SUZHOU, China and MÖLNDAL, Sweden, Feb. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co., Ltd. (HKEX: 06938) (“Ribo”) and its subsidiary Ribocure Pharmaceuticals AB (“Ribocure”) today announced that they have entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDGL) (“Madrigal”) for six pre-clinical small interfering RNA (siRNA) programs for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

The collaboration will utilize Ribo’s validated liver targeting siRNA GalSTAR^TM platform to develop novel treatments for MASH. The license agreement covers multiple existing pre-clinical assets from Ribo. In addition, both parties have the option to expand the scope of collaboration onto new siRNA programs including bi-specific siRNAs (agents that target two disease-causing genes simultaneously) utilizing Ribo’s unique GalSTAR^TM and siRNA chemical modification platforms.

We are enthusiastic to join forces with Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, drawing on their extensive knowledge together with our siRNA expertise to advance life changing therapies for people affected by liver disease, says Dr. Zicai Liang, CEO of Ribo.

To have the opportunity to work with the company that successfully launched the world’s first drug for MASH, a disease with rising prevalence and strong associations with numerous life-threatening comorbidities, is very encouraging. Leveraging our proprietary siRNA platform, we aim to expand the MASH therapeutic landscape through complementary, multi-mechanistic approaches, delivering more targeted and effective treatments for patients with unmet needs, says Dr Li-Ming Gan CEO of Ribocure and co-CEO of Ribo.

Financial Considerations
Under the agreement, Ribo has granted Madrigal an exclusive global license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize several siRNA assets. Ribo will receive an upfront payment of US$60M and cumulative payments could reach US$4.4B if certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones are achieved, as well as potential royalties on net sales.

About MASH

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is a serious liver disease that can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer, need for liver transplantation and premature mortality. MASH is the leading cause of liver transplantation in women and the second leading cause of all liver transplantation in the U.S., and the fastest-growing indication for liver transplantation in Europe.

Once patients progress to MASH with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis (consistent with stages F2 to F3 fibrosis), the risk of adverse liver outcomes increases dramatically: these patients have a 10-17 times higher risk of liver-related mortality as compared to patients without fibrosis. Those who progress to cirrhosis face a 42 times higher risk of liver-related mortality, underscoring the need to treat MASH before complications of cirrhosis develop. MASH is also an independent driver of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality for patients.

As MASH disease awareness improves and disease prevalence increases, the number of diagnosed patients with MASH with moderate to advanced fibrosis or compensated MASH cirrhosis (F2-F4c) is expected to grow.

About Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co. Ltd. and Ribocure Pharmaceuticals AB
Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co. Ltd. (HKEX: 6938) is an innovative clinical stage R&D company devoted to the development of nucleic acid drugs and related products based on the RNA interference (RNAi) technology. With its innovative R&D capabilities with vertically integrated technological platforms, Ribo has built a strong product pipeline, aiming to make contribution to the treatment of serious diseases with unmet medical needs.

As a subsidiary of Suzhou Ribo Life Science, Ribocure Pharmaceuticals AB is dedicated to globalized development of life-saving oligonucleotide therapies, with focus on development of assets and pipeline as well as new target ideas and on building innovative capacities to conduct clinical trials and developing siRNA drugs to address real unmet medical needs globally.

For more information, please visit www.ribolia.com and www.ribocure.com

About Madrigal Pharmaceuticals

Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDGL) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering novel therapeutics for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a liver disease with high unmet medical need. Madrigal’s medication, Rezdiffra (resmetirom), is a once-daily, oral, liver-directed THR-β agonist designed to target key underlying causes of MASH. Rezdiffra is the first and only medication approved by both the FDA and European Commission for the treatment of MASH with moderate to advanced fibrosis (F2 to F3). An ongoing Phase 3 outcomes trial is evaluating Rezdiffra for the treatment of compensated MASH cirrhosis (F4c). For more information, visit www.madrigalpharma.com.

Enabling scalable, data-center compatible quantum systems for real-world deployment

ENSCHEDE, Netherlands and HSINCHU, Feb. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — QuiX Quantum, a leading provider of photonic quantum computing hardware, and Artilux, a developer of advanced semiconductor-based photonic detector technologies, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

This agreement builds on the companies’ complementary strengths in photonic system design and their positions within the broader semiconductor ecosystem. The collaboration is aimed at strengthening hardware integration, improving manufacturability, and lowering operational energy requirements in photonic quantum computing systems.

Building quantum hardware for practical environments
As quantum computing matures into real-world applications, operating efficiently beyond specialized laboratory environments is becoming increasingly critical. The collaboration focuses on integrating advanced detector components more closely within photonic quantum hardware, enabling meaningful reductions in infrastructure demands. This direction contributes to quantum computing hardware that is increasingly compatible with modern data-center environments and designed with deployability and total cost of ownership in mind.

Integration, scalability, and energy efficiency
By combining Artilux’s expertise on germanium silicon (GeSi) photonic technology with QuiX Quantum’s system-level photonic quantum computing development, the collaboration seeks to simplify system architecture and reduce detector-level cooling requirements and support infrastructure. This approach improves overall manufacturability and supports QuiX Quantum’s objective of delivering high-performance photonic quantum computing hardware in Data Centers and HPC infrastructure, enabling scaling with industry needs.

Executive Quotes:

Dr.-Ing. Stefan Hengesbach, CEO, QuiX Quantum
“We are thrilled to partner with Artilux as this collaboration supports our long-term strategy of building scalable and most energy-efficient photonic quantum computers. This allows us to improve manufacturability, uptime and reduce operational complexity while further expanding practical deployment.”

Erik Chen, CEO, Artilux
“We are excited to collaborate with QuiX Quantum on leveraging our detector technologies to advance and support more energy-efficient and scalable quantum hardware. Partnerships like this help accelerate progress in next-generation photonic computing and underscores our growing role in global deep-tech innovation across multiple industrial sectors.”

Bas Pulles, Representative of Netherlands Office Taipei
“We are pleased to witness the signing of this agreement between two technology pioneers; this agreement exemplifies how international cooperation can accelerate breakthrough technologies and create long-term economic and technological value for both regions.”

About Artilux
Founded in 2014, Artilux has been at the forefront of a new era in semiconductor and photonic innovation, pioneering GeSi (germanium silicon) technology that bridges the gap between the electronic and photonic worlds. Building on a proven track record of photonic innovations that address the growing demand for high data throughput and low power consumption, Artilux’s dedicated team continuously pushes the boundaries of technology—transforming fundamental scientific breakthroughs into real-world solutions spanning communications, sensing, imaging, and computing. Artilux’s vision is to redefine the interaction between light and intelligence, creating a seamlessly connected world where photonics and electronics converge to power the next generation of sensing, communication, and computing.

About QuiX Quantum
QuiX Quantum is a leading provider of photonic quantum computing hardware, driving innovation with proven quality in the development of its Universal Quantum Computer. The first system, already sold and contracted for delivery, underscores the impact of QuiX Quantum’s market-leading hardware and renowned quality. This strong technological foundation positions the company to build the most powerful quantum computers. With offices across Europe, QuiX Quantum continues to push the boundaries of quantum technology while serving a growing global customer base.

BEIJING, Feb. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the number of allergy-prone infants continues to climb globally, how to provide them with safe, nutritious, and reliable dietary support has become a pressing public health issue. Recently, at the “Scientific Care, Shared Growth” public welfare advocacy event and the consensus conference on the “Technical requirements for nutritional formula foods free from common allergens,” Witsbb, as a public welfare supporter, demonstrated its commitment to promoting standardized industry development and reflected the brand’s professional dedication that goes beyond commercial interests.

The meeting was hosted by China Quality Supervision Magazine, co-organized by the HSIPA, and received public welfare support from Tmall Global and Witsbb. Bringing together multiple stakeholders, the conference aimed to launch a group standard and establish a dialogue platform for advancing scientific awareness of allergy parenting and promoting industry standardization.

As a brand dedicated to the field of allergy-aware parenting, Sid, the Brand Director of Witsbb, shared the brand’s practices and explorations. Ensuring the dietary safety of allergy-prone infants is the bottom line, as even trace cross-contamination can pose risks. To this end, Witsbb has established a comprehensive end-to-end safety system covering “source-production-testing-delivery.” From raw material screening and pharmaceutical-grade production environments to over 100 allergen-free tests on finished products, the brand drives advancements in industry processes and standards through safety.

The brand’s “Allergen-Free 100+” transparent list not only avoids the eight common allergens but also proactively excludes over 100 potential allergenic substances. By implementing end-to-end allergen control, it reflects a deep understanding of the anxieties faced by families with allergy-prone children and demonstrates the brand’s strong sense of responsibility.

Witsbb has also actively participated in the co-development of the group standard “Technical requirements for nutritional formula foods free from common allergens” Sid emphasized that the value of a group standard lies not in proving who is “better,” but in helping the industry clarify the boundaries of management and communication, thereby guiding its development in a more focused and systematic manner. The brand hopes to work with all stakeholders to build consensus and define clear boundaries.

As exemplified by brands like Witsbb, which are grounded in science and driven by care, commercial value and social responsibility are resonating in harmony on the path to addressing public health challenges and providing meaningful support to vulnerable groups.

TAIPEI, Feb. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Shield AI announced today that it has signed a contract with Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) to advance the development, demonstration, and deployment of AI-piloted unmanned systems. The collaboration will integrate Shield AI’s Hivemind platform into NCSIST’s intelligent unmanned systems, supporting both software development and operational fielding.

Under the agreement, NCSIST will use Shield AI’s Hivemind platform to accelerate the development of locally produced AI pilots for the purposes of autonomous mission execution and coordinated multi-system teaming operations, enabling a single operator to supervise multiple unmanned systems from one ground control station. The effort combines use of the Hivemind software development kit (SDK) for integration on indigenously developed platforms with turnkey Hivemind integrations provided by Shield AI for demonstration on NCSIST’s multi-role unmanned systems, supporting sustained operations under limited manpower conditions.

“We are deeply committed to supporting Taiwan’s military and industrial ecosystem. We’ve established a local office at Taipei 101 and are hiring local Taiwanese teammates into high-tech jobs to protect and defend Taiwan. Through this partnership with NCSIST, we are helping enable the drone forces Taiwan is building with cutting-edge AI pilots that will allow drones to team and operate while GPS and communications are jammed,” said Brandon Tseng, president, co-founder, and a former Navy SEAL. “Over the next five years, you will see Shield AI continue to grow and invest in Taiwan and the defense of Taiwan.”

Hivemind is Shield AI’s core artificial intelligence software that enables platforms to sense, decide, and act. Unlike traditional autopilots that simply follow preplanned routes, Hivemind can reroute around no-fly zones, avoid obstacles, respond to unexpected conditions, and complete missions safely and effectively without human intervention. By combining simulation-based training, AI development tools, and onboard edge computing, the platform enables reliable operation in complex environments where GPS and communications may be degraded or denied.

NCSIST serves as Taiwan’s lead defense research and development organization and plays a central role in validating and integrating capabilities for military use. Collaboration with NCSIST establishes an important foundation for broader adoption of autonomous software across multiple platforms and mission sets.

This agreement also highlights Shield AI’s continued investment in Taiwan and its defense ecosystem. Last year, Shield AI announced a teaming agreement with Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) to deploy, support, and sustain its products in Taiwan, and the opening of a new office in Taipei 101.

About Shield AI

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Media Contact: Lily Hinz; media@shield.ai 

DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has released the latest scorecard of its Private Wealth Management (PWM) division, with the top-performing fund posting a 9.97% APR amid broader market turbulence in January 2026. Bybit PWM has demonstrated exceptional resilience throughout market cycles, recording 49 consecutive months of positive returns with its flagship USDT-based strategy fund.

According to CoinGecko data, total crypto market capitalization closed January 2026 at $2.84 trillion, retreating by over 13%, or approximately $440 billion, from its mid-month peak of $3.28 trillion. Despite a challenging start to the year for digital assets, Bybit PWM rose above the volatility and delivered value to customers through disciplined strategies and expert stewardship.

Performance Highlights in January

In the latest Bybit PWM monthly newsletter, the best-performing fund achieved an average APR of 9.97% in January, with the following strategy breakdown:

• USDT-based strategies: Average APR of 4.61%
• BTC-based strategies: Average APR of 2.57%

Fig. Bybit PWM Strategy Return Trend

In recent weeks of sharp price action across the crypto landscape from XRP to BTC, now range-bound at the $70,000 mark, traders have sought diversified solutions to safeguard their portfolios. Bybit offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed for long-term investors prioritizing capital preservation and stable returns.

One standout is Mantle Vault, a structured product anchored in DeFi strategies which reached $150 million in AUM within two months, in addition to Bybit PWM, an exclusive service curated for our clients.

For high-net-worth individuals, Bybit PWM, offers an exclusive, tailor-made wealth management experience. The platform provides customized investment strategies, dynamic asset allocation, and professional risk management, all supported by curated private funds and Bybit’s institutional-grade trading infrastructure. Dedicated relationship managers provide expert guidance to navigate volatile markets like January 2026’s downturn, with a track record of resilient portfolio performance.

Qualified investors interested in exploring Bybit Private Wealth Management services may visit: Bybit Private Wealth Management

For details of Bybit PWM’s January performance, users may visit: Bybit Private Wealth Management: January 2026 Newsletter

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #IMakeIt

About Bybit

Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 80 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

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Showcases Automotive Photonics Innovations
Helps Businesses Capture Emerging Industrial Opportunities in Southeast Asia

HONG KONG, Feb. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Centre of Advanced Power and Autonomous Systems (APAS), under the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), made its first-ever appearance at the Asia Photonics Expo (APE 2026)—Asia’s leading platform for photonics technology innovation—held in Singapore from 4 to 6 February. During the exhibition, APAS showcased its advanced automotive photonics R&D achievements to photonics experts and enterprises in the field from across Asia and around the world. Featured innovations included an Automotive-grade MEMS Drive OIS Actuator and an Augmented Reality Head-up Display for Commercial Vehicles.

Meanwhile, APAS organised the “Go Global to Southeast Asia: Singapore Photonics and Emerging Industries Delegation“, leading representatives from Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland enterprises to participate in APE 2026 as well as a series of site visits and exchange activities. This initiative aimed to present Hong Kong’s comprehensive R&D and industrial strengths in photonics and emerging sectors to the international community. It also sought to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in understanding market dynamics and technological trends in Singapore’s photonics and emerging industries, facilitate cross-regional business networking, and support enterprises in expanding into Southeast Asian and global markets.

Mr Yonghai DU, Chief Innovation Officer of HKPC and General Manager of APAS, said, “The ’15th Five-Year Plan’ Recommendations emphasise fostering emerging industries and accelerating the development of industrial clusters in strategic emerging fields such as new energy and new materials. Over the years, HKPC has been committed to helping enterprises turn R&D outcomes into competitive market application solutions. APAS focuses on R&D in various technological fields, including green transportation, smart mobility, intelligent systems and emerging applications. By collaborating with industry, academia and research institutions, APAS transforms R&D outcomes into commercially viable products and solutions, thereby enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness in the fields of new energy vehicles and intelligent driving”.

“Photonics plays an irreplaceable role in data acquisition, transmission and processing, and is therefore critical to the field of intelligent driving. This is APAS’s first participation in the APE, together with the organisation of a delegation to Southeast Asia, aims to lay a more solid foundation for the long-term development of automotive photonics technologies, while supporting businesses in expanding into photonics and emerging industries markets in Southeast Asia”.

First Debut in APE 2026 to Deepen International Photonics Industry Connections

Photonics technologies are widely applied across various sectors, including communications, information technology, healthcare, industrial manufacturing and energy. Held in Singapore, APE 2026 is one of the most influential events in the photonics industry in Asia. It brought together research institutions, technology companies and industry leaders from around the world to showcase cutting-edge technologies and innovative application scenarios across the entire photonics value chain. As a leading R&D institution in new energy and intelligent driving, APAS made its debut at APE 2026, leveraging its R&D strengths to contribute to technological collaboration and application innovation within the photonics industry. It not only helps Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland enterprises build bridges to the global photonics industry and expand market opportunities, but also supports Hong Kong’s active integration into the international photonics ecosystem, further promoting cross-regional technology exchange and industrial collaboration.

As a member of the HKSAR Government’s “Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global”, HKPC also shared its comprehensive “GoGlobal” services with exhibition participants during the event. These services include smart manufacturing, technology research and assessment, international standards and testing, professional services, training and study missions, as well as funding schemes—highlighting Hong Kong’s unique advantages in supporting enterprises’ global expansion. Ms Teresa POON, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore, visited the APAS booth to learn about the latest automotive photonics technologies and R&D achievements in Hong Kong, and to exchange views on the city’s strengths in the photonics industry.

In addition, Dr Rick MO, Head of Business Development and Commercialisation and Head of Emerging Applications of APAS, was invited to deliver a keynote speech on the impact of 2D material semiconductor innovations on the future development of smart mobility and high-end manufacturing. The APAS team has been deeply involved in the field of third-generation semiconductors for many years. Its development of silicon carbide-based systems and controllers have significantly improved the energy efficiency and driving range of new energy vehicles. Looking ahead, the team will explore the replacement of traditional chip electronic signals with optical signals, further advancing the application and development of related technologies.

Advancing Automotive Photonics R&D to Support Smart Mobility and Smart City Development

During APE 2026, APAS set up a dedicated exhibition zone to showcase its latest automotive photonics solutions in support of smart mobility and smart city development. The exhibits included:

• Automotive-grade MEMS Drive OIS Actuator: The technology is designed to stabilise imager sensor shifts in Full HD dash cameras. It effectively reduces image shake caused by road vibrations or cornering, significantly enhancing image stability and clarity. When combined with object detection and recognition capabilities, the dash camera prototype can continuously deliver clear images and reliable driving records, even in busy urban areas, on winding roads or in tunnels, and in adverse weather conditions. This helps to improve overall road safety.
• Augmented Reality Head-up Display for Commercial Vehicles: By combining virtual images with the real-world view, key driving information such as navigation routes, vehicle speed and safety alerts, is projected directly onto the windshield. This allows drivers to access critical information without having to divert their gaze, thereby enhancing driving focus and safety. The solution can also be optimised for the practical operating scenarios of commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks.

Promoting International R&D Exchange and Exploring Southeast Asian Market Opportunities

In addition to participating in APE 2026, the “Go Global to Southeast Asia: Singapore Photonics and Emerging Industries Delegation” arranged visits for enterprise representatives to several world-class universities and research institutions in Singapore, including Nanyang Technological University, the National University of Singapore, Singapore University of Technology and Design, and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research. These visits provided in-depth insights into the latest R&D and technology commercialisation cases in areas such as quantum photonics, smart sensing, semiconductors and emerging applications, enabling participants to better grasp market trends and collaboration opportunities in photonics and emerging industries.

Through this series of visits and exchanges, HKPC and APAS played a bridging role in showcasing Hong Kong’s R&D capabilities and industrial strengths in photonics and smart mobility to the global community, supporting SMEs in capturing opportunities in the Southeast Asian market, and promoting the long-term development of the photonics and smart mobility industries.

About Centre of Advanced Power and Autonomous Systems (APAS) 

Centre of Advanced Power and Autonomous Systems (APAS) (formerly Automotive Platforms and Application Systems R&D Centre) was established in 2006 and is fully integrated as a business division under HKPC on 1 April 2025. APAS continues to undertake market-led R&D programmes spanning green transportation, smart mobility, intelligent systems and emerging applications, as well as commercialises R&D results in collaboration with industry, universities and technology institutes to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong’s automotive and other transportation sectors in new energy and smart driving. 

About Hong Kong Productivity Council

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a statutory body established in 1967, dedicated to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of Hong Kong enterprises through world-class applied R&D, innovative technology services, and integrated manufacturing solutions. As a market-oriented, international R&D organisation, HKPC leverages its deep expertise and extensive industry experience in key areas such as AI, advanced manufacturing, life and health technology, green technology and new energy to drive new industrialisation and support the growth of emerging and future industries.  

HKPC focuses on addressing businesses challenges and industrial technology needs, promoting the full integration between technological and industrial innovation. Through technology transfer, product innovation, intellectual property protection and commercialisation of R&D outcomes, the Council fosters collaboration with the local business community as well as top global R&D institutions, delivering added value to industries and advancing the development of new productive forces. HKPC’s world-class R&D achievements have been widely recognised over the years, winning an array of local and overseas accolades, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city. 

To help enterprises capitalise on Hong Kong’s strengths in international connectivity to expand into global markets, HKPC offers comprehensive overseas expansion services tailored to critical areas including product development, technology, manufacturing, and management, enabling businesses to successfully go global from Hong Kong. 

HKPC is also committed to providing timely and practical support to SMEs and startups with timely and practical , assisting them in accessing Government funding programmes. Through its FutureSkills training initiatives, HKPC helps both industry and academia stay ahead in latest digital and STEM technologies, nurturing a future-ready talent pool for Hong Kong. 

For more information, please visit HKPC’s website: www.hkpc.org/en. 

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Earns Firsts Five-Star Cruise Ship; Celebrity Snags First Five-Star Restaurant at Sea

ATLANTA, Feb. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Forbes Travel Guide (“FTG”)—the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruises—today unveiled its 2026 Star Awards. See the full list of honorees on ForbesTravelGuide.com.

The 68th annual list hits a major milestone: it spans more than 100 countries, including new destinations like Bhutan, Croatia, Georgia, Grenada, Laos, Poland, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Uzbekistan.

The list also features more new award winners than ever before and many inaugural distinctions, signaling that luxury travel is moving into a new era:

• The world’s first Five-Star cruise accolades. As cruising’s popularity soars, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Ilma becomes the first Five-Star cruise in FTG’s history. And Celebrity Xcel’s Le Voyage from master chef Daniel Boulud is the first Five-Star cruise ship restaurant.
• Smaller destinations make big strides. As luxury travelers look beyond big capitals in favor of smaller cities that have sophisticated offerings without the crowds, hotels are rising to the occasion. Inaugural Five-Stars arrive in Turks and Caicos (Wymara Villas); Nikko, Japan (The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko); and Montenegro (One&Only Portonovi). The Charleston Place in Charleston and 100 Princes Street in Edinburgh earn Four-Stars, elevating their cities’ hospitality offerings and the continued tourism rise of some less-explored markets.
• Marriott International Luxury hotels shine. Atlanta receives its first double Five-Star: The St. Regis Atlanta and its Atlas Buckhead restaurant. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes obtains the city’s first top hotel accolade. And Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is the first Five-Star from Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea giga-project.
• Luxury pivots from prescribed to personal. By leaning into customized, local immersion, hotels are moving away from one-size-fits-all hospitality toward a bespoke model that’s deeply rooted in its destination. Sedona’s first Five-Star, Mii amo, tailors wellness journeys to the red rock setting. And the Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio prioritizes local experiences that allow guests to explore at their own pace.
• Hospitality leans into intimacy and privacy. For the fourth year, Macau continues to outpace the world’s top destinations in Five-Star hotels (28). The city’s newest winners show a shift toward a more intimate luxury tier: Capella at Galaxy Macau, Paiza Grand and Palazzo Versace Macau offer hotel-within-a-hotel experiences that favor privacy over scale.

Other highlights:

• Totaling 2,422 properties, the winners include 343 Five-Star, 708 Four-Star and 679 Recommended hotels; 82 Five-Star, 138 Four-Star and 80 Recommended restaurants; 118 Five-Star and 241 Four-Star spas; one Five-Star, nine Four-Star and nine Recommended cruise ships; and one Five-Star, eight Four-Star and five Recommended cruise ship restaurants.
• The U.S. gained five new Five-Star hotels (The Chateau at Nemacolin, Farmington, Pennsylvania; Mii amo, Sedona; The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes; The St. Regis Atlanta; and Yacht Club at The Boca Raton) and three new Five-Star restaurants (Atlas Buckhead, Atlanta; Aurelia at Castle Hill, Newport, Rhode Island; Flybridge, Boca Raton).
• Europe sees new Five-Stars in France (The Maybourne Riviera), Montenegro (One&Only Portonovi), Spain (Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona) and Switzerland (Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich).
• Asia Pacific is emerging as the next luxury epicenter, landing 40% of all new Five-Star hotels: Bvlgari Hotel Tokyo; Capella at Galaxy Macau; Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li; Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, Beijing; Paiza Grand, Macau; Palazzo Versace Macau; Regent Hong Kong; ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts; The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko, Japan; and The St. Regis Macao.
• The Middle East welcomes four new Five-Star hotels: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi; Grosvenor House, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai; Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Saudi Arabia; and Rosewood Doha.
• New Five-Star hotels also come to the Caribbean (Wymara Villas, Turks and Caicos) and Mexico (Grand Velas Los Cabos).

“Forbes Travel Guide’s newest Star Award winners showcase an exciting evolution in luxury,” says Amanda Frasier, FTG’s President of Standards & Ratings. “As guests navigate the increasingly complex travel landscape for the best places to stay, sail, dine and spa, we are proud to provide them with the trusted, integrity-based guidance they need. The 2026 list showcases properties deeply committed to delivering consistent and reliable world-class experiences.”

For images, click here.

Learn how FTG compiles its Star Ratings here.

View the complete 2026 winners list here. 

Connect with FTG:
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X: www.twitter.com/ForbesInspector
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ForbesTravelGuide

About FTG:

Forbes Travel Guide is the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruises and their restaurants. Our anonymous inspectors evaluate hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, to help discerning travelers select the world’s best experiences. The only way to get a Five-Star, Four-Star or Recommended rating is by earning it through our inspection process. Visit us at ForbesTravelGuide.com.