Kinetics Expands Fleet with Acquisition of Vessel for Conversion into New FSRU

LONDON, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kinetics today announced its decision to further expand its LNG infrastructure fleet through the conversion of the LNG carrier Arctic Voyager into a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) to be named LNGT Akdeniz.

Once converted, LNGT Akdeniz will be a multi-spec FSRU with storage capacity of approximately 143,000 cbm and a regasification flow rate of 650 mmscfd, with Moss-type cargo tanks and an expected economic life of 20 years. It will complement Kinetics' existing fleet by providing utility-scale regasification capacity, together with the flexibility to serve a wide range of project configurations. Delivery of the converted vessel is expected in Q3 2028.

"The global LNG market continues to show strong demand for flexible, rapidly deployable regasification infrastructure," said Mehmet Katmer, General Manager, Kinetics. "Growing focus on security of energy supply, the need for flexible import capacity and the ability to bring gas infrastructure online within shorter development timelines all support demand for floating LNG solutions. This latest investment further strengthens Kinetics' ability to serve a broad range of market requirements through a diversified fleet of high-specification, utility-scale FSRU assets."

"Kinetics is a natural extension of Karpowership's integrated energy offering. By growing its fleet of floating LNG infrastructure, Kinetics is strengthening the group's ability to help clients secure reliable energy supply and diversify their energy mix as they move towards a lower-carbon future," said Zeynep Harezi Yılmaz, Chief Commercial Officer, Karpowership.

About Kinetics

Kinetics, a Karpowership initiative, develops, builds, owns and operates floating LNG infrastructure and next-generation energy solutions together with a growing renewable portfolio. Its portfolio includes Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs), Floating Storage Units (FSUs), Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and other flexible energy platforms designed to help utilities, governments, and industrial customers accelerate access to secure, reliable, and cleaner energy infrastructure. By combining engineering expertise with rapid deployment capabilities, Kinetics delivers innovative solutions that support energy security and the global energy transition.

www.kineticsenergies.com.

About Karpowership

Karpowership is a global energy company with more than 25 years of experience delivering fast, flexible, and reliable power solutions. As the owner and operator of the world's only Powership fleet, the company provides over 8,500 MW of capacity through 45 Powerships, supported by land-based and renewable assets. Karpowership also manages the full LNG value chain with 11 LNG vessels, covering procurement, storage, regasification, and offshore transfer.

www.karpowership.com.

SOURCE Kinetics

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Featuring a foreword from former GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt, the book examines how predictive AI is reshaping procurement, supply chains and enterprise decision-making.

AMSTERDAM, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Edmund Zagorin, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Arkestro, today announced the launch of his new book, The Predictive Enterprise: How Superhuman Supply Chains Transform Global Business, at DPW Amsterdam. Published by Wiley, the book breaks down how companies can move beyond AI experimentation and put predictive technology to work against some of their most consequential business challenges.

Today's global enterprises are rife with persistent supply-chain volatility, shifting trade conditions and pressure to show the returns from their AI investments. The Predictive Enterprise, Zagorin's first book, argues the next phase of enterprise transformation will be defined by which organizations redesign how decisions get made.

The Predictive Enterprise is available for pre-order today and will be widely available for purchase on October 5, 2026. Zagorin will introduce the book at DPW Amsterdam and host a signing for conference attendees at Arkestro's booth on September 30, at 12:30 p.m. CEST. The book launch coincides with Arkestro's announcement of its growing customer footprint and momentum across EMEA.

"AI is advancing much faster than the processes most large enterprises have built around it," said Zagorin. "The opportunity isn't simply to automate the processes we already have. It's to predict the outcome, understand the constraints, and reverse engineer the best next steps to get there. The Predictive Enterprise is about what that shift looks like in practice, and how organizations can make better decisions faster and at greater scale."

Drawing on interviews with Global 2000 executives and Zagorin's career-long work across procurement, supply chain, AI and enterprise technology, the book explores how predictive AI can help companies redesign decision-making around measurable outcomes. It also reflects a broader leadership challenge highlighted in Jeff Immelt's foreword: using AI to drive tangible value in functions like procurement and supply chain, where speed, margin and risk are directly at stake.

"This book explores how large global enterprises have laid the groundwork for this predictive future with measurable returns. It shows how their finance, procurement, and supply chain teams are using the Predictive Enterprise to expand margin and focus more of their best people's time where it matters most," Jeff Immelt, former Chairman and CEO of GE, writes in the foreword. "It's not about people versus AI. It's about people using AI outperforming people who aren't using AI."

The book also examines recurring enterprise "double binds," where procurement teams are asked to balance priorities that can appear to conflict, such as reducing supplier count while strengthening supply chain resilience. Zagorin explores how predictive systems can model those constraints before a process begins, helping teams identify paths that improve multiple outcomes at once. That same thinking underpins Arkestro, which Zagorin co-founded with CEO Rob DeSantis to bring predictive decision-making into enterprise procurement.

Zagorin will bring the book's themes to Arkestro's annual Optimal conference in Houston, October 13–15, where procurement, supply chain, finance and operations leaders will explore how AI and predictive procurement are changing enterprise decision-making. Through customer stories, executive panels and hands-on sessions, the event will examine many of the same questions at the heart of The Predictive Enterprise, including how organizations can move faster, expand capacity and improve business outcomes at scale.

The Predictive Enterprise: How Superhuman Supply Chains Transform Global Business will be available beginning October 5, 2026. Preorder it here.

About Arkestro

Arkestro is the leading predictive procurement platform, accelerating enterprise spend transformation and supply chain agility. By combining AI and game theory with Arkestro's patented three science technologies—Negotiation Science, Supplier Science, and Process Science—Arkestro shifts traditional procurement to become a proactive, results-driven function. Trusted by Fortune 500 companies across industries, Arkestro unlocks trapped savings, optimizes negotiations, and enhances supplier collaboration. Arkestro is hosting its annual Optimal conference in Houston, TX, on October 13–15, 2026. Explore what it means to Unlock the Predictive Advantage and register at www.arkestro-optimal.com.

Arkestro Media Contact

Cailey Henderson

LaunchSquad

[email protected] 

SOURCE Arkestro

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- Building stable earnings resilience with semiconductor substrates

- Expanding physical AI businesses to secure future growth engines

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Innotek is demonstrating tangible results from the transformation of its business portfolio, delivering a remarkable performance rebound in the first half of the year—traditionally an off-peak season for the company.

For the first half of the year, LG Innotek posted revenue of USD 8.22 billion and an operating profit of USD 401.96 million, representing year-over-year increases of 24 percent and 296 percent, respectively. This is the first time since 2022 (USD 480.79 million) that the company has delivered such an "earnings surprise" during the traditionally off-peak first half.

Building stable earnings resilience with semiconductor substrates

Since CEO Moon Hyuksoo took the reins in 2023, LG Innotek has focused on intensive business structure reform by reorganizing its business portfolio to establish a high-margin, high-value-added "High Performance Portfolio," aiming to build a resilient earnings structure capable of withstanding external variables and drive sustainable future growth.

Over its more than 50 years in the substrate business, LG Innotek has built unmatched technological competitiveness. Leveraging this expertise, the company has introduced market-leading products that have secured leading global market shares, successfully transforming its semiconductor substrate business into a highly profitable, high-value enterprise.

A major example is the company's RF-SiP (Radio Frequency-System in Package) substrate, which incorporates Cu-Post (Copper Post) technology. LG Innotek has maintained the top spot in terms of global market share of RF-SiP substrates among the top five global clients since 2016. The company differentiated itself from its competitors by becoming the world's first to implement Cu-Post technology, a key technology that enabled slimmer smartphones. As a result, LG Innotek's market share is projected to reach nearly 80 percent this year (among the top five clients).

Meanwhile, FC-CSP (Flip Chip-Chip Scale Package) substrates, which were primarily used in mobile application processors (APs), have recently expanded into the memory sector following the AI boom, emerging as a new cash cow for the company.

Following its mass production of FC-BGA for PC chipsets targeting big tech clients last year, LG Innotek initiated high-volume mass production of FC-BGA for PC CPUs in the third quarter of this year. Simultaneously, the company is rapidly boosting revenue by securing additional major clients. Starting next year, it plans to sequentially enter the AI accelerator and AI server markets.

Revenue from LG Innotek's package solution business has maintained an upward trajectory for three consecutive years. With the package solution business demonstrating tangible results alongside its optical solution business, the company has strengthened its capacity to generate stable earnings.

LG Innotek plans to rapidly expand its market share in the emerging semiconductor substrate market, aiming to grow its package solution business, including semiconductor substrates, into a business generating USD 743 million in operating profit by 2031.

Expanding physical AI businesses to secure future growth engines

LG Innotek is establishing a stable profit structure through its high-value camera module and semiconductor substrate businesses while actively driving its expansion into new future growth areas. Its physical AI solution business is a prime example.

Among these initiatives, the autonomous driving sensing solution business is progressing the most rapidly in terms of commercialization. This area is fertile ground for the company's rapid expansion and application of the unmatched optical capabilities it has gained through its mobile camera module business.

LG Innotek is recognized as one of the few companies in the industry equipped with comprehensive technology spanning not only conventional automotive cameras but also LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) and radar. Leveraging this robust portfolio as a key differentiator, the company is accelerating its efforts to capture market leadership.

In March this year, LG Innotek signed strategic partnerships with companies such as Applied Intuition, an autonomous driving software company in the United States, to jointly develop autonomous driving solutions, accelerating its efforts to strengthen business competitiveness.

In May last year, LG Innotek signed an agreement with Boston Dynamics, a global leader in robotics technology, to develop robotic components. This past July, the company signed a strategic partnership with Japan's TDK for the joint development of various sensing solutions for physical AI, including vision sensing modules and tactile sensing modules for robotic hands, boosting its competitiveness in the robotics component business.

LG Innotek's robotics component business generated revenue for the first time this year. The company is currently mass-producing camera modules for humanoid robot clients at its Paju factory in Korea. Once full-scale mass production commences, revenue is expected to increase significantly.

The key differentiator LG Innotek leverages in the competition for robotic component orders is its capability as a so-called "physical AI total solution provider." Humanoid robots require various components, including sensing modules, connectivity communication modules, and semiconductor substrates. Possessing a wide range of relevant core technologies, LG Innotek is evaluated as having an overwhelming competitive edge in swiftly securing a leadership position in the robotics component market.

In the future, LG Innotek plans to grow its future businesses, including semiconductor substrates and physical AI solutions, to USD 5.94 billion by 2030. The company aims to have such future new businesses account for 25 percent of total revenue, thereby completing a well-balanced business portfolio.

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- Automation and agentic AI, powered by MSuite, run directly across onboarding, processing, underwriting, QC, closing and servicing.

- Every automated output is checked at a defined human checkpoint before it becomes a lending decision, backed by SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001, and ISO 9001:2015 certification

- Flatworld Mortgage has already absorbed 100% more loan volume at 24–48 hours' notice

PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Flatworld Mortgage Solutions LLC, a strategic player in the mortgage processing space across the US announced a brand relaunch built on three pillars, Smart, Secure and Scalable, that reflects an operational transformation already running in production. With more than a decade running the US mortgage back office, Flatworld Mortgage has watched rising costs, heavier compliance scrutiny, and unpredictable loan volume stretch the industry's legacy cost-driven operating model past its limit. This transformation replaces headcount-driven processing with automation and agentic AI built directly into origination workflows, across underwriting support, QC, closing and post-closing.

Smart. MSuite, the AI platform, indexes more than 1 million pages a month across 450-plus document types at a 90%+ accuracy rate. It also runs automated income, asset, and credit review and undisclosed debt notification (UDN) processing. The workflow itself has changed, not just its speed: an agent now owns a part of each file end to end, reviewing it, requesting what's missing and escalating only when a decision needs judgment, which eliminates handoffs rather than speeding them up. Work that used to take a person the better part of a day, is now completed in minutes.

Secure. Human-in-the-loop checkpoints are built into each workflow alongside the automation, so only genuine exceptions reach a person. In underwriting, for example, an agent pre-clears the conditions it can verify and flags the rest for an underwriter; the underwriter always has control over the credit decision. Each checkpoint is designed to be auditable, and data handling is secure, under SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001, and ISO 9001:2015 certification held at the Flatworld Solutions group level.

Scalable. In production, Flatworld Mortgage has already absorbed 100% more loan volume at 24 to 48 hours' notice, without a corresponding hiring cycle, with processing up to 40% faster than in-house baselines and a 55% net financial benefit in average cost savings and financial returns.

Speaking about the launch, David Antony, CEO of Flatworld Mortgage said "Most AI in mortgage gets bolted onto an existing workflow. We took the opposite approach: we rebuilt the workflow first, decided what AI should do and what a person should own, and only then automated it. In a regulated industry, you can't say the AI made the call and I don't know why, someone must own that outcome. That's not a technology upgrade. It's a different way of building a mortgage operation."

Flatworld Mortgage is bringing the Smart, Secure, Scalable platform into conversations with lenders, servicers, and title companies this fall.

About Flatworld Mortgage

Flatworld Mortgage provides comprehensive solutions and BI/analytics services to lenders, brokers, servicers, correspondent lenders, and title companies across the US. The company runs around-the-clock operations, backed by a leadership team with decades of combined experience in US mortgage lending and regulation, and pairs that process expertise with MSuite, its automation and agentic AI platform. Flatworld Mortgage is based in Princeton, New Jersey.

SOURCE Flatworld Mortgage Solutions LLC

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Tetragon Financial Group Limited August 2026 Monthly Factsheet

LONDON, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tetragon has released its Monthly Factsheet for August 2026.

Please click below to access the Monthly Factsheet.

About Tetragon:

Tetragon Financial Group is a Guernsey closed-ended investment company. Its non-voting shares are listed on Euronext in Amsterdam, a regulated market of Euronext Amsterdam N.V., and also traded on the Specialist Fund Segment of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Our investment manager is Tetragon Financial Management LP. Find out more at www.tetragoninv.com/shareholders.

Tetragon's non-voting shares are subject to restrictions on ownership by U.S. persons and are not intended for European retail investors. Please see: www.tetragoninv.com/shareholders/additional-info/.

Tetragon Investor Relations:

Yuko Thomas

[email protected]

Press Inquiries:

Prosek Partners

[email protected]

U.K. +44 20 3890 9193

U.S. +1 212 279 3115

This release does not contain or constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction. The securities of Tetragon have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons unless they are registered under applicable law or exempt from registration. Tetragon does not intend to register any portion of its securities in the United States or to conduct a public offer of securities in the United States. In addition, Tetragon has not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, and investors will not be entitled to the benefits of such Act. Tetragon is registered in the public register of the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets under Section 1:107 of the Financial Markets Supervision Act as a collective investment scheme from a designated country.

SOURCE Tetragon Financial Group Limited

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Breaking the Safety Barrier: Insilico Medicine Nominates ISM1354, the Next-Generation Small Molecule GIPR Antagonist

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As population aging accelerates with demand for weight management continuing to expand, the market for GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) drugs is experiencing explosive growth. Tirzepatide, with annual sales of $36.507 billion in 2025, has become the latest Top Drug, underscoring the industry's momentum and commercial potential. To further advance long-acting and precise weight management, the industry has proposed a combination strategy using GIPR (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor) antagonists alongside GLP-1 therapies. This approach is expected to reduce fat while preserving muscle mass, demonstrating significant synergistic weight-loss potential. This strategy carries heightened clinical relevance given the rising risk of sarcopenia among aging populations. However, several GIPR candidates have recently stumbled in clinical trials due to toxicity and tolerability issues. This highlights the R&D challenges while pointing the way for further optimization.

Insilico Medicine ("Insilico", HKEX: 3696), a clinical-stage drug discovery company powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI), today announced the nomination of ISM1354, an AI-driven novel small molecule preclinical candidate (PCC) targeting GIPR, for the potential intervention of obesity, as well as obesity-related disorders including type 2 diabetes, with the potential to expand into cardiovascular diseases in regulating obesity-associated heart failure and more. Notably, in January of this year, Insilico announced the nomination of another GIPR antagonist, ISM0676, which demonstrated up to a 31.3% weight loss when used in combination with Semaglutide in humanized mouse models. In comparison, the newly nominated PCC maintains robust weight-loss efficacy while delivering further improvements in pharmacokinetic and safety profiles, while retaining its favorable drug-like properties.

"Generative AI is demonstrating immense potential in cracking complex drug discovery challenges," said Feng Ren, PhD, Co-CEO and CSO of Insilico Medicine. "Given the structural complexity and intricate functional mechanisms of GIPR, the identification of viable small-molecule GIPR antagonists and the optimization of their drug-like properties remain major challenges in drug development. However, by leveraging the highly efficient molecular generation and optimization capabilities of our Pharma.AI platform, we successfully overcame these bottlenecks in a very short time and nominated the next-generation GIPR antagonist, ISM1354. This breakthrough, balancing both speed and quality, is truly encouraging. With the empowerment of generative AI, we look forward to exploring viable models for R&D breakthroughs in the cardiometabolic field, providing patients with safer and longer-lasting intervention options."

Leveraging Chemistry42, the proprietary generative chemistry platform, the Insilico R&D team integrated multiple prediction modules into the molecular generation and optimization workflow, balancing potency, selectivity and safety. Built upon in-house protein-ligand complex structures and key interaction information, Chemistry42 performed multi-objective molecular optimization by reinforcing critical on-target interactions and penalizing off-target interactions. Meanwhile, the DILI (Drug Induced Liver Injury) prediction model was deployed for upfront filtering of candidate molecules with improved safety profiles. FEP (Free Energy Perturbation) was subsequently applied for affinity prediction and ranking. After multiple rounds of DMTA (Design-Make-Test-Analyze) iterations with experimental data feedback, ISM1354 was selected as the preclinical candidate.

Preclinical evaluation showed that ISM1354 possesses outstanding and highly consistent pharmacokinetic characteristics across multiple species, including mice, rats, dogs, and monkeys, achieving oral bioavailability of 75-104%. At the same dose level, ISM1354 delivered at least 18-fold greater plasma exposure than a clinical-stage benchmark compound, demonstrating a marked advantage in systemic exposure and supporting its strong development potential.

Beyond its favorable PK properties, ISM1354 also displayed differentiated safety attributes. In vitro studies revealed substantially weaker inhibition of OATP1B1 compared to the clinical-stage benchmark compound, suggesting a more favorable transporter-related safety profile and an improved overall developability profile. ISM1354 demonstrated a markedly wider hepatocyte safety margin, showing minimal effects on cell viability at concentrations up to 200 μM, whereas a clinical-stage benchmark compound exhibited cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values of ~25 μM in human hepatocytes and ~20 μM in monkey hepatocytes, indicating a lower potential hepatotoxicity risk for ISM1354.

In a non-GLP monkey toxicology assessment, ISM1354 was generally well tolerated and exhibited a favorable safety profile, with no significant toxicity findings observed. The current exposure-based analysis indicated an estimated ~45-fold margin of safety (MOS), providing strong support for advancing into GLP toxicology studies.

"Obesity is not an isolated health issue; it is a trigger for many diseases, and lipid metabolism disorder itself is a core hallmark of biological aging. I believe that GLP-1 therapies are poised to become the first 'longevity drugs' that can be popularized on a large scale, which is a massive opportunity that cannot be measured by money alone. " said Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD, Founder and Co-CEO of Insilico Medicine. "However, we absolutely cannot trade the decline in body weight at the expense of physical vitality and muscle mass, and this has been a long-standing pain point in the industry. At Insilico Medicine, we are leveraging the breakthrough power of generative AI to conquer this challenge, committing to discovering innovative mechanisms that can break through the existing efficacy ceiling, and providing next-generation disruptive solutions for true healthy aging."

To date, Insilico announced the nomination of 10 preclinical candidate compounds (PCCs) in the first 9 months of 2026, breaking the company's historical record for annual pipeline output pushing the total number of PCCs nominated since 2021 to 34, validating the R&D efficiency of generative AI through reproducible, real-world examples. According to the 2026 interim report, as of the middle of August, Insilico has achieved 8 clinical milestones across its internal and partnered pipelines. Leading these R&D advances is Rentosertib (ISM001-055), the world's first potential first-in-class drug candidate enabled by generative AI. Rentosertib has officially entered Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), taking a crucial step toward clinical validation and commercialization.

Since launching the MMAI Gym model training and evaluation ecosystem in 2026, Insilico Medicine has established AI co-development collaborations with Liquid AI (focused on liquid foundation models), Human Longevity (focused on precision health and longevity research), and others. Leveraging the MMAI Gym evaluation ecosystem, Insilico established and published benchmark leaderboard portals evaluating general-purpose model capabilities across specialized domains such as scientific reasoning, longevity research, and drug discovery, making evaluation results publicly accessible online. Notably, the Longevity benchmark focusing on the biology of aging was recently featured on the cover of a Cell special issue.

Additionally, in July, Insilico released the industry's first "Drug Discovery Benchmark Evaluation" dataset, aiming to systematically assess the comprehensive performance of foundation models in the field of drug discovery. Recently, the company further announced the launch of a series of cutting-edge chemistry and biology expert models trained and driven by MMAI Gym for Science. These models have demonstrated State-of-the-Art (SOTA) performance across over 50 benchmark tasks. Backed by this novel capability, Insilico is poised to drive scaled innovation, explore new modalities, and expand into diversified indications, further accelerating the discovery and development of "longevity drugs".

Driven by broad global recognition of its AI platform and pipeline assets, Insilico recently announced total revenue of approximately $106 million for the first half of 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 287%, alongside an adjusted net profit exceeding $51 million—marking its first profitable half-year since listing. This financial milestone was primarily propelled by a series of out-licensing, co-development, and R&D collaborations with leading global partners, including Eli Lilly, Servier, Takeda, SK Biopharmaceuticals, Qilu Pharmaceutical, Hygtia Therapeutics, China Medical System (CMS), and Tenacia Biotechnology. According to the 2026 interim report, as of the middle of August, Insilico's disclosed deal value for signed collaborations in 2026 alone has reached approximately $7.3 billion, bringing the company's cumulative total signed deal value since 2021 to nearly $11 billion.

About Insilico Medicine

Insilico Medicine is a pioneering global biotechnology company dedicated to integrating artificial intelligence and automation technologies to accelerate drug discovery, drive innovation in the life sciences, and extend healthy longevity to people on the planet. The company was listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on December 30, 2025, under the stock code 03696.HK.

By integrating AI and automation technologies and deep in-house drug discovery capabilities, Insilico is delivering innovative drug solutions for unmet needs including fibrosis, oncology, immunology, pain, and obesity and metabolic disorders.

Saitama Prefecture Releases New Video and Brochure for Global Markets, Showcasing Charm of Traditional "SAYAMA-CHA"

SAITAMA, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Saitama Prefectural Government has released a new promotional video and brochure highlighting the appeal of "SAYAMA-CHA" to international markets. Acclaimed for its deep flavor and mellow sweetness as "One of Japan's Three Finest Teas," SAYAMA-CHA brings a soothing, peaceful time from Tokyo's neighbor to the world.

Image: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M109119/202609256651/_prw_PI1fl_GK76M6Sj.jpg

Brochure: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202609256651-O1-01p7LA36.pdf

YouTube: https://youtu.be/PdXfpv2aZZM

"Saitama Wasshoi": https://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/saitama-wassyoi/know/en.html

Highlights

-"From Saitama to the World": Delivering Premium Heritage Tea "SAYAMA-CHA"

Under the tag line "Saitama's Finest Produce," Saitama Prefecture is strengthening its global outreach to introduce the profound appeal of traditional green tea SAYAMA-CHA worldwide.

-Secrets Behind Flavor: Creating Unmatched Depth through Temperature Variations and Traditional Techniques

Among Japan's three finest teas, SAYAMA-CHA has won praise for its rich taste, being hailed as "SAYAMA-CHA for the Flavor." Located 30 kilometers from central Tokyo, the Sayama Hills experiences significant temperature variations, reaching 35 degrees Celsius in summer and near minus 10 degrees Celsius in winter. This climate makes thicker tea leaves, allowing fresh sprouts to amass rich umami. Furthermore, the distinctive tea-roasting technique "Sayama-bi-ire" draws a deep flavor and mellow sweetness, completing top-quality SENCHA.

-Farmers' Passion: Single-estate Production by Multigenerational Family Businesses

Another advantage is the passion and craftsmanship of local tea farmers. Many tea estates are family-run businesses passing down sophisticated techniques over generations. Managing the entire process, from cultivation and processing to retail, farmers constantly refine their tea's flavor each harvest.

-Exquisite Mindfulness Brought by SAYAMA-CHA: Serenity to "Final Drop"

SAYAMA-CHA is far more than a beverage. The process begins by placing carefully cultivated tea leaves into a teapot and gently pouring hot water cooled to the ideal temperature of around 80 degrees Celsius.

As the leaves slowly unfurl and their rich aroma fills the air, a moment of quiet anticipation emerges. Then, the experience unfolds with every sip until the final drop, rich with concentrated umami. Each mindful step generates serenity for warm conversation, soothing the modern mind.

-Unveiling SAYAMA-CHA Through Official Media to Expand Global Markets

Through its official video and brochure, Saitama Prefecture presents the value of SAYAMA-CHA to global buyers and lifestyle companies, advancing brand establishment for international markets.

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DORCO Wins 2026 Red Dot Award for Renewed Corporate Identity

Global design recognition highlights DORCO's 70-year heritage and unified visual identity

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- DORCO, South Korean razor manufacturer, announced that its renewed corporate identity has received the Red Dot distinction in the Corporate Design & Identity category of the Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design 2026. One of the world's most renowned design competitions, the Red Dot Award evaluates entries through an international jury of design experts. Its Brands & Communication Design competition has been held since 1993.

Undertaken as DORCO marked its 70th anniversary in 2025, the brand renewal established a cohesive identity centered on the company's technological expertise, precision and global ambitions. Founded in 1955, DORCO has more than seven decades of expertise in blade technology and product development and operates in more than 130 countries.

The new brand core, "Leading Edge," captures DORCO's technological excellence and ambition to lead in the global market. Its vision, "Achieving the Top with Leading-Edge Innovation," expresses its commitment to innovation, precision and customer experience. DORCO SLEEK demonstrates how this approach extends to product innovation, combining the company's advances in shaving technology with a refined design. Within two years of its launch, SLEEK has received two major global design awards and entered the Amazon Best Sellers Rank.

Since the rebranding, DORCO has brought its renewed identity to life through marketing campaigns across key markets, including Egypt and the US, helping create a clearer and more consistent brand experience for consumers. These campaigns bring greater consistency to how DORCO communicates its longstanding commitment to precision, quality and reliable shaving performance across markets. DORCO continues to expand its global presence, with its products available through 35 of the world's top 50 retailers.

The Red Dot award marks another milestone in DORCO's efforts to strengthen its global brand presence. The company will continue to pursue innovation and precision across its products and brand experience, delivering greater value and satisfaction to consumers worldwide.

About DORCO

Founded in 1955, DORCO has been a global leader in developing and manufacturing innovative razor products worldwide. We continue to push the boundaries of shaving technology. DORCO's diverse range of razors combines cutting-edge blade innovation with ergonomic designs, delivering the smoothest, most comfortable shave on the market. With a commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and sustainability, DORCO enriches the shaving experience for millions of customers across 130+ countries.

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AbbVie Showcases Leadership in Dermatology Research With New Clinical and Real-World Evidence Across Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases at 2026 EADV Congress

- AbbVie presents 60 abstracts and presentations from a robust portfolio spanning across alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, non-segmental vitiligo, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

- New data for risankizumab and upadacitinib provide further evidence supporting efficacy and safety across diverse patient populations

- Data evaluating investigational compounds lutikizumab and zumilokibart will also be presented, highlighting AbbVie's ongoing research in additional mechanisms of action

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced new research across its diverse dermatology portfolio to be presented at the 2026 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, September 30 – October 3 in Vienna, Austria. The breadth of data from 60 abstracts, including three late-breaking presentations, reflects AbbVie's expanding portfolio across a wide spectrum of immune-mediated skin diseases, and includes the investigational compounds lutikizumab and zumilokibart, and approved therapies, SKYRIZI® (risankizumab) and RINVOQ® (upadacitinib).

"At EADV, we are excited to share new data that further strengthen the growing evidence base across our dermatology portfolio, including SKYRIZI, RINVOQ and investigational therapies," said Ryan DeMasi, M.D., vice president, global medical affairs, immunology, AbbVie. "These findings underscore our ongoing research in advancing scientific understanding and delivering innovative treatment options that have the potential to meaningfully improve outcomes for patients across a broad spectrum of immune-mediated skin diseases."

Key data to be presented across the following therapeutic areas include:

- Alopecia Areata (AA): 52-week data on the long-term efficacy and safety of upadacitinib from the Phase 3 UP-AA trials, alongside new analyses evaluating improvements in patients' quality of life following upadacitinib treatment.

- Atopic Dermatitis (AD): 

- Late-breaking presentation of the primary 16-week results from the Phase 2 APEX Part B dose-regimen-finding study evaluating the efficacy and safety of zumilokibart in moderate to severe AD. Results from the Phase 2 APEX Part A study evaluating maintenance and improvement of response with zumilokibart through 52 weeks, as well as efficacy in patients with AD and evidence of type 2 inflammatory comorbidities.

- Data from both real-world registries and clinical trial settings evaluating the efficacy of upadacitinib in specific patient populations, including those with moderate disease, hand eczema or an itch-dominant phenotype.

- Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS): 

- Late-breaking presentation showing how lutikizumab targets neutrophilic inflammation and fibroblast activation in HS.

- Results from a Phase 2 study evaluating the impact of lutikizumab on symptom burden, disease burden and quality of life in patients with moderate-to-severe HS. An additional analysis of this Phase 2 study will assess the impact on disease severity according to the International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System (IHS4) with lutikizumab.

- Non-segmental Vitiligo (NSV): Analyses from two Phase 3 trials (Viti-Up 1 and 2) of upadacitinib in adults and adolescents with NSV, evaluating patient-reported outcomes, disease stabilization and repigmentation, week 48 efficacy and safety data as well as week 76 continued repigmentation response. Findings from a phototherapy substudy evaluating the efficacy and safety of RINVOQ in combination with narrow band ultraviolet (NB-UVB) phototherapy and RINVOQ monotherapy after 28 weeks.

- Psoriasis (PsO): Efficacy and safety results from several real-world and clinical studies of risankizumab in patients with moderate to severe PsO, including adults with high-impact area involvement and Week 52 data in pediatric patients.

- Other key data include results from a head-to-head trial evaluating risankizumab vs. deucravacitinib in moderate psoriasis patients, and a retrospective, real-world study evaluating the association of risankizumab and other targeted immunomodulators on risk of developing psoriatic arthritis in adults with PsO.

- Other key data include results from a head-to-head trial evaluating risankizumab vs. deucravacitinib in moderate psoriasis patients, and a retrospective, real-world study evaluating the association of risankizumab and other targeted immunomodulators on risk of developing psoriatic arthritis in adults with PsO.

- Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): A post-hoc analysis of the Phase 3 KEEPsAKE-1 trial will evaluate radiographic progression in patients with active PsA treated with risankizumab according to their risk of joint erosive disease.

The 2026 EADV Congress program is available here, including the late-breaking sessions. Select abstracts and oral presentations from AbbVie include:

About RINVOQ® (upadacitinib)

Discovered and developed by AbbVie scientists, RINVOQ is a selective and reversible JAK inhibitor that is being studied in several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.1,2 In human cellular assays, RINVOQ preferentially inhibits signaling by JAK1 or JAK 1/3 with functional selectivity over cytokine receptors that signal via pairs of JAK2.1

Upadacitinib (RINVOQ) is being studied in Phase 3 clinical trials for hidradenitis suppurativa, Takayasu arteritis and systemic lupus erythematosus and in pediatric studies for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, atopic dermatitis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

EU Indications and Important Safety Information about RINVOQ® (upadacitinib)1 Indications

Rheumatoid arthritis

RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adult patients who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). RINVOQ may be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate.

Psoriatic arthritis

RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adult patients who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to one or more DMARDs. RINVOQ may be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate.

Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis

RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) [polyarticular rheumatoid factor positive {RF+} or negative {RF-}, extended oligoarticular], in patients 2 years of age and older who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to one or more DMARDs. RINVOQ may be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate.

Axial spondyloarthritis

Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA)

RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in adult patients with objective signs of inflammation as indicated by elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), who have responded inadequately to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS, radiographic axial spondyloarthritis)

RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis in adult patients who have responded inadequately to conventional therapy.

Giant cell arteritis

RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA) in adult patients.

Atopic dermatitis

RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults and adolescents 12 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy.

Alopecia areata

RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of severe alopecia areata in adults and adolescents 12 years and older.

Vitiligo

RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo in adults and adolescents 12 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy.

Ulcerative colitis

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

Crohn's disease

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

Important Safety Information

Contraindications

RINVOQ is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to the active substance or to any of the excipients, in patients with active tuberculosis (TB) or active serious infections, in patients with severe hepatic impairment, and during pregnancy.

Special warnings and precautions for use

RINVOQ should only be used if no suitable treatment alternatives are available in patients:

- 65 years of age and older;

- patients with history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) disease or other CV risk factors (such as current or past long-time smokers);

- patients with malignancy risk factors (e.g. current malignancy or history of malignancy)

Use in patients 65 years of age and older

Considering the increased risk of MACE, malignancies, serious infections, and all-cause mortality in patients ≥65 years of age, as observed in a large randomised study of tofacitinib (another Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor), RINVOQ should only be used in these patients if no suitable treatment alternatives are available. In patients ≥65 years of age, there is an increased risk of adverse reactions with RINVOQ 30 mg once daily. Consequently, the recommended dose for long-term use in this patient population is 15 mg once daily.

Immunosuppressive medicinal products

Use in combination with other potent immunosuppressants is not recommended.

Serious infections

Serious and sometimes fatal infections have been reported in patients receiving RINVOQ.

- This test expands Roche's early diagnostics portfolio by screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease (SCID), and Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) simultaneously.

- Catching these conditions shortly after birth empowers clinicians to choose life-changing treatments sooner, before irreversible symptoms or permanent damage manifest.

- The IVDR-approved test provides private and academic hospital laboratories with a ready-to-use solution that easily integrates into existing workflows.

BERLIN, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Roche (SIX: RO, ROP; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that TIB MOLBIOL, a subsidiary of Roche Diagnostics, has launched the LightMix® Newborn TREC/SMN1/HBB kit, an in vitro diagnostic test for newborn screening in countries accepting the CE mark. The test simultaneously screens for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease (SCID), and Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). This launch provides a crucial, ready-to-use solution for private and academic hospital labs, enabling the early detection of devastating conditions to drastically improve patient outcomes.

"When a baby is born with a condition like SMA or SCID, every single day counts," said Marcus Droege, CEO of TIB MOLBIOL. "Catching these diseases before symptoms appear isn't just about early diagnosis; it's the difference between a child thriving or facing severe, lifelong disability. By expanding our compliant newborn screening tools across Europe, we are helping laboratories transition to high-precision solutions that ensure no critical diagnosis is delayed."

Early diagnosis empowers clinicians with clear, actionable information, providing answers for patients and their families and enabling them to access the appropriate treatments sooner. This screening test exemplifies Roche's integrated approach to healthcare by acting as a first-tier trigger for immediate follow-up testing and therapeutic intervention.

For example, after identifying SMA, a rare disorder causing progressive muscle weakness and nerve degeneration, at birth, clinicians can immediately initiate treatment with targeted therapies. Catching SMA early may halt severe nerve damage, prevent permanent disability, and allow for normal growth milestones1.

Similarly, early detection of SCD allows for timely interventions, including preventive penicillin and specialised immunisations, which can drastically lower infant mortality2. In conditions like SCID, historically known as "bubble boy disease", infants lack a functioning immune system and are highly susceptible to severe infections. Early detection allows for lifesaving treatments such as bone marrow transplants before dangerous infections occur3.

The LightMix® Newborn TREC/SMN1/HBB kit runs on established LightCycler systems.

About the diseases

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a genetic neuromuscular disorder causing progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness. It is caused by homozygous deletions of survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) exon 7. Early detection allows treatment to start before symptoms appear, leading to better muscle function.

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) is a group of rare, life-threatening genetic disorders characterised by a lack of functioning T cells, leaving infants with virtually no immune system. Without prompt medical intervention, it is fatal within the first year or two of life.

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited red blood cell disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the HBB gene. Red blood cells become rigid and sickle-shaped, breaking down prematurely and blocking blood vessels. Timely care lowers the risk of severe infections, sudden spleen failure, and early childhood death.4

About TIB MOLBIOL

TIB MOLBIOL, a subsidiary of Roche Diagnostics, has supplied the global market with reagents for research and medical diagnostics since 1990. Started as a manufacturer of custom oligonucleotides, the company has built a broad portfolio of molecular PCR assays used in medical diagnostics, research, and industrial manufacturing worldwide. TIB MOLBIOL's portfolio of assays are available for LightCycler systems, cobas 5800/6800/8800 omni utility channels and digital LightCycler systems, particularly for infectious and genetic diseases. The assays are offered as ready-to-use kits for established syndromic panels, as well as modular kits that enable customers to create customized panels by combining individual assays. TIB MOLBIOL is headquartered in Berlin (Germany). For more information about the PCR assays and systems, please visit www.diagnostics.roche.com or www.tib-molbiol.com.

About Roche 

Roche (SIX: RO, ROP; OTCQX: RHHBY) is a healthcare company uniquely placed to prevent, stop and cure diseases by uniting leading science and technology across diagnostics, medicines and digital solutions.

Roche was founded in Basel, Switzerland in 1896 and today is a leading provider of transformative medicines and diagnostics for millions of people in over 150 countries around the world. It is dedicated to tackling healthcare challenges that place the greatest strain on patients, families, communities and healthcare systems. Across its Diagnostics and Pharmaceutical divisions, Roche focuses on areas including oncology, neurology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, ophthalmology, infectious diseases and immunology with the aim of providing real and positive change for patients, the people they love and the professionals who care for them.

Genentech in the United States is a fully owned subsidiary in the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, a major innovator in the Japanese therapeutic antibody market.

For more information, please visit www.roche.com.

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.

References

[1] Phan HC, Taylor JL, Hannon H, Howell R. Newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy: Anticipating an imminent need. Semin Perinatol. 2015 Apr;39(3):217-29. doi: 10.1053/j.semperi.2015.03.006. PMID: 25979781.

[2] Elendu C, Amaechi DC, Alakwe-Ojimba CE, Elendu TC, Elendu RC, Ayabazu CP, Aina TO, Aborisade O, Adenikinju JS. Understanding Sickle cell disease: Causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Sep 22;102(38):e35237. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035237. PMID: 37746969; PMCID: PMC10519513.

[3] Biggs CM, Haddad E, Issekutz TB, Roifman CM, Turvey SE. Newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency: a primer for clinicians. CMAJ. 2017 Dec 18;189(50):E1551-E1557. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.170561. PMID: 29255099; PMCID: PMC5738248.

[4] Ochocinski D, Dalal M, Black LV, Carr S, Lew J, Sullivan K, Kissoon N. Life-Threatening Infectious Complications in Sickle Cell Disease: A Concise Narrative Review. Front Pediatr. 2020 Feb 20;8:38. doi: 10.3389/fped.2020.00038. PMID: 32154192; PMCID: PMC7044152.

For further information please contact

Yvette Petillon, Group Media Relations

Phone: +41 79 961 92 50

e-Mail: [email protected]

Kathryn Ager, Senior Communications Business Partner Roche Diagnostics

Phone: +44 7745 115046

e-Mail: [email protected]

Brien Mahoney, Head of Communications Molecular Labs

Phone: +1 925-699-8512

e-Mail: [email protected]

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