HANGZHOU, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 30 June 2026 - The inaugural AI+OPC Innovation and Development Conference was held from June 29 to 30 in Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province. Centered on one-person company (OPC), a new form of smart economy in the AI era, the conference program comprised one opening ceremony and two parallel breakout sessions.

It gathered around 400 delegates from government departments, industry associations, financial institutions, AI enterprises and OPC startup operators across the country. Participants exchanged insights on AI innovation pathways and cross-industry integration strategies, injecting strong impetus into Hangzhou's ambition to develop a national benchmark hub for AI+OPC entrepreneurship.

A series of key launches and milestone ceremonies took place during the opening segment. Official releases included the 2026 national OPC development observation report, Hangzhou's 2026?2028 action plan and supporting policies to build a national AI+OPC entrepreneurship hub, and a catalog of actionable AI+OPC application scenarios. Attendees also received an in-depth interpretation of the specifications for AI-enabled OPC community services and evaluation.

The ceremony featured multiple landmark initiatives: plaque awarding for Hangzhou's priority AI+OPC incubation communities and dedicated observation sites, the official launch of the AI+OPC Community Alliance initiative, and a kickoff marking the official construction of the national AI+OPC entrepreneurship hub.

The open forum session featured keynote speeches from distinguished industry and academic leaders. Speakers included Pan Yunhe, former executive vice president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and professor at Zhejiang University; Liang Gui, former executive vice governor of Jiangxi Province and ex-director of the Torch High Technology Industry Development Center under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology; and Zou Ling, head of Hong Hub, Shangcheng District's single-member unicorn startup acceleration community, who shared cutting-edge insights from varied perspectives.

A panel dialogue followed, bringing together representatives from Moshu OPC Community (Beijing E-Town), the School of Future Science and Engineering at Soochow University, Qingju Hub ? Future Digital Intelligence Port (Shangcheng District), and Puhua Capital for in-depth industry exchanges.

Complementary concurrent events held throughout the conference included an OPC capital-industry matchmaking salon, a symposium on industry-education integration for AI-powered OPC sectors, and a national exchange forum for AI+OPC community practitioners.

OPC has emerged as a vibrant new engine driving economic vitality and underpinning high-quality development. Against the backdrop of a new development era, the inaugural Hangzhou AI+OPC Innovation and Development Conference unites OPC innovators nationwide.

Drawing on the creative energy of millions of independent super-individual operators, the event delivers sustained digital momentum to fuel Hangzhou's super-individual economy, while rolling out replicable local practices and actionable Hangzhou solutions to advance high-quality growth of smart economies nationwide.

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

At a glance

*Passengers up. 5 billion globally in 2025, from 4.8 billion in 2024.

*Mishandling down. Rate fell 23% to 4.9 per 1,000 passengers; total volumes fell 19% to 24 million bags. Both are now below pre-pandemic levels.

*Cost to the industry. $6.3 billion in 2025, equal to about 15% of total airline industry profit.

*New cost benchmark. $260 per mishandled bag on average, replacing the long-cited and outdated $150 figure.

GENEVA, June 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In 2025, the industry made its strongest progress outside the pandemic, even as passenger numbers rise. Mishandled baggage rates dropped 23%, a sign that digital transformation efforts are taking hold, according to the 2026 SITA Baggage IT Insights Report, the 20th annual edition of the industry benchmark.

But the bigger story is not just improvement. It's the gap that remains. Mishandling still costs the industry $6.3 billion annually. Each bag carries an average cost of $260. With net profit averaging just $8 per passenger, one mishandled bag wipes out the profit from more than 30 seats sold, and five erase the profit of an entire flight.

Passenger volumes are rising faster than the infrastructure designed to handle them. In 2025 alone, 5 billion passengers traveled globally, yet 24 million bags were still mishandled. Across the longer term, mishandling has fallen by close to three-quarters since 2007.

What changed in 2025 was not one technology, but a shift in how systems connect: real-time data sharing, AI routing, biometric bag drop, and connected passenger devices.

"Baggage is shifting from a logistical problem to a digital service," said Nicole Hogg, Portfolio Director Baggage, SITA. "Passengers expect to know where their bag is at every moment, and they're increasingly willing to help us track it. The next phase is about bringing the technology we already have to every transfer, every handler and every airport offering greater visibility and connecting every step of the journey. That's how the industry earns the trust passengers now expect."

Real-world results show the formula at work. Apple's Find My integration with SITA WorldTracer cut permanently lost luggage by 90% in its first year and shortened delayed-bag recovery by 26%. SITA also recently integrated Google's Find Hub share item location feature into WorldTracer. Thai Airways, using SITA's Auto Reflight, compressed a three-minute task to a single second per bag across nine airports.

David Lavorel, CEO at SITA, said: "Airports are operating closer to their physical limits every year, and the answer isn't always more concrete. Data, AI and predictive operations let us get more out of the airport we already have, at check-in, security, the gate, on the apron and in baggage halls. Baggage shows the formula works. Solutions such as Total Airport Management take the same approach across the whole lifecycle, so airports can absorb growth without expanding their footprint."

The report pinpoints where the next gains can come from. Delayed bags account for around 70% of the total cost, most of it operational, in recovery, rerouting and delivery. For lost or damaged bags, up to 70% of the cost is compensation. Transfers remain the core mishandling driver at 39% of cases in 2025, down from 41% the year before.

The trajectory is clear. Three in four airlines plan to invest in AI over the next two years. Half plan to give passengers real-time baggage updates. Industry-wide baggage tracking under IATA Resolution 753 has now passed the 50% mark, with full compliance targeted for 2027. The next horizon is already on the runway: tagging bags at home, leaving bags in the car, and bags that don't need to fly on the same aircraft as the passenger.

Read the report. The SITA 2026 Baggage IT Insights Report is available at https://www.sita.aero/resources/surveys-reports/sita-baggage-it-insights/

About SITA

SITA is the air transport industry's tech engine, making travel safer, easier, and more sustainable for everyone. From the earliest days of commercial aviation to today's digital frontiers, SITA has been there, connecting the industry and helping it evolve through every leap forward.

With around 2,500 customers, SITA technology supports over 1,000 airports and more than 19,600 aircraft worldwide. It also helps over 70 governments strike the balance between secure borders and seamless journeys. Behind the scenes, SITA bridges 45?50% of the industry's data exchange, enabling a highly complex global network to operate smoothly and reliably, every step of the way.

SITA is transforming fast. From advanced self-service and operations control to airport design and digital borders, it is shaping the next generation of travel through key acquisitions like Materna IPS, ASISTIM, and CCM. It is also expanding beyond aviation with initiatives such as SmartSea, bringing its trusted technologies to cruise, rail, and urban air mobility.

This transformation is about more than new products. SITA is investing in the right skills, tools, and partnerships to help the industry move with greater intelligence and agility, bringing together smart systems, seamless data, and sustainable innovation. Because as global travel surges, flow is everything.

As part of our bold climate strategy, SITA is cutting emissions by 4.2% each year and targeting net zero by 2050. SITA's science-based targets are validated by the SBTi, and its growing portfolio is helping customers reduce their own carbon footprints too.

Owned by the industry and driven by its needs, SITA operates in more than 200 countries and territories.

Find out more at www.sita.aero

Contact: media.relations@sita.aero  

Cobirgy will be one of the largest biogas plants in Spain. Construction will start in the second half of 2026, with operations expected by the end of 2028

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), through its Advanced Bioenergy Fund I (ABF I), has reached final investment decision (FID) on what will be one of Spain's largest biogas plants, Cobirgy, located in La Sentiu de Si?, Lerida (Catalonia). The Cobirgy plant is ABF I's fifth investment and its third outside Denmark. ABF I is thus well on track to deploy the fund's EUR 727 million of committed capital.

With an estimated annual biomethane production of more than 230 GWh, Cobirgy is expected to have the highest biomethane output of any biogas plant in Spain to date, along with the production of approximately 150,000 tonnes of soil improver and organic fertiliser products per year. Using state-of-the-art technology, the plant will contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and local nitrate pollution.

The Cobirgy biogas plant has been designated a Strategic Business Project by the Government of Catalonia and is supported with a CAPEX grant from the Catalonian government, underpinning its national and regional importance.

Thomas Dalsgaard, Partner at CIP and Lead Partner for ABF, says of the new investment: "We are excited to enter the Spanish bioenergy market with Cobirgy, ABF's first investment in Spain. It is an important step for the fund and will make a significant contribution to Spain's energy security and decarbonisation, create local jobs and drive investments across the agricultural sector and surrounding rural communities. We look forward to progressing the project and entering the construction phase in close collaboration with local farmers, development partners and authorities."

Once fully operational, Cobirgy will process up to 500,000 tonnes of feedstock annually, converting agricultural and industrial organic waste into biomethane, which will play a crucial role in strengthening Spain's energy independence and green transition. More than 350 local farmers have already formally joined the project, ensuring that over 80% of the slurry will come from farms located within a 15-kilometre radius.

Notes to Editors

Media Contact

E-mail: media@cip.com

About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners

Founded in 2012, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S (CIP) is a global fund manager and leading investor in energy infrastructure. CIP builds value that matters by developing and constructing critical infrastructure projects that shape the future of energy.

Through its funds, CIP invests in power generation (solar and wind), energy storage, transmission and distribution, advanced bioenergy, low-carbon fuels and carbon capture.

With 15 funds currently under management, CIP is trusted by over 200 of the world's largest and most sophisticated institutions, having raised EUR -37 billion to date. CIP has projects in more than 30 countries, with presence on the ground through a network of +2,300 professionals.

For more information, visit www.cip.com.  

Three-year collaboration to broaden access to economic research through the What Economists Really Do webinar series

LONDON, June 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EBC Financial Group (EBC) has renewed its strategic partnership with the Department of Economics at the University of Oxford for a further three years, extending a collaboration that helps bring economic research to wider public audiences around the world.

As part of the renewed partnership, EBC will sponsor one annual edition of the Department's What Economists Really Do webinar series, helping to share economic research and insights with students, researchers, alumni and wider public audiences. To help extend the reach of the webinar, selected insights and discussion points will also be adapted into short social media videos, offering accessible summaries of key ideas for wider online audiences.

Since the partnership began, EBC-sponsored editions of What Economists Really Do have explored a range of pressing global issues, including tax evasion, climate change, and financial literacy. Each webinar typically attracts around 200 live attendees. Together, the recorded sessions have generated more than 3,600 views and generated over 270 hours of watch time, demonstrating sustained audience engagement beyond the live events themselves.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to widening access to economic knowledge and supporting informed public engagement with economic issues, while fostering informed discussion on topics ranging from macroeconomic policy and financial markets to regulation and global economic development.

It also supports the Department's wider commitment to public engagement by helping make academic research accessible beyond the university community.

This initiative forms part of EBC's broader commitment to corporate social responsibility, focused on removing barriers to education and fostering long-term societal impact. By connecting academic excellence with real-world application, EBC continues to support wider access to economic education and public engagement.

"In today's rapidly evolving global economy, access to reliable financial knowledge is more important than ever. Our continued partnership with the Department of Economics at the University of Oxford reflects EBC's commitment to empowering individuals with the insights and tools needed to make informed decisions, while supporting the development of future talent that will shape the financial systems of tomorrow," said Christopher Stiegeler, Executive Director, EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited.

Stiegeler added, "Beyond our partnership with the Department of Economics at Oxford, EBC continues to champion financial education among the next generation through on-campus initiatives, academic collaborations, and memorandums of understanding with institutions worldwide. These collaborations include the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the International University of Ulaanbaatar (IUU), Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (Tecnol?gico de Monterrey), Escuela Bancaria y Comercial in Mexico, and the Autonomous University of Bucaramanga (UNAB). Our teams are also actively exploring similar partnerships with additional institutions of higher learning globally."

Professor Johannes Abeler, Head of the Department of Economics at the University of Oxford, commented: "Public engagement and education are central to the Department's mission. Through initiatives such as What Economists Really Do, we seek to show how economics can contribute to better policy and a deeper understanding of the issues shaping our world. We are pleased to continue our partnership with EBC Financial Group, whose support helps us broaden access to economic knowledge and extend the reach of our educational activities to new audiences around the world."

Over the next three years, the partnership will continue to connect academic research with wider public audiences, helping ensure that economic insights remain accessible, relevant and impactful in an increasingly complex global environment.

Risk Disclaimer

Trading foreign exchange (FX) and contracts for differences (CFDs) on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Losses can exceed deposits. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Please consider your investment objectives and risk tolerance carefully before trading.

The University of Oxford and its Department of Economics do not endorse or recommend any commercial products or services offered by EBC Financial Group. This partnership is solely focused on educational initiatives and public outreach.

About EBC Financial Group 

Founded in London, EBC Financial Group (EBC) is a global brand known for its expertise in financial brokerage and asset management. Through its regulated entities operating across major financial jurisdictions-including the UK, Australia, the Cayman Islands, Mauritius, and others-EBC enables retail, professional, and institutional investors to access global markets and trading opportunities, including currencies, commodities, CFDs and more.

Trusted by investors in more than 100 countries, EBC has received industry recognition through awards including Best Trading Platform and Most Trusted Broker, as well as multiple honours from World Finance. With its strong regulatory standing and commitment to transparency, EBC is trusted by retail, professional and institutional investors worldwide for its secure and client-focused trading solutions."

EBC's subsidiaries are licensed and regulated within their respective jurisdictions. EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA); EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd, and EBC Asset Management Pty Ltd are regulated by Australia's Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC); EBC Financial (MU) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission Mauritius (FSC).

At the core of EBC are a team of industry veterans with over 40 years of experience in major financial institutions. Having navigated key economic cycles from the Plaza Accord and 2015 Swiss franc crisis to the market upheavals of the COVID-19 pandemic. We foster a culture where integrity, respect, and client asset security are paramount, ensuring that every investor relationship is handled with the utmost seriousness it deserves.

EBC is a proud official foreign exchange partner of FC Barcelona and continues to drive impactful partnerships to empower communities - namely through the UN Foundation's United to Beat Malaria initiative, Oxford University's Department of Economics, and a diverse range of partners to champion initiatives in global health, economics, education, and sustainability.

https://www.ebc.com/

Media Contact: 

Aldric Tinker Toyad

Global PR Lead

aldric.tinker@ebc.com

Faiz Alavi Sulaiman

Senior PR Executive

faiz.sulaiman@ebc.com 

Platform-agnostic integration capabilities help manufacturers unlock more value from existing data and analytics investments 

STOCKHOLM, June 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Syncron, a global leader in intelligent aftermarket solutions, today announced new integration capabilities that enable manufacturers to connect Syncron's aftermarket intelligence with leading enterprise data platforms, including Snowflake, Databricks, and customer-hosted environments.

Reflecting Syncron's platform-agnostic approach, the new data exchange capability allows manufacturers to work directly with Syncron's aftermarket data in their analytics environment of choice without duplicating or moving it between systems, eliminating the need for custom pipelines, helping reduce integration overhead and costs, and enabling analytics and data science teams to move more quickly from idea to production.

Manufacturers have invested heavily in enterprise data platforms, analytics initiatives, and AI capabilities. Yet many still struggle to apply those investments to the aftermarket, where specialized decisioning, workflows, and domain expertise are required to turn data into operational outcomes. Syncron's integration capabilities help bridge that gap, making it easier to connect aftermarket intelligence with the broader enterprise data ecosystem and accelerate the journey from insight to action.

"Our goal isn't to replace the investments our customers have made in enterprise data platforms, analytics, and AI, but to make them more valuable," said Daniel Shearly, Chief Product Officer at Syncron. "By connecting our aftermarket intelligence with their existing data, models, and analytics ecosystems, customers can combine their own data science capabilities with our deep aftermarket expertise, workflows, and decisioning to improve pricing, inventory, and warranty management."

Manufacturers can access Syncron's aftermarket intelligence directly from their analytics platform, enrich it with external signals and proprietary models, and write enriched outputs back into Syncron's pricing, inventory, and warranty applications. This allows them to combine enterprise analytics with Syncron's purpose-built aftermarket workflows and decisioning capabilities, turning insights into operational action.

Built on Syncron's cloud-native architecture and supported by AWS infrastructure, the capabilities provide enterprise-grade scalability, security, and performance.

A leading global construction equipment manufacturer is among the early adopters using the platform's data exchange capabilities to connect its analytics environment to Syncron's inventory replenishment solution and accelerate the work of its data science teams.

"The manufacturers who will lead in aftermarket are those who can move fastest from data to decision," says Josh Weiss, CEO, Syncron. "What we are enabling is a governed, bidirectional relationship between Syncron and the broader enterprise data ecosystem - so Syncron serves as the system of record for aftermarket intelligence, while ensuring that intelligence can be put to work through the workflows and decisions that drive aftermarket performance."

The same infrastructure provides a foundation for Syncron's solution partner ecosystem to build specialist capabilities, such as industry-specific planning modules, extended pricing logic, and reporting packages, directly on top of Syncron's aftermarket data products, serving use cases and geographies where deeper domain focus creates additional value.

The announcement reflects Syncron's commitment to an open, interoperable aftermarket ecosystem, helping manufacturers connect their aftermarket operations to the broader enterprise data landscape and unlock more value from the technologies they already use.

About Syncron 

Syncron is the aftermarket growth platform for the world's leading manufacturers. Trusted by customers across more than 80 countries, Syncron powers commercial success in the aftermarket with connected solutions - from service supply chain to parts and service pricing and warranty management. Global heavy equipment and automotive brands rely on Syncron to drive revenue, grow margins, and boost customer outcomes across the service lifecycle. For more, visit www.syncron.com.

Media Contact 

KC Crabtree 

karen.crabtree@syncron.com 

+1 206.949.2551 

BEIJING, June 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CGTN has published an article exploring the values embodied by the July 1 Medal. Through the stories of this year's recommended nominees, the article highlights how generations of the Communist Party of China (CPC) members have remained rooted among the people, dedicated themselves to public service, and carried forward the Party's founding spirit.

When residents in Chongqing's Guanyinqiao Subdistrict face a neighborhood dispute, many offer the same answer when asked whom to turn to: "Go to Lao Ma."

"Lao Ma" is Ma Shanxiang, a 69-year-old Communist Party of China (CPC) member, who has spent more than three decades mediating conflicts in the community. His work has filled more than 280 notebooks, totaling over nine million Chinese characters, documenting thousands of stories of patience, understanding and reconciliation. Over the years, he has received more than 20,000 visits from residents and successfully mediated more than 2,500 disputes.

Ma is among the recommended nominees for the July 1 Medal, the CPC's highest honor, ahead of a gathering marking the Party's 105th founding anniversary on Wednesday (July 1). At the event, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, will confer the medal on model Party members and deliver an important speech.

One detail of the medal reflects the values it represents. Unlike China's national medals, which are worn on metal chains, the July 1 Medal features a woven fabric ribbon - a design personally proposed by President Xi. Modest rather than ornate, it symbolizes that the Party's highest honor belongs to those who come from the people, remain rooted among the people and devote themselves to serving them.

Rooted among the people

Xi has described July 1 Medal recipients as "everyday heroes" who "come from the people and are rooted among the people."

The list of this year's recommended nominees reflects that idea. Though they come from different professions, they share one defining quality: years - often decades - of quiet dedication in places where they are needed most.

Like Ma, Wu Yaqin, a community Party chief, has spent three decades in grassroots governance, resolving more than 1,000 community disputes. Rural doctor Uhas Sulayman has recorded more than 100,000 patient visits, saved thousands of critically ill patients and delivered more than 3,200 babies. Village Party secretary Li Liancheng led Xixinzhuang Village from poverty to national recognition as a model village. First-class Merit Hero Wang Yuchang quietly continued serving the people after leaving the military.

The same spirit also shines through scientific innovation. Petroleum refining expert Chen Junwu devoted his life to advancing China's refining industry and was still reviewing carbon-emissions reports in his final days. Zhong Jue, the 89-year-old academician, has spent a lifetime helping China overcome key technological bottlenecks in aluminum manufacturing. Agricultural expert Zhao Yafu has spent more than 60 years promoting modern farming in hilly regions, helping farmers increase their incomes by more than 30 billion yuan ($4.2 billion).

Passing on the Party's founding spirit

The July 1 Medal is not only a tribute to exemplary Party members, but also a way to inspire others to uphold the Party's founding spirit.

Xi has called on Party members in the new era to carry forward the Party's founding spirit, stay true to the Party's original aspiration and founding mission, and fulfill their responsibilities with dedication.

Many recommended nominees have already turned personal commitment into a shared cause.

Uhas's volunteer medical team continues to expand across China's border regions. Wu has established a training platform for grassroots governance, mentoring nearly 30,000 community workers. Zhong, meanwhile, still works alongside younger researchers to tackle new technological challenges while mentoring students and supporting those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Ma believes his work is far from finished. After retiring, he was rehired to lead the "Lao Ma Studio," a grassroots dispute mediation organization, nurturing a team of more than 80,000 volunteer mediators, affectionately known as the "Little Mas."

Though nearing 70, he says the cause of people's mediation is only beginning. Borrowing Xi's analogy of a relay race, he sees his role today as not only running his own leg well, but helping the "Little Mas" carry the baton into the future.

When the July 1 Medals are conferred on Wednesday, the spotlight will fall on a group of "everyday heroes." Their stories may begin in villages, neighborhoods or laboratories, but they all point to the same enduring values: staying close to the people and passing that spirit on to the next generation.

CGTN Digital 

cgtn@cgtn.com

WE Hotel Toya, Dusit Collection combines distinctive architecture,

private open-air bathing experiences, refined dining, and Dusit's

signature Thai-inspired gracious hospitality on the shores of Lake Toya

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 30 June 2026 - Dusit International, one of Thailand's leading hotel and property development companies, is continuing its strategic expansion in Japan with the opening of WE Hotel Toya, Dusit Collection, a serene lakeside retreat in Hokkaido designed by internationally acclaimed architecture studio Kengo Kuma & Associates.

Officially joining the Dusit Collection brand on 1 July 2026, WE Hotel Toya, Dusit Collection marks the first Dusit Collection hotel in Japan and Dusit's third hotel in the country, building on the momentum established by ASAI Kyoto Shijo, a neighbourhood-inspired lifestyle hotel, and Dusit Thani Kyoto, a Michelin-Key recognised luxury hotel inspired by Kyoto's rich cultural heritage.

Dusit Collection is Dusit International's upper-upscale and luxury brand designed for distinctive hotels and resorts that celebrate individuality, local culture, thoughtful design, and a deep connection with each destination. Each property is carefully selected for its unique character and ability to create experiences shaped by the people, places, and stories that surround it.

Located on the shores of Lake Toya, a scenic caldera lake at the heart of the Toya-Usu UNESCO Global Geopark in southwestern Hokkaido, and approximately 100 minutes by car from New Chitose Airport, WE Hotel Toya, Dusit Collection welcomes guests to one of Japan's most captivating natural destinations, celebrated for its volcanic landscapes, natural hot springs, outdoor adventures, and spectacular seasonal scenery.

Originally opened in 2018, the intimate luxury retreat features a striking architectural identity created by Kengo Kuma & Associates, whose extensive body of work includes the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo and Scotland's V&A Dundee design museum. Inspired by the surrounding landscape, the resort's design blends natural materials, warm textures, and a contemporary interpretation of Japanese craftsmanship to create a seamless connection between the interiors and the lake, forests, and mountains beyond.

The property features 55 lake-view guestrooms alongside three expansive two-storey villas offering additional space and privacy for families and small groups. Each guestroom offers approximately 37 sq m of living space and includes its own private open-air bath overlooking Lake Tōya, allowing guests to enjoy the calming tradition of Japanese open-air bathing in complete privacy. Guests can also enjoy a large communal bath with panoramic lake views, creating a restorative bathing experience deeply connected to the destination.

As part of its transition to Dusit Collection, the resort's culinary concepts have been refreshed to create a thoughtful dialogue between Japanese craftsmanship and Dusit's Thai heritage, showcasing the best of Hokkaido's seasonal ingredients alongside signature Thai influences.

EZO Cuisine celebrates Hokkaido's rich culinary heritage and highlights local producers through Japanese cuisine enhanced with refined international techniques. Breakfast highlights include Japanese and Thai set menus featuring locally sourced vegetables, premium Hokkaido rice, dairy products, seasonal juices, and original herbal teas, while dinner focuses on carefully crafted seasonal menus.

Guests can also discover authentic Thai noodle favourites at The Noodle Bar, including spicy and aromatic Tom Yum noodles and Khao Soi (a rich, coconut-based curry noodle dish from northern Thailand), while TARU Bar, named after the Japanese word for wooden cask, celebrates Japan's traditions of ageing and craftsmanship through a curated selection of organic Japanese teas from Dusit's tea garden in Kyoto, alongside sake, whisky, and craft liqueurs. Toya Bar completes the experience with creative cocktails, premium spirits, and relaxed lakeside evenings.

"Japan is an important strategic market for Dusit, and the arrival of Dusit Collection represents another exciting milestone in our journey to bring our unique style of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to destinations with distinctive character and strong cultural appeal," said Chanin Donavanik, Group CEO, Dusit International. "WE Hotel Toya, Dusit Collection perfectly embodies the spirit of the Dusit Collection brand, demonstrating how thoughtful design, local connections, and personalised service can come together to create experiences that truly reflect their destinations."

Reservations for WE Hotel Toya, Dusit Collection are now open, with a special introductory offer inviting guests to experience the newly rebranded lakeside retreat. Available for stays from 1 July - 30 September 2026, the offer includes 20% savings on a half-board stay, including two meals daily.

For more information, please visit dusit.com/dusitcollection-wehotel-toya

About Dusit International

Established in 1949, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Dusit Hospitality Education, Dusit Foods, Real Estate Development, and Hospitality-Related Services.

Dusit International's diversified investments in real estate development, hospitality-related services, and the food sector are part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth, which focuses on three key areas: balance, expansion and diversification.

For more information, please visit dusit-international.com

About Dusit Hotels and Resorts

Dusit Hotels and Resorts is the hotel arm of Dusit International. With a heartfelt belief and commitment to introducing Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the world, Dusit Hotels and Resorts offers guests a uniquely special stay in high-style surroundings and a personalised approach to service. The group's portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes close to 300 properties operating under a total of nine brands (Devarana - Dusit Retreats, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, Dusit Hotels, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 18 countries worldwide.

For more information, please visit dusit.com

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

Hashtags: #Dusit

NANTONG, China, June 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Since phase I was put into full -load production early this year, Sigenergy has officially broken ground on June 29th on Phase II of its Nantong Intelligent Energy Center and a new joint venture production facility for energy storage structural components.

Located in the Nantong Sutong Science and Technology Industrial Park, the expansion marks a major milestone in scaling the company's AI-driven smart manufacturing and global supply chain.

Following the successful launch of Phase I early this year, the completion of Phase II will bring our massive Nantong manufacturing base to nearly 400,000 square meters. The facility will serve as Sigenergy's global manufacturing hub, supplying residential, commercial, industrial, and utility-scale energy storage products worldwide.

Simultaneously, Sigenergy broke ground on its joint venture with Xianghua Hardware Technology. This 170,000-square-meter facility will further boost Sigenergy's in-house capabilities in high-precision sheet metal, die-casting, and injection molding, providing a robust manufacturing foundation for its next-generation premium storage hardware.

"The launch of Phase II and our joint venture project is a strategic expansion to meet global, all-scenario energy storage demands," said Tony Xu, Founder and CEO of Sigenergy. "We will continue to integrate AI, big data, and our self-developed digital systems across our entire production, quality control, and logistics pipeline to build a truly smart, highly reliable factory."

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by senior government officials along with Sigenergy leadership and key industry partners.

About Sigenergy

Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Shanghai, Sigenergy (06656.HK) is a technology-driven company focused on innovation in the new energy sector. Leveraging advanced digital intelligence and a highly skilled talent base, the company has expanded into photovoltaic (PV) generation, smart energy storage, and high-efficiency electric vehicle (EV) charging. Guided by its "AI in All" strategy, Sigenergy integrates artificial intelligence across its product solutions to deliver safer, smarter, and more efficient energy choices for households and businesses worldwide.

Media enquiries: tracy.li@sigenergy.com

For more information, please visit: www.sigenergy.com

XI'AN, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 June 2026 - The world's first commercial multimodal large language model (LLM) for cultural tourism, called BoGuan, has entered broad application in Xi'an, China. This model generates commercial returns by supporting the creation of digital IP for intangible cultural heritage, the development of cultural tourism applications, and the improvement of short drama production. This is injecting new momentum into both China's heritage preservation initiatives and the cultural tourism industry.

Xi'an is one of China's oldest cities and one of its most popular international tourist destinations. Shaanxi Culture Industry Investment Group (SCG) is working with partners like Huawei, China Telecom Shaanxi, and China West Airport Group (CWAG) to promote cultural tourism using digital technologies including AI and 5G-A.For example, BoGuan is used to support a new AI travel companion agent that had been made available to over 4 million users by March of this year.

In September 2025, SCG and Huawei unveiled the BoGuan Large Model, the world's first commercial multimodal LLM for cultural tourism. It is also China's first industry-specific model dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage. This model is built on intelligent computing infrastructure and a high-quality dataset. The dataset has over 1.2 PB of data, including 31 million images, 4.4 million minutes of video footage, 2.18 million minutes of audio recordings, 510 3D models, and 960 million pieces of structured text.

BoGuan can generate highly-accurate multimodal content, such as museum-quality content about cultural relics. This allows it to support the creation of new digital relic presentations, the digitalization and preservation of traditional craftsmanship, and the creation of digital IP for intangible cultural heritage. Zhang Beiyuan, a dough sculpture artisan, said, "With this model, I can complete a dough sculpture that used to take two or three months in less than a week." BoGuan is also used to create digital IP like the popular cartoon character Tang Biaobiao, which is designed by integrating local cultural heritage elements with the stone carvings of the Six Steeds of Zhao Mausoleum. The sales of related digital collectibles and creative products have exceeded CNY2 million.

In addition to supporting cultural heritage preservation, BoGuan has been used to develop a range of cultural tourism apps, such as AI photography and AI travel companion agent. Visitors can directly talk with this agent on the GO-SHAANXI app to create and adjust travel itineraries and get real-time performance recommendations at attractions. The Zhiying Camera mini program provides paid services that instantly integrate user photos with AI-generated scenes from history, allowing visitors to "travel back to ancient times." These new consumption options unlock the business value of quality cultural tourism data. Furthermore, SCG is using BoGuan to integrate short drama production with cultural tourism and improve production efficiency and quality in Xi'an, a renowned short drama hub.

Additionally, China Telecom Shaanxi and Huawei have deployed a 5G-A network based on three component carrier aggregation (3CC) technology at Xi'an's Grand Tang Mall, a popular tourist attraction. The network delivers peak uplink and downlink rates of 600 Mbps and 3.5 Gbps, respectively, about 10 times faster than common 5G networks. During the 2026 May Day holiday, this network supported concurrent access for 23,000 users, guaranteeing smooth video watching and social media experiences. Furthermore, 5G-A-powered HD live streaming at the Grand Tang Mall has become an important way for the attraction to bring in new visitors. According to public data, the average user dwell time of these live streams has nearly doubled and the average transaction value has increased by 62%.

Edric Chu, General Manager of Huawei's Shaanxi Rep Office, said, "Artificial intelligence is not simply a stack of technologies. It has become a key enabler that can activate thousands of years of cultural heritage, reshape travel experiences, and inject new momentum into the industry. Moving forward, Huawei will continue working with our partners to enhance cultural heritage preservation with digital and intelligent technologies, and stimulate development within the cultural tourism industry."

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

Hashtags: #Huawei

Five years in the making, Autheo is launching its decentralized operating system on Mainnet - after public testnet adoption surpassed 1.8 million wallets, nearly 1 million smart contracts, and 8.8 million transactions

SHERIDAN, Wyo., June 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Autheo today launched the Mainnet of its decentralized operating system - a coordination layer enabling the Web, Web3, AI agents, and crypto applications to interoperate natively, with post-quantum security for digital identity, tokens, smart contracts, and agentic AI.

THE COORDINATION LAYER THE INTERNET NEVER HAD

Today's blockchain landscape is fragmented - Web2, Web3, AI agents, and crypto applications cannot interoperate natively, and cross-chain bridges operate at the bridging layer. Autheo provides a coordination and execution layer where Web services, blockchain networks, and AI agents coordinate natively on a common identity, messaging, and execution surface, anchored by an on-chain, quantum-resistant trust and identity layer for agentic AI.

  "We didn't set out to build just another network," said Scott Bayless, Managing Director and co-founder of Autheo. "We set out to find the right relation between the ones we already have. A body has many parts. A city is many trades. The Internet today is many systems - each doing its work, none of them moving as one. With Mainnet now live, Autheo is the layer where the web, the chain, and the agent can finally work together."

   

FOUNDED BY LONG-TIME COLLABORATORS

Founded in July 2021 by Todd Mortenson and Scott Bayless, Autheo was built around four architectural foundations: TheoID (W3C-compliant DID for users, services, and AI agents); PQCNet (post-quantum framework on NIST standards: ML-KEM, ML-DSA, and SLH-DSA); a sovereign Cosmos SDK Layer 0 with native IBC interoperability; and an integrated EVM-compatible Layer 1 execution environment, operating as a Proof-of-Stake with delegated staking and licensed validators, secured by block finality through CometBFT consensus ("Proof of Autheo"). Engineering is led by CEngO Kenneth Harper, with contributors across MIT, Harvard, Stanford, and Caltech. Audits: Halborn (testnet) and CertiK (Mainnet). Partners include Zeeve, InfStones, Hydrex, Halborn, CertiK, TrustSwap, Team.Finance, and Utila.

TESTNET ADOPTION HAS COMPOUNDED

Autheo's public testnet went live in 2025 and attracted 350,000 wallets and 60,000 smart contracts over its first twelve months. Following the May 12, 2026 Mainnet Phase 1 announcement, adoption accelerated: wallet addresses grew more than 5x and smart contracts more than 15x in the 45 days since. Cumulative totals:

1,812,088 wallet addresses

968,502 smart contracts

(Figures per Autheo network data, June 24, 2026. Independently verifiable on the public testnet explorer: testnet-explorer.autheo.com ? verified contracts.)

  "Mainnet is live," said Todd Mortenson, Managing Director and co-founder of Autheo. "The industry will be racing to retrofit post-quantum security ahead of NIST's timeline - our developers won't have to. We built PQC in from the ground up. One interface for Web services, on-chain protocols, and AI agents. One million human developers on-chain within three years. And the AI agents building alongside them? Orders of magnitude more. The coordination layer for that future is live today."

   

WHAT'S NEXT

Developer access (Mainnet, live today):

Docs: docs.autheo.com

Mainnet block explorer: evm-explorer.autheo.com

Chain ID: 2127 (0x84f)

Public RPC endpoints: rpc1.autheo.com ? rpc2.autheo.com ? rpc3.autheo.com

Testnet explorer (with verified-contract source): testnet-explorer.autheo.com

The THEO token is anticipated to list on Hydrex.fi in early July 2026. Core Node, Prime Node, and Sovereign Validator (399 NFT-licensed; 275 subscribed) programs at commerce.autheo.com.

The complete press release with extended technical detail is available at autheo.com/press.

ABOUT AUTHEO

Autheo is building the Internet operating system: a decentralized coordination layer for Web, blockchain, and AI agents, anchored by PQCNet (NIST post-quantum cryptography) and W3C DIDs. Addresses the convergence of AI, blockchain, and crypto ? supporting agentic AI, tokenomics, enterprise blockchain, and on-chain digital sovereignty against quantum computing. autheo.com ? @Autheo_Network.

MEDIA CONTACT

Ryan Teigen, Director of Product Marketing

Email: ryan@autheo.com ? press@autheo.com ? Phone: 608-713-1028

autheo.com ? X: @Autheo_Network

Forward-looking statements: Certain statements in this release, including statements regarding anticipated network growth, partnerships, and roadmap, are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ. Autheo undertakes no obligation to update such statements except as required by law.

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 June 2026 - As the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) marked the six-month milestone since the launch of its full special customs operations, a Hainan provincial delegation wrapped up a three-day visit to Hong Kong. During the visit, the delegation signed deepened cooperation agreements with several major local chambers of commerce and promoted the latest policies introduced since the island-wide special customs operations took effect.

According to data released by Hainan Province during the visit, Hainan's foreign trade has surged since the launch of special customs operations. As of June 17, the province's total goods imports and exports reached RMB 173.98 billion (approximately US$24 billion), up 54.6% year on year. Imports of zero-tariff goods hit RMB 2.645 billion, a 120% jump that generated tariff savings of RMB 440 million. A total of 172,100 new market entities were registered-a 61% increase-including 1,240 foreign-invested enterprises. Zero-tariff items now account for 74% of all tariff lines, benefiting more than 12,000 market entities.

During the Hong Kong visit, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Hainan Provincial Committee (CCPIT Hainan) signed separate deepened cooperation MOUs with the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. Under the MOUs, the parties will establish a regular liaison mechanism for the periodic exchange of economic and trade information, and will promote collaboration in areas including professional services, green finance, the digital economy, supply chain management, and cultural tourism. Mutual enterprise service desks will be set up to provide consulting services regarding policies and projects. The parties will leverage their complementary strengths to help Chinese mainland enterprises access overseas markets via Hong Kong, while facilitating Hong Kong companies' entry into the Chinese mainland through Hainan.

The delegation also held talks with the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, exploring ways for British and American businesses to leverage Hainan's value-added processing tariff exemptions and multifunctional free trade accounts to position themselves in regional supply chains and cross-border investment and financing. HSBC, De Beers, and other British firms are already active in Hainan, and the UK served as the Guest of Honor country at the 2025 China International Consumer Products Expo.

According to industry analysts, amid the shifting international trade landscape, Hainan is leveraging Hong Kong's "super-connector" role to accelerate its integration with global capital and business networks, while simultaneously offering the Hong Kong business community a policy testing ground for entering the Chinese mainland market.

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

Hashtags: #CPITHainan

VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitget, the world's largest Universal Exchange (UEX), has launched the third year of its Anti-Scam Month initiative with the release of its Anti-Scam Report 2026 titled "The Evolution of Fraud in the Multi-Asset Era", developed in partnership with blockchain security firm SlowMist.

As digital finance expands across cryptocurrencies, tokenized assets, stocks, CFDs, wallets, and AI-powered investment tools, the report examines how fraud is adapting to changing investor behavior and increasingly interconnected financial ecosystems.

The report finds that changes in user behavior are reshaping how fraud campaigns are designed and deployed across digital finance. According to Bitget Research, the share of active users participating across two or more asset classes grew from under 1% in mid-2025 to more than 10% by May 2026. As users move across a wider range of products and platforms, fraud campaigns are increasingly blending multiple narratives, social engineering tactics, AI-generated content, and multiple communication channels within a single operation.

Drawing on Bitget Research and investigations conducted by SlowMist, the report found that many successful scams no longer rely on a single point of compromise. Fraud operators guide victims through a sequence of interactions spanning social media platforms, messaging applications, investment communities, phishing infrastructure, and wallet activity before assets are ultimately stolen. Between July 2025 and June 2026, Bitget's security infrastructure intercepted more than 150 million malicious requests, identified over 13,000 high-risk malicious IP addresses, handled 18,135 user protection cases, and supported the recovery of $32.3 million linked to security incidents and fraudulent activity.

"Security challenges evolve alongside markets. As more users participate across crypto, stocks, tokenized assets and AI-powered products, fraud campaigns are becoming sophisticated in how they build trust and influence decision-making. Understanding those risks is an important step toward protecting users and strengthening confidence across the broader ecosystem," said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget.

The report identifies several trends shaping the current fraud environment, including AI-generated investment personas, deepfake-enabled scams, voice-cloning attacks, synthetic investment communities, wallet-draining operations, malicious smart contracts, and increasingly sophisticated phishing campaigns. Among the cases examined are a deepfake investment scam impersonating Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, an AI-generated investment advertising campaign that reportedly defrauded thousands of Swedish investors, the Truman Show synthetic community scam involving approximately 90 fabricated investor identities, and the Rublevka Team wallet-draining operation documented in early 2026.

Beyond examining how scams operate, the report explores victim psychology, common scam entry points, post-theft asset movement, and recovery challenges. It also outlines practical measures users can take to strengthen account security, recognize AI-enabled deception, evaluate investment opportunities more effectively, and respond to security incidents.

Since launching Anti-Scam Month in 2024, Bitget has worked with security researchers, ecosystem partners, and industry organizations to improve awareness around emerging threats and promote stronger user protection practices. Throughout June, Bitget's Anti-Scam Month campaign will feature educational content, security awareness initiatives, and collaborations with industry partners aimed at helping users identify emerging threats and strengthen their ability to protect digital assets.

For more information, please read the report here.

About Bitget

Bitget is the world's largest Universal Exchange (UEX), serving over 125 million users and offering access to over 2M crypto tokens, 500+ tokenized stocks, ETFs, commodities, FX, and precious metals such as gold. The ecosystem is committed to helping users trade smarter with its AI agent, which co-pilots trade execution. Bitget is driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships with LALIGA and MotoGP?. Aligned with its global impact strategy, Bitget has joined hands with UNICEF to support blockchain education for 1.1 million people by 2027. Bitget currently leads in the tokenized TradFi market, providing the industry's lowest fees and highest liquidity across 150 regions worldwide.

For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

Clinically meaningful improvements in skin symptoms reported as early as week 4 and sustained over the 48-week study period 

Data presented at the 6th World Congress of Cutaneous Lymphomas meeting in Montreal, Canada

PRINCETON, N.J., June 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kyowa Kirin, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd (TSE: 4151), today announced positive results from PROSPER, a real-world observational study of mogamulizumab in adults with mycosis fungoides (MF) or S?zary syndrome (SS).

In the study, patients reported clinically meaningful improvements in skin symptoms (itch, flaking, and redness) and body temperature regulation as early as week 4, with improvements in sleep and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) starting at week 12. Improvements were sustained throughout the study period, with additional gains in HRQoL reported through week 48.

"Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma can affect far more than just the skin, impacting how patients feel and function every day," said Professor Julia Scarisbrick, Principal Investigator, Honorary Professor of Dermatology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. "These findings from the PROSPER study are encouraging because they show that in patients with MF or SS, mogamulizumab can help ease symptoms that affect everyday life, and those improvements can be long-lasting."

Mycosis fungoides and S?zary syndrome are two sub-types of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that primarily affects the skin, presenting as patches, plaques, tumors, or reddening of the entire skin, and may be associated with severe itching. The disease may spread to lymph nodes, blood, and/or other organs in some patients.

"Clinical studies are stronger when they are shaped by the voices and lived experiences of people living with the disease," said Susan Thornton, study author and co-CEO, Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation. "Collaboration between industry and the patient community is essential to designing studies that generate more relevant insights into symptom burden, quality of life, and the day-to-day treatment experience."

Key PROSPER Findings

The study included 73 patients with relapsed or refractory MF or SS (n=41 MF; n=32 SS). Patient-reported outcomes were collected at baseline and throughout the study using:

A CTCL-specific symptom diary assessing the severity of skin itch, pain, redness, and flaking, frequency of sleep problems, and difficulty regulating body temperature

The MF/SS-CTCL-QoL questionnaire, which measured the impact of CTCL on daily life

The Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), which assessed fatigue severity and its impact on daily functioning

Mean symptom scores (mean +/- standard deviation) improved from baseline to week 48 across key skin symptoms, including itch (−2.5 ?3.4), flaking (-3.1 ?3.5), redness (-3.1 ?3.5), and pain (-1.7 ?4.4). Clinically meaningful improvements in skin itch, flaking, and redness were observed as early as week 4, and improvements in pain by week 12   (i.e., exceeding the minimum important difference (MID)). These effects were sustained through week 48.

By week 48, 30% of patients reported at least a 2-point improvement in sleep, and 37% reported better body temperature regulation. Patients also showed significant, clinically meaningful improvements in disease-specific health-related quality-of-life scores (MF/SS-CTCL-QoL) beginning at week 12, with further gains through week 48. While fatigue scores changed little among patients with MF, patients with SS showed a significant improvement in total BFI scores, reaching the MID threshold at week 48.

"Studies like PROSPER show why real-world data generation matters, particularly in rare cancers like mycosis fungoides and S?zary syndrome," said Angela Williams, PhD, Global Head of Health Economics and Outcomes Research at Kyowa Kirin. "These data help broaden understanding of the lived experience of patients and care partners with mogamulizumab treatment in everyday practice, including the impact on symptoms and quality-of-life that may not be fully reflected by outcomes collected in clinical trial."

About PROSPER

The objective of the PROSPER (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05455931) study is to gain insight into the experiences of patients with MF or SS receiving mogamulizumab in real-world clinical practice through the collection of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) data, enriched with qualitative data on disease and treatment experience. The study was designed with input from patients and caregivers to ensure patient-relevant outcomes were selected, and it was conducted in six countries across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, at 19 sites working with patients with MF or SS. Patients were followed for up to 50 weeks from study enrollment.

U.S. POTELIGEO (mogamulizumab-kpkc) Indication

POTELIGEO injection for intravenous infusion is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory mycosis fungoides (MF) or S?zary syndrome (SS) after at least one prior systemic therapy.

Important Safety Information

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Dermatologic toxicity: Monitor patients for rash throughout the course of treatment. For patients who experienced dermatologic toxicity in Trial 1, the median time to onset was 15 weeks, with 25% of cases occurring after 31 weeks. Interrupt POTELIGEO for moderate or severe rash (Grades 2 or 3). Permanently discontinue POTELIGEO for life-threatening (Grade 4) rash or for any Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).

Infusion reactions: Most infusion reactions occur during or shortly after the first infusion. Infusion reactions can also occur with subsequent infusions. Monitor patients closely for signs and symptoms of infusion reactions and interrupt the infusion for any grade reaction and treat promptly. Permanently discontinue POTELIGEO for any life-threatening (Grade 4) infusion reaction.

Infections: Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infection and treat promptly.

Autoimmune complications: Interrupt or permanently discontinue POTELIGEO as appropriate for suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions. Consider the benefit/risk of POTELIGEO in patients with a history of autoimmune disease.

Complications of allogeneic HSCT after POTELIGEO: Increased risks of transplant complications have been reported in patients who received allogeneic HSCT after POTELIGEO. Follow patients closely for early evidence of transplant-related complications.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions (reported in ≥10% of patients) with POTELIGEO in the clinical trial were rash, including drug eruption (35%), infusion reaction (33%), fatigue (31%), diarrhea (28%), drug eruption (24%), upper respiratory tract infection (22%), musculoskeletal pain (22%), skin infection (19%), pyrexia (17%), edema (16%), nausea (16%), headache (14%), thrombocytopenia (14%), constipation (13%), anemia (12%), mucositis (12%), cough (11%), and hypertension (10%).

You are encouraged to report suspected adverse reactions to Kyowa Kirin, Inc. at 1-844-768-3544 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please see additional Important Safety Information in full Prescribing Information as well as Patient Information.

About Kyowa Kirin

Kyowa Kirin aims to discover and deliver novel medicines and treatments with life-changing value. As a Japan-based Global Specialty Pharmaceutical Company, we have invested in drug discovery and biotechnology innovation for more than 70 years and are currently working to engineer the next generation of antibodies and cell and gene therapies with the potential to help patients with high unmet medical needs, such as bone & mineral, intractable hematological diseases/hemato-oncology, and rare diseases. A shared commitment to our values, to sustainable growth, and to making people smile unites us across the globe.  You can learn more about the business of Kyowa Kirin at www.kyowakirin.com.

COR-US-POT-0015 June 2026

CONTACT:

Susan Thiele

Head of Therapeutic Communications, North America

susan.thiele.38@kyowakirin.com

Sinhala commentary and a globally stacked player pool set the stage for LPL's strongest regional and international season yet

Innovative Production Group FZ, LLC ("IPG"), a subsidiary of Flash Sports & Media Holdings, confirms a July 17- August 8 window for the league's sixth edition; expanded Sinhala-language commentary and more than 650 overseas registrations from 21 countries underscore growing global reach

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, June 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Flash Sports & Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLZH) ("Flash" or the "Company") today announced the confirmed fixtures for the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026, which the Company expects to be its biggest and most connected season to date. The sixth edition will run from July 17 to August 8, 2026, opening under lights at Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, where defending champions Jaffna Kings - captained by Sri Lanka's Bhanuka Rajapaksa and powered by Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan - begin their title defense against Dasun Shanaka's Galle Gallants.

The opening weekend shifts quickly into another marquee contest as Indian international Vijay Shankar and England white-ball star Moeen Ali lead the Kandy Royals against the Dambulla Sixers on July 18. Across three weeks of competition, five franchises will contest a double round-robin league stage before the playoffs in Colombo - a structure the Company believes reflects both the league's growing international standing and Sri Lanka's continued ability to attract top-tier cricketing talent.

LPL 2026 brings together one of the strongest line-ups in the competition's history. The Kandy Royals headline with Shankar, Moeen, Angelo Mathews and Wanindu Hasaranga, while Jaffna Kings retain a formidable championship core featuring Shakib, Taskin Ahmed, Rajapaksa and Dunith Wellalage. Fans can also look forward to James Neesham, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and several emerging Sri Lankan talents.

That global appeal has continued to grow, with more than 650 overseas registrations received from 21 countries ahead of this season's player-selection process. Alongside that international momentum, LPL 2026 plans to place a stronger emphasis on deepening its roots at home through expanded Sinhala-language commentary and broader regional fan-engagement initiatives.

The league is organized by Sri Lanka Cricket, with commercial rights managed by Innovative Production Group FZ, LLC ("IPG"), a subsidiary of Flash. Mr Anil Mohan Sankhdhar, Founder and CEO of IPG, said: "LPL's growth has always been built on two priorities - creating a world-class cricket product and ensuring it remains closely connected to fans across Sri Lanka and the region. This season reflects that vision. We expect the international interest we continue to receive, combined with stronger regional accessibility and fan-first experiences, toposition the league for another significant step forward."

Among the marquee league-phase fixtures, the Kandy Royals and Jaffna Kings meet twice in five days, potentially setting up contests involving Shankar, Moeen, Hasaranga and Shakib, alongside heavyweight clashes such as Colombo Kaps versus Kandy Royals and Dambulla Sixers versus Jaffna Kings.

The five franchises - Colombo Kaps, Dambulla Sixers, Galle Gallants, Jaffna Kings and Kandy Royals - will compete in a double round-robin league stage, after which the top four teams advance to the playoffs in Colombo. Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator will be held on August 5, followed by Qualifier 2 on August 7, with the Lanka Premier League 2026 Final scheduled for August 8 at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Lanka Premier League 2026 - League Stage Fixtures

July 17 - Jaffna Kings vs Galle Gallants  (Colombo)

July 18 - Kandy Royals vs Dambulla Sixers  (Colombo)

July 18 - Galle Gallants vs Colombo Kaps  (Colombo)

July 19 - Dambulla Sixers vs Jaffna Kings  (Colombo)

July 19 - Colombo Kaps vs Kandy Royals  (Colombo)

July 21 - Dambulla Sixers vs Kandy Royals  (Dambulla)

July 22 - Jaffna Kings vs Colombo Kaps  (Dambulla)

July 22 - Dambulla Sixers vs Galle Gallants  (Dambulla)

July 23 - Kandy Royals vs Colombo Kaps  (Dambulla)

July 23 - Galle Gallants vs Jaffna Kings  (Dambulla)

July 25 - Galle Gallants vs Kandy Royals  (Dambulla)

July 25 - Dambulla Sixers vs Colombo Kaps  (Dambulla)

July 26 - Kandy Royals vs Jaffna Kings  (Dambulla)

July 26 - Galle Gallants vs Dambulla Sixers  (Dambulla)

July 28 - Colombo Kaps vs Jaffna Kings  (Kandy)

July 29 - Galle Gallants vs Kandy Royals  (Kandy)

July 29 - Colombo Kaps vs Dambulla Sixers  (Kandy)

July 30 - Jaffna Kings vs Kandy Royals  (Kandy)

August 1 - Colombo Kaps vs Galle Gallants  (Kandy)

August 2 - Jaffna Kings vs Dambulla Sixers  (Kandy)

Playoffs - R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

August 5 - Qualifier 1 --15:00  (R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

August 5 - Eliminator - 19:30  (R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

August 7 - Qualifier 2 - 19:30  (R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

August 8 - Final - 19:30  (R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

About Flash Sports & Media Holdings, Inc.

Flash Sports & Media Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: FLZH) is a cricket-focused sports and media company seeking to develop and commercialize cricket media, league-management, sponsorship, and related sports-entertainment opportunities. Through its relationship with Innovative Production Group FZ, LLC, Flash is focused on professional cricket properties, media and broadcast opportunities, sponsorships, league operations, and related commercial initiatives. The Company's business plans remain subject to execution risks, market conditions, definitive agreements, third-party approvals, and the Company's ability to finance, develop, and commercialize its sports and media initiatives. https://flashsportsandmedia.com

Forward Looking statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's expectations, beliefs, or intentions relating to the proposed launch, development, and commercialization of the Zimbabwe T20 League; the development and commercialization of sports and media platforms; potential sponsorship, media rights, franchise sales, and other commercial opportunities; anticipated market size and growth; the participation of franchises, players, partners, venues, broadcasters, or sponsors; and the Company's ability to generate revenues from its activities. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan," "may," "will," "could," "seek," "estimate," "potential," or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events, or results, and readers should not place undue reliance on them.

These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the seasonal nature of LPL and the many conditions to its successful launch and operation; the possibility that definitive agreements with LPL Cricket, venues, franchise owners, sponsors, broadcasters, players, vendors, or other counterparties may not be entered into on acceptable terms, or at all; the possibility that required governmental, regulatory, league, venue, or governing-body approvals may not be obtained; venue completion, availability, permitting, security, logistics, and operational risks; the Company's reliance on third-party partners, including Lanka Cricket, Innovative Production Group FZ, LLC, and other counterparties, to perform under contractual arrangements; uncertainties regarding the participation, availability, or continued involvement of franchise owners, players, ambassadors, or other talent referenced in this press release; the possibility that anticipated franchise sales, sponsorships, media rights arrangements, or other commercial opportunities may not materialize or may be delayed; the extent to which the Company is able to generate revenues, if any, from ZT20; risks relating to the integration of Innovative Production Group FZ, LLC and the Company's ability to realize anticipated synergies; the Company's ability to develop, monetize, and scale its sports, media, and experiential business lines; the timing and success of expansion into new markets; the Company's ability to establish or maintain strategic relationships and commercial arrangements; general economic, market, and industry conditions; competitive dynamics within the sports and media sectors; international, geopolitical, and regulatory risks associated with global sporting events; and the Company's ability to maintain compliance with applicable listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.

In addition, certain market, industry, and economic data referenced in this press release are based on third-party sources and estimates that the Company believes to be reliable, but the Company has not independently verified such information and makes no representation as to its accuracy or completeness. References to prospective franchise ownership, players, partners, venues, and related individuals are based on the Company's current plans or on third-party announcements and media reports that the Company has not independently verified.

Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements can be found in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at www.sec.gov.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and 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 law. 

Investor Relations Contact

Investors@flashsm.com

Company Websites

https://flashsportsandmedia.com

https://www.theipggroup.com

Source: Flash Sports & Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: FLZH)

SINGAPORE, June 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR) ("Bitdeer" or the "Company"), a world-leading technology company for AI and Bitcoin mining infrastructure, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tydal Data Center AS, has executed a colocation lease agreement (the "Lease") for its Tydal, Norway AI data center site.

The Lease has not yet become effective and remains subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent beyond Bitdeer's control, including the completion of certain external customer and supplier arrangements by the counterparty. There is no assurance that such conditions will be satisfied, or that the Lease will become effective.

"Signing this agreement marks an exceptional step in Bitdeer's execution of its global AI infrastructure strategy," said Haris Basit, Chief Strategy Officer of Bitdeer. "We look forward to sharing comprehensive details of this transaction, including terms and strategic context, once the Lease has become effective."

Bitdeer intends to provide a public announcement, including details regarding the commercial terms and expected business impact of the Lease upon its effectiveness, which is expected within the next month.

About Bitdeer Technologies Group

Bitdeer is a world-leading technology company for AI and Bitcoin mining infrastructure. Bitdeer is committed to providing comprehensive Bitcoin mining solutions for its customers and building AI computational infrastructure to support the AI revolution. Bitdeer handles complex processes involved in computing such as equipment procurement, transport logistics, data center design and construction, equipment management, and daily operations. Bitdeer also offers advanced cloud capabilities to customers with high demand for artificial intelligence. Headquartered in Singapore, Bitdeer has deployed data centers across multiple countries, including the United States, Norway, Bhutan, and Ethiopia. To learn more, visit https://ir.bitdeer.com/ or follow Bitdeer on X@Bitdeer and LinkedIn @Bitdeer.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "anticipate," "look forward to," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "will," "would" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Bitdeer's annual report on Form 20-F, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in Bitdeer's subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. Bitdeer specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether due to new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers should not rely upon the information in this press release as current or accurate after its publication date.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Investor Relations

Tesh Dahya, Head of Investor Relations

tesh.dahya@bitdeer.com

Media

Elev8 New Media

Jessica Starman, MBA

bitdeer@elev8newmedia.com

*Acquisition adds YUPELRI (revefenacin), the first and only approved nebulized long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) for the maintenance treatment of COPD to Zymeworks' portfolio

*Acquisition of Theravance Biopharma at $17 per share is supported by an innovative non-recourse financing structure that enhances shareholder value by minimizing Zymeworks' net capital at risk

*Transaction expected to be accretive to earnings and cash flow upon closing. YUPELRI U.S. profit share and ex-U.S. royalties generate ~$60 million annualised cash flow at current run-rates, with continued expected growth

*Transaction financed primarily by $350 million non-recourse note secured solely by U.S. YUPELRI profit share from OMERS Life *Sciences, and Theravance Biopharma's expected net cash balance of $360 million at closing. Zymeworks will contribute $219 million of cash at close and expects to receive $100 million TRELEGY ELLIPTA milestone in Q1 2027, assuming milestone conditions met, offsetting cash outlay

*Acquisition adds diversified assets beyond YUPELRI, including additional royalty interests, milestone payments, a preclinical I&I portfolio, and $2.5 billion in Irish tax attributes, further strengthening both potential near-term cash flow generation and long-term development optionality

*Continued execution of Zymeworks share repurchase program for up to $125 million of common shares reflects ongoing capacity and intent to deploy capital for future buybacks

*Conference call with Zymeworks management today at 8:30 am Eastern Time (ET)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zymeworks Inc. (Nasdaq: ZYME) (the "Company"), a biotechnology company managing a portfolio of licensed healthcare assets and developing a diverse pipeline of novel, multifunctional biotherapeutics, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Theravance Biopharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBPH); a biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering Medicines that Make a Difference in people's lives. This proposed acquisition adds YUPELRI, the first and only nebulized, once-daily, long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), to Zymeworks' partnered portfolio, furthering the Company's commitment to improving outcomes for patients with serious diseases.

YUPELRI is positioned to add near-term commercial cash flows for Zymeworks upon closing, alongside existing Ziihera (zanidatamab-hrii) cash flows, supporting a disciplined, and self-sustaining capital allocation model in which proceeds are reinvested to further advance our internal research and development portfolio, acquire additional partnered assets, and return capital to shareholders. Unlike traditional royalty business models, which are generally limited to passive participation, Zymeworks' differentiated approach enables the acquisition and active restructuring of businesses to generate royalty-like economics with greater control, strategic flexibility, and a clear focus on long-term value creation. Zymeworks' differentiated model, pairing an efficient internal infrastructure with diversified cash flows, uniquely positions the Company to capitalize on the value of Theravance Biopharma's business.

YUPELRI adds an anticipated long-duration and potentially growing cash flow stream

This acquisition, when closed, provides Zymeworks with access to a 35% U.S. net profit share in YUPELRI, the only approved nebulized LAMA for the maintenance treatment of COPD.

YUPELRI has been marketed in the United States since 2019 through a collaboration between Viatris Inc. ("Viatris") and Theravance Biopharma, who are responsible for U.S. community and hospital promotion respectively.

Full-year U.S. net sales of YUPELRI in 2025 were $266.6 million, representing 12% growth over 2024. For the first quarter of 2026, U.S. net sales of YUPELRI were reported as $62.4 million, representing 7% growth over the same quarter in 2025.

Settlements have been reached with all YUPELRI generic filers for an April 2039 licensed launch date for their versions of the product, or earlier depending on certain circumstances.

Theravance Biopharma remains eligible to receive an additional $125 million in commercial milestone payments from Viatris based upon U.S. net sales, as well as double-digit tiered royalties and additional milestones on ex-U.S. net sales.

Potential upside from other Theravance Biopharma portfolio assets

In addition to YUPELRI, Theravance Biopharma is expected to receive $100 million in commercial milestone payments from Royalty Pharma in Q1 2027 related to global net sales of TRELEGY ELLIPTA by GSK.

Theravance Biopharma is eligible to receive up to -20% royalty on net sales of VIBATIV (telavancin) from Cumberland.

Following close of the transaction, Zymeworks will retain ownership of Theravance Biopharma's research and development assets, which will be evaluated in the context of the Company's broader pipeline and capital allocation framework.

Zymeworks will explore the opportunity to externalize acquired assets. During the one-year period from closing of this transaction, a designee of Theravance Biopharma will seek to potentially license, divest or otherwise monetize ampreloxetine, with no additional resources expected from Zymeworks. The economics of any such transaction will be shared 20/80 between Zymeworks and Theravance Biopharma shareholders.

In addition, Zymeworks will retain approximately $2.5 billion of Irish tax attributes accumulated by Theravance Biopharma for potential future utilization.

Upon closing, Zymeworks intends to complete Theravance Biopharma's previously announced organizational restructuring to align its resources with its commercial focus on YUPELRI, which is expected to significantly reduce research and development expenses and general and administrative costs, as well as seek additional synergies in the cost structure of the combined entities. Zymeworks intends to substantially preserve existing hospital promotion infrastructure from Theravance Biopharma's commercial organization.

"The acquisition of Theravance Biopharma represents successful execution of one of the key strategic priorities we outlined earlier this year," said Kenneth Galbraith, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Zymeworks. "We are building a more diversified and durable business by combining partner-driven cash flows and innovative R&D, together in an integrated strategic approach to build long-term stockholder value. Upon closing, this acquisition meaningfully expands and diversifies future revenue sources for our partnered product portfolio, with an expected near-term impact on commercial royalty revenue. This transaction also aligns with our mission to combine near-term patient access with long-term innovation, by leveraging cash flows from established medicines to fund development of next-generation therapies, supporting both patients receiving treatment today and those awaiting future breakthroughs. YUPELRI addresses a critical need for the approximately 16 million Americans living with COPD, and we look forward to supporting continued access to this important therapy with Viatris."

"We are pleased to partner with Zymeworks in the execution of its strategy to integrate royalty growth, internal innovation, and strategic acquisitions to maximize long-term value. For OMERS, our financing aligns well with our mandate to deliver steady long-term returns to our more than 665,000 members," said Rob Missere, Managing Director and Head of Life Sciences, OMERS Life Sciences.

Terms of the Transaction

Under the terms of the agreement, Zymeworks will acquire all the outstanding equity of Theravance Biopharma for $17.00 per share, which represents a total transaction value of approximately $929 million in cash consideration subject to customary adjustments, which is payable at closing.

The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies and is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of certain regulatory approvals and approval by Theravance Biopharma shareholders. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026.

The transaction is expected to be accounted for as a business combination. The purchase price is expected to be primarily allocated to identifiable intangible assets, including YUPELRI and contractual royalty streams, with any residual value recorded as goodwill. Potential milestone receipts will be evaluated as part of the purchase accounting process and recognized in accordance with applicable accounting standards. Zymeworks expects to provide additional details on the purchase price allocation upon closing of the transaction.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel to Zymeworks. Matheson provided Irish tax counsel to Zymeworks. TD Cowen served as a financial advisor to Zymeworks on the OMERS royalty note. MTS Health Partners provided financial advice to Zymeworks.

Lazard is serving as lead financial advisor to Theravance Biopharma. Evercore is also serving as financial advisor to Theravance Biopharma. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is serving as legal counsel to Theravance Biopharma.

Sidley Austin LLP is serving as legal counsel to OMERS Life Sciences. Maples and Calder (Ireland) LLP and Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP provided Irish legal counsel and tax counsel, respectively, to OMERS Life Sciences.

Financing of the Transaction

The acquisition will be financed through a $350 million non-dilutive, non-recourse note from OMERS Life Sciences, in which 75% of the YUPELRI profit-share cash flows are contractually assigned to OMERS to service the associated debt obligations. The non-recourse note is secured by assets and entities of Theravance Biopharma related to YUPELRI and do not have any recourse to the remainder of the Zymeworks' business. This non-recourse note is structured to preserve the Company's balance sheet flexibility and minimize shareholder dilution.

In addition, approximately $219 million of existing cash resources of Zymeworks will be used to finance the remaining purchase price of the transaction, along with expected net cash balances of Theravance Biopharma of approximately $360 million at closing. Factoring in the $100 million milestone payment expected from Royalty Pharma in Q1 2027 related to sales of TRELEGY, Zymeworks' effective net investment is expected to be reduced by roughly 50%.

Zymeworks 2026 Share Repurchase Program

On May 14, 2026, the Board of Directors of Zymeworks authorized a share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to $125 million of its outstanding common stock, par value $0.00001 per share. As of June 29, 2026, the Company has repurchased 1,437,073 shares of common stock for $35.4 million (exclusive of commission expense and estimated excise tax), representing an average purchase price of $24.63 per common share. Zymeworks plans to continue executing the share repurchase program, reflecting its ongoing capacity and intent to deploy capital toward future buybacks.

Investor Call Details

Zymeworks invites investors and the general public to view and listen to a live webcast of its conference call with investment analysts at 8:30 am ET on Monday, June 29, 2026.

Dial-in details and webcast link are available on Zymeworks' website at https://ir.zymeworks.com/events-and-presentations. A webcast replay of the call will be available on the Zymeworks website within 24 hours following the conclusion of the live call and will be archived for a limited period.

About Theravance Biopharma, Inc.

Theravance Biopharma, Inc.'s focus is to deliver Medicines that Make a Difference in people's lives. In pursuit of its purpose, Theravance Biopharma leverages decades of expertise, which has led to the development of FDA-approved YUPELRI (revefenacin) inhalation solution indicated for the maintenance treatment of patients with COPD. The Company is committed to creating/driving shareholder value.

YUPELRI is an inhalation solution, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) and the first and only once-daily nebulized bronchodilator approved for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the United States. COPD is the third leading cause of death and the fourth leading cause of hospital readmissions in the U.S., affecting approximately 16 million Americans.

About OMERS Life Sciences and OMERS

OMERS Life Sciences provides royalty financings and other non-dilutive solutions to biopharma companies and academic institutions.

OMERS is a jointly sponsored, defined benefit pension plan, with more than 1,000 participating employers ranging from large cities to local agencies, and more than 665,000 active, deferred and retired members. Our members include union and non-union employees of municipalities, school boards, local boards, transit systems, electrical utilities, emergency services and children's aid societies across Ontario. OMERS teams work in Toronto, London, New York, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Singapore, Sydney and other major cities across North America and Europe - serving members and employers, and originating and managing a diversified portfolio of high-quality investments in government bonds, public and private credit, public and private equities, infrastructure and real estate.

About Zymeworks Inc.

Zymeworks is a global biotechnology company managing a portfolio of licensed healthcare assets and developing a diverse pipeline of novel, multifunctional biotherapeutics to improve the standard of care for difficult-to-treat diseases, including cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune disease. Zymeworks' asset and royalty aggregation strategy focuses on optimizing positive future cash flows from an emerging portfolio of licensed products such as Ziihera (zanidatamab-hrii) and other licensed products and product candidates, such as pasritamig. In addition, Zymeworks is building a portfolio of healthcare assets that can generate strong cash flows, while supporting the development of innovative medicines.

Zymeworks engineered and developed Ziihera, a HER2-targeted bispecific antibody using Zymeworks' proprietary Azymetric technology and has entered into separate agreements with BeOne Medicines Ltd. (formerly BeiGene, Ltd.) and Jazz Pharmaceuticals Ireland Limited granting each exclusive rights to develop and commercialize zanidatamab in different territories. Zymeworks is rapidly advancing a robust pipeline of product candidates, leveraging its expertise in both antibody drug conjugates and multispecific antibody therapeutics targeting novel pathways in areas of significant unmet medical need.

Zymeworks' complementary therapeutic platforms and fully integrated drug development engine provide the flexibility and compatibility to precisely engineer and develop highly differentiated antibody-based therapeutics. These capabilities have been further leveraged through strategic partnerships with global biopharmaceutical companies. For information about Zymeworks, visit www.zymeworks.com and follow @ZymeworksInc on X.

Contacts:

Investor Inquiries:

Shrinal Inamdar

Vice President, Investor Relations

(604) 678-1388

ir@zymeworks.com   

Media Inquiries:

Diana Papove

Vice President, Corporate Communications

(604) 678-1388

media@zymeworks.com

| Source: Emerging Markets Global Advisory

LONDON, June 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP (EMGA) mengumumkan keberhasilannya dalam merampungkan kesepakatan fasilitas pinjaman senior senilai USD 15 juta untuk Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB). Hal ini menjadi tonggak penting dalam upaya memperkuat sektor keuangan Sri Lanka dan mendukung pertumbuhan yang berkelanjutan.

Transaksi ini menegaskan komitmen berkelanjutan EMGA terhadap Sri Lanka, sekaligus mendukung visi CDB untuk memperluas akses pembiayaan bagi UKM serta mengembangkan portofolio hijaunya. Fasilitas ini dapat terlaksana melalui kerja sama dengan Swedfund, lembaga pembiayaan pembangunan Swedia, yang berperan penting dalam mendorong pembangunan ekonomi berkelanjutan di berbagai pasar negara berkembang.

Saat mengomentari transaksi tersebut, MD/CEO CDB, Mahesh Nanayakkara, mengatakan, "Pembiayaan ini semakin memperkuat kemampuan kami untuk memberdayakan UKM serta mempercepat berbagai inisiatif hijau kami. Dukungan ini memastikan CDB dapat terus menjalankan peran utama dalam mewujudkan masa depan sektor keuangan Sri Lanka yang berkelanjutan."

Dengan menekankan pentingnya pembiayaan utang tersebut yang strategis, Head of Investment Banking sekaligus Managing Director EMGA, Sajeev Chakkalakal, mengatakan, "Kami senang dapat merampungkan transaksi terbaru ini dan memastikan CDB dapat terus mewujudkan visinya dalam mendukung UKM serta portofolio hijaunya di Sri Lanka. Pada saat yang sama, pembiayaan ini turut membantu memperluas kegiatan operasional Swedfund yang berjalan di kawasan tersebut."

Saat menyoroti dampak yang lebih luas, Head of Operations sekaligus Managing Director EMGA, Jeremy Dobson, mengatakan, "Setelah melalui beberapa tahun yang penuh tantangan, Sri Lanka telah menunjukkan perbaikan kondisi yang mendorong EMGA untuk bergerak cepat memanfaatkan momentum tersebut. Langkah ini memperkuat basis pendanaan CDB dan mendiversifikasi sumber modalnya."

Bj?rn Areskog, Investment Director di Swedfund, mengatakan, "Kami berinvestasi untuk memperluas akses ke modal guna mendukung kemampuan UMKM dalam berkembang, menciptakan lebih banyak lapangan kerja di tingkat lokal, menambah penerimaan pajak, serta meningkatkan akses terhadap produk dan layanan yang terjangkau."

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB): Salah satu lembaga keuangan nonbank terkemuka di Sri Lanka tercatat di Bursa Efek Kolombo dan diakui atas fokusnya terhadap pembiayaan berkelanjutan, inovasi digital, serta pemberdayaan UKM.

Swedfund merupakan lembaga pembiayaan pembangunan Swedia (DFI), yang sepenuhnya dimiliki oleh pemerintah Swedia, dengan mandat untuk mengentaskan kemiskinan dan mendorong pembangunan ekonomi berkelanjutan di pasar negara berkembang. Swedfund menyediakan pembiayaan jangka panjang dalam bentuk penyertaan modal, pinjaman, dan bantuan teknis, yang terutama menargetkan sektor-sektor seperti lembaga keuangan, energi, serta usaha berkelanjutan. Organisasi ini menempatkan standar lingkungan, sosial, dan tata kelola (ESG) sebagai prioritas utama, dengan tujuan menciptakan dampak pembangunan jangka panjang sekaligus mendorong pertumbuhan usaha yang bertanggung jawab dan inklusif.

Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP (EMGA), yang berkantor di London dan New York, membantu lembaga keuangan serta perusahaan dalam memperoleh pendanaan baru dalam bentuk utang maupun penyertaan modal. Tim multinasional EMGA memadukan pengalaman selama puluhan tahun yang diperlukan untuk merampungkan transaksi bagi para kliennya di berbagai pasar negara berkembang dan negara dengan perekonomian berkembang tahap awal di seluruh dunia. Di antara pasar-pasar tersebut, Sri Lanka tetap termasuk menjadi salah satu pasar utama. Dengan rekam jejak yang telah teruji dalam pembentukan modal dan layanan konsultasi strategis di berbagai siklus ekonomi, EMGA semakin menegaskan posisinya sebagai salah satu bank investasi spesialis terkemuka yang berfokus pada pasar negara berkembang dan negara dengan perekonomian berkembang tahap awal.

Untuk mengetahui informasi selengkapnya, silakan hubungi info@emergingmarketsglobaladvisory.com

LONDON, June 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP (EMGA) announced the successful closure of a USD 15 million senior debt facility for Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB), marking a significant milestone in strengthening Sri Lanka's financial sector and supporting sustainable growth.

This transaction underscores EMGA's continued commitment to Sri Lanka, while reinforcing CDB's vision of expanding access to finance for SMEs and advancing its green portfolio. The facility was arranged in collaboration with Swedfund, Sweden's development finance institution, which plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainable economic development across emerging markets.

Commenting on the transaction, CDB's MD/CEO Mahesh Nanayakkara stated, "This financing strengthens our ability to empower SMEs and accelerate our green initiatives, ensuring that CDB continues to play a leading role in shaping Sri Lanka's sustainable financial future."

Emphasising the strategic importance of the debt finance, Head of Investment Banking and Managing Director at EMGA Sajeev Chakkalakal said, "We are pleased to close this latest transaction and ensure CDB's continued vision of supporting SMEs and its green portfolio in Sri Lanka, while simultaneously helping expand Swedfund's ongoing operations in the region."

Reflecting on the broader impact, Head of Operations and Managing Director at EMGA Jeremy Dobson noted: "Following several challenging years for Sri Lanka, EMGA has moved swiftly to capitalise on improving local conditions, strengthening CDB's funding base and diversifying its sources of capital."

Bj?rn Areskog, Investment Director at Swedfund, said, "We invest to increase access to capital to support the ability of MSMEs to grow, create more local jobs, add tax revenues and increase affordable access to products and services."

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB): A leading non-bank financial institution in Sri Lanka, listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, recognised for its focus on sustainable finance, digital innovation, and SME empowerment.

Swedfund is Sweden's development finance institution (DFI), wholly owned by the Swedish government, with a mandate to reduce poverty and promote sustainable economic development in emerging markets. Swedfund provides long-term financing in the form of equity, loans, and technical assistance, primarily targeting sectors such as financial institutions, energy, and sustainable enterprises. The organisation places strong emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, aiming to create lasting development impact while supporting responsible and inclusive business growth.

Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP (EMGA), with offices in London and New York, helps financial institutions and corporates seeking new debt or equity capital. EMGA's multinational team combines decades of experience necessary to complete transactions on behalf of its clients within the world's emerging markets and frontier economies, including Sri Lanka, which remains a key market. With a proven track record in capital formation and strategic advisory throughout diverse economic cycles, EMGA is solidifying its position as one of the pre-eminent niche investment banks focused on emerging and frontier markets.

For further information, please contact info@emergingmarketsglobaladvisory.com

The group behind Shop Circle launches Circeus as its holding company brand, backed by a new equity investment from the EBRD. Shop Circle continues as the group's retail and commerce software division. The investment will accelerate the deployment of AI across the portfolio and fund the continued acquisition of the software businesses that power the everyday economy.

LONDON, June 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Circeus, the AI-native holding company for mission-critical software, today announced its launch alongside an equity investment from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with participation from other investors.

The launch introduces Circeus as the group's holding company brand, reflecting the broader B2B software portfolio the group now operates with AI embedded throughout. The investment will help scale the group's central AI engineering capability and support continued acquisitions.

The AI-native holding company

Circeus has completed 18 acquisitions over the last four years and serves more than 200,000 businesses worldwide. The group is scaling profitably and is adding more revenue this year than in the previous two years combined, with further acquisitions expected to complete over the coming months.

From strategy to results

Over the past three years, AI has moved from experimentation to scaled deployment across the portfolio. Today, this is visible in performance:

Double-digit share of net new bookings driven by AI-enabled features

Up to ~80% customer experience automation in several products

100%+ improvements in developer productivity through AI-assisted workflows

These outcomes are consistent across multiple businesses, demonstrating a repeatable model that improves product performance, operational efficiency and post-acquisition EBITDA, rather than isolated successes.

A compounding model, with AI as the operating system

Circeus grows through a repeatable model: selectively acquiring software businesses and connecting them to a central AI capability, with agents and skills built once and deployed across the portfolio. Post-acquisition, Circeus embeds AI into products, automates operations, and reuses infrastructure, data, and insights across the group.

Each improvement compounds, creating a structural advantage difficult for standalone software businesses to replicate. AI is not a layer added on top of each product; it is the operating system of the group, moving software from systems of record to systems of action, and turning tasks into outcomes.

A permanent home for founders

Founders who sell to Circeus get a permanent home for their business: brands, teams, and customer relationships are preserved, while the group brings AI engineering, growth expertise, and centralised back-office support.

What they said

"As AI evolves software from passive tools into systems that act and execute, the addressable market for technology is expanding several-fold. We are building the platform to capture this shift. We were not running a fundraising process, as we are profitable and well capitalised, but we chose to make space for EBRD given their institutional standing and to lean further into a market that presents several attractive opportunities," said Luca Cartechini, Founder and CEO of Circeus.

"Across different businesses, we have proven that evolving a product into its AI-native form can drive a step-change in the market it can address. The hard part is doing this repeatedly, and that is what we have built: a central engineering capability that turns each transformation into a foundation for the next," said Gian Maria Gramondi, Founder and COO of Circeus.

"With more than $220m of total capital raised to date, we have substantial firepower to deploy in a highly attractive acquisition environment, with several deals expected to complete over the coming months. Deal after deal, we are proving a repeatable operating model that drives EBITDA uplift and strong returns across the assets we acquire and operate," said Robin Hardt, CFO of Circeus.

"We are backing a team bringing AI to the essential software that businesses across our regions rely on every day, and Circeus's compounding model aligns closely with EBRD's long-term mandate. The market for bringing AI to the real economy is enormous, and we look forward to supporting Circeus, alongside a strong group of investors, across the journey," said Bruno Lusic, Investor at EBRD.

EBRD's long-term perspective aligns with Circeus's approach to building compounding platforms over decades, not quarters. The investment brings the group's total equity raised to more than $120m and total capital raised to more than $220m, with backing from NFX, QED Investors, Nextalia, 645 Ventures, 3VC, Endeavor Catalyst, CDP Venture Capital, alongside a $100m+ credit facility from i80 Group.

Looking ahead

Despite the pace of AI innovation, adoption across the real economy remains early. Only around one in five enterprises in Europe and the US currently report using AI. [1]

Circeus exists to help close the AI adoption gap by embedding frontier capabilities into the mission-critical software that businesses depend on. The everyday economy runs on software that moves goods, powers commerce and supports specialist industries. Circeus believes AI compounds most where domain knowledge runs deepest, making vertical software, with its proprietary workflows and data, central to the group's portfolio.

The next generation of platforms will execute work, not just provide tools, and that shift is already underway.

About Circeus

Circeus is the AI-native holding company for mission-critical software. The group acquires and evolves vertical software businesses that power the everyday economy, embedding AI through its central engineering team to move software from systems of record to systems of action. Circeus operates from London, Milan and Sarajevo. Shop Circle, its commerce software division, serves retailers, wholesalers and brands worldwide.

About EBRD

The EBRD is one of the world's leading multilateral development banks, with a portfolio of approximately EUR62 billion and more than EUR220 billion invested since 1991 across over 7,800 projects. The Bank also has dedicated equity capabilities, supporting private-sector growth, innovation and sustainable development across its regions.

Media enquiries

press@circeus.com

Grup di balik Shop Circle meluncurkan Circeus sebagai merek perusahaan induknya, didukung oleh investasi ekuitas baru dari EBRD. Shop Circle terus beroperasi sebagai divisi perangkat lunak untuk ritel dan perdagangan milik grup. Investasi ini akan mempercepat penerapan AI di seluruh portofolio perusahaan sekaligus mendanai akuisisi berkelanjutan atas berbagai bisnis perangkat lunak yang mendukung kegiatan ekonomi sehari-hari.

LONDON, June 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Circeus, perusahaan induk berbasis AI yang berfokus pada perangkat lunak penting bagi kelangsungan operasional, hari ini mengumumkan peluncurannya sekaligus perolehan investasi ekuitas dari European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), dengan partisipasi dari sejumlah investor lainnya.

Peluncuran ini memperkenalkan Circeus sebagai merek perusahaan induk grup, yang mencerminkan portofolio perangkat lunak B2B yang kini semakin luas dan dioperasikan dengan integrasi AI secara menyeluruh. Investasi ini akan membantu meningkatkan skala kapabilitas rekayasa AI terpusat milik grup serta mendukung keberlanjutan akuisisi.

Perusahaan induk berbasis AI

Dalam empat tahun terakhir, Circeus telah menyelesaikan 18 akuisisi dan melayani lebih dari 200.000 bisnis di seluruh dunia. Grup ini terus tumbuh secara menguntungkan, dan pada tahun ini, tambahan pendapatannya lebih besar daripada total tambahan pendapatan dalam dua tahun sebelumnya. Sejumlah akuisisi lainnya juga diperkirakan akan rampung dalam beberapa bulan mendatang.

Dari strategi menuju hasil

Dalam tiga tahun terakhir, penerapan AI telah beralih dari tahap eksperimen menuju implementasi berskala luas di seluruh portofolio. Saat ini, hasil penerapannya terlihat pada kinerja:

Fitur berkemampuan AI menghasilkan porsi dua digit dari nilai kontrak baru bersih

Tingkat otomatisasi pengalaman pelanggan hingga 80% pada beberapa produk

Produktivitas pengembang meningkat lebih dari 100% melalui alur kerja yang didukung AI

Hasil yang konsisten di berbagai bisnis menunjukkan bahwa model tersebut dapat diterapkan secara berulang untuk meningkatkan kinerja produk, efisiensi operasional, dan EBITDA pasca-akuisisi, bukan hanya menunjukkan keberhasilan pada kasus-kasus tertentu.

Model pertumbuhan majemuk, dengan AI sebagai sistem operasinya

Circeus bertumbuh melalui model yang dapat diterapkan secara berulang dengan cara mengakuisisi bisnis perangkat lunak secara selektif dan menghubungkannya dengan kapabilitas AI terpusat. Agen AI dan berbagai kemampuannya dikembangkan satu kali, lalu diterapkan di seluruh portofolio. Setelah akuisisi, Circeus mengintegrasikan AI ke dalam berbagai produk, mengotomatiskan kegiatan operasional, serta memanfaatkan kembali infrastruktur, data, dan wawasan di seluruh grup.

Setiap peningkatan menghasilkan efek majemuk sehingga menciptakan keunggulan struktural yang sulit ditiru oleh perusahaan perangkat lunak yang berdiri sendiri. AI bukan sekadar lapisan tambahan pada setiap produk, melainkan menjadi sistem operasi bagi seluruh grup. AI menggeser peran perangkat lunak dari sekadar sistem pencatatan menjadi sistem yang mampu bertindak dan mengubah tugas menjadi hasil nyata.

Rumah permanen bagi para pendiri

Para pendiri yang menjual bisnisnya kepada Circeus mendapatkan rumah permanen bagi bisnis mereka: merek, tim, dan hubungan dengan pelanggan tetap dipertahankan, sedangkan grup menyediakan kapabilitas rekayasa AI, keahlian dalam mendorong pertumbuhan, serta dukungan fungsi administratif (back-office) yang terpusat.

Apa kata mereka

"AI mengubah perangkat lunak dari alat pasif menjadi sistem yang mampu bertindak dan menjalankan tugas sehingga pasar yang dapat dijangkau oleh teknologi berkembang hingga berkali-kali lipat. Kami membangun platform untuk memanfaatkan perubahan ini. Kami sebenarnya tidak sedang mencari pendanaan karena perusahaan telah mencatatkan keuntungan dan memiliki modal yang memadai. Namun, kami memilih membuka ruang bagi EBRD untuk berinvestasi, mengingat reputasinya sebagai institusi terkemuka, sekaligus meningkatkan fokus kami pada pasar yang menawarkan berbagai peluang menarik," ujar Luca Cartechini, Pendiri dan CEO Circeus.

"Di berbagai bisnis, kami telah membuktikan bahwa mengembangkan suatu produk menjadi produk berbasis AI dapat mendorong peningkatan signifikan pada pasar yang mampu dijangkaunya. Tantangan sesungguhnya adalah mampu melakukannya secara berulang. Karena itulah kami membangun kapabilitas rekayasa terpusat yang menjadikan setiap transformasi sebagai landasan bagi transformasi berikutnya," ujar Gian Maria Gramondi, Pendiri dan COO Circeus.

"Dengan total modal lebih dari US$220 juta yang telah diperoleh hingga saat ini, kami memiliki kapasitas pendanaan yang besar untuk dimanfaatkan di tengah peluang akuisisi yang sangat menarik. Sejumlah transaksi juga diperkirakan akan rampung dalam beberapa bulan mendatang. Dari satu transaksi ke transaksi berikutnya, kami terus membuktikan bahwa model operasional ini dapat diterapkan secara konsisten untuk meningkatkan EBITDA dan menghasilkan imbal hasil yang kuat dari setiap aset yang kami akuisisi dan kelola," ujar Robin Hardt, CFO Circeus.

"Kami mendukung tim yang menghadirkan AI ke dalam perangkat lunak penting yang digunakan setiap hari oleh berbagai bisnis di wilayah kami. Model pertumbuhan majemuk Circeus juga sangat selaras dengan mandat jangka panjang EBRD. Peluang pasar untuk menghadirkan AI ke sektor ekonomi riil sangat besar. Kami berharap dapat terus mendukung Circeus sepanjang perjalanan pertumbuhannya, bersama kelompok investor yang kuat," ujar Bruno Lusic, Investor di EBRD.

Perspektif jangka panjang EBRD selaras dengan pendekatan Circeus dalam membangun platform dengan model pertumbuhan majemuk dalam hitungan dekade, bukan saja kuartal. Investasi ini meningkatkan total pendanaan ekuitas grup menjadi lebih dari US$120 juta dan total modal yang diperoleh menjadi lebih dari US$220 juta, dengan dukungan dari NFX, QED Investors, Nextalia, 645 Ventures, 3VC, Endeavor Catalyst, dan CDP Venture Capital, serta fasilitas kredit senilai lebih dari US$100 juta dari i80 Group.

Menatap ke Depan

Di tengah pesatnya laju inovasi AI, tingkat penerapannya dalam kegiatan ekonomi riil masih berada pada tahap awal. Saat ini, hanya sekitar satu dari lima perusahaan di Eropa dan AS yang melaporkan telah menggunakan AI. [1]

Circeus hadir untuk membantu mengatasi kesenjangan dalam adopsi AI dengan mengintegrasikan kapabilitas AI termutakhir ke dalam perangkat lunak yang penting untuk kelangsungan operasional yang menjadi andalan berbagai bisnis. Kegiatan ekonomi sehari-hari berjalan berkat perangkat lunak yang menggerakkan distribusi barang, mendukung perdagangan, dan menunjang berbagai industri khusus. Circeus meyakini bahwa AI memberikan manfaat terbesar ketika diterapkan pada bidang yang memiliki pengetahuan domain mendalam. Oleh karena itu, perangkat lunak vertikal (dibuat khusus untuk industri tertentu), dengan didukung alur kerja dan data eksklusif, menjadi inti dalam portofolio grup.

Platform generasi berikutnya tidak hanya akan menyediakan alat, tetapi juga mampu menjalankan tugas, dan pergeseran tersebut kini sedang berjalan.

Tentang Circeus

Circeus adalah perusahaan induk berbasis AI yang berfokus pada perangkat lunak penting bagi kelangsungan operasional. Grup ini mengakuisisi dan mengembangkan perusahaan perangkat lunak vertikal yang menopang kegiatan ekonomi sehari-hari. Melalui tim rekayasa terpusatnya, grup mengintegrasikan AI untuk mengubah perangkat lunak dari sekadar sistem pencatatan menjadi sistem yang mampu mengambil tindakan. Circeus beroperasi dari London, Milan, dan Sarajevo. Shop Circle, divisi perangkat lunak perdagangan Circeus, melayani peritel, distributor grosir, dan berbagai merek di seluruh dunia.

Tentang EBRD

EBRD merupakan salah satu bank pembangunan multilateral terkemuka di dunia, dengan portofolio sekitar EUR62 miliar. Sejak tahun 1991, EBRD telah menyalurkan investasi lebih dari EUR220 miliar ke lebih dari 7.800 proyek. Bank ini juga memiliki kapabilitas khusus di bidang ekuitas untuk mendukung pertumbuhan sektor swasta, inovasi, dan pembangunan berkelanjutan di seluruh wilayah operasinya.

Catatan untuk editor

[1] Sumber: Eurostat, "20% of EU enterprises use AI technologies": https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20251211-2;

Biro Sensus AS, "AI Use at U.S. Businesses": https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2026/05/ai-use-businesses.html.

Kedua laporan tersebut menunjukkan bahwa tingkat penggunaan AI di berbagai perusahaan mencapai sekitar 20% di Uni Eropa dan 17-20% di AS.

Pertanyaan media

press@circeus.com