FORT HOOD, Texas, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BAE Systems (LON: BA) delivered two concept Infantry Fighting Vehicles to the U.S. Army in April to support the Transformation in Contact (TiC) 2.0 initiative. The vehicles were developed through $17 million of BAE Systems Internal Research and Development funding and based on the proven chassis of the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV). Since delivery, the TiC unit has run the AMPV 30s through rigorous field evaluations, including live fire testing, benchmarking the platform's capabilities against what Soldiers require to maintain advantage on the modern battlefield.

"Our mission was speed and innovation, and we delivered beyond expectations," said Bill Sheehy, vice president of BAE Systems' Ground Maneuver futures. "With today's battlefield evolving faster than ever, it's paramount that Soldiers have the capabilities they need to win the fight. Throughout this effort, our team demonstrated how we can integrate new design solutions in a time-effective and more cost-efficient manner for the Army."

From start to finish, the development of the AMPV 30s took only six months before the company delivered them to the Army. Both AMPV 30s are equipped with common top plates that include the KONGSBERG Medium Caliber Turret (MCT), a compact and light weight remote turret system currently in production with the U.S. Marine Corps' Amphibious Combat Vehicle.

Beyond firepower, the AMPV 30s are designed for superior survival and connectivity. The tracked combat vehicles feature counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) capabilities for combating drone threats, a cross-platform target handoff system that provides multiple vehicle connectivity for target identification and synchronization across the battlefield, and a 360 situational awareness camera system that allows Soldiers to view surroundings from the safety of the vehicle.

The modular and open architecture design of the AMPV chassis combined with BAE Systems' common top plate enables the seamless incorporation of mission equipment packages onto the platform and is adaptable to more than 30 different turret systems. These two AMPV 30s mark eight total turreted AMPV prototypes the company has invested in over the last two years to support the Army's modernization needs.

For more information, please contact:

Darby Dame, BAE Systems

Mobile: +1 269 675 0273

[email protected]

www.baesystems.com/en-us

@BAESystemsInc

SOURCE BAE Systems, Inc.

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Integrity's robust platform, partner network and operational support offer a clear path to expand product offerings, strengthen presence, recruit more agents and grow agency nationwide

DALLAS, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Integrity, LLC ("Integrity"), a leading distributor of life and health insurance, and provider of wealth management and retirement planning solutions, today announced it has partnered with Mint Health Insurance Agency ("Mint"), an independent marketing organization based in Southern California and led by Miriam and Albert Vega. Financial details of the partnership were not disclosed.

"Having a steadfast commitment to service influences every client interaction and business decision — and Miriam and Albert represent the kind of purpose-driven leadership that powers Integrity's culture and helps create lasting value for those we serve," said Bryan W. Adams, Co-Founder and CEO of Integrity. "Integrity's AI-powered platform, proven growth resources and unmatched partner network will provide Mint with new opportunities to scale its impact while continuing to deliver exceptional service. By combining Mint's trusted community relationships with Integrity's broad capabilities, we can empower more agents, reach more families and raise the standard for what is possible in the industry. We are honored to partner with Miriam, Albert and their entire team as they continue to advance their mission of community building and agent empowerment."

With team members representing a broad range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, Mint is exceptionally equipped to serve and connect with clients across diverse communities. With a strong focus on Medicare, Mint has established a respected reputation for service excellence and client advocacy. Through its partnership with Integrity, the agency can further expand its solutions and capabilities, creating new opportunities to serve clients while accelerating long-term growth. Guided by a leadership team that prioritizes continuous learning and professional development, Mint empowers agents at every stage of their careers to act with urgency, serve with purpose and help ensure no client is left behind. The agency is also committed to strengthening the communities it serves, earning recognition for its local engagement efforts, including an annual Grandparents Day celebration that supports local seniors.

"Mint is centered around service because to us, everyone matters. It's our mission to help as many seniors as possible get access to information and services that will improve their quality of life," said Miriam Vega, CEO of Mint. "With that in mind, it was tremendously important for us to find the right partner who showed care for both our agents and clients. Integrity's mission, vision and priorities completely align with our values at Mint. The IntegrityCONNECT platform is the growth catalyst we've been looking for to expand our portfolio into life, annuity and wealth products so we can become an even stronger and more valuable resource for clients. Partnering with Integrity opens new avenues for business growth — we're excited and fully prepared to make the most of this incredible opportunity."

"Integrity understands that agents are drawn to this industry to make an impact on others while best utilizing their time. The Integrity platform helps our agents achieve both objectives," said Albert Vega, President of Mint. "From our first look at IntegrityCONNECT, we knew we had found exactly what our team needed to advance their growth. The platform's new features — including AI-driven cross-selling alerts, disruption notifications and even greater carrier access — have already become significant differentiators for our agents in serving their clients. Integrity's forward-thinking mindset has opened a world of resources we didn't have access to on our own, including strategies that proactively identify key trends and disruptions, so we can be ready to plan accordingly. By combining Integrity's resources with our team's drive and determination, we are positioned to not only reach but exceed our objectives."

Integrity's agent-focused technology platform will help the Mint team build and maintain connections at every step of the insurance process and across multiple life stages. IntegrityCONNECT®, an industry-leading growth engine, offers agents access to on-demand leads, instantaneous quoting, application and enrollment, and simplified ongoing plan management. In addition, Integrity's AI-powered and voice-activated digital assistant, Ask Integrity®, further strengthens these connections through real-time prompts, coverage recommendations and policy lifecycle reminders. Every feature of the Integrity platform is designed to provide agents with the operational efficiency, compliance and technology they need to consistently deliver exceptional client service and maintain a leadership position in the industry.

Integrity also offers Mint a clear path to expand its product offerings in ways that help agents serve clients more holistically — including access to Integrity's prestigious partner network. This focused collective of icons and trailblazers from leading insurance and financial services companies is collaborating to effectively integrate life, health and wealth protection and planning for today's consumers. Their transformative solutions optimize products and processes for all stakeholders while helping millions of American families plan for the good days ahead and make the most of what life brings.

For more information about Mint's partnership with Integrity, view a video at www.integrity.com/Mint.

About Integrity

Integrity, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a leading distributor of life and health insurance, and provider of innovative solutions for wealth management and retirement planning. Through its broad partner network of agents and advisors, Integrity helps millions of Americans protect their life, health and wealth with a commitment to meet them wherever they are — in person, over the phone and online. Integrity's proprietary, cutting-edge technology helps expand the insurance and financial planning experience for all stakeholders using an omnichannel approach. In addition, Integrity develops products with carrier partners and markets them compliantly through its nationwide distribution network. Providing best-in-class service to their clients and consumers is at the center of Integrity's holistic approach to life, health and wealth protection. The company and its partners focus on helping families and individuals prepare for the good days ahead, so they can make the most of what life brings. The recipient of nationally ranked business awards, including Newsweek's America's Greatest Workplaces, Inc.'s Power Partner, and Business Intelligence Group's AI Excellence Award, Integrity has also earned impressive employee sentiment awards such as Best Company for Career Growth, Best Company Leadership, Best Company Culture, and Best Company Happiness. For more information, visit www.integrity.com.

About Mint Health Insurance Agency

Mint Health Insurance Agency is a Southern California-based independent insurance agency specializing in Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplement, special needs plans, prescription drug plans and Covered California. Built on the belief that healthcare should be understandable, personal and human, Mint delivers trusted guidance that helps individuals and families make confident healthcare decisions. With a growing team of licensed agents serving clients across an expanding multi-state footprint, Mint has earned a reputation for its education first approach, exceptional service and commitment to the communities it serves. Recognized with prestigious business and community leadership awards and featured by local media for its community impact, Mint remains dedicated to empowering seniors through education, advocacy and year-round support.

SOURCE Integrity

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100+ patents across 20+ families, accelerating at 30% year-over-year growth

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- RIVANNA®, developer of AI-enabled clinical decision-support solutions, today announced its 100th patent filing: an AI-powered ultrasound pathology detection pipeline protecting the company's automated computer-aided diagnosis features (CADe/x) on the Accuro® XV platform. The filing marks fifteen years of continuous innovation and reinforces RIVANNA's intellectual property estate as a vertically integrated, AI-enabled platform with FDA-cleared product lines serving multiple clinical markets.

The filing, U.S. patent application #64/080,862, describes a computer-aided detection algorithm for automated pathology identification from volumetric ultrasound imaging acquired by the Accuro XV platform that is advancing toward FDA clearance. The filing is structured as a foundational application designed to support multiple downstream continuation filings, extending claim coverage as RIVANNA advances the AI platform.

RIVANNA's portfolio spans 100+ active issued and pending patents across more than 20 patent families, growing approximately 30% year over year, with strategic continuation depth and coverage across the United States, Europe, Japan, and China. All filings are owned or exclusively controlled by RIVANNA. Claims protect the full technology stack: AI and machine learning, cloud-based analytics infrastructure, robotics and automation, image processing and workflow, and hardware and interfaces.

Inside the 100th filing

The 100th filing describes a broad AI-enabled ultrasound pathology detection platform: a unified diagnostic pipeline connecting image acquisition, image enhancement, multi-level (frame, scan, and subject) decision assistance, and adaptive workflow control. The filing is positioned around automated fracture and fracture-associated pathology detection; the architecture is intentionally broad, with applicability across musculoskeletal, cardiac, lung, obstetric, and other imaging workflows and image modalities.

A key innovation is use of custom multi-channel ultrasound inputs with proprietary feature enhancement based on RIVANNA's BoneEnhance® algorithm to improve image visibility and provide structural context to downstream AI detectors. The filing also covers higher-level AI decision layers that incorporate detections across frames, scans, and anatomical views, incorporating clinical metadata and view coverage to support different clinical objectives, from rule-out screening to rule-in confirmation.

The family extends beyond pathology detection and into workflow optimization. Adaptive scan ordering and early stopping can reduce the number of required views while maintaining or improving diagnostic performance. The filing also claims self-supervised ultrasound pretraining approaches that leverage large unlabeled datasets, potentially reducing dependence on manual annotation and strengthening the foundation for scalable AI development across future ultrasound applications.

A moat built across hardware, AI, and data

RIVANNA's patent strategy protects integrated workflows, not isolated algorithms. The estate covers proprietary imaging hardware (custom beamformer, volumetric imaging probe architecture, probe-patient interface); the AI that interprets it (BoneEnhance anatomy segmentation, CADe/x automated fracture identification, automated spine recognition technology underlying SpineNav-AI™); and the procedural infrastructure that surrounds both (SafeTrack™ instrument tracking, acquisition standardization, quality control). Integrated imaging hardware, acquisition standardization, clinical datasets, and AI models all operate within a unified, protected architecture.

The estate is reinforced by proprietary know-how in signal processing, quality control, and acquisition standardization, and one of the largest private musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound datasets, sourced from eight-plus clinical sites across the company's multi-site clinical network. Freedom-to-operate diligence has been completed across key feature sets.

Capital-efficient expansion: shared IP across clinical markets

The patent estate is engineered for shared R&D investment across multiple clinical applications. Foundational families protect the AI and 3D ultrasound architecture that powers two FDA-cleared product lines serving distinct markets: Accuro® 3S, FDA cleared for guidance for needle or catheter placement; and Accuro XV, FDA cleared for musculoskeletal imaging. Each new clinical indication extends the platform without rebuilding the foundation. The 100th filing's claim scope is designed to support additional applications as RIVANNA expands the platform. One IP estate, multiple commercial outputs: shared foundational claims, distinct market-entry strategies.

Clinical traction

The Accuro XV multi-site clinical study expanded from two to eight academic medical centers in four months, with ten systems deployed and 1,800+ patients enrolled. A peer-reviewed multicenter study published in the Journal of Emergency Medicine (Thom et al., 2026) demonstrated that non-physician operators at UVA Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center acquired extremity images with quality statistically indistinguishable from board-certified emergency physicians (mean scores 3.6 vs. 3.7; p = 0.24); more than 90% of scans were rated adequate for diagnostic interpretation.

"Reaching one hundred patent filings is a structural milestone," said Will Mauldin, PhD, Co-founder and CEO of RIVANNA. "Our IP estate protects what makes the platform work at the point of decision: shared imaging hardware, AI models, and clinical datasets that support confident clinical decisions across distinct applications. The same foundational claims protect both neuraxial anesthesia and fracture care. The 100th filing extends that protection into the automated pathology detection work conducted under our BARDA funding option; it defines what decision-grade ultrasound looks like: built to accelerate clinical decision-making, standardize procedural outcomes, and reduce operator variability at the point of care."

About Accuro 3S

Accuro 3S is a portable, cart-based, point-of-care diagnostic ultrasound system. SpineNav-AI automatically identifies lumbar spinal landmarks and the midline, and measures depth to the epidural space in real time. The patented Dual-Array™ probe positions two transducer arrays on either side of a central aperture, so the needle can be introduced and advanced along the spinal midline within the ultrasound imaging plane. When used with a compatible tracked needle, SafeTrack displays needle-tip location and trajectory relative to the ultrasound image in real time.

About Accuro XV

Accuro XV is a portable, small-footprint, point-of-care diagnostic ultrasound system FDA 510(k) cleared for musculoskeletal imaging. The system features a conformable three-dimensional probe that automates large field-of-view B-mode image acquisitions without ionizing radiation. With AI-enabled decision-assist capabilities advancing toward FDA clearance, Accuro XV will deliver BoneEnhance, a machine learning software module that segments musculoskeletal anatomy to support 2D and 3D visualization of skeletal structures; and a world-first CADe/x machine learning software module that assists clinicians in detecting fractures from volumetric ultrasound imaging to support triage decisions, including referral for additional radiographic imaging.

This project has been supported in whole or in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR); Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), under contract number 75A50121C00035.

About RIVANNA

RIVANNA is a medical technology company developing clinical decision-support solutions powered by proprietary clinical datasets, AI models, and purpose-built imaging hardware. The company's platform is designed to automate complex anatomical analysis at the point of care, support faster and more confident clinical decisions, reduce variability, and expand access to advanced capabilities. Its initial applications address interventional guidance and trauma triage, beginning with neuraxial procedures and musculoskeletal injury assessment. RIVANNA has established an FDA-cleared product portfolio and maintains a worldwide intellectual-property portfolio of more than 100 issued and pending patents. RIVANNA is headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, and operates an FDA-registered, ISO 13485:2016-certified manufacturing facility.

RIVANNA, Accuro, and the Rivanna Medical family of marks are registered and unregistered trademarks of Rivanna Medical, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE RIVANNA

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Closed transaction provided $20 million in New Markets Tax Credit financing for the construction of the Urban Health Plan Medical Plaza

NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- New York City Regional Center (NYCRC) is pleased to announce the closing of $20 million in New Markets Tax Credit financing to help fund the construction of a new 87,000-square-foot healthcare facility in the South Bronx.

The $20 million transaction utilized a portion of a $75 million New Markets Tax Credit award from the U.S. Department of Treasury to NYC Regional Community Development, an entity managed by NYCRC. To receive a New Markets Tax Credit allocation award, NYCRC was required to demonstrate a mission and track record of providing investment capital for low-income communities.

The capital is enabling Urban Health Plan, one of the largest Federally Qualified Heath Center systems in New York State, to construct a new administrative and programmatic hub known as the Urban Health Plan Medical Plaza. The new facility will house critical mental health services, WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) nutrition services, and a centralized training and continuing education center for Urban Health Plan's approximately 1,000 employees. The facility will enhance service delivery and workforce development while supporting the organization's mission to expand access to care and strengthen community health in a highly distressed area.

The new Medical Plaza will also house Odyssey House, a non-profit organization specializing in substance use disorder treatment and transitional housing, as well as MetroPlusHealth, a Medicaid managed care organization that serves low-income individuals. The addition of these tenants will enhance care coordination and make it easier for Bronx residents to receive comprehensive healthcare.

Urban Health Plan serves 89,000 unique patients and 430,000 patient visits annually. The organization has a network of twelve primary care sites, two mental health facilities, and twelve school-based health centers in the Bronx, Central Harlem, and Corona, Queens. Established in 1974, Urban Health Plan focuses on delivering comprehensive healthcare and social services to the low-income, uninsured and medically underserved population. The organization offers services such as primary care, pediatrics, women's health, behavioral health, dental, vision, and specialty care regardless of a patient's ability to pay.

"We are pleased to assist Urban Health Plan's important work," said George Olsen, NYCRC Co-Managing Principal. "Community-based health centers are strengthening the healthcare safety net by providing critical services for underserved communities throughout the city."

"Our mission at NYC Regional Community Development is to expand access to capital for underserved neighborhoods," said Paul Levinsohn, NYCRC Co-Managing Principal. "This investment will assist Urban Health Plan's continued efforts to provide healthcare to patients regardless of their ability to pay."

Since 2016, NYC Regional Community Development (NYCR-CDE) has received eight separate annual New Markets Tax Credit awards totaling $390 million. Examples of previous fundings include:

- Construction of the National Urban League's new headquarters in Harlem

- Redevelopment of the Major Owens Community Center in Brooklyn

- Redevelopment of the Armory Track & Field Center in Washington Heights

- Expansion of St. John's Episcopal Hospital Center in Far Rockaway

- Construction of seven Grand Street Settlement early childhood centers in Brooklyn and the Bronx

- Construction of four Community Healthcare Network clinics in Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx

The New Markets Tax Credit Program was created by Congress in 2000 in an effort to stimulate private investment and economic growth in low-income neighborhoods and rural communities that lack access to capital. Historically, low-income communities often have difficulty attracting investment. The program aims to break this cycle of disinvestment by attracting the private investment necessary to reinvigorate struggling local economies. Private capital is incentivized by providing federal income tax credits to investors in exchange for making equity investments in low-income neighborhoods.

About New York City Regional Center

NYCRC was approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2008 to secure foreign investment for real estate and infrastructure projects under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. Over the past 18 years, NYCRC has put $1.58 billion of EB-5 capital and $390 million of New Markets Tax Credit capital to work across a broad spectrum of infrastructure and real estate projects in New York City. Much of this capital has been invested in low-income areas in need of long-term economic growth. Examples include:

- $873 million to finance ground-up, redevelopment, and infrastructure projects in Brooklyn, including seven projects totaling $385 million in the Brooklyn Navy Yard

- $321 million to finance ground-up construction in the Bronx

- $232.5 million to finance the construction of a public high-speed wireless infrastructure network in New York City subway stations and along city streets

- $127.5 million to finance ground-up and redevelopment projects in Washington Heights (an Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone)

To date, 56 projects across New York City have utilized NYCRC EB-5 and New Markets Tax Credit capital to assist in the construction of over 7.2 million square feet of new development and renovation as well as critical infrastructure initiatives.

SOURCE New York City Regional Center

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NIVEA Smooth & Glow Body Milk features an ultra-light formula that absorbs in seconds and helps unlock a vibrant, healthy-looking glow.

STAMFORD, Conn., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- NIVEA, the World's No. 1 Skincare Brand* and part of Beiersdorf's global skincare portfolio, is introducing its newest body care innovation, NEW NIVEA Smooth & Glow Body Milk. The ultra-light body lotion is specially formulated to immediately smooth dry, rough skin and deliver 72-hours of deep moisture, while absorbing into the skin within seconds. Enriched with a blend of Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid and Deep Nourishing Serum, the formula provides long-lasting hydration and helps unlock a vibrant, healthy-looking glow for normal to dry skin.

NIVEA Smooth & Glow Body Milk is now available nationwide on TikTok Shop, Amazon, Walmart, Walgreens and CVS, starting at $5.99.

Key Facts About NIVEA Smooth & Glow Body Milk

NIVEA Smooth & Glow Body Milk is specially formulated for normal to dry skin, dermatologically tested for skin compatibility and designed to deliver long-lasting hydration with every application.

- Immediately smooths dry, rough skin texture

- Delivers 72-hours of deep moisture

- Features an ultra-light, milky serum texture

- Absorbs into skin in seconds

- Helps unlock a vibrant, healthy-looking glow

- Formula enriched with Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid and Deep Nourishing Serum:

- Niacinamide, Vitamin B3

- Hyaluronic Acid, helps draw moisture into the skin

- Deep Nourishing Serum, moisturizing blend of ingredients

- Available in a 6.7 fl. oz. tube starting at $5.99

- Available nationwide on TikTok Shop, Amazon, Walmart, Walgreens and CVS

Why Now

Today's consumers are looking for body care that delivers both lasting hydration and visible skin benefits. According to the 2025 Finch Panel Hand and Body Lotion User Study, 43% of lotion users addressing rough, dry, or dull skin are dissatisfied with current hand and body lotion offerings, highlighting an opportunity for effective products that don't require consumers to compromise on performance or feel.

NIVEA Smooth & Glow Body Milk was developed to meet this need, pairing recognizable skincare ingredients and long-lasting hydration with an ultra-light, sensorial formula that absorbs in seconds. The result is a simple way for consumers to address dry, rough skin without a heavy feel.

"Consumers expect more from their skincare products than ever before, and brands must continue to raise the bar," said Andrea Mondoni, General Manager, Beiersdorf North America. "NIVEA has built long-standing consumer trust by delivering skincare solutions that combine quality, efficacy and accessibility. NIVEA Smooth & Glow Body Milk reflects our commitment to continuing that tradition, meeting consumer expectations, while staying true to what has made the brand relevant for generations."

Building on more than 110 years of skincare expertise, NIVEA is bringing an elevated body care experience at an accessible price point. With some body milks on the market priced at up to 4x the cost of NIVEA Smooth & Glow Body Milk, the new formula starts at just $5.99 – making it easier for consumers to experience elevated body care without the premium price tag. Through this latest innovation, NIVEA continues to evolve its body care offerings to meet changing consumer needs and help people feel comfortable and confident in their skin.

"At NIVEA, we know that body care consumers are looking for unique textures and formats that feel amazing on skin," said Tracy Feehan, VP of Marketing, NIVEA US at Beiersdorf. "This insight inspired the development of NIVEA Smooth & Glow Body Milk, an ultra-light, milky formula that immediately transforms dry, rough skin into smoother, glowing skin with our signature 72-hours of moisture. We're excited to launch this innovation to our body care lineup, offering consumers a new way to glow."

About NIVEA

NIVEA, a Beiersdorf brand, has been a trusted, loved, and relied-upon skincare brand for more than 100 years. As the World's No. 1 Skincare Brand* NIVEA continues to expand and innovate to meet the evolving needs of consumers and help people feel comfortable in their skin. For more information, visit NIVEAusa.com or follow the brand on Instagram and TikTok. 

About Beiersdorf

Beiersdorf Inc. is the North American affiliate of Beiersdorf AG, which has stood for innovative, high-quality skincare products for over a century. The company's portfolio of leading international brands includes Aquaphor, Eucerin, NIVEA, Coppertone, La Prairie, and Chantecaille. For more information, visit www.beiersdorfusa.com

Media Contact:

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*Euromonitor International Limited; NIVEA by umbrella brand name in the categories Body Care, Face Care and Hand Care; in retail value terms, 2025.

SOURCE Beiersdorf

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New partnership brings more than 400 practice-based courses to edX.org — spanning practical AI, technical, and durable skills — with skill verification and an AI tutor built into the learning experience

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 2U, a global leader in higher education, today announced a new partnership with CodeSignal, the agentic skills intelligence platform, bringing more than 400 hands-on, practice-based courses to edX, 2U's global online learning platform, for the first time. The first courses are now live, with the full catalog available on edX by the end of the year.

Employers are moving fast to build AI fluency across their workforces, and workers know it. According to a 2U survey, 58% of workers see a lack of AI expertise in their industry, and nearly two-thirds of managers plan to upskill to keep pace. But most online course content still asks learners to watch and read—while the work itself asks them to perform tasks.

CodeSignal's courses close that gap by putting learners inside realistic work environments that are common on the job. Learners analyze data in a spreadsheet, write code in real development environments, run experiments, build campaigns, and practice skills like public speaking through interactive AI role-play. Skill checks are built into the learning experience itself, so completing a course reflects what a learner can do. Along the way, learners get one-on-one guidance and instant feedback from Cosmo, CodeSignal's AI tutor.

Behind each course is a subject matter expert (SME). CodeSignal's 25-person content team spans software engineering, data, machine learning, AI, and leadership, and every course path is owned end-to-end by an expert in that domain. The SME writes the blueprint—learning outcomes, scope, and sequence—then reviews every lesson and exercise against it. Course design also draws on CodeSignal's Talent Science team of I-O psychologists, mapping what's taught to what employers are hiring for.

"Learning that ends with a video and a quiz doesn't tell an employer much," said Andy Morgan, Chief Partnerships Officer at 2U. "CodeSignal's courses put learners in a real working environment and verify they can do the work. Bringing that to edX means learners can build AI and technical skills the way they'll actually use them, and walk away with evidence of what they've learned. And every one of these courses was designed and approved by a person with real expertise in the subject. That's the bar for anything that goes on edX."

Roughly a third to half of the initial catalog focuses on practical AI skills, including prompt engineering, AI literacy for business roles, ethical AI development, and building AI-powered applications. The remainder spans technical and durable skills that apply across roles and industries, including "Introduction to Programming with Python," "Prompt Engineering for Everyone," and "Supercommunicators - Have Conversations that Matter". Additional courses will be added over time.

"Skills are the foundation for what people can become, and what organizations can achieve," said Stephanie Durand, VP of Strategic Partnerships at CodeSignal. "edX gives us the reach to put rigorous, hands-on skill building in front of millions of learners who are trying to keep pace with how quickly their fields are changing. It's a natural fit: two organizations that care less about course completions and more about what people can do in the context of work."

The courses are available to individual learners through edX.org and to organizations through edX's Enterprise Catalog, enabling teams to build AI and technical fluency at scale.

For more information and to browse the full catalog, visit www.edx.org/school/codesignal

About 2U

2U partners with the world's top universities and companies to build education programs that accelerate careers and transform lives. Through more than 250 institutional and enterprise partnerships, 2U develops and delivers over 5,300 online programs, reaching more than 100 million people worldwide through edX, 2U's global learning platform. From executive education and professional credentialing to master's degree programs and free, open courses, 2U aligns education with workforce needs, enabling professionals to advance without pausing their careers. Learn more at 2U.com.

About CodeSignal

CodeSignal helps companies build the skills to succeed now, and adapt as the future of work changes. It's the agentic skills intelligence platform, built on a simple belief: the biggest decisions about people should rely on proof, not proxies. For years, talent has been judged by resumes, titles, self-ratings, and inferred data, sources that only hint at what someone can really do. CodeSignal measures real skills through rigorous simulation-based assessments and in-depth evaluation of people's actual work.

CodeSignal spans the full talent journey, from hiring assessments and AI interviews to hands-on skills development and workforce planning. With skills intelligence that measures work as it happens, leaders see where their teams stand, what to coach next, and where to plan ahead. It's why companies like Capital One, Meta, and Dropbox, along with millions of people building their own skills, have made CodeSignal the standard for measuring what's real.

To learn more, visit www.codesignal.com or connect with CodeSignal on LinkedIn.

Media Contacts:

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[email protected] 

SOURCE 2U

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Inaugural gathering on November 5, 2026, marks the launch of a lasting partnership between Health Union and DTC Perspectives to unite biopharma marketing leaders, elevate rare disease strategy, and address critical commercial, technical, and patient engagement shifts.

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Union, the leader in online health communities, and DTC Perspectives, the premier conference and publishing company for consumer health marketers, today announced their inaugural joint venture: The Rare Marketing Summit: Redefining the Commercial Model for Rare Disease.

A Landmark Partnership to Advance Rare Disease Marketing and Redefine Precision Commercial Strategies

This inaugural gathering marks the launch of a lasting strategic partnership between Health Union and DTC Perspectives. Designed as a dedicated platform for rare disease and niche oncology marketers, the collaboration brings together Health Union's deep patient and HCP engagement capabilities with DTC Perspectives' executive marketing network to establish a continuous forum for promoting innovation, peer collaboration, and commercial excellence, specific to the unique needs of these therapeutic areas.

The exclusive, invitation-only summit will take place on Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at The Westin Copley Place in Boston, MA with a cocktail reception to follow.

Fostering Innovation & Collaboration Among Rare Marketers

As medicine becomes increasingly specialized, the rare disease and niche oncology pipelines have emerged as the primary growth engine for the biopharma industry. However, traditional commercial playbooks fall short in hyper-targeted markets. By uniting their shared strengths, Health Union and DTC Perspectives are uniquely positioned to help biopharma marketers navigate these high-stakes challenges - from identifying ultra-small patient populations and activating generalist physicians to building high-touch caregiver experiences and collaborating with advocacy ecosystems.

Designed specifically for senior-level biopharma marketing leaders, this collaborative summit skips broad, surface-level presentations to focus on actionable, real-world strategies across six key topics:

- Diagnostic Acceleration: Commercial and technical strategies to shorten the diagnostic journey.

- Regulatory Compliance: Evolving FDA risk-disclosure standards across targeted marketing channels.

- DTC & Data Strategy: AI targeting, CTV channel expansion, and micro-audience analytics to activate precision audiences.

- Patient & Caregiver Experience: The role of high-touch, personalized journeys, community activation, and adherence support.

- Re-Engineered HCP Strategy: Generalist symptom recognition and sales force white-space coverage.

- Advocacy & Ecosystems: Maximizing non-profit partnerships alongside patient support networks.

"Commercializing a rare disease therapy requires a fundamental departure from mass-market pharma strategies, which is why we are so delighted to partner with DTC Perspectives for this inaugural event," said Olivier Chateau, Co-Founder and CEO of Health Union. "This joint venture reflects our shared, ongoing commitment to the rare disease community. By combining Health Union's deep community connections with DTC Perspectives' premier executive reach, we are taking the first step in a lasting partnership to help marketers reach and support these critical, underserved audiences."

"We are thrilled to join forces with Health Union for this milestone collaboration," added Bob Ehrlich, CEO of DTC Perspectives. "Bringing together our complementary strengths allows us to offer biopharma leaders an unprecedented, peer-to-peer environment. This summit is just the beginning of our joint efforts to provide marketers with novel opportunities to exchange proven approaches for AI targeting, non-specialist HCP engagement, and authentic advocacy alignment in the rare disease space."

The Future of the Partnership: Dedicated Workshop & Awards Ceremony in June 2027

The November summit in Boston represents only the first milestone in this collaborative effort. Building on the momentum of this inaugural gathering, Health Union and DTC Perspectives will expand their rare disease initiative with a dedicated Rare Disease Workshop and Awards Ceremony in June 2027, featured as an official extension of the annual DTC National Conference. This ongoing extension will serve as a premier stage to celebrate breakthroughs, honor pioneering marketers, and deepen industry-wide collaboration year after year.

Attendance for the November 5 event is strictly capped to preserve the intimacy of executive peer exchange. Invited biopharma leaders can request registration details at https://go.dtcperspectives.com/rare-marketing-summit.

About Health Union

Health Union powers the first and largest community-based activation and data platform, transforming healthcare by providing unparalleled support, information, and validation for millions navigating complex health conditions and their care teams. With over 125 condition-specific online communities and 15 years of digital health leadership, Health Union's authentic engagements fuel the company's robust suite of endemic media, influencer marketing, market research, and data solutions, driving proven outcomes for patients, HCPs, and brands. Go to www.health-union.com to learn more.

About DTC Perspectives

DTC Perspectives, Inc. has been the leader in the direct-to-consumer marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical devices since 2001. Founded by Robert Ehrlich, the former VP Consumer Marketing for Parke-Davis, DTC Perspectives focuses on the emerging consumer desire for health information. Each year the DTC National Conference brings together marketers, their agencies, and media companies to discuss the latest in DTC Marketing. DTC Perspectives also consults, publishes studies, and represents the industry on important issues. Go to www.dtcperspectives.com to learn more.

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Operator's patent pending technology answers first on every line, understands why each customer is calling, and carries that reason through the transfer, so no one starts over and no one lands in a dead end

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Numa, the AI Operating System for dealerships, today launched Operator, the first Precision Routing system for dealerships and a game changer to how a store manages inbound customer calls essentially replacing the receptionist.

Operator does the oldest and one of the most important jobs in the store: it puts every caller in the right hands, with the full reason for their call, every time. Numa's Operator has shown to route 95% of calls to the correct destination. Operator is always making these Precise (Call) Routing decisions, 24/7, 7 days a week delivering positive impressions for the dealership. Every dealership once had a person who knew the store: who fixed what, who sold what, who to grab when a customer was upset. The phone tree replaced that person and never replaced the job. For thirty years, customers have been asked to understand how the dealership is organized before anyone asks what they need. A customer calling about a check-engine light should not have to know who to ask for.

The latest wave of AI receptionists has not fixed this. They answer the phone without knowing the store. They automate the greeting and leave the job undone. The call still lands in the wrong place, still bounces between departments, and still starts over at every transfer. A friendlier voice on the phone tree is still the phone tree.

Numa's Operator retires or augments the phone tree, all while being customized to the needs of the dealership. It is the first system since the human operator to actually do the job, and it answers first on every line. Where phone systems route by the name a customer guessed, Precision Routing sends each call based on what the customer needs. It questions and queries the caller efficiently and quickly to route them to the right destination, eliminating one common outcome experienced by customers calling dealerships today, which is the dead end. And it knows the whole store, every department and who handles what, on every line at once.

This is the part most AI gets backwards. Numa's Operator was not built to keep customers away from the dealership's staff. It was built to get them there and enhance the human-to-human connection.. When the phone rings at a Numa dealership, everyone knows the call is for them. Employees pick up already knowing why the customer called, spend less time fielding misdirected calls, and spend more time with the customers they are best equipped to help.

"Walk into a dealership running Numa's Operator and you can feel the difference when the phone rings," said Tasso Roumeliotis, co-founder and CEO of Numa. "Nobody is guessing. Nobody is apologizing for the third transfer. The customer with a check-engine light lands with the person who can fix it, and that person picks up (with context) already knowing why they called. Answering the phone was never the hard part; rather it is knowing exactly who in the store can help this customer, right now, and getting them there without making anyone repeat themselves. That is the job Numa's Operator with Precision Routing does on every call, on every line. And then it shows you the numbers. The phone tree had its run. This is what comes after."

Operator is not a bolt-on answering product. It is the front door of the Numa AI Operating System, running on the same system that has handled more than 1B calls and texts and booked more than 4 million appointments across service lanes at more than 1,300 dealerships in the U.S. and Canada. That depth is why Operator can do the job: it runs on a system that already knows how a dealership works.

Numa will demonstrate Operator and Precision Routing live at the Digital Dealer Conference & Expo, September 22–23 at Huntington Place in Detroit. Attendees can visit the Numa team at booth #503.

About Numa

Numa was founded by the same innovative team that built GPS on mobile phones. Their AI Operating System is deployed across leading dealerships to modernize customer operations across voice, text, service, sales, fixed operations, and customer intelligence. Built on the foundation of LiveCSI™,Numa combines AI agents, human-in-the-loop collaboration, and operational intelligence, to help dealerships respond quickly and intelligently, delivering on the promise to never miss a customer.

Numa is one operating system that answers every call, books appointments, and protects CSI in real time. Trusted by more than 1,300 dealerships across the U.S. and Canada, Numa is based in Silicon Valley and was founded by the team behind Location Labs. The company has raised $52 million from Google, DFJ (early investor in Space X) Threshold Ventures (founding investor of Tesla), Mitsui, Costanoa Ventures, and Touring Capital. Inc. 5000 recognized Numa for the 4th year in a row as the #443 fastest-growing company overall and the #1 fastest-growing dealership software company.

SOURCE Numa

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Work to Zero report examines how rigging, signaling and organizational factors influence crane safety

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council and NCCCO Foundation released a new research report, The State of Rigging and Signaling in Crane Operations, revealing that nearly all crane professionals experience communication challenges during crane lifts. Funded by the NCCCO Foundation and published through the NSC Work to Zero initiative in partnership with McElhattan Foundation, the resource advances the Council's mission of eliminating workplace fatalities by identifying practical strategies that strengthen safety practices and reduce risk.

Developed through interviews with industry experts, a survey of crane professionals and an extensive review of existing research, the report explores how communication, planning and human and organizational factors influence crane safety. Crane-related incidents continue to pose significant risks for workers across multiple industries. Between 2015 and 2024, there were 405 crane-related fatalities in the United States. Notably, only 29% of those fatalities involved crane or tower operators, highlighting the importance of protecting everyone working around crane operations, including riggers, signalpersons and other jobsite personnel.

"Safe crane operations depend on clear communication, careful planning and a workplace culture that empowers workers to speak up and effectively use safe work practices," said Dr. Matt Law, director of Work to Zero at NSC. "This research shows how human and organizational factors influence safety outcomes and provides employers with practical recommendations to strengthen communication, reduce risk and help prevent serious incidents and fatalities."

Key findings from the report include:

- Ninety-eight percent of survey respondents experienced communication challenges during crane lifts within the previous 90 days, highlighting the need for stronger communication and pre-lift planning

- Nonstandard signaling practices contribute to confusion and increased risk on jobsites

- Human and organizational factors, including production pressure, inadequate supervision and worker distraction, contribute to unsafe rigging practices more frequently than technical errors

- Certified riggers and signalpersons were consistently viewed by peers as more effective than non-certified personnel, suggesting standardized training and certification can help establish greater consistency across the workforce

"This report shows that rigging and signaling both play important parts in implementing a safe lift from start to finish," said T.J. Cantwell, executive director at the NCCCO Foundation. "It's clear more needs to be done to ensure people are trained in the use of proper rigging and signaling standards, and that those standards are being adhered to in the field in order to improve safety for everyone working with cranes."

Since 2023, Work to Zero and the NCCCO Foundation have collaborated to develop research, tools and resources that help reduce serious incidents and fatalities in crane operations. NSC and the NCCCO Foundation will host a webinar on September 29, 2026, to discuss the report's findings and practical strategies for improving rigging, signaling and communication during crane operations. Register for the webinar here.

Work to Zero is part of the Council's ongoing effort to eliminate workplace fatalities through the advancement and adoption of technology-based safety solutions. To learn more and access the report, visit nsc.org/worktozero.

About the NCCCO Foundation

The NCCCO Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization formed in 2018 to promote industry safety through three major pathways: education, research and workforce development.

About the National Safety Council

The National Safety Council is America's leading nonprofit safety advocate – and has been for over 110 years. As a mission-based organization, we work to eliminate the leading causes of preventable death and injury, focusing our efforts on the workplace and roadways. We create a culture of safety to not only keep people safer at work, but also beyond the workplace so they can live their fullest lives.

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SOURCE National Safety Council

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The asset discharged at full capacity during this summer's peak hours, with six additional Soltage storage projects under construction in the city.

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Soltage, a leading independent power producer (IPP), today reported that 55 Drive, its first battery energy storage system in New York City, has successfully completed a second full operating season, discharging at full capacity during peak summer demand into the Con Edison network it serves.

As electricity demand grows across New York City, so does the need for reliable, locally sited capacity. Heading into this summer, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) reported a statewide reliability margin of 417 MW, the lowest in recent history and down from 2,227 MW in 2018. NYISO has also identified reliability needs in New York City over its five-year planning horizon. Energy storage is expected to play an important role in addressing those needs, with New York targeting 6 GW of storage by 2030, including a focus on projects located downstate.

55 Drive is a 4.6 MW / 18.4 MWh asset positioned to support the grid where demand is greatest. Connected directly to a Con Edison distribution circuit in New York City, the facility discharges during peak-demand periods, helping reduce stress on the local distribution system during some of the highest-demand hours of the year.

Following 55 Drive, Soltage has six additional storage projects under construction in New York City, representing 30 MW / 120 MWh, with a further 115 MW / 460 MWh in advanced development.

"Two operating seasons is the point at which a distributed storage asset stops being a projected grid resource and becomes a true infrastructure asset," said Jesse Grossman, Chief Executive Officer of Soltage. "55 Drive has performed as underwritten in the hours that matter most to this city, and the six projects behind it reflect a straightforward conviction that the capacity New York needs most will be built inside the five boroughs."

"These are distribution-connected projects, sited inside the neighborhoods they serve and strengthening the local grid where and when it is actually constrained," said Dirk Van Ouwerkerk, Senior Vice President, Storage Development. "These long-lived assets make Soltage a durable partner to the communities that host them, to the city, and to Con Edison. We are building our NYC storage fleet to operate as constructive stakeholders to support NYC's growth for decades to come."

"Soltage has been pleased to act as a leader on the implementation of urban storage, deploying safe and effective technology to meet local capacity challenges," said Robin Gray, Chief Technical Officer + Senior Vice President of Engineering and Operations. "These projects show how intelligently operated, distributed storage technology can deliver meaningful value to the New York City grid and the communities it serves, setting a benchmark for storage builds in other capacity constrained markets across the US."

Soltage's New York City storage program sits within a national portfolio of more than 2 GW in development across the United States.

About Soltage

Soltage is a leading independent power producer that develops, owns and operates distributed solar and energy storage assets across the United States. With a track record spanning more than 20 years, Soltage has developed more than 130 projects representing over 600 MW, and has a national development pipeline of more than 2 GW. Soltage is owned by Igneo Infrastructure Partners, which manages more than US$24.5 billion in direct infrastructure assets.

SOURCE Soltage

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