Home Blog Page 1944

Energy Robotics Secures $13.5 Million Series A to Scale Critical Infrastructure Inspections with AI + Robotics

Company’s leading hardware-agnostic fleet orchestration software platform delivers operational savings and worker safety to its customers

DARMSTADT, Germany, Oct. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Energy Robotics, the leading AI software platform for autonomous inspection with robots and drones, today announced the successful close of $13.5m of Series A funding. Energy Robotics has completed over one million inspections across five continents, saving 32,000+ hours of hazardous human labor for customers across oil and gas, industrial, chemical, and utility sectors, including Shell, BP, Repsol, BASF, Merck and E.ON. This funding cements the company’s position as a market leader of full-stack, hardware-agnostic, fleet-management AI software autonomy platform for critical infrastructure.

The Series A was co-led by Blue Bear Capital and Climate Investment (CI), with participation from Futury Capital, Hessen Capital, Kensho VC, and TADTech. The funding will accelerate the commercial deployment of Energy Robotics’ software across energy, chemicals, industrial, and security sectors.

Operational Savings and Safety Delivered
Existing infrastructure and industrial facilities are confronting two major challenges: a shrinking skilled workforce and increasingly complex, aging equipment that requires specialized maintenance. Energy Robotics addresses this through its AI software platform for autonomous robots and drones that cuts operating costs by up to 40% while significantly enhancing worker safety.

“This funding round will help us scale autonomy to serve the world’s most critical infrastructure, giving energy, chemicals, utilities, and security operators greater resilience, safety, and efficiency,” said Marc Dassler, CEO and co-founder of Energy Robotics. “As a skilled workforce retires, critical infrastructure operators face a significant demographic shift. This is compounded by the fact that many of the world’s most vital energy and chemical assets are decades old, requiring more frequent and intricate monitoring, inspection, and maintenance. This combination of an aging workforce, a shrinking talent pool, and deteriorating infrastructure creates a perfect storm of operational risk. Our platform provides a timely and scalable solution, enabling customers to not only maintain but also improve operational efficiency and safety, while actively mitigating the challenges of this workforce transition.”

Operational Reliability and Productivity Delivered
Industries served by Energy Robotics have significant operational risks, including exposure to fires, explosions, toxic chemicals, leaks, physical dangers and cybersecurity breaches. Autonomous robots and drones powered by Energy Robotics’ platform perform essential daily and hourly tasks, including visual inspections, thermal scans, and leak detection, eliminating the need for humans to enter dangerous environments while keeping proprietary data secure. By automating these tasks, worker safety is improved, human error is reduced, and more frequent data can be collected. This proactive approach leads to more efficient maintenance and less plant downtime overall, increasing operational reliability and productivity.

“The industrial robotics market has reached an inflection point,” said Cindi Bough, Managing Director at Climate Investment. “Energy Robotics has built an AI software platform that orchestrates diverse fleets of robots and drones, integrates seamlessly with existing enterprise workflows, and delivers actionable data services at scale today.  Also, Energy Robotics delivers climate impact by using autonomous robots to spot gas leaks early, so harmful emissions are fixed before they escape into the atmosphere.  This is why we are excited to co-lead their Series A investment.”

AI-Powered Fleet Orchestration Software Platform 
Energy Robotics offers a comprehensive platform of AI-powered fleet orchestration software that eliminates the need for fragmented tools, with key features that include:

  • Hardware-Agnostic Operating System: Seamlessly integrates with 8 leading robots and drones and OEM hardware manufacturers (e.g., Boston Dynamics, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, DJI), giving customers the flexibility to build mixed fleets without vendor lock-in;
  • AI-Powered Analytics: An advanced AI analytics library interprets multimodal sensor data, from gauge readings to leak detection, continuously learning and improving with every mission;
  • Simple, LLM-Driven Mission Control: Integrated large language model system enables operators to simply prompt the platform to generate and execute inspection tasks across entire fleets of robots and drones;
  • Real-World Data vs. Synthetic Data: Fleet orchestration and autonomous operations are based on millions of data points gathered in complex, dynamic real-word facilities such as refineries and power plants;
  • Evergreen Digital Twin: Each inspection mission automatically updates a live, evolving digital replica of facilities, providing real-time visibility and predictive insights that feed directly into customer ERP, CMMS, and digital twin platforms; and
  • Data Privacy & Cybersecurity: Energy Robotics strengthens cybersecurity and data sovereignty by providing a platform that keeps sensitive inspection data within customer-controlled IT systems, independent of vendor-specific software platforms.

“The global energy transition relies on a more resilient, efficient, and secure infrastructure,” said Dr. Carolin Funk, Partner, Blue Bear Capital. “Energy Robotics’ autonomous inspection platform, powered by AI, directly addresses this need. It provides a scalable solution that improves the safety and operational efficiency of key energy and industrial assets, while taking advantage of the global robotics expansion.”

About Energy Robotics 
Energy Robotics provides the leading AI software platform for autonomous industrial inspection. Its hardware-agnostic solution integrates with multiple robot platforms, generates Evergreen Digital Twins of critical infrastructure, and delivers actionable insights directly into customer workflows. Headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany, the company operates on five continents. For more information, please visit https://www.energy-robotics.com/.

About Blue Bear Capital
Blue Bear is a venture capital and early growth equity firm driving digital technologies and machine intelligence into multibillion-dollar verticals across the energy, infrastructure, and climate industries. The team comes from leading energy private equity firms, startups, and large industrial technology developers. Blue Bear typically leads Seed through Series B rounds, with a portfolio covering operational AI, IoT, and cybersecurity technologies, all deployed with enterprise customers to drive connectivity and intelligence across the world’s most critical industries. For more information, visit www.bluebearcap.com.

About Climate Investment (CI)
Climate Investment (CI) is an independently managed investor focused on driving industrial decarbonization. The firm provides venture to growth equity capital to innovative companies and partners with industry to drive market adoption, create value for infrastructure owners and deliver measurable greenhouse gas (GHG) impact. Operating since 2017, CI has invested in over 40 climate tech companies across energy, transportation, buildings and industry that have collectively delivered 133 MT CO2e of cumulative greenhouse gas reduction in the period 2019-2024.  Climate Investment was founded by member companies of the Oil & Gas Climate Initiative (“OGCI”). They have invested in Climate Investment funds and deployed many of its portfolio innovations, supporting their early commercial development.  For more information, visit www.climateinvestment.com 

Media Contact for Energy Robotics and Blue Bear Capital
Chris Krolak
krolak@mulberryandastor.com

Media Contact for Climate Investment (CI)
Jason Dela Cruz
marketingci@climateinvestment.com

IBM Introduces the Spyre Accelerator for Commercial Availability

Coming this Fall to IBM Z, LinuxONE and Power, IBM Spyre Accelerator Enables Enterprises to Scale Generative and Agentic AI Workloads

ARMONK, N.Y., Oct. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced the upcoming general availability of the IBM Spyre Accelerator, an AI accelerator enabling low-latency inferencing to support generative and agentic AI use cases while prioritizing the security and resilience of core workloads. Earlier this year, IBM announced the Spyre Accelerator would be available in IBM z17, LinuxONE 5, and Power11 systems. Spyre will be generally available on October 28 for IBM z17 and LinuxONE 5 systems, and in early December for Power11 servers.

IBM Telum Spyre Chip
IBM Telum Spyre Chip

Today’s IT landscape is changing from traditional logic workflows to agentic AI inferencing. AI agents require low-latency inference and real-time system responsiveness. IBM recognized the need for mainframes and servers to run AI models along with the most demanding enterprise workloads without compromising on throughput. To address this demand, clients need AI inferencing hardware that supports generative and agentic AI while maintaining the security and resilience of core data, transactions, and applications. The accelerator is also built to enable clients to keep mission-critical data on-prem to mitigate risk while addressing operational and energy efficiency.

The IBM Spyre Accelerator reflects the strength of IBM’s research-to-product pipeline, combining breakthrough innovation from the IBM Research AI Hardware Center with enterprise-grade development from IBM Infrastructure. Initially introduced as a prototype chip, Spyre was refined through rapid iteration, including cluster deployments at IBM’s Yorktown Heights campus, and with collaborators like the University at Albany’s Center for Emerging Artificial Intelligence Systems. 

The IBM Research prototype has evolved into an enterprise-grade product for use in IBM Z, LinuxONE and Power systems. Today, the Spyre Accelerator is a commercial system-on-a-chip with 32 individual accelerator cores and 25.6 billion transistors. Produced using 5nm node technology, each Spyre is mounted on a 75-watt PCIe card, which makes it possible to cluster up to 48 cards in an IBM Z or LinuxONE system or 16 cards in an IBM Power system to scale AI capabilities.

“One of our key priorities has been advancing infrastructure to meet the demands of new and emerging AI workloads,” said Barry Baker, COO, IBM Infrastructure & GM, IBM Systems. “With the Spyre Accelerator, we’re extending the capabilities of our systems to support multi-model AI – including generative and agentic AI. This innovation positions clients to scale their AI-enabled mission-critical workloads with uncompromising security, resilience, and efficiency, while unlocking the value of their enterprise data.”

“We launched the IBM Research AI Hardware Center in 2019 with a mission to meet the rising computational demands of AI, even before the surge in LLMs and AI models we’ve recently seen,” said Mukesh Khare, GM of IBM Semiconductors and VP of Hybrid Cloud, IBM. “Now, amid increasing demand for advanced AI capabilities, we’re proud to see the first chip from the Center enter commercialization, designed to deliver improved performance and productivity to IBM’s mainframe and server clients.”

For IBM clients, Spyre Accelerators offer fast, secured processing with on-prem AI acceleration. This marks a significant milestone, allowing businesses to leverage AI at scale while keeping data on IBM Z, LinuxONE and Power systems. In mainframe systems, coupled with the Telum II processor for IBM Z and LinuxONE, Spyre offers enhanced security, low latency, and high transaction rate processing power. Leveraging this advanced hardware and software stack, businesses can use Spyre to scale multiple AI models to power predictive use cases such as advanced fraud detection and retail automation.

On IBM Power-based servers, Spyre customers can leverage a catalog of AI services, enabling end-to-end AI for enterprise workflows. Clients can install the AI services from the catalog with just one click.1  Spyre Accelerator for Power, combined with an on-chip accelerator (MMA), also accelerates data conversion for generative AI to deliver high throughput for deep process integrations. Additionally, with a prompt size of 128, it enables the ingestion of more than 8 million documents for knowledge base integration in an hour2. This performance, combined with the IBM software stack, security, scalability, and energy efficiency, supports clients on their journey to integrating generative AI frameworks into their enterprise workloads.

To learn more about the IBM Spyre Accelerator, visit http://www.ibm.com/solutions/ai-accelerator.

Additional resources:

About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain a competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Media Contacts
Willa Hahn, willa.hahn@ibm.com
Chase Skinner, Chase.Skinner@ibm.com

1 AI service of the IBM-supported catalog is delivered as one or a set of containers that can be deployed with a single deployment command. The provided UI for the catalog executes such commands in the backend based on a single click within the UI page of the respective AI service.
2 Based upon internal testing running 1M unit data set with prompt size 128, batch size 128 using 1-card container.  Individual results may vary based on workload size, use of storage subsystems and other conditions.

 

Metabolon’s Metabolomics Services Now Cited in More Than 4,000 Peer-Reviewed Publications

Metabolon’s best-in-class metabolomics leadership accelerates as metabolomics becomes a standard inclusion in global multiomics studies

MORRISVILLE, N.C., Oct. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Metabolon, Inc., the global leader in providing metabolomics solutions advancing a wide variety of life science research, diagnostic, therapeutic development, and precision medicine applications, today announced that its metabolomics services have now been cited in more than 4,000 peer-reviewed publications, far more than any other metabolomics provider in the life sciences industry. 

Publications referencing Metabolon’s platform and results have appeared in many of the world’s most respected journals, including Nature, Nature Medicine, Nature Genetics, Cell, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). These peer-reviewed citations underscore the increasing recognition of metabolomics as an essential component of multiomics research. 

“Metabolomics has become a standard inclusion in cutting-edge multiomics research. We’re seeing this across all customer segments globally,” said Ro Hastie, Metabolon CEO. “The growth of Metabolon’s wide-ranging citations underscores metabolomics’ transformative impact across diverse scientific fields. Studies without metabolomics risk missing key biological insights, while Metabolon’s Level 1 metabolomics library and services provide the most comprehensive foundation for global multiomics research.”

Supported by an ISO 9001 and CAP-accredited lab and fully integrated commercial and scientific teams, Metabolon meets enterprise-grade compliance standards while demonstrating proven demand. Metabolon has delivered more than 15,000 studies worldwide in partnership with leading pharmaceutical, biotech, academic, and government institutions. With a robust infrastructure and established reputation, Metabolon is advancing precision health worldwide with collaborations spanning biopharma, population health, consumer goods, agriculture, wellness, and research.

For more information, please visit:

About Metabolomics
Metabolomics, the large-scale study of all small molecules in a biological system, is the only omics technology that provides a complete current-state functional readout of a biological system. Metabolomics helps researchers see beyond the genetic variation of individuals, capturing the combined impact of genetic and external factors such as the effect of drugs, diet, lifestyle, and the microbiome on human health. By measuring thousands of discrete chemical signals that form biological pathways in the body, metabolomics can reveal important biomarkers, enabling a better understanding of a drug’s mechanism of action, pharmacodynamics, and safety profile, as well as individual responses to therapy.

About Metabolon 
Metabolon, Inc. is the global leader in metabolomics, with a mission to deliver biochemical data and insights that expand and accelerate the impact of life sciences research and complement other ‘omics’ technologies. With more than 25 years, 15,000+ projects, 4,000+ publications, and ISO 9001:2015, CLIA, and CAP certifications, Metabolon has developed industry-leading scientific, technological, and bioinformatics techniques. Metabolon’s Global Discovery Panel is powered by the world’s largest proprietary metabolomics reference library. Metabolon’s industry-leading data and translational science expertise help customers and partners address some of the most challenging and pressing questions in the life sciences, accelerating research and enhancing development success. The company offers scalable, customizable multiomics solutions, including metabolomics and lipidomics, that support customer needs from discovery through clinical trials and product life-cycle management. For more information, please visit www.metabolon.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Logo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/metabolon_inc_logo.jpg

ZEISS expands DORC portfolio and further strengthens digital footprint with improved workflow efficiency and digital visualization

Showcasing at AAO 2025:

  • NEW 510k CLEARANCE SUPPORTS MORE INFORMED DECISION MAKING & PATHOLOGY DETECTION: Showcasing optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) with ZEISS CIRRUS AngioPlex® with noninvasive imaging of the retinal and choroidal vasculature; now with 510k clearance and CE approval, ICGA for CLARUS® 700 offers FA + ICG simultaneous capture.
  • OPTIMIZED RETINAL SURGICAL EXPERIENCE: Announcing updates to DORC instruments to expand surgeons’ options, including new gauges added to the range of subretinal injection cannulae and a new Midfield endoillumination light probe with directed light; updated CALLISTO eye® software on the ZEISS ARTEVO 850 and ZEISS ARTEVO 750 supports increased visualization.
  • IMPROVED GLAUCOMA MANAGEMENT FOR CATARACT PATIENTS: Demonstrating a fully integrated diagnostic and treatment solution for managing comorbid cataract/glaucoma patients to support more efficient and confident decision making.
  • ENHANCED OPHTHALMIC RESEARCH AND COLLABORATION: Featuring the AI-ready ZEISS Research Data Platform (RDP), which can empower retina specialists to transform their clinical hypotheses into measurable outcomes; previewing the next evolution of browser-based digital data management which aggregates clinical data at scale, powers advanced analytics, and enables seamless collaboration across eye care professionals for more personalized patient care delivery.
  • REFRACTIVE INDUSTRY MILESTONE: Celebrating more than 12 million eyes treated with ZEISS SMILE and ZEISS SMILE pro.

JENA, Germany and DUBLIN, Calif., Oct. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ZEISS Medical Technology will showcase its latest enhancements in ophthalmic visualization and digital workflow innovation at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) conference from Oct. 18 – 20, 2025, in Orlando, FL.

Carl_Zeiss_Meditec_AG_New_Midfield_endoillumination_light_probe_with_directed_light
Carl_Zeiss_Meditec_AG_New_Midfield_endoillumination_light_probe_with_directed_light

“ZEISS continues to be at the forefront of optical and digital innovation, advancing our clinical workflows to be more efficient and empowering for doctors and surgeons around the world to deliver more precise and personalized care for their patients,” says Magnus Reibenspiess, Head of Strategic Business Unit Ophthalmology at ZEISS Medical Technology.

“We’re delivering important enhancements to our expanding portfolio across ZEISS and DORC solutions to meet the growing needs of ophthalmologists worldwide,” said PT Cheong, Head of Global Sales for Ophthalmology, ZEISS Medical Technology. “From diagnostics to surgery and post-op management, our advanced technology solutions support more confident, personalized patient care.”

Advancing visualization and efficiency throughout the spectrum of retinal care

The ZEISS Retina Workflow offers a digitally connected solution from diagnostics through surgery and post-op care, supporting healthcare professionals in advancing retinal care with enhanced data continuity, procedural efficiency, and clinical decision-making across the retina care pathway. 

At AAO, ZEISS will showcase multiple diagnostic enhancements supporting improved decision making and pathology detection through gold-standard imaging technology. Now with 510k clearance and CE approval1, the CLARUS® 700 with ICGA provides high-resolution early-phase to late-phase ultra-widefield imaging. New features include standalone ICG, simultaneous FA-ICG capture, and an added movie mode for all angiography modalities: standalone FA, standalone ICG, and simultaneous FA-ICG. These advancements underscore ZEISS’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that enhance clinical outcomes and streamline the diagnostic process for healthcare professionals.

Additionally, this year marks the 100-year anniversary of advancements in ZEISS fundus imaging. In 1926, ZEISS and Johan Nordenson released the first commercially available fundus camera, laying the foundation for a century of innovation in ocular imaging technology.

ZEISS will also showcase its latest in OCT technology, providing enhanced details and insights to assist eyecare practitioners when examining patients and managing diseases. The implementation of best practices is helpful to maximize the clinical utility of OCT-A. In recognition of this, ZEISS has released OCT-A Simplified, a step-by-step eBook by Ricardo Luz Leitão Guerra, MD, MSc, FICO. The guidebook makes OCT-A more accessible to eyecare practitioners, covering image acquisition, analysis, and interpretation providing practical insights clinicians can apply immediately in clinical decision-making. Copies of the OCT-A Simplified ebook will be available at AAO at the ZEISS booth #2261.

ZEISS continues to offer the latest in OCT solutions, most recently gaining CE mark for CIRRUS PathFinder, an innovative clinical support tool with artificial intelligence (AI) fully integrated to enable more confident decision-making and accelerate a clinician’s patient care workflow with OCT interpretation assistance, supporting improved surgical planning, particularly for high-volume clinics.

To further optimize the surgical experience for vitreoretinal surgeons, ZEISS will showcase new updates2 to its DORC instrument portfolio within the ZEISS Retinal Workflow.

  • New gauges added to the company’s range of subretinal injection cannulae: 25G and 27G.3 The subretinal cannulas are designed for injection of fluids and/or gases into subretinal space and feature a 41G extendible tip for a smooth and uninterrupted sliding motion. The range is compatible with EVA NEXUS’s INICIO micro-injection system. EVA NEXUS is the only system cleared by the FDA for subretinal injection in the U.S.
  • The new Midfield endoillumination light probe4 with directed light. The light probe provides a homogeneous field of illumination of about 60° with sharply defined edges, enabling surgeons to effectively distinguish between different media, such as vitreous, BSS and air. The new light probe is also suitable for trans-scleral illumination and comes with a trans-scleral depressor as standard. The probe is available in three gauges: 23G, 25G and 27G.5
  • The DORC EVA NEXUS platform, uniquely suited to address both retina and cataract surgery, is now available with angled EquiPhaco designed for optimal irrigation flow. EquiPhaco, combined with EVA NEXUS SMART IOP, allows for a more stable, lower anterior chamber pressure during procedures.

Lastly, ZEISS will showcase its updated CALLISTO eye® software for ZEISS ARTEVO 750 and ZEISS ARTEVO 850, allowing for visualization of retinal structures on the 3D screen of the ZEISS ARTEVO 850 with up to 30% higher magnification6. Advanced camera settings, including automatic exposure control, provide customization of the visualization experience to a surgeon’s individual preferences. In addition, the software update now also offers reference image matching for toric IOL implantations in either the eyepiece of the ZEISS ARTEVO 750 or the 3D monitor of the ZEISS ARTEVO 850 as well as optional 3D recording on the ZEISS ARTEVO 850.

Improved efficiency for surgery planning through integrated glaucoma support

ZEISS diagnostic and digital solutions integrated into surgical ophthalmic workflows can help surgeons visualize more, connect insights across a workflow, and make data-driven decisions, including earlier detection of eye conditions that may affect surgical planning and outcomes. At AAO, ZEISS will demonstrate a fully integrated solution connecting cataract and glaucoma workflows to support more efficient and confident decision making.

Glaucoma is the most common comorbidity in cataract surgery. According to a recent study7, around 20% of patients who undergo cataract procedures also have glaucoma or ocular hypertension. ZEISS offers integrated diagnostic and therapeutic solutions to support earlier detection and management of glaucoma in cataract patients, helping to improve long-term outcomes of cataract surgery. Devices including the ZEISS SL 800, CLARUS®, CIRRUS® OCT, ARTEVO® 750, and VISULAS® are shared across the cataract and glaucoma workflows and seamlessly connected via FORUM® for complete data continuity.

Empowering the future of ophthalmology with enhanced research and collaboration tools

At AAO, the company will feature the ZEISS Research Data Platform (RDP), a secure, cloud-based, AI-driven solution designed for multi-center research and real-world clinical evidence, enabling retina specialists to translate their clinical hypotheses into measurable outcomes. With built-in support for AI algorithm training and biomarker generation, the ZEISS RDP allows researchers to harness complex data and drive innovation without compromising on compliance or collaboration.

ZEISS will also preview the next evolution of browser-based digital data management solution that seamlessly integrates with EMR systems to aggregate essential medical data and can connect diagnostic data from ZEISS and non-ZEISS devices. The solution provides actionable clinical insights through color-coded alerts, trend analysis for OCT and Visual Field data, and interactive analyses. Offered in flexible subscription packages, providers can select the configuration that fits their practice needs.

Celebrating continued excellence in refractive innovation

ZEISS continues to extend its global, refractive momentum with the celebration of more than 12 million eyes treated with SMILE® and SMILE® pro, reflecting the growing international adoption of safe and effective lenticule extraction solutions. ZEISS SMILE and ZEISS SMILE pro continue to be leading solutions trusted by surgeons for the technology’s proven reliability and effective treatment with the VisuMax® and VISUMAX® 800 from ZEISS.

ZEISS will showcase its latest offerings and new innovations at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) conference from Oct. 18 – 20, 2025, in Orlando, FL, at booth #2261. 

For more information, visit www.zeiss.com/med

1Not available for commercial sale in specific markets until January 2026. For availability inquiries, please contact your ZEISS sales representative.
2Products are cleared for sales in the U.S. only.
3Product References: 1270.EXT25: 25G Extendible subretinal injection cannula (41G); 1270.EXT27: 27G Extendible subretinal injection cannula (41G).
4Product is manufactured by Peregrine Surgical LLC, a DORC/ZEISS company and is cleared for sales in the U.S. only.
5Product References: 3269.M06 23G Midfield Endoillumination Probe, including scleral depressor, 3269.M05 25G Midfield Endoillumination Probe, including scleral depressor, 3269.M04 27G Midfield Endoillumination Probe, including scleral depressor.
6Compared to previous CALLISTO eye 5.0 software version.
7Skalicky, S.E., Martin, K.R., Fenwick, E., Crowston, J.G., Goldberg, I. and McCluskey, P. (2015), Cataract and quality of life in glaucoma. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol, 43: 335-341. https://doi.org/10.1111/ceo.12454.

Not all products, services or offers are approved or offered in every market and approved labeling and instructions may vary from one country to another. For country-specific product information, see the appropriate country website. Product specifications are subject to change in design and scope of delivery as a result of ongoing technical development. The statements of the healthcare professionals reflect only their personal opinions and experiences and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of any institution that they are affiliated with. The healthcare professionals alone are responsible for the content of their experience reported and any potential resulting infringements. Carl Zeiss Meditec AG and its affiliates to not have clinical evidence supporting the opinions and statements of the health care professionals nor accept any responsibility or liability of the healthcare professionals’ content. The healthcare professionals have a contractual or other financial relationship with Carl Zeiss Meditec AG and its affiliates and have received financial support. 

Contact for investors
Sebastian Frericks
Head of Group Finance & Investor Relations
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
Phone: +49 3641 220 116
Mail: investors.meditec@zeiss.com

Contact for the press
Frank Smith
Head of Global Communications
Ophthalmology, Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc.
Phone: +49 3641 220 331
Mail: press.med@zeiss.com

www.zeiss.com/newsroom

Brief Profile

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (ISIN: DE0005313704), which is listed on the MDAX and TecDAX of the German stock exchange, is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies. The Company supplies innovative technologies and application-oriented solutions designed to help doctors improve the quality of life of their patients. The Company offers complete solutions, including implants and consumables, to diagnose and treat eye diseases. The Company creates innovative visualization solutions in the field of microsurgery. With 5,730 employees worldwide, the Group generated revenue of €2,066.1m in fiscal year 2023/24 (to 30 September).

The Group’s head office is located in Jena, Germany, and it has subsidiaries in Germany and abroad; more than 50 percent of its employees are based in the USA, Japan, Spain and France. The Center for Application and Research (CARIn) in Bangalore, India and the Carl Zeiss Innovations Center for Research and Development in Shanghai, China, strengthen the Company’s presence in these rapidly developing economies. Around 39 percent of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG’s shares are in free float. Approx. 59 percent are held by Carl Zeiss AG, one of the world’s leading groups in the optical and optoelectronic industries.

For further information visit: www.zeiss.com/med

Carl_Zeiss_Meditec_AG_New_gauges_for_subretinal_injection_cannulae
Carl_Zeiss_Meditec_AG_New_gauges_for_subretinal_injection_cannulae

 

Carl_Zeiss_Meditec_AG_ZEISS_AngioPlex_OCT_Angiography
Carl_Zeiss_Meditec_AG_ZEISS_AngioPlex_OCT_Angiography

 

Carl_Zeiss_Meditec_AG_CLARUS_700_with_ICGA_modality
Carl_Zeiss_Meditec_AG_CLARUS_700_with_ICGA_modality

 

Carl_Zeiss_Meditec_AG_Celebrating_more_than_12_million_eyes_treated_with_SMILE
Carl_Zeiss_Meditec_AG_Celebrating_more_than_12_million_eyes_treated_with_SMILE

     

 

Comarch and F.I.L.A. S.p.A. strengthen the collaboration with the extension of electronic invoicing at the European level

MILAN, Oct. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In continuity with the implementation in Italy in 2022, Comarch and F.I.L.A. S.p.A., a leading company in the field of products for art, design, and coloring, extend their partnership for electronic invoicing. The agreement consolidates the collaboration already started in 2019 that provided for the initial adoption of the Comarch EDI system and integration with the SAP ERP chosen by the company as a management solution.

This strategic decision will enable F.I.L.A. to use Comarch E-Invoicing and E-Archive solutions in additional European markets where it operates, in line with upcoming regulations.

A strategic expansion for digitization

The implementation plan for electronic invoicing and storage concerns the following countries, with clear and defined deadlines to ensure full compliance:

  • Germany: The implementation of the service will cover both the sending and electronic storage of invoices.
  • France: Starting from 2026 for two entities of the group, with the inclusion of e-reporting in the project.
  • Belgium: The introduction of the solution is planned for 2026 to ensure compliance with Peppol standards.
  • Spain: The start of the project is scheduled for 2027 and will include a real-time validation system.

F.I.L.A.’s renewed confidence testifies to the value and scalability of our solutions. Our team is ready to support their expansion, ensuring compliance and process efficiency in complex markets such as France, Belgium, Germany and Spain“, added Kamila Niekraszewicz, Country Manager of Comarch Italy. “This agreement further strengthens our role as a strategic technology partner, essential for companies operating globally in an ever-changing environment.”

The collaboration between Comarch and F.I.L.A. continues to evolve, laying the foundations for a successful future in the efficient and secure management of business processes.

Contact: Michał Ostasz, michal.ostasz@comarch.com

 

Celaid Therapeutics Raises JPY 1.055 Billion (USD 7.2 Million) in the First Close of its Series B Financing

TOKYO, Oct. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Celaid Therapeutics Inc. (“Celaid”), today announced the successful completion of the 1st Close of its Series B financing round, raising JPY 1.055 billion (USD 7.2 million) from venture capital firms and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). Including grants and subsidies, Celaid’s cumulative funding has reached JPY 2.52 billion (USD 17.14 million).

This financing reflects recognition of the progress in the company’s lead pipeline program CLD-001, a novel ex vivo-expanded hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) therapy for severe pediatric non-malignant diseases, as well as growing collaborations with global pharmaceutical and biotech companies leveraging Celaid’s proprietary platform technology.

CLD-001 Development Progress

  • Positive non-clinical data demonstrating efficacy and safety in animal models
  • Significant advancements in cell manufacturing and CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls)
  • Pre-IND preparation with the U.S. FDA progressing according to plan

Collaboration on HSC Expansion Platform

The newly raised capital will be used to support GMP manufacturing and non-clinical studies in preparation for the initiation of clinical trials of CLD-001 in the U.S. In addition, the company will further strengthen its proprietary HSC expansion platform and expand its applications to broader cell and gene therapy programs.

“We are deeply grateful for the continued support from our venture capital partners and AMED. This financing represents an important milestone that brings us closer to delivering transformative hematopoietic stem cell therapies to patients worldwide. As Japan’s leading university-origin hematopoietic stem cell company, we will continue to advance both our HSC pipeline development programs and our platform business.”
— Nobuyuki Arakawa, President & CEO, Celaid Therapeutics Inc.

Overview of Series B Financing (1st Close)

[Amount Raised] JPY 555 million (USD 3.77 million)
[Method] Third-party allocation of new shares (private placement)
[Investors (existing investors)]
  • Osaka University Venture Capital Co., Ltd.
  • The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners Co., Ltd.
  • Techno Science Co., Ltd.
  • Joyo Capital Partners Co., Ltd.
[Grant Awarded] Approx. JPY 500 million (USD 3.4 million)

Comments from Investors

“We are very pleased to have had the opportunity to make an additional investment in this financing round. Over the past year, Celaid Therapeutics has achieved continuous and tangible milestones, including advancements in non-clinical studies and collaborations with domestic and global partners, and has also successfully advanced to the next stage of the AMED Strengthening Program for Pharmaceutical Startup Ecosystem. We find great significance in having been able to support these steps forward together. With this new financing as a catalyst, we look forward to working with Celaid to further accelerate the development of cell therapy products and to deliver innovative technologies to patients as quickly as possible.”
— Yuki Taga, Investment Director, Osaka University Venture Capital Co., Ltd.

“We have had the privilege of working with Celaid Therapeutics Inc. since its founding. Over the years, Celaid has steadily advanced the accumulation of non-clinical data for its proprietary pipeline and the establishment of its manufacturing capabilities, while also actively pursuing partnerships with industry players leveraging its HSC expansion platform technology. These efforts have driven significant business growth.  With this latest financing, we are confident that Celaid will further accelerate its global expansion and make substantial contributions both to providing new treatment options for patients worldwide and to advancing the broader cell therapy industry. We look forward to Celaid’s continued success.”
— Atsushi Usami, Ph.D., Partner and Board Director, The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners Co., Ltd. (UTEC)

“We deeply resonate with Celaid Therapeutics’ mission of developing innovative cell therapies for non-malignant diseases, hematologic cancers, and genetic diseases. We are also very pleased to see the significant progress made in the lead development pipeline since our fund’s participation in the Series A round. With this new financing, we are confident that Celaid will accelerate its activities toward initiating clinical trials in the United States, as well as advance its platform technologies. We look forward to seeing these efforts lead to the realization of next-generation cell therapy products and technologies that can benefit a wide range of patients.”
— Shigeto Ikeda, President, Joyo Capital Partners Co., Ltd.

About Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs)

Hematopoietic stem cells are multipotent stem cells capable of generating all blood cell lineages, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. They possess the capacity for self-renewal, ensuring life-long maintenance of the hematopoietic system. However, HSCs are naturally scarce in the body or in collected samples, making it a major challenge to secure sufficient numbers for therapeutic use.

About CLD-001, an allogeneic HSC Therapy

CLD-001 is being developed as an HSC product for severe pediatric non-malignant diseases. Rare blood diseases such as aplastic anemia, primary immunodeficiency, inherited metabolic disorder, and sickle cell disease, which start in childhood and are associated with various physical and neurological complications, have very poor prognosis. Currently, the only curative therapy is allogeneic HSC transplantation (HSCT). On the other hand, there are still significant unmet needs for allogeneic HSCT due to donor problems such as bone marrow donor shortage and HLA type mismatch, as well as side effects such as transplant-related mortality and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). CLD-001 is designed to address the donor shortage, transplantation-related risks, and other limitations described above.

In addition to solving the donor problem by using frozen cord blood stored in a cord blood bank as the cell source, CLD-001 also solves the bottleneck of low HSC counts in cord blood with our proprietary HSC expansion technology, enabling us to provide HSCs with the best HLA type for the patient. CLD-001, the HLA best-matched and bone marrow-engrafting HSCs, is expected to significantly improve overall survival after HSC therapy.

About Celaid Therapeutics Inc.

Celaid Therapeutics Inc. is a startup born out of the University of Tokyo and University of Tsukuba with proprietary technology for selective ex vivo HSC expansion. By safely and efficiently expanding human HSCs, Celaid aims to provide the next generation of cell and gene therapy products for cell therapies targeting hematologic and genetic diseases, ex vivo HSC gene therapies for genetic disorders, and angiogenesis for ischemic diseases.

Contact Information
Celaid Therapeutics Inc.
Address: UTokyo Entrepreneur Lab., South Clinical Research Bldg., 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8485, Japan
E-mail: contact@celaidtx.com
URL: https://celaidtx.com/en/

SINGAPORE BIENNALE 2025: MORE THAN 80 ARTISTS TO ACTIVATE THE EVERYDAY WITH ‘PURE INTENTION’

SINGAPORE, Oct. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This October, see Singapore in a new light through Singapore Biennale 2025: pure intention, the eighth edition of the leading international contemporary art exhibition. Commissioned by the National Arts Council, Singapore, and organised by Singapore Art Museum (SAM), this edition will present over 100 artworks by more than 80 artists, with over 30 new commissions.

Courtesy of Singapore Art Museum.
Courtesy of Singapore Art Museum.

Anchored by the theme ‘pure intention‘, art functions as a lens to view the evolution of Singapore’s urban and social environment. The Biennale invites audiences of all walks of life to reimagine Singapore, experiencing its many layers built by all of those who have been a part of its history, collectively creating a city that is as planned as it is full of discovery, surprises and interesting juxtapositions.

Audiences can encounter art in multiple venues and public spaces across Singapore—from pre-colonial and colonial landmarks to shopping malls, historic housing estates, and greenspaces. Through an exploration of art in everyday environments, audiences will be engaged to see familiar spaces in Singapore with fresh eyes and new perspectives.

In a joint statement, curators Duncan Bass, Hsu Fang-Tze, Ong Puay Khim, and Selene Yap shared, “Singapore Biennale 2025 provides a unique opportunity for us to reflect on the many ways our city has been shaped by its architecture and systems, as well as the people who move through it. By inviting diverse voices to respond to themes of rapid urban development, historical contradictions and speculative futures with pure intention, this edition unpacks Singapore’s multifaceted realities within global narratives. In activating spaces that are part of our daily rhythms, we hope to foster greater dialogue across cultures and communities, sparking moments of connection and curiosity towards the cosmopolitan futures we share.”

Audiences can look forward to highlights in these areas:     

  • SAM at Tanjong Pagar Distripark – The museum’s home base and a central Biennale venue, where new commissions and Singapore’s National Collection works will anchor the exhibition.
  • Civic District – Explore the layered histories of communities that have shaped nations. Gala Porras-Kim (Colombia/USA/United Kingdom) will reflect on labour and rest through the poetry of migrant worker communities.
  • Rail Corridor South – Once a commercial railway, this 24-kilometre route is now a nature trail where nearby neighbourhoods still carry its legacy. At Tanglin Halt, Joo Choon Lin (Singapore) will stage an immersive installation reimagining human perception as activity, event, and movement.
  • Orchard RoadSingapore’s strata-titled malls reveal how everyday spaces adapt amid rapid urban change. At Lucky Plaza, Eisa Jocson’s (the Philippines) karaoke videos—created with H.O.M.E. and Filipino domestic workers—will share anthems of inspiration, struggle, and perseverance.

Early bird tickets for SAM at Tanjong Pagar Distripark are available until 30 October 2025. All other Biennale sites in public spaces across Singapore are free. More: https://www.singaporebiennale.org/

Contact: Tate Anzur, sbteam@tateanzur.com 

EPWK Holdings Ltd. Announces Pricing of $8 Million Public Offering

XIAMEN, China, Oct. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — EPWK Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq: EPWK) (the “Company”), a company that connects businesses with great talents through innovative and efficient cloud-sourcing platforms, today announced that it has priced a best-efforts public offering with gross proceeds to the Company expected to be approximately $8 million, before deducting placement agent fees and other estimated expenses payable by the Company, excluding the exercise of any warrant offered.

The offering is comprised of 24,242,425 units (each a “Unit”), consisting of one Class A ordinary share of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Ordinary Shares”), or in lieu thereof, a pre-funded warrant, and one warrant to purchase one Class A Ordinary Share (each, a “Warrant”). The public offering price of the Units is $0.33 per Unit. Each of the Warrants will have an exercise price of $0.3465 per Class A Ordinary Share and be exercisable beginning on the date of the issuance date and ending on the six-month anniversary of the issuance date.

The offering is expected to close on or about October 8, 2025, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for research development, business expansion, general working capital purposes and other general corporate purposes.

Univest Securities, LLC is acting as sole placement agent for the offering.

The securities described above are being offered by the Company pursuant to a registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-290300) previously filed and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 30, 2025. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The offering is being made only by means of a written preliminary prospectus and final prospectus that will form a part of the registration statement. A final prospectus relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Electronic copies of the final prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained, when available, by contacting Univest Securities, LLC at info@univest.us, or by calling +1 (212) 343-8888.

About EPWK Holdings Ltd.

The Company connects businesses with outstanding talent through an innovative and efficient integrated crowdsourcing platform, providing creative transaction services for small and medium-sized enterprises and suppliers. The Company was founded by Guohua Huang, former chief reporter of Fujian Daily Press Group, and conducts its operations through its subsidiaries and contractual arrangements with the variable interest entity in China. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: www.epwk.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the Company’s proposed offering. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs, including the expectation that the offering will be closed. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.