Co-hosted by the Indonesian Internet Domain Name Registry (PANDI), with support from Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs and the Bali Provincial Government, ICANN87 marks the first ICANN public meeting in Indonesia. The meeting brings together government representatives, businesses, technical experts, and civil society to address issues affecting the Internet's security, stability, and global interoperability.

The Welcome Ceremony on 19 October featured remarks from Meutya Hafid, Indonesia's Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs; Isnawan Aslam, President of PANDI; Tripti Sinha, ICANN Board Chair; and Kurtis Lindqvist, ICANN President and CEO.

"As we look toward the next decade, our responsibility is not simply to accommodate the Internet's continued expansion, but to preserve the trust that makes it meaningful. Connectivity enables participation. Growth creates opportunities. And protection builds the trust necessary to sustain both. For Indonesia, the objective is therefore not simply to bring more people online. It is to ensure that they can participate in a digital environment that is accessible, secure, and relevant to their needs," said Meutya Hafid, Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs.

"Hosting ICANN87 marks an important milestone for Indonesia and reflects PANDI's commitment to the global Internet community. For us, managing .id goes beyond technical responsibilities; it is a commitment to safeguarding our nation's digital identity. We believe trust is earned through a proven track record, consistent performance, and responsible governance. Building on our experience and continuously strengthening our capabilities, PANDI remains committed to strengthening Indonesia's digital identity and ensuring that .id is secure, stable, trusted, and ready for the future of the Internet," said Isnawan Aslam, President of PANDI.

ICANN Board Chair Tripti Sinha highlighted the multistakeholder model of governance and the need to sustain public trust. "The tenth anniversary of the IANA stewardship transition demonstrates how this governance model has endured technological and geopolitical change. We continue to earn trust through transparent governance, sound decisions, and effective implementation," Sinha said.

"We need to strengthen the connection between strategy, prioritization, budgeting, and implementation, making the process clearer and more transparent," said Kurtis Lindqvist, ICANN President and CEO. "The ICANN community develops solutions and the ICANN org must turn those solutions into effective action."

ICANN Recognizes Hartmut Glaser for Capacity Building

During the welcome ceremony, ICANN awarded Hartmut Glaser the 2026 Dr. Tarek Kamel Award for Capacity Building. The ICANN Board recognized his contributions to Internet governance capacity building at local, regional, and global levels, including founding and leading the Brazilian School on Internet Governance and helping establish the Latin American and Caribbean Internet Address Registry (LACNIC). Sinha presented the award to Glaser, who joined remotely.

The award honors the late Dr. Tarek Kamel, an Internet pioneer, and recognizes members of the ICANN community who advance capacity-development programs related to ICANN's mission.

Advancing a Secure, Stable, and Inclusive Internet

ICANN87 features more than 200 working sessions on Internet policy and technical priorities, including DNS Abuse mitigation, strengthening the security, stability, and reliability of the Domain Name System (DNS), and expanding domain name options through the New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program.

The six-day meeting advances ICANN's multistakeholder model, which brings diverse groups together to develop policies and coordinate the Internet's unique identifiers. Participants will also take part in capacity-building and leadership development discussions, while new members of the ICANN Board of Directors take their seats.

To learn more and join the conversation, visit www.ICANN.org and the ICANN87 website.

About ICANN

ICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world.

About PANDI

Pengelola Nama Domain Internet Indonesia (PANDI) is the registry operator for Indonesia's country-code top-level domain (ccTLD), .id. PANDI plays a role in developing the .id domain name ecosystem and supporting secure, stable, and trusted Internet governance.

PANDI is an organization whose membership represents various stakeholders, including the government, the Internet industry, and academia. As of 31 December 2025, the number of registered .id domain names had grown to 1,431,960, making .id the largest country-code top-level domain in Southeast Asia.

The .id domain represents Indonesia, Identity, and Ideas. In the governance of .id domain names, PANDI also administers the Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (PPND) in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

SOURCE ICANN

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dOCS module

-

dOCS module The Lightelligence OCS Optical Interconnect Module is designed to enable scalable optical connectivity for AI clusters, GPU superclusters, and high-performance computing systems. By integrating optical switching directly into the interconnect module, it supports flexible signal routing through external optical ports or internal cross-connections. This architecture helps system designers build more resilient, serviceable, and deployment-friendly optical fabrics while reducing network complexity for next-generation AI and HPC infrastructure.

Key Technologies

We've designed and built the world's first silicon photonic OCS chip using our proprietary integrated PIC technology. Leveraging its built-in switching functionality, dOCS facilitates interconnectivity between xPUs with a deployment friendly QSFP-DD form factor.

Product Highlights

- The world's first silicon photonic OCS chip

- Significantly boosts GPU utilization

- Eliminates the need for high-power top-of-rack switch

- Open ecosystem

Application Scenarios

We are leading the development and practice of a new paradigm for global optoelectronic hybrid computing, committed to providing customers with a series of computing power leap solutions to build a smarter and more sustainable world.

Moving data at the speed of light

Build the next generation of AI compute infrastructure.

"All Access with Andy Garcia" to Explore Architecture's Role in Everyday Life with Holabird & Root

Upcoming segment will trace the Chicago firm's history and its approach to designing places that serve people and institutions

CHICAGO, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- With filming that took place October 8 and 15, 2026, "All Access with Andy Garcia" is producing an upcoming educational segment with Holabird & Root examining how architecture shapes daily life. "The Chicago firm's story centers on an incisive design process: translating the realities of each client's circumstances into architecture that works at both ends of a century.

Holabird & Root played a defining role in Chicago's architectural history, helping shape the city's skyline as it became a center of modern design. Historic projects including the Marquette Building and Chicago Board of Trade Building show how changing approaches to structure, daylight and planning influenced the places where people work and gather. The segment will connect that legacy to the firm's current work with educational, civic and community organizations such as Wadsworth City Schools, Harper College, the University of Illinois, the Park District of Highland Park, the City of Evanston, and North Central College, among others – demonstrating how the same deeply investigative approach continues to shape schools, campuses, public spaces, and community institutions.

Today, those organizations face decisions about aging buildings, shifting patterns of use, sustainability and limited resources. Holabird & Root helps institutions make the most of the spaces they have while planning for what comes next. Its work spans renovation, adaptive reuse, campus planning and new construction, with each approach crafted directly from the conditions at hand. Production will explore how architecture stands the test of time by continuing to serve the people who use it.

"My experience with Holabird & Root has been unlike anything I have come across in my career. Too often in municipal planning we plan for what we need now or build what we think we can afford. In my initial meetings, Rusty Walker and Eric Risinger were willing to ask what I needed and what I wanted my facility to be. Their thoughtful discussions allowed me and my staff to step out of the world of deferred maintenance and think about what could be. They are problem solvers that are committed to improving our world and our community one project at a time" said Jonathan D. Kuester, Director of Historic Wagner Farm.

About All Access

"All Access with Andy Garcia" develops short educational documentary segments for Public Television audiences. Through interviews and stories from the field, the series introduces viewers to the people and ideas behind changes in industries, institutions and communities. Learn more at www.allaccessptv.com.

About Holabird & Root

Holabird & Root is a Chicago architecture and planning firm whose work spans historic landmarks and contemporary buildings for education, civic life, workplaces and other institutions. Its practice includes planning, renovation, adaptive reuse and new construction. Learn more at www.holabird.com.

SOURCE All Access

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NTL HEALTHCARE Wraps Up WHX Johannesburg 2026, Accelerating African Market Expansion

Company Engages 200+ Organizations and Advances CerviCARE AI Adoption Discussions in South Africa

SEONGNAM, South Korea, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- NTL HEALTHCARE showcased its AI-powered cervical screening system, CerviCARE AI, at WHX Johannesburg 2026 in South Africa from October 6 to 8. More than 200 representatives from distributors, healthcare institutions, and policy organizations visited the company's booth to learn about the technology and explore potential partnerships.

Beyond product promotion, the exhibition provided an opportunity to discuss local adoption strategies. NTL HEALTHCARE met with South African policymakers and academic representatives to discuss implementation procedures and potential collaborations, laying the groundwork for local adoption and commercialization.

Building on pilot projects in Zambia, Uganda, and Tanzania, NTL HEALTHCARE plans to establish South Africa as a strategic hub for expansion into neighboring countries and other African markets. During the exhibition, the company also supplied its product to Zimbabwe, marking further progress in its regional expansion.

NTL HEALTHCARE plans to pursue opportunities through partnerships with global medical foundations and Korea's Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP), a government initiative promoting knowledge sharing in the field of economic development. The company aims to develop healthcare collaboration models tailored to local needs and work with partners on regulatory approvals, training, and operational planning.

Africa faces a particularly high burden of cervical cancer. According to the World Health Organization, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in 26 countries, many in sub-Saharan Africa (WHO, 2026). Unequal access to vaccination, screening, and treatment remains a major challenge, underscoring the need for technologies that support timely and consistent screening in resource-limited settings.

CerviCARE AI analyzes cervical images to identify potential lesions. It delivers results within five seconds without an internet connection and has demonstrated 98% sensitivity and 95.5% specificity in detecting high-risk lesions, as reported in a StandardBank test report (2023) and a study by Ouh et al. published in Scientific Reports (2024). Its AI-assisted image quality guidance helps users capture consistent, high-quality images regardless of their level of experience.

"Screening technologies need practical validation and policy support to become established in healthcare settings," said Tae-hee Kim, CEO of NTL HEALTHCARE. She added that the company had discussed implementation procedures and partnership opportunities with South African stakeholders, building on its pilot experience.

Founded in 1996, NTL HEALTHCARE has supplied CerviCARE AI to 20+ countries and plans to expand product distribution and partnerships across Africa.

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AbbVie Presents Data for ABBV-466, a Novel Dual-Targeting Therapy Demonstrating Higher Endoscopic Remission Rates Than Either Anti-IL-23 or Anti-α4β7 Monotherapy in Moderate to Severe Crohn's Disease

- In a Phase 2a study, ABBV-466 achieved higher endoscopic remission rates in patients with Crohn's disease than either anti-IL-23 p19 or anti-α4β7 monotherapy at Week 12, the primary endpoint. The treatment difference between ABBV-466 and the monotherapy groups further increased at Week 241

- Gene expression analysis showed that ABBV-466 treated Crohn's disease patients experienced intestinal tissue repair and barrier restoration by Week 12, with tissue remodeling and metabolic changes reported at Week 241

- The results will be presented as a late-breaker at the 2026 Annual United European Gastroenterology Week Congress

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced that its investigational ABBV-466, a novel dual-targeting therapy against IL-23 p19 and integrin α4β7, demonstrated higher rates of endoscopic remissiona at Week 12 than either monotherapy in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). The difference in endoscopic remissiona rates between ABBV-466 and monotherapy groups further increased at Week 24. The findings are from the TARGET-CD study, an ongoing open-label, treat-through, Phase 2a platform study in patients with moderate to severe CD.1,2 The findings will be presented as a late-breaking abstract at the ongoing 2026 Annual United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW) Congress in Barcelona, October 17–20.

"ABBV-466 reflects how we are building the next generation of our inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) portfolio, leveraging insights from our own research to address disease pathways that may remain active even when a central inflammatory pathway is inhibited," said Kori Wallace, M.D., vice president, global head of immunology clinical development, AbbVie. "Our research pointed to evidence of α4β7-driven inflammation despite risankizumab's IL-23 p19 inhibition, leading us to augment risankizumab with a novel α4β7 inhibitor, trosunilimab. The TARGET-CD results reinforce our strategy of advancing therapies designed around the complex biology of Crohn's disease."

The TARGET-CD study included 300 patients (94, 100, and 106 patients in the anti-IL-23 p19 (risankizumab), anti-α4β7 (trosunilimab), and ABBV-466 treatment groups, respectively) with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease across the spectrum of disease severity and prior treatment experience. While 25% of patients were biologic-naïve, 75% had failed at least one advanced therapy, including 9.3% who had failed prior IL-23 therapy and 12% who had failed a JAK inhibitor; 25% had failed three or more advanced therapies. This patient population reflects the real-world complexity of Crohn's disease, where heterogeneous disease biology can contribute to differences in treatment response across patients.1

At Week 12, 30.2% of patients treated with ABBV-466 achieved the primary endpoint of endoscopic remissiona, compared to 21.3% and 18.0% of patients receiving anti-IL-23 p19 monotherapy and anti-α4β7 monotherapy, respectively. An improvement with ABBV-466 was also reported at Week 24, with 40.5% of ABBV-466 treated patients achieving endoscopic remissiona, compared to 22.4% and 20.0% of patients on risankizumab and trosunilimab monotherapy, respectively.1

Based on gene expression analyses, ABBV-466 showed colonic epithelial repair and barrier restoration at Week 12, followed by tissue remodeling and metabolic changes at Week 24 that were generally not observed with either monotherapy.1

"Many patients with Crohn's disease move from one advanced therapy to the next and still have active inflammation in the bowel, even when their symptoms improve," said Remo Panaccione, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Calgary. "Endoscopic remission is a goal we aim for, because ongoing inflammation can drive disease progression over time. What stands out in the TARGET-CD Phase 2a study is that a dual-targeting approach reached that goal more often than either therapy alone in a heavily pretreated population."

Rates of serious adverse events (SAEs) for ABBV-466 were 10.4% and comparable to risankizumab monotherapy (9.6%) and trosunilimab monotherapy (9.0%). In the ABBV-466 and trosunilimab monotherapy arms, the most common adverse events (≥5%) were Crohn's disease and nausea. In the risankizumab monotherapy arm, the most common adverse events (≥5%) were Crohn's disease and arthralgia.1

Additional information about the program can be found on clinicaltrials.gov under the identifier NCT06548542.

UEGW Presentation Details:

About TARGET-CD

TARGET-CD (NCT06548542) is an ongoing open-label, treat-through Phase 2a platform study in patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease. Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive 24 weeks of ABBV-466, risankizumab or trosunilimab. The primary endpoint was endoscopic remissiona at Week 12. Additional prespecified endpoints were assessed at Weeks 12 and 24, with safety assessed through Week 24. SES-CD is an assessment tool used during colonoscopy to measure the severity of inflammation and damage in patients with Crohn's disease.

About ABBV-466

ABBV-466 is an investigational dual-targeting therapy combining risankizumab, an IL-23 inhibitor, with trosunilimab, an α4β7 inhibitor, to address complementary drivers of inflammation in Crohn's disease. The approach is designed to inhibit inflammatory signaling while limiting immune-cell trafficking to the gut, with the goal of achieving deeper disease control than either pathway alone.

ABBV-466 is investigational, and its safety and efficacy have not been established by regulatory authorities.

EU Indications and Important Safety Information about SKYRIZI® (risankizumab)3

Indications

Skyrizi (risankizumab) is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy.

Skyrizi is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in children and adolescents from the age of 6 years who are candidates for systemic therapy.

Skyrizi, alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX), is indicated for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis in adults who have had an inadequate response or who have been intolerant to one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

Skyrizi is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease who have had an inadequate response to, lost response to, or were intolerant to conventional therapy or a biologic therapy.

Skyrizi is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who have had an inadequate response to, lost response to, or were intolerant to conventional therapy or a biologic therapy.

Important Safety Information 

Risankizumab is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to the active substance or to any of the excipients, and in patients with clinically important active infections (e.g., active tuberculosis).

Risankizumab may increase the risk of infection. In patients with a chronic infection, a history of recurrent infection, or known risk factors for infection, risankizumab should be used with caution. Treatment with risankizumab should not be initiated in patients with any clinically important active infection until the infection resolves or is adequately treated.

Patients treated with risankizumab should be instructed to seek medical advice if signs or symptoms of clinically important chronic or acute infection occur. If a patient develops such an infection or is not responding to standard therapy for the infection, the patient should be closely monitored and risankizumab should not be administered until the infection resolves.

Prior to initiating treatment with risankizumab, patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis (TB) infection. Patients receiving risankizumab should be monitored for signs and symptoms of active TB. Anti-TB therapy should be considered prior to initiating risankizumab in patients with a past history of latent or active TB in whom an adequate course of treatment cannot be confirmed.

Prior to initiating therapy with risankizumab, completion of all appropriate immunizations should be considered according to current immunization guidelines. If a patient has received live vaccination (viral or bacterial), it is recommended to wait at least 4 weeks prior to starting treatment with risankizumab. Patients treated with risankizumab should not receive live vaccines during treatment and for at least 21 weeks after treatment.

Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported with use of risankizumab. If a serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs, administration of risankizumab should be discontinued immediately and appropriate therapy initiated.

The most frequently reported adverse reactions were upper respiratory infections (13% in psoriasis, 15.6% in Crohn's disease and 26.2% in ulcerative colitis).

Commonly (≥ 1/100 to 1/10) reported adverse reactions included tinea infections, headache, pruritus, rash, eczema, fatigue, and injection site reactions.

This is not a complete summary of all safety information.

See Skyrizi full Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) at http://www.ema.europa.eu

Globally, prescribing information varies; refer to the individual country product label for complete information.

About AbbVie in Immunology

AbbVie is relentless in our pursuit to redefine the standard of care for patients living with immune-mediated conditions, with the goal of helping them live a life free from the limitations of their disease. For nearly 30 years, AbbVie has led and helped shape the field of immunology through groundbreaking science and trusted medicines.

Next-generation trailer aerodynamic system installs in less than 45 minutes and 

can pay for itself in less than 12 months.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- FlowBelow Aero, Inc., a leader in tractor-trailer aerodynamics, today introduced its redesigned Trailer AeroSlider System, an aerodynamic solution that saves 3.0 gallons of fuel per 1,000 miles traveled. The company introduced the system at the American Trucking Associations' Management Conference & Exhibition, Oct. 17-20, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C.

The launch comes as fleets contend with near record-high diesel prices. The national average on-highway diesel price was $6.179 a gallon on Oct. 12, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, after reaching a record $6.529 on Sept. 21. At $6.18 a gallon, the AeroSlider delivers approximately $18.54 in fuel savings for every 1,000 miles a trailer travels.

How It Works

The Trailer AeroSlider targets one of the most aerodynamically complex areas of a tractor-trailer: the exposed wheels, suspension, and underbody surrounding the trailer tandem. The system combines FlowBelow trailer wheel covers, flow-through mud flaps and optimized rear fairings.

Rather than simply shielding components from airflow, the rear fairings direct air leaving the tandem slightly outward and rearward. This dilutes the trailer wake and reduces turbulence around the wheels and suspension.

Because the system mounts to and travels with the sliding suspension, it continues to deliver fuel savings as fleets reposition the tandem for different loads and axle-weight requirements.

Redesigned for Simplicity and Durability

FlowBelow first introduced the AeroSlider in 2017. The redesigned system delivers even greater fuel savings with a single fairing than the previous design achieved with separate center and rear fairings. The result is a smaller, more durable package that costs less, installs faster and fits virtually any make or model of dry van or reefer trailer.

The complete system weighs less than 30 pounds and can be installed on existing trailers in less than 45 minutes. Once installed, it requires no driver involvement.

Independently Tested Fuel Savings

FlowBelow optimized the system through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, wind-tunnel testing and track testing.

In June 2026, MVT Solutions conducted independent fuel economy testing using 2019 International LT tractors pulling loaded 53-foot dry van trailers. The baseline test configuration included side skirts and trailer wheel covers. Adding the AeroSlider's rear fairings and flow-through mud flaps saved 1.77 gallons of fuel per 1,000 miles compared to baseline.

In separate testing, MVT Solutions verified fuel savings of 1.23 gallons per 1,000 miles from FlowBelow trailer wheel covers. Combined, these independently measured improvements represent total potential fuel savings of 3.0 gallons per 1,000 miles.

Designed Around Fleet ROI

"Our goal with the AeroSlider was to develop an aerodynamic system that could pay for itself in less than 18 months for a typical regional or long-haul fleet at $3.00 per gallon diesel," said Josh Butler, president and chief technology officer of FlowBelow. "At today's fuel prices, payback can be less than 12 months, even for fleets whose trailers travel as little as 30,000 miles per year."

Butler added, "Certain aerodynamic products such as trailer side skirts deliver exceptional fuel savings for the cost incurred, which has helped them to achieve widespread adoption. We believe the AeroSlider has the potential to become the next practical step fleets can take to reduce trailer drag without adding meaningful weight, maintenance, or driver involvement."

Availability

The Trailer AeroSlider is available directly from FlowBelow for retrofit installation and can be specified on new trailers through participating trailer manufacturers.

For more information, high-resolution product images and the full MVT Solutions test report, please visit https://www.flowbelow.com/aeroslider-presskit.

About FlowBelow

FlowBelow is a Texas-based aerodynamics company founded by engineers. Its product development process combines advanced aerodynamics research with extensive collaboration with fleet mechanics and drivers to develop practical solutions that improve efficiency and profitability. FlowBelow's products are manufactured in the United States, with fuel savings verified through independent third-party fuel economy testing. For more information, please visit http://www.flowbelow.com.

FlowBelow and Trailer AeroSlider are registered trademarks of FlowBelow Aero, Inc.

SOURCE FlowBelow Aero, Inc.

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IMU Biosciences and UK Biobank will generate a single-cell immune profiling AI foundational dataset from 80,000 blood samples collected from UK Biobank participants using Ultima Genomics' UG200™ Sequencing Platform and the BD Rhapsody™ Single-Cell Platform from Waters Corporation

Ultima's technology continues to support the addition of new omics data layers for UK Biobank and foundational dataset generation for AI following its selection as the sequencing technology for the 600,000-sample UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project

FREMONT, Calif., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ultima Genomics, Inc., developer of ultra-high-throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms, today announced that its recently launched UG200 Sequencing Platform has been selected to power a new large-scale immune profiling study with IMU Biosciences and UK Biobank. The study will generate one of the most detailed pictures of the human immune system assembled to date, adding a high-resolution immune data layer and a foundational dataset for AI to UK Biobank, one of the world's most important biomedical research resources.

The study combines IMU's High Definition (HD) Immunology platform with the BD FACSDiscover™ Cell Analyzer platform and BD Rhapsody™ single-cell multiomics platform from Waters Corporation and Ultima's sequencing to profile blood samples from an initial cohort of 80,000 blood samples from UK Biobank participants with ambition to expand across the full UK Biobank cohort of 500,000 participants. The project will begin in 2026 and will add a new immune profiling data layer on top of UK Biobank's existing de-identified genomic, imaging, clinical and lifestyle data. Over time, the resulting data will be returned to UK Biobank and made available to approved researchers studying how immune variation relates to disease risk, progression, treatment response and long-term health outcomes.

As part of the selection process, Ultima's UG200 Sequencing Platform was validated to have excellent performance with the BD Rhapsody ™ platform and to provide quality, low-cost, and scale to enable the large-scale project. The UG200 Sequencing Platform was launched in February 2026 to select early access sites and is now shipping broadly. Paired with the BD Rhapsody™ single-cell multiomics platform, Ultima makes sequencing-intensive, single-cell multiomics applications economically viable at population scale, enabling studies that were previously impractical.

The selection builds on Ultima's selection for the UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project and its track record of executing large-scale data-generation programs with technology and application partners. Uniting UK Biobank's population-scale samples with single-cell immune profiling, the collaboration is designed to generate immune data at the scale, reproducibility, and resolution needed for both broad biomedical research and future immune-prediction studies. Ultima's NGS cost roadmap and automation are intended to support the planning and continuation of even larger, AI-scale projects over time.

"Understanding the immune system at population scale demands sequencing that is high-throughput, high-quality, and at extremely low cost to make a study of this ambition viable," said Gilad Almogy, Chief Executive Officer of Ultima Genomics. "Our platform was designed to unlock biology at a scale previously thought impossible, and we are proud to be selected alongside the BD FACSDiscover™ Cell Analyzer platform and BD Rhapsody single-cell multiomics platform from Waters to power foundational dataset generation and enable a new layer of single-cell immune-profiling data for IMU Biosciences and UK Biobank. Building on our ongoing work with the 600,000-sample UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project, this demonstrates the platform's suitability for large-scale omics data generation from large, deeply characterized biobank cohorts."

About Ultima Genomics

Ultima Genomics is unleashing the power of genomics at scale. The Company's mission is to continuously drive the scale of genomic information to enable unprecedented advances in biology and improvements in human health. With humanity on the cusp of a biological revolution, there is a virtually endless need for more genomic information to address biology's complexity and dynamic change—and a further need to challenge conventional next-generation sequencing technologies. Ultima's revolutionary new sequencing architecture drives down the costs of sequencing to help overcome the tradeoffs that scientists and clinicians are forced to make between the breadth, depth and frequency with which they use genomic information. The new sequencing architecture was designed to scale far beyond conventional sequencing technologies, lower the cost of genomic information, and catalyze the next phase of genomics in the 21st century. To learn more, visit www.ultimagenomics.com.

About IMU Biosciences

IMU Biosciences is using its High-Definition Immunology platform to decode the immune system at unprecedented resolution, speed, and scale to pioneer a paradigm shift in how we understand, diagnose and treat disease.

Founded by experimental immunologists and computational biologists with over a decade of expertise from the Francis Crick Institute and King's College London, IMU combines deep immune profiling from small blood samples with population scale immune reference data and AI analysis as it builds the world's largest immune dataset.

The HD Immunology platform uses a simple blood sample to measure the immune system in unprecedented detail to help clinical, pharma and biotech partners interpret immune biology with greater resolution and predict clinical outcomes earlier, while also establishing a universal standard for immune profiling to fuel discoveries.

IMU is applying its platform across a broad range of immune-mediated diseases and therapeutic contexts, with active programmes in stem cell and bone marrow transplantation, solid organ transplantation, and immuno-oncology. To learn more, www.imubiosciences.com

About Waters Corporation

Waters Corporation is a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, our innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across chemistry, physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, ensure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combating antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, our passionate team of ~16,000 colleagues turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide. For more information, please visit www.waters.com/about.

The BD Biosciences and BD Diagnostic Solutions businesses have been acquired by Waters Corporation ("Waters"). Becton, Dickinson and Company or one of its affiliates or subsidiaries ("BD") remains the legal manufacturer of Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions products until all required regulatory transfers are completed. During this interim period, BD maintains full responsibility for all regulatory obligations of the legal manufacturer. Product information provided here is supplied under BD's regulatory authority. To learn more about the relationship between Waters and BD during this transition period, please see our detailed summary: www.waters.com/bdtransaction.

About UK Biobank

UK Biobank is the world's most comprehensive source of biomedical data available for health research in the public interest. Over the past 15 years we have collected biological, health and lifestyle information from 500,000 UK volunteers. The dataset is continuously growing, with additions including the world's largest set of whole genome sequencing data, imaging data from 100,000 participants and a first-of-its kind set of protein biomarkers from 54,000 participants. Since 2012, scientists from universities, charities, companies and governments across the world can apply to use the data to advance modern medicine and drive the discovery of new preventions, treatments and cures. Over 22,000 researchers, based in more than 60 countries, use UK Biobank data, and more than 18,000 peer-reviewed scientific papers have been published as a result. The data are de-identified and stored on our cloud-based platform. UK Biobank is a registered charity and was established by Wellcome and the Medical Research Council in 2003. You can read more about our funding here: www.ukbiobank.ac.uk, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram.

Media Contact

Ultima Genomics

Vikki Herrera, Oak Street Communications

[email protected]  •  408-206-7009

SOURCE Ultima Genomics

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stc group unveils its vision for AI-native networks at Network X 2026

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- stc group, Saudi Arabia's leading digital enabler, has released its AI Native Core Network White Paper during Network X 2026 outlining how it plans to evolve towards an AI-native telecom network by 2030. The paper explains how the group aims to embed AI directly into its network's design and operations to support emerging digital services and improve reliability.

stc group continues to advance its network capabilities to support AI-driven applications and changing connectivity needs. The group is upgrading its core network, which manages user connections and delivers communications services. By integrating AI deeply into this infrastructure, stc group aims to help the network adapt to changing service requirements and resolve issues with less manual intervention.

The white paper highlights how advances in AI and 5G-Advanced, the next stage of 5G, are increasing network complexity. Services such as AI-enabled calling and immersive communications require faster, more responsive connectivity. AI agents, software systems that carry out tasks on users' behalf, also need networks to coordinate communications and computing resources around each task.

To address these requirements, the paper sets out stc's approach spanning AI-native infrastructure, network functions and autonomous operations. It details how the group plans to develop the infrastructure needed to run AI, embed intelligence within network functions and automate more operations. These capabilities would help the network allocate resources more efficiently and recover from faults faster, while allowing engineers to focus on service improvement and oversight.

The release of this whitepaper marks an important milestone in stc group's network evolution, building a scalable foundation for future AI services, AI agents, intelligent interaction scenarios, and next-generation 5G-A and 6G applications. Building on its existing investments, the group aims to improve network reliability, support the next generation of digital services and accelerate the industry's transition from Cloud Native to AI Native networks.

About stc group:

stc group is a digital enabler, offering advanced solutions and driving a role in the digitalization process. The group provides a comprehensive suite of services encompassing digital infrastructure, cloud computing, cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), digital payments, digital media, and digital entertainment. The group comprises 13 subsidiaries across The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.

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Boots Group Finco L.P. and The Boots Group Luxco S.à r.l. Announce Launch of Consent Solicitation for their €650,000,000 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2032 and £375,000,000 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2032

LONDON, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Boots Group Finco L.P. and The Boots Group Luxco S.à r.l. (together, the "Co-Issuers") today announced that they have commenced a consent solicitation (the "Consent Solicitation") from holders (the "Holders") of their outstanding €650,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2032 (the "EUR Notes") and £375,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2032 (the "GBP Notes" and, together with the EUR Notes, the "Notes"), as set forth in the table below, for the adoption of certain proposed amendments to the indenture dated as of August 1, 2025 governing the Notes, as supplemented from time to time (the "Indenture"). The terms and conditions of the Consent Solicitation are set forth in a consent solicitation statement dated as of October 19, 2026 (the "Consent Solicitation Statement").

The Acquisition and the Proposed Acquisition Amendments

On October 7, 2026, Oak UK Bidco Limited (the "Buyer"), which is directly or indirectly owned by funds managed, formed, controlled or advised by Wittington Investments, Limited ("Wittington"), together with funds managed, formed, controlled or advised by Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited ("Fairfax"), entered into a share purchase agreement (the "Share Purchase Agreement") by and among, inter alios, The Boots Group Limited (the "Seller"), and Blazing Star Boots Superco (Jersey) Limited (the "Company") and the Buyer. Pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement, the Buyer will, subject to the terms and conditions thereof acquire all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of the Company (the "Acquisition" and the time at which the Acquisition is completed, the "Effective Time").

Under the Indenture as of the date of this press release, the completion of the Acquisition would constitute a Specified Change of Control Event (as such term is defined in the Indenture) and therefore would not require the Co-Issuers to make a Change of Control Offer (as such term is defined in the Indenture) even if the Proposed Acquisition Amendments are not made. The effectiveness of the Proposed Acquisition Amendments is not a condition to the completion of the Acquisition.

Subject to the conditions described in the Consent Solicitation Statement, the Co-Issuers are seeking consents from Holders to: (i) amend the defined terms "Sponsor" and "Investors" in the Indenture in order to refer to Wittington, Fairfax and their respective related persons to reflect the Acquisition, and (ii) add to, amend, supplement or change certain other defined terms and provisions contained in the Indenture and to make any other changes to the Indenture of a technical or conforming nature, in each case related to the foregoing (collectively, the "Proposed Acquisition Amendments").

The Consent Solicitation will expire at 4:00 p.m., London time, on October 23, 2026, unless extended or earlier terminated by the Co-Issuers (subject to the prior consent of the Buyer) in their sole discretion (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the "Expiration Date").

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Consent Solicitation, the Co-Issuers will pay, or cause to be paid, to each Holder who validly delivers (and does not validly revoke) a consent to the Proposed Acquisition Amendments on or prior to the Expiration Date a cash payment equal to €2.50 per €1,000 principal amount of the EUR Notes and £2.50 per £1,000 principal amount of the GBP Notes, in each case for which such consents are validly delivered and not validly revoked (the "Consent Fee").

The payment of the Consent Fee is conditioned upon the satisfaction or waiver (subject to the prior consent of the Buyer) of the conditions set forth in the Consent Solicitation Statement, including the receipt of the Requisite Consents (as defined below) on or prior to the Expiration Date and the closing of the Acquisition (which condition may not be waived).

As described in the Consent Solicitation Statement, the Consent Fee will be paid on the date on which the Effective Time occurs or promptly thereafter. The Acquisition is currently expected to be consummated in the first half of 2027, but this date may be extended pursuant to the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement.

If the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly deliver consents to the Proposed Acquisition Amendments (the "Requisite Consents") on or prior to the Expiration Date and do not validly revoke the Requisite Consents prior to the earlier of the Consent Time (as defined below) and the Expiration Date, the Co-Issuers expect to promptly execute a supplemental indenture (the "Supplemental Indenture") effecting the Proposed Acquisition Amendments (such time of execution, the "Consent Time"). The Consent Time may occur prior to the Expiration Date.

In accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the EUR Notes and the GBP Notes will be treated as a single class in determining whether the Requisite Consents have been received. For the purposes of determining whether the Requisite Consents have been received, the principal amount of the Notes will be determined as the U.S. dollar equivalent thereof, converted at the spot rate at 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Business Day immediately preceding the date on which the Supplemental Indenture is executed.

The Supplemental Indenture will be effective immediately upon execution thereof as to all Holders and their transferees, whether or not a Holder has delivered a consent. However, the Proposed Acquisition Amendments will not become operative until immediately prior to the Effective Time and will cease to be operative if the Acquisition is not consummated or the Co-Issuers do not pay, or cause to be paid, the Consent Fee for the benefit of the relevant Holders. Consents may be validly revoked at any time prior to the earlier of the Consent Time and the Expiration Date, but not thereafter. Holders who validly deliver consents after the Consent Time but on or prior to the Expiration Date will remain eligible to receive the Consent Fee.

In the event that the Requisite Consents are not obtained on or prior to the Expiration Date or the Consent Solicitation is terminated, all consents will automatically terminate and be of no further effect, the Supplemental Indenture will not be executed, the Proposed Acquisition Amendments will not become operative and no Consent Fee will be paid. In such event, the Indenture and the Notes will remain in full force and effect in accordance with their existing terms.

All of the Notes are held in book-entry form through Euroclear Bank SA/NV and Clearstream Banking S.A. Consents may only be delivered by a valid electronic consent instruction submitted through the relevant clearing system in accordance with its procedures, in a minimum principal amount of €100,000 and integral multiples of €1,000 in excess thereof in respect of the EUR Notes and a minimum principal amount of £100,000 and integral multiples of £1,000 in excess thereof in respect of the GBP Notes.

Notes in respect of which consents are delivered will be blocked in the relevant clearing system until the earliest of (i) the later of the Consent Time and the Expiration Date, (ii) the valid revocation of the relevant consent and (iii) the termination or expiration of the Consent Solicitation without the Requisite Consents having been received. Holders should note that the deadlines set by the clearing systems and any intermediary may be earlier than those set out in the Consent Solicitation Statement. Consents submitted by or on behalf of Sanctions Restricted Persons (as defined in the Consent Solicitation Statement) will not be accepted.

The complete terms and conditions of the Consent Solicitation are set forth in the Consent Solicitation Statement, copies of which will be made available upon request from the Information and Tabulation Agent (as defined below). As described in the Consent Solicitation Statement, the Co-Issuers reserve the right (subject to the prior consent of the Buyer), in their sole discretion and for any reason, to amend, terminate or extend the Consent Solicitation at any time and from time to time, whether or not the Requisite Consents have been received.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and CIBC World Markets Corp. are serving as solicitation agents (the "Solicitation Agents") in connection with the Consent Solicitation. D.F. King Ltd. is serving as information and tabulation agent (the "Information and Tabulation Agent") in connection with the Consent Solicitation.

Questions concerning the terms of the Consent Solicitation and requests for additional copies of the Consent Solicitation Statement may be directed to the Information and Tabulation Agent, D.F. King Ltd., 51 Lime Street, London EC3M 7DQ, Tel: +44 20 7920 9700 or by email to [email protected]. The Solicitation Agents may be contacted at: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 1585 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10036, Attn: Liability Management Group, Collect: (212) 761-1057, Toll-Free: (800) 624-1808, Email: [email protected]; and CIBC World Markets Corp. at 300 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10017, Attn: Execution Management Group, Toll-Free: (800) 282-0822, Email: [email protected]. The results of the Consent Solicitation will be published at https://clients.dfkingltd.com/boots/.

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, or an offer to purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or sell, any security. The Consent Solicitation is being made solely pursuant to the terms of the Consent Solicitation Statement.

Can Multigenerational Community Networks Solve America's Senior Care Crisis? "All Access hosted by Andy Garcia" Examines Ascentria Care Alliance

A new educational segment explores how interconnected social services, workforce development, and immigrant integration address systemic healthcare shortages across New England.

BOSTON, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Filmed on location in Worcester, Massachusetts, an upcoming educational feature for "All Access hosted by Andy Garcia" examines the convergence of a rapidly aging national population and a dwindling caregiving workforce. The broadcast explores how traditional healthcare systems struggle to meet the long-term needs of older adults when operating in isolation. By examining the social determinants of health, the segment demonstrates how strengthening foundational support systems, including housing stability, transportation, and language access, creates sustainable community infrastructure capable of supporting individuals across every stage of life.

The story highlights Ascentria Care Alliance and its holistic strategy to rebuild community-based care networks. Facing severe labor shortages in human services, the organization implements adult education, career training, and refugee resettlement programs to cultivate a resilient workforce. Viewers gain insight into how addressing language barriers and supporting working families creates vital talent pipelines for healthcare. By framing senior care as a collective societal responsibility, the narrative shows how relational support networks reduce health risks associated with social isolation.

"At Ascentria, we see workforce development, immigrant integration, and human services as deeply interconnected. When we help newcomers build meaningful careers, support families in becoming self-sufficient, and strengthen the networks surrounding older adults, we are building a stronger caregiving system for everyone. The future of care depends on recognizing that every person has something to contribute and that thriving communities are built when we care for one another across generations." - Angela Bovill, CEO, Ascentria Care Alliance

Across the human services landscape, administrative efficiency drives an increased reliance on algorithmic tools and automated systems. While digital platforms streamline scheduling and intake protocols, social care leaders emphasize that technological systems cannot address the underlying causes of social isolation or caregiving shortages. Over-reliance on automated logic risks treating care recipients as data points rather than individuals within a community. Sustainable human services require relational infrastructure built on empathy, cultural understanding, and direct human connection, ensuring that technological tools serve operational logistics without attempting to replace essential caregiving relationships.

Simultaneously, healthcare providers encounter compounding challenges as workforce shortages intersect with rising demographic demands. Aging in place requires broader access to reliable transportation, affordable housing, and localized language interpretation services. When these social safety nets fracture, vulnerable adults face increased risks of chronic illness and emergency hospitalization. Investing in community-level support systems addresses these vulnerabilities prior to clinical intervention. By integrating refugees, immigrants, and local residents into professional caregiving roles, organizations establish stable workforce channels that reinforce local economies while providing essential support to aging populations.

About "All Access hosted by Andy Garcia": "All Access hosted by Andy Garcia" is an independent short-form documentary series distributed to Public Television stations nationwide. The program presents educational stories covering technological innovation, social progress, and industry developments. To learn more, visit allaccessptv.com.

About Ascentria Care Alliance: Ascentria Care Alliance is a nonprofit human services organization serving communities across New England. Founded on a legacy of compassionate community support, the organization provides holistic programming spanning senior care, workforce development, disability services, refugee resettlement, and family support. For additional information, visit www.ascentria.org.

SOURCE All Access

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