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Bank of America Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bank of America reported its first quarter 2025 financial results today. The news release, supplemental filing and investor presentation can be accessed at Bank of America’s Investor Relations website at https://investor.bankofamerica.com/quarterly-earnings.

Investor Conference Call information
Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan and Chief Financial Officer Alastair Borthwick will discuss the financial results in an investor conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET today. For a listen-only connection to the conference call, dial 1.877.200.4456 (U.S.) or 1.785.424.1732 (international), and the conference ID is 79795. Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

Investors can also listen to live audio of the conference call and view the presentation slides by visiting the “Events and Presentations” section of the company’s Investor Relations website.

Replay information for Investor Conference Call
Investors can access replays of the investor conference call by visiting the Investor Relations website or by calling 1.800.934.4850 (U.S.) or 1.402.220.1178 (international) from noon on April 15 through 11:59 p.m. ET on April 25. 

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with 3,700 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 58 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC).

Investors May Contact:

Lee McEntire, Bank of America
Phone: 1.980.388.6780
lee.mcentire@bofa.com 

Jonathan Blum, Bank of America (Fixed Income)
Phone: 1.212.449.3112
jonathan.blum@bofa.com

Reporters May Contact:

Jocelyn Seidenfeld, Bank of America
Phone: 1.646.743.3356
jocelyn.seidenfeld@bofa.com 

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL INTRODUCES NEW INTERACTIVE DIGITAL EXPERIENCE, OFFERING BACKSTAGE ACCESS TO FANS

Experience the world of KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities like never before with Parallel!, an interactive digital platform that lets viewers explore backstage, follow performers, and navigate the show for total immersion.

MONTREAL, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group (“Cirque du Soleil” or “the company”), in collaboration with Imagien, the company behind the interactive digital platform Parallel!, is excited to announce the launch of KURIOS – cabinet of Curiosities – In Parallel!. This groundbreaking digital format offers viewers behind-the-scenes access, parallel storylines, and a curated selection of stunning content, making them feel as if they were truly part of the show!

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group announces the launch of KURIOS - cabinet of Curiosities - In Parallel!
Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group announces the launch of KURIOS – cabinet of Curiosities – In Parallel!

With this new format, friends and family can watch the show together while controlling their own experience and sharing the excitement in real time. By combining their TVs, phones, and tablets, fans unlock an interactive experience that transforms how they watch. It becomes a dynamic, social way to enjoy the show, where everyone can explore different aspects simultaneously.

“Our goal was to create the best possible experience, recognizing the importance of testing the market and understanding how fans would embrace this new offering. The overwhelmingly positive response has reinforced our commitment to delivering a seamless, user-friendly experience that brings the magic of Cirque du Soleil into homes around the world. By seamlessly blending technology, storytelling, and real-time interaction, we are redefining how fans experience Cirque du Soleil—not just as spectators, but as active participants in our universe. With significant effort and innovation, we’ve ensured that audiences can enjoy it anytime, anywhere, with ease and excitement. And this is just the beginning of a deeper, more meaningful connection with our audience—every day of the year”, says Anne Belliveau, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.

Even before watching the main stage show, viewers can explore the venue in a whole new way. They can visit the VIP area, go backstage to see performers preparing, and witness the detailed work that brings the spectacle to life. Viewers can follow different characters, use an interactive map to navigate through locations, and explore multiple areas of the venue, offering them exclusive access like never before.

For the company, KURIOS – cabinet of Curiosities – In Parallel! marks a pivotal point in how they expand their reach globally and draw new fans to the brand. “It truly aligns with our commitment to bringing Cirque du Soleil into people’s daily lives and encouraging them to attend our Big Top shows when they come to their city” says Anne Belliveau. This new interactive experience in collaboration with Imagien perfectly embodies our vision of going beyond the stage by offering fans our beloved intellectual properties in various formats, available whenever they want” she adds.

The company is currently engaged in active discussions with Imagien to bring viewers more iconic shows from its portfolio in this format and to strengthen its presence in markets across the globe.

“We are proud to partner with Cirque du Soleil and provide the technology and platform behind this revolutionary interactive experience. We are looking forward to supporting Cirque du Soleil as they continue to grow and bring their iconic performances to audiences worldwide” says Danny Theis, CEO of Imagien.

KURIOS – cabinet of Curiosities – In Parallel! is now available for purchase in select markets at https://event.imagien.com/kurios

About Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group 

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is a world leader in live entertainment. Building on four decades of pushing the boundaries of the imagination, the artistic entertainment company brings its creative approach to a large variety of artistic forms such as live shows, multimedia productions, long-form content, music, immersive experiences, and special events. Since its creation in 1984, more than 400 million people have been inspired on 6 continents and 86 countries. The Canadian company now employs almost 4000 employees, including 1200 artists from more than 80 different nationalities. Along with its affiliates—Blue Man Group, VStar Entertainment Group, and The Works Entertainment—Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group continues to expand its creative reach. For more information about Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, please visit http://www.cirquedusoleil.com.

About Imagien

Imagien, in partnership with world-class entertainment leaders, is transforming the industry by bringing live events into the home. Through its innovative platform and technology, Imagien enables rights holders to turn their live shows into immersive, interactive experiences for audiences at home. By collaborating with rights holders, producers, promoters, and the entertainment industry, Imagien is leading the future of in-home entertainment – delivering live performances to millions of people around the world – all from the comfort of their homes. For more information about Imagien, please visit imagien.com

XellSmart’s Allogeneic iPSC-derived Cell Therapies for Parkinson’s Disease and ALS Officially Approved by the U.S. FDA for Phase I Clinical Trials

SUZHOU, China, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In January 2025 (U.S. time), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially approved the Investigational New Drug (IND) application submitted by XellSmart Biopharmaceutical (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. for its universal allogeneic off-the-shelf iPS-derived dopaminergic neural progenitor cell therapy for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide. Concurrently, the FDA also granted XellSmart a special exemption to support the clinical trial of XellSmart’s cell therapy for PD in the US.

The approval of XellSmart’s clinical trial, along with the special exemption granted, signifies the FDA’s recognition of XellSmart’s well-established clinical-grade iPSC-derived cell drug development, production, and quality control systems, as well as its completed preclinical safety and efficacy studies. This approval serves as a strong validation of the scientific rigor, professional expertise, and clinical value of XellSmart’s cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease.

Additionally, XellSmart’s allogeneic, off-the-shelf iPSC-derived dopaminergic neural progenitor cell injection (“XS-411 Injection”) has also been approved by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to enter Phase I clinical trials. China has the largest population of Parkinson’s disease patients globally, with an estimated 5 million cases projected by 2030. The clinical trial approvals from both the U.S. FDA and China’s NMPA offer hope that XellSmart’s XS-411 could potentially benefit Parkinson’s disease patients not only in China and the U.S. but also worldwide.

Pioneering Achievements in XellSmart’s iPSC-Derived Cell Therapies to treat PD

In 2024, XellSmart successfully conducted a clinical study of GMP-grade iPSC-derived cell therapy for treating Parkinson’s disease patients in China. This study was officially approved by China’s National Health Commission, making XellSmart the first to complete an iPSC-derived cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease in China.

In the clinical study, GMP-grade XS411 cells were transplanted into the striatal putamen of multiple patients with moderate to moderate-to-severe Parkinson’s disease. To date, these patients have been followed for 6 to 12 months, with no adverse events related to XS411 reported. All treated patients showed significant improvements in key efficacy indicators, including increased ON time, reduced MDS-UPDRS scores, and enhancements in non-motor functions. These positive early-stage clinical results provide promising evidence supporting the continued development of XellSmart’s XS411 for Parkinson’s disease patients.

Pioneering Achievements in XellSmart’s FIC Cell Therapies to treat ALS

XellSmart has developed XS228, the world’s first-in-class, off-the-shelf, allogeneic, clinical-grade iPSC-derived cell therapy for ALS, which has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the U.S. FDA. This designation provides market exclusivity, priority review, and special regulatory supports under the U.S. Orphan Drug Act.

In 2024, XellSmart received official approval from China’s National Health Commission to conduct a clinical study of XS228 for ALS in China, including the world’s first case of allogeneic, off-the-shelf iPSC-derived cell transplantation in an ALS patient. Clinical follow-up results showed that XS228 is safe and effectively slows disease progression compared to the current standard of care.

XellSmart’s off-the-shelf, allogeneic, clinical-grade iPSC-derived cell therapy (XS228) for ALS has been approved by the FDA to enter Phase I clinical trials, making it the first-in-class regenerative neural cell therapy for ALS.

These milestones position XellSmart as a global leader in advancing innovative iPSC-derived regenerative cell therapies for CNS diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and ALS.

Dr. Michael Lee (Xiang Li ), founder and CEO of XellSmart, stated:

April 11th marks World Parkinson’s Disease Day. We named our clinical-grade iPS-derived dopaminergic neural progenitor cell therapy “XellSmart-411 Injection” (XS-411) as a constant reminder to stay true to our mission and remain dedicated to our original aspiration.

XellSmart is committed to developing universal, off-the-shelf, allogeneic, clinical-grade iPSC-derived regenerative cell therapies to address CNS diseases with significant unmet clinical needs.

The FDA’s unconditional approval of the INDs for XellSmart’s XS411 and XS228 products, targeting Parkinson’s disease and ALS, paves the way for these therapies to advance into clinical trials in the United States and lays the foundation for future commercialization in the global market.

XellSmart remains firmly committed to providing allogeneic, off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived regenerative cell therapies to patients with CNS diseases worldwide.”

Funding and BD cooperation contact: BD@xellsmart.com 

About XellSmart

XellSmart is dedicated to developing universal, off-the-shelf, allogeneic, clinical-grade iPSC-derived cell therapies to address Parkinson’s disease and other CNS diseases that currently lack effective clinical solutions.

XellSmart has built a highly skilled, full-time team with extensive international expertise and established a portfolio of proprietary, cutting-edge technologies and platforms to drive sustained innovation in iPSC-derived cell therapies for CNS diseases.

XellSmart operates >5,000+ square meter facility comprising an advanced R&D center, GMP production facility, and quality control center. XellSmart has successfully achieved large-scale manufacturing of multiple GMP-grade iPSC-derived neural progenitor cell therapies.

XellSmart’s allogeneic iPSC-derived cell therapies, XS411 and XS228, targeting Parkinson’s disease and ALS, have been approved to enter Phase I clinical trials in both the United States and China.

To date, XellSmart has secured six rounds of financing from top-tier investors, including Frees Fund, Qiming Venture Partners, Lilly Asia Ventures, Sequoia China, and others, underscoring strong market confidence in its innovative therapies and growth potential.

Funding and BD cooperation contact: BD@xellsmart.com 

 

SECuRE trial update: First patient treated in the Phase II Cohort Expansion

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The first of the planned 24 participants in the Cohort Expansion Phase (Phase II) of the SECuRE trial has been treated with their first dose of 8 GBq of 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA.This follows the recent recommendation by the Safety Review Committee (SRC) after the successful completion of the Dose Escalation Phase to commence enrollment for the Cohort Expansion Phase at the 8 GBq dose level, with an increase of the number of cycles from up to 4 to up to 6.
  • This participant will be treated with the combination of 8 GBq of 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA with enzalutamide (androgen receptor pathway inhibitor [ARPI]), as per the recent protocol amendment to include a subset of participants in the Cohort Expansion Phase to receive this combination.
  • Prior to the start of the Cohort Expansion Phase, Clarity rolled out its improved 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA product formulation. The enhanced formulation offers room temperature stability, supply and scalability, which are essential for late-stage clinical trials and streamlined commercial-scale manufacture.

SYDNEY, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Clarity Pharmaceuticals (ASX: CU6) (“Clarity” or “Company”), a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company with a mission to develop next-generation products that improve treatment outcomes for patients with cancer, is pleased to announce the treatment of the first participant with their first dose of 8 GBq of 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA in the Cohort Expansion Phase of the SECuRE trial (NCT04868604)[1].

The dosing of this participant follows the recent successful completion of the Dose Escalation Phase (Phase I) of the trial and subsequent SRC recommendation to progress to the Cohort Expansion Phase (Phase II) at the 8 GBq dose level, with an increase in the total number of cycles from up to 4 to up to 6. This recommendation is based on the favourable safety profile and efficacy of 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA observed to date[2].

This participant will be receiving the combination of 8 GBq of 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA and enzalutamide (ARPI), allowed by a recent protocol amendment. This amendment incorporated an increase in the number of participants in this cohort from 14 to 24, in which a subset of participants will receive this combination therapy. These changes are aligned with the positive results from the Enza-p trial[3] and the ongoing discussions with and advice from key global medical experts in the field of prostate cancer, including the Company’s Clinical Advisory Board members, Prof Louise Emmett and Prof Oliver Sartor, as well as the SRC.

The recently amended SECuRE trial protocol will also focus on the evaluation of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) participants in the pre-chemotherapy setting. This aligns with Clarity’s strategy of bringing 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA to earlier stages of the disease and is based on its promising safety and efficacy data, especially in pre-chemotherapy participants treated in the SECuRE trial to date. In the Dose Escalation Phase, preliminary data showed that 92% of pre-chemotherapy participants (12/13) demonstrated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) drops greater than 35%, PSA reductions greater than 50% were reached in 61.5% (8/13) of participants, and reductions of 80% or more were achieved in 46.2% (6/13) of participants. These outstanding results were achieved despite many of the 13 pre-chemotherapy participants having considerable disease burden, being heavily pre-treated, and the majority of them only receiving a single dose of 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA[2].

In preparation for the Cohort Expansion Phase, Clarity rolled out its improved 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA product formulation. The enhanced formulation allows for room temperature stability, supply and scalability, which are essential for late-stage clinical trials and streamlined commercial-scale manufacture.

Clarity’s Executive Chairperson, Dr Alan Taylor, commented, “We are incredibly excited about the progress we’ve achieved in the SECuRE trial to date and look forward to continuing to generate promising data in the Cohort Expansion Phase.

“With the latest protocol amendments ensuring that we are utilising the most recent advances and knowledge in the radiopharmaceutical space, we continue to be driven by the highest standards of clinical trial management and research. At Clarity, we are committed to working with various key opinion leaders in the field and incorporating the most recent findings into our study design to maximise the probability of clinical trial success and positive patient outcomes. As a result, we are focused on bringing 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA to earlier lines of prostate cancer therapy, especially in the pre-chemotherapy setting, where we have seen very promising safety and efficacy to date. We are also investigating the benefits of combination therapy, where SECuRE participants are being treated with 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA and enzalutamide based on the results from Prof Emmett’s Enza-p trial and in consultation with global thought leaders in the prostate cancer space.

“We are committed to continuously improving our product and took the opportunity to advance our 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA formulation prior to dosing our first patients in the Cohort Expansion Phase of the trial. The improvements also help us prepare for the large-scale manufacture in a potential Phase III trial and during commercialisation, allowing for room temperature stability with considerable advantages for supply and scalability. The ability to manufacture 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA under room temperature reduces the likelihood of batch failures which lead to common supply issues and subsequent product shipment delays. Through the improvements in formulation, we hope that no patient is left waiting for their 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA treatments.

“We thank our community, our team, Principal Investigators, members of the SRC, and especially the participants who have contributed to the SECuRE study so far. Armed with favourable safety and efficacy data from the Dose Escalation cohorts and with 3 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Fast Track Designations for the SAR-bisPSMA molecule, 1 for therapy and 2 for diagnostics, we are closer than ever to delivering on our ultimate goal of improving treatment outcomes for people with cancer.”

About the SECuRE trial

The SECuRE trial (NCT04868604)[1] is a Phase I/IIa theranostic trial for identification and treatment of participants with PSMA-expressing mCRPC using 64Cu/67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA. 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA is used to visualise PSMA-expressing lesions and select candidates for subsequent 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA therapy. The trial is a multi-centre, single arm, dose escalation study with a cohort expansion involving approximately 54 participants in the US and Australia. The overall aim of the trial is to determine the safety and efficacy of 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA for the treatment of prostate cancer.

About SAR-bisPSMA

SAR-bisPSMA derives its name from the word “bis”, which reflects a novel approach of connecting two PSMA-targeting agents to Clarity’s proprietary sarcophagine (SAR) technology that securely holds copper isotopes inside a cage-like structure, called a chelator. Unlike other commercially available chelators, the SAR technology prevents copper leakage into the body. SAR-bisPSMA is a Targeted Copper Theranostic (TCT) that can be used with isotopes of copper-64 (Cu-64 or 64Cu) for imaging and copper-67 (Cu-67 or 67Cu) for therapy.

67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA and 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA are unregistered products. The safety and efficacy of 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA and 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA have not been assessed by health authorities such as the US FDA or the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). There is no guarantee that these products will become commercially available.

About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in men globally and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in men worldwide[4]. Prostate cancer is the second-leading causes of cancer death in American men. The American Cancer Institute estimates in 2025 there will be about 313,780 new cases of prostate cancer in the US and around 35,770 deaths from the disease[5].

About Clarity Pharmaceuticals

Clarity is a clinical stage radiopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of serious diseases. The Company is a leader in innovative radiopharmaceuticals, developing Targeted Copper Theranostics based on its SAR Technology Platform for the treatment of cancers in children and adults.

www.claritypharmaceuticals.com

For more information, please contact:

Clarity Pharmaceuticals

Dr Alan Taylor 

Catherine Strong

Executive Chairperson

Investor/Media Relations

ataylor@claritypharm.com

c.strong@morrowsodali.com 

+61 406 759 268

References

  1. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04868604, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04868604
  2. Clarity Pharmaceuticals. SECuRE trial update: 92% of pre-chemo participants experience greater than 35% drop in PSA levels across all cohorts. Cohort Expansion Phase commences. https://www.claritypharmaceuticals.com/news/secure-update/
  3. Emmett L et al. ENZA-p Trial Investigators; Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group. Overall survival and quality of life with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 plus enzalutamide versus enzalutamide alone in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (ENZA-p): secondary outcomes from a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 2 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2025 Mar;26(3):291-299. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(25)00009-9.
  4. Global Cancer Statistics 2022: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries, https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.3322/caac.21834
  5. American Cancer Society: Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

This announcement has been authorised for release by the Executive Chairperson.

Cellid raises over $7.5 Million to strengthen development of displays for AR glasses

TOKYO, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cellid Inc., a leading developer of AR display technology and spatial recognition engines, today announced it has raised over $7.5 million (approximately 1.1 billion yen) in a Series C Extension financing round. The funds were secured through a private placement of shares underwritten by SBI Investment Co. Ltd., (the leading financial institution in Japan) IMM Investment Japan K.K. (one of East Asia’s largest VC/growth equity funds), and IMM Investment, Corp. With this latest round, the total amount raised by Cellid Inc. now exceeds $15 million (6.4 billion yen).


Cellid’s core business is the development of displays for AR glasses and spatial recognition engines. Cellid delivers the industry’s most advanced technology in the development and design of the world’s largest, widest field of view and lightest weight waveguide. It has also succeeded in developing the world’s first technology capable of projecting full-color images made of plastic.

With this financing, Cellid will acquire top talent both in Japan and internationally to strengthen the development of key AR glass components, such as micro projectors and waveguides. Additionally, we will expand our mass production capabilities to accelerate the market launch of our products.

Comments from Satoshi Shiraga, CEO, Cellid
Cellid has been working on the development of AR glasses in various industries as a next-generation computer device that is more accessible to people and as a tool to solve social issues such as business efficiency and labor shortage. Last November, Cellid launched “Reference Design” (verification model) – well-designed and lightweight eyeglass-type of AR glasses. In April, we released Cellid Precision Fit lenses for AR glasses with diopter correction to accelerate the evolution and adoption of AR glasses. We are very honored that SBI Investment, IMM Investment Group Japan K.K. and IMM Investment Corporation have highly evaluated our efforts. We will continue to work with our partners and user companies to build an ecosystem that can grow together, while ensuring that a wide range of users can fully enjoy the AR experience.

Comment from Shotaro Iwano, Deputy General Manager of Investment Department, SBI Investment Co. Ltd.
SBI Investment is pleased to support Cellid’s fundraising, as the AR glasses market is expected to grow rapidly, and the company’s advanced waveguide technology has the potential to become an essential technology for next-generation devices. We expect that the digital transformation of society will be furthered through the commercialization of products in collaboration with global companies that take advantage of Cellid’s technological capabilities. Our group will provide full support and contribute to the company’s success.

Comment from Tosei Imaizumi, Chief Investment Officer, MM Investment Japan K.K. and IMM Investment, Corp
We invested in Cellid because we believe its product module is a groundbreaking solution, and under the leadership of Mr. Shiraga and the rest of the management team, it is expected to bring about a behavioral change in the VR/AR market even though it has been hampered by hardware-driven challenges. We will continue to actively support Cellid’s global expansion through IMM Investment’s network of partnerships with large companies, especially in East Asia.

About Cellid

Cellid specializes in the development of advanced AR glass display modules, focusing on waveguides and spatial recognition engines for next-generation devices. Leveraging unique optical simulation and proprietary production technologies, Cellid has developed display modules as thin and lightweight as standard eyeglass lenses, delivering clear images and one of the world’s largest fields of view for waveguides. Additionally, Cellid offers industry-specific solutions powered by spatial recognition technologies such as Cellid SLAM. By integrating cutting-edge AR display hardware with real-world spatial recognition software, Cellid is driving the “Blending of Physical and Digital World,” making exceptional information tools more accessible, practical, and convenient for users worldwide.

GIGABYTE Debuts GeForce RTX™ 5060 Ti & 5060 with Advanced Cooling System for Ultimate Gaming and AI

TAIPEI, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — GIGABYTE, the world’s leading computer brand, launches the GeForce RTX™ 5060 Ti, and GeForce RTX™ 5060 series graphics cards, powered by NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, which will be available starting April 16. Designed for mainstream gamers, creators, and entry-level AI users, these new models offer an optimal balance between performance and cooling efficiency with an upgraded WINDFORCE cooling system for smooth gameplay and multitasking.

GIGABYTE Debuts GeForce RTX™ 5060 Ti & 5060 with Advanced Cooling System for Ultimate Gaming and AI
GIGABYTE Debuts GeForce RTX™ 5060 Ti & 5060 with Advanced Cooling System for Ultimate Gaming and AI

The upgraded WINDFORCE cooling system aims to enhance cooling efficiency by maximizing air volume and minimizing turbulence and noise. These graphics cards feature the Hawk Fan design that delivers up to a 53.6% increase in air pressure and a 12.5% boost in air volume. GIGABYTE also applied server-grade conductive gel to ensure optimal contact with uneven surfaces, reducing thermal resistance and maintaining stability over prolonged usage. Equipped with direct GPU contact copper plate and composite heat pipes, GIGABYTE GeForce RTX™ 5060 Ti and GeForce RTX™ 5060 series graphics cards are accomplished to maximize heat transfer for superior cooling performance.

GIGABYTE offers a diversity of GeForce RTX™5060 Ti and GeForce RTX™ 5060 models to cater to different users’ needs. The ELITE model is the gateway of the AORUS series, offering an advanced cooling system and Screen Cooling feature to optimize rear airflow for additional heat dissipation. The GIGABYTE Gaming and AERO models are designed for high-performance gaming and creators, while the AERO model features a sleek white and silver for aesthetic PC build. Tailored for white PC build seekers, the GIGABYTE EAGLE ICE is the ideal option for an all-white setup. Meanwhile, the WINDFORCE model is designed with a simple black style for users seeking stability and durability.

To fulfill the growing market for small-form-factor builds, GIGABYTE also offers an 182mm length model on GeForce RTX™ 5060 for a compact setup. Learn more about GIGABYTE GeForce RTX™ 5060 Ti and RTX™ 5060 series graphics cards at the official website.

Marimekko and Blue Bottle Coffee Celebrate Finnish Coffee Culture and the Joy of Everyday Rituals

Limited-edition collaboration launches in North America and Asia on April 25

OAKLAND, Calif., April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Finnish lifestyle design company Marimekko and global specialty coffee brand Blue Bottle Coffee announce a limited-edition collaboration that celebrates Finnish coffee culture, thoughtful design, and the joy of everyday rituals. Rooted in a shared dedication to craftsmanship and artistry, the collection features immersive cafe installations, a latte that captures the flavors of Finland’s beloved korvapuusti (Finnish cinnamon roll), and exclusive merchandise from printed textiles to elegant coffee accessories. The Marimekko x Blue Bottle Coffee collaboration launches globally across ten selected Blue Bottle Coffee cafes in New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Fukuoka, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong SAR, as well as online at bluebottlecoffee.com on 25 April 2025.

Marimekko and Blue Bottle Coffee Celebrate Finnish Coffee Culture and the Joy of Everyday Rituals
Marimekko and Blue Bottle Coffee Celebrate Finnish Coffee Culture and the Joy of Everyday Rituals

Where Craft, Design, and Finnish Coffee Culture Converge
This collaboration brings together two brands known for their shared pursuit of artistry–Marimekko’s renowned art of printmaking and Blue Bottle’s precision in coffee. Inspired by Finland’s deeply rooted coffee culture, this collaboration reflects a shared belief that craft, design, and ritual elevate the everyday. In Finland, coffee is more than just a beverage; it’s an experience, meant to be savored with intention and care. The tradition of dedicated coffee breaks highlights an appreciation for slow, deliberate moments, where quality and craftsmanship take precedence over speed and convenience.

This philosophy is woven throughout the collaboration, from the process of crafting a great cup of coffee to the thoughtfully designed accessories that enrich the experience of enjoying it. In select Blue Bottle cafes, this concept extends into the physical space, where installations featuring Marimekko’s Unikko pattern transform the cafe environment into an invitation to take a break and experience coffee through a design-driven lens. These installations complement the architectural elegance of Blue Bottle cafes, creating spaces where guests can sit, enjoy beautifully crafted coffee “for here,” and find joy in everyday rituals.

“We are excited to celebrate Finnish coffee culture and its everyday rituals together with Blue Bottle Coffee. At Marimekko, we always strive to bring something new and surprising for our customers, and joining forces with Blue Bottle Coffee for this limited-edition collaboration perfectly aligns Marimekko’s joyful and optimistic lifestyle philosophy with Blue Bottle Coffee’s craft in specialty coffee,” says Rebekka Bay, Creative Director at Marimekko.  

“This partnership with Marimekko is a celebration of the creativity and care that define great coffee and design,” said Simone Hodges, Blue Bottle’s Chief Brand and Experience Officer. “Both of our brands share a belief that everyday rituals can be extraordinary when approached with intention. By uniting Marimekko’s bold, timeless design with our dedication to quality coffee, we’ve created an offering that reflects Finnish coffee culture through its signature flavors, inviting rituals, and thoughtful design.”

Collection overview
The Marimekko x Blue Bottle Coffee assortment offers thoughtfully designed pieces that bring artistry and care to daily coffee rituals. The collection includes an elegant tumbler, coffee mug, espresso cup and saucer, coffee spoon, tote bag, and apron (exclusive to Asia), featuring Marimekko’s Unikko print in a limited-edition colorway of Nordic Green and Blue Bottle’s signature blue, created exclusively for this collaboration. All textiles in the collection have been printed at Marimekko’s own textile printing factory in Helsinki, Finland.

As part of this release, coffee lovers can enjoy the Marimekko Latte, a limited-time beverage that reflects the comforting flavors of korvapuusti (Finnish cinnamon roll) with a rich blend of cinnamon, honey, vanilla, and a touch of orange zest. Available in select Blue Bottle cafes, this latte can also be recreated at home using Blue Bottle Craft Instant Espresso, packaged in a limited-edition Unikko design with an easy-to-follow recipe.

The collection will be available exclusively online at bluebottlecoffee.com and at the following select Blue Bottle cafes starting April 25, 2025: 

  • New York City, USA: Walker Hotel Tribeca (396 Broadway)
  • Los Angeles, USA: South Beverly (132 South Beverly Drive)
  • Seoul, South Korea: Yeonnam (52, Seongmisan-ro, 32-gil, Mapo-gu), Jamsil (300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu)
  • Tokyo, Japan: Aoyama (3-3-14 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
  • Tenjin, Japan: Fukuoka (2-2-20 Tenjin, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka)
  • Shanghai, China: JAKC (Unit N1-12/N2-11, Jing’an Kerry Centre, No.1551 Nanjing West Road, Jing’an District), Qiantan (B1 Unit 04-06, No.2 Building, and No.1 Building, No.595 Dongyu Road, Pudong District)
  • Shenzhen, China, MixC World (No. SL123, SL250B, the MixC World, Nanshan District)
  • Hong Kong, China, Wanchai (15 St. Francis Street, Wan Chai)

In Japan, a limited selection of collaboration merchandise will be available at all other Blue Bottle cafes beyond those offering the full collaboration experience.

About Marimekko
Marimekko is a Finnish lifestyle design company renowned for its original prints and colors. The company’s product portfolio includes high-quality clothing, bags and accessories as well as home décor items ranging from textiles to tableware. When Marimekko was founded in 1951, its unparalleled printed fabrics gave it a strong and unique identity. In 2024, the company’s net sales totaled EUR 183 million and comparable operating profit margin was 17.5 percent. Globally, there are roughly 170 Marimekko stores, and online store serves customers in 38 countries. The key markets are Northern Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and North America. The Group employs about 480 people. The company’s share is quoted on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. www.marimekko.com

About Blue Bottle Coffee 
Blue Bottle Coffee was founded by James Freeman in Oakland, California, in 2002 with a simple yet revolutionary idea: to serve delicious coffee, roasted fresh and brewed to order, sourced from the finest coffee farms. Today, Blue Bottle is a global network of cafes in the US and Asia. We are the leader in specialty coffee, driven by our obsession for quality and our commitment to environmental health. Our belief is simple and our goal unchanged: to connect the world to delicious coffee, because delicious coffee makes life more beautiful. Follow Blue Bottle on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or visit bluebottlecoffee.com for more information. @bluebottle

Media Contact: bluebottlecoffee@5wpr.com 

Thales to Offer Prime Factors’ Bank Card Security System

Prime Factors and Thales Extend Collaboration to Help Customers Build More Secure Payment Applications Faster with BCSS and the Thales payShield HSM 

EUGENE, Ore., April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Prime Factors and Thales announced today that Thales will offer Prime Factors’ Bank Card Security System (BCSS) – a software solution that helps simplify the orchestration of payment security in bespoke payment applications – through its global distribution networks.

“We are eager to provide tools for our customers to implement payment security quickly and easily,” said Todd Moore, Vice President of Data Security Products at Thales. “BCSS delivers robust application-side payment security infrastructure and is remarkably complementary to the Thales payShield HSM. BCSS helps to accelerate application development, simplify security compliance, and includes pre-built integrations with the Thales payShield HSM that make it easier to implement and manage hardware security for payments.”

BCSS delivers out-of-the-box security functionality to help developers build secure payment applications in a fraction of the time, including: 

  • Robust payment key management and secure storage 
  • Granular role-based access controls and permissions enforcement 
  • Audit logging and reporting functionality
  • High-Level APIs and pre-built workflows for quickly integrating payShield HSMs
  • Built-in load balancing across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid HSM deployments 

“When Thales launched its Cloud-based Payment HSM Service, it became clear that BCSS was a key differentiator,” said James Torjussen, payShield Product Manager at Thales. “The load balancing functionality and deployment flexibility of BCSS allows our joint customers to better manage cloud migrations – moving capacity, specific functions, or specific environments to the cloud smoothly, at a pace that makes sense for their business, without complex application re-development. BCSS seamlessly spans cloud and hybrid-cloud deployments and provides robust failover capabilities that reduce the timelines, costs, and risk of cloud migration.”

“BCSS, which has stood the test of security auditors for decades, is the ideal solution for enterprises that build and manage their own payment applications,” said Jose Diaz, Vice President of Products and Services at Prime Factors and Former Head of Payments Strategy at Thales. “BCSS helps enterprises get to revenue faster, mitigate risk, and reduce implementation costs, as well as the total cost of ownership over time. Supporting Thales channel partners to help enterprises simplify payment security infrastructure feels like a natural step in our 30+ years of ongoing collaboration with Thales.” 

Read the solution Technical Brief or visit our website to learn more.

Media Contact:
Kyna Reuter
kyna.reuter@primefactors.com

Erik Kingham
erik.kingham@thalesgroup.com