MONTEREY, Calif., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Vintage-inspired clothing brand Retro Stage is gearing up for the fast-approaching freaky festivities with the reveal of their 2025 Halloween collection. The Happy Halloween line is filled to the brim with frighteningly fabulous looks, featuring pieces inspired by spooky motifs, beloved fictional characters, and of course, classic creatures.

A Nostalgic Vision of Halloween

Retro Stage is eager to once again share their nostalgic vision of Halloween with their audience, with many hand-picked seasonal favorites returning in addition to the dozens of brand-new designs making their debut. Perfectly blending vintage cuts and aesthetics with delightfully creepy subject matter, this collection’s offerings span all the way from the elegant 1930s to the unconventional 1980s, meaning fans of all decades can be sure to find something to their tastes.

What to Expect from the Vintage Halloween Collection

Retro Stage provided the following sneak peek of what customers can expect to see in this new and exciting collection:

Festive Favorites

From vibrant purple bats to cozy sweaters of orange and black, this collection features everything a Halloween fan needs to rep their spooky spirit all month long. Customers can express themselves with blood-spattered dresses, skull-patterned lace, fun monochrome looks, and so much more.

Punk & Goth Picks

Halloween is a time for the darker side of fashion to take the spotlight, and that’s where the punks and goths come in. Both veterans and newcomers in these iconic subcultures are welcome to shop this collection’s abundance of lacy corsets, leather, silver studs, and blood-red velvet to assemble the perfect retro stage Halloween outfits.

Movie & TV Characters

Fans of Halloween classics like Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas are in for a treat, because this collection has all the vintage-inspired costume pieces they could ask for. What’s more, there’s plenty of other pop culture couture in store, including designs inspired by Disney princesses, the beloved Addams family, the Sanderson sisters, the Mystery Gang, and even classic horror films like Carrie — with a haunting Carrie costume that’s both elegant and terrifying.

The brand emphasized their excitement to share both new and returning creations with fans this year in the hopes of making every customer’s Halloween that much more special.

“Halloween and vintage fashion have always gone hand in hand,” said CEO when asked about the collection. “All the most classic horror and monster movies came out at the same time that the most iconic retro aesthetics were first hitting the scene. We had costumers incorporating what was popular at the time into their designs, and when those designs debuted to audiences, they went on to inspire future fashion trends and sort of set the tone for what we still see in scary movies and modern Halloween costumes.” He went on to note that while plenty of costume stores stock vintage-inspired pieces, Retro Stage’s high-quality vintage Halloween costumes & dresses can be reworn and even incorporated into other outfits once Halloween is over, firmly setting the brand apart from the average retailer.

Those interested in celebrating a vintage-style holiday are invited to check out the Happy Halloween collection on the Retro Stage website and pick out their favorite spooky seasonal pieces before time runs out to shop. Customers can also explore the Halloween Sale page for heavily discounted offerings guaranteed to ship in 8 days or less.

About Retro Stage

Retro Stage is a popular vintage fashion brand featuring classic clothing and accessories inspired by 20th-century aesthetics. As a vintage style pioneer, Retro Stage is more than a brand; it’s a way of life, helping every customer explore the history of fashion through chic and glamorous retro style. “Beauty never fades,” said the Retro Stage team. “All we want to do is encourage women to build a better life for themselves and confidently embrace their natural allure.”

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a field where scientific validation defines credibility, Synbio Tech Inc., a biotechnology company from Taiwan, is gaining international recognition with its proprietary probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TWK10®. The clinically proven strain, which will be featured at SupplySide Global 2025 from October 27–30 (Booth #6253F), has shown measurable benefits on muscle strength, endurance, and balance—offering a new microbiome-based approach to healthy aging and active living.

Backed by over a decade of research, TWK10® has been evaluated in peer-reviewed human clinical studies, demonstrating proven benefits in both active individuals and older adults. Clinical findings show that TWK10 boosts endurance performance by 20-40% and increases muscle mass by 0.5-1 kg, while improving overall strength, recovery, and mobility across life stages. One of these landmark studies was recognized by Wiley as a “Top Cited Article,” underscoring TWK10®’s scientific impact and its growing influence in gut–muscle axis research.

TWK10® has earned strong credibility and recognition across global regulatory frameworks, including U.S. GRAS Self-Affirmed status, Korea’s Health Functional Food approval, Taiwan’s Health Food certification with an anti-fatigue claim, Malaysia’s MAL registration, and Thailand’s probiotic listing.

The recent Japan FFC authorization marks another milestone, positioning TWK10® among the most clinically and regulatorily validated probiotics for muscle health worldwide. Together with a growing portfolio of real-world data, these achievements reinforce SynbioTech’s reputation as a science-driven innovator delivering microbiome-based health solutions through probiotics and postbiotics.

“For SynbioTech, it’s more than a product story—it’s about proving how microbiome science can truly enhance daily life,” said Chuan-Hsien Yang, Chief Operating Officer at SynbioTech. “TWK10® is the result of years of research that bridge traditional fermentation knowledge from Taiwan with modern clinical science.”

SynbioTech continues to expand its global partnerships and research collaborations, reflecting a broader vision to connect Asian innovation with global health markets and empower people to live healthier through microbiome science.

About Synbio Tech Inc.
Founded in 2000, Synbio Tech is a global biotechnology company specializing in probiotics, postbiotics, and microbiome-based health solutions. With over 25 years of R&D experience and a fully integrated CDMO platform, the company partners with more than 600 brands across 35 countries to deliver “From Strain to Solution” innovations that change lives with probiotics.
www.synbiotech.com

Vacationers are in for an action-packed lineup from Anthem of the Seas and its first-ever Cruisetour experiences to more ways to explore on Quantum, Serenade and Voyager of the Seas

MIAMI, Oct. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Calling all adventure-seekers: Royal Caribbean has revealed its lineup of summer 2027 getaways for travelers to experience the wonders of Alaska. Vacationers can secure their front-row seats to The Last Frontier on weeklong voyages on Anthem, Quantum, Serenade and Voyager of the Seas. The boldest adventures on land and at sea are on deck with 7-night adventures from Seattle; Seward, Alaska; and Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada, along with ways to take exploration to the next level with multi-night Cruisetour experiences on land. The 2027 Alaska vacations are now open to book on Royal Caribbean’s website for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members, ahead of the official opening on Thursday, Oct. 23.

Serenade of the Seas features ocean-facing glass elevators and floor-to-ceiling windows, delivering to vacationers breathtaking sights of every destination. The Radiance Class vacation also touts experiences for guests of all ages, from rock climbing to poolside movie nights under the stars, to favorite restaurants such as Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table and Izumi.

From incredible landscapes to breathtaking wildlife, opportunities for exploration include whale watching in Sitka, Alaska, meeting professional dog sledders and their dog teams at Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, Alaska, sky high views of Alaska’s wilderness on helicopter tours and more. The memorable experiences continue on board with a variety of ways to thrill, chill, dine and be entertained for all ages. With the all-glass North Star observation capsule, rock-climbing walls, SeaPlex – featuring bumper cars, a sports court and roller-skating – and more, vacationers of all ages have ways to adventure at every corner.

Alaska Summer 2027 Highlights 

• Anthem of the Seas – From Vancouver and Seward
  Vacationers on Anthem can explore the state’s beauty on 7-night vacations from Seward and Vancouver to picturesque spots like Skagway and Ketchikan and through Hubbard Glacier. Plus, for the first time on Anthem, travelers can dial up the action before or after their adventure with a lineup of immersive overnight Cruisetour experiences on land. The expertly guided multi-night land expeditions span from exploring the must-see Denali National Park to journeys in luxury glass dome rail cars that put the sights of Alaska on full display. The memory making continues on Anthem with activities like the North Star all-glass observation capsule and the largest indoor activity space at sea with SeaPlex, along with flavors for every palate like Mediterranean-inspired dishes at Solarium Bistro, American classics at Johnny Rockets and more.
• Quantum of the Seas – From Seattle
  After a summer Down Under in Australia, Quantum of the Seas will sail 7-night vacations from Seattle to incredible landscapes across Sitka, Juneau and Skagway, where travelers can kayak in pristine waters and spot sea otters and other wildlife along the shore. More adventures await with the fan-favorite FlowRider surf simulator, an outdoor movie screen and laser tag. When it’s time to refuel, there’s a variety of ways to dine, including family-style Tuscan favorites at Jamie’s Italian, premium steaks at Chops Grille and fresh sashimi at Izumi.
• Serenade of the Seas – From Vancouver
  Vacationers can embark on weeklong explorations through Alaska’s Inside Passage with majestic sights at Sitka, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan. More activities for the whole family are in store onboard with a rock-climbing wall, poolside movie nights under the stars, live music at Schooner Bar, and flavors from restaurants such as Giovanni’s Table, Chops Grille and Izumi.
• Voyager of the Seas – From Seattle
  Travelers can marvel at the natural beauty of Alaska for seven nights with visits to Juneau, Skagway, and take in the breathtaking views of Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. Every kind of vacationer can make memories while on Voyager with an adults-only, indoor-outdoor Solarium for some relaxation time and ice skating, a mini golf course, laser tag and more.

Vacationers can learn more about the upcoming Alaska adventures on Royal Caribbean’s website.

About Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean, part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has delivered memorable vacations for more than 50 years. The cruise line’s game-changing ships and exclusive destinations revolutionize vacations with innovations and an all-encompassing combination of experiences, from thrills to dining and entertainment, for every type of family and vacationer. Voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 22 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards, Royal Caribbean makes memories with adventurers across more than 300 destinations in 80 countries on all seven continents, including the line’s top-rated exclusive destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.   

Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on X and visit www.RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to book, vacationers can visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com, call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN or contact their travel advisor.  

BEIJING, Oct. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In October 2025, a partnership between Biokin—a rising star in China’s innovative pharmaceutical sector—and global pharmaceutical leader BMS triggered a $250 million milestone payment. This is believed to be the largest antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) milestone payment among hundreds of out-licensing deals involving Chinese innovative drugs. Notably, the overall transaction had previously set a record for the total value of a single-drug asset license in China.

In recent years, China’s dynamic pharmaceutical ecosystem has rapidly emerged as one of the world’s leading sources of novel drug molecules. Such collaborations, however, often come with uncertainties in both China and the U.S. Following the $800 million upfront payment received in early 2024, Biokin’s partnership with BMS has advanced smoothly once again. This progress has prompted skeptics to recognize iza-bren’s blockbuster potential.

The momentum behind the collaboration stems from the continued validation of iza-bren’s efficacy. At the 2025 World Congress on Lung Cancer (WCLC), after Dr. Fang Wenfeng presented domestic clinical data, a physician from the prestigious MD Anderson Cancer Center in the U.S. approached him, expressing hope the drug would launch in the U.S. as soon as possible.

Such a conversation would have been unimaginable in the past. Despite remarkable progress of China’s biopharmaceutical industry over the past decade, nearly all first-in-class new drugs still originate from Western countries. While China has accelerated efforts to bring in overseas innovations, it has also strongly supported domestic pharmaceutical companies and clinical systems in pursuing innovation.

Dr. Fang works at the renowned Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC), where his team has conducted clinical research on iza-bren for several years. In a study of 50 patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC—who had received first-line treatment with other drugs but no chemotherapy—iza-bren controlled tumor progression for over a year, nearly doubling the duration achieved by the current global standard of care.

More positive data about iza-bren emerged at the 2025 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in mid-October. For the first time, results from the pivotal Phase III registration trial of this global first-in-class EGFR×HER3 bispecific ADC were reported: the drug achieved a twofold improvement in key efficacy endpoints in third-line or above treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The full study results were published in The Lancet, a leading international medical journal.

More than 40 clinical studies of iza-bren are currently underway worldwide, including 10 Phase III registration trials in China and 3 key registration studies overseas. Regulators in China and the U.S. have designated some of these studies as “Breakthrough Therapies” to expedite development. The drug is expected to launch first in China in 2026—three years earlier than its planned U.S. launch—marking a milestone moment for China’s innovative pharmaceutical sector.

Growing industry consensus on iza-bren’s blockbuster potential began at the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting. At the time, Professor Zhang Li from SYSUCC first reported promising efficacy signals of the drug’s Phase I trial.

Iza-bren’s unique bispecific ADC technology and its ability to target two high-value antigens (EGFR and HER3) have endowed it with strong efficacy and broad applicability. This has attracted multinational pharma giants facing looming patent cliffs and eager to expand their ADC portfolios. BMS reached a global co-development and commercialization agreement with Biokin, the developer of iza-bren, at a potential total value of up to $8.4 billion.

Biokin distinguishes itself among China’s biotech companies with its unconventional approach. It transitioned from a generic drug manufacturer, and its founder, Zhu Yi, holds no medical degrees from Europe or the U.S., nor has he worked at multinational pharmaceutical companies. Over a decade ago—when the Chinese government first began mapping out the blueprint for its innovative drug ecosystem—Zhu made a firm decision to go all-in on innovative drug R&D. In 2014, amid a global downturn in drug development, he established a lean scientific team in Seattle, U.S., marking the start of his drug R&D journey. Zhu fully leveraged the strengths of both the Chinese and U.S. biopharmaceutical ecosystems: in the U.S., he accessed resources that support early-stage innovation; in China, the efficient regulatory system, large pool of engineers, and abundant patient resources enabled the rapid translation of innovative ideas into reality.

Zhu negotiated distinctive terms with BMS: beyond the substantial financial offer, he secured overseas R&D and commercialization rights. He firmly believes the latter is essential for Biokin to truly join the ranks of global pharmaceutical companies. The establishment and progress of this ambitious collaboration model have empowered Biokin to send a strong message for China’s biotech industry: to become a multinational company within five years.

Beyond iza-bren, Biokin also announced clinical trial results for T-bren, its second ADC drug in Phase III, at the ESMO Congress. Targeting common cancers such as lung, gastric, and breast cancer, T-bren also showed strong signals of becoming a best-in-class drug. Additionally, China’s CDE recently approved Biokin’s first antibody-radionuclide conjugate (ARC) drug to enter clinical trials.

Biokin’s story has captured the market’s attention. On China’s mainland stock exchanges, its market value has surged 15-fold in just over two years. Now, Hong Kong’s capital market is embracing the company. Amid the hesitation of onlookers, Biokin may well emerge as a global leader in biopharmaceuticals.

— Second U.S. site to deploy the Reveos^™ system, boosting platelet supply and reducing waste

LAKEWOOD, Colo., Oct. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — To help address platelet shortages and streamline blood center operations, The Blood Center in New Orleans has become the second U.S. blood center to implement the Reveos^™ Automated Blood Processing System and the Lumia^™ Software Platform from Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies (Terumo BCT), a medical technology company and global leader in blood management solutions. The move marks a significant step forward in transforming how blood centers process blood in the U.S.

Already used globally in more than 60 countries, Reveos brings a decade of proven performance to the U.S. market. Cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2023, Reveos is the only whole blood automation system available in the U.S. that separates whole blood into platelets, plasma and red blood cells in a single fully automated centrifugation cycle.

This technology enables faster processing, greater efficiency in blood component production compared to manual methods and consistently high product quality — helping blood centers meet growing demand for platelets while improving operational performance.

Why whole blood automation matters

Across the United States, blood centers are facing mounting challenges: platelet shortages, staffing constraints and aging donor populations are straining the system.^[1,2] Nearly 98% of the U.S. platelet supply comes from apheresis donations — a process through which platelets are collected directly from a single donor using specialized equipment over a longer session.^[3] Until now, apheresis has been the primary collection method to produce platelets in the U.S.

Whole blood-derived platelets (WBDPs) offer a complementary solution. Instead of collecting platelets directly, blood centers collect whole blood and then separate it into its components, including platelets, after donation. Historically, this was done using manual methods that took up to 26 steps and were less efficient and more variable. Automation through Reveos has changed that. Now, WBDPs can be produced consistently and quickly, helping organizations like The Blood Center — which must collect 200 to 250 pints of blood daily to meet regional demand^[4] — expand their platelet supply.

“The Blood Center’s adoption of Reveos marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of blood processing in the U.S.,” said Chetan Makam, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Global Blood Solutions at Terumo BCT. “Their commitment to innovation and community impact reflects the very purpose of Reveos, which is to empower blood centers with automation that enhances efficiency, consistency, and responsiveness. We’re proud to support their journey and excited to see the ripple effects this transformation will have across the region.”

A decade in the making

With four devices now in routine use, The Blood Center is realizing its vision of modernized blood processing. The investment helps optimize operational efficiencies, frees up time for staff to do other tasks and enhances the process for platelet production and consistency — helping to benefit donors, hospitals and the broader community.

“This is a milestone moment for our center,” said Mickie Wilson-Martin, Production and Distribution Manager at The Blood Center. “We’ve waited a long time for a solution like this — one that truly modernizes how we manage whole blood. Being among the first in the U.S. to implement Reveos is something we’re incredibly proud of, and it sends a powerful message as we work to attract younger talent. We may be small, but we are mighty, and we’re here for our community.”

From manual to automated: A new era begins

Reveos automates the balancing, centrifuging, expressing, sealing, and data transfer processes — providing efficient blood component production. The Blood Center now produces two types of platelets: apheresis and whole blood-derived, increasing overall availability and flexibility.

“What surprised us most was how quickly our team saw the value — not just in time saved, but in how much more confident we feel about the consistency of every unit,” said Wilson-Martin. “This is mission-critical, as the more efficient we are, the more lives we can save. We can get more blood and more consistent platelets to the hospitals and patients in our communities who depend on us.”

Gary Higgins, Vice President of Administrative Services at The Blood Center, emphasized the importance of consistency from a legal and operational standpoint. A former litigation lawyer, he attributes the consistently high product quality to greater peace of mind.

“Coming from a background in litigation, I’m trained to ask: ‘What’s the worst that can happen, and how do we prevent it?'” said Higgins. “Before Reveos, ensuring every unit met regulatory standards required more manual oversight and effort. Now, we have greater peace of mind. It’s reassuring to know that we’re delivering a product that meets all federal and state requirements, every time.”

Early wins and operational impact

Since implementing Reveos, The Blood Center has already seen measurable improvements, including increased platelet inventory — with up to 100 pooled platelet products manufactured per month — increasing availability for the more than 50 hospitals they serve.*

Other areas seeing improvement:

• Reduced hands-on time, allowing staff to focus on other critical tasks and projects
• Improved product consistency, resulting in a more reliable platelet supply with equivalent therapeutic doses
• Reduced platelet waste due to lower expiration rates with a seven-day platelet shelf life

“It’s not just faster — it’s more predictable,” noted Wilson-Martin. “You gain control over your workflow, which is critical in a field where every drop counts.”

Impact beyond the lab

The benefits of Reveos extend beyond The Blood Center to hospitals and patients across Louisiana. Faster, more efficient processing means a more agile response to routine and emergency needs.

“With Reveos, we’re better prepared to meet the needs of our healthcare partners,” said Wilson-Martin. “We can breathe a little easier now, since we’re no longer worrying about what tomorrow will look like or whether we’ll have the platelets we need. It’s a meaningful step forward in strengthening the blood supply infrastructure for our communities.”

Looking ahead

This announcement is part of a broader movement toward whole blood automation in the U.S. Terumo BCT and The Blood Center will share insights from this transition in a joint abstract at the 2025 Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB) Annual Meeting in San Diego, where Billy Weales, President and CEO of The Blood Center, will speak at Terumo BCT’s Science and Innovation Theater session on Monday, October 27, between 11:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. PT.

*Data provided by The Blood Center.

About the Reveos™ Automated Blood Processing System

Whole blood units are collected from donors and have traditionally been separated into components — platelets, plasma and red blood cells — using manual methods that took up to 26 steps. Reveos simplifies this process and eliminates over half of the steps. The system aims to help blood centers manage staffing and improve overall efficiency by obtaining more blood products from the same number of donors. It has been used around the world for more than a decade. Reveos is expected to help U.S. blood centers meet the growing demand for platelets, which control bleeding and are used to treat patients facing trauma, cancer and other chronic conditions.

Up to four units of whole blood are loaded into Reveos. The rotor spins, and the whole blood is separated into components. Plasma, platelets and red blood cells are expressed into their respective product bags, and each bag is sealed. After the procedure, the data is recorded using Terumo BCT’s Lumia Software Platform, which connects with Reveos to help blood centers and processing labs achieve operational targets.

Availability varies by region and country. Reveos^™ is either a registered trademark or a trademark of Terumo BCT, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. See TerumoBCT.com/Trademarks for details.

About The Blood Center

Founded in 1960, The Blood Center is the primary supplier of blood, blood components, and plasma derivatives to local hospitals throughout South Louisiana and parts of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Blood Center is a non-profit, community service organization guided by a volunteer Board of Directors, comprised of community leaders and hospital representatives.

The Blood Center’s mission is to provide a quality supply of blood components to meet the needs of the communities it serves, and to provide the technical support needed by the blood banking profession to achieve the highest safety and ethical standards.

The Blood Center supplies over 50 hospitals and numerous outpatient transfusion facilities in Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi. Many of these hospitals, including Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, University Medical Center (Level I Trauma Center) and St. Tammany Parish Hospital, treat patients from throughout this region. 

About Terumo BCT

Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies is a medical technology company. Our products, software and services enable customers to collect and prepare blood and cells to help treat challenging diseases and conditions. Our employees worldwide believe in the potential of blood and cells to do even more for patients than they do today. This belief inspires our innovation and strengthens our collaboration with customers.

Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies’ customers include blood centers, hospitals, therapeutic apheresis clinics, cell collection and processing organizations, researchers and private medical practices. Our customers are based in over 160 countries across the globe. We have 750+ granted patents, with more than 150 additionally pending.

We have global headquarters in Lakewood, Colorado, U.S.A., along with five regional headquarters, eight manufacturing sites and six innovation and development centers across the globe. Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies is a subsidiary of Terumo Corporation (TSE: 4543), a global leader in medical technology.