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WPP and Adobe Expand Partnership to Drive AI Transformation for Client Marketing Operations
SAN JOSE, California, Feb. 25 -- Adobe Inc., a computer software company, issued the following news on Feb. 24, 2026:* * *
WPP and Adobe expand partnership to drive AI transformation for client marketing operations
* WPP and Adobe are delivering integrated solutions that enable brands to access agentic AI workflows and customer experience orchestration from both companies, streamlining end-to-end marketing processes
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WPP and Adobe (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced an expansion of their long-standing global partnership, delivering integrated solutions for global brands to optimise media, drive ... Show Full Article SAN JOSE, California, Feb. 25 -- Adobe Inc., a computer software company, issued the following news on Feb. 24, 2026: * * * WPP and Adobe expand partnership to drive AI transformation for client marketing operations * WPP and Adobe are delivering integrated solutions that enable brands to access agentic AI workflows and customer experience orchestration from both companies, streamlining end-to-end marketing processes * WPP and Adobe (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced an expansion of their long-standing global partnership, delivering integrated solutions for global brands to optimise media, drivebusiness growth and scale creativity with new agentic capabilities, while ensuring on-brand content creation with Adobe Firefly Foundry. The collaboration will provide a single marketing solution that brings together Adobe's industry-leading AI capabilities, content platforms and data orchestration with WPP's deep strategic insight, creative prowess and end-to-end transformation expertise. It will leverage WPP's agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to deliver a connected and privacy-safe approach to marketing transformation.
The partnership addresses a fundamental challenge facing brands today: Teams must produce more content for more channels and personalise experiences across audiences, yet most remain stuck with fragmented tools and workflows. For brands to scale personalisation while maintaining brand integrity and authenticity requires a content supply chain designed for a new era. WPP and Adobe will deliver integrated solutions that orchestrate the planning, creation, production and activation of creative and media assets--powered by AI agents.
For the first time, brands will have access to agentic AI workflows and orchestration from both companies, resulting in tighter coordination of the end-to-end marketing process. Adobe's agents can create and adapt content, with WPP's agents optimising media spend and activating across channels, for example. Adobe Firefly Foundry--which enables the development of generative AI models that are responsibly trained on a customer's IP and safe for commercial use--will also be integrated into WPP Open to ensure content is on brand from the start. This means creative and marketing teams can be faster and more productive with campaign creation.
Recognising that human talent remains central to the future of marketing, WPP and Adobe are committing to training and deploying creative AI forward-deployed engineers over the next few years to maximise the value of creative AI solutions and workflows for clients. The organisations will prepare the next generation of marketers to work with AI and agentic technologies in the service of creativity.
Stephan Pretorius, Chief Technology Officer, WPP, said: "For years, we've watched brilliant creative ideas get stuck in production queues, buried under versioning and approvals and media plans. That era is over. With Adobe, we're shattering the barriers between ideation and impact, building agentic content systems that handle the complexity so human creativity can soar. This is what it looks like when two companies with creativity at their core harness the power of AI so that brands can drive growth."
Anil Chakravarthy, President, Customer Experience Orchestration Business, Adobe, said: "Marketing and creative teams today understand the high bar consumers have set for personalisation, which requires fresh and engaging content that is tailored for every interaction and delivered intuitively across channels. Bringing together capabilities across Adobe and WPP provides a seamless way for brands to address this challenge, activating AI agents to drive customer experience orchestration and unlock personalisation at scale."
To accelerate adoption, WPP and Adobe are establishing a joint go-to-market team and launching a Transformation Practice to help clients redesign their marketing operations and embed these capabilities into their organisations.
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About Adobe
Adobe is empowering everyone to create. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.
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About WPP
WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more information, visit www.wpp.com.
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Original text here: https://news.adobe.com/news/2026/02/wpp-adobe-expand-partnership
[Category: BizComputer Technology]
POLITICO Expands to Australia
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 25 -- Politico issued the following news release on Feb. 24, 2026:* * *
POLITICO Expands to Australia
Expansion to Indo-Pacific is part of POLITICO's commitment to linking global power centers
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POLITICO, the global authority on the intersection of power, politics, and policy, today announced it will expand operations to Australia and launch Canberra Playbook when the Australian parliament returns from its winter recess in the third quarter of 2026.
POLITICO's expansion to Australia will bring its signature ahead-of-the-curve, insider political and policy journalism ... Show Full Article ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 25 -- Politico issued the following news release on Feb. 24, 2026: * * * POLITICO Expands to Australia Expansion to Indo-Pacific is part of POLITICO's commitment to linking global power centers * POLITICO, the global authority on the intersection of power, politics, and policy, today announced it will expand operations to Australia and launch Canberra Playbook when the Australian parliament returns from its winter recess in the third quarter of 2026. POLITICO's expansion to Australia will bring its signature ahead-of-the-curve, insider political and policy journalismto help the country's most influential audiences cut through the noise in a vibrant democracy. The expansion will further POLITICO's mission of linking global power centers and help readers in North America and Europe understand the decisions made in Australia that affect them and vice versa. Entering Australia reflects how POLITICO's business model has made it the most successful startup of the digital age and enabled global expansion.
"POLITICO's expansion to Australia is natural. We will deliver the same essential U.S. and European coverage that our audiences in the Western Hemisphere depend on. And we will be even better positioned to help readers around the globe understand important economic and geopolitical developments in the Indo-Pacific, from trade and defense to energy and critical minerals," POLITICO Chief Executive Officer Goli Sheikholeslami said. "This investment in a third continent underscores how POLITICO enters its third decade as a strong, successful, and growing news organization, committed to linking international power centers and illuminating politics, power, and policy on a global scale."
Leading the Australian expansion is POLITICO alum Ryan Heath, who is returning to the organization as POLITICO Australia's Launch Editor to build POLITICO's presence in his native Australia. A POLITICO original, Heath launched the Brussels Playbook in 2015 and helped establish POLITICO as a must-read source for European politics through a distinctive mix of scoops, voice, and insider authority. One of the best-connected and most creative journalistic minds of his generation, he will lead the editorial buildout in-market -- assembling the founding team and, in the early phase, serving as the inaugural author of the Canberra Playbook.
"Australians need journalism that both explains power dynamics and connects the dots globally. That's why I'm so excited to help lead POLITICO's expansion into my home country," Heath said. "In this era of great power and technology upheavals, POLITICO's ability to examine Australia's most important security and trade relationships is unrivaled. We take politicians and policy seriously - it's all we do. We will bring that depth and new angles to political journalism in Canberra, just as we have everywhere else we operate."
First launched in Washington in 2007, POLITICO quickly became the essential source for information on politics, policy, and power. A decade ago, POLITICO made a bold commitment to global expansion and launched POLITICO in Europe. Today, it has the largest newsroom dedicated to covering the institutions governing power centers in North America, Europe, and beyond.
Now, POLITICO will enter Australia to provide our indispensable distinctive, non-partisan, fair dinkum inside-the-conversations-that-matter approach to the active, colorful Australian political and policy scene and to our readers around the globe.
More details on the Australian expansion, including further staffing and product launch dates, will be announced in due course.
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About POLITICO
POLITICO is a global news organization focused on politics and policy, relied on by decision-makers and audiences around the world. Founded in 2007, POLITICO has more than 1,000 journalists and publishing professionals based in Washington, Brussels, London, Paris, Berlin, Sacramento, and New York. Its reporting explains who holds power, how it is exercised and what it means for governments, businesses, and societies.
POLITICO Pro, launched in 2011, is a subscription news service delivering in-depth coverage of the business of government for policymakers, executives, and advocacy leaders. These innovations have established POLITICO as the most successful digital news startup of its generation and a rare example of a growing, profitable, and sustainable news organization. POLITICO is a subsidiary of Axel Springer SE, a family-owned transatlantic media company headquartered in Berlin and New York. Axel Springer is dedicated to shaping the future of journalism in the free world, believing that a free and informed society is essential to democracy. Learn more about Axel Springer.
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Original text here: https://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-press/2026/02/24/politico-expands-to-australia-00794622
[Category: BizMedia]
Johnson & Johnson Seeks FDA Approval of Imaavy as the First-Ever FDA-Approved Treatment for Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
RARITAN, New Jersey, Feb. 25 -- Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicine issued the following news release on Feb. 24, 2026:* * *
Johnson & Johnson seeks FDA approval of IMAAVY(R) (nipocalimab-aahu) as the first-ever FDA-approved treatment for warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA)
Data from the pivotal ENERGY trial showed IMAAVY(R) produced a rapid and durable hemoglobin responsea in wAIHA
Currently no FDA-approved therapies are available for wAIHA, a rare, heterogeneous, life-threatening disease in which pathogenic immunoglobulin (IgG) autoantibodies attach to and destroy red blood cells, ... Show Full Article RARITAN, New Jersey, Feb. 25 -- Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicine issued the following news release on Feb. 24, 2026: * * * Johnson & Johnson seeks FDA approval of IMAAVY(R) (nipocalimab-aahu) as the first-ever FDA-approved treatment for warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA) Data from the pivotal ENERGY trial showed IMAAVY(R) produced a rapid and durable hemoglobin responsea in wAIHA Currently no FDA-approved therapies are available for wAIHA, a rare, heterogeneous, life-threatening disease in which pathogenic immunoglobulin (IgG) autoantibodies attach to and destroy red blood cells,leading to debilitating anemia
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SPRING HOUSE, Pa. - Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced the submission of a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seeking approval of IMAAVY(R) (nipocalimab-aahu) as the first-ever treatment for patients with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA).b This rare and serious autoantibody disease affects approximately 1 in 8,000 in the United States and currently has no approved treatments despite substantial unmet need./1 The condition is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, with those living with the disease found to experience a 20-30% higher risk of death./2
"People living with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia face a serious, life-threatening disease with no approved treatment options and a high risk of complications, including profound chronic fatigue, transfusion dependence, and organ failure," said David M Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Global Immunology Therapeutic Area Head, Johnson & Johnson. "The submission of this sBLA represents an important milestone for the wAIHA community and underscores our commitment to advancing targeted, immunoselective therapies that can deliver meaningful, rapid improvement for these patients."
wAIHA occurs when harmful immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies attach to and destroy red blood cells - leading to anemia./3 IMAAVY(R) is designed to selectively block the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), a key regulator of IgG recycling./4 By reducing circulating IgG, including autoantibodies, IMAAVY(R) targets the underlying cause of disease while preserving critical immune functions, including some humoral B-cell responses to new infections.
The sBLA submission is supported by the Phase 2/3 ENERGY multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (NCT04119050) evaluating IMAAVY(R) in adults living with wAIHA. The data showed that more patients treated with nipocalimab achieved the stringent primary endpoint of a durable hemoglobin response compared with placebo. A durable response was defined as achieving a hemoglobin level above 10 g/dL and an increase of at least 2 g/dL for at least 28 days, without the need for rescue therapy./5
In addition to a rapid and durable improvement in hemoglobin, more patients treated with IMAAVY(R) experienced rapid and sustained improvement in fatigue as assessed by FACIT-Fatigue, an outcome of significant importance to people living with wAIHA.5
"The ENERGY study demonstrated clinically meaningful results in adults living with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia," said Bruno Fattizzo, M.D., Assistant Professor at the Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, Universita degli Studi di Milanoc. "These results provide a strong rationale for the potential of IMAAVY to rapidly improve fatigue and provide durable hemoglobin response while maintaining favorable tolerability."
IMAAVY(R) was generally well tolerated in ENERGY, with no new safety signals identified and a safety profile consistent with the IMAAVY(R) label./5,6 IMAAVY(R) was approved in the United States in April 2025 for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older who are acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) antibody positive./6
The full results of the ENERGY trial are forthcoming.
Editor's notes:
* Durable hemoglobin response = hemoglobin concentration 10 g/dL and an increase from baseline in Hgb 2 g/dL for at least 28 days
* IMAAVY(R) is not approved in wAIHA
* Dr. Fattizzo has served as a consultant to J&J; he has not been paid for any media work
ABOUT THE ENERGY TRIAL
ENERGY (NCT04119050) is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2/3 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of nipocalimab compared with placebo, followed by an open-label extension period, in adults living with wAIHA./5
ABOUT WARM AUTOIMMUNE HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA (wAIHA)
Warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA) is a rare, life-threatening condition where autoantibodies attach to and destroy red blood cells (RBCs), resulting in anemia. Approximately 1-3 new people per 100,000 are affected by wAIHA per year, and about 1 in 8,000 individuals are living with the condition./1,7 This condition affects both women and men, and can affect people at any age with incidence increasing over the age of 50./8,9 Additionally, people with wAIHA are at increased risk of other serious complications such as venous thrombotic events, acute renal failure, and infection./10
There are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs indicated for wAIHA, and treatment typically consists of unapproved corticosteroids, broad immunosuppressants, and B-cell directed therapies./7 With an unmet need for treatment in wAIHA, novel therapies like nipocalimab that can deliver meaningful improvement to patients is critical./9
ABOUT IMAAVY(R) (nipocalimab-aahu)
IMAAVY(R) is an immunoselective treatment designed to target, bind with high affinity, and block FcRn, reducing circulating IgG antibodies that drive disease while also preserving key immune functions. IMAAVY(R) is currently approved for the treatment of gMG in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older who are AChR or MuSK antibody positive./6
Nipocalimab is being investigated across three key segments in the autoantibody space including Rheumatologic diseases, Rare Autoantibody diseases, and Maternal Fetal diseases mediated by maternal alloantibodies, in which blockade of IgG binding to FcRn in the placenta is believed to limit transplacental transfer of maternal alloantibodies to the fetus./11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) have granted several key designations to nipocalimab including:
* U.S. FDA Fast Track designation in hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) and warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA) in July 2019, gMG in December 2021, fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia) FNAIT in March 2024 and Sjogren's disease (SjD) in March 2025
* U.S. FDA Orphan drug status for wAIHA in December 2019, HDFN in June 2020, gMG in February 2021, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) in October 2021 and FNAIT in December 2023
* U.S. FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for HDFN in February 2024 and for SjD in November 2024
* U.S. FDA granted Priority Review in gMG in Q4 2024
* EU EMA Orphan medicinal product designation for HDFN in October 2019 and FNAIT in April 2025
The legal manufacturer for IMAAVY(R) is Janssen Biotech, Inc.
WHAT IS IMAAVY(R) (nipocalimab-aahu)?
IMAAVY(R) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older with a disease called generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibody positive.
It is not known if IMAAVY(R) is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about IMAAVY(R)?
IMAAVY(R) is a prescription medicine that may cause serious side effects, including:
* Infections are a common side effect of IMAAVY(R) that can be serious. Receiving IMAAVY(R) may increase your risk of infection. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following infection symptoms:
- fever
- chills
- shivering
- cough
- sore throat
- fever blisters
- burning when you urinate
* Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions may happen during or up t- a few weeks after your IMAAVY(R) infusion. Get emergency medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms during or after your IMAAVY(R) infusion:
- a swollen face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
- itchy rash (hives)
- chest pain or tightness
* Infusion-related reactions are possible. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of these symptoms during or a few days after your IMAAVY(R) infusion:
- headache
- rash
- nausea
- fatigue
- dizziness
- chills
- flu-like symptoms
- redness of skin
Do not receive IMAAVY(R) if you have a severe allergic reaction to nipocalimab-aahu or any of the ingredients in IMAAVY(R). Reactions have included angioedema and anaphylaxis.
Before using IMAAVY(R), tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
* ever had an allergic reaction to IMAAVY(R).
* have or had any recent infections or symptoms of infection.
* have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). People who take IMAAVY(R) should not receive live vaccines.
* are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It is not known whether IMAAVY(R) will harm your baby.
Pregnancy Safety Study. There is a pregnancy safety study for IMAAVY(R) if IMAAVY(R) is given during pregnancy or you become pregnant while receiving IMAAVY(R). Your healthcare provider should report IMAAVY(R) exposure by contacting Janssen at 1-800-526-7736 or www.IMAAVY.com.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What are the possible side effects of IMAAVY(R)?
IMAAVY(R) may cause serious side effects. See "What is the most important information I should know about IMAAVY(R)?"
The most common side effects of IMAAVY(R) include: respiratory tract infection, peripheral edema (swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet), and muscle spasms.
These are not all the possible side effects of IMAAVY(R). Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for IMAAVY(R) and discuss any questions you have with your doctor.
Dosage Form and Strengths: IMAAVY(R) is supplied as a 300 mg/1.62 mL and a 1,200 mg/6.5 mL (185 mg/mL) single-dose vial per carton for intravenous injection.
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ABOUT JOHNSON & JOHNSON
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow and profoundly impact health for humanity.
Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/ or at www.innovativemedicine.jnj.com.
Follow us at @JNJInnovMed.
Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc. and Janssen Global Services, LLC are Johnson & Johnson companies.
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Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of nipocalimab. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.
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Footnotes:
1/ Tranekaer S, Hansen DL, Frederiksen H. Epidemiology of secondary warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia-A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Med. 2021 Mar 17;10(6):1244. doi:10.3390/jcm10061244. PMID: 33802848; PMCID: PMC8002719.
2/ Jackson L, Zhdanava M, Pesa J, Boonmak P, Chen G, Liu D, et al. Mortality associated with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia among Medicare beneficiaries. Blood. 2025;2694, 146 (Suppl 1):2694. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2025-2694
3/ National Organization for Rare Disorders, Warm autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Available at: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/warm-autoimmune-hemolytic-anemia/. Last accessed: February 2026.
4/ Cossu M et al. A randomized, open-label study on the effect of nipocalimab vaccine response in healthy participants. Presentation at American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) Annual Meeting. October 2024.
5/ ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04119050. Available at: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04119050
6/ IMAAVY(R) U.S. Prescribing Information.
7/ Sudulagunta SR, et al. Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: Clinical Profile and Management. J Hematol. 2017 Mar; 6(1): 12-20. Published online 2017 Mar 21. doi: 10.14740/jh303w.
8/ National Organization for Rare Disorders, Warm autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Available at: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/warm-autoimmune-hemolytic-anemia/. Last accessed: February 2026.
9/ Cherif H, Cai ., Crivera, C, Leon A, Rahman I, Leval A, Noel W, Kjellander C. Overall survival and treatment patterns among patients with warm wutoimmune hemolytic anemia in Sweden: A nationwide population-based. 2024.
10/ Fattizzo B, Barcellini W. New therapies for the treatment of warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Transfusion Medical Reviews. 2022;36(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmrv.2022.08.001
11/ ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04951622. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04951622. Last accessed: February 2026.
12/ ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT03842189. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03842189. Last accessed: February 2026.
13/ ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05327114. Available at: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05327114. Last accessed: February 2026.
14/ ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04119050. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04119050. Last accessed: February 2026.
15/ ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05379634. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05379634. Last accessed: February 2026.
16/ ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05912517. Available at: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05912517. Last accessed: February 2026.
17/ ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04968912. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04968912. Last accessed: February 2026.
18/ ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04882878. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04882878. Last accessed: February 2026.
19/ ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06449651. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06449651. Last accessed: February 2026.
20/ ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06533098 Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06533098. Last accessed: February 2026.
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Original text here: https://www.jnj.com/media-center/press-releases/johnson-johnson-seeks-fda-approval-of-imaavy-nipocalimab-aahu-as-the-first-ever-fda-approved-treatment-for-warm-autoimmune-hemolytic-anemia-waiha
[Category: BizPharmaceuticals]
Citi Makes Strategic Investment in Sakana AI To Advance Innovation in Financial Services
NEW YORK, Feb. 25 -- Citi, a banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs and wealth management and a personal bank, issued the following news release:* * *
Citi Makes Strategic Investment in Sakana AI To Advance Innovation in Financial Services
HIGHLIGHTS
* Sakana AI is a Tokyo-based AI R&D company developing new foundational models and enterprise-grade AI solutions using nature-inspired intelligence.
* Citi has made a strategic investment in Sakana AI, marking Citi's first such investment in a Japanese company.
* This investment and collaboration aim to accelerate innovation ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, Feb. 25 -- Citi, a banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs and wealth management and a personal bank, issued the following news release: * * * Citi Makes Strategic Investment in Sakana AI To Advance Innovation in Financial Services HIGHLIGHTS * Sakana AI is a Tokyo-based AI R&D company developing new foundational models and enterprise-grade AI solutions using nature-inspired intelligence. * Citi has made a strategic investment in Sakana AI, marking Citi's first such investment in a Japanese company. * This investment and collaboration aim to accelerate innovationin global financial services, leveraging Sakana AI's unique R&D capabilities and proven track record in the financial sector.
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TOKYO - Citi has made a strategic investment in Sakana AI, a Tokyo-based AI R&D company.
The investment was made by the Markets Strategic Investments unit, which invests in innovative fintech and enterprise tech companies globally that are strategically aligned to Citi's Markets division. The investment marks Citi's first in Japan and is a testament to Sakana's demonstrated strong commercial traction and advanced technical capabilities.
Sakana AI is focused on developing new kinds of foundational models and enterprise-grade AI solutions by using nature-inspired intelligence. The company has consistently focused on enhancing operational efficiencies across various industries by bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and practical business applications.
The milestone deal demonstrates how AI companies and banks can collaborate to innovate financial services. Sakana AI has a proven track record of working with financial institutions to develop highly specialized AI models for financial domains. This investment from Citi aims to further accelerate Sakana AI's international expansion and drive innovation in global financial services, originating from Japan.
"As a leading AI company in Japan, Sakana AI is driving innovation across the Japan market. We are proud to support their journey and look forward to providing value-add opportunities as they expand their financial services product offering," said Robert Nakamura, Citi Country Officer and Banking Head for Japan.
"We are honored to receive this strategic investment from Citi, which we believe is a testament to Sakana AI's technological capabilities and our track record in the financial sector. Leveraging our expertise in applying frontier AI within specialized financial domains, we look forward to working with Citi to transform global financial services," said David Ha, CEO of Sakana AI.
"Sakana AI has developed a unique and robust offering that have enabled them to develop a strong foundation and proven product market fit in Japan. We're excited to invest in Sakana AI as they further cement their position in Japan and expand globally," said Siris Singh, Global Head of Markets Strategic Investments.
Through investments in start-ups and early-stage companies, Markets Strategic Investments promotes the development and adoption of new technologies and solutions to drive innovation for Citi and its clients.
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About Citi
Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in more than 180 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services.
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Original text here: https://www.citigroup.com/global/news/press-release/2026/citi-makes-strategic-investment-in-sakana-ai-to-advance-innovation-in-financial-services
BMJ Group: Pre-Pregnancy Parental Overweight/obesity Linked to Next Generation's Heightened Fatty Liver Disease Risk
LONDON, England, Feb. 25 (TNSjou) -- BMJ Group issued the following news release about Gut:* * *
Pre-pregnancy parental overweight/obesity linked to next generation's heightened fatty liver disease risk
Young adult risk more than 3 times higher if both mum and dad carrying excess weight
Odds largely influenced by cumulative excess weight (BMI) in childhood
*
Pre-pregnancy parental overweight and obesity is linked to the next generation's heightened risk of developing fatty liver disease, a potential precursor to cirrhosis and liver failure, suggests research (https://gut.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/gutjnl-2025-336165) ... Show Full Article LONDON, England, Feb. 25 (TNSjou) -- BMJ Group issued the following news release about Gut: * * * Pre-pregnancy parental overweight/obesity linked to next generation's heightened fatty liver disease risk Young adult risk more than 3 times higher if both mum and dad carrying excess weight Odds largely influenced by cumulative excess weight (BMI) in childhood * Pre-pregnancy parental overweight and obesity is linked to the next generation's heightened risk of developing fatty liver disease, a potential precursor to cirrhosis and liver failure, suggests research (https://gut.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/gutjnl-2025-336165)published online in the journal Gut.
If both parents are overweight or obese before they conceive, that child's subsequent odds of developing MASLD by the age of 24 are more than 3 times higher, most of which is influenced by cumulative excess weight (BMI) during childhood, the findings indicate.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, recently renamed metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD for short, is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting an estimated 15% of children and more than 30% of adults, note the researchers.
Previously published research has emphasised the role of maternal obesity in future generations' MASLD risk, but it's not clear what role paternal obesity might have and if childhood overweight might also influence this risk.
To find out, the researchers assessed the associations between parental weight (BMI) before pregnancy and the odds of developing MASLD by the age of 24 in 1933 children from the UK Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).
MASLD was defined as high levels of fat in the liver and at least 1 cardiometabolic risk factor, such as high cholesterol or high fasting glucose.
Both parents provided information on height, weight, calculated BMI and waist circumference, and they completed regular questionnaires on potentially influential health and lifestyle factors throughout pregnancy and after the birth.
These included information on age at delivery, smoking during the first 3 months of pregnancy, typical weekly alcohol consumption before pregnancy, employment status, and educational attainment.
The mums also reported their physical activity levels and whether they had ever been diagnosed with diabetes or high blood pressure at the time of study enrolment.
Information on the children included early life factors: sex; mode of delivery; gestational age and birthweight; antibiotic exposure within the first 6 months of life; and length of breastfeeding.
And it included repeated measures of BMI and waist circumference when they were aged 7-9, 10-12, and 13-17, plus alcohol and tobacco use as a young adult.
By the age of 24, one in 10 of these children (201) had MASLD; the other 1732 had a normal liver. Those with MASLD were more likely to be male and to have a higher BMI.
Maternal and paternal overweight and obesity were independently associated with increased odds of their children subsequently developing MASLD, after accounting for potentially influential factors.
Each additional kg of maternal BMI increased the odds of MASLD by 10%, while the equivalent increase in paternal BMI raised the odds by 9%.
Overweight or obesity in both parents was associated with more than 3 times the odds of their child developing MASLD as a young adult compared with those whose parents had a normal pre-pregnancy BMI.
Two thirds (67%) of this association was influenced by cumulative excess BMI between the ages of 7 and 17.
Further analysis, accounting for mothers' and children's sugar consumption, plus genetic predisposition to MASLD, generated similar findings.
This is an observational study, and as such, no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, added to which the researchers acknowledge various limitations to their findings.
For example, parental pre-pregnancy data were self-reported and there was no information on parental MASLD, underlying conditions before and during pregnancy, or their children's physical activity levels in early adulthood, all of which might have been influential.
Although the drivers behind the observed associations aren't yet fully understood, the researchers nevertheless conclude that their results "lend support to an early life influence of biparental obesity on offspring metabolic health, suggesting efforts to mitigate excess adiposity of both mothers and fathers before conceiving may confer longitudinal benefits to the metabolic outcomes of their future offspring."
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Notes for editors
Research: Parental obesity and risk of metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease in adult offspring: UK birth cohort study Doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2025-336165
Journal: Gut
External funding: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders
About the journal
Gut is one of 70 journals published by BMJ Group. The title is co-owned with the British Society of Gastroenterology
https://gut.bmj.com
Link to Academy of Medical Sciences press release labelling system
http://press.psprings.co.uk/AMSlabels.pdf
Externally peer reviewed? Yes
Evidence type: Observational
Subjects: People
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Original text here: https://bmjgroup.com/pre-pregnancy-parental-overweight-obesity-linked-to-next-generations-heightened-fatty-liver-disease-risk/
[Category: BizMedia]
BMJ Group: Obstructive Sleep Apnoea May Cost UK + US Economies Billions in Lost Productivity
LONDON, England, Feb. 25 (TNSjou) -- BMJ Group issued the following news release about Thorax:* * *
Obstructive sleep apnoea may cost UK + US economies billions in lost productivity
Around 1 in 5 adults in both countries may have the condition, analysis suggests
Time to test workplace screening in those most at risk of harm from daytime sleepiness
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Untreated obstructive sleep apnoea may be costing the UK and US economies billions of pounds/dollars in lost productivity every year, with a considerable proportion of working age adults experiencing symptoms indicative of the breathing disorder, ... Show Full Article LONDON, England, Feb. 25 (TNSjou) -- BMJ Group issued the following news release about Thorax: * * * Obstructive sleep apnoea may cost UK + US economies billions in lost productivity Around 1 in 5 adults in both countries may have the condition, analysis suggests Time to test workplace screening in those most at risk of harm from daytime sleepiness * Untreated obstructive sleep apnoea may be costing the UK and US economies billions of pounds/dollars in lost productivity every year, with a considerable proportion of working age adults experiencing symptoms indicative of the breathing disorder,suggests an analysis (https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2026/02/17/thorax-2025-223550) published online in the journal Thorax.
Around 1 in 5 adults in both countries may have obstructive sleep apnoea, the analysis suggests. And the time has now come to trial workplace screening in those most at risk of harm from the daytime sleepiness associated with the condition, such as professional drivers, argue the authors of a linked editorial.
Obstructive sleep apnoea occurs when the throat walls relax and narrow or close for 10 seconds or more during sleep, interrupting normal breathing--sometimes several times an hour throughout the night. Those affected tend to snore or wake up, gasping for breath.
As a "serious and underrecognised condition," the researchers wanted to estimate its prevalence in representative population samples from the UK and the US and assess the societal costs of leaving the condition untreated--associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia.
They drew on 3523 respondents to the 2021 US census and 840 respondents to the 2021 UK census, who reported symptoms often associated with obstructive sleep apnoea: breathing pauses during sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness on 3 or more nights of the week.
To estimate the potential economic impact among workingage adults (18-64 year olds), of untreated obstructive sleep apnoea, they used a productivity-based approach that accounts for both absenteeism (missed work) and presenteeism (reduced performance at work).
Their analysis suggests that obstructive sleep apnoea affects around 1 in 5 adults--23% in the US and 19.5% in the UK.
The census responses showed that nearly 30% of working age adults in the US and 7% of those in the UK met the study criteria for obstructive sleep apnoea, suggesting that the total annual productivity loss in the USA might be as high as US$180.2 billion, they estimate.
This corresponds to an estimated annual productivity loss of US$3727 for each worker affected, measured in terms of gross domestic product (GDP), and compares with the annual estimated cost of treating the condition with an air pressure mask (CPAP)--used for moderate to severe sleep apnoea--of US$1661.
The equivalent total annual productivity loss in the UK could be as high as pound sterling4.22 billion, representing 0.2% of national GDP, and corresponding to a productivity loss for each affected worker of around pound sterling1840 every year, the researchers estimate.
Again, this is more than the estimated cost of CPAP treatment, including associated healthcare resources and supportive care, of pound sterling1363/patient, they say.
These costs are probably an underestimate as they don't include the impact on healthcare systems of increased medical expenditure, or the costs of road traffic or workplace accidents, they point out.
The researchers caution that obstructive sleep apnoea was identified in their study through proxy measures rather than through objective assessment, so precluding assessment of its severity or the ability to rule out other causes of sleepiness.
Nevertheless, they suggest: "Our analysis, though limited to a small subset of [obstructive sleep apnoea]-related costs, highlights that the broader workplace productivity burden of [the condition] likely exceeds the direct costs of screening and effective treatment in both the UK and USA."
And they conclude: "Given the significant yet often overlooked burden of [obstructive sleep apnoea] syndrome and its economic impact, we urge policymakers to allocate resources towards developing an effective screening strategy and implementing targeted public health campaigns and policies.
"Early identification and treatment of [obstructive sleep apnoea], along with proactive early follow-up, could result in substantial savings, potentially amounting to billions of dollars/pounds annually in productivity costs."
Around 80-85% of those with obstructive sleep apnoea remain undiagnosed, point out the authors of a linked editorial. And those who experience daytime sleepiness as a result are twice as likely to be injured at work as those without the condition. They are also likely to be less productive.
But 4 key developments have now made setting up a workplace screening programme for the condition worth serious consideration, they argue.
These are:
* Screening algorithms to identify high risk job roles and industries, such as lorry drivers, construction workers, train drivers, pilots, heavy machinery operators, surgeons and people caring for vulnerable children or adults
* The advent of low cost diagnostic technologies--wireless connectivity home testing devices
* Better understanding of the science of CPAP adherence, which many patients find difficult
* More alternatives to CPAP, including GLP-1 agonists (weight loss drugs), airway surgery, hypoglossal nerve stimulation (an implant to stimulate the tongue nerve), mandibular advancement devices (a mouth guard to keep the airway open), or positional sleeping
There are counterarguments to workplace screening, they say. Workers might fear being penalised if they are unable to tolerate treatment or their condition remains inadequately controlled, and a successful screening programme would probably need to offer some form of employment guarantee, they suggest.
There are other issues, they highlight. These include higher medical insurance premiums in countries where these apply, because of the known associations between obstructive sleep apnoea and other conditions; restrictions on driving for social purposes; and concerns about personal privacy.
"Ultimately, the way to test whether workplace screening would be a worthwhile strategy would be to select an occupation in which [obstructive sleep apnoea] is prevalent and has severe consequences, such as professional driving, and see whether relevant outcomes, such as road traffic accidents and absenteeism are clinically and statistically significantly different in a screened group compared with a standard care group," they suggest.
Given that sleep apnoea can now be easily identified, and there are more treatment options, "We suggest the time is now approaching for a trial of workplace screening in an exemplar high-risk occupational group," they conclude.
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Notes for editors
Short report: Neglected burden of obstructive sleep apnoea: workplace productivity loss in the USA and UK Doi: 10.1136/thorax-2025-223550
Editorial: Has the time come for workplace screening for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)? Doi: 10.1136/thorax-2025-222350
Journal: Thorax
External funding: Isackson Family Foundation; Stanford Head & Neck Surgery Research Fund (research)
About the journal
Thorax is one of 70 journals published by BMJ Group. The title is co-owned with the British Thoracic Society.
https://thorax.bmj.com
Link to Academy of Medical Sciences Press Release labelling system
http://press.psprings.co.uk/AMSlabels.pdf
Externally peer reviewed? Yes
Evidence type: Observational; data analysis; Opinion
Subjects: People
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Original text here: https://bmjgroup.com/obstructive-sleep-apnoea-may-cost-uk-us-economies-billions-in-lost-productivity/
[Category: BizMedia]
Accenture to Acquire Verum Partners, Expanding Its Capital Projects Capabilities in Latin America
NEW YORK, Feb. 25 -- Accenture, a global professional services company, presented the following news release:* * *
Accenture to Acquire Verum Partners, Expanding its Capital Projects Capabilities in Latin America
BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil - Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has agreed to acquire Verum Partners, an infrastructure and capital projects management firm with deep expertise in the mining, metals, transportation, logistics, chemicals and energy industries. Accenture will bring together its digital and advanced AI capabilities and Verum Partners' on-site execution leadership to help clients in Latin ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, Feb. 25 -- Accenture, a global professional services company, presented the following news release: * * * Accenture to Acquire Verum Partners, Expanding its Capital Projects Capabilities in Latin America BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil - Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has agreed to acquire Verum Partners, an infrastructure and capital projects management firm with deep expertise in the mining, metals, transportation, logistics, chemicals and energy industries. Accenture will bring together its digital and advanced AI capabilities and Verum Partners' on-site execution leadership to help clients in LatinAmerica make their infrastructure projects more efficient.
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Belo Horizonte, Verum Partners has more than 180 employees with extensive hands-on field experience, who will join Accenture's Infrastructure & Capital Projects practice.
Verum Partners specializes in identifying and eliminating inefficiencies across the lifecycle of clients' infrastructure and capital projects, from feasibility to engineering, construction, commissioning and operational handover. The company's deep project management and industry expertise helps organizations reduce rework, improve productivity, and make their complex industrial projects operationally ready faster.
Rodolfo Eschenbach, Market Unit Lead - Latin America, Accenture, said: "Brazil's investment cycle is accelerating, from mining expansion and grid modernization to energy transition programs and transportation infrastructure. AI-enabled project management models offer organizations opportunities to get to grips with delays and overspend."
Large infrastructure and capital projects in mining, energy and transportation often span more than a decade and are challenged by fragmented teams of contractors, suppliers and engineers. Accenture research shows that approximately 90% of such projects fail to meet original schedule and budget targets. Verum Partners will strengthen Accenture's capabilities to address these challenges in the Latin American market for infrastructure and capital projects head-on.
Renato Improta, Latin America Lead for Industry X, Accenture, commented: "Verum Partners is experienced in aligning thousands of workers, multiple contractors and complex field conditions on a daily basis. This ability, combined with the company's expertise in addressing on-site challenges and Accenture's advanced AI and digital capabilities, will deliver AI-enabled platforms and project management models to our clients that significantly lower the risks and improve the predictability of their infrastructure megaprojects."
David Elio, CEO, Verum Partners, added: "Capital projects succeed when teams share information openly, coordinate continuously and solve problems directly in the field. Joining Accenture allows us to scale this approach, deepen digitalization early and support clients in delivering safer, faster and more predictable industrial, energy and infrastructure assets."
Infrastructure and capital projects are a growing part of Accenture's service portfolio and global capabilities , recently reinforced by its acquisition of a majority stake in US data center developer DLB Associates. Since 2023, Accenture has rapidly built a global presence and deep capabilities in infrastructure and capital projects. This includes key acquisitions of U.S. advisory and management company Anser Advisory and Canadian consulting and program management company Comtech. Subsequent acquisitions, including data center construction consultancy Soben in the UK, BOSLAN in Spain, Partners in Performance in Australia, IQT Group in Italy and Orlade in France, are enabling Accenture to meet evolving client demands.
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Completion is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
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Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "aspires," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "positioned," "outlook," "goal," "target" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance nor promises that goals or targets will be met, and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks include, without limitation, risks that: Accenture and Verum Partners will not be able to close the transaction in the time period anticipated, or at all, which is dependent on the parties' ability to satisfy certain closing conditions; the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for Accenture; Accenture's results of operations have been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and geopolitical conditions and the effects of these conditions on the company's clients' businesses and levels of business activity; Accenture's business depends on generating and maintaining client demand for the company's solutions and services including through the adaptation and expansion of its solutions and services in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect the company's results of operations; risks and uncertainties related to the development and use of AI, including advanced AI, could harm the company's business, damage its reputation or give rise to legal or regulatory action; if Accenture is unable to match people and their skills with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the company's business, the utilization rate of the company's professionals and the company's results of operations may be materially adversely affected; Accenture faces legal, reputational and financial risks from any failure to protect client and/or company data from security incidents or cyberattacks; the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; if Accenture does not successfully manage and develop its relationships with its ecosystem partners or fails to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, the company's results of operations could be adversely affected; Accenture's ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; Accenture's profitability could materially suffer due to pricing pressure, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies or fail to satisfy certain agreed-upon targets or specific service levels; changes in Accenture's level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the company's effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; Accenture's results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; Accenture's debt obligations could adversely affect its business and financial condition; as a result of Accenture's geographically diverse operations and strategy to continue to grow in key markets around the world, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; Accenture might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; Accenture's business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; Accenture's work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; Accenture's global operations expose the company to numerous and sometimes conflicting legal and regulatory requirements; if Accenture is unable to protect or enforce its intellectual property rights or if Accenture's solutions or services infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company loses its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the "Risk Factors" heading in Accenture plc's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture's expectations.
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About Accenture
Accenture is a leading solutions and services company that helps the world's leading enterprises reinvent by building their digital core and unleashing the power of AI to create value at speed across the enterprise, bringing together the talent of our approximately 784,000 people, our proprietary assets and platforms, and deep ecosystem relationships. Our strategy is to be the reinvention partner of choice for our clients and to be the most client-focused, AI-enabled, great place to work in the world. Through our Reinvention Services we bring together our capabilities across strategy, consulting, technology, operations, Song and Industry X with our deep industry expertise to create and deliver solutions and services for our clients. Our purpose is to deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity, and we measure our success by the 360 value we create for all our stakeholders. Visit us at accenture.com.
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Original text here: https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/2026/accenture-to-acquire-verum-partners-expanding-its-capital-projects-capabilities-in-brazil
[Category: BizConsulting]