THE ORGANIZATION WILL SUPPORT AFRICAN-LED PARTNERS TREATING AND PREVENTING OBSTETRIC FISTULA ACROSS FIVE COUNTRIES

BEND, Ore., Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Worldwide Fistula Fund and Terrewode Women's Fund have merged to form Maternal Dignity Project, a nonprofit supporting African-led organizations working to treat and prevent obstetric fistula.

Obstetric fistula is a childbirth injury that occurs when a woman in labor cannot get an emergency Cesarean section in time. An estimated 500,000 women are living with the injury worldwide. It is both preventable and treatable, yet many women live with it for years without ever being told that repair is possible.

The merged organization supports partners in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Niger and Uganda, including ARENA Medical Center, founded by Dr. Itengre Ouedraogo as Burkina Faso's first dedicated fistula center; Let's End Fistula Initiative in Kenya, founded by survivor and advocate Sarah Omega; and TERREWODE in Uganda, known internationally for its work supporting women after surgery and building Uganda's only dedicated fistula hospital.

"Every woman with fistula today is living with something we already know how to prevent and repair," said Bonnie Ruder, executive director of Maternal Dignity Project. "That is the part I cannot accept. Our partners have spent years proving what works, often with too little funding and largely on their own. Together we can put more behind them and help them end fistula for good."

The two former organizations funded overlapping work for years and shared a commitment to supporting leaders working in their own communities.

Maternal Dignity Project plans to expand its prevention work. As more women give birth in health facilities, the causes of fistula are shifting, with a growing share of injuries linked to C-sections performed by providers who lack adequate training and resources. Several partners are currently researching this shift.

The expertise to end fistula already exists, and it sits with the clinicians, survivors, and support groups who have been doing this work for decades. Maternal Dignity Project was formed to back them until no woman anywhere experiences fistula.

About Maternal Dignity Project

Maternal Dignity Project is a U.S.-based nonprofit with deep, longstanding partnerships with African-led organizations preventing and treating obstetric fistula and related childbirth injuries.

Contact

Dori Valerio

[email protected] 

+1 (631) 334-5672

SOURCE Maternal Dignity Project

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- Phase III clinical study of VQW-765 in adults with social anxiety disorder did not meet its primary endpoint

- Consistent with prior studies, VQW-765 was safe and well tolerated

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Vanda) (Nasdaq: VNDA) today provided an update on its clinical development program for VQW-765, a novel small molecule alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) partial agonist. Vanda's Phase III clinical study, VP-VQW-765-3201 (Study 3201), which evaluated VQW-765 for the on-demand treatment of acute anxiety in adults with social anxiety disorder, did not meet its primary endpoint.

Study 3201 (NCT07221578)1 was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III study conducted at approximately 30 clinical sites in the U.S. The study randomized 546 adults 18 to 65 years of age with a current diagnosis of social anxiety disorder and elevated baseline scores on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale and Public Speaking Anxiety Scale. Participants received a single oral dose of VQW-765 or placebo in a 1:1 ratio and were then challenged with a psychosocial stress test, the standardized Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). The TSST induces acute stress by having participants prepare (anticipation phase) and then deliver (performance phase) an interview-style presentation to a panel that gives no feedback or encouragement.

The primary endpoint was the level of distress during the performance phase of the TSST in the female population, as measured by the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS), on which participants rate their nervousness or distress from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater distress. Female participants who received VQW-765 did not show a statistically significant difference from those who received placebo. The study also did not meet the key secondary endpoint of SUDS during the performance phase of the TSST in the full (male and female) population.

Study 3201 was designed to confirm the findings of Vanda's earlier Phase II clinical study, VP-VQW-765-2201 (Study 2201), in which participants with a history of performance anxiety who received VQW-765 reported numerically lower stress levels during the TSST than those who received placebo. The Phase III results did not confirm those findings.

"We are disappointed that Study 3201 did not confirm the earlier Phase II findings2 for VQW-765 in patients with social anxiety disorder," said Mihael H. Polymeropoulos, M.D., President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Vanda Pharmaceuticals. "We thank the participants, investigators and site staff who made this study possible."

Given these results, the VQW-765 program is on hold pending further analysis of the full dataset. 

About VQW-765

VQW-765 is a novel small molecule alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) partial agonist, with potential use for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. VQW-765 binds and enhances the activity of one type of nicotinic receptors composed of a pentameric assembly of the alpha 7 subtype. While nicotine can also bind this receptor, the binding affinity of VQW-765 is much higher than that of nicotine, making it a potent and specific molecule for the alpha 7 receptor. VQW-765, formerly known as AQW-051, was licensed to Vanda from Novartis.

About Performance Anxiety

Over 20% of the U.S. population is estimated to experience debilitating performance anxiety that ranges from public speaking to test taking, writer's block and musical performance. The most common type of performance anxiety is public speaking anxiety. People with performance anxiety report that the condition can hinder or even threaten their professional career of choice. Similarly, musicians report that performance anxiety makes them perform at levels below their capabilities. Currently, there is no FDA-approved drug treatment available for performance anxiety and general anti-anxiolytic drugs tend to be sedating, which is not preferred in a performance situation.

About Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Vanda is a leading global biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies to address high unmet medical needs and improve the lives of patients. For more on Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc., please visit www.vandapharma.com and follow us on X @vandapharma.

References

1. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07221578.

2. He Y, Polymeropoulos CM, Mohrman MA, et al. Efficacy and safety of an alpha 7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, VQW-765, in subjects with performance anxiety: randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry. 2025;227(1):473-480. doi:10.1192/bjp.2025.84

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Various statements in this press release, including but not limited to statements regarding Vanda's clinical development plans for VQW-765; Vanda's clinical development plans for the rest of its late-stage pipeline and the estimated prevalence in the U.S. of performance anxiety are "forward-looking statements" under the securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements.Forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations that involve risks, changes in circumstances, assumptions and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in Vanda's forward-looking statements include, among others, the outcome of Vanda's analysis of the full dataset from Study 3201; and the accuracy of the estimates of the prevalence in the U.S. of performance anxiety. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the results or developments anticipated by Vanda will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Vanda. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the various risks and uncertainties that affect Vanda's business and market, particularly those identified in the "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements", "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of Vanda's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by Vanda's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at www.sec.gov.

All written and verbal forward-looking statements attributable to Vanda or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein. Vanda cautions investors not to rely too heavily on the forward-looking statements Vanda makes or that are made on its behalf. The information in this press release is provided only as of the date of this press release, and Vanda undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines any obligation, to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Corporate Contact:

Kevin Moran

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.

202-734-3400

[email protected]

Jim Golden / Jack Kelleher / Dan Moore

Collected Strategies

[email protected]

Follow us on X @vandapharma

SOURCE Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.

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NOIDA, India, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Dry Type Transformer Market – Growth, Share, Opportunities & Competitive Analysis, 2024–2032" report has been added to the Credence Research Inc. offering.

The global Dry Type Transformer Market was valued at USD 7,074.50 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 12,617.21 million by 2032, registering a CAGR of 7.50% during the assessment period. Investment in electrical distribution, commercial buildings, renewable integration and data centers is strengthening demand for oil-free transformer designs. Dry type units are gaining attention in indoor and safety-sensitive installations where operators prioritize fire performance, lower spill risk, maintenance access and predictable electrical losses.

Key Takeaways

- The global market is projected to expand from USD 7,074.5 million in 2024 to USD 12,617.21 million by 2032 at a CAGR of 7.5%.

- Asia Pacific leads with 34% of 2024 revenue, followed by North America at 28% and Europe at 25%.

- Cast resin transformers lead the product category with more than 52% share, according to the Credence Research assessment.

- Industrial electrification, urban buildings, rail systems and data centers support demand for fire-safe distribution equipment.

- Factory capacity investment and localized production are becoming important differentiators amid delivery lead times and customization requirements.

- Initial cost, thermal constraints and application-specific cooling needs remain key purchase considerations.

Scope & Segmentation – Dry Type Transformer Market

The report provides an in-depth analysis of the Dry Type Transformer Market, including market drivers, demand patterns, technology or product trends, competitive positioning and revenue forecasts through 2032. The study assesses commercial and operating factors affecting procurement, adoption and investment decisions.

The Dry Type Transformer Market is segmented across the following dimensions:

- By Core design, the report covers Closed core and Shell core.

- By Product, the report covers Open-wound dry type and Cast resin dry type.

- By Winding configuration, the report covers Two-winding and Autotransformer.

- By Geography, the report covers North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East and Africa.

Access crucial information at unmatched prices!

Request a sample of the report and evaluate the market opportunity: View the Credence Research report

Why This Report Matters

- The report connects transformer purchasing to broader electrical infrastructure investment, including grid upgrades and higher-density power distribution.

- It helps manufacturers and buyers assess the trade-offs among fire safety, thermal performance, insulation technology, upfront cost and lifecycle maintenance.

- It highlights capacity investment and geographic sourcing decisions that can influence procurement lead times and service coverage.

Market Overview

Dry type transformers transfer electrical energy without using liquid insulation or cooling oil. Designs include cast resin and open-wound configurations selected according to voltage class, load profile, indoor space, environmental exposure and safety requirements. Buyers weigh electrical efficiency, temperature rise, fire performance, installation conditions and long-term maintenance when choosing equipment.

Electrification and the construction of power-intensive facilities are expanding the need for distribution capacity. Data centers, transport infrastructure, commercial complexes and industrial plants require reliable electrical equipment with predictable thermal behavior. Manufacturers are investing in winding technology, insulation materials, factory automation and digital monitoring to address these requirements.

Market Insights

- Asia Pacific's 34% share reflects industrial growth, urban construction and renewable-energy infrastructure investment.

- North America's 28% share is supported by electrical upgrades and large commercial and data center projects.

- Europe accounts for 25% of the market, with safety requirements and infrastructure renewal shaping demand.

- Cast resin technology leads the product category, while open-wound systems remain relevant where project specifications favor their performance and service characteristics.

Key Attributes

Segmentation

By Core design

Closed core • Shell core

By Product

Open-wound dry type • Cast resin dry type

By Winding configuration

Two-winding • Autotransformer

By Geography

North America • Europe • Asia Pacific • Latin America • Middle East and Africa

Market Drivers

Electrification expands distribution equipment needs

Electricity demand growth in manufacturing, transport, buildings and digital infrastructure is increasing transformer procurement. Dry type systems serve installations where oil containment, fire risk or indoor space are important constraints. Their role in medium-voltage distribution makes project pipelines in data centers and industrial campuses especially relevant.

Grid upgrades and energy projects support replacement demand

Utilities and industrial owners are modernizing substations and local distribution networks to handle new loads and renewable generation. Replacement programs encourage buyers to evaluate efficiency, monitoring and maintainability rather than first cost alone. Transformer suppliers with design and testing capacity can compete for higher-specification orders.

Market Trends and Opportunities

Capacity expansion and shorter regional supply chains offer competitive advantages when transformer delivery schedules influence project completion. Digital condition monitoring and better thermal management can also support premium products for mission-critical applications.

Growth in rail electrification, data centers and complex industrial facilities creates demand for application-engineered designs. Suppliers that support specification, testing, commissioning and after-sales service can differentiate beyond basic equipment pricing.

Regional Analysis

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific held 34% of 2024 revenue, the largest regional share. Manufacturing investment, renewable integration and urban electrification support procurement in China, India and Japan. Local engineering and factory capacity remain important to project execution.

North America

North America accounted for 28% in 2024. Data center expansion, commercial retrofits and power infrastructure investment are strengthening demand for oil-free equipment, particularly where installations require stringent fire and safety performance.

Europe

Europe represented 25% in 2024. Grid modernization, rail applications and building efficiency standards support demand, while manufacturers are investing in regional dry type transformer capacity to improve responsiveness.

Latin America

Latin America held 7% in 2024. Industrial projects, mining facilities and grid upgrades create selective demand for durable distribution equipment and localized service.

Middle East and Africa

The combined region accounted for 6% in 2024. Commercial infrastructure, utilities and industrial development create opportunities, with high ambient temperatures making thermal engineering and application suitability important.

Market Challenges

Dry type designs may carry higher upfront costs than comparable liquid-filled equipment. Project teams must evaluate the total installed cost, including enclosure, ventilation, losses and maintenance. Product choice depends on site conditions rather than a universal preference for one technology.

Thermal management and overload capability can limit suitability for some demanding environments. Suppliers must document ratings, cooling arrangements, temperature rise and compliance with applicable standards. Capacity constraints and lead times may also influence procurement decisions.

Future Outlook

Infrastructure electrification should sustain demand for medium-voltage and application-engineered dry type transformers through 2032. Suppliers will continue investing in automation, insulation systems and testing capacity to improve throughput and product consistency.

Customers are expected to place greater emphasis on delivery reliability, lifecycle efficiency and technical support, especially in projects where power availability determines commissioning schedules.

Competitive Landscape

The market includes multinational electrical equipment groups and specialized transformer manufacturers. Hitachi Energy, Schneider Electric, Eaton, Fuji Electric, CG Power and regional suppliers compete across product ratings, engineering support and distribution networks. Hammond Power Solutions also participates in dry type transformer manufacturing and is expanding its broader electrical portfolio.

Product differentiation depends on electrical performance, fire safety, thermal design, factory testing and delivery schedules. Recent manufacturing investments highlight the importance of capacity and regional supply resilience. Vendor comparisons should consider application fit and installed lifecycle cost, not only nameplate capacity.

Key Player Analysis

- Hitachi Energy

- Schneider Electric

- Eaton

- Fuji Electric

- CG Power and Industrial Solutions

- Raychem RPG

- Bharat Heavy Electricals

- Hammond Power Solutions

- Kirloskar Electric

- Siemens Energy

Recent Industry Developments

- In January 2025, Hitachi Energy announced a 30 million-euro investment to expand its dry type transformer factory in Zaragoza, Spain, with a new facility planned for completion by the end of 2026.

- In April 2025, Hitachi Energy announced a $22.5 million investment to expand and modernize dry type transformer manufacturing in southwest Virginia, including a new 75,000-square-foot facility.

- In September 2026, Hammond Power Solutions announced plans for a manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas, to expand capacity for standard and custom-engineered transformers, with phased production expected to begin in 2027.

NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con Edison) (NYSE: ED) plans to report its 3rd Quarter 2026 earnings on November 5, 2026 after the market closes.

Consolidated Edison, Inc. is a holding company that provides a wide range of energy-related products and services to its customers through the following subsidiaries: Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (CECONY), a regulated utility providing electric service in New York City and New York's Westchester County, gas service in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens and parts of Westchester, and steam service in Manhattan; Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R), a regulated utility serving customers in a 1,300-square-mile area in southeastern New York State and northern New Jersey; and Con Edison Transmission, Inc., a regulated company primarily under the oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, that develops and owns interests in electric transmission projects.

SOURCE Consolidated Edison, Inc.

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LAS VEGAS, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors for Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. ("Southwest Gas") (NYSE: SWX) has declared the following fourth quarter cash dividend:

The dividend equates to $2.58 per share on an annualized basis. The Company has paid quarterly dividends continuously since going public in 1956.

Additional dividend information, including the tax status of Southwest Gas' dividend distributions, can be obtained through the Investor Relations section of Southwest Gas' website, www.swgasholdings.com.

About Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.:

Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc., through its primary operating subsidiary Southwest Gas Corporation, engages in the business of purchasing, distributing, and transporting natural gas for its customers. Southwest Gas Corporation is a dynamic energy company committed to exceeding the expectations of over 2 million customers in Arizona, Nevada, and California by providing safe, reliable, and affordable service while pursuing innovative sustainable energy solutions to fuel the growth in its communities.

SOURCE Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.

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ST. LOUIS, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Martin J. Lyons Jr., chairman, president and CEO of Ameren Corp. (NYSE: AEE), and Leonard P. Singh, executive vice president and CFO of Ameren Corp., will discuss Third Quarter 2026 earnings, earnings guidance and other matters in a conference call with financial analysts at 9 a.m. Central time (10 a.m. Eastern time) on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. 

The call will be broadcast live over the internet on AmerenInvestors.com. Supporting materials for the call will be posted in the "Investors" section of this website under "Events and Presentations." A replay of the webcast will be available for one year beginning approximately one hour after the close of the call.

About Ameren Corporation

St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.5 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric generation, transmission and distribution services, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops, owns and operates rate-regulated regional electric transmission projects in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn.com/company/Ameren. 

SOURCE Ameren Corporation

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Select Water Solutions, Inc. Announces Pricing of Upsized $900 Million of 7.625% Senior Notes Due 2034

GAINESVILLE, Texas, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Select Water Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: WTTR) ("Select," "we" or "our") announced today that its subsidiary Select Water Holdings LLC (the "Issuer") has priced its previously announced offer (the "Notes Offering") pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), to eligible purchasers of $900 million aggregate principal amount of 7.625% Senior Notes due 2034 (the "Notes"). The Notes Offering was upsized from an initial offering amount of $800 million. The Notes mature on November 1, 2034 and pay interest at the rate of 7.625% per year, payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year. The first interest payment on the Notes will be made on May 1, 2027. The Notes were priced at par. The Notes will be guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by the Issuer's existing subsidiaries that are borrowers or guarantors under its revolving credit facility and future restricted subsidiaries that guarantee certain indebtedness of the Issuer or a guarantor under any credit facility. This offering is expected to close on October 21, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

The Issuer intends to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with cash on hand, (i) to fund a portion of the cash consideration for the previously announced acquisition of Pilot Water Solutions LLC ("Pilot Water" and such acquisition, the "Pilot Water Acquisition"), (ii) to repay the outstanding obligations under our term loan facility in full and repay any outstanding loans (together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon) under our existing revolving credit facility, (iii) to pay the fees, premiums, expenses and costs incurred in connection with the foregoing and the transactions related thereto and (iv) for general corporate purposes and working capital. This offering is not contingent on the consummation of the Pilot Water Acquisition.

If (i) the Pilot Water Acquisition has not been completed on or prior to March 1, 2027 (or such later date as the outside date under the Pilot Water Acquisition agreement shall be extended by agreement of the parties thereto) (the "Outside Date") or (ii) prior to the Outside Date, the Issuer notifies U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, the trustee of the Notes, that the Pilot Water Acquisition agreement has been terminated without the closing thereunder or that the Issuer will not pursue the consummation of the Pilot Water Acquisition, the Issuer will be required to redeem an aggregate principal amount of Notes equal to the principal amount of Notes issued in this offering less $450 million, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the issue price of the Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.

The Notes and the related guarantees have not been registered under the Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and, unless so registered, the Notes and the guarantees may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The Issuer plans to offer and sell the Notes only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and outside of the United States to non-U.S. persons pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

About Select Water Solutions, Inc.

Select is a leading provider of sustainable water and chemical solutions to the energy industry. These solutions are supported by Select's critical water infrastructure assets, chemical manufacturing and water treatment and recycling capabilities.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this communication other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements which contain our current expectations about our future results. We have attempted to identify any forward-looking statements by using words such as "could," "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "project," "will," "estimates," "preliminary," "forecast" and other similar expressions. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Pilot Water Acquisition and statements regarding the Notes Offering and the use of proceeds therefrom. Although we believe that the expectations reflected, and the assumptions or bases underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, events or financial positions to differ materially from those included within or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include the risks and other factors discussed or referenced in the "Risk Factors" section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and those set forth from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, unless required by law.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes or any other securities and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a sale of, the Notes or any other securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

SOURCE Select Water Solutions, Inc.

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LEHI, Utah and LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Waystar Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: WAY), a provider of leading healthcare payment software, today announced it will report financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, after market close on Monday, November 2, 2026. The company will discuss its financial results on a conference call at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time that same day.

A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available on Waystar's investor relations website at https://investors.waystar.com/news-events/events. The webcast will be archived on the site for those unable to listen in real time.

About Waystar

Waystar's mission-critical software is purpose-built to simplify healthcare payments so providers can prioritize patient care and optimize their financial performance. Waystar serves over 30,000 clients, representing over 1 million distinct providers, including 16 of 20 institutions on the U.S. News Best Hospitals list. Waystar's enterprise-grade platform annually processes over 7.5 billion healthcare payment transactions, including over $2.4 trillion in annual gross claims and spanning approximately 60% of U.S. patients and one in three U.S. hospital discharges. Waystar strives to transform healthcare payments so providers can focus on what matters most: their patients and communities. Discover the way forward at waystar.com.

Media Contact

Kristin Lee

[email protected]

Investor Contact

Edward Parker

[email protected]

SOURCE Waystar

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SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The RealReal (Nasdaq: REAL)—the world's largest online marketplace for authenticated, resale luxury goods—today announced that it will release its financial results for the third quarter, ended September 30, 2026, after the market closes on October 29, 2026.

The RealReal will host a conference call at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) to review its financial results.

A live webcast of the conference call will be available online at investor.therealreal.com. The archived webcast will be available shortly after the call at the same location.

To access the live webcast, please register at this link: https://the-realreal-earnings-call-q3-2026.open-exchange.net/

About The RealReal Inc.

The RealReal is the world's largest online marketplace for authenticated resale luxury goods, trusted by a community of 45 million members. Its full-service consignment model across fashion, fine jewelry and watches, art and home, makes it easy for customers to buy and sell luxury wherever they are. The Company combines rigorous, expert-led authentication with AI and proprietary technology to optimize operations and pricing while streamlining the customer experience. Backed by 15 years of proprietary data and more than 50 million items sold, The RealReal has become the preferred destination for modern luxury resale, redefining the luxury lifecycle.

SOURCE The RealReal

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New AI platform GenoMorph identifies candidate regulatory DNA linked to the dodo's distinctive craniofacial anatomy, while technologies adapted from earlier species programs advance Nicobar pigeon germ-cell development, chicken stem-cell chimeras and embryo gene editing.

DALLAS, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Colossal Biosciences, the world's first de-extinction company, today announced new scientific milestones that will accelerate dodo de-extinction efforts. Building on last year's advances in pigeon primordial germ cells, gene-edited chicken surrogates and comparative avian genomes, today Colossal unveiled GenoMorph, its AI platform developed to identify potential gene-editing targets from limited genomic data. Applied to the dodo program, the platform identified an estimated 2,300 candidate regulatory elements associated with avian beak size and shape. Colossal also announced advances across its avian de-extinction pipeline, including substantially improving the dodo genome assembly through the use of technology from its dire wolf project, an expanded Nicobar pigeon colony, newly derived Nicobar primordial germ cells, chicken embryonic-stem-cell chimeras and a breakthrough lipid-nanoparticle system for gene editing delivery in avian embryos. Together, these capabilities provide the genomic, cellular and reproductive foundation required to translate predicted dodo traits into experimentally validated edits.

Colossal Develops GenoMorph, a New Internal AI Platform  

Colossal has developed GenoMorph, an AI-powered platform that identifies potential gene-editing targets for de-extinction projects with limited genomic data. The platform combines comparative genomics, developmental biology and high-resolution 3D morphology to predict which regulatory elements may be active during development and identifies those most strongly associated with differences in physical form.

Unlike protein-coding genes, which provide instructions for building an animal, regulatory DNA controls when, where and how strongly those instructions are activated. These genetic "switches" help shape traits such as the size and structure of a bird's skull and beak.

"De-extinction is as much a data problem as a biology problem," said Ben Lamm, CEO and Co-Founder of Colossal. "Because so few dodo genomes survive, we cannot rely on the population-level comparisons available for many living species. Our GenoMorph platform provides another path: it learns how regulatory DNA shapes living birds, then identifies the genetic switches that may have contributed to the dodo's distinctive anatomy. This is more than a solution for the dodo. It provides a repeatable approach for extinct species whose genomic records are similarly limited."

To build GenoMorph, Colossal's avian team created an avian regulatory atlas using hundreds of samples from chickens, quail, ducks and pigeons. The samples covered six stages of embryonic development and three regions of the developing face. The team then combined these data with genomes and CT-derived skull measurements from more than 70 bird species, including the Nicobar pigeon, the dodo's closest living relative, mapped using 541 anatomical landmarks.

The analysis identified 653 candidate regulatory elements associated with beak size and 1,698 associated with beak thickness and breadth. These findings do not yet establish that the elements cause those traits; instead, they provide prioritized targets for experimental testing. Elements confirmed to influence craniofacial development may then be considered for precision genome editing in the Nicobar pigeon, providing a data-driven path toward reconstructing key aspects of the dodo's distinctive anatomy.

"The dodo's defining anatomy emerged from networks of regulatory instructions that are difficult to interpret from ancient DNA alone," said Beth Shapiro, PhD, Colossal's Chief Science Officer. "The answer turned out to be comparative: use the breadth of living bird diversity, combined with AI, to identify candidate loci for the next phase of testing. By learning how skulls and beaks develop across living birds, GenoMorph allows us to prioritize the regulatory changes most likely to have shaped the dodo and move them into functional validation. It establishes a repeatable framework for connecting ancient genomes to extinct traits."

"You cannot train AI to answer a precise developmental question using just generic data," said Anna Keyte, Avian Species Director at Colossal. "We needed to capture how regulatory activity changes across species, developmental stages and different regions of the face. Building that dataset required more than a year of focused experimental work, and it is what allows GenoMorph to generate biologically meaningful predictions."

Candidate elements are now entering functional-validation studies. Those confirmed to influence craniofacial development may be prioritized for precision editing in the Nicobar pigeon genome. Preliminary findings have been presented at the Craniofacial Gordon Research Conference and the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution annual conference and the 2026 Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution annual meeting.

While this work advances the dodo de-extinction program, its scientific implications extend well beyond a single species. The ability to predict developmentally active regulatory DNA from genome sequence alone, and to validate that against quantitative morphological data across a broad comparative sample, provides a scalable framework for studying the genetic basis of complex anatomical traits in any bird lineage. This includes endangered species for which large population genomic datasets are unlikely ever to exist, where identifying functionally relevant regulatory variants has previously been intractable.

Dire Wolf Technology Is Helping Build a More Complete Dodo Genome

The dodo genome assembly that Colossal's team is using is of extremely high quality for ancient DNA, thanks to the excellent preservation of the dodo specimen from which the genomic data was extracted. However, the fragmented nature of ancient DNA means that, despite this excellent preservation, gaps in the genome sequence remain that can impact analysis. Through the dire wolf program, the company developed a computational genome-assembly method that, applied to improve the dodo genome assembly, demonstrates how technologies created for one de-extinction project can be refined and applied across Colossal's broader species portfolio.

Ancient DNA is fragmented into short strands of surviving DNA, damaged due to degradation, and the genome sequence is often substantially different from that of its closest living relative. Conventional assembly methods map ancient DNA fragments against a living reference genome—in this case, the Nicobar pigeon—and may discard fragments that are too divergent to align. This can leave gaps in the assembly and bias the reconstructed genome toward the living species.

Colossal's published iterative assembly method addresses this limitation by using newly mapped dodo DNA to progressively update the reference genome. The updated reference is then used to map the ancient DNA again, allowing previously unmatched fragments to "walk" into gaps with each successive round. After repeating this process until the number of newly recovered dodo sequences reached a plateau, the result is a substantially more complete assembly than would have been possible through a conventional single-pass approach. Our dodo genome has, for example, 95% of bases covered at least 5-fold (meaning that at least five unique ancient DNA molecules map to more than 95% of letters in the genome), and an average coverage of 65-fold.

"We are in the final stages of our analysis of the dodo genome, with much more to come after the genome paper goes through peer review. In the meantime, it's been rewarding to see that an approach developed for the dire wolf is now producing value across another species program. That repeatability is central to Colossal's model: every scientific breakthrough becomes part of a scalable technology platform that can accelerate the programs that follow," said Beth Shapiro.

Colossal Expands Its Nicobar Pigeon Colony and Avian Research Platform

Colossal has expanded its Texas colony of Nicobar pigeons—the dodo's closest living relative—to 36 birds following successful breeding among established pairs. The growing colony provides an increasingly robust foundation for studying Nicobar pigeon development, reproduction, and genetics while supporting the company's dodo de-extinction program.

Eggs collected during the latest breeding season were used to derive Nicobar pigeon primordial germ cells, or PGCs. These are the cells that eventually develop into sperm and eggs. Establishing these cells is essential to our path of creating heritable genome edits and producing future generations of birds carrying selected dodo traits.

Colossal is also working to develop a telomere-to-telomere Nicobar pigeon genome, improving on the existing chromosome-level assembly. This will provide a stronger foundation for identifying potential edits and for improving the genome of the Rodrigues solitaire, an extinct relative of the dodo. Colossal plans to add newly available solitaire sequence data and remap it against the improved Nicobar reference to increase its coverage and completeness.

Chicken embryonic-stem-cell chimeras

Colossal scientists have also developed a new platform using avian embryonic stem cells to generate chimeric chickens, and have successfully hatched the first chimeras produced through the platform. Embryonic stem cells offer a route to introduce engineered cells into a developing embryo and observe how those cells contribute to the phenotype of the bird. Hatching viable chimeric chickens confirms that the cultured cells retain the developmental potential needed to integrate into a host embryo and contribute to its various tissues.