SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Following its $100 million raise last September, VITURE has officially closed another $100 million financing round, bringing total capital raised within six months to over $200 million.

The latest round is led by Legend Capital, the investment arm affiliated with Lenovo, alongside a group of prominent strategic investors from the global technology ecosystem, including several prestigious investors from the previous round, such as Bertelsmann Group.

This new infusion of capital further strengthens investor confidence in VITURE’s leadership position within XR and AR hardware innovation, reinforcing strong momentum heading into 2026.

A Breakout Year for XR

2025 marked a defining year for VITURE’s evolution from a fast-growing startup into a dominant player in the XR industry.

In the second half of the year alone, VITURE launched its third-generation lineup — the Luma Series, representing its first major step into true AR experiences with Luma Ultra, alongside significant XR performance advances with its flagship model, The Beast.

The company also expanded retail presence across North America, including in-store placements at Best Buy with a first-of-its-kind walk-up XR demo experience.

According to IDC’s most recent quarterly reports, VITURE once again ranked #1 in XR glasses shipments in the United States, capturing the majority share of the extended-display category.

The long-awaited launch of The Beast in late 2025 marked a technological milestone, featuring an upgraded optical architecture and next-generation display system that will serve as a cornerstone of VITURE’s 2026 roadmap.

Cultural Momentum: Cyberpunk Collaboration

In December, VITURE partnered with CD Projekt RED to release a serialized limited-edition XR collaboration celebrating the fifth anniversary of Cyberpunk 2077.

The limited run of Luma Cyber XR Glasses quickly sold out, further strengthening VITURE’s cultural footprint within gaming and immersive entertainment communities. A wearable collectible. A display masterpiece. A slice of Night City — made real.

Strategic AI + AR Collaboration with NVIDIA & Stanford

Beyond consumer hardware, VITURE is also expanding into enterprise and medical applications.

In October, VITURE announced a joint initiative with NVIDIA and Stanford Medicine, combining AR and AI technologies to streamline laboratory workflows and accelerate research processes.

The collaboration was briefly featured in Jensen Huang’s keynote last October — a moment that VITURE considers a meaningful milestone, standing alongside innovations shaping the future of technology. The initiative will also be showcased at the upcoming NVIDIA GTC, further positioning VITURE at the intersection of spatial computing and artificial intelligence.

Official Statement Regarding XREAL Litigation

As an official response to XREAL’s litigation, VITURE confirms that it has already taken affirmative legal action to protect its rights. This includes initiating patent infringement proceedings against XREAL in China, as well as separate legal action addressing false and harmful statements made by XREAL concerning VITURE and its products.

While VITURE did not seek to be drawn into litigation, the company will not hesitate to enforce its intellectual property rights and pursue all appropriate legal remedies available under applicable law.

If the court rules in VITURE’s favor, potential remedies may include injunctive relief restricting the manufacturing and export of all XREAL products utilizing the electrochromic film technology, along with other corrective measures as permitted by law.

With respect to the patent infringement claims recently brought by XREAL in the United States, VITURE has retained Cooley LLP, a leading international litigation firm, as counsel. VITURE’s official position is as follows:

We believe the claims lack merit. VITURE has independently developed its products and respects valid intellectual property rights. We will address these matters through the appropriate legal process while remaining focused on delivering innovative products and serving our customers.

VITURE stands confident in its technology, its intellectual property portfolio, and its long-term vision for advancing the XR industry.

Eyes on 2026

With exponential year-over-year growth and strong institutional backing, VITURE enters 2026 positioned not only as a leading XR hardware company, but as a broader spatial computing platform shaping the future of work, entertainment, and AI integration.

The newly secured funding will accelerate next-generation product development, global expansion, and deeper strategic collaborations across the XR ecosystem. It will also support the launch of the new product line, VITURE’s next evolution in intelligent spatial experiences, ushering in a new category of connected lifestyle technology.

As spatial computing moves from niche to mainstream, VITURE is positioned at the forefront — redefining how people see, interact with, and experience digital worlds in everyday life.

About VITURE

VITURE is a global pioneer in the XR industry, redefining immersive experiences and next-generation digital consumption through advanced display technology, refined industrial design, and user-centric innovation. According to IDC, VITURE has captured more than 50 percent of the U.S. extended reality glasses market since Q4 2024, establishing itself as a category benchmark and a leader in the evolution of wearable XR.

Press Contact:

pr@viture.com

HONG KONG, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In a tech landscape that often prioritizes the latest releases, it is rare for a brand to remain dedicated to supporting older hardware. JSAUX is the exception. While the industry shifts its focus toward next-gen successors, JSAUX is choosing this moment to reinvest in the Steam Deck community, proving that original devices still have immense potential with the right professional upgrades.

To empower the veteran players who have been there since the beginning, JSAUX has officially launched its “4 Years of Deck. Forever Modding.” campaign. Running from February 25 to March 16, this event serves as a hardware refresh for the existing community. By debuting new accessories alongside sitewide discounts, JSAUX is providing players with a definitive way to modernize their setups and keep their favorite gear in top-tier condition.

Exclusive Event Rewards and Offers

To thank the community for their long-term support, JSAUX is introducing its most significant rewards to date through a specialized campaign:

• Up to 50% OFF: Enjoy significant price reductions across an extensive range of Steam Deck accessories.
• Loyalty Savings: Returning JSAUX customers receive an exclusive 15% discount, which increases to 25% OFF on orders over $100.
• Treasure Hunt: Discover hidden discount codes across the event page to unlock extra savings on your order.
• Achievement Gift: Qualifying orders will receive a limited-edition JSAUX GAMING canvas tote bag as an exclusive reward.

A Lasting Commitment to Handheld Hardware Refinement

Recognizing that long-term Steam Deck owners now face evolving challenges in battery life and display clarity, this latest hardware refresh is a direct response to keeping original gear relevant. Since pioneering the first Steam Deck dock, JSAUX has focused on overcoming real-world hardware limits through specialized design. This collection represents the latest effort to maintain and optimize the equipment players already love:

• Double Decker Travel Supply Case for Steam Deck: A mobile power hub that refuels the handheld while stored, ensuring the device is topped off and ready for action the second it’s removed.
• 5-in-1 Docking Station for Handheld Consoles: Supports 4K@60Hz video and 100W charging. Built-in bottom vents keep the console cool even during the longest gaming sessions.
• Obsidian AR Screen Protector for Steam Deck (LCD & OLED): A pro-grade display refresh that eliminates reflections to restore original clarity in bright environments.

This event provides the perfect opportunity for players to upgrade their gear and take advantage of the year’s most significant rewards. To explore the full sale and the new accessory lineup, visit the JSAUX campaign page here.

ASSETS

Visual assets for JSAUX’s latest Steam Deck accessories can be found at this link.

CONTACT

For further information requests, feel free to contact us at marketing@jsaux.com. Also, you can reach out to a brand representative and follow the new product updates on social media!

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram

ABOUT JSAUX

JSAUX, a pioneer brand in innovation and quality, boasts products that are best-sellers across over 100 countries and regions worldwide, serving more than 20 million consumers. Since 2016, multiple JSAUX product lines sold on Amazon have been designated as “#1 Best Sellers”, ranking first in several categories. This success has solidified JSAUX’s foothold in the electronics accessories market and has further established the brand as one of the top 100 Chinese brands on Amazon.

In 2022, JSAUX swiftly rose to become one of the most popular brands in gaming accessories, firmly establishing itself as the premier brand for Steam Deck accessories. The brand’s strong product innovation, superior quality, robust supply chain, and consumer-centric brand strategy have enabled it to continuously design and produce outstanding products over the past seven years. This accomplishment is the result of seamless coordination within our internal teams, spanning from research and development to product manufacturing and global marketing.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Davenport Aviation announced the successful completion of Virtus First Shot testing last month in west Texas, marking a major milestone in the development of the Virtus modular weapon system and the first weaponized test of the Virtus H125 platform. The campaign included multiple successful rocket launches, officially validating Virtus as a proven, weaponized AS350/H125 configuration.

The successful firing confirmed the structural integrity, system integration, and operational viability of Virtus on the AS350/H125 airframe. With these results, Davenport Aviation has demonstrated a fully functional, mission-ready armed configuration capable of supporting modern military and security operations.

“This was a critical milestone for Davenport Aviation and the Virtus team,” said Rob McMillin, Vice President of Aircraft and Aircraft Systems at Davenport Aviation. “Completing our First Shot test campaign validates the engineering behind the system and proves that the H125 can safely and effectively operate in a weaponized configuration.”

Virtus is the world’s first modular weapon system developed specifically for the AS350/H125 family, allowing operators to rapidly configure a single aircraft for multiple mission profiles. Installations and removals can be completed in under an hour, enabling seamless transitions between roles.

Designed for multi-mission adaptability, Virtus supports configurable armament ranging from podded miniguns and unguided rockets to precision-guided munitions and air-launched effects. The system also integrates EO/IR sensors, door gun options, hoists, searchlights, cargo capability, ballistic protection, and emergency floats—supporting armed reconnaissance, ISR, special operations, search and rescue, firefighting, humanitarian aid, and CASEVAC/MEDEVAC missions.

“The success of First Shot confirms what we set out to build—a true multi-mission aircraft that gives operators flexibility without the cost and complexity of traditional attack platforms,” said Chris Arnold, Director of Government Sales at Davenport Aviation. “Virtus allows global operators to meet evolving mission demands with a single, cost-effective helicopter.”

Davenport Aviation extends its appreciation to XP Services, Moog Inc., and Ember Solutions for their collaboration in achieving this milestone.

Built on the proven AS350/H125 platform, Virtus enables operators to modernize existing fleets while reducing procurement costs, training burdens, and lifecycle expenses.

For more information, visit www.davenportaviation.com/virtus.

Built on insights from 500 million devices, the open, vendor-agnostic Plume Platform unifies network intelligence and AI orchestration to engage, support and retain subscribers across the full customer lifecycle, on any hardware, cloud, or AI model.

PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Plume Design, Inc. (“Plume”), the global technology platform trusted by more than 450 Internet Service Providers across 58 countries, today announced a major evolution of its platform, delivering the only open, vendor-agnostic carrier-grade Agentic AI orchestration platform for ISP operations. Open by design, the enhanced Plume platform will autonomously monitor network conditions, diagnose issues, and resolve subscriber problems, across any network, any CPE, and any AI model, transforming how ISPs operate, compete, and grow. The goal is straightforward: subscribers get rock-solid connectivity and services that are easy to live with. ISPs build the Subscriber Confidence that drives lasting loyalty and future growth, at the lowest cost to serve.

The Plume platform is now fortified with Sweepr, one of the industry’s leading customer care orchestration platforms. What makes this announcement significant is what changed. Sweepr has earned a strong reputation among ISPs for its AI-powered care workflows and now, elevated and deeply integrated with Plume’s network intelligence layer, serves as the foundation of Agentic AI orchestration across the full subscriber journey. From the moment a subscriber connects through every interaction that follows, Plume’s network, device, and application intelligence feeds the Agentic AI engine with the context needed to make every engagement relevant, personalized, and effective, keeping more interactions in the digital domain where they can be resolved faster and at lower cost. The result is every ISP touchpoint, whether digital, voice, or agent-assisted, delivering the right outcome, fast and securely.

“Customer care is fundamental to our mission, and this platform marks a turning point for the industry. For the first time, ISPs can deliver AI-optimized experiences across the entire customer lifecycle, from onboarding to support, that build real, lasting Subscriber Confidence,” said Dan Herscovici, President and CEO of Plume. “Unlike anything else in the market, our open platform works across any CPE vendor, any cloud partner, and any AI model because we believe operators should control their infrastructure choices, not be locked into a single ecosystem. We are giving ISPs the tools to deploy sophisticated support journeys in minutes rather than months, and the deep network and subscriber context to resolve issues the right way, right now. We will keep doing what it takes to put the world’s best ISPs ahead.”

Built for ISPs to Win

The platform is organized around three capabilities that work in sequence across the full subscriber lifecycle, from acquisition and onboarding through support and retention. Intelligence converts telemetry across users, devices, applications, and services into real-time, actionable insight. Orchestration acts on that insight through Agentic AI workflows that fix connectivity problems and initiate resolutions without waiting for a ticket. Engagement delivers that value across every touchpoint through open APIs that connect subscriber-facing apps, ISP dashboards, and every channel an ISP operates, including IVR, chat, social, app and web. When subscribers get rock-solid connectivity and services that are easy to live with, Subscriber Confidence follows. When ISPs can deliver that at the lowest cost to serve, that is a sustainable competitive advantage.

Live deployments are already producing measurable results. TELUS, one of Canada’s largest operators, prevented over 550,000 call center calls, achieving an 80% digital resolution rate, a 91% subscriber engagement rate across digital journeys, and a 60% improvement in team productivity through Sweepr’s platform, while reducing workflow deployment time from two weeks to four days. For new ISPs, deployments go live in as little as 12 weeks across diverse network and business environments. With the enhanced Agentic AI platform now available, the opportunity to drive even greater operational efficiency and Subscriber Confidence is within reach for ISPs of any size.

Agentic AI That Is Carrier-Validated and Proven at Scale

Sweepr came to Plume already trusted by leading service providers, independently funded, and tested through years of real-world deployments. Plume’s acquisition brought Sweepr’s proven customer care journey foundation together with Plume’s network intelligence layer, and the combination is what made Agentic AI orchestration possible at this scale. No other company pairs a connectivity intelligence platform of this size with care orchestration that spans the full subscriber journey.

New capabilities give operators the ability to generate or edit support flows using natural language prompts, cutting deployment time from months to minutes. The new LLM Fabric, built on a Model Context Protocol (MCP) architecture, connects large language models to the technical reality of ISP networks to deliver advanced care support across every channel.

Horizontal AI platforms can improve how an ISP handles simple interactions. What they cannot do is reliably manage the complexity of technical support: hooking into backend systems, rebooting routers, switching WiFi channels, reading telemetry within a deterministic, auditable framework that an ISP can stand behind. Plume takes a hybrid approach starting with deterministic pathways built on deep ISP knowledge of the customer lifecycle paired with layers of the Agentic AI fabric on top providing a governed and iterative framework that does not drift, does not guess, and keeps ISPs in total control.

“Getting Agentic AI right in an ISP environment takes two things: the deepest network intelligence in the industry and the human expertise to know what to do with it,” said Alan Coleman, Chief Product Officer at Plume. “Sweepr’s team spent years solving ISP care: subscriber support that is fast, contextual, personal and affordable to deliver. Plume’s engineers bring decades of understanding exactly what is happening inside a connected home, across half a billion devices, with the security and reliability that ISPs around the world stake their reputation on. Put those two together and you have something genuinely different. AI that acts, resolves and builds the kind of subscriber relationships that drive growth at the lowest cost to serve. For ISPs, deploying Plume is the difference between a customer for a year and a customer for life.”

Agentic AI Platform Capabilities

• LLM-Agnostic Flexibility: ISPs can integrate their preferred large language model or opt for a managed service with a pre-embedded model, with no forced dependency on any single AI provider.
• Experience Builder Evolution: Agentic prompt editing and enhanced content reuse cut authoring time for complex support journeys from months to minutes.
• Journey Viewer: Generative AI-powered summaries give support agents a clear picture of each customer’s history and suggested next steps.
• Journey Optimizer: Dashboard alerts surface meaningful shifts in network behavior and customer intent so operators can respond before issues escalate.
• Real-Time Performance Tracking: A dedicated LLM Evaluation model lets operators monitor accuracy and adherence metrics as they happen.
• Continuous Autonomous Resolution: Network intelligence directly triggers subscriber-facing care journeys, resolving issues before they become support calls.

Open by Design, Secure by Default

The platform runs as a cloud-native, software-based solution with no hardware lock-in and no rip-and-replace requirements. It works with any CPE vendor, any major hyperscaler including Google, AWS, and Microsoft, and any LLM. ISPs keep their existing investments and stay in control of their own infrastructure decisions.

“Everything we build advances on open standards because the future of the ISP ecosystem depends on interoperability and trust,” said Chris Griffiths, CTO at Plume. “Our commitment to frameworks like RDK and prpl, and our focus on security at every layer of the stack, ensures that as we bring Agentic AI into the network, operators and their subscribers can rely on Plume to do it responsibly and openly.”

Successful orchestration at this scale does not happen in isolation. Plume works end-to-end across the ISP ecosystem, with more than 40 ODM partners and deep engagement across hardware, software, and network layers. That breadth of integration is what gives Plume the industry context to convert open standards into measurable operator adoption, and it is what creates rock-solid connectivity for subscribers in 58 countries.

Availability

Agentic AI care orchestration is available now as an add-on pre-integrated offering for existing Plume platform customers and as a standalone offering for ISPs evaluating the platform for the first time. Additional capabilities will be phased in as Plume continues to expand what the platform can do.

Plume is also extending invitations to AI-forward ISPs to participate in the next round of platform enhancements. This is not limited by size or geographical location. Whether you are a regional provider or a global operator, what matters is a genuine commitment to advancing AI-driven orchestration across the full subscriber lifecycle. ISPs interested in shaping what comes next can reach out directly to learn more at plume.com.

Looking Ahead

In the coming quarters, Plume will further deepen Agentic AI workflows into network operations, subscriber applications, and revenue optimization. The direction is clear: from reactive support to predictive, self-healing and confident customer experiences that give ISPs a durable competitive edge.

About Plume
Plume created the first managed Wi-Fi platform for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in 2016 and continues to lead today with a best-in-class solution for cloud-managed Wi-Fi, security, and workflow orchestration – all powered by an unmatched dataset and AI. With almost half a billion devices connected to its platform, Plume is a trusted technology partner for more than 400 ISPs around the world, helping them deliver subscriber confidence through better Wi-Fi experiences, new services, and proactive customer care. Plume leverages OpenSync®, an open-source framework that comes pre-integrated and supported on the leading silicon, CPE, and platform SDKs, and supports leading industry standards like RDK-B and prplWave. Combined with powerful AI orchestration tools with its acquisition of Sweepr, Plume now offers ISPs a true end-to-end solution to power their most important workflows and customer experiences, while making deployment simpler and faster. Plume is leading the way in providing ISPs an intelligence and innovation edge to stay competitive, build subscriber confidence, and adapt to the changing needs of the market. Discover more about how Plume is empowering ISPs by visiting https://www.plume.com.

Plume to Deliver the Only Open Agentic AI Platform that Supports the Complete ISP Customer Journey

Demonstrating secure-by-design industrial platforms that combine Edge AI performance, lifecycle cybersecurity governance, and mission-critical resilience. 

TAIPEI, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IEI Integration Corp. (IEI) today announced its showcase lineup for Embedded World 2026 (Hall 3, Booth #3-359). Under the theme “Resilient Backbone of Smart Factories and Buildings,” IEI will demonstrate how its secure-by-design industrial platforms provide high availability, redundancy, and virtualization—empowering enterprises to confidently accelerate their digital transformation with reliability and intelligence.

As Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) converge, industrial operators must protect infrastructure, maintain uptime, and prepare for regulatory requirements such as NIS2 and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). IEI’s showcase emphasizes resilience—keeping systems secure and operational under cyber threats, harsh environments, and continuous 24/7 workloads.

Strategic Highlights: From Risk to Readiness
“Industrial operators are facing a dual challenge: deploying increasingly demanding AI workloads at the edge while navigating evolving cybersecurity regulations such as NIS2 and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA),” said YT LEE, VP of IEI Integration Corp. At Embedded World 2026, we are demonstrating how IEI solutions help customers transition from risk exposure to operational readiness by bridging the gap between high-performance computing and strict security governance.

Four Pillars of Resilient Edge Infrastructure:

• Accelerating AI Inference Deployment:
  IEI will highlight integrated Edge AI computing solutions that combine iVEC CANAI virtualized AI acceleration framework, high-performance LLM inference servers, and compact, energy-efficient Edge AI systems. Built on a secure-by-design foundation, these systems support Intel® Core™ Ultra (Series 2) processors and NVIDIA® Jetson AGX Orin™ platforms to deliver intelligence without compromising security.
• Security Governance and Lifecycle Protection:
  Through dedicated PSIRT operations and a public Security Advisory Portal, IEI helps ensure mission-critical systems remain protected. This governance framework is structured around internationally recognized industrial cybersecurity frameworks, including IEC 62443, and evolving regulatory expectations under the CRA.
• Operational Resilience for Modern Manufacturing:
  IEI will demonstrate iRM remote management for CIM environments, integrating redundancy management with out-of-band remote OS recovery to enable centralized monitoring, high availability, and rapid restoration during system failures—supporting continuous 24/7 workloads.
• Vertical-Focused Durability:
  Dedicated zones will feature rugged systems, including DNV-validated maritime platforms and IP69K-rated stainless steel systems for food processing, ensuring reliable operation in the harshest environments.

Invitation to Connect
Visit IEI at Hall 3, Booth #3-359 to explore secure and resilient edge infrastructure solutions for industrial digital transformation.
Schedule a technical consultation:
https://www.ieiworld.com/en/support/con_show.php?cid=118 
Complimentary access voucher code: ew26567451. 

About IEI Integration Corp.
IEI Integration Corp. is a global provider of industrial computing solutions focused on Edge AI, remote infrastructure management, and ruggedized embedded systems for smart manufacturing, intelligent buildings, transportation, and mission-critical industrial applications worldwide. 

SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Han Edu Tech Co., Ltd. (CEO Han Il-hwan) has officially launched its global service platform, MetaKorea, on the Google and Apple app stores following the successful completion of beta testing aimed at global optimization. The platform is designed to expand access to Korean language learning and K-test content, including TOPIK, EPS, and OK-TEST.

According to a company representative, “MetaKorea is an app platform where users can access a wide range of resources, including Korean language mock exams, K-content videos, online classrooms, community features, and Korea-related news translated into multiple languages. Our top priority moving forward is to operate community, testing, and educational services through the platform. We are currently offering online classrooms for overseas learners studying Korean and are preparing one-on-one Korean language matching classes in collaboration with partner universities in Korea.” The representative added that, as a platform built on global K-content, MetaKorea plans to provide a variety of events in addition to testing and education services. On the content side, the platform delivers Korean news and updates through customized card-news formats and organizes topic-based content into categories so users can easily access information based on their goals. Separate tabs for study abroad, exams, and employment will also be introduced to enhance personalized content delivery.

Notably, Han Edu Tech holds exclusive domestic and international service rights for the OK-TEST Occupational Korean Proficiency Test, the only Korean-language exam to have received official national certification approval in China. Leveraging its proprietary technology, the company has also been selected as the lead organization for government-funded R&D projects, demonstrating continued leadership in the edutech sector.

CEO Han Il-hwan stated, “In MetaKorea’s launch year, we plan to recruit additional online marketing specialists and content creators from the United States and Vietnam. To support recruitment for MetaKorea’s marketing team, we participated in the 2025 Global Talent Fair, where we met international students from the U.S., Europe, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, India, and South America. Their Korean proficiency was outstanding, and we were once again impressed by the caliber of global talent.” He added, “As global demand for the Korean language and culture surges alongside the worldwide success of K-content, expectations for the advancement of global talent are also rising. At this important moment, we hope MetaKorea will play a meaningful role as a platform supporting that growth.”

For more information, please visit the official website: http://www.oktest.org

• SK–IDT–Vaxxas consortium establishes strategic entry point for high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) vaccines in Europe to improve vaccine performance and access.
• Parallel development of high-immunogenicity HD-MAP vaccines for seasonal and pandemic influenza threats.

INCHEON, South Korea, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SK bioscience announced that, together with IDT Biologika (IDT) and Australian biotechnology company Vaxxas, it has been selected for Phase 1 of a next-generation vaccine development initiative managed by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) on behalf of the European Commission’s Health Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA). Using Vaxxas’ needle-free delivery technology, the three-party consortium will develop a seasonal influenza vaccine for older adults and pandemic influenza vaccine for broader populations.

This contract is one of three EU-funded framework contracts, valued at up to a total of €225M and aimed at strengthening next-generation vaccine commercialization and supply capabilities within Europe. HaDEA will provide up to €12.9 million to support Phase 1 research, including a Phase 1 clinical trial. Subject to successful technical validation and clinical outcomes, the Consortium could tender to progress through subsequent phases of the program to support Phase 3 and final-stage development.

The contract is particularly meaningful as it represents the first major global public funding secured following SK bioscience’s acquisition of IDT, and continues the company’s close collaboration with high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) pioneer Vaxxas. It also establishes a pathway for entry into the highly regulated European market by combining influenza vaccine development capabilities with Vaxxas’ HD-MAP technology.

Within the consortium, IDT serves as the European legal contracting entity and overall project lead, overseeing project management and coordination with European authorities. Upon commercialization, IDT is expected to function as a key manufacturing hub in Europe, including responsibility for drug substance production.

SK bioscience, leveraging its proprietary cell culture technology, will supply drug substance for both its licensed influenza vaccine, SKYCellflu, and a pandemic influenza vaccine currently under development. SK bioscience will also collaborate with Vaxxas for the clinical development, with Vaxxas manufacturing HD-MAP vaccines.

The patch-based influenza vaccines are designed to achieve a comparable immunogenicity response with lower antigen doses than traditional delivery platforms. With a short application time and room-temperature stability, they are expected to significantly enhance ease of administration and increase vaccine access critical to a public health vaccination response. According to modelling by Avalere Health on a US scenario, the potential impact of microarray patch (MAP) vaccines in a pandemic could be at least 35% fewer cases, and at least 30% fewer deaths by enabling a broader and faster response. Additionally, MAP vaccines could reduce US economic losses by at least $200 billion and global economic losses by at least $921 billion over two years.

Through this project, SK bioscience, IDT, and Vaxxas intend to actively target the premium European seasonal influenza vaccine market for older adults, while boosting their capabilities to support the region’s preparedness to respond to potential public health crises.

Upon successful development, SK bioscience with its Consortium partners plan to pursue entry into major advanced markets, including Europe’s Northern Hemisphere market, and explore additional business opportunities through exports to key markets such as Korea and the United States, depending on global clinical outcomes.

According to global market research firm Datamonitor, the seasonal influenza vaccine market targeting older adults is estimated at approximately USD 459 million. As immune responses decline with age, this segment shows strong demand for premium products such as high-dose and adjuvanted vaccines, making differentiated formulations and technologies a direct determinant of market competitiveness.

“With more than 100 years of experience in vaccine development and manufacturing, IDT Biologika has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of patients and partners worldwide,” said Dr. Sally Choe, Co-CEO of IDT Biologika. “Our global customer focus drives us to not only ensure reliable, high-quality production, but also to actively shape innovative delivery solutions that can expand access and improve acceptance across broader populations. By working with SK bioscience and Vaxxas to advance needle-free patch technology for influenza vaccines, we are helping to develop new vaccination approaches designed to better protect people around the world against seasonal and pandemic influenza.”

“The successful tender reflects a shared ambition across the Consortium and the European Commission to invest in alternative vaccine delivery technologies that simplify vaccination and enhance preparedness,” said Vaxxas CEO Mr. David Peacock. “This tender positions Vaxxas and its Consortium partners at the forefront of global vaccination innovation. We are proud to see our technology recognised by governments worldwide as a critical component of future public health preparedness.”

Jaeyong Ahn, President and CEO of SK bioscience, said “This project marks the first tangible business outcome following the acquisition of IDT, demonstrating how our combined global network and technological capabilities translate into performance. We will continue to actively pursue opportunities for our proprietary vaccines in Europe and strengthen our competitiveness in the global market through innovative platforms.”

SK bioscience is accelerating the global expansion of its key pipelines through partnerships. Ongoing initiatives include Phase 3 global clinical development of the next-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (GBP410) in collaboration with Sanofi; clinical advancement of a broadly protective sarbecovirus vaccine supported by the Gates Foundation and CEPI; and the establishment of next-generation mRNA platform strategies. Through these efforts, the company aims to expand its leadership beyond Korea and into the global vaccine market.

About IDT Biologika

With passion we bring pharmaceutical solutions to life.

IDT Biologika, part of SK bioscience, is a globally operating CDMO specializing in end-to-end development and manufacturing of biologics, biosimilars, and other sterile injectables. With more than 100 years of biopharmaceutical expertise, we combine proven know-how with advanced platform technologies to support our customers’ projects.

Our integrated services span the entire product lifecycle – from process development and drug substance manufacturing (cell culture and microbial systems) to clinical and commercial fill-finish, complemented by quality control, analytical testing, and packaging.

We support the successful market launch of protein- and antibody-based biologics and biosimilars, including vaccines, gene and immune therapeutics, oncolytic viruses, and other sterile injectables that help prevent and treat diseases worldwide.

About Vaxxas

Vaxxas is a biotechnology company pioneering HD-MAP technology for future self-administered vaccine delivery. The HD-MAP has been administered to more than 750 participants across clinical trials, demonstrating strong safety, tolerability, and robust immune responses. Preclinical and clinical data indicate the technology has the potential to deliver all major vaccine types positioning HD-MAP as a universal delivery solution. By targeting immune cells just beneath the skin, the HD-MAP has the potential to achieve stronger protection with smaller doses, while reducing cold-chain requirements and enabling self-administration.

Vaxxas’ programs are advancing toward commercialisation with support from global partners including SK bioscience, the US Government, the Welcome Trust, and the Gates Foundation, assessing the potential of HD‑MAP to vaccinate against seasonal and pre‑pandemic influenza, and measles and rubella. The company recently installed robotic lines for aseptic (sterile) manufacture at its state‑of‑the‑art Brisbane biomedical facility supporting scalable, GMP-compliant production for clinical and future commercial supply.

About SK bioscience

SK bioscience is an innovative vaccine and biotech company, committed to vaccine development and manufacturing to enable more equitable access to vaccines around the world. Leveraging strengths on cutting-edge technologies, SK bioscience has been dedicated to promoting human health from prevention to cure across the globe. With the cooperation of domestic and international governments, regulatory agencies, healthcare providers, doctors, and medical experts, all of the SK colleagues are passionately committed to providing high-quality vaccines to those who need them and better public healthcare solutions.

SK bioscience Communications Team
Changhyun Jin (jin99@sk.com)
Tae-Gyun Kim (taegyunkim@sk.com)
Moonchel Kim (mc_kim@sk.com)