LOCATED AT 14074 PROMENADE COMMONS ST, GAINESVILLE, VA, this clinic opening marks 20 years of uninterrupted growth for the founder-led, Los Angelesâbased company.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LaserAway, the nation's leader in aesthetic dermatology today announced the opening of its 239th location in Gainesville, VA. The opening celebrates the company's 20th Anniversary which takes place this year and reflects two decades of continuous growth without a single clinic closure, a rare achievement in retail and the medical aesthetics category.

Founded in 2006 by Dr. Roy Winston and brothers Scott, Brock, and Todd Heckmann, LaserAway has evolved from a single West Hollywood, CA clinic into the largest nationwide aesthetics and dermatology company in the country. All LaserAway locations are privately owned and operated with no franchises. LaserAway's success was built on a simple but disruptive idea: that industry-leading, safe, and effective aesthetic dermatological treatments should be available for everyone.

"When we opened our first clinic on Sunset Boulevard, we knew there was a massive opportunity to make these treatments accessible to everyoneânot just a privileged few," said Scott Heckmann, co-founder and CEO of LaserAway. "From day one, our mission has been to combine medical precision with modern convenience, giving people safe, effective results in a setting that feels approachable and empowering."

LaserAway currently operates in 36 states and all treatments are performed by licensed medical professionals (NPs, PAs, RNs). LaserAway's Chief Medical Officer is Dr. Will Kirby. Dr. Kirby leads LaserAway's Medical Board, which consists of a team of over 25 board-certified dermatologists.

The Gainesville location, like all LaserAway locations, will provide a full range of non- and minimally-invasive aesthetic services, including laser hair removal, Botox®, dermal fillers, skin rejuvenation and body contouring treatments such as CoolSculpting® and Thermage®. It will also feature LaserAway Wellness Injections, administered by medical professionals to support safe, clinically monitored results.

For more information on the brand, please visit laseraway.com.

ABOUT LASERAWAY

LaserAway® is the nation's leader in aesthetic dermatology, offering customized treatments tailored to patient needs with a team of more than 25 board-certified dermatologists and 700 nurses in its 239 locations across the country. It specializes in a full suite of non- and minimally-invasive aesthetic treatments, including laser hair removal, laser tattoo removal, laser skin rejuvenation, body contouring, skin tightening, injectables, and skincare products. LaserAway is committed to providing high-quality, results-driven skincare solutions in a modern and welcoming environment. For more information, visit the brand on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, or at www.laseraway.com.

SOURCE LaserAway, LLC.

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The Brass Tap Signs Franchise Agreement to Open First Delaware Location in Middletown

Franchisee Ashil Patel plans to bring craft beer, cocktails and chef-inspired dining to Bayberry Town Center, creating a new gathering place for the Middletown community.

MIDDLETOWN, Del., Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brass Tap, the award-winning upscale American tavern franchise with more than 50 locations nationwide, is expanding into Delaware for the first time with a newly signed franchise agreement in Middletown. The new location, led by franchisee Ashil Patel, is planned for Bayberry Town Center at 235 Town Center Drive, pending completion of lease negotiations. The restaurant will bring the brand's signature craft beer selection, specialty cocktails, elevated dining menu and entertainment experience to the growing northern Delaware community.

Patel is transitioning into hospitality and restaurant ownership after nearly three years in the corporate pharmaceutical industry.

"I come from a family of hard workers, pharmacists and business owners, and I've always been inspired by my father, who took a risk, left his corporate job and moved to Delaware to build a business of his own," Patel said. "Even though I earned my Doctor of Pharmacy degree and worked in corporate pharma, I knew I wanted to pursue something entrepreneurial. The Brass Tap gives me the opportunity to build a family-owned gathering spot for the Middletown community with good food, good drinks and good vibes."

He decided to join The Brass Tap after visiting a close family friend who owns a location in Marietta, Georgia, and speaking with several other franchisees across the country.

"The Brass Tap offered the security and platform of a corporate team guiding us every step of the way, which was critical since we didn't have prior experience in the bar space," Patel said.

The planned Middletown restaurant will feature The Brass Tap's extensive selection of local and regional craft beers, specialty cocktails and premium wines, along with its chef-inspired menu. Patel, who currently lives in Pennsylvania and plans to relocate to Middletown, is especially focused on creating a welcoming environment for guests and employees alike.

"You have to treat your bartenders, servers and kitchen crew like family and equals, because without them working alongside you, the doors simply don't open," Patel said. "I want to create a place where our staff feels supported and where every customer receives full value for their hard-earned money. Whether it's a family night, a football watch party or a local community event, I want people to know they can come to The Brass Tap and have a great experience."

The Middletown signing marks an important milestone in The Brass Tap's national expansion, introducing its neighborhood-focused tavern concept to Delaware for the first time. With more than 50 locations nationwide, The Brass Tap continues to attract entrepreneurs seeking a differentiated restaurant-and-entertainment franchise backed by an experienced support team. The Brass Tap is part of FSC Franchise Co., a restaurant franchise group that also includes Beef 'O' Brady's and Newk's Eatery.

"The Brass Tap is built around creating places where people can come together, and Ashil's vision for Middletown aligns perfectly with that mission," said Chris Elliott, CEO of FSC Franchise Co. "His passion for hospitality, commitment to the local community and entrepreneurial drive make him a strong partner as we introduce The Brass Tap to Delaware. We're excited to support him as he brings our craft beer, dining and entertainment experience to a new market."

The Middletown location is currently in the lease negotiation stage, with an opening timeline to be announced as development progresses.

ABOUT FSC FRANCHISE CO.

Founded in Tampa, Florida, FSC Franchise Co. is a leading multi-brand franchisor driving growth and innovation across three dynamic restaurant concepts â Beef 'O' Brady's, The Brass Tap and Newk's Eatery. With more than 250 locations nationwide, FSC brings together decades of expertise in hospitality, franchising and community engagement under one unified platform. Beef 'O' Brady's, with 120-plus family sports pub locations, serves up classic comfort food and community spirit in a neighborhood-friendly setting. The Brass Tap is a 50-plus-unit craft beer bar and entertainment venue that offers an extensive menu of drinks and food in a vibrant atmosphere. Newk's Eatery, a 100-unit fast-casual brand founded in Jackson, Mississippi, brings fresh, handcrafted food to guests with a focus on quality ingredients, digital convenience and hospitality. Together, FSC's brands are redefining what it means to grow a scalable, community-driven restaurant portfolio â offering franchisees the opportunity to diversify within a powerful ecosystem of proven concepts. To learn more, visit: https://www.fscfranchiseco.com/

ABOUT THE BRASS TAP

The Brass Tap is a Tampa-based American tavern and entertainment venue known for its extensive local and regional brewery offerings, specialty cocktails and premium wines paired perfectly with a select menu of upscale shareables. Every location provides a unique space for social gatherings and entertainment, with an unparalleled atmosphere created through live music, trivia, sports, exclusive beer tastings and tap takeovers. For more than 10 years, The Brass Tap has offered franchise opportunities to qualified operators, continuing to grow its family of 50+ bars in 16 states. For more information, visit http://thebrasstapfranchise.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Julie Maw

Mainland

209.617.6518

[email protected]

SOURCE The Brass Tap

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Midterms and Your Retirement: What's Really at Stake?

American Independence Gold urges retirees to review their savings, understand risks and consider where precious metals may fit before moving money.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- American Independence Gold, a veteran-owned precious-metals company, is encouraging retirees and those approaching retirement to review their savings ahead of the midterm elections. The message is to understand existing investments, assess risks and evaluate whether gold and silver serve a clear purpose within a broader retirement plan.

Election night will end, but household expenses will continue. For people who have spent years building a nest egg, the question extends beyond who wins: will their mix of assets meet their needs in the years ahead?

An October 22, 2026 report from the World Gold Council says U.S. election results have not had a consistent, clear effect on gold prices. Policies that follow and global demand can matter more. Its outlook identifies factors that could support gold and others that could hold it back.

The gold market reaches beyond Washington. CNBC reports that China imported more than 1,000 tonnes of gold in the first eight months of 2026, exceeding the 886 tonnes imported throughout 2025. The report also says China's central bank had purchased gold for 23 consecutive months.

CNBC links that buying to efforts to diversify reserves. Weak property and stock markets, alongside low deposit and bond returns, have also drawn Chinese buyers toward gold. However, demand could slow if other investments regain appeal. Higher U.S. yields can also weigh on gold, which pays no interest. Foreign buying does not guarantee future gains.

American Independence Gold is calling for a review, not a rush to buy. Savers can examine what could lose value, which assets they could sell and how they would cover housing, food, healthcare and unexpected expenses. Money needed soon should be considered before funds move into another asset.

That review can also identify overlap among funds holding the same stocks and consider what happens if several investments decline together. Adding an asset is useful only when it fits the broader plan. A decision to purchase metals should not depend on one party winning control of Congress, and election fears alone are not a reason to concentrate retirement savings in one asset.

For those considering a gold or silver IRA, the account and the metal are distinct: the IRA is the retirement account, while the metal is an asset held inside it. Rules govern eligible metals and how they must be held. Tax benefits do not eliminate investment risk.

Gold and silver do not pay interest or dividends, and their prices can rise or fall. A hoped-for price gain is not income. Retirees should compare purchase, sale, storage and account costs, consider access to cash and seek qualified financial and tax guidance before making changes.

A review should weigh how much risk a saver can accept, how long funds can remain invested and whether existing assets already provide diversification. The aim is not to predict an election outcome or market peak, but to make informed decisions based on individual needs and personal financial circumstances.

The midterms will pass. American Independence Gold encourages savers to learn their options, understand costs and choose a plan designed to last beyond a news cycle, without assuming they must buy now.

About American Independence Gold

American Independence Gold is a veteran-owned precious-metals company offering gold and silver IRA products. A portion of every sale is donated to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Learn more at americanindependencegold.com or call 844-714-4653.

Media Contact

Alejandro Narvaez

American Independence Gold

844-714-4653

SOURCE American Independence Gold

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Apollo Rider Data Shows Electric Scooters Lose About 12% of Range at Freezing, Not the 20 to 50% Often Cited

512,359 real-world rides show the loss is gradual and reversed by spring. A second study finds no measurable battery range loss through 2,500 miles.

MONTREAL, Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Apollo Scooters today published findings from 512,359 rides on 8,449 scooters, answering how much range an electric scooter loses in the cold: about 12% at 32°F (0°C), all of it back by spring.

A slope, not a cliff

Each ride was tagged with local air temperature and compared with the same scooter at 68°F (20°C). What we found:

- About 12% less range at freezing. A scooter that goes 25 miles (40 km) on a mild day goes about 22 miles (35 km) at 32°F (0°C).

- Loss builds gradually. About 5% at 50°F (10°C), 10% at 41°F (5°C) and 13% at 20°F (-7°C).

- The range comes back. Winter riders dropped to 86% of their fall range and returned to 98% by spring, matching scooters never ridden in the cold.

- A bigger battery doesn't help. Every Apollo model, from 540 Wh to 1,800 Wh, lost 10 to 15% near freezing.

"Most of what you'll find online says 20 to 50 percent," said Maciek Piskorz, Co-Founder and CEO of Apollo Scooters. "We couldn't find anyone showing where that number came from, so we measured it. And unlike an electric car, a scooter has no cabin to heat. You're wearing the heater."

Apollo's advice: size a scooter for the November commute, not the July one. Take the round trip and add about 15%.

Who keeps riding

In New York, about one in five summer riders still rode in January. In Montreal, fewer than one in fifty. The difference is snow, ice and road salt, not battery chemistry.

Built to last

A separate study of 1.1 million rides on 49,837 scooters since 2021 found no measurable battery range loss through 2,500 miles (4,000 km), about six years of typical riding. Scooters tend to get parked, not worn out: 60% of those past 5,000 miles (8,000 km) were ridden in the last three months, versus 16% of those under 100 miles (160 km).

Full findings

The complete cold-weather study, with charts and methodology, is at apolloscooters.co/blogs/news/does-cold-weather-affect-electric-scooters. The lifespan study is at apolloscooters.co/blogs/news/how-long-does-an-electric-scooter-last.

About the data

Findings come from Apollo app rides: April 2025 to October 2026 for the cold-weather study, and since August 2021 for lifespan. Each scooter is compared only with itself at similar speed and trip length, with range measured on real roads as distance per percent of battery. The data covers Apollo scooters only, though the cold-weather effects reflect lithium-ion chemistry rather than anything brand-specific.

About Apollo Scooters

Apollo Scooters is a Montreal-based electric scooter brand designing commuter and performance scooters for riders across the United States, Canada and Australia. Learn more at apolloscooters.co.

Media Contact:

Maria Asiain

5142493083

SOURCE Apollo Scooters

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Hanyang University ERICA Scientists Find that a 10-Millisecond Flash Could Help Build More Sensitive Gas Sensors

Researchers use a 10-millisecond light pulse to boost room-temperature detection of nitrogen dioxide

ANSAN-SI, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Many gas sensors detect gases through changes in a material's electrical properties. Molybdenum disulfide (MoSâ) is promising, but much of its surface is inactive. Its more reactive edges can be difficult to preserve during conventional heating, while added catalyst metals may clump together instead of remaining as individual atoms.

The research was jointly led by Professor Il-Doo Kim from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Assistant Professor Dong-Ha Kim from Hanyang University-ERICA as co-corresponding authors, with Dr. Euichul Shin from KAIST serving as the first author. They used flash thermal synthesis, driven by intense-pulsed light, to turn a molybdenum-containing precursor into thin MoSâ flakes. A single 10-millisecond pulse heated the material to as high as 1,811°C, then cooled it rapidly in ambient air. Platinum, iridium or gold atoms could be incorporated during the same step. This paper was made available online on July 7, 2026, and was published in the journal Advanced Materials on September 21, 2026.

The brief, intense heating helped limit the growth of large flakes and kept the added metal atoms dispersed across the material rather than forming agglomerated metal nanoparticles. In tests, the flash-made MoSâ produced a 23.6-fold stronger response to 5 parts per million of nitrogen dioxide (NOâ) than material made by a conventional solvothermal method. Adding 1.2 weight% platinum boosted response 22.8-fold: the sensor response reached 100.8% when exposed to 400 parts per billion of NOâ at room temperature. "The important advance is that we can form the sensing material and add isolated catalyst atoms in one rapid step, without needing a prolonged furnace treatment," said Dr. Kim.

The platinum-enhanced sensor detected NOâ at concentrations as low as 17.2 parts per billion. It also showed selectivity for NOâ compared with several other tested gases and retained a stable response through 25 exposure-and-recovery cycles. After three weeks in ambient air, its response had declined by only 2.6%. Calculations suggested platinum atoms strengthen the interaction between the material and NOâ, supporting the measured improvement in sensing. "By adjusting the active sites on the material, this approach could help make sensitive and selective gas detection more practical, while offering a flexible way to prepare other functional nanomaterials," said Dr. Kim.

The process used 8.6 kilojoules of electrical energy per gram. Because the light can illuminate a relatively broad area, the approach may offer a route toward more scalable production than methods requiring hours of heating. However, the sensors were tested in a laboratory setup; real-world performance in varied outdoor conditions and commercial devices still needs evaluation. The researchers suggest the synthesis strategy could also be explored for catalysts used in clean-energy technologies and other advanced materials and energy conversion.

Overall, this study presents flash thermal synthesis as a rapid way to make edge-rich molybdenum disulfide and anchor individual catalyst atoms. The results point to potential advances in room-temperature gas sensors for air-quality monitoring and industrial gas detection, pending further testing and development. The strategy could also help researchers develop next-generation materials for cleaner energy and environmental technologies.

Reference

Title of original paper: In Situ Single-Atom Decoration of Transition Metal Dichalcogenides by Millisecond Flash Thermal Synthesis Toward High Performance Room Temperature Chemiresistors

Journal: Advanced Materials

DOI: 10.1002/adma.75106

About Hanyang University ERICA

Website: https://www.hanyang.ac.kr/web/eng/erica-campus1

Media Contact

Jin-Mo An

82-31-400-4947

SOURCE Hanyang University ERICA

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NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Entergy Chair and CEO Drew Marsh and senior leaders will meet with investors at the Edison Electric Institute Financial Conference, held Nov. 8-10. Presentation materials will be posted before Sunday, Nov. 8, on Entergy's Investor Relations website at investors.entergy.com/investors/events-and-presentations.

About Entergy

Entergy (NYSE: ETR) generates, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for more than 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We're focused on keeping costs for our customers as low as possible while providing reliable energy that our communities count on. We're also investing in growth for the future with a more resilient, cleaner energy system that includes modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy generation. As a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at Entergy.com and connect with @Entergy on social media.

SOURCE Entergy Corporation

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AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Turbine, Inc. (Nasdaq: APPS), a global mobile platform company, announced it will reschedule the release of its fiscal 2027 second quarter financial results and related conference call, both of which were previously scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026, to Monday November 9, 2026, at 4:30pm ET/1:30pm PT. The delay provides the Company with additional time required to complete its review and finalization of the unaudited financial statements for the quarter.

The call on November 9, 2026, which will be hosted by Digital Turbine's Chief Executive Officer Bill Stone and Interim Chief Financial Officer Josh Kinsell, can be accessed via webcast link: https://app.webinar.net/AQjXr7E0lMd. The call can also be accessed by dialing 888-317-6003 in the United States (or 412-317-6061 from international locations) and entering access code 0136244. A live and archived webcast of the call can be accessed via the Investor Relations section of Digital Turbine's website. The webcast will be archived for a period of one year.

For those unable to join the live call, a playback will be available through November 16th, 2026. The replay can be accessed by dialing 855-669-9658 in the United States or 412-317-0088 from international locations, passcode 1562528.

About Digital Turbine

Digital Turbine is the driving force behind superior mobile experiences for consumers and results for the world's leading mobile operators, advertisers and publishers. Our platform uniquely simplifies our partners' ability to drive end-to-end recognition, acquisition and monetization - connecting them to more consumers, in more ways, on more devices. Digital Turbine is headquartered in North America, with offices around the world. For additional information visit www.digitalturbine.com.

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Investor Relations Contact:

Brian Bartholomew

[email protected]

SOURCE Digital Turbine, Inc.

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- Milestone 20th Anniversary of Prix Galien USA edition honors groundbreaking achievements advancing global healthcare and patient outcomes

NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Galien Foundation, the premier global institution dedicated to honoring innovation in the life sciences, celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Prix Galien USA Awards last night at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The event brought together distinguished leaders from the biomedical industry and academia to recognize outstanding achievements advancing medical innovation and patient care. This year's winners were selected by the Prix Galien USA Committees, comprising 25 committee members, 11 subcommittee members and 15 advisory board members, including three Nobel Laureates, and were honored across eight categories: "Best Biotechnology Product," "Best Pharmaceutical Product," "Best Product for Rare/Orphan Diseases," Best Medical Technology," "Best Digital Health Solution," "Incubators, Accelerators and Equity," "Prix Galien EcoHealth," and "Best Startup."

The ceremony also celebrated the inaugural Prix Galien Patient First Award, which honors exceptional advocacy and commitment to improving the patient journey, alongside the Prix Galien International recipients. Presented every two years, the International awards recognize previous national Prix Galien winners across six categories: "Best Biotechnology Product," "Best Digital Health Solution," "Best Medical Technology," "Best Pharmaceutical Product," "Best Product for Orphan/Rare Diseases," and "Best Startup."

"The Prix Galien Awards recognize the visionaries and organizations pushing the boundaries of healthcare and transforming the way we prevent, diagnose and treat disease. As we mark two decades of honoring excellence in the U.S., we are equally as proud to celebrate our International recipients and Patient First Award honorees for their relentless dedication to advancing scientific discovery, elevating patient care, and bringing life-changing solutions to communities worldwide,said Kenneth Frazier, Prix Galien Committee Chair (categories: Medical Technology, Digital Health, Incubator/Accelerator/Equity, and Startup), former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Merck & Co., Inc., Chairman, Health Assurance Initiatives, General Catalyst.

The 2026 Prix Galien USA Award Winners

The 2026 Prix Galien International Winners

The 2026 Prix Galien Patient First Award Winners

"Behind every meaningful advance in medicine are the researchers, entrepreneurs and healthcare leaders who are willing to challenge conventional thinking and pursue new possibilities. The Prix Galien Award Committees are proud to honor this year's USA and International recipients, alongside our Patient First Award honorees, for their exceptional contributions to scientific progress and their commitment to addressing unmet medical needs," said Michael Rosenblatt, MD, Chair of the Prix Galien USA Awards Committee, former Dean of Tufts University School of Medicine, and former Chief Medical Officer of Merck & Co. Inc. "Their collective work represents the determination, advocacy, and global collaboration needed to turn promising ideas into life-changing advances for patients everywhere."

The Roy Vagelos Pro Bono Humanum Award for Global Health Equity was presented to John Kerry, former U.S. Secretary of State, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, and U.S. Senator, in recognition of his longstanding leadership in advancing global health, human rights, and environmental sustainability. Throughout his tenure in the Senate and as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary Kerry championed global HIV/AIDS relief, fought stigma, advocated for critical funding for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and co-authored the historic bipartisan repeal of the 20-year U.S. HIV visa ban. As the first U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, he further advanced the connection between environmental sustainability and public health, reinforcing the importance of protecting the planet as a foundation for a healthier future.

"As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Prix Galien USA Awards, we are proud to recognize the innovators whose work is shaping the future of medicine and improving the lives of patients around the world," said Bruno Cohen, Chairman of The Galien Foundation. "This year's celebration is especially meaningful as we honor our Prix Galien USA, International Prix Galien, and Prix Galien Patient First Award recipients, while also presenting The Roy Vagelos Pro Bono Humanum Award for Global Health Equity to Secretary John Kerry in recognition of his extraordinary lifetime of public service and dedication to global healthcare and climate initiatives. On behalf of The Galien Foundation, our Awards Committees, and the Prix Galien Alumni, we congratulate all of this year's honorees and look forward to the continued impact of their work."

The Prix Galien Awards were created in 1970 by Roland Mehl in honor of Galien, the father of medical science and modern pharmacology, to recognize outstanding innovation and scientific advancement. With chapters in 16 countries and Africa, Prix Galien is regarded worldwide as the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for the life science industry.

International Prix Galien Awards Committee

Pr. Awa Marie COLL SECK

Minister of State to the President of the Republic of Senegal, President of the Scientific Committee of the Galien Forum Africa

Africa

Pr. Koen AUGUSTYNS

Full Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Antwerp.

Belgium/ Luxembourg

Dr. Mikael DOSTEN

Former Chief Scientific Officer & President, Worldwide Research, Pfizer. Board Member, Agilent Technologies, Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Chai Discovery, BenchSci, and Enveda Biosciences

Bridges (Nordic+/Austria/Israel/Portugal/Spain)

Pr. Ernesto L. SCHIFFRIN

Physician-in-Chief, Dept. of Medicine, Jewish General Hospital; Director, Hypertension and Vascular Research Unit, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research; Dist. James McGill Prof. and Assoc. Chair, Dept. of Medicine, McGill University

Canada

Dr. Annick TIBI

Head of Clinical Trials Department, AGEPS, AP-HP, Associate Professor, Head of UP "Pharmaceutical Development and Innovation", Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Paris

France

Pr. Marianne DIETERICH, Director of the neurology clinic and outpatient department at the University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

Germany

Pr. George P. CHROUSOS

Professor, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian School of Athens

Greece

Pr. Ashutosh SHARMA

President, Indian National Science Academy

India

Pr. Pier Luigi CANONICO

Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology, Università del Piemonte Orientale Amedeo Avogadro

Italy

Pr. Takashi KADOWAKI

President of the Japanese Association of Medical Sciences

Japan

Pr. Yeong Min PARK

CEO, Korea Drug Development Fund

Korea

Pr. Cezary SZCZYLIK

Polish Professor of Medical Science Specializing in Oncology, Hematology and Internal Diseases

Poland

Pr. Christoph RENNER

Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology; Director, Medical Program for Cell Therapy, Klinik Hirslanden, Zurich

Switzerland

Pr. Dr. Lisette van GERMERT-PIJNEN

Full Professor Persuasive Health Technology, University of Twente, and Visiting Professor, University of Waterloo

The Netherlands

Pr. Sir Munir PIRMOHAMED

David Weatherall Chair of Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK

United Kingdom

Mr. Kenneth C. FRAZIER

Retired Chairman and CEO, Merck & Co; Chairman, Health Assurance Initiatives, General Catalyst

United States of America

Dr. Michael ROSENBLATT

Member, Harvard Board of Overseers Advisory Partner, Ascenta Capital; Senior Advisor, Bain Capital Life Sciences & Flagship Pioneering; Member, Harvard Board of Overseers

United States of America

Prix Galien USA Awards Committee 2026

Prix Galien Best Medical Technology, Best Digital Health Solution, Best Incubator / Accelerator / Equity, and Best Startup Committee 2026

Kenneth C. FRAZIER

Committee Chair, Former Chairman & CEO Merck

Roch DOLIVEUX

Honorary CEO, UCB

Dr. Mikael DOLSTEN

Former Chief Scientific Officer & President, Pfizer Research and Development

Alex GORSKY

Former CEO & Executive Chairman, Johnson & Johnson

Penny HEATON

M.D., Global Head, Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Johnson & Johnson

Sheri McCOY

Board of Directors, AstraZeneca, Former CEO, Avon

Joel S. MARCUS

Executive Chairman & Founder, Alexandria

Christophe WEBER,

Healthcare Executive, Former CEO Takeda Pharmaceutical

Elias ZERHOUNI

Former Head of Global R&D, Sanofi

Prix Galien Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical and Rare/Orphan Diseases Awards Committee 2026

Michael ROSENBLATT

M.D., Galien Forum Co-Chair, Former Dean of Tufts University School of Medicine, Former Chief Medical Officer of Merck & Co., Inc., Member, Harvard Board of Overseers

Prix Galien Committee Chair

Linda BUCK

Ph.D., Nobel Laureate, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center member; Professor of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington

Susan DESMOND-HELLMANN

M.D., M.P.H., Former Chief Executive Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Laurie GLIMCHER

M.D., President and CEO, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Avram HERSHKO

M.D., Ph.D., Nobel Laureate, Distinguished Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology

Mary-Claire KING

Ph.D., American Cancer Society Professor of Genome Sciences and Medical Genetics, University of Washington

Sir Cato T. LAURENCIN

M.D., Ph.D., K.C.S.L., Chief Executive Officer, The Cato T. Laurencin Institute at UConn; The University Professor and Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor, University of Connecticut

Steven J. LESTER

M.D., Medical Director, Discovery Oasis; Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Mayo Clinic and ASU Alliance for Health Care Accelerator

Stanley B. PRUSINER

M.D.

How Digital Tech is Transforming Zhejiang's Rural Communities

BEIJING, Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from China.org.cn on digital transformation in rural areas:

"I took the bullet train from Beijing to Xi'an. That was a great experience. Train stations were amazing. The Terracotta Warriors [are] one of the wonders of the world. And just make sure you look out the window and you're not on your phone because there's so much to see." American entrepreneur Elon Musk recently shared these observations about his travels in China during an interview.

When it comes to impressions of China, overseas observers often focus on its technology, history and scenery. Yet across the vast countryside of Zhejiang province, another remarkable transformation is quietly unfolding. It does not begin with grand projects, but with everyday concerns of villagers: building a rural road, laying high-speed internet cables and ensuring access to clean drinking water. Behind these seemingly ordinary needs is a common approach to solving them: using digital technologies to bridge the urban-rural divide and reshape the way rural communities develop.

In Zhejiang, digital transformation is making rural life better.

Digital technologies are making rural governance more proactive. In Wandi village on the outskirts of Ningbo, digital twin technology has created a replica of the entire village on screen. Water-level sensors and high-mounted cameras work around the clock. When there's a risk of flooding, the system issues an alert within seconds, shifting the focus from passive response to proactive prevention.

Digital technologies are also making rural industries smarter. In Zhejiang's tea plantations and greenhouses, farmers can water and fertilize their crops with just a few taps on their phones. Smart agricultural systems are making farming more precise and efficient. More importantly, the internet has helped connect urban and rural markets. The rapid growth of rural e-commerce allows agricultural products deep in the mountains to reach consumers across the country, bringing more prosperity to rural communities.

Digital technologies are making essential services more accessible in rural areas. Whether on remote islands or in isolated villages, residents can use a smart online system to connect with specialists at major city hospitals for remote consultations. Meanwhile, government services are just a tap away. A province-wide government services app allows villagers to access a range of essential services, from eldercare and healthcare to childcare, without having to leave their villages.

The roots of this transformation can be traced back to 2003, when Zhejiang launched its Green Rural Revival Program. At first, this initiative focused primarily on improving the rural environment. But over the following two-plus decades, it evolved into a systematic approach to rural development: first making villages cleaner, then more beautiful, and then more prosperous. Today, the program has entered a new stage of digital transformation, making rural communities smarter.

Digital technologies are reshaping rural areas across China in profound ways. At the heart of this transformation is a simple goal: improving people's lives. This is a vivid reflection of Chinese modernization: ensuring that everyone, whether living in a megacity or a rural community, can share in the benefits of modernization.

SOURCE China.org.cn

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GigaMedia Announces Third-Quarter 2026 Financial Results

TAIPEI, Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GigaMedia Limited (NASDAQ: GIGM) today announced its third-quarter 2026 unaudited financial results.

Comments from Management

In the third quarter of 2026, GigaMedia reported revenues of $3.16 million, with a gross profit of $2.00 million, an operating income of $0.68 million and the net income of $1.93 million.

Our operational performance in the second and third quarters 2026 was highlighted by a successful IP collaboration for a licensed game we operated in Hong Kong, driving substantial revenue growth. Total revenues reached $3.16 million in this quarter, a 48.8% increase from $2.13 million last quarter, and a 245.4% year-over-year growth compared to $0.92 million in the same period last year.

As the event has concluded, revenue is expected to moderate in the upcoming quarter. Nonetheless, we are actively leveraging this expanded player base to build a stronger foundation for long-term growth.

Additionally, in the previous quarter, we converted and settled our corporate notes in Aeolus Robotics Corporation ("Aeolus") into preferred shares at advantageous terms, securing a 33.35% voting stake and applying equity-method accounting moving forward. The preferential pricing was executed pursuant to a pre-existing note conversion clause that provided a discount compared to other Aeolus investors, with full disclosure provided to all relevant stakeholders. Consequently, and pursuant to applicable accounting guidelines, we recorded a deemed disposal gain of approximately $1.70 million for the conversion in the current quarter. Investors should note that the recognition of this gain resulted in a corresponding upward adjustment to the carrying value of our equity-method investment in Aeolus, which remains subject to periodic impairment evaluations.

Although we highlight these one-time and non-recurring items that impact our current period results for investors' clarity, our overall financial position continues to be sound. As of September 30, 2026, we maintained a highly liquid balance sheet, with $30.23 million in total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, representing $2.74 per share.

Third Quarter Overview

- Revenues increased by 48.8% quarter-on-quarter to approximately $3.16 million from $2.13 million last quarter.

- Consolidated income (loss) from operations for the third quarter of 2026 amounted to income of $0.68 million compared to a loss of $0.10 million last quarter.

- Investment in Aeolus was reclassified in the prior quarter from available-for-sale to equity-method investment upon the conversion and settlement, when previous adjustments recorded in other comprehensive loss were reversed. A deemed disposal gain of approximately $1.70 million for the conversion, along with the equity-method investment loss of $0.71 million, were recognized in the current quarter. As a result, the book value of the investment increased to $13.65 million at the end of this quarter, from $12.67 million at the end of June 2026.

- The net asset value was around $3.86 per share.

Unaudited Consolidated Financial Results

GigaMedia Limited is a diversified provider of digital entertainment services. GigaMedia's digital entertainment service business FunTown develops and operates a suite of digital entertainments in Taiwan and Hong Kong, with focus on mobile games and casual games.

Unaudited consolidated results of GigaMedia are summarized in the table below.

For the Third Quarter

- Consolidated revenues for the third quarter of 2026 were $3.16 million, representing an increase of 48.8% compared to $2.13 million in the prior quarter, and 245.4% year-over-year from $0.92 million the same quarter last year.

- Consolidated gross profit increased by 61.4% quarter-on-quarter to $2.00 million from $1.24 million last quarter, and by 336.7% year-over-year from $0.46 million in the third quarter last year.

- Consolidated income (loss) from operation of the third quarter of 2026 was income of $0.68 million, compared to a loss of $0.10 million from last quarter.

- Consolidated net income of the third quarter of 2026 was $1.93 million compared to $0.55 million in last quarter.

- Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the third quarter of 2026 was $30.23 million.

Financial Position

GigaMedia maintained its solid financial position, with cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash amounting to $30.23 million as of September 30, 2026, or $2.74 per share.

Business Outlook

The following forward-looking statements reflect GigaMedia's expectations as of October 30, 2026. Given potential changes in economic conditions and consumer spending, the evolving nature of online games, and various other risk factors, including those discussed in the Company's 2025 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as referenced below, actual results may differ materially.

"For the following quarter, GigaMedia will continue the strategies of internally-driven growth by improving productivity of the existing games, executing effective marketing, and pursuing a steady expansion of customer base," stated GigaMedia CEO James Huang.

Regarding our strategic investment in Aeolus Robotics Corporation, the company is currently in its R&D phase and its current revenue contribution remains nominal. Nonetheless, given the promising industry outlook and the company's unique market position, we expect this partnership to generate valuable strategic synergies and enhance our future growth profile.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

To supplement GigaMedia's consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with US GAAP, the Company uses the following measure defined as non-GAAP by the SEC: EBITDA. Management believes that EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) is a useful supplemental measure of performance because it excludes certain non-cash items such as depreciation and amortization and that EBITDA is a measure of performance used by some investors, equity analysts and others to make informed investment decisions. EBITDA is not a recognized earnings measure under GAAP and does not have a standardized meaning. Non-GAAP measures such as EBITDA should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, other financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. A limitation of using EBITDA is that it does not include all items that impact the company's net income for the period. Reconciliations to the GAAP equivalents of the non-GAAP financial measures are provided on the attached unaudited financial statements.

About the Numbers in This Release

Quarterly results

All quarterly results referred to in the text, tables and attachments to this release are unaudited. The financial statements from which the financial results reported in this press release are derived have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, unless otherwise noted as "non-GAAP," and are presented in U.S. dollars.

Q&A

For Q&A regarding the third quarter 2026 performance upon the release, investors may send the questions via email to [email protected], and the responses will be replied individually.

About GigaMedia

Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, GigaMedia Limited (Singapore registration number: 199905474H) is a diversified provider of digital entertainment services in Taiwan and Hong Kong. GigaMedia's digital entertainment service business is an innovative leader in Asia with growing capabilities of development, distribution and operation of digital entertainments, as well as platform services for games with a focus on mobile games and casual games. More information on GigaMedia can be obtained from www.gigamedia.com.tw.

The statements included above and elsewhere in this press release that are not historical in nature are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding expected financial performance (as described without limitation in the "Business Outlook" section and in quotations from management in this press release) and GigaMedia's strategic and operational plans. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties and changes in circumstances. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward looking statements, including but not limited to, our ability to license, develop or acquire additional online games that are appealing to users, our ability to retain existing online game players and attract new players, and our ability to launch online games in a timely manner and pursuant to our anticipated schedule. Further information on risks or other factors that could cause results to differ is detailed in GigaMedia's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed in April 2026 and its other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

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(Tables to follow)

SOURCE GigaMedia

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