safely improve lives and communities across the globe. Learn more at univarsolutions.com.

About LANXESS

LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with sales of EUR 5.7 billion in 2025. The company currently has about 11,700 employees in 32 countries. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing, and marketing of chemical intermediates, additives, and consumer protection products. LANXESS has achieved leading positions in the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index and the MSCI ESG and ISS ESG ratings, among others, for its commitment to sustainability. Learn more at lanxess.com.

Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This communication contains "forward-looking statements" under applicable law regarding financial and operating items relating to the Company's business. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "could," "seeks," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates" or other comparable terms. All forward-looking statements made in this communication are qualified by this cautionary language.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond the Company's control, that could result in expectations not being realized or could otherwise materially and adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Although the forward-looking statements are based on what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, we caution you that the forward-looking information presented in this communication is not a guarantee of future events or results, and that actual events or results may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking information contained in this communication.

For additional information regarding factors that could affect the Company, please see the Company's most recent annual report and other financial reports, including the information set forth under the caption "Risk Factors." Any forward-looking statements represent the Company's views only as of the date of this communication and should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any subsequent date, and the Company undertakes no obligation, other than as may be required by law, to update any forward-looking statement.

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

Advancing low-altitude economy development across the Belt and Road regions

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 10 September 2026 - HKT (SEHK: 6823) - PCCW Global, the international telecommunications service provider under HKT, and Harmony Tech Innovation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 11th Belt and Road Summit to jointly promote the low‑altitude economy across the Belt and Road regions, facilitating Chinese enterprises and innovative technologies as they expand overseas.

PCCW Global plans to leverage its global communications networks and international market resources, together with Harmony Tech Innovation's low-altitude airspace traffic management technology, to explore and promote low‑altitude airspace traffic management solutions and related smart city solutions in Belt and Road markets. The collaboration will also explore applications in areas such as transportation, logistics, and emergency rescue, to support the development of smart cities and the low-altitude economy in local markets.

Frederick Chui, CEO of PCCW Global, said: "The low-altitude economy is a strategically important emerging industry for the nation, and also a key direction for developing new quality productive forces. As countries along the Belt and Road accelerate urban development, demand for low-altitude airspace management and communications technologies continues to grow. PCCW Global is ready to further extend our network capabilities into the low‑altitude economy, providing efficient and reliable communications support for low‑altitude airspace traffic management. In collaboration with Harmony Tech Innovation, we will help bring Chinese innovative technologies to the global market, and support the advancement of smart cities and the digital economy along the Belt and Road."

Jacqueline Kang, Chairman, Harmony Tech Innovation said: "Communications networks and management systems are critical foundations for the low-altitude economy. We are delighted to collaborate with PCCW Global, combining our digital management capabilities with PCCW Global's extensive communications networks to provide robust support for low-altitude operations. Looking ahead, we look forward to continuing our collaboration, driving the practical application of low-altitude technologies, and seizing opportunities in overseas markets."

Harmony Tech Innovation is a global leading provider of low-altitude airspace traffic management and unmanned aerial vehicle ecosystem, focusing on low‑altitude economy and 3D low‑altitude traffic management platform. Its "Low Altitude Airspace Coordination and Service System", launched in Zhuhai in 2024, is interconnected with China's Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Management Platform and offers capabilities including regional remote low‑altitude surveillance, centimetre‑level satellite positioning, providing data support for smart city management and laying the foundation for the development of the low-altitude economy in the Greater Bay Area.

PCCW Global's network infrastructure spans five continents and is backed by extensive international operational experience, enabling it to actively help drive the overseas expansion of China's advanced technologies. PCCW Global delivers customised network solutions for low‑altitude economy scenarios, supporting real‑time data transmission and the management of low‑altitude aircraft.

Hashtag: #HKT #PCCWGlobal

PCCW Global is a leading digital infrastructure provider, empowering businesses with agile, scalable and secure connectivity solutions. By combining a best-in-class network with our award-winning on-demand platform Console Connect, we help businesses navigate the network complexities of the digital world with ease.

With extensive reach across international markets, we make it simple to connect and move data between clouds, apps, data centres and devices. At the core of our business is a belief that automated, high-performance network infrastructure has the power to elevate business and society. For more information, visit www.pccwglobal.com.

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

Kolaborasi ini memperkuat portofolio aditif untuk pelumas dan fluida pengerjaan logam (LMWF) guna mendukung kemampuan formulasi, mempercepat inovasi, serta memperluas akses terhadap produk khusus di seluruh kawasan ini

Univar Solutions Expands Access to LANXESS High Performance Additives for Lubricant and Metalworking Customers in Mexico

KOTA MEKSIKO, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Univar Solutions M?xico, anak perusahaan Univar Solutions LLC ("Univar Solutions" atau "Perusahaan"), penyedia solusi global terkemuka untuk bahan baku dan bahan kimia khusus, hari ini mengumumkan perjanjian distribusi baru melalui divisi Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions dengan LANXESS, pemimpin global di bidang bahan kimia khusus.

Berdasarkan perjanjian tersebut, Perusahaan akan mendistribusikan portofolio aditif LANXESS untuk digunakan dalam pelumas dan fluida pengerjaan logam di seluruh Meksiko, termasuk detergen, inhibitor korosi, aditif antiaus, aditif tekanan ekstrem berbasis sulfur, antioksidan, inhibitor logam kuning, dan paket aditif.

"Kemitraan kami dengan LANXESS menandai langkah signifikan dalam memperkuat portofolio bahan kimia khusus kami di Meksiko," ujar Jorge Buckup, presiden Univar Solutions untuk Amerika Latin. "Dengan memadukan teknologi aditif unggulan LANXESS dengan jaringan distribusi global Univar Solutions yang kuat, basis pelanggan yang beragam, serta kehadiran lokal yang solid, kami berada dalam posisi ideal untuk menawarkan solusi berkinerja tinggi kepada pelanggan guna membantu meningkatkan efisiensi, keandalan, dan inovasi di berbagai pasar industri. Mulai dari menghadirkan produk lebih dekat kepada pelanggan hingga mempercepat waktu pengiriman, tujuan kami adalah membantu memperkuat dan meningkatkan rantai nilai pelumas dan fluida pengerjaan logam di seluruh kawasan ini."

Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions menawarkan portofolio luas bahan kimia untuk digunakan dalam fluida pengerjaan logam, cairan pendingin, pelumas industri, dan gemuk, termasuk minyak dasar dan aditif berkinerja tinggi dari pemasok terkemuka. Solusi-solusi ini mendukung berbagai aplikasi, mulai dari proses pengerjaan logam dan pengoperasian mesin industri hingga sektor otomotif, transportasi, serta manufaktur umum, yang sangat membutuhkan pelumasan, pendinginan, dan perlindungan terhadap keausan. Bersama-sama, kedua perusahaan tetap berfokus pada teknologi yang membantu memenuhi persyaratan kinerja, lingkungan, dan regulasi yang terus berkembang di seluruh industri.

"Kami yakin bahwa kolaborasi strategis dengan Univar Solutions ini akan memungkinkan kami memberikan dukungan yang lebih baik kepada pelanggan di segmen khusus sekaligus semakin meningkatkan mutu layanan kami di Meksiko," ujar Rafael H. Nicolas, kepala penjualan bisnis aditif pelumas LANXESS untuk Amerika Latin.

"Dengan memadukan aditif pelumas bermutu tinggi kami dengan pemahaman pasar Univar Solutions yang mendalam serta hubungan pelanggan yang kuat, kami ingin membantu pelanggan memenuhi persyaratan kinerja yang tinggi. Kemitraan ini juga akan memperluas dukungan teknis yang diperlukan untuk mengoptimalkan formulasi dan memenuhi kebutuhan aplikasi tertentu."

"Di tengah upaya pelanggan di seluruh Meksiko untuk meningkatkan kinerja peralatan dan keandalan operasional, perluasan kolaborasi kami dengan LANXESS memperkuat kemampuan kami untuk menghadirkan solusi pelumas dan fluida pengerjaan logam yang mereka butuhkan," ujar Matthew Oliver, wakil presiden senior Performance Materials untuk Univar Solutions. "Perjanjian ini mencerminkan komitmen kami untuk menghadirkan teknologi canggih, keahlian teknis, dan pasokan yang andal ke pasar."

Pelanggan dan pemasok di seluruh Meksiko juga akan memperoleh manfaat dari Solution Centers global milik Univar Solutions, termasuk fasilitas unggulan regionalnya di Kota Meksiko. Di fasilitas tersebut, tim teknis mengembangkan solusi formulasi yang disesuaikan untuk membantu memenuhi ekspektasi kinerja dan persyaratan regulasi yang terus berkembang.

Perusahaan menawarkan sumber daya pengembangan produk yang komprehensif, keahlian formulasi, serta kapabilitas rantai pasok untuk membantu pelanggan mempercepat inovasi dan mempertahankan daya saing di tengah dinamika pasar.

Pelajari cara Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions membantu mendukung aplikasi pelumas dan fluida pengerjaan logam di berbagai industri.

Tentang Univar Solutions

Univar Solutions merupakan distributor global terkemuka untuk bahan baku dan bahan kimia khusus, yang mewakili portofolio premium dari para produsen terkemuka di dunia.

Didukung oleh salah satu armada transportasi milik sendiri dan tim penjualan teknis terbesar di industri, keahlian teknis tentang logistik yang tak tertandingi, pengetahuan mendalam tentang pasar dan regulasi, kemampuan formulasi dan pengembangan resep, serta perangkat digital terdepan, Perusahaan memiliki posisi kuat untuk menawarkan solusi khusus dan layanan bernilai tambah untuk berbagai pasar, industri, dan aplikasi.

Dalam mewujudkan tujuannya untuk membantu menjaga masyarakat tetap sehat, terpenuhi kebutuhan pangannya, bersih, dan aman, Univar Solutions berkomitmen membantu pelanggan dan pemasok berinovasi serta berfokus pada semangat Tumbuh Bersama. Pelajari lebih lanjut di univarsolutions.com.

Tentang Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions

Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions menghadirkan produk, tenaga ahli, dan hasil terbaik bagi pelanggan serta pemasok bahan khusus yang berupaya menunjang kehidupan modern. Dengan memadukan sains, inovasi, dan keahlian mendalam dengan portofolio bahan khusus terkemuka, kami membantu menemukan solusi yang dibutuhkan untuk secara aman meningkatkan kualitas hidup dan masyarakat di seluruh dunia. Pelajari lebih lanjut di univarsolutions.com.

Tentang LANXESS

LANXESS adalah perusahaan bahan kimia khusus terkemuka yang mencatatkan penjualan sebesar EUR 5,7 miliar pada tahun 2025. Saat ini, perusahaan memiliki sekitar 11.700 karyawan di 32 negara. Bisnis inti LANXESS mencakup pengembangan, produksi, dan pemasaran bahan kimia antara, aditif, serta produk perlindungan konsumen. LANXESS telah meraih posisi terdepan, antara lain, dalam Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index serta rating MSCI ESG dan ISS ESG berkat komitmennya terhadap keberlanjutan. Pelajari lebih lanjut di lanxess.com.

Pernyataan dan Informasi Berwawasan ke Depan

Komunikasi ini memuat "pernyataan berwawasan ke depan" berdasarkan hukum yang berlaku tentang aspek keuangan dan operasional yang terkait dengan bisnis Perusahaan. Pernyataan berwawasan ke depan umumnya dapat dikenali dari penggunaan kata-kata seperti "meyakini," "memperkirakan," "mungkin," "akan," "seharusnya," "dapat," "berupaya," "bermaksud," "berencana," "mengestimasi," "mengantisipasi," atau istilah sebanding lainnya. Seluruh pernyataan berwawasan depan yang disampaikan dalam komunikasi ini dibatasi oleh pernyataan kehati-hatian ini.

Pernyataan berwawasan ke depan mengandung berbagai risiko dan ketidakpastian yang diketahui maupun tidak diketahui, yang sebagian besar mungkin berada di luar kendali Perusahaan, yang dapat menyebabkan ekspektasi tidak tercapai atau dapat berdampak secara signifikan dan merugikan terhadap bisnis, kondisi keuangan, hasil operasi, atau arus kas Perusahaan.

Meskipun pernyataan berwawasan ke depan didasarkan pada asumsi yang dianggap wajar oleh manajemen, kami mengingatkan bahwa informasi berwawasan ke depan yang disajikan dalam komunikasi ini bukan merupakan jaminan atas peristiwa atau hasil di masa mendatang, dan bahwa peristiwa atau hasil aktual dapat berbeda secara signifikan dari hal-hal yang dinyatakan secara tersurat maupun tersirat oleh informasi berwawasan ke depan yang dimuat dalam komunikasi ini.

Untuk informasi tambahan mengenai faktor-faktor yang dapat memengaruhi Perusahaan, silakan lihat laporan tahunan terbaru Perusahaan dan laporan keuangan lainnya, termasuk informasi yang tercantum dalam bagian berjudul "Faktor Risiko" (Risk Factors).

Setiap pernyataan berwawasan ke depan hanya mencerminkan pandangan Perusahaan pada tanggal komunikasi ini dan tidak boleh dianggap sebagai menggambarkan pandangan Perusahaan pada tanggal setelahnya dan Perusahaan tidak berkewajiban untuk memperbarui pernyataan berwawasan ke depan apa pun, kecuali sebagaimana diwajibkan oleh hukum.

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

*The permit authorizes testing of WeRide's GXR autonomous vehicles in Spain and marks the beginning of mapping in the region of Madrid ahead of their first joint launch in Europe.

*This milestone marks the first national approval for WeRide's autonomous GXR vehicle in the EU, paving the way for future vehicle certification and commercialization across the region.

MADRID, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD, HKEX: 0800), Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER), and AVOMO, the autonomous vehicle division of the Moove Cars Group, in collaboration with the Regional Government of Madrid, today announced that they have received Spain's first national permit for Level 4 autonomous passenger vehicles to operate on public roads, from Spain's Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) within the ES-AV framework.

This authorization marks a major regulatory milestone toward the launch of Spain's first commercial autonomous vehicle service.

As one of Europe's largest urban mobility markets, Spain serves millions of residents and visitors each year. The Community of Madrid, with its strong commuting demand and mature ride-hailing ecosystem provide an ideal foundation for autonomous mobility services. This launch marks the beginning of WeRide and Uber's joint entry into the Spanish market and represents the fourth of the 15 cities under the WeRide-Uber strategic partnership, with another 11 cities to come by 2030. Under this global partnership, WeRide and Uber plan to deploy tens of thousands of autonomous vehicles on public roads to bring safe and reliable autonomous mobility to riders around the globe.

Commercial operations in Spain are expected to begin by the end of 2026 following the completion of deployment preparations and the achievement of the necessary operational and regulatory milestones. This deployment further demonstrates WeRide's asset-light operating strategy. By combining WeRide's autonomous driving technology, Uber's established mobility platform, and AVOMO's fleet operations expertise, the partnership creates a scalable framework for autonomous ride-hailing deployment.

The permit allows WeRide, Uber, and AVOMO to begin deployment preparation activities such as mapping, route validation, and operational readiness testing, establishing the foundation for future commercial autonomous passenger transport services under the DGT ES-AV framework.

The initial phase will deploy twenty vehicles equipped with WeRide's latest autonomous driving technology, operating under the supervision of an in-car vehicle specialist, and will be deployed across various high-demand areas within the Greater Madrid region. As the first national approval for WeRide's GXR autonomous vehicle in the EU, the permit creates a regulatory benchmark for future vehicle certification and commercialization across the region.

  

"Receiving this permit is a significant achievement for WeRide as it marks our ninth autonomous driving permit worldwide and a testament to our global leadership in commercializing autonomous vehicle services. The Madrid region is a key gateway for our European expansion, and together with partners like Uber and AVOMO, we are one step closer to bringing autonomous mobility to Spain before the end of 2026," said Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International at WeRide.

"This permit marks an important milestone in bringing autonomous mobility from planning into real-world deployment. The Madrid region is quickly establishing itself as one of Europe's most forward-looking environments for autonomous mobility, and we're excited to be working alongside our partners to help make that vision a reality," said Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous Mobility & Delivery at Uber.

"Every successful autonomous vehicle deployment begins long before the first commercial ride. Our experience managing autonomous fleets in the United States has shown that careful preparation, rigorous operational processes, and safety-first execution are the foundation for scaling these services," said Manuel Puga, CEO of Moove Cars Group.

The service represents the first planned autonomous vehicle deployment by Uber and WeRide in Europe and is underpinned by Spain's supportive regulatory approach to autonomous mobility under the DGT ES-AV framework. It is expected to establish an important foundation for the future deployment of autonomous transportation services across the country and the broader European market.

About WeRide

WeRide is a global leader and pioneer in autonomous driving technology, and the world's first publicly listed AV company. Its business footprint now spans more than 60 cities across 13 countries. Powered by the intelligent, versatile and highly adaptable WeRide One platform, the company provides autonomous driving products and services ranging from Level 2 to Level 4, addressing mobility, logistics and urban services.

About Uber

Uber's mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 79 billion trips later, we're building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.

About AVOMO

AVOMO is the autonomous vehicle operations company of the Moove Cars Group, specializing in the operation and maintenance of autonomous vehicle fleets. Today, AVOMO manages autonomous fleets in Austin and Atlanta, operating around 400 AVs with a team of more than 200 specialists.

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, Uber's, or AVOMO's beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and are subject to regulatory approvals.

Further information regarding these and other risks is included in WeRide and Uber's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and WeRide's 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, Uber and AVOMO do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

SINGAPORE, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Valeura Energy Inc. (TSX:VLE, OTCQX:VLERF) ("Valeura" or the "Company") announces that it has been recognised as a TSX30 2026 winner by the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX"), and was awarded the 2026 EIA(1) Monitoring Award by Thailand's Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning.

(1)   Environmental Impact Assessment

Dr. Sean Guest, President and CEO commented:

"I am very pleased for our team's successes to be formally recognised through these two important awards.

The TSX30 2026 award is evidence of the tremendous value we have delivered for our shareholders over the past three years, as reflected in our share price increasing by 471%.  This is an outcome of our relentless focus on ensuring everyone who is affected by our business stands to benefit from our success.  That pursuit includes maintaining a steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship, which starts with how we measure the impact of our operations on the environment around us.  It is therefore an honour to have our approach to environmental impact assessment acknowledged by receiving the 2026 EIA Monitoring Award from the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment for Thailand. 

We see the forward opportunity set for Valeura as more exciting than ever as we press forward with our proven strategy to add value through growth, while maintaining always, our commitment to responsible operations."

TSX30 2026

The TSX30 2026 ranking recognises the 30 top performing stocks across all sectors of the TSX, based on their dividend-adjusted share price performance over a three-year period.  Valeura's share price has increased by 471% over the measurement period 30 June 2023 through 30 June 2026. 

2026 EIA Monitoring Award

Thailand's Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning recognises top performers in the area of environmental impact assessment monitoring by way of it's biennial EIA Monitoring Award.  Valeura was awarded the tier of "excellent" in respect of four of its fields in the offshore Gulf of Thailand.

About the Company

Valeura Energy Inc. is a Canadian public company engaged in the exploration, development and production of petroleum and natural gas in Thailand and T?rkiye.  The Company is executing a growth-oriented strategy, reinvesting into its producing asset portfolio while deploying capital toward further organic and inorganic growth across Southeast Asia.  Valeura is committed to delivering value-accretive growth for all stakeholders, underpinned by high standards of environmental, social and governance responsibility.

Additional information relating to Valeura is also available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Contact details for the Company's advisors, covering research analysts and joint brokers, including Auctus Advisors LLP, Beacon Securities Limited, Canaccord Genuity Ltd (UK), Cormark Securities Inc., Research Capital Corporation, Roth Canada Inc., and Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited, are listed on the Company's website at www.valeuraenergy.com/investor-information/analysts/.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction, including where such offer would be unlawful.  This news release is not for distribution or release, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Ireland, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which its publication or distribution would be unlawful.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

Issuer: National Innovation Agency (NIA)

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 10 September 2026 - In a world where economies are driven by knowledge, technology, and creativity, "innovation" has become a vital factor in boosting national competitiveness worldwide.

One of the internationally recognized benchmarks for evaluating innovation potential is the Global Innovation Index (GII), published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in collaboration with international network partners. The index measures and compares the innovation capacity of countries around the globe across various dimensions, including R&D investment, infrastructure, education, business sophistication, technology, and innovation outputs.

According to the GII 2025 report themed "Innovation at a Crossroads," the global innovation system is reaching a critical turning point. This comes amidst rapid advancements in emerging technologies-such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), clean energy, biotechnology, and digital systems-while nations simultaneously navigate economic challenges, technological competition, and geopolitical shifts.

Thus, the GII serves as more than just a national ranking; it is a crucial tool that reflects the strengths, weaknesses, and potential of each country's innovation ecosystem. Thailand is ranked 41st globally and continues to perform above expectations relative to its economic development level (Innovation Overperformer) within the upper-middle-income group. The nation shows strong innovation potential, particularly in digital infrastructure, innovative business development, and the linkage of knowledge between academia and industry.

This ranking highlights Thailand's progress toward an innovation-driven economy through the promotion of research and development, support for innovative entrepreneurs and startups, and the strengthening of the national innovation ecosystem. Key organizations like the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) or NIA play a pivotal role in bridging collaboration among universities, the private sector, and government agencies to ensure research and technology are commercially deployed.

One of the key innovation indicators in the GII is "University-Industry R&D Collaboration," which reflects the depth of joint research and development between academic institutions and industrial sectors-a fundamental driver for creating innovation and sustaining long-term national competitiveness.

Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), explained that the NIA acts as a crucial "Innovation Intermediary" among academia, private enterprises, government sectors, and financial institutions. Its mission is to facilitate the translation of knowledge, research, and technology into tangible commercial and social benefits. Currently, Thailand's main challenge is not a shortage of research, but rather the "gap" between academic research and its industrial application. Many university research projects possess high potential but lack the supporting mechanisms for business prototyping, market testing, or connecting with entrepreneurs and investors. Therefore, the NIA's role is essential in building platforms and support programs that enable efficient collaboration between universities and the business sector.

The NIA supports University?Industry R&D Collaboration across multiple dimensions, including providing innovation grants, incubating and accelerating deep-tech startups, creating collaborative networks between universities and private entities, and promoting Innovation Ecosystems in strategic sectors such as FoodTech, AgTech, HealthTech, ClimateTech, and Deep Tech. These areas heavily rely on combining academic expertise with market capabilities and industrial investment.

Furthermore, the NIA actively promotes "Open Innovation" and "Co-Creation"-core concepts aligned with the direction of GII 2025, which indicates that the global innovation system is entering an era of multi-stakeholder collaboration and co-creation. The NIA creates platforms to match industry demands with university research capabilities, while also supporting activities such as Hackathons, Accelerator Programs, Innovation Bootcamps, and Regulatory Sandboxes to test innovations in real-world environments.

Another key responsibility is developing "Innovation-Based Enterprises" and "Startups" originated from university research (University Spin-offs). Spin-offs serve as a major driver in leading innovative nations like the United States, South Korea, and China to turn university knowledge into global tech enterprises. The NIA offers early-stage support ranging from business model development and capital access to investor networking and market connection locally and internationally.

Trends in GII 2025 demonstrate that countries with strong university-industry collaboration consistently generate continuous innovation and maintain high competitiveness. Hence, the NIA operates not merely as an innovation support agency, but as a "systemic mechanism" that bridges the gap between research and business, connects knowledge with market demand, and drives Thailand toward a long-term, knowledge-based economy.

Ultimately, elevating Thailand's performance in the University-Industry R&D Collaboration indicator requires concerted efforts among universities, the private sector, government entities, and innovation-enabling organizations like the NIA. Together, they build a comprehensive ecosystem covering knowledge creation, research, testing, investment, and market expansion-forming a solid foundation to boost the country's future competitiveness.

Lessons Learned: Startup Success Through University-Industry R&D Collaboration

Mr. Krerkchai Panyabaramee, Managing Director of Tleum Co., Ltd., shared that the commercial application of advanced material technology-derived from R&D by Dr. Supan Yodyingyong from the Institute for Innovative Learning, Mahidol University, who holds a patent for "Synthesis of Silica Aerogel from Sodium Silicate Solution at Atmospheric Pressure"-stands as a clear case study of University-Industry R&D Collaboration. The business originated from translating pilot-scale research on Silica Aerogel within the university into industrial-scale manufacturing in partnership with the private sector.

Currently, Tleum Co., Ltd. has successfully commercialized Silica Aerogel into a diverse range of products, including heat-reflective paints for buildings and industrial applications, heat-resistant cement and materials, oil absorbents for spill remediation, and cosmetic ingredients. This demonstrates the immense potential of Thai Deep Tech in value creation through advanced materials and collaborative research.

This success was not achieved by any single entity, but through the synergy of academia, business, and supporting bodies like the NIA. The NIA stepped in to bridge knowledge gaps, provide resources, and mitigate technology development risks, allowing entrepreneurs to overcome cost, testing, and scaling limitations rapidly. This highlights the NIA's role as an "Innovation Bridge" turning academic research into commercial reality.

Dr. Krithpaka concluded: "The 'University-Industry R&D Collaboration' indicator under Pillar 5: Business Sophistication measures the level of R&D collaboration between universities and industry in each country. It relies on data from the Executive Opinion Survey conducted by the World Economic Forum (WEF), which assesses business leaders' perceptions regarding the quality and effectiveness of joint R&D efforts-specifically how well they meet industry needs, achieve practical application, and generate economic value."

Therefore, this indicator does not merely evaluate the volume of research papers or joint projects; it reflects a country's capacity to transform knowledge into economic impact through cross-sector collaboration-a core hallmark of a mature innovation ecosystem.

The case of Tleum Co., Ltd. serves as a clear illustration of this concept. By licensing pilot-scale research and patents for Silica Aerogel, the private sector scaled the technology into full industrial production, yielding various commercial products globally-ranging from heat-reflective coatings and heat-resistant materials to oil absorbents and cosmetics.

This outcome underscores the importance of the NIA as an Innovation Intermediary that reduces technical and financial risks for businesses. Beyond this case, the NIA continues to drive numerous initiatives-funding, networking, tech startup incubation, and University Spin-offs-ensuring academic innovations translate into market-ready products, services, and new ventures that deliver true economic impact and strengthen Thailand's long-term competitive position.

https://www.nia.or.th/

Hashtag: #NIA #NationalInnovationAgency

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

New report, authored by GSMA Intelligence in partnership with Huawei, released at UNESCO's Digital Learning Week

*Digital literacy ? not coverage ? is the main barrier keeping 3.1 billion people offline.

*AI could potentially widen the digital literacy gap.

*Bridging the usage gap could boost global GDP by $3.5 trillion from 2023 to 2030.

*Citing Huawei's Skills on Wheels initiative, the report urges policymakers, telcos, and tech vendors to treat AI literacy as critical infrastructure.

PARIS, FRANCE - Media OutReach Newswire - 10 September 2026 - More than one in three (38%) people remains offline despite being covered by mobile broadband - and a lack of digital literacy skills is often to blame, according to new research published today.

The new report, "Bridging the Divide: Enhancing Digital Literacy in the AI Era," authored by GSMA Intelligence and produced in collaboration with Huawei, identifies a digital divide impacting 3.1 billion people caused by a shortage of digital skills, user trust and AI literacy.

AI raises both access and risk

Existing industry projections suggest closing the capability gap could add around $3.5 trillion to global GDP by 2030, with more than 90% of those gains flowing to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Physical mobile broadband coverage currently reaches 96% of people worldwide.

The report, unveiled at UNESCO's Digital Learning Week, suggests artificial intelligence could act as both a bridge and a barrier for underserved communities. AI-powered voice assistants and applications that work with images, audio and video can all help low-literacy users bypass the need to input text. At the same time, they raise the security and critical-thinking standards required to participate safely. However, the study warns that users must now be able to understand data privacy and identify risks such as fraud and deepfakes.

The research cites World Bank statistics that GenAI literacy represents the highest-value skill category, with wage premiums up to 36%, far exceeding returns for both digital and traditional AI skills.

Without targeted interventions in basic digital training, the authors warn, rapid AI adoption risks entrenching existing inequalities even in areas with full network coverage.

Mobile classrooms build skills in remote areas

Digital inclusion initiatives typically target those most at risk of digital exclusion, including rural and remote communities, children and teachers in rural schools, older people, and women and girls.

The report emphasizes the need for community-based delivery models, citing Huawei's Skills on Wheels initiative as a field-tested example - particularly its solar-powered DigiTruck mobile classrooms, which bring hardware, rural connectivity and hands-on training, including AI literacy, to off-grid regions.

Since 2019, training courses delivered by Skills on Wheels projects have reached more than 130,000 people across 21 countries, with more people benefiting indirectly. DigiTruck trainers encourage trainees to share their new skills, which is shown to occur in practice. A report on DigiTruck by Kenya's Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy shows that 79% of DigiTruck trainees surveyed had passed on their newly acquired digital skills to family members and peers.

Policymakers urged to treat AI literacy as core infrastructure

To bridge the usage gap, the report urges policymakers, telecom operators and technology vendors to work together and focus on four priorities : 

Treating practical AI awareness, online safety and information verification as a baseline national qualification.

Adopting multilingual voice and conversational interfaces across public services to minimise user-side technical hurdles.

Scaling up mobile learning units through cross-sector partnerships that combine operator connectivity, vendor technology and local NGO networks.

Measuring performance by independent task completion and fraud resilience rather than trainee numbers.

"Digital literacy can no longer be defined by static thresholds," said Tim Hatt, head of research and consultancy at GSMA Intelligence. "Connectivity alone is insufficient - capabilities, system design and trust must evolve together. To capture this multi-trillion-dollar opportunity, stakeholders must integrate layered AI literacy directly into daily livelihoods through trusted community channels."

"Mobile classrooms have demonstrated immense value in helping underserved populations break through physical and psychological barriers to technology," said Gavin Allen, Executive Editor-in-Chief at Huawei. "We will continue working alongside local governments and industry partners to drive digital literacy, ensuring that no one is left behind as we transition into the AI economy."

A new DigiTruck program will launch in France this autumn, covering several cities in the ?le-de-France region and targeting low-income and underserved communities with digital skills training.

The full report is available on the GSMA Intelligence research portal:

https://www.gsmaintelligence.com/research/bridging-the-divide-enhancing-digital-literacy-in-the-ai-era

FAQ

Q1: What is the main purpose of this report?

A: The report analyzes the critical importance of enhancing digital skills in the AI era, highlighting digital literacy as a layered and evolving capability. It calls on all stakeholders to collaborate in accelerating global digital inclusion and skill development.

Q2: What does it mean for policymakers to treat "AI literacy as core infrastructure"?

A: It means shifting policy focus from just building physical base stations to funding human capabilities. The report urges governments to integrate baseline AI awareness, online security, and media verification into national qualification frameworks, treating digital skills as an essential public utility alongside electricity and broadband.

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

Hashtags: #Huawei

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 10 September 2026 - Aolani, a Singapore-founded neocloud powering AI growth, today announced a partnership to supply GPU cloud infrastructure to FriendliAI, the San Francisco-headquartered inference cloud for frontier AI to support the rapidly growing demand for inference services.

The global market for AI inferencing is expanding quickly as AI applications become part of everyday business workflows and organisations move from experimentation to deployment at scale. At the forefront of production-scale AI, FriendliAI serves this exact demand to help developers and enterprises deploy open-weight and custom AI models.

FriendliAI was founded by researchers who invented continuous batching, which is now a standard across AI inference serving. The company has built its inference stack end to end, from optimised GPU kernels to global distribution, so that production AI workloads run fast and reliably at scale. FriendliAI consistently ranks as one of the fastest inference providers on OpenRouter, with enterprise clients including LG, Kilo Code, and Liner running their production inference on the platform.

Efficient time-to-value and dependable compute are increasingly important to keep services responsive as usage grows. As access to reliable compute infrastructure becomes a strategic differentiator for companies scaling production workloads, more AI natives are turning to Asia for high-performance compute capacity, attracted by the region's expanding digital infrastructure, strategic connectivity, and growing AI ecosystem.

As one of the leading neoclouds offering purpose-built next-generation AI infrastructure, Aolani helps AI natives scale more efficiently. Aolani's infrastructure capabilities across orchestration, automation and lifecycle management actively supports FriendliAI's services. This partnership equips FriendliAI with the compute to serve the rapid customer demand, both across the globe and increasingly in Asia.

Nicholas Chia, Chief Executive Officer at Aolani said: "We're seeing inference needs grow faster than companies can find compute to support and service their customers. To narrow the supply and demand gap, we actively partner with companies like FriendliAI to deliver compute capacity on time, at scale, and to rigorous standards. We look forward to partnering with the FriendliAI team to grow its services to bring fast and reliable inference to developers worldwide."

Byung-Gon Chun, Founder and CEO of FriendliAI said: "We are seeing exponential growth in demand for our frontier AI inference services. Businesses need the freedom to choose the AI models that best suit their applications and the ability to run them efficiently in production. Our job is to deliver high-performance, reliable inference so developers can focus on building their AI applications. Aolani stood out as a trusted infrastructure partner that can help us scale at the pace our customers need. We look forward to working with Aolani to support our mission."

Media Contact

H/Advisors on behalf of Aolani

pr@aolanicloud.com

About Aolani

Where AI gets built in Asia. Founded in Singapore, Aolani is backed by compliant and purpose-built infrastructure to deliver the performance capabilities for next-generation AI. Aolani's AI factories enable organisations to build with confidence, scale ambitiously, and move at hyper-speed in the world's fastest-growing AI market.

For more information, visit www.aolanicloud.com and follow @AolaniCloud on LinkedIn.

About FriendliAI

FriendliAI is the inference cloud for frontier AI. Headquartered in San Francisco with a team in Seoul, FriendliAI runs open models in production at scale for AI-native startups and enterprises through its Model APIs, Dedicated Endpoints, and Bring Your Own GPU (BYOG) offering. The team built the full inference stack end to end, delivering the speed, reliability and efficiency that agentic AI workloads demand.

For more information, visit friendli.ai.

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

Hashtags: #Aolani #Neocloud #FriendliAI #AIinference #Inferencecloud

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 10 September 2026 - EURO Group has been recognized under the Corporate Excellence category at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2026 Regional Edition, highlighting the organization's commitment to building a resilient business foundation through strategic expansion, strong governance, and sustainable growth.

Established in 1976, EURO has grown into one of Malaysia's leading office furniture providers, delivering innovative and functional workspace solutions to customers both locally and internationally. The Group's business evolution continued in 2023 with its expansion into steel product trading and related businesses, a strategic move that strengthened its portfolio diversification and enhanced its long-term business resilience.

Driven by its philosophy of understanding customers' businesses, EURO has built the "EURO" brand around trusted partnerships and a shared vision of creating workspaces that inspire productivity, innovation, and success. This commitment is supported by a governance framework that integrates sustainability considerations into strategic planning, risk management, and operational decision-making.

The Group's focus on ethical business practices is reinforced through corporate governance policies that promote integrity, accountability, and responsible conduct across the organization. Supported by the Risk Management & Environmental, Social and Governance Committee, EURO continues to engage with key stakeholders and address sustainability priorities while identifying opportunities for continued growth.

EURO's strategic approach has translated into strong business performance, with revenue for the financial year ended 30 June 2025 increasing by approximately 45.3% compared to the previous year, driven largely by growth in its steel-related products segment. This achievement reflects the effectiveness of its diversification strategy and commitment to sustainable value creation.

Beyond business expansion, EURO continues to invest in its people through structured training, upskilling opportunities, and leadership development programmes. By strengthening talent capabilities and fostering a culture of continuous learning, the Group remains focused on building a capable workforce that will support its future growth.

The recognition at APEA 2026 underscores EURO Group's dedication to responsible business practices, strategic transformation, and long-term excellence as it continues to strengthen its position in an evolving market landscape.

About Enterprise Asia

Enterprise Asia is a non-governmental organization in pursuit of creating an Asia that is rich in entrepreneurship as an engine toward sustainable and progressive economic and social development within a world of economic equality. Its two pillars of existence are investment in people and responsible entrepreneurship. Enterprise Asia works with governments, NGOs, and other organizations to promote competitiveness and entrepreneurial development, uplifting the economic status of people across Asia and ensuring a legacy of hope, innovation, and courage for future generations. Please visit https://www.enterpriseasia.org/ for more information.

About Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards

Launched in 2007, the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards is the region's most prestigious award for outstanding entrepreneurship, continuous innovation, and sustainable leadership. The Award provides a platform for companies and governments to recognize entrepreneurial excellence, hence spurring greater innovation, fair business practices, and growth in entrepreneurship. As a regional award, it groups together leading entrepreneurs as a powerful voice for entrepreneurship and serves as a by-invitation-only networking powerhouse. The program has grown to encompass 16 countries/ regions and markets all over Asia. For further information, please visit www.apea.asia.

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

Hashtags: #EUROGroup

KUALA LUMPUR - Media OutReach Newswire - 10 September 2026 - Arvato Systems Malaysia (ASM), a member of the Bertelsmann Group, has been honored with the Corporate Integrity and Governance Excellence award at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2026 Regional Edition, recognizing its commitment to building an ethical, transparent, and resilient organization through strong governance practices and responsible business operations.

Specializing in IT solutions for digital transformation, ASM develops software services that help organizations become more agile, competitive, and prepared for evolving business demands. With approximately 200 employees representing 10 nationalities, the company continues to empower digital leaders through innovation, collaboration, and its vision of "Together, WE build a brighter future for all through our greatest minds".

ASM's governance framework, established in alignment with the Bertelsmann Group, places ethics, compliance, and integrity at the center of its organizational practices. Through structured policies, regular compliance audits, and established management systems covering areas such as quality management and information security, the company ensures that responsible practices are embedded throughout its operations.

Transparency and employee engagement remain key pillars of ASM's governance approach. Regular feedback surveys, open communication channels, and an open-door management culture encourage accountability and continuous improvement, while the sharing of survey outcomes and follow-up actions strengthens trust across the organization. The company also enhances business resilience through its Business Continuity Management Plan and continuous investment in employee development, including training, certifications, and AI-related upskilling initiatives.

Beyond governance, ASM extends its commitment to responsible growth through corporate responsibility programmes that empower underserved communities. Through initiatives such as the TechTrekkers programme, laptop donations, environmental activities, blood donation drives, and community partnerships, the company supports greater access to technology, education, and skills development.

Celebrating 20 years in Malaysia's IT industry in 2025, ASM continues to strengthen its capabilities with initiatives such as the Cybersecurity Hub, enhancing risk detection and supporting clients with advanced security solutions. The company's recognition at the APEA 2026 reflects ASM's dedication to combining integrity, innovation, and sustainable practices in shaping a trusted digital future.

About Enterprise Asia

Enterprise Asia is a non-governmental organization in pursuit of creating an Asia that is rich in entrepreneurship as an engine toward sustainable and progressive economic and social development within a world of economic equality. Its two pillars of existence are investment in people and responsible entrepreneurship.

Enterprise Asia works with governments, NGOs, and other organizations to promote competitiveness and entrepreneurial development, uplifting the economic status of people across Asia and ensuring a legacy of hope, innovation, and courage for future generations. Please visit https://www.enterpriseasia.org/ for more information.

About Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards

Launched in 2007, the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards is the region's most prestigious award for outstanding entrepreneurship, continuous innovation, and sustainable leadership.

The Award provides a platform for companies and governments to recognize entrepreneurial excellence, hence spurring greater innovation, fair business practices, and growth in entrepreneurship. As a regional award, it groups together leading entrepreneurs as a powerful voice for entrepreneurship and serves as a by-invitation-only networking powerhouse. The program has grown to encompass 16 countries/ regions and markets all over Asia. For further information, please visit www.apea.asia.

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

Hashtags: #ArvatoSystemsMalaysia

NEW SOUTH WALES, Australia, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Command Alkon, the leading software and solutions provider for the heavy building materials industry, will exhibit at two of the region's leading industry conferences this October: the 2026 IQA National Conference on the Gold Coast, Australia, and the Concrete NZ Conference 2026 in Wellington, New Zealand.

Across both events, Command Alkon will showcase Command Cloud, its unified cloud platform, and demonstrate how AI-powered tools, including its newly previewed agentic AI offering, Command Intelligence, are helping producers run smarter, more connected operations.

Building the Future Today: 2026 IQA National Conference

Command Alkon will join Australia's quarrying sector on the Gold Coast from 6-8 October 2026 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre for the 2026 IQA National Conference.

Attendees can expect more than 50 presentations from sector leaders and international experts, exclusive site visits to Gold Coast operations, and the IQA National Awards celebrating excellence across the sector, alongside more than 100 exhibitors showcasing the latest quarrying innovations.

Delegates will also be able to connect with the Command Alkon team at the conference's signature networking events, including the Welcome Reception, Conference Dinner and Finale Dinner, set against the Gold Coast's coastal backdrop.

At IQA, Command Alkon will spotlight the aggregates side of Command Cloud: Dispatch & Scale Ticketing, for scheduling and ticketing with real-time visibility; TrackIt, for managing and tracking vehicles across the network; and Command Intelligence which lets producers ask operational questions in natural language and have it act - executing defined tasks on demand or on a schedule - all within a single connected platform

Concrete NZ Conference 2026

Command Alkon will then cross the Tasman for the Concrete NZ Conference 2026, taking place 21?23 October 2026 at Tākina, Wellington.

Now in its established two-day technical format, the conference is expected to draw more than 400 attendees from across the building and construction industries, including ready mix concrete producers, contractors, engineers and product manufacturers. The programme features presentations from New Zealand and international speakers, popular lightning talks, and an extensive exhibition area with trade displays and live demonstrations.

The social programme includes the President's Reception and a formal dinner recognising industry excellence through Concrete NZ's awards, alongside the popular Concrete Cricket Bat competition.

At Concrete NZ, Command Alkon will broaden that showcase to the full concrete side of Command Cloud, with a particular focus on three areas:

Batch - extends existing COMMANDbatch systems with secure, browser-based access and centralised control across multiple plants, giving producers real-time visibility into batching efficiency, material usage and plant performance so managers can standardise operations and redeploy labour where it's needed most.

Dispatch - the full quote-to-cash workflow from sales and quoting through scheduling, delivery and billing, with pump scheduling running in tandem to keep pump trucks and mixer trucks coordinated on the same job.

Command Intelligence - the same agentic AI offering on show at IQA, demonstrated here for concrete producers, ask a question in natural language and get an answer, or configure it to act - executing defined tasks on request or on a set schedule.

TrackIt - managing and tracking vehicles across the network, connected to the same Command Cloud platform as Batch and Dispatch.

"IQA and Concrete NZ are two of the most important gatherings for our customers in this region, and we're looking forward to bringing our team to both," said Lori Allen, Vice President of Marketing at Command Alkon. "These events are a chance to show producers what's possible when production, dispatch and fleet operations run on one connected platform, and to preview how Command Intelligence is starting to change the way our customers make decisions on the ground."

Event Details

IQA National Conference 2026

Dates: 6?8 October 2026

Venue: Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast, Australia

Concrete NZ Conference 2026

Dates: 21?23 October 2026

Venue: Tākina, Wellington, New Zealand

About Command Alkon

Command Alkon is the global leader in software and platform technology for the heavy building materials industry. Through Command Cloud, the company connects raw materials, production, dispatch, logistics, and financials in a single platform purpose-built for ready mix, asphalt, aggregate producers.

With 50 years of industry expertise and a presence in more than 80 countries, Command Alkon powers mission-critical operations for thousands of producers worldwide, delivering real-time visibility, operational precision, and data-driven insights across the entire materials value chain.

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

The dual certification provides independent verification against PFAS-related requirements for food contact applications, supporting customers in addressing evolving regulatory and safety requirements.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NSF, a global human health organisation, today announced Shell MDS (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd ("Shell MDS") as the first manufacturer in the Asia Pacific region to earn dual certification to NSF 537: PFAS-Free Products and NSF 538: MOAH-Free Certification for Nonfood Compounds and Food Equipment Materials. The certification to both guidelines provides independent verification that the products meet requirements related to PFAS in food contact applications.

NSF 537 and 538 were developed to address critical safety concerns across nonfood compounds and food equipment materials, setting new industry standards for consumer protection. As concerns continue to grow about exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) contamination in food products, the guidelines establish rigorous requirements for materials used in food processing environments.

"As demonstrated at this year's Asian Lubricant Exhibition, the industry is progressively moving towards cleaner, more environmentally friendly formulations," said Hanjun Kwon, Managing Director, Asia Pacific at NSF. "Shell MDS's dual certification for PFAS and MOAH-free exemplifies this commitment in the Asia Pacific region and beyond, showcasing best practices in food safety and sustainability."

Shell MDS received a formal certificate from NSF at the ALE Show for the following products:

*    Shell GTL Sarawax SX70 and SX105

*    Shell GTL Sarawax MMP Plus 

*    Shell GTL SaraCare 15 and 25

*    Shell GTL Sarasol 75 and 85

Shell MDS certified PFAS- and MOAH-free products provide manufacturers with a verified choice for compliance with emerging regulations across international markets.  Furthermore, the certifications provide independent verification of key environmental and safety attributes, while establishing a simplified route to supplier verification through the NSF White Book.

About NSF

For more than 80 years, NSF has helped businesses and consumers navigate complexity with confidence through science-driven standards, rigorous testing, certification, research and advisory services across food, water and wellness. Guided by its purpose to protect and advance human health, NSF works to strengthen trust in the products, systems and services people rely on every day. From scientific expertise and standards development to testing and certification, NSF helps organisations raise the bar for quality, safety, transparency and compliance around the world.

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. and SHANGHAI, Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dark Horse Consulting Group (DHCG) marked the opening of its Shanghai office with a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating Dark Horse Consulting China.

The event brought together DHCG leadership, "Shanghai Center of Biomedicine Development", "China leading CDMO and CRO companies", and invited guests from across the region's life sciences community. Anthony Davies, Ph.D., Founder and CEO, led the ceremony, joined by John Ng, MBA, General Manager, DHC Asia Pacific, and Kang Liu, Ph.D., Senior Director, Head of China.

The ribbon cutting ceremony is jointly performed by Mr. Zhang Hua, Deputy Director at Shanghai Center of Biomedicine Development, Anthony Davies, Founder and CEO at DHCG and John Ng, GM APAC at DHCG.

DHCG announced the formation of Dark Horse Consulting China in August 2026, together with Kang Liu's appointment to lead it. The practice was established to help biotherapeutic developers leverage China's advanced CDMO and CRO infrastructure, its streamlined regulatory pathways to first-in-human (FIH), and its growing role as a hub for globally relevant clinical data. China's life sciences sector is at an inflection point. Its manufacturing and contract research infrastructure now rivals global standards, its regulatory frameworks continue to mature, and the Investigator Initiated Trial (IIT) pathway offers developers a cost-effective route to FIH data.

Those advantages are driving a fundamental shift in the global biopharma landscape. Lower clinical costs and faster timelines have made China IITs a serious consideration for innovative companies, supported by an ecosystem in which leading CDMOs match their global counterparts, intellectual property enforcement is held to international standards, and co-development agreements with western partners have become routine. Under Decree 818, studies are restricted to Grade A tertiary hospitals, a measure that has strengthened data quality, and western regulators are increasingly recognizing the validity of IIT-generated data.

"Standing in Shanghai with our partners makes concrete something we have believed for years: biotech is a truly global industry, and China is a core consideration for western developers rather than an afterthought. Dark Horse Consulting China is how we make that opportunity navigable for our clients," said Anthony Davies, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Dark Horse Consulting Group.

Dark Horse Consulting China guides clients through every stage of the IIT process, from assessing strategic fit and building a regulatory strategy that works across frameworks, to CMC planning, CDMO and CRO selection, hospital and principal investigator selection, supply chain management, and strategy for fundraising and asset licensing.

"Today marks the beginning of the work, not the end of it. The opportunity to generate meaningful clinical data in China and to accelerate programs globally is real, and it is here now. DHCG China exists to make that path clear, strategic, and executable," said Kang Liu, Ph.D., Senior Director, Head of China at Dark Horse Consulting Group.

About Dark Horse Consulting Group

Dark Horse Consulting Group is a worldwide consulting organization with offices in North America, Europe, and APAC. Founded in 2014 to accelerate the development and delivery of cell and gene therapies through specialized expertise, the firm's focus has since expanded dramatically, with consulting team expertise now encompassing strategy, operations, Quality, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, modeling, supply chain, commercial launch, and business optimization across the biopharma landscape. DHCG provides white-glove client service grounded in rigorous scientific and technical expertise, from early discovery through commercial launch.

The organization comprises three business units, DHC, BioTechLogic, and Converge Consulting, with Bruder Consulting & Venture Group forming a specialized Regenerative Medicine department within DHC. DHCG is currently expanding into the APAC region in 2026 through the acquisition of CJP Tokyo and the formation of Dark Horse Consulting China.

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

LONDON, Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SASE OpsLab Ltd, the software-driven SASE automation and orchestration platform company, today announced the appointment of Franck Burtin as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). With over 30 years in IT and cybersecurity, Mr. Burtin joins the London-based venture to scale its global commercial footprint, accelerate adoption of its "OpsKit" catalog, and lead sales strategy across key international markets.

The hiring comes amid strong momentum for SASE OpsLab Ltd, as organizations navigating migrations from on-premise infrastructure to cloud-native Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) models face growing operational complexity. SASE OpsLab addresses this by replacing risky manual configurations with production-grade automation kits.

Mr. Burtin most recently served as Director General (CEO) at SNS Security, where he structured enterprise service offerings, built ecosystem partnerships, and scaled commercial operations. He previously held leadership roles at global distributor Exclusive Networks.

"Deploying and managing a SASE architecture is an immense operational hurdle for enterprises due to multi-vendor environments and fragmented legacy configurations," said Franck Burtin. "SASE OpsLab transforms these obstacles into automated, turnkey solutions. I look forward to expanding our commercial ecosystem to help more partners and enterprises unlock frictionless SASE rollouts."

Under Mr. Burtin's leadership, SASE OpsLab will continue expanding its vendor-agnostic automation framework, which integrates with leading security and networking solutions-including Netskope, Zscaler, Fortinet, Cato Networks, and Cisco. His immediate focus includes expanding the enterprise pipeline and driving regional sales recruitment across EMEA.

"Franck's technical understanding of cyber infrastructure and proven track record scaling high-growth security companies make him the perfect fit," said Nabil Lawrence Souli, CEO of SASE OpsLab Ltd. "His leadership will be instrumental in positioning SASE OpsLab as the standard framework for global SASE orchestration."

About SASE OpsLab Ltd

SASE OpsLab Ltd is an automation marketplace for prepackaged deployment and migration use cases, built to simplify and scale SASE operations. Headquartered in London, the company provides ready-to-use "Ops Kits" enabling customers, resellers, and vendors to accelerate rollouts, streamline migrations, and reduce operational risk. Learn more at sase-opslab.com.

Copyright 2026 GlobeNewswire, Inc.