A Collaboration Defined by Boldness

HONG KONG, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Founded in 1981 by Tonino Lamborghini, heir to the Lamborghini family, Tonino Lamborghini is a lifestyle experience brand with an engineering heritage. For over four decades, the brand has brought the essence of Italian attitude and Lamborghini uncompromised sprit to the world, where luxury is not only something you own, but something you feel, live and experience. For Tonino Lamborghini, lifestyle is ultimately a state of mind—a bold attitude defined by character, boldness and individuality.

This daring spirit makes the partnership with TECNO a natural fit. TECNO believes that technology should go beyond function and become a way for users to express who they are in a fresh view. This belief is especially strong in the POVA line, where bold expression comes through youthful energy, unconventional design and a performance-driven experience.

In a market where smartphones are becoming increasingly similar, both brands share the desire to break away from convention. Tonino Lamborghini brings Italian design, mechanical aesthetics and a distinctive lifestyle attitude, while TECNO brings mobile innovation, technological know-how and a deep understanding of a new generation of users.

The result is the TECNO POVA 8 Pro 5G Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition, made for people who see a smartphone as an expression of attitude and identity. Rather than simply placing an iconic logo on a smartphone, the collaboration translates the mechanical design language and bold spirit of Tonino Lamborghini into the youthful identity of POVA.

Bold Expression, Inspired by the Language of Lamborghini Legacy

The project began with a fundamental question: how could Tonino Lamborghini's legacy, design language and mechanical heritage be translated into a mobile product?

To answer this, the TECNO design team looked beyond the surface. The team studied the visual codes of design, from body lines and lighting structures to cooling grilles, honeycomb patterns and exhaust-inspired details. At the same time, TECNO worked closely with the Tonino Lamborghini team to understand the deeper spirit behind the brand.

Together, the two teams reinterpreted these elements as a design language that belongs naturally to a smartphone while still capturing the attitude behind Tonino Lamborghini: strength, precision, distinction and bold self-expression.

This thinking is reflected across the design of the TECNO POVA 8 Pro 5G Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition. The phone adopts a classic black-and-red colorway, with black as the dominant tone and red as the visual accent. The result is powerful but controlled, energetic but refined.

At the center of the rear design is the Pulse Line, inspired by the flow of energy and visual rhythm of engineered design. It creates a clear focal point on the back of the phone, like a pulse of energy running through the device. As an abstract expression of power and dynamic movement, it translates POVA's performance-driven DNA into a distinctive visual signature.

Surrounding it is the Signature Shield pattern, a graphic structure inspired by Tonino Lamborghini's shield identity and mechanical geometry. Together, these details give the phone a strong sense of movement, depth and recognition. The Pulse Line expresses energy in motion, while the shield pattern gives that energy strength and structure.

Completing the composition is the metallic Tonino Lamborghini logo positioned at the lower-right corner. Rather than appearing as an isolated badge, its premium metallic finish becomes part of the overall composition, working together with the black-red contrast, layered textures and mechanical patterns to create a complete visual identity.

This is where bold expression becomes more than decoration. The phone is no longer only a functional choice. It becomes a statement of identity and a way for users to show confidence, individuality and style, while experiencing Tonino Lamborghini's aesthetics in a new mobile form.

Bold Design, Elevated by Mechanical-Inspired Craftsmanship

For TECNO, design was only the beginning. The real challenge was to bring the concept to life with a finish that felt truly premium in the hand: to deliver depth, reflection and texture comparable to a high-end lacquered surface, rather than letting the design remain a flat visual idea.

To achieve this, TECNO developed one of the most complex rear-cover production processes ever used on a POVA product.

The team created an exclusive dual-layer stacking process. The first layer uses a brightness-enhancing treatment, similar in spirit to applying a protective coating that expresses depth, clarity, and visual richness on a premium surface. This gives the rear cover a deeper, more refined reflective quality, allowing light and shadow to move across the surface with greater richness.

The second layer was even more challenging. TECNO wanted the black finish to reveal different visual effects under different angles of light. As the user rotates the phone, hidden red structures gradually emerge, creating a subtle shift between darkness and energy. To achieve this effect, TECNO introduced specially processed internal mirror structures. The principle is similar to how curved mirrors refract and redirect light, making the process far more complex and significantly increasing production difficulty.

Between the two material layers, TECNO created a physical height difference. This allows the rear cover to simulate the layered relationship of mechanical structures, cooling components and honeycomb grilles, giving the phone genuine spatial depth rather than a flat printed texture.

Such complexity also brought major consistency challenges. To ensure every mass-produced unit could achieve the desired effect, TECNO spent additional time validating the manufacturing process, repeatedly adjusting the coating, ink and processing techniques.

After months of refinement and multiple rounds of communication with Tonino Lamborghini, TECNO was able to bring the bold design concept into a real product with the quality, depth and finish expected from both brands. The final device does more than carry the visual codes of Tonino Lamborghini. It brings them to life through materials, craftsmanship and production precision and technological innovations.

Every Detail Carries the Spirit

The collaboration does not stop at hardware design. From the beginning, TECNO wanted to create a complete Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition experience, extending the brand spirit into software, interaction and accessories. The aim was to ensure that the phone's distinctive identity could be felt not only in its appearance, but throughout everyday use.

In the software experience, TECNO chose the shield, the emblem of the Tonino Lamborghini brand, as the central visual element, extending the brand's identity into a cohesive system design language.

To maintain consistency, the customized icons adopt the classic black-red color palette and incorporate a glass-like material effect. TECNO also refined selected icon outlines to make them sharper and more geometric, shifting softer rounded forms toward hexagon-like or shield-inspired silhouettes, so the system's visual language better reflects the strength and precision associated with Tonino Lamborghini.

Beyond static visuals, TECNO invested nearly four months in developing a full set of system experiences, including dynamic wallpapers, ringtones, and the Alive Matrix Display with a customized Tonino Lamborghini's signature "L" effect. The goal was to ensure that every interaction—from lighting up the device to unlocking and navigating the system—carries a consistent sense of identity, combining TECNO's intuitive user experience with Tonino Lamborghini's bold and premium expression.

The same attention to detail extends to the accessories. TECNO redesigned the unboxing experience around the phone, including a black-and-red braided cable, customized charger and protective case. These accessories are not treated as add-ons, but as part of the full design story and experience.

The protective case continues the same mechanical-inspired thinking. It uses a dual-material combination of TPU and PC, improving protection while echoing the relationship between an exterior body covering and an internal mechanical frame. The central section adopts precision carving to create a Kevlar-inspired carbon-fiber texture, giving the case a distinctly technical and dynamic character. Rather than simply protecting the phone, the case extends the same mechanical aesthetic into everyday use.

Boldness as an Attitude

Boldness is not about being excessive. It is not about being loud for the sake of attention. True boldness is the confidence to stay distinctive, to pursue a clear vision, and to turn that vision into every detail of a product.

That is the spirit behind the TECNO POVA 8 Pro 5G Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition.

From the complex dual-layer rear-cover process and mechanical-paint-like finish to the customized software experience and redesigned accessories, every detail reflects the same ambition: to make the smartphone not only more recognizable, but more expressive.

The TECNO POVA 8 Pro 5G Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition is therefore more than a co-branded smartphone. It is a contemporary interpretation of mechanical aesthetics, where Italian design, engineering precision and mobile innovation come together in one complete experience.

More importantly, it is a statement of attitude: a bold belief that craftsmanship can transform technology into a more distinctive expression of identity.

SOURCE TECNO

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NEW POLL: D.C. Policy Influencers, Small Business Owners and American Voters Demand U.S. Companies Receive Fair Treatment by Foreign Governments

Bipartisan majorities warn that U.S. lawmakers cannot tolerate discriminatory regulations by foreign countries that put American jobs, exports, and small businesses at risk.

- 78% of the American public say they would be more likely to support policymakers who defend American businesses overseas, including 72% of Democrats and 87% of Republicans.

- More than 90% of small business owners believe the success of American companies in international markets increases U.S. exports and advances American technology.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. government should ensure that American companies are treated fairly by foreign governments while doing business abroad — an issue that bipartisan majorities believe is critical to America's future economic competitiveness, a comprehensive new poll finds.

The survey of Washington, D.C. policy influencers, small business owners and voters was conducted by the non-partisan research firm Penta Group and commissioned by the US-Asia Fair Market Alliance (US-Asia FMA).

The findings reveal that both Democrats and Republicans broadly believe U.S. lawmakers should make fair market access a priority, and that the U.S. government should respond swiftly to defend businesses against unfair discrimination. The poll also indicates that fair treatment of U.S. firms abroad is no longer seen as just a corporate concern, but as a vital pillar of U.S. economic competitiveness.

"This data sends an unmistakable message to both Washington and our trading partners in Asia: Americans expect a level playing field, and they expect our government to defend it. When foreign regulators selectively target American companies with discriminatory hurdles, they aren't just harming them — they are choking off export channels for American small businesses, threatening domestic jobs, and undermining the very foundation of rules-based trade. We cannot allow our allies to reap the benefits of open access to the U.S. market while shutting the door on American innovation and enterprise."

— Matt Mowers, Executive Director, US-Asia Fair Market Alliance

The poll surveyed more than 300 D.C. policy influencers — including congressional staff, think tank scholars, and foreign policy experts — and a nationally representative sample of 1,000 American voters, including 137 small- and medium-sized business owners.

Key findings from the survey include:

- Broad Demand for Fair Treatment: 86% of D.C. policy influencers and nearly 90 percent (88%) of the American public agree that U.S. companies deserve fair and reciprocal treatment in foreign markets when doing business with global allies. That expectation applies regardless of the company or industry involved.

- Small Business Owners Feel the Financial Impact of Unfair Treatment Abroad: 70% of small- and medium-sized business owners believe unfair treatment of American companies abroad could have a significant impact on their financial well-being.

- Consequences for Trade Alliances: A decisive majority of respondents (76% of voters and 71% of D.C. policy influencers) believe the U.S. should respond equally firmly to unfair market restrictions imposed on U.S. companies, regardless of whether the country involved is a close ally.

- Protecting U.S. Exporters: 67% of voters and 75% of D.C. policy influencers warn that unfair or discriminatory treatment of U.S. companies can cause significant harm to U.S. exports — and over three-in-five D.C. policy influencers believe the issue should be addressed through trade negotiations or formal dispute-settlement.

- Bipartisan Mandate for U.S. Policymakers: 78% of the American public say they would be more likely to support policymakers who stand up against discriminatory barriers to American businesses overseas, including 72% of Democrats and 87% of Republicans. An equal share (78%) say policymakers who support small businesses should prioritize addressing unfair treatment of American companies abroad.

The release of the poll comes amid mounting public scrutiny over regulatory actions in key markets including the European Union, China, India and South Korea, where American companies are facing disproportionate regulatory pressures that do not apply equally to domestic competitors.

Looking to the future

When U.S. companies are treated fairly in overseas markets, bipartisan groups see positive opportunity for U.S. economic growth, including growth opportunities for small business, job creation and increasing international trade.

- More than 90% of D.C. policy influencers and small business owners believe fair international markets increase U.S. exports and advance American technology.

- Across all surveyed groups, over three out of four believe international success of U.S. companies creates more opportunities for U.S. small businesses and creates more American jobs.

- More than half of small- and medium-sized business owners say some share of their sales come from outside the U.S., and 63% have considered expanding into international markets.

- 92% of D.C. policy influencers say options like e-commerce marketplaces are important in helping U.S. businesses reach new international markets, and 88% say fair access could help spur growth for U.S. small businesses.

SOURCE US-Asia Fair Market Alliance

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CDTL Highlights E-Drive + EMB Technologies for Commercial Vehicles at IAA Transportation 2026

HANNOVER, Germany, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CDTL is showcasing its latest commercial vehicle technologies at IAA Transportation 2026, Hall 21, Stand D37, including distributed electric drive axles for heavy-duty vehicles, EMB electromechanical braking, and solutions for heavy-duty trucks, city buses and next-generation transit systems.

The exhibition highlights CDTL's distributed e-drive solutions already proven in large-scale commercial operation, its EMB braking system now entering vehicle-level application, and the continued deployment of drive-by-wire, brake-by-wire and steer-by-wire actuation technologies across a wide range of commercial vehicle applications.

The EA5000NP distributed electric drive axle features two oil-cooled motors, a two-speed transmission and independent left- and right-wheel drive. Without a mechanical differential, it enables electronic differential control, traction control and independent wheel torque management. Its 800 V configuration delivers up to 660 kW rated power and 900 kW peak power, while the underlying platform has already been deployed in more than 3,000 vehicles. For demanding heavy-duty applications, the four-speed EA4800N multi-speed electric drive axle delivers approximately 48,000 N•m of maximum wheel-end torque per axle, with nearly 100,000 N•m available in a 6×4 dual-drive-axle configuration.

The EA2100N low-floor electric portal axle has been widely deployed in commercial operations, with proven service experience across European markets including France, Austria and Belgium.

For intelligent buses and next-generation public transport, the EA1100K independent-suspension distributed drive system integrates drive, steering and independent suspension, enabling all-wheel steering, bidirectional operation and a 100% low-floor architecture. It is already in operation in China, Malaysia and Türkiye. CDTL's EMB braking system has entered small-series vehicle application. In vehicle applications, it can reduce vehicle weight by more than 100 kg, shorten braking distance by approximately 10%, and reduce braking-system energy consumption by up to 85.4%, demonstrating clear benefits in lightweighting, braking performance and energy efficiency.

On the Press day of the exhibition, CDTL's booth attracted strong interest from companies across the global commercial vehicle value chain, including vehicle manufacturers. A number of leading industry players visited the booth and engaged in technical discussions with the CDTL team.

The continued attention from global industry players also reflects a broader market trend: as commercial vehicles move rapidly toward electrification, intelligence and autonomous operation, the industry is placing increasing emphasis on high-efficiency e-drive systems, brake-by-wire technologies and core vehicle actuation capabilities.

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CGX&OCR Introduces Purpose-Built Obstacle Racing Shoes to International Athletes

BEIJING, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the successful conclusion of the UIPM 2026 Obstacle World Championships in Beijing, Chinese specialist outdoor footwear brand CGX is bringing the story of its CGX&OCR professional obstacle racing shoes to international audiences. The two models made their global debut on the opening day of the championships, held from 2 to 6 September, and launched in China on 7 September at RMB 1,099 per pair.

The Beijing event brought together leading obstacle racers from around the world. Throughout the championship, professional athletes from multiple countries visited the CGX booth to try the new shoes and exchange feedback. Their strong interest highlighted the growing attention around obstacle racing and the demand for equipment designed for its distinctive mix of running, climbing, jumping, braking and rapid transitions.

CGX&OCR includes two purpose-built models: R1020 for the explosive 100-metre format, and R1010 for 400-metre and 3-kilometre racing. Both were developed around the demands of obstacle movement, with a Vibram outsole using Megagrip compound, Traction Lug technology and Litebase construction. A dual-zone midsole, heel-lock structure and performance-woven upper support traction, cushioning, rearfoot security and controlled movement across changing surfaces.

The Chinese Modern Pentathlon Obstacle Race Team competed in Beijing wearing the new CGX&OCR shoes. CGX participates in the event as a partner of the Chinese Modern Pentathlon Association, a sponsor of the Chinese Modern Pentathlon Obstacle Race Team and a sponsor of the UIPM 2026 Obstacle World Championships.

Building on its Beijing debut, CGX is also beginning to explore international markets, bringing CGX&OCR to the attention of more professional athletes and taking measured steps toward establishing the brand in the global obstacle racing community.

"I wanted to develop a shoe that responds to what obstacle racing actually asks of an athlete," said Nan Liu, CEO of CGX. "After more than 30 years in footwear and apparel, I saw an opportunity to combine manufacturing experience with direct athlete feedback. The Beijing debut gives CGX&OCR a meaningful starting point as we continue building professional equipment for the sport."

CGX&OCR is available through CGX flagship stores on Tmall, Douyin and Xiaohongshu, with selected offline retail locations in China. CGX will continue to develop its obstacle racing footwear portfolio through competition, athlete collaboration and the sport's expanding international community.

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Xinhua Silk Road: 9th Shenyang Open Regatta breathes new life into "rowing capital" in NE China

BEIJING, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- After eight years of branding, the Shenyang Open Regatta, a yearly rowing event held on the Hunhe River in the capital of Liaoning Province in northeast China, was under the spotlight again recently.

On September 13, the 9th Shenyang Open Regatta concluded on the beautiful still-water course of the Hunhe River and one day later, the 7th Shenyang Youth Rowing Invitational, tailored for young players, also closed in cheers and excitement.

With the goal of building a "rowing capital" already included in Shenyang's development plan for the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the open regatta, aimed at further expanding Shenyang's influence in the rowing field, drew widespread attention.

Competing on the 1,000-meter straight course and the 4,500-meter course around an island on the Hunhe River, dozens of teams from home and abroad showed their vigor in contests in rowing, paddle boarding and recreational kayaking.

Among them, there were teams from renowned universities such as Peking University, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, University of Otago, and Tongji University, as well as major firms and brands including BMW, CR Land, Kingdee, and Jianlibao.

To broaden the participant base, the 2026 Shenyang Open Regatta added new contests in paddle boarding and recreational kayaking, encouraging amateur and young players from near and far to experience the charm of water sports.

Apart from traditional rowing races, the open regatta introduced globally popular physical strength challenges for the first time, combining aquatic and on-land physical strength competitions to further ignite the passion of participants.

During this year's open regatta, which began on September 11, riverside nighttime activities such as sunset parties where sightseeing, music and sports well intertwined, and nearby market fairs largely boosted the "sports plus night economy" along the Hunhe River.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/352228.html

SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road

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EyeROV: Indian Deep-Tech Startup Showcases its Underwater Drones to World Leaders

From Kochi to the BRICS Summit, EyeROV is building indigenous marine technology with global ambitions.

KOCHI, India, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- An underwater robot developed in Kochi recently became the centre of a presentation to some of the world's most prominent leaders. Behind the technology is EyeROV, an Indian deep-tech company working to make underwater inspection and marine operations safer and more efficient.

At the Bharat Innovates Exposition, organised by the Ministry of Education as part of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, the EyeROV pavilion was visited by Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi; President of Russia Vladimir Putin; President of China Xi Jinping; President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian; President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto; and President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa.

Co-founder and CEO Johns T Mathai demonstrated the company's Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) technology, explaining how underwater robots can support infrastructure inspection, defence, maritime security and scientific research.

Technology for the world beneath the surface

Dams, bridges, ports and offshore installations depend on structures that are often difficult to access and inspect underwater. EyeROV develops robotic systems and intelligent subsea solutions to help operators examine these environments, collect data and make informed maintenance decisions.

Its portfolio spans Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), specialised marine inspection systems and AI-driven data analytics.

Speaking on the interaction, Johns T Mathai said: "It is an absolute honor to showcase our indigenous marine robotics technology to Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and global leaders at the BRICS Summit. This interaction underscores the immense potential of Indian deep-tech startups on the world stage, as we continue to push boundaries in underwater robotics, safety, and infrastructure inspection."

Built in India with global ambitions

For EyeROV (IROV Technologies Pvt. Ltd.), headquartered in Kochi, Kerala, the exhibition represents a milestone in a broader ambition: to become a global leader in marine robotics through indigenous engineering and contribute to Make in India.

As the company expands its presence across international markets, its focus remains on developing technology that addresses practical challenges across defence, energy, infrastructure, maritime security and marine research.

For more information, visit eyerov.com.

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Ara Partners Acquires Majority Interest in Bryden Wood, a Leading International Integrated Design and Engineering Firm

BOSTON, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ara Partners, a global private markets firm focused on decarbonising the industrial economy, today announced that it has acquired a majority interest in Bryden Wood, a strategy and integrated design consultancy. Ara will support Bryden Wood's continued growth and expand the firm's work across the industrial economy and within Ara's portfolio.

Bryden Wood brings inventive thinkers, designers, engineers and technical specialists into one team – solving the most complex design problems for some of the largest and most innovative companies in the world. The firm, headquartered in London, UK, employs 300 people in four offices across Europe.

Bryden Wood is changing the way industrial process facilities are designed and delivered. Combining front-end strategic thinking with deep delivery expertise, the company has carved out a distinctive offer turning complex requirements into repeatable, configurable solutions – using reference designs, standardised systems and off-site manufacture.

Across pharmaceuticals, low-carbon industries and data centres, this approach moves projects from strategy to delivery with greater speed and certainty – reducing capital cost, compressing programmes and making facilities easier to replicate at scale.

The transaction, which sees Ara take a majority stake in Bryden Wood, solidifies a multi-year relationship between the companies. Bryden Wood has supported the design evolution and capital strategy for several Ara portfolio decarbonization projects, including Sedron, Divert, Utility Global, BioVeritas, and GIDARA Energy.

"Investment in decarbonisation, data centres and advanced manufacturing is accelerating. The challenge is designing the pathway from promising technologies to physical assets that are investable, buildable and repeatable," says Bryden Wood co-founder, Martin Wood.

"This partnership with Ara gives us the opportunity to apply our approach at greater scale and make a bigger impact."

"Bryden Wood has been central to our ability to scale low-carbon process technology and deliver projects on time and on budget," said Charles Cherington, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Ara Partners. "We have seen first-hand how their approach takes real capital cost out of major industrial projects, and that advantage compounds across every asset we build. This partnership allows us to deepen that capability within our portfolio and deliver that value to the broader industrial economy."

About Ara Partners

Founded in 2017, Ara Partners is a global private markets firm focused on decarbonizing the industrial economy. The firm invests in the middle market across three strategies: Private Equity, Infrastructure, and Energy. Ara scales commercially demonstrated decarbonization solutions, supports the businesses and infrastructure that enable their adoption, and reduces emissions at the source across the conventional energy value chain. Ara operates from Houston, Boston, Dublin and Washington D.C., and as of March 31, 2026, had approximately $8.2 billion in assets under management.

For more information about Ara Partners, please visit www.arapartners.com.

About Bryden Wood

Bryden Wood is a strategy and design consultancy that brings together inventive thinkers, designers, engineers, and technical specialists to solve complex challenges in mission-critical infrastructure.

Our 300-person team integrates strategy, design, engineering, and digital expertise to deliver greater quality, speed, and value. Our work is focused on three priorities: accelerating decarbonisation, deploying new technologies, and transforming how infrastructure is designed and delivered.

For 30 years, we have challenged conventional approaches and developed innovative solutions that move industries forward.

Bryden Wood is headquartered in London, with offices in Barcelona, Milan, and Athens.

Media Contact

Jane Merkler, Ara Partners

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Media Contact:

Felicity McKane

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- Dualitas will use its DualScreen™ Bispecific Discovery Engine to functionally screen more than 300,000 novel bispecific combinations for Immunology & Inflammation (I&I) diseases – representing one of the largest-scale bispecific discovery endeavors

- Collaboration leverages Dualitas' proximity biology expertise to discover bispecific antibody therapeutics

- Dualitas to receive $36.5 million in upfront payments and is eligible to receive research, development and commercial milestone payments and tiered royalties for a potential total deal value of up to $1 billion

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Dualitas Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company developing next-generation bispecific antibody therapies for immunology and inflammation ("I&I") indications, today announced a research collaboration and license agreement with Roche to advance novel bispecific antibodies for immunology & inflammation (I&I) diseases, using Dualitas' DualScreen™ Bispecific Discovery Engine. In what is believed to be one of the largest-scale bispecific discovery endeavors, Dualitas will functionally screen over 300,000 novel bispecific combinations to discover and develop bispecific antibody ("BsAb") therapeutics. Roche will be responsible for all subsequent preclinical development, regulatory, manufacturing and commercial activities.

The collaboration will leverage Dualitas' expertise in proximity biology to develop BsAb candidates with synergistic activities that are unattainable with conventional therapeutics. Under the terms of the agreement, Dualitas will receive $36.5 million upfront payment and may receive additional research, development and commercial milestone payments for a potential total deal value of up to $1 billion, in addition to tiered royalties.

"We are thrilled to partner with Roche on this first-of-its-kind collaboration to functionally screen and develop novel proximity BsAbs at a scale that was previously unachievable," said Forbes Huang, co-founder, chief operating officer and chief business officer of Dualitas. "Since founding Dualitas in 2023, we have established our DualScreen™ discovery engine as the premier technology for discovering next-generation proximity BsAbs, as exemplified by our robust therapeutic pipeline entering clinic next year for I&I diseases."

"Bispecific antibodies remain central to Roche's portfolio strategy across many disease areas," said Boris L. Zaïtra, Head of Corporate Business Development at Roche. "We are committed to continue pushing the boundaries of scientific innovation in immunology and inflammation diseases that will ultimately benefit patients through external partnerships."

"This collaboration with Roche underscores the enormous potential of Dualitas' technologies to identify BsAbs that harness novel proximity mechanisms that may deliver truly differentiated results to patients," said Karim Dabbagh, Ph.D., CEO and board member of Dualitas. "Our internal pipeline of proximity engager BsAbs has already demonstrated the ability to drive amplified therapeutic effects that push the boundary of what conventional antibody therapies can achieve. This collaboration extends our therapeutic innovations while we continue to develop our internal pipeline."

DualScreen™ Bispecific Discovery Engine

Dualitas' first-of-its-kind DualScreen discovery engine uniquely enables high-throughput discovery of proximity biology and novel BsAbs that are rapidly optimized into differentiated drug candidates. Whereas traditional BsAb approaches narrowly focus on pre-determined target pairs to realize incremental gains, the DualScreen™ engine functionally screens entire cell surfaces – interrogating the proximity biology of hundreds of thousands of unique bispecific combinations – across a vast range of targets and epitopes to identify BsAb candidates. DualScreen™ technology has discovered powerful cell surface proximity mechanisms and rapidly delivers drug candidates that achieve synergistic activities unattainable by conventional therapeutics.

About Dualitas Therapeutics

Dualitas Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company pioneering next-generation bispecific antibody therapies for immunology and inflammation (I&I). Dualitas' portfolio, built from its DualScreen™ discovery engine, includes development candidate DTX-102 in rheumatoid arthritis, DTX-103 in allergic disease and DTX-101 in dermatologic and gastrointestinal autoimmune disease, alongside additional discoveries based on cell-surface proximity biology and novel co-target pairing. While advancing its own pipeline, Dualitas offers a variety of strategic collaboration opportunities to extend the impact of its discovery capabilities, ranging from existing pipeline programs to identifying de novo BsAbs to establishing programs in disease areas beyond I&I. For more information, please visit https://www.dualitastx.com/ and follow us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE Dualitas Therapeutics

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National poll from Hopelab and Data for Progress shows just how much sleep nighttime scrolling costs young people, adding new evidence to the debate over Meta's landmark child safety settlement

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- New national poll data from Hopelab and Data for Progress reveals that doomscrolling — repeatedly viewing an endless stream of negative or upsetting content — is a nearly universal experience among young people. The poll, Informed, Inspired, and Exhausted: Doomscrolling Negative Content and Well-being Among Young People Aged 13-24, finds that 88% of young people ages 13 to 24 engage in doomscrolling, and about half say the habit costs them more than an hour of sleep on the nights they doomscroll. Meta's recent child safety settlement with 47 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories requires overnight curfews, school-hour notification limits, and daily time caps for teens on Instagram and Facebook, putting a spotlight on how platform design shapes young people's nighttime habits.

"Our data show just how much sleep young people are losing to nighttime scrolling," said Mike Parent, Principal Researcher at Hopelab. "The overnight pause Meta agreed to in the settlement is a real acknowledgment that platform design, not just individual willpower, is part of the problem. But so much of the implementation here still relies on parental controls. We'll see real change on these platforms when young people shape what these products look like from the start."

Doomscrolling is Widespread and Impacting Sleep

Doomscrolling is pervasive: 88% of young people surveyed reported doing so, including 32% who say they doomscroll every day or multiple times a day. Doomscrolling negative or upsetting content is most frequent during free time or before bed, with around two-thirds of young people reporting doing so at these times over the last two weeks. About half of those surveyed say that doomscrolling costs them more than an hour of sleep on the nights they doomscroll, with another 25% losing 30 to 60 minutes, and 18% losing 15 to 30 minutes.

Doomscrolling Takes an Emotional Toll, but Keeps Young People Informed and Motivated to Act

Six in 10 young people say doomscrolling negative or upsetting material makes them feel anxious, mentally exhausted, overwhelmed, angry, or hopeless. Yet 76% say it helps them stay informed about issues — the most commonly reported effect — and 60% say it inspires them to take action, such as advocating, changing their behavior, or donating.

"We're the ones losing sleep to this. We're the ones scrolling past upsetting content late at night," said Abhinav Anne, a college student and mental health policy advocate. "One settlement with one company isn't going to fix that. If this effort is genuinely about protecting young people, we need a seat at the table for what comes next. Real accountability means designing digital spaces with youth safety built in from the start, not as an afterthought."

The report's authors caution against approaches that simply tell young people to disconnect, since many say that consuming information in this way helps them stay informed and feel motivated to act. Instead, they promote alternatives to screen time before bed, such as reading fiction with generally positive themes, to help protect sleep without cutting young people off from information altogether. They also encourage young people to find ways to learn about issues fairly quickly online, without succumbing to the algorithm and scrolling through upsetting content for hours at a time.

Learn More

The full report dives deeper into who doomscrolls most, what types of content young people encounter, and how the effects of doomscrolling vary by age, gender, and LGBTQ+ identity. The brief also provides practical recommendations for young people, families, educators, technology companies, and policymakers.

Read the complete findings at hopelab.org/stories/doomscrolling-national-poll

About Hopelab

Hopelab envisions a future where young people have equitable opportunities to live joyful and purposeful lives. As a researcher, investor, and convener, Hopelab is dedicated to fostering greater mental health and well-being outcomes for Brown, Black, and Queer young people. Learn more at hopelab.org and follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/hopelab.

About Data For Progress

Data for Progress (DFP) is a multidisciplinary group of data experts that measures — and moves — public opinion by equipping the progressive movement with the insights it needs to win. Led by a team of experts, DFP offers high-quality, affordable polling in every corner of the country, message testing and focus groups on complex issues, and in-depth, victory-minded analysis. Learn more at dataforprogress.org. Follow DFP on X at @dataprogress and on Bluesky at @dataforprogress.org

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PROVO, Utah, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Canary Speech, a leader in vocal biomarker technology, has been included in the World's Top HealthTech Companies 2026. This prestigious award is presented by TIME and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The award list was announced on September 17th, 2026, and can be viewed on Time.com. This is the second time that Canary Speech has been recognized for this prestigious award.

The World's Top HealthTech Companies 2026 ranking recognizes leading innovators advancing healthcare globally through technology. Companies were evaluated using three primary data sources: Financial Performance Metrics, Reputation Analysis, and Online Engagement. Out of thousands of HealthTech companies reviewed, the top 500 were recognized for their outstanding performance across these critical areas. Based on the results of the study, Canary Speech is ecstatic to be recognized on TIME's list of the World's Top HealthTech Companies 2026.

Canary Speech uses patented vocal biomarker technology to analyze speech and identify clinically relevant information that can help healthcare organizations detect health conditions earlier, act faster and improve outcomes. The company's technology is supported by extensive clinical research examining how changes in voice may provide insights into behavioral, cognitive and neurological health.

Canary Speech brings vocal biomarker capabilities into the workflows where healthcare and wellness decisions already happen. Through flexible deployment options including Canary Ambient™, API integrations, and partner platforms such as Microsoft and Zoom, organizations can access signals across three core solution areas: Clinical, Wellness, and Safety. Clinical capabilities support screening and longitudinal monitoring across behavioral, cognitive, and neurological conditions, including depression, anxiety, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. Canary Safety™ provides real-time detection of aggression and violence risk, while Canary Wellness™ helps organizations monitor workforce stress, mood, energy, and burnout.

Statista publishes hundreds of worldwide industry rankings and company listings with high-profile media partners. This research and analysis service is based on the success of statista.com, the leading data and business intelligence portal that provides statistics, relevant business data, and various market and consumer studies and surveys.

"Being named to TIME's list of the World's Top HealthTech Companies, for the second year in a row, is a tremendous honor and reflects the growing recognition of voice as a powerful source of health information," said Henry O'Connell, CEO of Canary Speech. "Our goal is to give clinicians meaningful, objective insights from the conversations they are already having, using technology that fits within existing workflows and supports earlier, better-informed decisions across behavioral, cognitive and neurological health."

About Canary Speech

Canary Speech is a Utah-based, AI-powered voice biomarker health tech company, utilizing patented real-time vocal analysis to screen for mental health and neurological disorders. Canary's technology swiftly captures and analyzes speech data, detecting behavioral and cognitive changes—including signs of anxiety, depression, and dementia—often before traditional clinical standards or noticeable symptoms. Recently, Canary Speech launched Canary Ambient™, an API-first solution for real-time voice analysis in healthcare and contact centers. This clinical decision support software provides actionable insights from patient-clinician conversations by tracking speech patterns for real-time assessments of cognitive and behavioral health conditions. Canary Speech advances speech and language applications across health systems, payers, and pharmaceutical markets.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Canary Speech

Stacy Callahan/Astonish Media Group

917-972-1101

[email protected]

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