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Cision and PRWeek Unveil 2025 Comms Report: AI Adoption Accelerates as Communications Leaders Gain Greater Influence in the C-Suite

The eighth annual report highlights key industry shifts, including AI-powered strategies, the emergence of employee influencers, and increasing expectations on comms teams

CHICAGO, Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cision, a global leader in media intelligence and communications solutions, in partnership with PRWeek, today announced the release of the 2025 Comms Report, offering an in-depth analysis of the evolving PR and corporate communications landscape.

2025 Comms Report
2025 Comms Report

Based on insights from over 300 industry professionals across the U.S. and Canada, this year’s report reveals how AI is transforming the industry, communications leaders are playing a more strategic role in the C-suite, and employee influencers are reshaping brand credibility

“The 2025 Comms Report offers a detailed look at the forces shaping our industry, from the growing adoption and integration of AI in communications strategies to the redefinition of influence,” said Guy Abramo, Chief Executive Officer at Cision. “These insights provide PR and comms professionals with the intelligence they need to stay ahead in an increasingly complex media and business environment.”

Key Findings from the 2025 Comms Report:

  • Communications is more influential than ever – 84% of PR leaders say the C-suite is relying on their expertise more than in previous years.
  • AI is revolutionizing PR – Nearly two-thirds (65%) of comms leaders report that AI is significantly enhancing their data and analytics capabilities, while 90% say it plays a role in their overall strategy.
  • Employees are the new influencers – Internal advocates now surpass traditional influencers like celebrities and social media personalities in driving brand credibility.
  • Do more with less – 81% of comms leaders feel greater pressure to maximize impact with fewer resources compared to last year.

“The world has changed remarkably since we first launched this report eight years ago, and the communications industry has had to evolve in lockstep,” said Gideon Fidelzeid, Vice President at PRWeek. “This year’s findings reflect a profession that is not only adapting but thriving—demonstrating its growing influence and critical role in business success and innovation.”

The 2025 Comms Report serves as an essential resource for PR and communications professionals looking to stay ahead of industry shifts, optimize their strategies, and drive meaningful business impact.

Download the full report here: 2025 Comms Report

About Cision

Cision is a global leader in consumer and media intelligence, engagement, and communication solutions. We equip PR and corporate communications, marketing, and social media professionals with the tools they need to excel in today’s data-driven world. Our deep expertise, exclusive data partnerships, and award-winning products—including CisionOne, Brandwatch, and PR Newswire—enable over 75,000 companies and organizations, including 84% of the Fortune 500, to see and be seen, understand and be understood by the audiences that matter most.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Cision Public Relations
CisionPR@cision.com

Biggest Comms Challenges 2025
Biggest Comms Challenges 2025

 

 

Axiom Announces AI-Enabled Contracting Solution, Proven to Improve Efficiency of Contract-Related Legal Tasks by up to 60%

Field tested by Axiom lawyers in actual client engagements, Axiom pairs top-rated legal talent with DraftPilot AI to speed contract reviews, analysis, and redlining, and enhance contract review quality

NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today Axiom introduced the first of its new Tech+Talent offerings in partnership with DraftPilot, an AI-powered contract review tool that seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Word. Designed to significantly accelerate the contract mark-up process while enhancing review quality, DraftPilot has been rigorously vetted through extensive Axiom field testing in real client engagements.

GenAI in Action: Insights from Axiom's First GenAI Pilot
GenAI in Action: Insights from Axiom’s First GenAI Pilot

The powerful combination of Axiom’s legal talent and DraftPilot can streamline the contracting process by up to 60%, delivering exceptional efficiency in issue spotting, redlining, playbook creation, contract summarization, and ad-hoc clause drafting.

DraftPilot is the first in a series of Tech+Talent AI solutions that Axiom is deploying among leading global in-house legal teams today. The goal: to help our clients cut through the AI hype and identify, screen, pilot, and deploy the tools that meet Axiom’s standards for accuracy, trustworthiness, time savings, usability, and risk, so they can be put to work quickly by our clients.

“Our clients need legal AI technology they can trust and that meets extremely high standards for work quality and value,” said Sara Morgan, Chief Talent Officer at Axiom. “That’s what they’ll get with DraftPilot today, backed by Axiom’s 25 years of experience amplifying the success of in-house legal teams. In our testing, we found many legal AI tools often aren’t adopted, don’t fit the team’s workflow, require lots of setup and training, or they’re just too hard for lawyers to use. As the first Axiom-approved AI, our clients can trust that DraftPilot, paired with our high-quality legal AI talent, can meet the contracting challenges posed by high-volume, real-world in-house environments.”

To become an Axiom-approved AI, DraftPilot turned in winning key performance indicators (KPIs) across six measures established by Axiom’s talent and technology teams:

  1. A 40-60% average time savings across routine contract review tasks.
  2. Improved work quality and consistency reported by 89% of attorneys.
  3. Rapid productivity gains with minimal training requirements.
  4. No instances of decreased productivity or work quality.
  5. Successful use across multiple contract types and languages.
  6. Enhanced negotiation outcomes through AI-generated redline justifications.

“The results blew us away,” said C.J. Saretto, Chief Technology Officer at Axiom. “Our legal talent saw up to 60% time-savings on routine contract tasks, and here’s the kicker: work quality went up. Attorneys using DraftPilot reported that the AI was like having an Associate take the first pass on a contract review, removing tedious tasks, and freeing them up to focus on higher-value strategy and negotiation. Our clients can now capitalize on AI-enhanced contract review with DraftPilot, knowing it’s been rigorously field-tested by Axiom attorneys.”

To determine which AI contract review tools were ready for real-world use, Axiom’s talent and technology teams spent eight months designing, developing, and running an evaluation and pilot program that defined crucial performance and usability measures, and established related KPIs, for eight leading legal AI contracting tools. Lawyers at 27 global in-house legal teams were recruited to participate in the real-world testing of the AI tools.

The test criteria for achieving approval included but was not limited to:

  • Reviewing and marking up third-party contracts
  • Letting attorneys verify and edit AI suggestions before they’re applied
  • Converting contract templates into reusable playbooks
  • Availability and number of ready-to-go, customizable playbooks
  • The ability to tailor the review and markup process to attorneys’ work styles
  • An attorney-friendly user interface that needed the least amount of user training
  • Seamless integration with Microsoft Word
  • Passing a thorough rigorous security and privacy compliance review
  • Fast time-to-productivity with minimal training
  • Third-party validation of results by a global legal technology consultancy and research organization.

“Any vendor can demo their AI and make it look impressive,” said Daniel van Binsbergen, DraftPilot CEO. “What sets this offering apart is the RFP and piloting process Axiom put in place. Axiom didn’t just ‘kick the tires,’ but instead selected DraftPilot from a field of well-researched tools to put DraftPilot to work on real client matters. This pilot had real lawyers using production AI in a formal program with defined success metrics, with in-house legal practitioners reporting on the benefits. As a legal technology vendor, being approved and offered by Axiom is a huge win, because it gives us the opportunity to help thousands of corporate legal teams worldwide by boosting their capacity with AI-enhanced contract review.”

DraftPilot is the first in a portfolio of Tech+Talent solutions that Axiom plans to offer across a wide range of use cases where clients leverage Axiom’s legal talent. Axiom will continue to identify, screen, pilot, and deploy additional AI-powered legal technologies once they pass Axiom’s rigorous approval process.

For more information or to talk to an Axiom representative about our AI-enabled legal services and solutions, visit https://www.axiomlaw.com. For more information about Axiom, please visit our website, hear from our experts on the Inside Axiom blog, network with us on LinkedIn, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Related Axiom News

About Axiom

Axiom is where high-caliber legal talent meets full-service law firm work. We invented the alternative legal services industry 25 years ago and now serve more than 3,500 legal departments globally, including 75% of the Fortune 100 who place their trust in Axiom, with 95% client satisfaction. Axiom gives small, mid-market, and enterprise clients a single trusted provider who can deliver a full spectrum of legal solutions and services across more than a dozen practice areas and all major industries at rates up to 50% less than national law firms. To learn how Axiom can help your legal departments do more for less, visit axiomlaw.com.

PDF – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2627340/Axiom_GenAI_In_Action_Insights.pdf

Eason Technology Securres HK $1.5 Million in Funding to Accelerate Blockchain Intellectual Property Protection Development

HONG KONG, Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Eason Technology Limited (“Eason” or the “Company”) (NYSE American: DXF), a company engaged in real estate operation management and investment, and digital technology security business, today announced a transaction in which Renying Capital have invested HK $1.5 million in Hongkong Yiyou Digital Technology Development Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eason Tech, to further the development of blockchain applied to intellectual property protection and media transmission. Renying Capital, the new investor, would own 15% of the total equity interest of Hongkong Yiyou Digital Technology, once delivery is completed. 

Eason’s CEO Stanley commented, “The company focuses on the research and application of blockchain technology, and the company will take the lead in the Asian market in 2025, providing security solutions based on blockchain technology to the owners of copyright and intellectual property rights such as literature, music, film and television, drama, and games,to serve the people with science and technology.”

About Eason Technology Limited

Eason Technology Limited is a company engaged in real estate operation management and investment and digital technology security business in Hong Kong, China.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements made in this release are “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words “estimates,” “projected,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “future,” “propose” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, are the ability to manage growth; ability to identify and integrate other future acquisitions; ability to obtain additional financing in the future to fund capital expenditures; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions; costs or other factors adversely affecting our profitability; litigation involving patents, intellectual property, and other matters; potential changes in the legislative and regulatory environment; a pandemic or epidemic. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Such information speaks only as of the date of this release.

 

OKX’s 28th Consecutive Proof of Reserves: $28.1 bn in Primary Assets, Up 59% Year-on-Year

DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — OKX, a leading crypto exchange, today released its 28th consecutive Proof of Reserves (PoR) report, demonstrating $28.1 billion in primary assets backing customer funds – a 59% increase year-on-year.

The latest PoR report, audited and verified by blockchain security firm Hacken, shows OKX maintains a 1:1 or greater reserve ratio across 22 of the most commonly traded assets on the platform, with current reserve ratios for primary assets standing at:

  • BTC: 104%
  • ETH: 102%
  • USDT: 102%
  • USDC: 100%

Breaking down the $28.1 billion in assets:

  • BTC holdings: $13.2 billion
  • ETH holdings: $4.9 billion
  • USDT holdings: $8.7 billion
  • USDC holdings: $1.3 billion

OKX’s robust security framework builds on this foundation of verifiable truth through multiple layers of protection. The platform features a multi-billion-dollar Insurance Fund*, AI-powered security tools and OKX Protect – an educational hub helping customers implement essential security features. The PoR program continues to be independently verified by third-party auditor Hacken, whose comprehensive methodology includes zk-STARK proofs and signature validation to validate reserve ownership. Its thorough audit process examines public wallet addresses and cryptographic proofs.

Over the past two years, OKX has significantly enhanced its PoR program by optimizing zk-STARK technology, reducing proof file size from 2.55GB to 598KB and expanding verifiable assets to 22 major cryptocurrencies. This combines with state-of-the-art encryption protocols and advanced wallet infrastructure to ensure both security and usability.

For OKX’s full PoR report, visit: okx.com/proof-of-reserves

*Insurance Fund available in specific markets only

For further information, please contact:
Media@okx.com

About OKX

OKX is a technology company with a mission to make blockchain-based assets more accessible. Our pursuit takes us to a decentralized future that makes our world more efficient, transparent and connected.

OKX began as a crypto exchange giving millions of people access to trading and over time became among the largest platforms in the world. In recent years, we have developed one of the most connected onchain wallets used by millions to access decentralized applications (dApps).

OKX is trusted by hundreds of large institutions seeking access to crypto markets on a reliable platform that seamlessly connects with global banking and payments.

Our most well-known products include: OKX Exchange, OKX Wallet, OKX Explorer, OKX OS, OKX Ventures and OKX Institutional. To learn more about OKX, download our app or visit: okx.com

Disclaimer

Keypoint Intelligence Releases New Insights on the Future of the Document Scanner Market

FAIRFIELD, N.J., Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Keypoint Intelligence, a leading provider of digital imaging market research, has released two new reports offering critical insights for the document scanner industry: North American Document Image Scanner Market Estimate: 2024 and Western Europe Document Image Scanner Market Estimate & Forecast: 2024. These reports explore evolving industry trends, shifting customer needs, and competitive developments to help manufacturers and resellers refine their strategies and seize new opportunities.

As businesses increasingly adopt digital workflows, the demand for smarter, faster, and more connected document scanning solutions continues to rise. These reports provide manufacturers and resellers with a clear understanding of market changes and how to position their products for success. “These reports are designed to help scanner manufacturers and resellers navigate an evolving market,” said Mark Davis, Editorial Analyst at Keypoint Intelligence. “By understanding where the industry is headed and what customers prioritize, businesses can make informed product and sales decisions.”

Key insights from the reports:

  • Industry trends: The growing demand for distributed scanning, cloud connectivity, and intelligent automation is reshaping the market.
  • Competitive landscape: A deep dive into key players, emerging brands, and the innovations setting certain products apart.
  • Customer priorities: An analysis of what buyer’s value most, from enhanced security to seamless software integration and ease of use.
  • Future outlook: How AI-driven capture, workflow automation, and remote work trends are shaping purchasing decisions.

For companies looking to fine-tune their market approach, these reports provide essential data and expert analysis to stay ahead of the competition. Covering key trends, competitive insights, and evolving customer priorities, the research offers valuable guidance for manufacturers and resellers aiming to refine their strategies and adapt to market shifts.

To explore the findings in more detail and understand how they can impact business decisions, visit here.

About Keypoint Intelligence

For over 60 years, clients in the digital imaging industry have relied on Keypoint Intelligence for independent hands-on testing, lab data, and extensive market research to drive their product and sales success. Keypoint Intelligence has been recognized as the industry’s most trusted resource for unbiased information, analysis, and awards due to decades of analyst experience.

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Esco Lifesciences Group and Allwin Medical Devices Announce Strategic Partnership


SINGAPORE and ANAHEIM, USA – Media Outreach Newswire – 25 February 2025 – Allwin Medical Devices Inc. (“Allwin”), a leading manufacturer of a wide range of medical devices addressing women’s health (IVF), urology, gastroenterology and interventional radiology has partnered with Esco, a leading global provider of life sciences equipment that serves multiple global markets including the in vitro fertilization (IVF) market, via a strategic partnership. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Esco Lifesciences Group and Allwin Medical Deal Signing, 13 February 2025
Esco Lifesciences Group and Allwin Medical Deal Signing, 13 February 2025

Strategic Partnership Rationale

  • The IVF consumables portfolio of Allwin Medical will expand Esco’s IVF instrument portfolio, and the combined product portfolio will have a complementary balance between consumables and instruments.
  • IVF clinicians and embryologists who use either Allwin’s consumables or Esco’s time lapse or standard IVF incubators will have access to a more complete workflow solution.
  • The strong sales and operational presence of Allwin Medical in India will serve Esco well by providing the company with an established base and strong presence in the country, one of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world.
  • Most significantly, the management and personnel of Allwin Medical have demonstrated exceptional talent, acumen, and expertise in the IVF consumables market. Their ongoing contributions to the advancement and success of Allwin Medical is highly valued.

XQ Lin, Chief Executive Officer of Esco, said, “Infertility is a problem that has social, psychological, and economic impacts to the afflicted individuals and couples. It has been estimated that 1 in 6 couples will struggle with infertility at least once in their lifetime. This transaction brings together two companies intent on accelerating innovation for our IVF customers and enabling dreams of couples around the world. Through Esco Medical, our IVF medical devices business unit, Esco Lifesciences Group provides comprehensive ART workflow solutions to IVF clinics, laboratories, and research centers worldwide. Our integrated portfolio, including Time-Lapse Incubators, IVF Workstations, and a witnessing and traceability system designed in Denmark and manufactured in Europe, streamlines processes and optimizes outcomes. With our majority stake, strategic investment in Allwin, we will be in a strong position to fulfill our companies’ missions of enabling our customers to make the world healthier, more equitable, and resilient.”

Dhiren Mehta, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Allwin Medical, noted, “Allwin’s mission since our inception has been to deliver high quality, innovative, and reliable product to laboratories in the IVF/ART and urology markets. We enable our customers to deliver better outcomes to patients globally. By partnering with Esco, we expect to be well-positioned to better serve our customers’ needs worldwide. With Allwin we All Win!”

Dr. Amit Kakar, Managing Partner and Head of Asia at Novo Holdings, and a member of Esco’s Board of Directors, added, “Novo Holdings has been a strong supporter of Esco since our investment in 2021. The strategic investment in Allwin provides a meaningful growth opportunity for Esco. We are confident that the partnership with the Allwin team and expansion of Esco’s presence in IVF consumables and India will serve both companies well.”

Advisors
Forvis Mazars served as exclusive financial advisor to the Esco Lifesciences Group. IndusLaw and Finn Dixon & Herling LLP served as legal advisors to the Esco Lifesciences Group. Confluentia Advisors served as exclusive financial advisor to Allwin Medical. Khaitan & Co and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP served as legal advisors to Allwin Medical.

Hashtag: #EscoLifesciencesGroup #EscoMedical #Esco #AllwinMedical #Allwin #StrategicInvestment #IVF #MedicalDevices #AssistedReproductionTechnlogies







The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Allwin Medical

Allwin Medical is a leading manufacturer of a wide range of medical devices including Women’s Health (IVF) and Urology. Headquartered in Anaheim, California, USA, the company is committed to providing its customers with high quality devices. Its products are sold in 90+ countries globally through a network of 100+ distributors that cater to global markets. Within India, 100+ dealers support and promote sales for the Indian market. Founded in 2006 by Dhiren Mehta who has more than 35+ years of experience in the medical device industry, the company has exhibited consistent and strong growth.

For more information about Allwin Medical:

About Esco Lifesciences Group

Esco Lifesciences Group is a world-leading manufacturer of laboratory, pharmaceutical equipment, bioprocess tools and IVF medical devices, delivering sustainable workflow solutions to advance global health. Since 1978, the Singapore-based company is committed to excellence, ensuring forward-thinking technology, responsive support, and reliability, making Esco a trusted partner for the life science and medical markets in more than 150 countries.

Esco, through its business unit Esco Medical, leads in delivering comprehensive workflow solutions for assisted reproduction technologies (ART) to IVF clinics, laboratories, and research centers worldwide.

For more information about Esco Lifesciences Group:

MediBeacon® Transdermal GFR System receives device approval in China

Peer-reviewed articles on MediBeacon technology published

  • Transdermal GFR System (TGFR) is a first-in-kind product for point of care assessment of kidney function in patients with normal or impaired renal function.
  • The Clinical Kidney Journal in February published MediBeacon study results on measured GFR (mGFR) using relmapirazin versus estimated GFR (eGFR) for the purpose of classifying patient Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) stages.
  • MediBeacon TGFR study results have been posted online in the February ahead of print section in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MediBeacon Inc. today announced the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China has approved the MediBeacon® TGFR Monitor and TGFR Sensor for the assessment of kidney function in patients with normal or impaired renal function. Lumitrace® (relmapirazin) injection, categorized as a drug in China, is under review and is targeted for approval in late 2025. The transdermal GFR technology includes Lumitrace (relmapirazin) injection, a non-radioactive, non-iodinated fluorescent GFR tracer agent, which together with the TGFR Monitor and TGFR Sensor allow assessment of kidney function by measuring the clearance rate of the fluorescent agent as it leaves the body.

In 2021, the NMPA granted the TGFR Innovative Medical Device Designation. Only 10% of applications are granted this designation. Benefits of this registration route including early product promotion are considerable.

In February, the Clinical Kidney Journal published MediBeacon data in an article on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) stage misclassification via estimated GFR (eGFR) compared to measured GFR (mGFR) using relmapirazin. In a stable CKD population, more than one-third of the subjects had an actual mGFR (relmapirazin) that differed by at least one CKD stage from their estimated GFR (eGFR).1  Relmapirazin is indicated for use with the TGFR.

“The Clinical Kidney Journal study raises serious concerns about how chronic kidney disease is diagnosed today,” said Dr. Ira Kurtz, Chief of the Division of Nephrology at UCLA Medical Center. “Researchers found that current eGFR methods misclassified 35% of patients, leading to potentially incorrect treatments and delayed interventions.”

In the February ahead of print section in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), MediBeacon clinical study data from the use of transdermal detection of relmapirazin in patients with normal to impaired kidney function across a range of skin color types was posted online.2 JASN publishes high-impact research to advance the understanding and treatment of kidney diseases.3

In addition to his leadership role at UCLA Medical Center, Dr. Kurtz is active in the development of an artificial kidney and artificial intelligence in the training and practice of nephrology.

Dr. Kurtz commented that: “The study in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology introduces a wearable, transdermal device that assesses GFR without the need for blood samples. The fluorescence-based test, developed by MediBeacon, demonstrated an exceptional correlation (r² = 0.90) with plasma mGFR across all skin types, paving the way for more equitable and accurate kidney function assessment. These two new studies have reshaped the landscape of kidney disease diagnostics, offering both a cutting-edge innovation and a stark warning about current practices. The findings underscore the urgent need for improved kidney function assessment tools, with non-invasive, point of care GFR measurement emerging as a game-changing solution.”

“Awareness of kidney disease is relatively low despite the fact that it is the 7th leading risk factor for mortality worldwide.4 MediBeacon is pleased to have the opportunity to aid in the assessment of kidney function in China,” said Steve Hanley CEO of MediBeacon. “NMPA approval is the culmination of a rigorous device application process that required close collaboration of the MediBeacon and Huadong Medicine teams. We look forward to the next phase of our partnership with Huadong Medicine and eagerly anticipate Lumitrace approval in China later this year.”

The TGFR, which includes Lumitrace (relmapirazin), was approved on January 17th by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). MediBeacon continues development of future TGFR products including a next-generation TGFR Sensor with updated software and algorithms.

About MediBeacon Inc.
MediBeacon is a medical technology company specializing in the advancement of fluorescent tracer agents and their transdermal detection. MediBeacon’s use of proprietary fluorescent tracer agents coupled with transdermal detection technology focuses on providing vital and actionable measurement of organ function. MediBeacon owns over 55 granted U.S. patents and over 215 granted patents worldwide that provide extensive coverage of the MediBeacon® TGFR, including Lumitrace® injection, the sensor and algorithms, as well as other strategic uses of its proprietary pyrazine platform and sensor technology. The TGFR is approved for human use. Potential technology applications in gastroenterology, ophthalmology and surgery are in various stages of clinical development. MediBeacon is based in St. Louis, Missouri, with additional operations in Mannheim, Germany. For more information, please visit: www.medibeacon.com.

About Lumitrace® (relmapirazin) injection
Relmapirazin is a non-radioactive, non-iodinated pyrazine-based compound, which has been engineered to be inert, highly fluorescent, and have the clearance properties of a GFR tracer agent in the body. The unique photophysical characteristics of Lumitrace have been designed to enable the collection of fluorescence data via a photodetector sensor placed on the skin. Data collected by the sensor measures the change in the intensity of Lumitrace fluorescence over time and is converted into a transdermal GFR (tGFR) by proprietary algorithms. In a phase 2 investigational study mGFR deduced from Lumitrace matched that of mGFR deduced from iohexol over a range of GFR values. See the peer reviewed article published in the October 2024 issue of Kidney International by Dorshow et al.5

About MediBeacon® Transdermal GFR System (TGFR) 
The TGFR is comprised of the TGFR Sensor, TGFR Monitor, and Lumitrace® (relmapirazin), which together allow assessment of kidney function by measuring the clearance rate of the fluorescent agent as it leaves the body. The system records Lumitrace fluorescence intensity transdermally as a function of time via a sensor placed on the skin. The TGFR Sensor records 2.5 fluorescent readings per second and the TGFR Monitor will display the average session tGFR reading at the patient’s bedside or in the outpatient setting.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR TGFR (U.S. FDA)

Indication for Use:
The MediBeacon® Transdermal GFR System (TGFR) is intended to assess the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) in adult patients with impaired or normal renal function by noninvasively monitoring fluorescent light emission from an exogenous tracer agent over time. This device has been validated in patients with stable renal function.

The MediBeacon® TGFR is not approved for use in patients with GFR <15 ml/min/1.73 m2, GFR >120 ml/min/1.73m2, patients on dialysis, or anuric patients. The use of this device in patients with dynamic and rapidly changing renal function has not been validated. This device is not intended to diagnose acute kidney injury (AKI).

The MediBeacon® TGFR Sensor and exogenous tracer agent, Lumitrace® injection, are single use and are only used with the MediBeacon® TGFR.

The MediBeacon® TGFR Sensor is a single use device intended to attach to the patient’s skin and excite fluorescence in Lumitrace® injection, the tracer agent, and measure the returning light intensity. The data is sent to the MediBeacon® TGFR Monitor.

Lumitrace® is an injectable exogenous fluorescent tracer indicated for use with the MediBeacon® Transdermal GFR System (TGFR) for Glomerular Filtration Rate assessment.

Contraindications:
There are no known contraindications.

Warnings and Precautions:

  • See ifu.medibeacon.com for full instructions, warnings, and cautions.
  • In clinical studies no serious or severe adverse events have been observed.
  • Lumitrace® injection has light absorbance at 266nm and 435nm, and broad fluorescent emission at ~560nm when excited at ~440nm. Any drug activated at these wavelengths should not be used in conjunction with Lumitrace.
  • Lumitrace injection may interfere with clinical laboratory tests. DO NOT ADMINISTER if the patient is expected to need clinical laboratory testing while Lumitrace is present in their system (up to 72 hours for renally-impaired patients). The presence of Lumitrace decreased B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) results by around 20% in limited testing.
  • Bolus infusions may impact the GFR assessment temporarily while the vasculature-tissue equilibrium is re-established.
  • During a TGFR session, the patient should be as still as possible, especially during the “Establishing Baseline” stage. The current system is designed to compensate for light activity such as reading or eating after the Baseline stage.

1 CKD stage misclassification between estimated GFR and measured GFR in a clinical study of chronic kidney patients, Clinical Kidney Journal,  Dorshow, Richard B. et al., 2025 Jan 9;18(2):sfaf006. DOI: 10.1093/ckj/sfaf006
2 Glomerular Filtration Rate Measurement Utilizing Transdermal Detection Methodology, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), Dorshow, Richard B. et al., February 7, 2025, DOI: 10.1681/ASN.0000000639
3 https://www.asn-online.org/publications/
4 Chronic kidney disease and the global public health agenda: an international consensus, Nature Reviews Nephrology, 20, 473-485 (2024), doi.org/10.1038/s41581-024-00820-6
5 Clinical validation of the novel fluorescent glomerular filtration rate tracer agent relmapirazin (MB-102), Kidney International, Volume 106, Issue 4, P679-687, October 2024, DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2024.06.012

Gaudio Lab Returns to SXSW with an Immersive “Audio-Driven Campsite” Experience

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Gaudio Lab, a leading innovator in AI-powered audio and spatial sound technology, will return to SXSW 2025, unveiling an immersive “audio-driven campsite” experience. This marks the company’s second consecutive year at SXSW, reinforcing its position as a global pioneer in cutting-edge AI audio solutions.

Step inside the sound by Gaudio Lab. (SXSW EXPO #1124)
Step inside the sound by Gaudio Lab. (SXSW EXPO #1124)

For this year’s showcase, Gaudio Lab will introduce a fully immersive spatial audio experience, demonstrating its proprietary binaural rendering technology—a solution recognized as an ISO/IEC MPEG-H international standard. The company will also present its latest advancements in AI-driven noise removal, vocal isolation, and automated background music replacement technology, which serve industries ranging from entertainment and gaming to automotive and content distribution.

SXSW: A Global Stage for Innovation

SXSW, which began as a regional music festival in Austin, Texas, in 1987, has grown into one of the most influential global platforms for technology, film, music, education, and culture. Known for showcasing breakthrough innovations, the event attracts industry leaders, investors, and media from around the world.

At SXSW 2024, Gaudio Lab was named a Finalist in the SXSW Innovation Awards, highlighting its real-time AI noise removal technology, Just Voice. The company now returns to the global stage with an even more immersive and interactive experience.

Bringing Sound to Life: The Audio-Driven Campsite

At SXSW EXPO Booth #1124, Gaudio Lab will unveil an interactive spatial audio experience, transforming its exhibition space into a campsite where sound becomes the key storytelling element. Using 360-degree binaural rendering, the company’s technology creates a hyper-realistic three-dimensional audio environment, allowing visitors to experience sound with unparalleled depth and immersion.

Designed to showcase next-generation spatial audio applications, this experience demonstrates how sound positioning and depth can enhance media consumption, gaming, and extended reality (XR) content.

AI-Driven Innovation: Beyond Spatial Audio

In addition to its spatial sound technology, Gaudio Lab is expanding its portfolio with AI-powered solutions designed to streamline audio processing across industries. The company will introduce Gaudio Music Replacement, an AI-driven tool that automatically detects and seamlessly replaces copyrighted background music in content, resolving music licensing challenges with minimal manual intervention. Already adopted by major Korean broadcasters, this solution enables fast and efficient global content localization and distribution for film, television, and streaming media.

Gaudio Lab’s expertise in real-time noise removal, audio enhancement, and AI vocal separation positions it as a key player in the evolving audio technology landscape.

Shaping the Future of Audio at SXSW

“SXSW is a hub for innovation, making it the ideal stage for Gaudio Lab to showcase our latest advancements,” said Henney Oh, CEO of Gaudio Lab. “This year, we are excited to present an experience that redefines how people interact with sound—delivering a level of immersion that goes beyond traditional audio technology.”

Gaudio Lab’s immersive experience will be open to SXSW attendees from March 9–12 at SXSW EXPO Booth #1124.

About Gaudio Lab

Gaudio Lab is a leading AI audio technology start-up that was founded in 2015 following the company’s spatial audio technology for headphones was adopted as the binaural renderer for the ISO/IEC MPEG-H Audio standard in 2014. Ever since its establishment, the company has worked to develop technologies to deliver superior audio experiences wherever there is sound, gaining the attention and support from top global strategic investors such as Softbank Ventures, Samsung Venture Investment and Naver Corp. Across and between reality and virtual reality, Gaudio Lab’s solutions will continue to provide optimized audio on a diverse range of platforms such as earbuds, smartphones, VOD, VR/AR, theaters, automotives and more. Gaudio Lab secured two consecutive CES Innovation Awards (2024/2023), finalist nominated for the SXSW Innovation Award (2024), adopted the ANSI/CTA international standard (2022), and obtained recognition through the adoption of the ISO/IEC MPEG-H international standard (2018, 2013). The company was also honored with the VR Awards for the Best VR Innovation Company in London (2017).