SAN DIEGO, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Phanes Therapeutics, Inc. (Phanes), a clinical-stage biotech company focused on innovative drug discovery and development in immuno-oncology (IO), announced that Ming Wang (CEO) will participate in Boston CEO, November 2-3, 2026, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Boston, MA. He will speak on a discussion panel entitled Competing in a New Global Playing Field.

The industry meeting is co-hosted with leaders across the life science and health care communities, including Anne Klibanski (CEO, Mass General Brigham), Bill Meury (CEO, Incyte), Bob Langer (MIT; Scientific Co-Founder, Moderna), Christoph Westphal (General Partner, Longwood Fund), David Weinreich (Global Head, R&D, EMD Serono), Fiona Marshall (President, Biomedical Research, Novartis), Jane Grogan (EVP, Head, Research, Biogen), Mathai Mammen (CEO, Parabilis Medicines; former Head, R&D, Johnson & Johnson), Phil Sharp (Nobel laureate; MIT; Scientific Co-Founder, Alnylam/Biogen), and Robert Plenge (Chief Research Officer, BMS).

Thought leaders across government, pharma, biotech, academia, and investing communities will speak in off-the-record discussion panels, fireside chats, and roundtable discussions focusing on some of the most important issues facing the life sciences ecosystem.

Event details:

Event: Longwood Healthcare Leaders Boston CEO

Date: November 2-3, 2026

Venue: Mandarin Oriental, Boston, 776 Boylston Street, Boston, MA

Information: https://www.longwoodhealthcareleaders.com/bostonceo

The agenda has been developed to maximize efficient networking opportunities, including luncheons, breakfasts, and a cocktail reception for meeting participants following the close of discussion panels on Tuesday, November 3. To learn more, visit www.longwoodhealthcareleaders.com/bostonceo.

Longwood Healthcare Leaders

Longwood Healthcare Leaders hosts thought leaders, key executives, and government officials for quarterly forums. These meetings, including Boston CEO, San Francisco CEO, Miami CEO, and MIT CEO, aim to foster collaboration, exchange insights, and drive biomedical advancements from the top, facilitating discussions that promote transparency and collaboration among participants with the goal of accelerating the translation of discoveries into medicines that can improve patient outcomes. For more information, visit www.longwoodhealthcareleaders.com.

ABOUT PHANES THERAPEUTICS

Phanes Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotech company focused on innovative drug discovery and development in immuno-oncology (IO). Currently, it is conducting three Phase 2 clinical trials with spevatamig, peluntamig, and mavrostobart. Both spevatamig and peluntamig are first-in-class bispecific antibodies and have been granted orphan drug and Fast Track designations by the FDA.

The company has built a strong pipeline by leveraging its proprietary technology platforms: PACbody®, SPECpair® and ATACCbody® to develop novel biologics that address high unmet medical needs in cancer.

For more information about Phanes Therapeutics, please visit www.phanesthera.com.

For business development or media inquiries, please contact [email protected] or [email protected], respectively.

SOURCE Phanes Therapeutics, Inc.

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Inflation is concern number 1, yet we have not been able to identify a tech company truly fighting it. Aonic changes that and offers all products at cost to its members - without traditional markups or retail layers. Starting with Aonic's existing catalog of protein and supplement products. Aonic plans to expand across groceries, pet food, beauty, personal care, and household essentials in 2027.

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans are paying more for almost everything, and the most powerful technology of our time is not helping. Today, Aonic is changing that. Aonic, co-founded by Senada Greca and Max Meier, announces the launch of Aonic Club, giving members access to products at cost. Aonic's mission is to drastically reduce the cost of living by changing how everyday goods are developed, produced, and sold, without compromising on quality.

Costs are rising across the board

Aonic Club was built to mitigate one of the biggest pain points Americans face in today's economy: According to a September 2026 CNN poll 48% of Americans say AI is hurting their own finances. Just 18% say it's helping. A Marquette Law School national poll released in September 2026 found that inflation and the cost of living were rated as the public's most important issue. Aonic's goal is to leverage AI to lower the costs of goods people are already buying and put money back into consumers' pockets.

Markups are ever-increasing and a big part of the inflation crisis. Aonic will bring them to 0.

Aonic's business model tackles the staggering gap between what products cost to make and what consumers pay, using AI to improve sourcing and operations, and the power of its community and the value of its products to reduce marketing spend. Traditional retail prices include markups for brokers, distributors, brands and retailers each adding to the final price.

And these markups are growing quickly. Aonic removes those layers by sourcing ingredients directly, controlling its formulas and production, and selling products online to members at cost. The company earns its profit from membership fees, allowing it to sell every product at cost, without a markup. Membership costs $99 the first year, $149 after - for the launch Aonic offers the membership at a reduced rate of $49 for founding members for the first year.

AI is rebuilding every industry but one

"Inflation is the main concern for Americans right now. Big companies have access to the most powerful technology of our lifetime, but they're falling short when it comes to using it to help people pay less," said Max Meier, Co-Founder and CEO of Aonic. "We are passionate about changing that. With a great team, a community that believes in what we're building, and technology that helps us work more efficiently, we can offer the highest-quality products at drastically lower prices by cutting out the markups."

Community is essential to Aonic Club's growth, with members being involved in what new products Aonic creates and providing feedback on existing ones. Co-Founder Senada Greca, a global leader in fitness and wellness with more than 12 million followers across social media, brings an established community whose input will help shape the future of Aonic Club.

"One of the questions I get most from my community is which products are actually worth the money," said Senada Greca, Co-Founder of Aonic. "People trust my recommendations, and I take that seriously. I helped build Aonic to make products I'd use myself, at prices people could afford every day. With Aonic Club, members pay what the products cost and vote on what we make next. We want to make what the people actually need."

Aonic will not stop before markup-free shopping is available for every product

Protein and supplements are the first aisle, not the last. Aonic plans to bring the same model to groceries, beauty, personal care, pet food, and household essentials - attacking categories worth about $1.5 trillion a year, no later than 2027. Aonic strives to ensure that every new product costs at least 15% below Costco, and at least 40% below the leading brand.

The membership waitlist opens on October 13th at aoniclife.com.

End the markup.

About Aonic

Aonic sells everyday products of the highest quality at drastically lower prices, enabled by full vertical integration, AI-powered operations and community-driven growth. Its mission is to deploy AI to reduce the cost of living. Members pay one annual fee, every product sells at cost, and the membership is the club's only profit. Aonic was founded by Senada Greca and Max Meier. Aonic Club launches with protein and supplements, with plans to expand into groceries, beauty, personal care, pet food, health and household essentials. For more information, visit aoniclife.com.

About Senada Greca

Senada Greca, MBA- Founder of WeRise and Co-Founder of Aonic, is one of the most influential and fast-rising leaders shaping the future of women's wellness, strength, and longevity. A globally recognized trainer, fitness entrepreneur, and mindset coach, she is best known for creating the internationally acclaimed Senada Method. With a community of more than 10 million across social platforms, Senada has become a trusted voice for science-backed strength training, intelligent nutrition, and sustainable lifestyle.

About Max Meier

Max Meier is a serial entrepreneur with a track record of building and scaling consumer platforms. He co-founded Stylight, the fashion search platform acquired by ProSiebenSat.1 in 2016 at a valuation of €80 million, and FINN, the car subscription platform valued at more than $1 billion. He was also an early investor in Personio and a founding investor in TeleClinic. With Aonic Club, he is applying his experience to the cost of everyday living.

Media Contact:

Juliana Martins

Eleven11 Media Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Aonic Inc.

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FORALL gives consumers two completely flavorless ways to add protein to everyday life: FORALL WATER+PROTEIN and FORALL PROTEIN - a European grass-fed whey protein isolate powder - debuting exclusively at Sprouts Farmers Market.

ATLANTA, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- This October, FORALL Nutrition brings Deliciously Flavorless protein to more than 500 Sprouts Farmers Market stores nationwide with two complementary products: FORALL WATER+PROTEIN, the first completely flavorless protein water with no additives, and FORALL PROTEIN, a flavorless one-ingredient European grass-fed whey protein isolate powder.

Protein has spent years getting sweeter, more flavored and more complicated. FORALL Nutrition is taking it in the opposite direction. What if getting more protein were as easy as drinking water?

FLAVORLESS CHANGES EVERYTHING

WATER+PROTEIN delivers hydration and protein in a clear, crisp and flavorless format, with no additives, 10 grams of protein and just 40 calories in a 16.9-ounce bottle that drinks like water. No fruit flavor. No vanilla. No sweetness. Just ultra-filtered water, minerals normally found in water for taste, and European Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate. FORALL's powder takes the same approach at home: one-ingredient, 25 grams of protein per serving and no added flavor, so it can disappear into the foods and drinks people already love.

PROTEIN, WHEREVER THE DAY HAPPENS

Together, the products create two simple ways to get more protein designed around how people actually live.

Grab WATER+PROTEIN when heading out the door in an anytime, anywhere, shelf-stable and recyclable Tetra Pak bottle. Add FORALL powder to coffee, oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies, soups, sauces or baked goods at home.

Water on the go. Protein in anything at home.

BUILT AROUND WHAT CONSUMERS ACTUALLY WANTED

FORALL heard the same frustrations repeatedly: protein products were too sweet, too flavored, filled with ingredients consumers didn't want, or required changing what they already ate and drank.

Instead of asking people to build their lives around protein, FORALL built protein to fit into their lives.

The result is a platform designed to make protein less of a product consumers have to plan around and more of an ingredient they can use almost anywhere.

The last protein you'll ever need, because it doesn't compete with anything you already love.

That is the power of flavorlessness: protein no longer has to dictate the flavor, format or routine. It can simply become part of what people are already eating and drinking.

SPROUTS PARTNERSHIP

Sprouts Farmers Market was a natural fit for FORALL's first major national retail launch. Its customers are thoughtful about what they put in their bodies, reading labels, questioning long ingredient lists and looking for products that deliver more with less.

"Part of our role as foragers is identifying brands that are reimagining established categories in ways that resonate with today's health-conscious consumers," said Kim Coffin, Chief Forager at Sprouts Farmers Market. "FORALL's innovative approach to protein offers a new level of simplicity and versatility, making it easier for customers to meet their nutrition goals. We're proud to be the exclusive retailer for this launch and support a brand that's helping shape the future of wellness."

Beginning in October, both FORALL products will be available exclusively at all Sprouts Farmer's Market locations nationwide, bringing a simpler approach to protein to shoppers across the country.

THE FORALL PHILOSOPHY

FORALL was built around a simple purpose: make protein easier and better by removing what doesn't need to be there. The company develops flavorless protein products designed to integrate into everyday foods, beverages and routines rather than requiring consumers to create new ones.

That philosophy began with founder Johnny Heffernan's own experience.

"After a health diagnosis, I started paying much closer attention to what I was putting into my body and became determined to eliminate unnecessary additives," said Heffernan. "That pursuit led us somewhere we didn't initially expect. We started with additive-free, but what we ultimately discovered was even more valuable to the consumer: flavorlessness."

Heffernan continued, "WATER+PROTEIN came first. Then people kept telling us, 'If this tastes just like water, can you make a powder that tastes like nothing so I can add it to anything?' That's how the powder was born. We realized we weren't just creating individual products. We were building a completely different way to think about protein: one that fits into your life instead of asking you to change it."

AVAILABILITY

WATER+PROTEIN: $3.99 MSRP

FORALL EUROPEAN GRASS-FED WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE: $69.99 MSRP

ABOUT FORALL NUTRITION

FORALL Nutrition is rethinking protein around one simple idea: Deliciously Flavorless.

The company creates flavorless protein products designed to fit into what people already eat and drink rather than adding another flavor, routine or complication to the day.

WATER+PROTEIN delivers 10 grams of protein and 40 calories in a 16.9-ounce bottle that drinks like water. FORALL's one-ingredient European grass-fed whey protein isolate delivers 25 grams of protein per serving and can be added to everyday foods and beverages.

Together, they form a growing flavorless protein platform built to make protein simpler, more versatile and easier to incorporate into everyday life.

Eat the food you want. Get the protein you need.

One ingredient. Endless possibilities.

Website: forallnutrition.com

Instagram: @forall.nutrition

TikTok: @forallnutrition

Facebook: www.facebook.com/FORALL.PROTEIN

About Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.

Sprouts Farmers Market is one of the fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the United States. Sprouts helps people live and eat better with fresh produce at the heart of the store and delicious discoveries for every dietary lifestyle. Always foraging for what's fresh and innovative, Sprouts offers a carefully curated assortment of products that inspire wellness naturally, including organic, gluten-free, plant-based and non-GMO favorites. Headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, Sprouts employs approximately 36,000 team members and operates more than 500 stores in 25 states nationwide. To learn more about Sprouts and the role it plays in its communities, visit Sprouts.com/about.

SOURCE FORALL Nutrition

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New 2026 survey of 2,000 U.S. drivers shows connected vehicle services have crossed into mainstream adoption, with majority active usage and growing influence over purchase decisions

MESA, Ariz., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Verra Mobility Corporation (NASDAQ: VRRM), a leading provider of smart mobility technology solutions, today released the results of a new national survey examining how American drivers are using and thinking about connected vehicle technology. The survey of 2,000 U.S. adults who own or lease a 2019 or newer vehicle is the second such study conducted by Verra Mobility, following a baseline survey, and found that connected vehicles have moved from emerging technology to mainstream consumer expectation.

A clear majority of Americans, 72%, now expect their next vehicle to function like a smartphone, with apps and services built in. More than half, 51%, say connected features would influence their decision to buy a different make, model, or higher trim level, signaling that connectivity has become a meaningful purchase driver.

Active usage of connected services has also crossed the majority threshold for the first time, with 54% of drivers using at least one manufacturer-provided connected service, up from 49% in Verra Mobility's 2024 survey. Familiarity with the term "connected vehicle" rose to 69%, compared with 60% two years ago.

" The story of this year's survey is that consumers have arrived at the connected vehicle category, and they're bringing real expectations with them," said Cathi Chinn, vice president of innovation, Verra Mobility. "Drivers now expect their vehicles to behave like the connected devices they use everywhere else in their lives, which puts pressure on the automotive industry to deliver experiences that justify it, especially around the embedded payments, mobility services and safety features consumers say they want most."

A generational divide is pulling the category forward

Younger drivers are leading adoption across nearly every measure in the survey:

- 67% of drivers aged 18–24 actively use at least one connected service, compared with 44% of those aged 55–64

- 69% of 18–24-year-olds say connected features would influence their vehicle purchase, versus 40% of those 55–64

- 63% of 18–24-year-olds and 61% of 25–34-year-olds find the in-vehicle digital wallet concept appealing, well above the 44% overall figure

Strong demand for embedded convenience and safety

Consumers want their vehicles to do more of the work for them, with safety leading the list of services they value most:

- 72% would value having their vehicle proactively offer trip suggestions such as locating parking, fuel or charging stations, and handling toll transactions

- 66% said not having to connect a smartphone every time they get in the car would be a valued convenience

- 51% would be comfortable with their vehicle automatically paying for tolls and parking

- 43% have already signed up for an app or service through their vehicle's infotainment system, such as parking, EV charging, or tolling

- 59% believe connected vehicles make driving safer

- 44% found the concept of a digital wallet appealing

Data trust remains a work in progress

Willingness to trade data for tangible benefits has held steady since 2024, but understanding and trust have not kept pace with adoption:

- 66% would share driving and location data for benefits like insurance discounts, automatic toll payments, and emergency services — mirroring findings from 2024

- Only 14% say they fully understand what data their vehicle collects, down from 22% in 2024

- 54% expressed at least some concern about vehicle data collection practices

To download the full report detailing the survey findings, visit: www.verramobility.com.

Survey Methodology

The data was derived from a survey commissioned by Verra Mobility and conducted online via Pollfish on May 21, 2026. The survey was completed by 2,000 U.S. adults aged 18 and older who currently own or lease a 2019 or newer vehicle. For the purposes of the survey, connected vehicle services were defined as services that utilize a vehicle's embedded communications, not a mobile phone connection. Services accessed through a smartphone such as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto were not considered connected vehicle services for purposes of this survey.

About Verra Mobility

Verra Mobility Corporation (NASDAQ: VRRM) is a leading provider of smart mobility technology solutions that make transportation safer, smarter and more connected. The company sits at the center of the mobility ecosystem, bringing together vehicles, hardware, software, data and people to enable safe, efficient solutions for customers globally. Verra Mobility's transportation safety systems and parking management solutions protect lives, improve urban and motorway mobility and support healthier communities. The company also solves complex payment, utilization and compliance challenges for fleet owners and rental car companies. Headquartered in Arizona, Verra Mobility operates in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. For more information, please visit www.verramobility.com.

Forward Looking Statements

We describe initiatives that drive our business and future results in this press release. Such discussions contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements are those that address activities, events, or developments that management intends, expects, projects, believes, or anticipates will or may occur in the future. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding consumer expectations and adoption trends for connected vehicle technology, the anticipated influence of connected features on vehicle purchasing decisions, expected growth in usage of connected vehicle services, projected demand for embedded convenience and safety features, statements about generational trends in technology adoption, and assumptions about consumer willingness to share vehicle data. They are based on management's assumptions and assessments in light of past experience and trends, current economic and industry conditions, expected future developments, and other relevant factors. They are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results, developments, and business decisions may differ significantly from those envisaged by our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update or revise any of our forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law. Our forward-looking statements are also subject to material risks and uncertainties that can affect our performance in both the near-and long-term. In addition, no assurance can be given that any plan, initiative, projection, goal, commitment, expectation, or prospect set forth in this press release can or will be achieved. These forward-looking statements should be considered in light of the information included in this press release, our Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking plans described herein are not final and may be modified or abandoned at any time.

Additional Information

We periodically provide information for investors on our corporate website, www.verramobility.com, and our investor relations website, ir.verramobility.com.

We intend to use our website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor our website, in addition to following the Company's press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts.

SOURCE Verra Mobility

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America's Largest Homebuilder by Volume To Access Promise Robotics' Factory-as-a-Service® Capabilities as the Company Expands Its U.S. Production Network

PHOENIX, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Promise Robotics, the company bringing physical AI to homebuilding, announced a multi-year commercial agreement with D.R. Horton, America's largest homebuilder by volume. Through the agreement, D.R. Horton will access Promise Robotics' Factory-as-a-Service® (FaaS) capabilities to support the production of 1,250+ homes, becoming the first major U.S. homebuilder to utilize the company's production platform as Promise expands its U.S. manufacturing network.

FaaS gives a broad range of homebuilders across geographies access to an integrated production platform that takes existing home designs and translates them into a coordinated production process spanning robotic manufacturing, factory operations, and onsite installation. Through FaaS, builders can access automated production capacity without developing and operating their own factories, helping them improve cycle times, increase capacity, and scale more predictably across communities and markets.

"Homebuilding has long lacked the production infrastructure needed to scale with the speed, predictability, and efficiency of modern manufacturing. Physical AI changes that by creating a new production model that can expand capacity within and across markets," said Ramtin Attar, CEO and co-founder of Promise Robotics. "Our goal is to make that capability accessible to builders across North America and support the industry's long-term growth."

The U.S. market represents the largest opportunity to apply Promise Robotics' model at scale. As homebuilders navigate persistent housing demand, labor shortages, rising costs, and pressure to increase output, they are searching for more repeatable and scalable ways to expand production.

"At D.R. Horton, we are always looking for innovations that can help us improve how we build. We are continuously focused on improving cycle times, increasing production capacity, and bringing greater consistency and predictability to our operations," said Brad Conlon, Sr. Vice President, Strategic Growth and Innovation at D.R. Horton. "Promise Robotics' integrated platform gives us a new capability to support those goals."

Promise Robotics applies AI across the homebuilding production process by interpreting existing home designs, generating production plans and robotic instructions, orchestrating manufacturing, and connecting that production with site installation. Rather than automating isolated tasks, Promise Robotics brings these capabilities together in one integrated production environment.

About Promise Robotics

Promise Robotics is building the physical AI infrastructure for homebuilding. Its end-to-end production platform integrates AI, robotics, software, and manufacturing systems to connect the homebuilding workflow from design translation and production planning through robotic manufacturing and onsite installation. Through its Factory-as-a-Service model, Promise enables homebuilders across America to access advanced production infrastructure without the cost, complexity, or risk of developing and operating it themselves. Built for repeatable scale across factories and geographies, Promise helps builders increase capacity, improve certainty and productivity, and build more homes with the workforce they have today.

SOURCE Promise Robotics

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The iconic Tea Kettle collection expands this fall with a new size designed for cozy counters, thoughtful gifting and tea rituals of every scale

AURORA, N.Y., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MacKenzie-Childs, the artisan-driven, American-heritage home décor brand, introduces a new size to its signature Tea Kettle collection: the 1 Quart Tea Kettle. Petite in size but big in style, the new kettle brings the brand's artistry and hand-painted charm to smaller spaces and personal teatime.

Designed as an inviting entry point into the world of MacKenzie-Childs, the 1 Quart Tea Kettle is perfectly suited for city apartments, first homes and cozier counters. As the most accessibly priced Tea Kettle in the collection, the new 1 Quart size offers a new way to begin a MacKenzie-Childs collection or bring another beloved Check home.

Available in seven beloved Check colorways, including Courtly Check, Sterling Check, Rosy Check, Emerald Check, Mocha Check, Violet Check and Sky Check, the new petite kettle brings color, character and functionality to a familiar home ritual. Ideal for tea for one or two, it joins the collection's 2 and 3 quart sizes to offer a beautiful pour for every teatime.

"With the 1 Quart Tea Kettle, we're bringing all the artistry, color and personality our collectors love to a petite new size that's perfect for smaller spaces and more personal moments," said Rebecca Proctor, Chief Brand Officer and Creative Director, MacKenzie-Childs. "It's a small kettle with a big starring role, inviting you to slow down, pour a cup and make the everyday feel a little more special."

Crafted from heavy-gauge, hand-glazed steel, the kettle features a hand-painted Check design, a bronzed stainless-steel rim and a wood handle. Brass accents and a decorative lid finial add the distinctive details and unexpected touches that make MacKenzie-Childs pieces instantly recognizable. As with all handcrafted MacKenzie-Childs designs, each kettle is individually made and hand-painted, making each kettle a unique collectible.

Thoughtfully sized and artfully designed, the 1 Quart Tea Kettle makes a memorable gift for anyone who appreciates a beautiful pour. From birthdays and housewarmings to holidays and just-because moments, it brings joy to everyday moments. From a quiet cup at home to sharing tea with someone special, the petite kettle brings a little MacKenzie-Childs magic to the ritual.

Priced at $149.95, the 1 Quart Tea Kettle is now available at mackenzie-childs.com, the company's retail stores in New York City and Aurora and select specialty retailers.

About MacKenzie-Childs

MacKenzie-Childs is a fully integrated designer, manufacturer, and multichannel merchant of high-quality, hand-decorated ceramic and enamel tableware, furniture, and home and garden accessories. The brand is best known for distinctive designs that combine vibrant colors and pattern-on-pattern surface decoration to create a fresh, original aesthetic best described as "tradition with a twist." For more than 40 years, the brand's talented designers and artisans have created beautiful, original products that add joy and grace to homes great and small throughout the world. Handcrafted MacKenzie-Childs products can be purchased from the company's retail stores in New York City and Aurora, and through distinctive fine retailers in the U.S. and around the world. For more information, visit mackenzie-childs.com.

SOURCE MacKenzie-Childs

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CurTec expands US manufacturing and warehouse capacity in Westminster, S.C.

Expansion strengthens local production and supply for North American customers

WESTMINSTER, S.C., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CurTec USA is investing $10 million to expand its Westminster, South Carolina operations, creating 10 new jobs. The project will increase warehouse and production capacity and broaden the range manufactured in the United States.

The expansion will add approximately 27,300 square feet and more than 2,000 pallet positions. Groundbreaking is planned for October 2026, with completion expected in Q2 2027.

"When we opened Westminster in 2023, our goal was to get closer to North American customers and create a platform for growth," says Bart van Berkel, CEO of CurTec. "This expansion strengthens local production, inventory and supply reliability while broadening the range we manufacture in the United States."

Expanding local production

A new blow molding line will significantly increase capacity and extend local production to smaller packaging sizes. CurTec plans to produce 6- and 10-liter Click Pack pails in Westminster before year-end, followed by smaller Wide Neck Drums in 2027.

"Expanding production and warehousing together gives us greater flexibility to respond to customer demand," says Roy Kuipers, Operations Directorat CurTec. "It also allows us to manufacture more of our portfolio locally."

"Westminster was designed for future growth," says Martin Lamar, Site Director USA. "We are now adding capacity and capability while growing our local team."

"It is another 'Top Shelf for Business' day in Oconee County," says Jamie Gilbert, President and CEO of the Oconee Economic Alliance. "Just three years after opening the facility, this investment reflects CurTec's confidence in our workforce and business climate. We value our partnership and look forward to CurTec's continued growth in our community."

Five fast facts

- CurTec USA is expanding its Oconee County operations.

- The $10 million investment will create 10 new jobs.

- CurTec manufactures high-performance packaging for life sciences and fine chemicals.

- CurTec USA is located at 365 Oconee Business Parkway, Westminster, S.C.

- Careers: careersatcurtec.com

About CurTec

CurTec supports life sciences and fine chemicals companies with high-performance packaging for the safe handling and containment of critical materials. CurTec has GMP-certified production facilities in Westminster, South Carolina, and Rijen, the Netherlands.

Media contact

Marc Martens

Marketing Communications Manager

CurTec USA, LLC

CurTec Nederland B.V.

[email protected]

+31 6 4625 8649

curtec.com

SOURCE CurTec USA, LLC

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LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW DETAILS 2026 ENERGY FOCUS AT ITS ANNUAL GLOBAL INDUSTRY GATHERING, AUTOMOBILITY LA

AutoMobility LA kicks off on November 19 with energy storylines spanning gas, hybrid, and electric powertrains, continuing throughout the 10-day LA Auto Show, presented by Chevron with Techron

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Los Angeles Auto Show® today detailed Energy, the first of three narrative pillars shaping its 2026 edition, following its recent announcement of Chevron with Techron® as presenting sponsor of the 2026 consumer show. Organizers view the presenting sponsorship as one major illustration of the central role that energy continues to play across the automotive landscape in California and beyond.

Energy is front and center as AutoMobility LA® opens its main stage for the show's global media and industry day on Thursday, Nov. 19 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and continues through 10 public event days that follow, Nov. 20 through 29. The energy-focused conversation reflects an automotive energy landscape defined by multiple energy sources and technologies from gas to hybrid to electric, with Los Angeles and the rest of California helping to provide a real-world view of that evolution.

Across Southern California, Toyota, Nissan, Genesis and General Motors maintain design or advanced development operations in a region where automotive culture, consumer behavior and innovation continue to intersect. Californians registered 1.81 million new gas, hybrid, and electric vehicles in 2025, according to the California New Car Dealers Association and the state now has more than 216,000 publicly available and shared EV charging ports (source: The California Energy Commission). Additionally, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the busiest container complex in the Western Hemisphere, support heavy-duty electric trucks moving into daily service.

Chevron's longstanding presence in Southern California adds regional context to its role as presenting sponsor, while the sponsorship reflects the show's role in spotlighting automotive brands and innovation. The company's El Segundo refinery, roughly a dozen miles from the Los Angeles Convention Center, has served Southern California for decades and supports significant local workforce. Chevron also supplies an extensive network of branded retail stations across the region, with every grade of Chevron gasoline featuring Techron. Through its sponsorship, Chevron will use the 2026 Los Angeles Auto Show as a major consumer platform for next-generation Techron, Chevron's reformulated gasoline additive, designed to provide greater protection against engine deposits from lower-quality fuels.

How vehicles are powered continues to evolve, but the energy conversation extends well beyond the powertrain. It includes the millions of gasoline-powered vehicles on California roads today, where fuel quality and efficiency remain important as well as the continued investment to support EVs, where charging access and grid capacity are increasingly part of the equation, and the infrastructure supporting both. AutoMobility LA's Energy narrative will reflect that full landscape, with participants and stage topics announced throughout the fall. Energy is the first of three narratives shaping the 2026 program. Autonomy and Entertainment will follow in the weeks ahead, with all three reflecting the influences shaping the automotive landscape and the culture surrounding it.

"Los Angeles is the largest and most important automotive market in the United States and energy is the question this industry is still working out," said Terri Toennies, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Los Angeles Auto Show. "What makes Chevron's presenting sponsorship relevant is that Chevron operates here, they refine here, they sell here and they hire here. A company of that scale choosing the LA Auto Show underscores the value of reaching and engaging established and brand-new audiences."

On Nov. 19, AutoMobility LA will bring automakers, energy companies, utilities, suppliers, technology firms, investors, analysts and government together on a single floor, alongside a global automotive media presence. Vehicle debuts, press conferences and main-stage conversations run throughout the day. This year, automakers, energy companies, municipalities and other organizations are actively engaging with AutoMobility LA around announcements, topics and speakers that reflect the changing energy landscape. The 2026 vehicle announcements and full AutoMobility LA main stage schedule will be released in early November.

Across the 10 public days that follow, gasoline, hybrid and electric vehicles from domestic and international brands come together under one roof, spanning subcompacts to full-size models and newly introduced lower-priced entries to premium vehicles above $100,000. Outdoors, the LADWP Test Track along with street test drives, give Southern California buyers the opportunity to drive vehicles with different powertrains from multiple brands and compare them directly, bringing the Energy conversation from the main stage to the consumer experience.

As part of its presenting sponsorship, Chevron U.S.A. Inc. will feature a dedicated consumer activation highlighting next-generation Techron throughout all 10 public days. Additional show announcements, special offers and details surrounding Chevron's consumer activation will be announced leading up to opening day.

Media registration for AutoMobility LA is open at AutoMobilityLA.com and is complimentary for accredited and approved media, journalists and content producers. Industry registration is $249.

About Los Angeles Auto Show

Founded in 1907, Los Angeles Auto Show® is one of the longest-running and most influential automotive events in the world and a leading consumer destination for car shoppers, enthusiasts, families, media, and the global industry. Held annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the show features global automakers, vehicle debuts, test drives, technology, lifestyle programming, and Southern California car culture in the most important vehicle market in the United States. The 2026 Los Angeles Auto Show runs Nov. 20 through 29, 2026. AutoMobility LA®, the show's media and industry day, takes place Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026, bringing together global debuts, industry announcements, and a conference program featuring leading voices from the automotive and technology sectors.

About Chevron

Chevron is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies. The company produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance its business and the industry.

Media Contact

Los Angeles Auto Show

[email protected]

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VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Market Updates News Commentary - The global tungsten market is valued at approximately $6.66 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach about $9.62 billion by 2030, a compound annual growth rate of roughly 9.6%, according to The Business Research Company. In the United States, the bigger story is where that tungsten will come from. Beginning January 1, 2027, U.S. defense procurement rules restrict tungsten sourced from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, and Washington has spent the past month funding domestic capacity ahead of that date. Nevada, home to several of the country's past-producing tungsten camps, sits at the center of that effort. Active Companies from around the markets with current developments this week include: Western Star Resources Inc. (CSE: WSR) (OTC: WSRIF) (FRA: 4K2), The Elmet Group Co. (NASDAQ: ELMT), Perpetua Resources Corp. (NASDAQ: PPTA), United States Antimony Corporation (NYSE: UAMY), ioneer Ltd (NASDAQ: IONR).

The largest commitment so far came on September 14, when the U.S. Department of War announced a $450 million committed investment in The Elmet Group, alongside a Defense Logistics Agency contract with a ceiling of $2 billion for tungsten supply to the National Defense Stockpile. About $150 million of that investment is earmarked for the Springer Tungsten Complex in Imlay, Nevada. Federal support is reaching the powder end of the chain as well: on October 2, the Export-Import Bank of the United States finalized a $27.4 million loan to 6K Additive to expand domestic production of refractory metal powders for defense.

China still controls roughly 80% of the mined supply and refining chain for tungsten products, which is why the procurement deadline has turned old U.S. tungsten districts into exploration targets again. The question for each of them is the same: what is left in the ground beneath the historical workings, and how quickly can it be tested with a drill.

Western Star Resources Defines Priority Drill Targets and Outlines a Planned 3,050-Foot Drill Program at the Past-Producing Rowland Tungsten Property, Nevada

On October 13, Western Star Resources Inc. (CSE: WSR) (OTC: WSRIF) (FRA: 4K2) announced the priority drill targets and a planned six-hole, approximately 3,050-foot (930-metre) drill program for its 100% owned, past-producing Rowland Tungsten Property in Elko County, Nevada. Highlights include:

- Two priority drill targets defined at Rowland Main and Northern Zone B, where the 2026 soil program defined tungsten-in-soil anomalies over zones of historical workings.

- Six planned holes from four drill pads, all sited on existing disturbance; hole locations are preliminary and subject to field verification and permitting.

- Rowland Main (four holes, 1,850 feet): three holes beside the historical open cut, where rock-chip, float and channel samples returned up to 4.02% WO₃, plus a fourth hole testing the bedrock source of soil sample R079 (4,240 ppm W; 0.53% WO₃), the highest value of the Phase 2 soil program.

- Northern Zone B (two holes, 1,200 feet): holes test beneath historical shafts and an ore chute, where rock-chip samples returned 0.35% to 1.22% WO₃, and the roof of a modelled magnetic body approximately 165 metres below surface.

- A Plan of Operations is being prepared by KC Harvey Environmental for submission to the U.S. Forest Service, in parallel with a Nevada reclamation permit.

The targets come from four datasets the Company assembled in a single field season: the Phase 2 tungsten-in-soil anomalies, a three-dimensional inversion of its 2026 UAV magnetic survey completed by East Coast Consulting, the historical workings confirmed in Phase 1, and the 2026 rock-chip and channel assays. Each planned hole tests a soil anomaly at depth where it coincides with a modelled magnetic contact or with the ground beneath historical workings, and holes are oriented to cross those contacts at a high angle where the geometry allows.

At Rowland Main, the model shows a compact magnetic body beneath the core of the soil anomaly and immediately west of the historical open cut. Hole ROW26-01 is planned to enter the modelled contact at approximately 86 metres down-hole and ROW26-02 at approximately 76 metres, while ROW26-03 tests beneath the open cut. At Northern Zone B, ROW26-05, the longest hole in the program at 700 feet, is planned to reach the roof of a larger modelled body at approximately 159 metres down-hole. The Company notes that no new assay results are reported in the release and that the planned holes remain preliminary.

"Rowland has come a long way in a single field season," said Blake Morgan, CEO and President of Western Star. "We started with a historical record that pointed to one past-producing zone, and we are finishing with three zones of confirmed workings, an integrated modern dataset, and a ranked drill target inventory ready for permitting and drill testing. This is exactly the outcome we set out to deliver when we acquired Rowland."

Rowland is part of a portfolio of past-producing tungsten assets Western Star is advancing in Nevada and New Mexico. In New Mexico, the Company has outlined a 17-hole, approximately 6,070-foot drill program at its Eagle Point Tungsten Project, which it believes will be the first drilling at Eagle Point in more than 70 years.

CONTINUED... Read this and more news for the sector at: Market Updates

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

The Elmet Group Co. (NASDAQ: ELMT)

Elmet announced on September 14 that the Department of War made a $450 million committed investment in the company, funded through an initial $200 million drawdown at closing, in exchange for redeemable preferred equity and warrants for up to 19.9% of its common stock. Its subsidiary Elmet Technologies was also awarded a Defense Logistics Agency contract with a ceiling of $2 billion and a guaranteed funded commitment of $150 million for tungstate and tungsten supply to the National Defense Stockpile. About $150 million is allocated to restarting and expanding ammonium paratungstate conversion at the Springer Tungsten Complex in Imlay, Nevada, through a majority-owned joint venture.

"The Department is committed to empowering the American warfighter and workforce," said George K. Kollitides II, Director of the Economic Defense Unit.

Perpetua Resources Corp. (NASDAQ: PPTA)

Perpetua reported on September 28 that its exploration drilling at the Stibnite Gold Project in Idaho passed 10,000 metres in August and will continue into the fall with four rigs. At the Clark Tunnel Fault Zone, five holes totaling 1,900 metres were completed by the end of August, tungsten mineralization was identified and scheelite continues to appear in core. The company says the project holds the only identified domestic reserve of antimony, and construction on the Burntlog Route, worker housing and the powerline continued through the summer.

"This progress reflects the dedication of every member of the Perpetua Resources team," said Jon Cherry, President and CEO.

United States Antimony Corporation (NYSE: UAMY)

United States Antimony provided a third quarter update on September 30 on its deliveries of military-specification antimony ingots to the Defense Logistics Agency under its existing $245 million sole-source supply contract. Antimony flake from a partner's Bolivian hydrometallurgical facility arrived at its Thompson Falls, Montana smelter during the quarter, and more than 400,000 pounds of antimony material from Stibnite Hill, Montana is stockpiled at Radersburg, where processing has begun. The company describes itself as the sole producer of MIL-SPEC antimony ingots in the Western Hemisphere.

ioneer Ltd (NASDAQ: IONR)

ioneer, which is developing the Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron project in Nevada, reported that it raised approximately US$50 million from new and existing shareholders during the six months to June 30, 2026 and remains in compliance with its closed US$996 million U.S. Department of Energy loan facility. The company also received a conditional U.S. Army award for a long-term land lease at Tooele Army Depot for a critical mineral processing facility. A federal court upheld the project's permit, and ioneer said it expects the plaintiffs' appeal to the Ninth Circuit not to delay construction.

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Board member since April moves into an operating role, leading corporate strategy and commercialization of the business across marketing, product and sales

NEW YORK, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Empiric Earth today named Jen Vescio President, effective immediately. Vescio, a member of the company's board since April and former Chief Business Development Officer at Uber, reports to Chief Executive Officer Zach Greenberger.

As President, Vescio leads the buy, build and partner functions across Product, Corporate Development/IR, Business Development/Sales and Marketing, along with the post-M&A integration of the two companies. The appointment follows the September merger of Nexar and Nauto which has been recently rebranded Empiric Earth.

"Every major technology shift is won by the people who get it into the world," said Greenberger. "Jen knows how a breakthrough becomes a business. I've known that since our days on opposite sides of the table, Jen at Uber and me at Lyft. She's continued to prove it across multiple generations of technology and layers of AI, from hardware and compute to software and networks. Now she's bringing that experience to Physical AI, and there's no one I'd rather have alongside me as we build Empiric Earth."

Vescio was Uber's Chief Business Development Officer where she led global BizDev (across Uber Rides and Uber Eats) and new business development (Autonomous) and most recently was principal of Awestruck Ventures, an advisory firm focused on buy-side, sell-side and go-to-market strategy. Jen has worked across many sectors and stages of company growth. She has raised over $300M for a portfolio of Physical AI companies including Fort Robotics and, recently has helped to launch open-source projects like OpenClaw.

"Trust and safety is at the center of the Physical AI ecosystem," said Vescio. "Empiric Earth has a combined two decades of real world assets and holds that record to date. My goal is to build trust with our customers, our employees and our investors by developing products, platforms and services that bridge the real world to the Physical AI ecosystem in a manner that enables sustainability, safety and trust."

About Empiric Earth

Empiric Earth holds a record of how the physical world behaves. 300M+ real-world miles are captured every month across 98% of US roads and 50 or more countries, built on more than 10 billion miles of driving history and 60 million edge cases, de-identified. Because Empiric Earth does not build vehicles, pick winners, or compete with the systems it measures, developers, automakers, fleets, insurers and public agencies can rely on it as independent ground truth. Empiric Earth was formed in 2026 through the merger of Nexar and Nauto. www.empiricearth.com

SOURCE Empiric Earth

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