NEW YORK, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Equity Insider News Commentary - Three of the largest names in U.S. aerospace and defense reported third-quarter results on Tuesday, and all three raised their full-year guidance. Two of them reported record backlogs, including a $340 billion order book at one contractor that counts $164 billion of defense work. The reports open a busy stretch for the sector, with two more major contractors scheduled to report over the next eight days, and they land against a backdrop of rising defense commitments from NATO allies and a record U.S. budget request, even as Washington operates on a stopgap funding bill. Active Companies from around the markets with current developments this week include: RTX Corporation (NYSE: RTX), Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE), Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT), L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: LHX).

The spending story starts with the targets governments have set. At the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague, Allies committed to investing 5% of GDP annually on defence by 2035, with at least 3.5% of GDP going to core defence requirements. In Washington, the president's fiscal year 2027 budget request came in at $1.5 trillion, which the Pentagon described in April as the largest request in history, and it seeks funding to expand production capacity and build stockpiles for Patriot, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and precision strike missiles, among other weapons.

A request is not an appropriation. For now, the government is funded by a continuing resolution signed on September 2 that runs through December 11, and according to the Congressional Research Service, the measure bars the Department of Defense from using that funding to accelerate production rates above those sustained with fiscal year 2026 funds. That puts more weight on the contracts companies already hold, and on the backlogs those contracts build, as this earnings season unfolds.

Investors did not treat Tuesday's three reports the same way. Northrop Grumman shares rose 4.57% to $534.00 and RTX gained 0.64% to $193.34, while GE Aerospace fell 3.67% to $299.87 even after raising its guidance, according to Stock Analysis data.

A raised forecast does not guarantee a higher share price, and the chart can show how investors are leaning before the next headline lands. Readers who want to learn to read those signals can get the free Knowledge is Power guide from Stock Preachers at equity-insider.com/.

In other industry developments and happenings in the market this week include:

RTX Corporation (NYSE: RTX)

RTX reported third-quarter sales of $25.0 billion, up 11% from a year earlier and up 12% organically, and adjusted EPS of $2.26, up 33%, a figure that includes $0.25 from IEEPA cost recovery. Its backlog reached $340 billion, including $164 billion of defense, and during the quarter it was awarded Tomahawk and AMRAAM multi-year undefinitized production contracts. RTX raised its 2026 outlook for adjusted sales to $97.0 billion to $97.5 billion, up from $95.0 billion to $96.0 billion, and for adjusted EPS to $7.65 to $7.75, up from $7.10 to $7.25.

"Demand for our products remains robust with over $81 billion of new commercial and defense awards, resulting in a record backlog of $340 billion," said RTX Chairman and CEO Chris Calio.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC)

Northrop Grumman reported third-quarter sales of $11.1 billion, up 7%, and diluted EPS of $7.89. Net awards totaled $16.4 billion for a book-to-bill ratio of 1.5x, and backlog totaled $109.6 billion. The company raised its 2026 guidance for MTM-adjusted EPS to $29.35 to $29.75, from $28.60 to $29.10, and for segment operating income to $4.94 billion to $5.04 billion, from $4.85 billion to $5.00 billion.

"In a complex world with the growing need for solutions that scale and perform, our customers continue to turn to Northrop Grumman, and we are delivering with urgency and innovation," said Kathy Warden, chair, chief executive officer and president of Northrop Grumman.

GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE)

GE Aerospace reported third-quarter total orders of $19.0 billion, up 49%, adjusted revenue of $13.3 billion, up 18%, and adjusted EPS of $2.25, up 36%. Its Defense & Propulsion Technologies segment booked orders of $4.3 billion, up 18%, on revenue of $3.5 billion, up 7%, and signed a contract worth up to $2.9 billion to provide ongoing support for the F414 engines powering the U.S. Navy's F/A-18 and EA-18G fleets. The company raised its 2026 guidance for adjusted EPS to $8.00 to $8.10, from $7.65 to $7.85, and for free cash flow to $9.1 billion to $9.4 billion, from $8.9 billion to $9.2 billion.

"We delivered strong results this quarter as solid demand drove orders up 49%, with strength in commercial services up 23%, total revenue up 18% and EPS up 36%," said GE Aerospace Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp, Jr.

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT)

Lockheed Martin will publish its third-quarter results before the market opens on Thursday, October 22, followed by a webcast at 8:30 a.m. ET. In its second-quarter report in July, the company posted a record backlog of $230 billion, inclusive of the multi-year contract to produce THAAD interceptors, and raised its 2026 outlook for sales to approximately $79.75 billion to $81.75 billion, from $77.5 billion to $80.0 billion, and for diluted EPS to approximately $29.95 to $30.65, from $29.35 to $30.25.

"We are delivering on our strategy, achieving a higher trajectory for our business and giving us confidence to raise our full year financial guidance," Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Jim Taiclet said in July.

L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: LHX)

L3Harris will release its third-quarter results before the market opens on Thursday, October 29, with an earnings call at 10:30 a.m. ET. In its second-quarter report in July, the company posted orders of $7.3 billion and a book-to-bill of 1.2x that increased backlog to a record $42 billion, and it raised its 2026 guidance for revenue to $23.2 billion to $23.7 billion, from $23 billion to $23.5 billion, and for EPS to $11.80 to $12.00, from $11.40 to $11.60.

"Our purpose-built portfolio and focus on execution drove outstanding second quarter results," said Christopher Kubasik, Chairman and CEO of L3Harris, in July.

Defense stocks moved in both directions on Tuesday's reports, and two more contractors are still to come. Learn to read the setups behind moves like these with the free Stock Preachers guide, plus The Roadmap market reports, at equity-insider.com/.

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Financial Services Executive Duncan Niederauer Elected to Bob Woodruff Foundation Board of Directors

NEW YORK, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bob Woodruff Foundation announced Monday that Duncan Niederauer has been elected to a three-year term on the Foundation's Board of Directors. Niederauer's 40-year financial services career includes senior executive roles at NYSE Euronext and Goldman Sachs. He is the co-founder and vice chairman of Transcend Capital Advisors, an independent wealth management firm. Niederauer also co-founded the fintech venture fund Communitas Capital Partners, where he co-chairs the firm's investment committee.

Niederauer has served for more than a decade on the Foundation's Leadership Council, where he was instrumental in early strategy and development of its Got Your 6 Network.

"Duncan brings a lifetime of experience in financial services and organizational management to our Board," said Anne Marie Dougherty, CEO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. "We know Duncan from his longtime advocacy for our nation's veterans and from his significant Leadership Council contributions to the development of our Got Your 6 Network. His expertise and perspective will have an immediate impact as we execute on our ambitious 2030 growth strategy."

"Few things are more important to me than how our country treats its veterans and military families," said Duncan Niederauer. "I've had a chance to watch up close over the last decade as this foundation has grown to operate the largest network of veteran support organizations outside of the VA. There's a real responsibility that comes with that success, and I look forward to contributing my experience in the C-suites and boardrooms of organizations key to the financial wellbeing of millions of Americans. I may be new to the Board, but I'm not new to the mission or to understanding what makes this foundation so special."

About Duncan Niederauer

Duncan Niederauer is the former CEO of NYSE Euronext, where he served from 2007 to 2014. Prior to that he was a partner of Goldman Sachs, & Co., where he worked from 1985 to 2007. His career has been defined by his ability to innovate, advise, and successfully execute traditional and disruptive business models. A leading figure in the industry, Duncan has received numerous career distinctions and honors, most notably the John C. Whitehead Award for Leadership. In 2013, he was recognized as an Honorary Commander of the British Empire (CBE) by her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, for his efforts to advance the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Duncan earned an MBA from Emory University and a BA from Colgate University. He and his wife, Alison, led the Newmark School's "Destination of Promise" campaign, which built a state-of-the-art school for children with autism and related disabilities in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.

About the Bob Woodruff Foundation

The Bob Woodruff Foundation was founded by ABC News reporter Bob Woodruff and his family after Bob was wounded by a roadside bomb while covering the war in Iraq. The Foundation funds proven organizations delivering services to veterans, service members and their families in all 50 states. Bob Woodruff Foundation's Got Your 6 Network of 500 boots-on-the-ground partner organizations provides physical and mental health care, housing and legal assistance, disaster relief, and job placement services to the military community. The Foundation has funded $228 million in proven veteran programs and services since it opened its doors in 2006. More than two million Americans in the military community receive care or support from a Got Your 6 Network partner each year, building on the Foundation's commitment to always have the backs of those who have served.

CONTACT: Eric Phillips, Bob Woodruff Foundation, [email protected]

SOURCE Bob Woodruff Foundation

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Manulife and UpLink announce winners of the 'Shaping Canada's Longevity Advantage' Challenge

Ten innovators selected for solutions that help Canadians live longer, healthier, more financially secure lives

The challenge is an initiative of Manulife's Longevity Institute, driving solutions for a longer‑living Canadian society

TORONTO, Oct. 21, 2026 /CNW/ -- Manulife, in collaboration with UpLink, the World Economic Forum's early-stage innovation initiative, today announced the winners of the 'Shaping Canada's Longevity Advantage Challenge,' the third and final challenge in a multi-year partnership focused on advancing longevity innovation. Open to innovators from Canada and around the world, the challenge sought practical, near-term solutions that can improve health, financial resilience and social connectedness for Canadians while fostering purpose and opportunity across generations.

As Canadians live longeri and more multi-stage lives, new solutions are needed to help people thrive across those additional years through better health, stronger financial resilience, meaningful social connection and a greater sense of purpose. The winning cohort showcases innovative approaches to helping Canadians navigate longer lives while supporting caregivers, families and communities.

The 10 winners of the 'Shaping Canada's Longevity Advantage Challenge' are:

- Amical (Quebec City, Canada), which delivers an AI-powered companion through a familiar telephone interface to support older adults and people living with cognitive disorders.

- Childfree Trust (Mount Juliet, United States), which provides estate planning, fiduciary and emergency response services designed for childfree individuals and solo agers.

- Clay Financial (Toronto, Canada), which enables older Canadians to unlock home equity through Home Equity Sharing Agreements without taking on debt or monthly payments.

- Cosm Medical (Toronto, Canada), which uses AI, software and 3D printing to create personalized pelvic health devices that help people maintain active and independent lives.

- Idem (Montreal, Canada), which develops connected cognitive aids that support independence and care coordination for people living with dementia.

- LINK Plans (Calgary, Canada), which helps expand access to workplace retirement savings plans through financial institutions and payroll providers.

- MIMOSA Diagnostics (Toronto, Canada), which uses portable imaging technology to detect pressure injuries before visible skin breakdown occurs.

- Myant Health (Mississauga, Canada), which transforms everyday clothing into continuous health monitoring tools through smart textile technology.

- Pontosense (Toronto, Canada), which uses AI-powered wireless sensing technology to detect falls, monitor vital signs and support independent living without cameras or wearables.

- PragmaClin (St. John's, Canada), which has developed an AI-powered neurological assessment platform for people living with Parkinson's disease.

"Living longer is one of the greatest opportunities of our time, but it also challenges us to think differently about health and financial wellbeing," said Patrick Graham, President & CEO, Manulife Canada. "The innovators recognized through this challenge are tackling some of the biggest questions that come with living longer: how we stay healthier for longer and how we build greater financial resilience. These are big challenges, and we need bold ideas to take them on."

Nearly 40 per cent of Canadians are already over the age of 50ii, while many are balancing their own health and financial goals alongside caregiving responsibilities for aging parents and loved ones. At the same time, insights from the National Institute on Ageing's Ageing in Canada Survey, conducted by the NIA with support from Manulife, shows 43 per cent of older Canadians are at high risk of social isolation and only 29 per cent feel they can afford to retire, highlighting the need for innovative solutions that improve health, financial resilience and social connection. The challenge focused on three key areas: helping people plan for and navigate longer lives, supporting prevention and care coordination, and strengthening belonging and intergenerational connection.

"Longevity is reshaping how people work, save, care for others, and prepare for retirement," said Paul Lorentz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management. "Canada has an opportunity to lead by advancing solutions that help people remain healthy, connected, and financially resilient throughout longer lives. This winning cohort demonstrates how innovation can turn that opportunity into meaningful action for individuals, families and communities."

The winning ventures will gain access to UpLink's global innovation ecosystem, connecting them with corporates, investors, policymakers and other partners that can help accelerate their growth and scale their impact.

"Through the World Economic Forum's UpLink and Global Longevity Innovation Initiative, we are proud to partner with Manulife to source and scale early-stage ventures that empower people to lead healthier, more financially resilient and fulfilling lives," said John Dutton, Head of UpLink, World Economic Forum. "With Manulife's support, this new cohort builds on the progress of previous editions and highlights how breakthrough solutions can help drive transformation across Canada's health, financial and care systems, strengthening people's ability to plan for and navigate longer lives."

The Shaping Canada's Longevity Advantage Challenge builds on Manulife's multi-year partnership with UpLink, announced at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos in 2024. The partnership is designed to help identify and scale innovations that support healthier, more financially resilient and fulfilling lives as global populations age. This challenge follows the successful 'Prospering in Longevity Challenge' in 2024 and 'Innovating for Asia's Demographic' Future Challenge in 2025.

This initiative underscores the efforts of the Manulife Longevity Institute, a global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform that is driving action to help people thrive at every age. To learn more about Manulife's longevity efforts and the work of the Manulife Longevity Institute, visit manulife.com.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

About Manulife Longevity Institute

The Manulife Longevity Institute is a global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform to drive action that can help people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives. Underpinned by a $350 million signature commitment, its focus is on helping people extend their healthy years, promoting greater financial resilience for all. As a global insurer, retirement plan provider, and asset manager, Manulife is uniquely placed to help lead this change. The Institute's work will support Manulife's Impact Agenda strategy by investing in organizations that are growing the longevity economy, convening research collaborations with leading academic institutions and think tanks, and producing thought leadership to advance awareness and action on the issues impacting populations as they age. The Institute will be known as the John Hancock Longevity Institute in the United States. The actions of the Institute will be guided by a Steering Committee of members of Manulife's Executive and Global Leadership Teams and in partnership with a robust ecosystem of partners and experts who champion longevity across Canada, Asia, and the US.

For more information, please visit Manulife.com/Longevity.

About UpLink

UpLink, the World Economic Forum's early-stage innovation engine, connects purpose-driven innovators with the partnerships, resources and capital they need to scale solutions for the markets and economies critical to a resilient, sustainable and prosperous world. UpLink envisions a future where profit and purpose go hand in hand -- where innovation drives competitiveness, inclusion, and long-term value, where economic growth uplifts people while restoring the planet, and where resilience is the foundation of thriving, future-proof economies. For further information, click here.

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Manulife:

Emily English

[email protected]

647-544-2800

SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation

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- Multi-center, placebo-controlled study will assess the combination in adults with persistent symptoms after antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease

- Trial design informed by recent research linking residual bacterial proteins to immune dysregulation in a subset of patients

HAYWARD, Calif., Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthBio, Inc., a biotechnology company developing novel immune-reset therapies for inflammatory disease, today announced the initiation of its multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (HBT-002; IND185316) evaluating its lead compound Inflamexa™, in adults with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS).

The study will enroll approximately 252 participants across at least six U.S. sites, which include major medical centers in Lyme endemic regions. Participants will be randomized in equal numbers to receive the combination or matching placebos for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint is fatigue at week 24, assessed using the modified Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS-11), allowing evaluation beyond the treatment period. Secondary assessments will examine fatigue at week 12, quality of life, overall symptom burden, physical, mental, and social health, and safety. Exploratory analyses will evaluate immune biomarkers. The trial is not yet open and is not recruiting participants.

The trial builds on HealthBio's ongoing evaluation of the same patented immune reset therapy in Long COVID and on a recently posted preprint (https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.09.24.26363601) examining persistent Borrelia burgdorferi proteins in white blood cells called monocytes in patients with PTLDS. That work detected bacterial proteins months to years after antibiotic treatment in the absence of active bacterial transcription and identified associated inflammatory gene-expression patterns.

New Insights into Immune Dysregulation After Lyme Disease

Researchers from HealthBio and academic collaborators analyzed isolated CD14-positive and CD16-positive monocytes from patients with persistent symptoms following antibiotic Lyme disease treatment. Mass spectrometry detected two bacterial proteins, FlaB and OspC, in samples from multiple participants, months to years after antibiotic treatment.

"These findings give us a biological hypothesis to investigate, whether bacterial material remaining after treatment contributes to persistent immune dysfunction," said Bruce K. Patterson, M.D., co-founder and chief executive officer of HealthBio. "Our planned randomized, placebo-controlled trial is designed to evaluate whether targeting immune pathways with Inflamexa™ can improve symptoms in people with PTLDS. Connecting immunological discoveries with rigorous clinical evaluation is central to HealthBio's approach."

About HealthBio

HealthBio, Inc., a biotechnology company developing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases. Its research examines persistent immune dysregulation and translates biological insights into potential treatments for clinical evaluation using machine learning and AI-based precision diagnostics. HealthBio is initially focused on precision immune modulation of neglected diseases, including Long COVID, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis-Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME-CFS) and Chronic Lyme Disease. The company aims to improve diagnosis, advance new science, and innovate new medicines for these historically minimally characterized diseases. For more information or investment inquiries, please contact us at www.healthbio.com.

Investor Contact:

Brian Brothen

[email protected]

SOURCE Healthbio Inc

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Acurx Announces Publication in ASM Confirming Data on its DNA pol IIIC Inhibitor Pipeline of Antibiotics Demonstrating a Potential Microbiome-Sparing Class Effect

- Publication of first ever head-to-head comparison of gut microbiome changes associated with novel oral preclinical PolC (pol IIIC*) inhibitors to linezolid in a murine neutropenic thigh infection model

- Structural molecular modification of molecules related to ibezapolstat (IBZ) improved solubility and systemic exposure of novel Pol IIIC inhibitors with all three tested Pol IIIC inhibitors reduced MRSA burden in a neutropenic mouse thigh model

- Pol IIIC inhibitors in this study maintained high gut microbial diversity, as well as preserved microbiome metabolic function, in contrast to the marked disruption shown by linezolid

- Pol IIIC inhibitor compounds specifically preserved anaerobic microbiome components and metabolism, whereas linezolid induced depletion and disruption of healthy anaerobic bacterial communities

- Acurx's DNA pol IIIC inhibitor preclinical product candidates are FDA QIDP and Fast-Track eligible and target Gram-positive infections classified as Serious Threat priorities by CDC

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACXP) ("Acurx" or the "Company"), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of antibiotics for serious and life-threatening bacterial infections, today announced publication in the ASM (American Society for Microbiology) Microbiology Spectrum journal of results of a study entitled: The effects of novel oral preclinical PolC inhibitor antibiotic candidates on the gut microbiome in a murine thigh infection model. These findings confirm in vivo antibacterial activity at tested doses while suggesting that further structural or dosing optimization may enhance tissue-level efficacy. Compared with oral linezolid, a commonly used oral therapy for gram-positive infections, orally dosed Pol IIIC inhibitors demonstrated a consistent class characterized by preservation of a Bacteroidota-dominant murine gut community and maintenance of anaerobic metabolic pathways. These experiments also highlight the importance of microbiome-informed antibiotic evaluation in preclinical studies.

Kevin Garey, PharmD, MS, FIDSA and Principal Investigator for microbiology and microbiome aspects of Acurx's DNA pol IIIC program and the Robert L. Boblitt, Endowed Professor in Drug Discovery at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy is the lead author and commented on the significance of the data: "Discovering highly selective antibacterial agents that specifically target systemic bacterial pathogens while avoiding the eradication of trillions of health-promoting bacteria in our gut microbiome remains a "Holy Grail" of antibiotic development. Work in our laboratory with Acurx's novel DNA pol IIIC inhibitors has advanced this work by demonstrating favorable gut microbiome-sparing effects of this novel class of antibiotics. It further emphasizes the value of incorporating microbiome profiling into the earliest phases of new antibiotic clinical research programs."

Robert J. DeLuccia, Executive Chairman of Acurx, stated: "Acurx is at the forefront of pioneering Antimicrobial Stewardship with antibiotics by discovering and developing innovative narrow-spectrum antibiotics which cause minimal gut dysbiosis. This Microbiome Stewardship dimension, which we believe should be fundamental to driving today's drug discovery and development process, is emerging as a new standard in the field of human anti-infective research".

Acurx's portfolio of preclinical compounds include clinical applications for infections caused by MRSA such as: ABSSI, Hospital Acquired and Ventilator Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia, bacteremia with or without sepsis and/or endocarditis, bone and joint and diabetic foot infections and B. anthracis (anthrax; a Bioterrorism Category A Threat-Level pathogen).

*Pol IIIC is alternative nomenclature for Pol C

The publication is available on the Acurx Pharmaceuticals website www.acurxpharma.com

ASM publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42885945/

About ASM (American Society for Microbiology) Spectrum

Microbiology Spectrum® is an online-only, fully open-access journal that publishes research from all domains of basic, applied, and clinical microbial sciences. Rather than making subjective evaluations of potential impact, Microbiology Spectrum publishes research studies that are of high technical quality and are useful to the community. All decisions are made by an international and diverse editorial board that fully represents the microbiology research community.

About MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)

While ibezapolstat for the treatment of C. difficile Infection (CDI) is ready to advance to Phase 3 international pivotal trials, Acurx's R&D platform has sustainability for additional new product candidates from its pipeline of systemic (oral and IV) antibiotics to treat infections caused by other susceptible and antimicrobial resistant bacteria, including infections caused by MRSA. The CDC estimates ~323,700 hospital cases of MRSA infections annually with ~10,600 deaths. In a recent CDC surveillance study in hospitalized patients in the US, MRSA accounted for 52% of all infections, almost twice as many as MDR Gram-negative infections.

Clinical applications for these infections include: ABSSI, Hospital Acquired and Ventilator Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia, bacteremia with or without sepsis and/or endocarditis, bone and joint, diabetic foot infections. Acurx's DNA pol IIIC inhibitor preclinical product candidates are FDA QIDP and Fast-Track eligible and target Gram-positive infections classified as Serious Threat priorities by CDC.

About the Neutropenic Mouse Model

The purpose of the murine thigh MRSA infection model was to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of the PolC inhibitor compounds using linezolid as a control. Animal experiments were conducted at NeoSome Life Sciences, an American Association for the Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care-accredited facility. All experiments were approved by the NeoSome Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (protocol number NLS24-011). Female CD-1 mice (Charles River Laboratories) were rendered neutropenic by two intraperitoneal doses of cyclophosphamide and acclimated for 5 days prior to study initiation. Mice were housed four per cage with ad libitum access to food and water. All animals were inoculated intramuscularly in the right rear thigh with a prepared bacterial suspension containing MRSA strain BAA-1717 (USA 300) at time 0, achieving a final inoculum of 1.8 × 105 colony-forming unit (CFU) per mouse thigh. Antibiotic treatment began 1 h post-infection, with each cage serving as an independent experimental unit receiving a single drug–dose combination.

Acurx previously announced that the first patient has been enrolled in its new clinical trial (PATHFINDER) in patients with multiply recurrent C. difficile Infection (rCDI). This new, fully funded,PATHFINDER clinical trial is a pilot trial in approximately 20 patients with multiply-recurrent CDI (at least three episodes over the past 12 months) and will support filing of a U.S. NDA (New Drug Application) based on a single Phase 3 trial.

The PATHFINDER Phase 2 multicenter, open-label, single-arm study evaluates the efficacy and safety of ibezapolstat in the treatment and reduction of recurrence of CDI in patients who have experienced at least 3 episodes of CDI within the past 12 months. Participants will be treated with IBZ for 14 days and assessed for Clinical Cure (Day 16), Sustained Clinical Cure (Day 42), rate of CDI recurrence (to Week 24), and Extended Clinical Cure (to Week 24).

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07513285?term=acurx&viewType=Card&rank=2

Separately, the planned ASPIRE trial is of non-inferiority design with the primary efficacy analysis in the Modified Intent-To-Treat (mITT) population and will result in approximately 550 subjects in the mITT population, randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either ibezapolstat or standard-of-care vancomycin. The ASPIRE trial will be conducted when the Company has sufficient resources from public or private partnership(s) to fund this trial.

Acurx previously announced the successful outcome of a Type C Meeting conducted with FDA on July 13, 2026 to discuss ibezapolstat's Phase 3 clinical program and scope of its planned NDA. The Agency stated that it is open to further discussion at a Pre-NDA Meeting regarding the possibility of submitting an NDA with only a single Phase 3 trial, depending on the totality of the clinical data plus any other supportive data that Acurx may generate by that milestone. The Agency noted that determination of acceptability of one Phase 3 clinical trial for an NDA is made on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration such factors as the magnitude, consistency, and overall robustness of the efficacy results; generalizability of the results to the US population; relevance of the results to US patient care and clinical practice guidelines; Phase 2 data; and an adequate safety database. The Agency acknowledged Acurx's planned clinical trial in recurrent CDI (rCDI) and noted the data from this rCDI trial, if successful, would support an NDA submission. If the IBZ-ASPIRE trial does not meet these criteria, then a second trial consistent with the agreement reached at the end of Phase 2 (EOP2) meeting on April 27, 2024, is recommended.

The currently planned IBZ-ASPIRE trial is of non-inferiority design with the primary efficacy analysis in the Modified Intent-To-Treat (mITT) population. This will result in approximately 550 subjects in the mITT population, randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either ibezapolstat or standard-of-care vancomycin.

ClickDimensions co-founders return with a platform that puts AI agents inside marketing, not in a tab beside it

WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Thinking Streams Inc. today announced the launch of ThinkingStreams, an agentic marketing automation platform for B2B teams that integrates with Microsoft Dynamics 365.

Marketers already use AI, just not where the work happens. Copy is drafted in a chat window, then rebuilt by hand in the marketing platform, losing brand voice and context. ThinkingStreams puts AI agents inside the platform. A marketer writes a brief, and agents plan and draft the campaign: emails, SMS, landing pages, forms, social and blog posts, and nurture journeys. Nothing sends or publishes until a person approves it.

Every agent is grounded in the customer's Business DNA (brand voice, audiences, positioning) and Dynamics 365 data. Leads, contacts and marketing lists sync both ways, and every send, open, click and form submission is written back to the records sales already uses. The platform also includes audited visual journeys, scheduled routines, plain-language segments and reporting, and AI Visibility tracking across ChatGPT, Copilot and Gemini.

"We're in a rare transition in how we use software, from the era of features to the era of intelligence," said Koren Tako, co-founder and CEO of ThinkingStreams. "For decades we judged software by what it let us do. Now we'll judge it by what it does with us. ThinkingStreams is what marketing automation looks like reimagined from scratch. The marketer drives: agents build the emails, forms, landing pages and even a full webinar, and work that once took several marketing ops roles becomes a conversation."

Tako co-founded ClickDimensions in 2010 and served as its CTO for a decade. Co-founder and CRO Brad Burks was ClickDimensions' first salesperson and went on to lead its global sales organization.

B2B marketing teams can book a demo or request early access at thinkingstreams.com.

About ThinkingStreams

ThinkingStreams builds agentic marketing automation that integrates with Microsoft Dynamics 365. Its agents plan and draft campaigns inside the platform, grounded in each customer's brand and CRM data, with people approving everything before it ships. Founded by Koren Tako and Brad Burks.

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SOURCE Thinking Streams Inc.

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- Holds the second Auto Semicon Korea… sharply expands participation, from 27 companies and institutions last year to 53 this year

- Identifies 19 system semiconductor collaboration projects over the past year and begins developing 13 chips… firms up prospects for vehicle application and commercialization

- Expands collaboration centered on fabless companies and foundries into a full-cycle ecosystem spanning software, IP, packaging, testing and evaluation, and functional safety

- Supports automotive semiconductor localization through cooperation with the government… combines various forms of policy support with building verification and evaluation infrastructure

- Discusses execution strategies for its two pillars, system and power semiconductors… "Growing it into an execution platform that links demand → projects → development → mass production"

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Mobis (KRX 012330), which has led the way in building Korea's automotive semiconductor ecosystem, is expanding collaboration between the mobility and semiconductor industries to the full range of related sectors, from development to mass production. The company plans to build on the automotive semiconductor forum it launched last year to bring more Korean-made semiconductors into actual development. It also aims to get a system fully up and running in which automakers, parts suppliers, semiconductor companies, and research institutes work together from development through verification to mass production.

Hyundai Mobis held its second automotive semiconductor forum, Auto Semicon Korea (ASK), at DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, on the 21st. Hyundai Mobis first launched ASK last year as a collaboration platform to make Korea's automotive semiconductor industry more competitive and strengthen its supply chain base. It brings together the capabilities of the automotive and semiconductor industries, including automakers, parts suppliers, fabless companies, foundries, and design houses.

The event drew more than 90 attendees, including Hyundai Mobis President Lee Gyu-suk, CEO-level leaders and other executives from major companies, and representatives from government, academia, and industry associations. This year, the forum extended collaboration into fields such as IP (design intellectual property), testing and evaluation, and functional safety, bringing the number of participating companies and institutions to 53, up from 27 last year. Building on the groundwork laid over the past year, ASK is now moving on to more advanced stages of development and commercialization.

The event opened with a welcome address by President Lee Gyu-suk and a congratulatory speech from Minister of Trade, Industry Kim Jung-kwan. The address was followed by an update on ASK's achievements over the past year and the launch ceremony of a task force on automotive semiconductor localization, led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Mobis, and LG Electronics. Participants then shared information and discussed a range of agenda items, including competitiveness in localizing system semiconductors, next-generation power semiconductor development, government policy, and automaker roadmaps.

President Lee said, "As a company that uses automotive semiconductors, Hyundai Mobis will actively share the wide range of know-how it has accumulated. We will connect each company's strengths and build a full-cycle collaboration structure in which we share responsibility from development through verification to mass production, so that no individual company has to bear the high barriers to entry in automotive semiconductors on its own."

Since launching ASK last year, Hyundai Mobis has worked with Korean companies to identify 19 collaboration projects in system semiconductors, and development is now underway on 13 chips from that list. For 9 of those 13, the company has gone a step further and selected the vehicle models the chips are intended for. In power semiconductors, it has also begun joint reviews to raise development capabilities, quality, and mass-production competitiveness.

Ahead of the main event, President Lee held a media briefing with major news outlets, where he emphasized, "Whereas last year's first forum focused on finding opportunities to extend Korean companies' home appliance, mobile, and industrial semiconductor technologies to automotive applications and develop them jointly, this year we will move into a more advanced stage as we confirm the potential for actual product development, vehicle application, and commercialization."

From design and manufacturing to software, IP, and verification… toward a "full-cycle ecosystem" for automotive semiconductors

This year, Hyundai Mobis plans to develop ASK into a full-cycle collaboration ecosystem covering the entire automotive semiconductor development process. The aim is to build a structure that ties together every stage of development, from software, IP, foundry, and packaging to testing and evaluation, functional safety, and quality. The company also plans to share automaker demand and technology roadmaps from the earliest stages of development, helping Korean semiconductor companies align their technology development and investment with real-world vehicle applications.

"We will proactively establish requirements and technology roadmaps for key future semiconductors from a system and controller perspective," said Park Chul-hong, Vice President and Head of Hyundai Mobis' Semiconductor Business. "By working closely with automakers at an early stage to define functions, quality standards, deployment timelines, and target vehicle models, we aim to strengthen a demand-driven development framework that carries semiconductor technologies through validation and mass production to real business results."

Developing semiconductors and controllers together, strengthening the "demand-driven collaboration" unique to Hyundai Mobis

Hyundai Mobis holds a strategic position as a Tier 1 supplier that uses automotive semiconductors directly while also designing semiconductors in-house and co-developing them with external specialist companies. Its advantage lies in building the performance and quality automakers require into semiconductor specifications, verifying the resulting chips at the controller and vehicle level, and carrying them through to mass production.

Hyundai Mobis also continues to strengthen its own competitiveness in automotive semiconductors. Since acquiring Hyundai Autron's semiconductor business in 2020, it has expanded its R&D portfolio around two pillars: power semiconductors and system semiconductors. It is increasing the number of in-house-designed semiconductors in mass production while pursuing a strategy of developing semiconductors optimized for core components in areas such as electrification and automotive electronics.

In power semiconductors, the company is focusing on making the electrification value chain, from power semiconductors to power modules, inverters, motors, and PE (power electric) systems, more competitive. In system semiconductors, it has also built up its capabilities in designing chips that perform various controller functions, such as power supply, actuation, communication, sensing, and networking. As a result, Hyundai Mobis is mass-producing 16 types of in-house-developed system semiconductors through external foundries, with a combined annual volume of 20 million units. These include chips for power supply, actuation, communication, sensors, and data processing.

Hyundai Mobis sees ASK as more than a forum for sharing information. Its blueprint is a platform that drives change by turning demand into projects, projects into development, development into mass production, and then into concrete business results for participating semiconductor companies. A follow-up consultative body will assign owners and schedules to the projects presented at this forum and manage their progress on an ongoing basis. Alongside this, the company will work with the government to build the policies and infrastructure that will support the development of Korean-made automotive semiconductors.

About Hyundai Mobis

Hyundai Mobis is the global no. 6 automotive supplier, headquartered in Seoul, Korea. Hyundai Mobis has outstanding expertise in sensors, sensor fusion in ECUs and software development for safety control. The company's products also include various components for electrification, brakes, chassis and suspension, steering, airbags, lighting, and automotive electronics. Hyundai Mobis operates its R&D headquarters in Korea, with four technology centers in the United States, Germany, China, and India. For more information, please visit the website at http://www.mobis.com.

Media Contact

Choon Kee Hwang: [email protected]

Jihyun Han: [email protected]

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Funding supports Peak as it scales domestic manufacturing and expands its passively

cooled sodium-ion platform into data center power infrastructure

BURLINGAME, Calif., Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Peak Energy, the leading developer of passively cooled sodium-ion energy storage systems for the grid, today announced the closing of its oversubscribed Series B financing round led by General Motors Ventures with participation from Maverick Silicon, Infinite Capital, Eclipse, Xora Innovation, and LG Technology Ventures. The new $108 million in financing positions Peak to scale domestic manufacturing, fulfill over $1 billion in existing customer orders, and launch its product to the data center market where access to power has become the primary constraint on growth.

"Peak's mission from day one has been to lower the cost of energy through safer, simpler, cleaner, and more reliable technology," said Landon Mossburg, co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Peak Energy. "The investment we announce today will supercharge Peak's ability to scale and deliver as the world increasingly turns to passively cooled sodium-ion storage to solve our energy needs."

In just three years, Peak Energy has taken sodium-ion from a promising concept to a global category now widely recognized as the leading alternative to lithium-ion for grid-scale applications. With more than $1 billion in customer commitments and growing demand from utilities, power producers, and data centers, the company continues to strengthen its market leadership. The financing follows a period of significant progress for Peak. In June, the company announced a partnership with General Motors to jointly develop next generation sodium-ion battery cells for the storage market, leverage GM's U.S.-based battery cell industrialization expertise to support Peak, and in July unveiled its 4 GWh factory in Sacramento, CA, which will start production in Q1 2027.

"GM Ventures is investing to help Peak Energy continue to scale this innovative technology because we believe it has significant potential in the energy storage market as a safe, cost-effective solution using abundant, domestically sourced materials," said Kevin McCabe, president of GM Ventures.

Peak's flagship passively cooled energy storage system is engineered to address the components that make energy storage expensive to operate and maintain. With a fundamentally simpler architecture, Peak can reduce the cost of energy by up to 20% compared with conventional storage systems. By eliminating wasteful cooling systems, reducing energy waste, and requiring zero planned maintenance, Peak systems deliver longer operating life and lower lifetime ownership costs – enabling a lower-cost and more reliable alternative to conventional energy storage technology.

"We spent a lot of time looking at the growing power requirements around AI infrastructure, and it became clear that energy storage is going to be an increasingly important part of the solution. Peak is taking a differentiated approach to sodium-ion, with a focus on the full system from chemistry and design through manufacturing and deployment at scale," said Kenneth Safar, Managing Director at Maverick Silicon. "The combination of strong technical progress, growing customer engagement and a large end market gives Peak an opportunity to build a defining platform in energy storage. We're excited to support the team as they scale."

Peak's system emits virtually no noise, consumes zero water, and eliminates the leading causes of battery fires, providing a safer and more community-friendly alternative for energy storage. As AI-driven demand accelerates, data center operators need storage solutions that are not only better for the community but also deliver more usable power. The result is a solution that addresses community and ratepayer concerns around affordability and safety while improving reliability and energy efficiency for data center operators.

To learn more about Peak Energy visit peakenergy.com.

ABOUT PEAK ENERGY:

Founded in 2023, Peak Energy is delivering low-cost, giga-scale energy storage purpose-built to meet today's grid challenges. Built by veterans from Tesla, Enovix, and Fluence, the company's proprietary passive cooling platform makes grid-scale storage safer, simpler, and more affordable. The company has secured over $1 billion in commercial agreements, including deals with Jupiter Power, RWE, and Energy Vault, and in June 2026 announced a strategic partnership with General Motors, backed by a GM Ventures investment, to develop next-generation storage cells purpose-built for the grid. Peak is scaling domestic production through a new 4GWh manufacturing facility in Sacramento, California. For more information, visit www.peakenergy.com. 

Media Contact:

Inkhouse for Peak Energy

[email protected]

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CET Energy Solutions Launches as a Leading Privately Held Electrical and Energy Services Platform to Meet Growing Nationwide Demand

— Commonwealth Electrical Technologies announces expanded capabilities and a growing team of more than 300 employees, bringing together the expertise and resources to help customers navigate a rapidly evolving energy landscape —

WORCESTER, Mass., Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CET Energy Solutions today launched as the parent company of Commonwealth Electrical Technologies, Horton Electric, and NuWave Energy, bringing together more than 300 employees with six locations across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and West Coast, and project delivery nationwide. The company provides energy and electrical infrastructure services that help modern buildings and critical facilities control costs, operate efficiently, and keep running when it matters most.

CET Energy Solutions' expansion comes amid rising electricity costs, increasing power demand, aging infrastructure, and evolving energy regulations. Through its growing network of electrical contracting and energy services companies, CET Energy Solutions offers customers a comprehensive range of services, including electrical construction, energy efficiency, mechanical systems, renewables, battery storage, backup power, and ongoing operations and maintenance.

Founded in Massachusetts in 2008 as Commonwealth Electrical Technologies, the company has grown from a regional electrical contractor into an electrical and energy services provider. CET Energy Solutions continues to expand through strategic acquisitions and partnerships with established electrical contractors and energy services businesses.

"Customers today are facing an increasingly complex energy environment, from rising costs and aging infrastructure to greater demands for reliability, efficiency, and resilience," said John J. Duquette, Chief Executive Officer of CET Energy Solutions. "We've built CET Energy Solutions to bring together the expertise, resources, and capabilities customers need to meet these challenges, while preserving the local relationships, commitment to safety, and high standards of service that have always defined our businesses. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on delivering more comprehensive solutions while maintaining the trust and accountability our customers have come to expect."

The launch also includes a new corporate website, www.cetenergy.com, reflecting the company's expanded capabilities and national reach. Commonwealth Electrical Technologies and Horton Electric will retain their established brands, while NuWave Energy will transition to the CET Energy Solutions name.

CET Energy Solutions' growth has been driven organically and by the addition of established businesses that complement its core electrical contracting expertise and expand its geographic reach and service offerings. The platform currently includes:

- Commonwealth Electrical Technologies, the Massachusetts-based electrical contractor where the company began, which will continue operating under its established name as Commonwealth Electrical Technologies, a CET Energy Solutions company.

- Horton Electric, a Connecticut-based electrical contractor acquired in September 2026, which continues to operate as Horton Electric, a CET Energy Solutions company.

- NuWave Energy, acquired in 2025, which expanded the company's energy services capabilities and national reach, including operations in Massachusetts, California, and Colorado. NuWave is transitioning to the CET Energy Solutions brand.

"CET Energy Solutions is the platform we set out to build when we first invested in Commonwealth Electrical Technologies. We believed the convergence of aging infrastructure, rising power demand, and electrification would make skilled electrical and energy services more essential than ever, and CET Energy Solutions is well positioned to meet that demand at scale," said RJ David, Managing Director at Broad Sky Partners. "John and the team have combined the right capabilities, people, and geographic reach to help customers navigate those challenges, and we look forward to supporting the company's continued growth."

CET Energy Solutions is backed by Broad Sky Partners, a New York-based private equity firm that invests in middle-market companies providing essential business services.

About CET Energy Solutions:

CET Energy Solutions is an integrated electrical and energy services company for modern buildings and critical facilities. CET Energy Solutions provides electrical contracting, energy efficiency programs, generator service, battery storage, renewables, and energy infrastructure services for customers in sectors including commercial and industrial facilities. Founded in 2008 in Massachusetts as Commonwealth Electrical Technologies, the company today brings together Commonwealth Electrical Technologies, Horton Electric, and NuWave Energy, with more than 300 employees across six locations and project delivery nationwide. Learn more at cetenergy.com and follow them on LinkedIn.

About Broad Sky Partners:

Broad Sky Partners is a private equity firm that partners with leading middle market companies that provide essential services to business services end markets. The firm offers a differentiated approach to sector-focused, thematic investing and value creation. Its Portfolio Resource Group is dedicated to helping companies capitalize on growth opportunities. Broad Sky is based in New York City.

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PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga., Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mighty Auto Parts has promoted Crystal Wilkins to Associate Product Manager and hired Brandon Townsend as Product Support Coordinator. The appointments add product knowledge, operations experience, and customer-focused support to the Product Team.

"A strong Product Team is essential to supporting our franchise network and customers," said Sean Milligan, Vice President, Product Management and Information. "Crystal knows Mighty and our product programs, and Brandon brings operations and customer service experience. Together, they make our team stronger as Mighty grows."

Crystal Wilkins Promoted to Associate Product Manager

Wilkins joined Mighty in 2014 as Product Administrator and held the role for four years. After leaving Mighty in 2018, she worked as a writer and editor in marketing communications and earned a Master of Arts in Professional Writing. She returned to Mighty in February 2026 as Product Support Coordinator.

In her new role, Wilkins will manage non-filter product programs, such as tools and equipment, batteries, and wipers. She will also support key product initiatives across the Mighty System.

"I know these programs and the people who rely on them," said Wilkins. "I look forward to building on both in this new role."

Brandon Townsend Joins Mighty as Product Support Coordinator

Townsend spent seven years at The Home Depot as an Operational Experience Manager, where he oversaw multiple departments and more than 100 associates. In his new role, he will support product programs and initiatives across the department, drawing on his background in operations, performance analytics, and customer service.

"Mighty's focus on supporting its franchise network matches how I like to work," said Townsend. "I look forward to helping the Product Team keep programs running smoothly for our distributors and customers."

About Mighty Distributing System of America (MDSA)

Mighty Auto Parts, a division of Mighty Distributing System of America, is headquartered in Peachtree Corners, GA. For more than 60 years, we've supported a network of 100 franchised distributors across 44 U.S. states and five international markets. Mighty partners exclusively with automotive professionals, providing unparalleled local service, expert inventory management, and comprehensive training. Our broad range of OE-quality underhood and undercar parts, chemical products, lubricants, and shop supplies continues to attract independent repair shops, quick lubes, tire centers, and new car dealerships nationwide and internationally. Learn more at www.mightyautoparts.com.

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