LONDON and NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The ICIS Top 100 Chemical Companies ranking shows Germany-based BASF retaking the top spot with $70.0 billion in 2025 sales.

The annual ranking of the leading global chemical producers has China-based Sinopec as #2 with $66.3 billion in sales, followed by US-based ExxonMobil ($53.4 billion), PetroChina ($42.1 billion) and US-based Dow ($40.0 billion).

The ICIS Top 100 Chemical Companies issue of ICIS Chemical Business is available for download here.

Currency conversions to US dollars for the ranking are based on year-end 2025 exchange rates.

"2025 is likely to be the cycle bottom for earnings with 2026 seeing a meaningful margin recovery buoyed by supply shortages stemming from the Middle East conflict – shortages of chemicals as well as feedstocks used to make chemicals," said Joseph Chang, global editor of ICIS Chemical Business.

"Petrochemicals overcapacity led by China expansions combined with weak demand in housing, automotive and durable goods to depress prices and margins throughout 2025," he added.

Total operating profits for the ICIS Top 100 Chemical Companies plunged 47.3% in 2025 from the previous year on 4.6% lower sales, while net profits cratered 81.9%.

China-based chemical companies, which have been the most active in expanding production capacity, comprised four of the Top 10, outpacing three based in the US, two in Europe and one in the Middle East.

The ICIS Top 100 Chemical Companies ranking compiles sales, operating profits, net income, total assets, capital expenditures and R&D spending for the world's leading producers.

About ICIS

ICIS – Independent Commodity Intelligence Services – helps businesses through seamlessly delivering data and analytics, across global chemical, fertilizer and energy markets. A trusted source and benchmark for price information and insight across key commodities markets worldwide. Our independent, transparent market intelligence informs thousands of quality decisions every day, enabling our partners to make the very best business decisions.

ICIS is part of RELX, a FTSE 10 company.

About RELX

RELX is a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries. The Group serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs approximately 30,000 people of whom almost half are in North America. RELX PLC is a London listed holding company which owns 52.9% of RELX Group. RELX NV is an Amsterdam listed holding company which owns 47.1% of RELX Group. The shares are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX and RENX. Total market capitalization is approximately £24bn/€28bn/$33bn.

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SOURCE ICIS

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INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Corteva (NYSE: CTVA) today announced that its Board of Directors has approved the previously announced separation of Corteva into two independent, publicly traded companies through the separation of Corteva's seed operating segment into an independent, publicly traded company, Vylor Inc. ("Vylor"). To effect the separation, the Corteva Board of Directors declared a pro rata dividend of all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Vylor to Corteva's stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 24, 2026, the record date. The dividend is expected to occur prior to 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on October 1, 2026, the distribution date. Effective upon the distribution, each Corteva stockholder of record as of the close of business on the record date will receive one share of Vylor common stock for every share of Corteva common stock held of record by such stockholder as of such time. Corteva stockholders of record as of the close of business on the record date will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Vylor common stock that they would have otherwise been entitled to receive in the distribution. The distribution is intended to be tax-free to Corteva stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except for any cash received in lieu of fractional shares.

It is expected that trading in Vylor common stock on a "when-issued" basis will begin on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") under the symbol "VYLR WI" on September 25, 2026, and will continue through the close of business on September 30, 2026. Vylor common stock is expected to begin "regular way" trading on the NYSE, under the symbol "VYLR" at the open of trading on October 1, 2026.

Beginning on September 25, 2026, and continuing through September 30, 2026, it is expected that there will be two markets in Corteva common stock on theNYSE: a "regular-way" market under the symbol "CTVA" in which shares of Corteva common stock will trade with an entitlement to receive the shares of Vylor common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution, and an "ex-distribution" market under the symbol "CTVA WI" in which shares of Corteva common stock will trade without an entitlement to receive the Vylor common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution.

Holders of record of Corteva common stock as of the close of business on the record date do not need to take any action to receive the shares of Vylor common stock to which they are entitled to receive in the distribution. Corteva stockholders are encouraged to consult with their financial and tax advisors regarding the specific implications of the distribution, including the specific implications of buying or selling Corteva common stock on or before the distribution date and the U.S. federal, state and local or foreign tax consequences, as applicable, of the distribution.

The distribution is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain customary conditions, which Corteva expects will be satisfied prior to the completion of the distribution.

As previously announced, on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Corteva will host a live video webcast of its Investor Day, which will be divided into two parts: at 9:00 AM EDT, Corteva will introduce Vylor, its advanced seed and genetics business as a future standalone, public company. At 1:00 PM EDT, Corteva will introduce its future vision after the intended separation of Vylor. Each Investor Day will include management presentations discussing Corteva's vision, strategy, business model and financial framework, followed by a Q&A session. To access the webcasts, registration will be made available on the Investor Events and Presentations page of the Corteva website. Materials related to these presentations will be posted at this same website location and replays of the webcasts will be made available on each company's website following the events until September 15, 2027.

About Corteva

Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) is a global pure-play agriculture company that combines industry-leading innovation, high-touch customer engagement and operational execution to profitably deliver solutions for the world's most pressing agriculture challenges. Corteva generates advantaged market preference through its unique distribution strategy, together with its balanced and globally diverse mix of seed, crop protection, and digital products and services. With some of the most recognized brands in agriculture and a technology pipeline well positioned to drive growth, the company is committed to maximizing productivity for farmers, while working with stakeholders throughout the food system as it fulfills its promise to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. More information can be found at www.corteva.com.

About Vylor 

Vylor is an advanced seed and genetics company that has, for more than a century, been focused on delivering groundbreaking innovation to farmers. Anchored in the agriculture industry's most elite germplasm and transformative biotech, Vylor leverages its scientific expertise to deliver next generation technology to help farmers around the world boost yields. With its expertise in advanced science, leading routes-to-market and an expanding licensing business, Vylor drives value and delivers growth for farmers, customers and shareholders – and in doing so, helps feed, fuel and clothe the world.  More information can be found at vylor.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Words such as "believe," "will," "plan," "may," "expect," "see," and variations of such words and similar future or conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, Corteva's intent to separate and its related expectations for Corteva and Vylor. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and beyond Corteva's and Vylor's control.

Important factors that may affect Corteva's or Vylor's respective businesses and operations and that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, whether the objectives of the separation will be achieved; the terms, structure, benefits and costs of any action or transaction resulting from the separation; the timing of any such separation or related action and whether any such separation will be consummated at all; the risk that the announcement of the intended separation could have an adverse effect on the ability of Corteva or Vylor to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders and other business relationships and on its operating results and business generally; the risk the separation could divert the attention and time of each company's management; the risk of any unexpected costs or expenses resulting from the separation process or separation itself; and the risk of any litigation relating to the separation, as well as the risks and uncertainties described in Corteva's and Vylor's risk factors, as they may be amended from time to time, set forth in their respective filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Corteva and Vylor disclaim and do not undertake any obligation to update, revise, or withdraw any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by applicable law or regulation.

SOURCE Corteva Agriscience

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The Magic of Disney Animation Now Open at Disney's Hollywood Studios

With something for everyone in the family, guests can discover new ways to connect with Disney Animation storytelling.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Magic of Disney Animation, a brand-new collection of animation-inspired experiences, is now open at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Housed in a building inspired by the iconic Roy E. Disney Animation Building in Burbank, California, The Magic of Disney Animation invites guests to interact with and explore new takes on the iconic Disney Animation headquarters, including the many different studio departments. All 65 Walt Disney Animation Studios animated features films are represented throughout the experience, including artwork from the studio's upcoming 2026 feature, Disney's "Hexed."

Inspired by Disney Animation's Emmy Award-winning short film "Once Upon a Studio," the collection of experiences features playful and interactive moments around every corner as portraits come to life. One of the film directors, Dan Abraham, collaborated with Walt Disney Imagineering's Daniel Handke to bring entertainment, excitement and animation authenticity to the experience.

The collection of experiences includes:

- "Drawn to Wonderland"

- "Off the Page!"

- "Olaf Draws!"

- Once Upon a Studio Theater

- And more…

Disney Animation artists and Walt Disney Imagineers worked hand-in-hand to bring the wonder and nostalgia of the studio's films to The Magic of Disney Animation in new and immersive ways families will love. It is a place where kids and kids at heart can laugh, draw, dream and explore, bringing the wonder of animation to life like never before.

A Wonderland Made to Explore

Younger animators-to-be can step into the whimsical world of "Drawn to Wonderland," an immersive indoor playground inspired by the original "Alice in Wonderland" concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair. From the playful chaos of the Mad Tea Party and Mad Hatter's house to the Queen of Hearts' vibrant rose garden and the Cheshire Cat's mysterious Tulgey Wood, young guests can explore, move and let their imaginations run wild.

Designed especially for little ones, the experience brings Blair's bold colors and whimsical artistic style to life while creating a playful space where families can relax, recharge and remain immersed in Disney storytelling.

Chosen for its spirit of curiosity, imagination and discovery, Disney Animation's "Alice in Wonderland" naturally lends itself to an environment built for exploration through active play. Younger guests will love climbing, wandering and creating their own adventure around every corner of this new playground.

Meet Favorite Characters Across the Animation Process in "Off the Page!"

Guests can also venture into "Off the Page!" — a stunning area where they can meet some of their favorite friends from Walt Disney Animation Studios stories while celebrating the artistry behind every frame.

Together, these spaces highlight key stages of the animation process, each brought to life through character encounters and incredible photo opportunities. Some of the characters guests may meet are:

- Mulan in Story

- Rapunzel in Layout

- Chip 'n Dale in Hand-Drawn Animation

- Donald and Daisy in Computer Animation

- Goofy in Lighting

- Stitch in Effects

Learn to Draw with Olaf in a Brand-New Animation Attraction

Guests of all ages are invited to discover their inner artist in "Olaf Draws!" where everyone's favorite snowman takes center stage as a cheerful companion, bringing them along to learn character drawing from Disney Animation artists and filmmakers.

Brought to life as an all-new Audio-Animatronics figure, Olaf welcomes guests into a space inspired by one of his most memorable moments from "Once Upon a Studio," sitting at an animator's desk, joyfully discovering the art of drawing.

Disney Animation artists guide guests through recorded tips, techniques and stories from inside the studio. With a combination of artistry and Olaf's signature warmth, optimism and humor, this is a fun, laugh-filled experience that leaves guests of all ages feeling inspired.

Classes feature characters from both timeless classics and modern favorites, including:

- Mickey Mouse, with Dan Abraham, director ("Once Upon a Studio," "Baymax!")

- Minnie Mouse, with Hyun min Lee, animator ("Frozen 2," "The Princess and the Frog")

- Donald Duck, with Austin Traylor, animator ("Once Upon a Studio," "Moana 2")

- Genie, with Eric Goldberg, animator ("Aladdin," "Hercules") and Disney Legend

- Moana, with Samantha Vilfort, story artist ("Encanto," "Zootopia 2")

- Stitch, with Fawn Veerasunthorn, director ("Hexed," "Lilo & Scratch")

- Olaf, with Trent Correy, director ("Once Upon a Studio," "Frozen 3")

- Ursula, with Michael Woodside, animator ("Big Hero 6," "Encanto")

- Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde, with Byron Howard, director ("Zootopia," "Zootopia 2")

Original dialogue for the experience was recorded by Disney Legend Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf, who reflected on the inspiration behind the project.

"I'm so thrilled that a whole new generation of kids can dream of becoming animators one day and can actually begin their journey right there on the studio lot," Gad shared.

Once Upon a Studio Theater and More

In the Once Upon a Studio Theater, guests can enjoy the Emmy Award-winning short film that inspired it all, "Once Upon a Studio." Inside this dedicated theater honoring more than a century of Disney Animation storytelling, enhanced effects add an extra layer of magic with brand-new animation created exclusively for this experience by Disney Animation.

As guests enjoy the film, they may spot characters popping up within the artwork along the theater walls, placing them right in the middle of this enchanting story.

Guests can also discover an enchanted art gallery, a beautifully curated space filled with artwork featuring beloved Disney Animation characters. While it may appear to be a traditional gallery at first glance, a little pixie dust reveals all-new animation created exclusively for this experience, bringing the artwork magically to life.

Contact:

Walt Disney World Public Relations

[email protected] 

SOURCE Walt Disney World Resort

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New Legal Tech Hub Supports Compliance with In-Country Processing, Hosting, and Review of Legal Data

Key Takeaways

- Organizations can process, analyze, and review legal data whilst keeping it within Saudi Arabia.

- The Riyadh-based offering brings together Relativity, Reef Discovery, and Brainspace, providing expanded eDiscovery capabilities in country for the first time.

- The expansion builds on TransPerfect's Riyadh office and in-region legal tech expertise to support local regulatory and operational requirements.

NEW YORK and RIYADH, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- TransPerfect Legal, the global leader in legal technology, AI, and advisory services, today announced an expanded in-country legal technology offering in Saudi Arabia that brings together Relativity Server, Reef Discovery, and Brainspace for the first time. Hosted in Riyadh, the offering enables legal and regulatory teams to process, analyze, and review data whilst keeping it within the Kingdom. This reflects Saudi Arabia's continued investment in digital transformation, sovereign data infrastructure, and AI-enabled public and private sector operations.

TransPerfect's Riyadh office opened in November 2025 to support internal investigations, litigation, arbitration, regulatory inquiries, compliance initiatives, and other eDiscovery workflows across Saudi Arabia. As organizations modernize legal, regulatory, and investigative functions, demand continues to grow for secure, locally delivered technology.

Karim Makhani, General Manager for TransPerfect KSA, commented, "We understand the importance of keeping information within the Kingdom, not only to satisfy regulatory requirements, but also because our clients expect world-class legal technology delivered locally, backed by experts who understand the region."

TransPerfect President and Co-CEO Phil Shawe remarked, "Saudi Arabia is an increasingly important market for our clients. We are pleased to bring internationally recognized technology to the Kingdom through a model that keeps both expertise and data local."

TransPerfect Legal's regional footprint continues to grow, and the company plans to expand its Riyadh-based project management resources to support demand across Saudi Arabia and the GCC at large.

For more company news and announcements, please visit the TransPerfect News & Press Center at www.transperfect.com/about/news-and-press.

About TransPerfect Legal

TransPerfect Legal is the global leader in legal technology, AI, and advisory services for Am Law 200 and Global 100 law firms as well as corporate legal departments. With offices in more than 150 cities worldwide, solutions include forensic technology and consulting, eDiscovery and early data assessment, managed review and legal staffing, language services, deposition and trial support, and paper discovery, all offered alongside the Reef Technology ecosystem, TransPerfect Legal's suite of proprietary applications that address the needs of legal and regulatory practitioners around the world. For more information, please visit www.transperfectlegal.com.

About TransPerfect

TransPerfect is the world's largest provider of language and AI solutions for global business. From offices in over 150 cities on six continents, TransPerfect offers a full range of services in 200+ languages to clients worldwide. More than 6,000 global organizations employ TransPerfect's GlobalLink® technology to simplify the management of multilingual content. With an unparalleled commitment to quality and client service, TransPerfect is fully ISO 9001 and ISO 17100 certified. TransPerfect has global headquarters in New York, with regional headquarters in London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit our website at www.transperfect.com.

SOURCE TransPerfect

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Talos Linux expands beyond Kubernetes, letting organizations manage containers and virtual machines with a single operating system and API

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sidero Labs today announced that Talos Linux is expanding beyond Kubernetes with native hypervisor capabilities and the ability to schedule containers outside Kubernetes. The update allows organizations to manage containers and virtual machines under a single operating system and unified API.

One platform for containers and virtual machines

Enterprises are reassessing their virtualization estates after years of licensing turbulence in the legacy hypervisor market. Organizations looking for alternatives have faced an unwelcome choice: separate solutions for Kubernetes and virtual machines — two platforms, two sets of tools — or platforms that require Kubernetes just to run VMs, adding unnecessary complexity. Sidero takes a fundamentally different approach: Hypervisor capabilities are built directly into Talos Linux, along with the broadly adopted Kubernetes capabilities.

"By bringing native hypervisor capabilities into Talos Linux, we extend the core Talos principles — immutability, minimal attack surface and declarative management that eliminates drift — to VM workloads. We eliminate the requirement that VM infrastructure teams learn the complexity of Kubernetes and KubeVirt, just to run VMs," said Steve Francis, president of Sidero Labs. "Yet we give them a unified platform that allows them to move to modern container-based architectures, whether on Kubernetes or running locally, on their timeframe."

Another new capability allows Talos Linux to schedule containers directly, without requiring Kubernetes. Many edge deployments — a retail location, a factory floor gateway, a cell site — run one node, not the multi-node cluster where Kubernetes has great value. Running Kubernetes at every site adds overhead and operational burden to hardware that's often already resource constrained. With this release, organizations can run containers directly on Talos Linux at edge and single-node sites, while still managing them through the same declarative, immutable OS and the same fleet-management plane — Omni — they use for their clustered Kubernetes footprint. Now platform teams manage one OS, security teams audit one API and developers ship to consistent infrastructure whether a workload runs in a container or a VM.

Availability

Talos Linux Hypervisor is fully open source. The Alpha release and a public demo will be shown at TalosCon 2026 in Amsterdam, October 15-16. General availability follows in December 2026.

Sidero Labs joins Yardi

Sidero Labs also announced it has been acquired by Yardi Systems giving the company the financial backing and resources of an established enterprise software leader while preserving the open-source foundation that Talos users depend on. "Talos has redefined modern infrastructure by demonstrating that security, simplicity and openness can coexist," said Anant Yardi, founder of Yardi. "We intend to keep it that way and to give the team and community that built it the resources to finish what they started: Kubernetes, containers, virtual machines and GPU workloads on one open platform."

About Sidero Labs

Sidero Labs is the company behind Talos Linux, the secure open-source operating system for Kubernetes, and Omni, its fleet management platform. Sidero Labs combines the transparency and community of open source with enterprise support and a strong compliance posture.

Learn more at siderolabs.com.

About Yardi

Yardi® develops industry-leading software for all types and sizes of real estate companies around the world. With more than 10,000 employees, Yardi has driven significant innovation in the real estate industry. For more information on how Yardi is Energized for Tomorrow, visit yardi.com.

SOURCE Sidero Labs

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NexPhase Capital Announces Investment in EVERYWHERE Communications

NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- NexPhase Capital, LP ("NexPhase" or "NPC"), a thematically driven and operationally focused private equity firm, today announced that it has made an investment in EVERYWHERE Communications ("EVERYWHERE" or the "Company"), a mission-critical software platform that helps government and enterprise organizations connect, protect, and coordinate distributed teams through resilient communications, automated workforce safety, real-time situational awareness, and actionable operational intelligence. Terms of the investment were not disclosed.

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, EVERYWHERE helps government and enterprise organizations protect, coordinate, and gain real-time visibility into personnel and operations across some of the world's most demanding environments. The purpose-built EVERYWHERE Platform combines resilient connectivity across satellite, cellular, Wi-Fi, and other communications networks with messaging, location monitoring, automated check-ins and safety workflows, geofencing, emergency response, dynamic data visualization, and actionable geolocated intelligence.

By connecting personnel, devices, and operational data, EVERYWHERE enables leaders to identify emerging risk, coordinate response, and make better-informed decisions without relying solely on manual interaction from personnel in the field. Today, EVERYWHERE serves customers across government, utilities, mining, oil and gas, humanitarian aid, and other mission-critical sectors in more than 175 countries.

"EVERYWHERE has built a differentiated platform at the intersection of resilient communications, workforce safety, and operational intelligence," said Bob Gartland, Partner at NexPhase. "Organizations increasingly need reliable communications, real-time visibility, and intelligent tools to protect and coordinate distributed teams. We look forward to partnering with Patrick, Jake, and the EVERYWHERE team to invest in the Company's go-to-market capabilities, customer success, and product organizations as it expands its reach across its core government and enterprise verticals."

"This investment allows us to build on the momentum we've created while staying true to our mission of helping organizations connect, protect, and coordinate their people wherever they operate," said Patrick Shay, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of EVERYWHERE. "The NexPhase team's experience scaling software and technology businesses makes them what we view to be the ideal partner as we invest further in our team, expand our reach, and drive innovation across the EVERYWHERE Platform. We will remain focused on delivering strong organic growth while also actively evaluating strategic acquisitions that can broaden our capabilities, strengthen our market position, and accelerate our growth trajectory."

"Reliable connectivity will always be foundational to what we do, but the opportunity ahead is much larger," said Jake Bailey, President of EVERYWHERE. "Our customers increasingly want to understand what is happening across their operations, where risk is emerging, and when action is required—without relying on someone in the field to initiate that communication. This partnership provides us with additional resources to strengthen our open, connected platform, expand automated safety workflows, and accelerate the operational intelligence capabilities that give leaders who use our product greater visibility and enable faster, better-informed decisions."

Following the close of the transaction, EVERYWHERE will continue to be run by its current management team.

Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP served as legal advisor to NexPhase. Baird served as exclusive financial advisor to EVERYWHERE, and DLA Piper LLP served as the Company's legal advisor.

About EVERYWHERE Communications

EVERYWHERE Communications delivers a purpose-built, mission-critical software platform that helps government and enterprise organizations connect, protect, and coordinate distributed personnel and operations. The EVERYWHERE Platform combines secure, resilient connectivity across satellite and wireless networks with messaging, location intelligence, automated safety workflows, dynamic data visualization, emergency response, and actionable operational intelligence. Serving customers in more than 175 countries, EVERYWHERE supports organizations across government, utilities, mining, oil and gas, humanitarian aid, and other mission-critical sectors. Founded in 2016, EVERYWHERE is headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland. For more information, visit www.everywherecomms.com.

About NexPhase Capital

|NexPhase Capital is a thematically driven and operationally focused lower middle-market private equity firm that makes control investments in growth-oriented and capital-efficient companies within three distinct industry verticals: healthcare, software, and consumer. NexPhase partners with companies that have reached a growth inflection point and are seeking a value-added partner to help navigate the Company's "next phase." The NexPhase team has extensive industry and operational experience, and NPC's Partners have invested together for over 15 years. NexPhase has completed over 100 investments, including add-ons, and targets equity investments between $40 million and $225 million. Since inception, NexPhase has raised and managed approximately $2.6 billion of capital. For more information, visit www.NexPhase.com.

Media Contacts

NexPhase:

Kate Thompson / Kate Kelley / Heather Milke

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

212-355-4449

SOURCE NexPhase Capital

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Acurx Announces Presentation of a Scientific Poster at the Premier International C. difficile Symposium (ICDS) Demonstrating Superior In Vitro Kill Kinetics of Ibezapolstat vs. Vancomycin and Fidaxomicin (Standards of Care) in Clostridioides difficile and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Co-Cultures

- The microbiome of patients experiencing recurrent CDI is frequently dominated by overgrowths of Enterococcus species

- This study evaluated the in vitro bactericidal and molecular efficacy of ibezapolstat (IBZ), vancomycin (VAN), and fidaxomicin (FDX) against C. difficile and Enterococcus in standalone and complex co-culture environments

- These findings demonstrate that Enterococcus creates a protective microenvironment that actively impairs C. difficile killing using standard of care antibiotic regimens

- IBZ maintained superior bactericidal activity under co-culture conditions, including further decreasing Clostridioides difficile toxin B (TcdB) expression while simultaneously eradicating vancomycin-resistant bacterial overgrowth

- Acurx has previously been granted FDA QIDP and Fast-Track Designation and has received SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprise) designation by the EMA

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACXP) a late clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of antibiotics for difficult-to-treat bacterial infections, announced today that a scientific poster entitled: Comparative In Vitro Killing Kinetics of Ibezapolstat and Comparator Antibiotics in Clostridioides difficile and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus Co-Cultures was presented at the 9th International C. difficile Symposium held in Bled, Slovenia from September 8-10, 2026. The poster was presented by Dr. Eugenie Bassères, Research Scientist, University of Houston College of Pharmacy.

All vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) strains demonstrated high-level resistance to VAN (MIC >128 μg/mL), whereas IBZ and FDX exhibited equivalent lower susceptibility thresholds (MIC range: 2–16 μg/mL). In monoculture, IBZ displayed potent bactericidal activity against C. difficile non-inferior to FDX (p ≥ 0.2381). Enterococcus co-culture with C. difficile created severe microbial interference that impaired C. difficile killing across all antibiotic arms, decreasing killing by up to 2.90 logs; however, IBZ maintained the highest residual anti-C. difficile performance (5.51-log reduction), significantly outperforming VAN (p = 0.0112). Conversely, C. difficile presence exerted negligible interference on VRE killing, where IBZ and FDX maintained robust anti-VRE killing while VAN remained inactive. At the transcriptional level, all treatments significantly suppressed TcdB gene abundance compared to the experimental laboratory control while IBZ showed statistically significant superiority over the other two antibiotics in decreasing the VanA cluster (ibezapolstat, vancomycin and fidaxomicin)

The study was performed at the University of Houston laboratory of Kevin Garey, PharmD, MS, FIDSA, Professor and Chair, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, and Principal Investigator for microbiology and microbiome aspects of the ibezapolstat clinical trial program. Commenting on the significance of the results of the study, Dr. Garey stated: "These new data add to the growing body of evidence supporting ibezapolstat's unique antibacterial pharmacology to kill C. difficile while preserving the microbiome. Prior studies have shown that Enterococcus increases the severity of C. difficile infection. This study adds in vitro evidence that ibezapolstat doesn't cause overgrowth of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and also maintains killing efficacy against C. difficile strains."

Robert J. DeLuccia, Executive Chairman of Acurx, stated: "If these results are validated in our Phase 3 registration program, and ultimately in clinical practice, for the treatment of patients with CDI, ibezapolstat's activity has the potential to reduce the nosocomial emergence of the critical pathogen VRE while treating CDI." He further stated: "Adding to the totality of data on ibezapolstat from studies such as this increase our confidence in a successful outcome of our clinical trial program and continue to elevate our favorable product profile and attractive value proposition, including in-market competitive advantage compared to vancomycin and fidaxomicin, the current standards of care for acute CDI, particularly for the reduction of recurrence".

The poster is available on Acurx Pharmaceuticals' website: www.acurxpharma.com

Acurx previously reported the successful outcome of a Type C Meeting conducted with FDA on July 13, 2026 to discuss ibezapolstat's Phase 3 clinical program and scope of its planned NDA. The Agency stated that it is open to further discussion at a Pre-NDA Meeting regarding the possibility of submitting an NDA with only a single Phase 3 trial, depending on the totality of the clinical data plus any other supportive data that Acurx may generate by that milestone. The Agency noted that determination of acceptability of one Phase 3 clinical trial for an NDA is made on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration such factors as the magnitude, consistency, and overall robustness of the efficacy results; generalizability of the results to the US population; relevance of the results to US patient care and clinical practice guidelines; Phase 2 data; and an adequate safety database. The Agency acknowledged Acurx's planned clinical trial in recurrent CDI (rCDI) and noted the data from this rCDI trial, if successful, will support an NDA submission. If the IBZ-ASPIRE trial does not meet these criteria, then a second trial consistent with the agreement reached at the end of Phase 2 (EOP2) meeting on April 27, 2024 is recommended.

The currently planned IBZ-ASPIRE trial is of non-inferiority design with the primary efficacy analysis in the Modified Intent-To-Treat (mITT) population. This will result in approximately 550 subjects in the mITT population, randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either ibezapolstat or standard-of-care vancomycin. The Agency also agreed with the overall trial design and evaluation criteria and further agreed that the trial testing criteria, if successful, could support indications for both the acute treatment and the reduction of recurrence of CDI. In the event non-inferiority of ibezapolstat to vancomycin for Clinical Cure of CDI is demonstrated, further analyses will be conducted to test for superiority for reduction of recurrence and for clinical cure of CDI.

Acurx also previously announced that it is conducting a new clinical trial (IBZ-PATHFINDER) in patients with multiply recurrent C. difficile Infection (rCDI) while its program in the broader CDI patient population is ready to advance to Phase 3 international clinical trials (IBZ-ASPIRE), subject to receiving appropriate funding. This new IBZ-PATHFINDER clinical trial in rCDI involves an open-label pilot trial to gain experience with IBZ in patients with multiply-recurrent CDI with at least 3 episodes of CDI within the past 12 months.

About the International C. difficile Symposium (ICDS)

The International C. difficile Symposium (ICDS) is established as the premier venue for the review of Clostridium difficile research. The first meeting was held in Kranjska Gora in 2004, the 2nd in Maribor in 2007, while all earlier meetings were in Bled in 2010, 2012, 2015 and in 2018. ICDS in 2020 was held virtually. The 2026 meeting will provide a forum for the C. difficile community to exchange knowledge across disciplines, from epidemiology and diagnostics to clinical trials and basic research, fostering innovative approaches to understanding pathogenesis and improving disease control.  

About the Ibezapolstat Phase 2 Clinical Trial 

The completed multicenter, open-label single-arm segment (Phase 2a) study was followed by a double-blind, randomized, active-controlled, non-inferiority, segment (Phase 2b) at 28 US clinical trial sites which together comprise the Phase 2 clinical trial. (see https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04247542). This Phase 2 clinical trial was designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of ibezapolstat in the treatment of CDI including pharmacokinetics and microbiome changes from baseline and continue to test for anti-recurrence microbiome properties seen in the Phase 2a trial, including the treatment-related changes in alpha diversity and bacterial abundance and effects on bile acid metabolism. (Data published in Lancet, August 2025 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanmic/article/PIIS2666-5247(25)00054-0/fulltext).

About Ibezapolstat

Ibezapolstat is the Company's lead antibiotic candidate planning to advance to international Phase 3 clinical trials to treat patients with C. difficile infection. Ibezapolstat is a novel, orally administered antibiotic, being developed as a Gram-Positive Selective Spectrum (GPSS®) antibacterial. It is the first of a new class of DNA polymerase IIIC inhibitors under development by Acurx to treat bacterial infections. Ibezapolstat's unique spectrum of activity, which includes C. difficile but spares other Firmicutes and the important Actinobacteria phyla, appears to contribute to the maintenance of a healthy gut microbiome.

In June 2018, ibezapolstat was designated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) for the treatment of patients with CDI and will be eligible to benefit from the incentives for the development of new antibiotics established under the Generating New Antibiotic Incentives Now (GAIN) Act. In 2019, FDA granted "Fast Track" designation to ibezapolstat for the treatment of patients with CDI. The CDC has designated C. difficile as an urgent threat highlighting the need for new antibiotics to treat CDI.

"National Preparedness Month — and the possibility of a historically strong El Niño — are important reminders that preparation should happen before severe weather enters the forecast," said Bobby Massey, Head of Catastrophe Claims at Farmers®. "Our catastrophe claims teams see how quickly storms can disrupt lives, but also how preparation can support recovery. Reviewing coverage and deductibles, documenting property and addressing risks around the home now can make a meaningful difference after a loss."

What is El Niño

El Niño is a natural climate pattern that develops when parts of the tropical Pacific Ocean become much warmer than usual. That heat can shift the jet stream, which helps steer storms and weather patterns across the United States. Impacts vary by region, but a strong El Niño can bring heavy rain, flooding, powerful storms, landslides and dangerous winter weather—conditions that can damage property, close roads, cause power outages and disrupt daily life.

El Niño typically occurs every two to seven years and can last up to 12 months. The most recent event developed in 2023 and ended in 2024.

Why NOAA says this El Niño could become historically strong

According to NOAA1:

- This El Niño will be unusually powerful because Pacific Ocean temperatures are already well above normal and are forecast to keep rising.

- There is a greater than 90% chance this El Niño will become very strong during fall and winter 2026-27.

- There's also a 69% chance it could exceed every El Niño measured since 1950.

- A stronger event can increase the chance of typical El Niño weather patterns, but it does not guarantee that every community will experience severe weather.

A powerful El Niño may increase the threat of heavy rain and flooding

Flood risk deserves particular attention because flood damage is typically not covered under a standard homeowners or business insurance policy. Many flood policies also include a waiting period before coverage takes effect, so coverage purchased when heavy rain or flooding is imminent may not apply to the approaching event.

"A flood can be devastating for a family or business," said Jeff Hinesly, Flood Director at Farmers. "Discovering afterward that the damage is not covered can make an already difficult situation even harder. Flood insurance cannot prevent the emotional toll of a disaster, but it can provide important financial support as homeowners and business owners begin to recover. That is why people should assess their flood risk and explore coverage options before severe weather is on the way."

El Niño's impacts may extend beyond winter

- Spring: In areas that receive increased rain or snow, added moisture may fuel more grass, brush and other vegetation in the spring.

- Summer: If that growth later dries out during hot, dry weather, it can provide additional fuel for wildfires. Regional conditions vary, so a wetter winter does not guarantee greater wildfire activity—but it may shape risks well into the warmer months.

"This year has already brought significant wildfire activity across the country, underscoring how quickly conditions can threaten homes and communities," said Massey. "With a potentially historic El Niño ahead, the risks may continue to evolve well beyond fall and winter. Preparing now—and staying alert as local conditions change—can help households and communities reduce risk in the months ahead."

Key preparedness actions

No checklist can address every risk, but Farmers claims experience points to eight checks that can help households prepare financially and reduce potential property damage before severe weather threatens.

- Confirm roof information. Roof age and condition may affect available coverage, settlement terms and claim outcomes, depending on the policy. Policy information should be updated after a roof replacement.

- Review dwelling coverage. A home's purchase price and market value are not necessarily the same as its reconstruction cost after a disaster. Labor, materials, permits and debris removal can significantly increase rebuilding expenses. Regularly reviewing dwelling coverage can help policy limits reflect current reconstruction costs.

- Understand flood risk. Standard homeowners insurance typically does not cover flood damage. A separate flood policy may be needed to protect a home from rising water. Because flood policies written through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) have limits on the amount of coverage that can be purchased, speaking with an insurance professional about excess or private flood coverage could help consumers cover the full value of their property.

- Know the deductibles. A deductible is the amount a policyholder pays before insurance applies. Understanding the amount can help households plan for costs after a loss.

- Review car insurance. Comprehensive car coverage may help pay to repair or replace a car damaged by flooding, hail, falling objects or other weather-related events, subject to policy terms and deductibles.

- Clear gutters, drains and downspouts. Removing leaves and debris helps water drain away from a home instead of backing up near the foundation.

- Create a home inventory. Photos or video of each room, valuables and major purchases can help document losses. Model and serial numbers provide additional detail for items that may need to be replaced.

- Review additional living expense coverage. If a home becomes uninhabitable after a covered loss, this coverage may help pay for temporary housing and other increased living expenses. Policyholders should understand what their policy provides before a storm.

Helping communities prepare, respond and recover

Farmers supports nonprofit organizations working across the disaster lifecycle, helping communities prepare, respond and recover.  Organizations include Strongward, which advances resilience and long-term recovery; Operation BBQ Relief, which serves meals to disaster-affected communities and first responders; Project:Camp, which provides safe spaces for children after disasters; and the American Red Cross, which delivers shelter, food and emergency assistance nationwide.

"Recovery is stronger when communities have support before, during and after a disaster," said Massey. "These sponsorships extend preparedness beyond individual households by helping deliver practical assistance when communities need it most."

Prepare before severe weather is in the forecast

To help consumers better understand severe-weather preparedness and related insurance considerations, Farmers offers a Hurricane Season Insurance Guide for Homeowners and Business Owners, including practical steps that may also be useful when preparing for heavy rain, flooding and other storm-related risks.

With El Niño expected to strengthen through the end of the year, Farmers encourages households and businesses to review coverage, address property risks and make preparedness plans before severe weather enters the forecast.

Source:

1CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER/NCEP/NWS; EL NIÑO/SOUTHERN OSCILLATION (ENSO) DIAGNOSTIC DISCUSSION; https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/ensodisc.shtml

About Farmers Insurance

"Farmers Insurance®" and "Farmers®" are tradenames for a group of insurers providing insurance for automobiles, homes and small businesses and a wide range of other insurance and financial services products. Farmers Insurance Exchange, the largest of the three primary insurers that make up Farmers Insurance, is recognized as one of the largest U.S. businesses on the 2026 Fortune 500 list. For more information about Farmers Insurance, visit Farmers.com.

Advertisement produced on behalf of the following specific insurers and seeking to obtain business for insurance underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, Mid-Century Insurance Company, Farmers Insurance Company of Washington (Bellevue, WA) or affiliates. In TX: insurance is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, Mid-Century Insurance Company, Farmers Texas County Mutual Insurance Company, Mid-Century Insurance Company of Texas or Texas Farmers Insurance Company. In NY: insurance is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, Mid-Century Insurance Company or Farmers New Century Insurance Company. Home office, Los Angeles, CA.

SOURCE Farmers Insurance

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LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS Launches Exclusive Travel Pass Featuring Limited-Edition Korean Heritage Transit Cards

Package combines a one-night stay with collectible T-money cards designed with traditional mother-of-pearl and longevity motifs, plus vouchers across LOTTE affiliates

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS, South Korea's largest hotel group, today announced the launch of the LOTTE HOTEL REWARDS Exclusive Travel Pass, a package for international visitors that pairs a one-night stay with two limited-edition LOTTE HOTEL T-money transit cards. The pass is available at ten properties in Seoul, Busan and Jeju, with bookings open through December 29, 2026, for stays through December 31, 2026.

A Transit Card Designed as a Keepsake

The T-money card is a prepaid transit card used across South Korea for subways, buses and taxis, as well as at convenience stores and affiliated merchants. The limited-edition version created for this package incorporates two elements of Korean decorative tradition: jagae, the mother-of-pearl inlay long used in Korean lacquerware, and sipjangsaeng, the ten symbols of longevity — including the crane, deer, pine and tortoise — that appear in Korean painting and craft as wishes for long life. The design also features the LOTTE World Tower, the tallest building in South Korea.

Each card is preloaded with KRW 3,000 (approximately USD 2), allowing guests to use it immediately upon arrival.

Benefits Across LOTTE Affiliates

The package includes voucher benefits across major LOTTE affiliates:

- Dining privileges at hotel bakeries and lounges

- Membership upgrades and shopping benefits at LOTTE DUTY FREE

- Admission discounts at LOTTE WORLD

- Shopping perks at LOTTE MART stores nationwide

Availability

The pass is available at ten LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS properties: THE GRAND LOTTE SEOUL, LOTTE HOTEL WORLD, LOTTE HOTEL BUSAN, L7 BY LOTTE HOTELS (Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam, Haeundae), and LOTTE CITY HOTELS (Myeongdong, Jeju, Guro).

The package is offered exclusively to international members of LOTTE HOTEL REWARDS. Membership is free, and reservations can be made immediately through the official LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS website (www.lottehotel.com/global) or mobile app under the "Special Offers" page.

SOURCE LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS

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ST Engineering iDirect Powers Datacom with Intuition Ground System for Cloud‑Native Ground Services Across Asia‑Pacific

Collaboration introduces a flexible ground architecture that enhances efficiency, enables multi‑orbit operations, and supports operators' modernization strategies across the region

HERNDON, Va., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ST Engineering iDirect, a leader in satellite communications, is powering leading satcom integrator and service provider Datacom with its Intuition ground system, enabling Datacom to deliver cloud‑native services for satellite operators across the Asia Pacific region. Intuition improves bandwidth efficiency, enables multi‑orbit operations, accelerates network modernization without vendor lock‑in, and introduces a flexible bring‑your‑own‑hardware architecture.

As operators face unprecedented growth in data demand and the operational complexity of hybrid GEO and NGSO networks, ST Engineering iDirect is enabling Datacom to set a new benchmark for ground operations in the region. The deployment of Intuition supports Datacom's Satellite Modernization Blueprint, a scalable, repeatable framework designed to help operators transition to software‑defined, cloud‑native architectures. Through moving away from traditional five‑ to ten‑year hardware migration cycles, Datacom will enable its customers to achieve immediate agility, faster service activation, and more efficient use of network resources.

"Intuition gives Datacom a cloud-native foundation that unlocks immediate efficiency gains, faster service activation, and the flexibility operators need as they move into multi‑orbit architectures. This partnership accelerates modernization by removing hardware constraints and enabling a software defined operating model built for the next decade of satellite services," said Sridhar Kuppanna, CEO, ST Engineering iDirect.

Representing an evolution in the orchestration model, ST Engineering iDirect is equipping Datacom to manage hardware procurement, full lifecycle services, and ground segment integration. Intuition's advanced resource management—including Global Bandwidth Management, the Mx-DMA MRC waveform, and automated resource orchestration—maximizes spectrum throughput and simplifies operations. Combined with the elimination of proprietary hardware premiums, these efficiencies target double‑digit reductions in total cost of ownership for Datacom's customers.

ST Engineering iDirect will support Datacom's transition by providing Intuition under a subscription model, along with technical enablement, validation testing, and ongoing lifecycle support. Intuition will initially be deployed across multiple gateways to support a large installed base of maritime terminals, with the critical capability to roam between the customers' existing and Intuition networks.

"By moving to a cloud-native, software-defined environment, we're giving our customers immediate agility and the ability to evolve without the limitations of traditional hardware cycles. This deployment is the foundation of our Satellite Modernization Blueprint—a scalable model that helps operators increase efficiency, optimize bandwidth, and compete in a multi‑orbit future," said Boris Ng, CEO, Datacom System International.

With Intuition creating a pathway toward advanced architectures including 5G Non‑Terrestrial Networks, edge compute integration, and AI‑assisted operational workflows, Datacom and its customers are well positioned for long‑term competitiveness in a multi‑orbit environment.

ST Engineering iDirect, a subsidiary of ST Engineering, is a global leader in satellite communications (satcom) providing technology and solutions that enable its customers to expand their business, differentiate their services and optimize their satcom networks. With over 40 years of delivering innovation focused on solving satellite's most critical economic and technology challenges we are committed to shaping the future of how the world connects. The product portfolio, branded iDirect, represents the highest standards in performance, efficiency and reliability, making it possible for its customers to deliver the best satcom connectivity experience anywhere in the world. ST Engineering iDirect is a leader in key industries including mobility, broadcast and military/government. In 2007, iDirect Government was formed to better serve the U.S. government and defense communities. For more information visit www.idirect.net.

SOURCE ST Engineering iDirect

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