The report highlights a broader shift towards more connected manufacturing systems 

PORTO, Portugal, 25.03.2026 – Critical Manufacturing, the Industrial Operations Platform company that unites execution, connectivity, analytics and trusted AI, and a subsidiary of ASMPT, has been named a Representative Vendor in the Gartner Market Guide for Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). The report points to the continued shift in manufacturing systems toward more connected and data-driven models as operational requirements grow, with increasing focus on the role of AI and more open, interoperable approaches to managing production systems.

According to Gartner, MES remains central to digital manufacturing, with vendors evolving their offerings to meet changing business and production needs, including greater emphasis on integration, flexibility, and platform-based capabilities.

Francisco Almada Lobo, CEO and Co-founder of Critical Manufacturing, said, “We are pleased to be recognized in the Gartner Market Guide for MES. In our opinion this reflects our continued focus on helping manufacturers succeed in highly demanding and regulated industries now and in the future. We continue to evolve our solution embedding the latest technologies such as AI on a strong foundation that manufacturers can trust to make digital transformation effective and profitable.”

As manufacturing becomes more intricate, organizations are placing greater emphasis on how their systems improve visibility, coordination, and decision-making. Critical Manufacturing addresses these needs through its Industrial Operations Platform approach, where MES serves as the execution core within a broader framework that brings together production, data, and intelligence.

“Manufacturing is no longer just about controlling processes on the shopfloor. It is about turning production data into meaningful, timely decisions that improve performance across the entire operation,” added Almada Lobo. “We are seeing a clear shift away from isolated systems toward environments where execution, data, and intelligence continuously inform each other. That is what enables manufacturers to respond faster, operate with greater clarity, and remain competitive in increasingly complex markets.”

Within this approach, MES plays a central role in capturing and contextualizing manufacturing data, which is then linked with analytics and enterprise systems to create a continuous flow of information between the shopfloor and business decision-makers.

Critical Manufacturing continues to advance its solution for high-tech industries such as semiconductors, electronics, medical devices and life sciences, and industrial equipment. Recent enhancements include improved batch management with lot matching, resource cluster services for multi-chamber equipment, and more detailed labor tracking at the activity level. Additional capabilities such as flexible BOM management, advanced substrate mapping, and smart barcode scanning further strengthen control and traceability across manufacturing processes.

The platform has also been extended with improvements to line clearance and maintenance management for reusable spare parts, alongside new reporting capabilities through tools such as Grafana and Stimulsoft. The introduction of Unified Namespace streaming via MQTT, combined with a centralized enterprise data platform, provides broader visibility across multiple sites.

At the same time, Critical Manufacturing is advancing its AI roadmap through initiatives spanning machine learning and generative AI to more advanced autonomous systems. These capabilities are embedded within the MES and data platform to enable contextual understanding, predictive insights, and more efficient workflows for both operators and decision-makers.

The report also encourages manufacturers to assess how MES solutions will meet future needs, including integration with other systems, responsiveness to changing processes, and the ability to scale across sites. For organizations operating in complex sectors, selecting solutions aligned with specific operational requirements can help reduce implementation effort while preserving long-term flexibility.

With customers across APAC, EMEA, and North America, Critical Manufacturing works with manufacturers in sectors where traceability, quality, and responsiveness are essential. By bringing together MES, data, analytics, and AI within a unified platform, the company helps manufacturers build more resilient, transparent, agile and future-ready operations.

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Enabling Modern MGA Program Operations And Scalable Insurance Infrastructure

AUSTIN, Texas–INTX Insurance Software, a complete Insurance Operating System for P&C insurers, MGAs, reinsurers and captives, today announced that diversified financial services company SWBC is replacing its legacy Policy Administration System (PAS) with the INTX platform. The implementation will support SWBC’s excess flood insurance program and MGA operations while providing a unified operational architecture designed to improve efficiency, governance, and long-term scalability.

“INTX provides the structure, visibility, and scalability we need to support evolving program requirements while maintaining strong governance across our MGA operations.”

“Moving away from legacy infrastructure was an important step in strengthening the operational foundation of our insurance programs,” said Adam Payton, Senior Vice President of Risk Management Products, SWBC. “INTX provides the structure, visibility, and scalability we need to support evolving program requirements while maintaining strong governance across our MGA operations.”

The transition to INTX also supports SWBC’s broader effort to consolidate insurance operations onto a unified technology foundation. By replacing fragmented legacy systems with a single operational platform, SWBC will streamline program management, improve data visibility, and strengthen governance across its insurance portfolio. In addition, SWBC conducted a rigorous review that confirmed the implementation readiness of the INTX platform, and ensured it meets the safeguards needed to manage and protect sensitive data.

“Many insurance organizations are realizing that legacy policy administration systems were never designed to support the complexity of modern program business,” said Rob Lewis, CEO of INTX Insurance Software. “SWBC recognized the importance of moving to a unified operational architecture. INTX provides the control layer that allows insurers to manage policy, claims, and program operations with the transparency and governance required by today’s environment.”

Munich, Germany – 25 March 2026: Complement Therapeutics GmbH (CTx), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation therapies for complement-mediated diseases, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in Opti-GAIN, its first-in-human Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating CTx001 in patients with Geographic Atrophy (GA) secondary to Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

Opti-GAIN is a multi-centre Phase I/II study designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of CTx001, administered via a single subretinal injection. Part 1 of the study is an open-label, dose-escalation phase across three cohorts, followed by a dose-expansion phase in Part 2. The trial is being conducted by the company’s UK subsidiary.

“Geographic Atrophy remains an area of significant unmet need, with patients facing progressive and irreversible vision loss,” said Dr. Arshad M. Khanani, Chief Investigator of the study and Director of Clinical Research at Sierra Eye Associates, Reno, Nevada, USA. “I am pleased to be part of this first-in-human trial and to have administered CTx001 to the first patient. We look forward to further evaluating this promising one-time investigational gene therapy approach in GA secondary to AMD.”

CTx001 is an investigational AAV2-based gene therapy engineered to deliver a construct encoding mini-CR1, a truncated and secreted form of Complement Receptor 1. This approach is designed to modulate both the alternative and classical complement pathways. Subretinal administration enables local production of mini-CR1 within retinal cells, while its small size may facilitate penetration across Bruch’s membrane, supporting broad ocular biodistribution, including the choriocapillaris.

Building on clinically validated complement biology in GA, CTx001 aims to deliver a potentially best-in-class profile, combining broad ocular coverage, strong potency, multi-pathway modulation, and extended durability.

The Opti-GAIN trial is being conducted alongside Pre-GAIN, the company’s ongoing natural history study in GA, currently enrolling patients in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Together, these studies are expected to inform patient selection and enable the evaluation of novel structural and functional endpoints, including ellipsoid zone (EZ) integrity and focal Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)-based microperimetry. Notably, Opti-GAIN is among the first clinical studies to prospectively evaluate focal OCT-based microperimetry, a method that could significantly advance treatment assessment in GA.

“Dosing the first patient in Opti-GAIN marks a key milestone for Complement Therapeutics and the clinical development of CTx001,” said Dr. Rafiq Hasan, Chief Executive Officer of Complement Therapeutics. “We believe our differentiated gene therapy approach, combined with an integrated clinical strategy, positions CTx001 strongly. Running Opti-GAIN alongside Pre-GAIN enables us to generate both interventional and natural history data to better guide patient selection, endpoint development, and future trials.”

Dr. Muhammad Ali Memon, Chief Medical Officer of Complement Therapeutics, added: “Our precise surgical delivery approach, adaptive immunomodulatory regimen, and well-characterised patient populations from i-GAIN and Pre-GAIN provide a strong foundation for demonstrating therapeutic impact with CTx001 in Opti-GAIN.”

Further details on the company’s clinical programmes are available on ClinicalTrials.gov, including Opti-GAIN (NCT07392255) and Pre-GAIN (NCT07144137).

Aviator Airport Alliance, the largest independent ground handling provider in the Nordics and part of Avia Solutions Group, has joined Swedavia’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) procurement initiative, resulting in a significant reduction in emissions from its business travel.

Through this initiative, Aviator Sweden has reduced approximately 50% of emissions from its business travel in 2025.

“As part of our continued climate efforts, we at Aviator Sweden have invested in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through Swedavia’s recently completed SAF auction,” said Jonas Brundin, Managing Director of Aviator Sweden. “Investing in SAF is a concrete way for us to contribute to the development of more sustainable aviation – something we see as essential for the future of transportation.”

Sustainable Aviation Fuel can reduce lifecycle CO₂e by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel and can be used within existing aircraft and infrastructure. This approach reduces emissions at the source, rather than relying solely on traditional offsetting.

Starting from December 1, 2025, Aviator Sweden’s own ground handling operations are fully fossil-free. The SAF investment marks a further step in extending emission reduction efforts beyond direct operations and supports Aviator’s broader ambition to achieve carbon-neutral ground handling by 2030.

Flagship summit to showcase AI breakthroughs back-to-back with inaugural UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance

Geneva, 25 March 2026 – As governments accelerate strategies on artificial intelligence, sovereign AI and AI diffusion across economies and societies, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will host the seventh AI for Good Global Summit from 7 to 10 July 2026 at Geneva’s Palexpo convention centre.

Over four days, leaders from government, industry, academia, civil society and the technical community will work together at AI for Good to guide the future of AI.

Live demos of tech innovations in agentic AI, edge AI, brain-computer interfaces, space computing and robotics will share the stage with discussions on national AI strategies to address the global challenge of unlocking AI’s potential to serve humanity.

AI for Good will be held back-to-back with the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, convened by the United Nations General Assembly and facilitated by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Taking place at Palexpo from 6 to 7 July, the Global Dialogue is supported by a joint secretariat that includes the Executive Office of the Secretary General, ITU, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET), with ITU and UNESCO leading the coordination.

“As artificial intelligence moves from strategy to real-world deployment, countries need the skills, solutions, and international standards for AI to work for everyone,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “Through AI for Good, ITU helps turn AI breakthroughs into practical ways to improve lives. We are also pleased to work with our partners on the inaugural UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance where Member States and stakeholders will exchange perspectives on the policies shaping AI’s future.”

Global summit with a Swiss twist

The AI for Good Global Summit is organized by ITU – the United Nations agency for digital technologies – with over 50 UN partners and co-convened by Switzerland.

The Summit is the flagship platform for showcasing and helping scale up AI applications in areas from healthcare and education to food security, disaster risk reduction and misinformation, particularly in developing countries.

World-class keynotes, global technology premieres and an expo floor filled with innovators, UN partners and national pavilions will present local AI solutions and strategies from around the world, including special exhibits featuring home-grown innovations from Switzerland.

“We are delighted to once again co-convene with ITU the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, a central location for discussing and showcasing advances in artificial intelligence,” said Albert Rösti, Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication.

Uniting leaders to scale AI impact

Over 11,000 participants from 169 countries attended last year’s AI for Good Global Summit and World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) events. Participation included ministers from 100 countries, more than half representing developing countries.

The 2026 edition aims to further strengthen AI for Good as a globally representative platform for dialogue, collaboration, and action on AI and how to best harness the innovative power of technology.

Early speakers and programme details are now available, offering a first look at the global leaders shaping this year’s Summit, with further announcements to follow.

Solutions, skills, standards, and policy

“Day Zero” of the AI for Good Global Summit on 7 July will feature live demos, interactive exhibits, startup competitions and hands-on workshops. The summit’s Centre Stage officially opens on 8 July. Programme highlights include:

• Multistakeholder dialogue on AI standards and policy – exploring frontier challenges including agentic AI security, AI testing and benchmarking, misinformation and deepfakes, quantum technology applications and use cases, and AI infrastructure and energy demands.
• Global innovation competitions and awards – including the AI for Good Innovation Factory Grand Finale and machine-learning challenges on edge AI, TinyML, and space AI computing as well as the AI for Good Impact Awards and Robotics Youth Challenge Grand Finale.
• Technology demos and interactive expo – featuring cutting-edge systems in AI, robotics, embodied AI, brain-computer interfaces, autonomous vehicles and quantum technologies.
• AI skills and capacity-building programmes – with training sessions delivered by AI Skills Coalition partners, hands-on workshops and a dynamic Youth Zone supporting the next generation of innovators.
• Creative and cultural programmes – highlighting the intersection of AI and creativity with the AI for Good Film Festival, the Canvas of the Future AI Art Competition, and AI-enabled artistic performances. The summit will feature the premiere of RAISE, a documentary series executive produced by Leonardo DiCaprio exploring how AI is already being used to address humanity’s most urgent challenges.
• The Quantum for Good track – offering a look at quantum information technologies and their potential to transform industries and societies.

The AI for Good Global Summit 2026 is supported by its partners and sponsors:

• Co-Convener: Swiss Confederation
• Diamond Sponsors: Microsoft Corporation, Technology Innovation Institute
• Gold Sponsors: Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) of the Republic of Korea, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) of Japan
• Silver Sponsors: EY, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
• Networking Partners: d-teach, Giga, HP Inc. UK Limited, Google, Lenovo, TikTok Information Technologies UK Limited
• Session Partners: Access Partnership, Cisco Systems, Inc., EY, FSAB Consulting, GTI, Microsoft
• Innovation Factory Local Chapters: Akbank, Government of Catalonia – Spain

Mar 25: Aziro, a leading provider of digital transformation and software product engineering services, has appointed Jitender Hooda as Senior Vice President, Sales, Digital Solutions, as it accelerates its expansion in AI-led enterprise transformation and digital engineering. 

The appointment comes at a time when enterprises are rapidly scaling investments in AI, cloud, and next-generation digital capabilities. With this move, Aziro aims to strengthen its leadership bench and deepen its engagement in high-value transformation programs across global markets.

Jitender brings extensive experience in driving business growth, leading digital transformation initiatives, and building AI-powered solutions. Over the course of his career, he has held leadership roles at Hexaware Technologies, L&T Technology Services, ITC Infotech, Geometric (now part of HCLTech), and Tata Technologies, where he led large-scale deals, scaled strategic portfolios, and built long-term consulting partnerships across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Before joining Aziro, Jitender founded and served as the Founder and CEO of EmachineLabs, an AI‑powered enterprise platform. This entrepreneurial experience further shaped his conviction that enterprise transformation will increasingly require a fusion of consulting excellence and platform‑led acceleration.

“Jitender brings a rare combination of strategic vision, market insight, and deep technology fluency. His ability to operate at the intersection of business growth and modern engineering aligns perfectly with Aziro’s next chapter. As enterprises accelerate their digital and AI journeys, Jitender’s leadership will play a pivotal role in strengthening our client relationships and scaling our digital business across strategic industries and geographies. We are delighted to welcome him to the leadership team,” said Sanjay Sehgal, Founder and CEO of Aziro.

“Aziro represents the kind of forward‑thinking, high‑impact organization that enterprises need today, one that blends transformation expertise with AI‑powered acceleration. I’m thrilled to join the team at such a pivotal moment and to help shape solutions that bring real, measurable value to clients. With the pace of technology change faster than ever, the opportunity to build future‑ready digital systems is massive, and Aziro is uniquely positioned to lead that evolution,” said Jitender Hooda,Senior Vice President, Sales, Digital Solutions.

In his new role, Jitender will focus on accelerating digital business growth, elevating Aziro’s positioning in high‑value enterprise conversations, and enabling clients to adopt next‑generation AI and digital engineering capabilities.

COMAU AND REIS ROBOTICS SIGN A COOPERATION AGREEMENT TO PURSUE ADVANCED AUTOMATION PROJECTS ACROSS MULTIPLE INDUSTRIES

Stuttgart, March 25, 2026 – Comau and Reis Robotics have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at jointly developing and delivering advanced automation products and solutions for multiple industrial sectors through a coordinated technical and commercial approach.

The agreement signed today by Comau and Reis Robotics, respectively Italian and German companies, testifies to the strength of the European technology framework in advanced industrial development. The initiative brings together the complementary expertise and experience of both companies to design and deliver integrated complex systems that improve efficiency, flexibility, and scalability, with the initial focus on sectors such as shipbuilding, intralogistics, giga casting, battery production, heavy industry and critical infrastructure, among others.

The cooperation combines Reis Robotics’ proprietary control technology, and multi-process automation with Comau’s global industrial footprint and advanced automated solutions and robotics portfolio. A further element of the agreement sees Comau and Reis Robotics working together to identify and develop additional market segments and technical applications where their combined expertise can generate value.

“Working together with Reis Robotics is an important element in our diversification strategy and a further demonstration of our pledge to bring advanced automation technologies to new sectors and applications,” emphasized Pietro Gorlier, CEO of Comau. “The synergy that comes from uniting our shared expertise, allows us to pro-actively meet the evolving needs of the market,  where automation is becoming an increasingly key factor, and to strengthen our presence in Germany in particular, which represents a key market for us.”

“The cooperation with Comau represents a strategically important step in strengthening our international business and expanding our capabilities in key industrial sectors,” said Uwe Eich, Managing Director of Reis Robotics. “By combining our expertise in system integration and automation with Comau’s global reach, we are well positioned to deliver efficient and scalable solutions to our customers.”