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Business Wire India

SVE 108 Pvt. Ltd. built one of India’s first real estate exhibitions inside that moment. Airport Property Fest 2026 — concluded at the T3 Domestic Departure terminal, Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Lucknow — is among the first property events in Indian history executed beyond security check-in, inside a live airside terminal.

Lucknow airport sees approximately 10,000 departing passengers every single day. Not footfall. Not impressions. Not clicks. Real people — business owners, entrepreneurs, senior executives and high net worth individuals — physically present, security cleared, and completely undistracted. Over four days, that is 40,000 moments of direct access to an audience that premium real estate brands spend enormous budgets trying to reach through conventional channels.

Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport made this platform possible. Eldeco, Omaxe BeTogether, and Ekana — names that have earned the trust of serious buyers across decades — chose to meet that audience here. Their participation said everything about where premium real estate marketing is heading.

No expo hall. No cold traffic. Just India’s most valuable audience — and the brands worthy of them.

Innovation. Growth. Dreams.

Business Wire India

Max Smart Speciality Hospital, Saket, announced the launch of a newly built 400-beds tower designed to deliver world-class healthcare and set new standards in advanced medical care in Delhi-NCR.

 

The new facility integrates advanced medical technology, intelligent digital systems, and globally benchmarked care standards, strengthening the hospital’s ability to deliver high-quality, patient-centric care while reinforcing its position as a leading destination for both domestic and international patients.

 

The new tower is expected to significantly enhance the hospital’s capacity to meet rising healthcare demand in Delhi-NCR while also supporting India’s growing international medical value travel sector in line with the government’s ‘Heal in India’ vision. Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, is the network hospital of Max Healthcare. With a long-term strategy to build Centres of Excellence and expand its bed capacity to 10,000 over the next four years, Max Healthcare aims to effectively address rising patient volumes and consistently high occupancy levels across its network.

 

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Abhay Soi, Chairman and Managing Director, Max Healthcare Institute Ltd., said, “This state-of-the-art new facility brings together cutting-edge technology, world-class infrastructure, and the finest Indian clinical talent to deliver exceptional patient care for people across the globe. I am confident that this new facility will help establish Delhi-NCR as the hub for medical value travel. This is in line with the Government’s vision to establish India as the leading destination for medical tourism, supported by the ‘Heal in India’ initiative.”

 

With the addition of the new tower at Max Hospital, Saket complex will have a total capacity of over 1,160 beds, delivering care across 35+ specialties. The new tower houses over 120 critical care beds, 10 modular operating theatres, and advanced Cath Labs, enabling high-acuity care across disciplines such as Cardiac Sciences, Oncology, Renal Sciences, Neurosciences, Gastroenterology, Paediatrics, Robotic Surgery, and Organ Transplants.

 

Strengthening its position as a centre of excellence, the hospital is equipped with advanced technologies, including the Da Vinci Xi Surgical Robot and Mako Total Knee Replacement Robot, enabling enhanced precision, minimally invasive procedures, and improved patient outcomes.

Business Wire India

Hirohama India successfully hosted the prestigious Miss Sake India 2026 contest at Robata – Kuuraku, Mumbai. crowning Ms. Nishita Yogesh Antarkar from Mumbai as the new cultural ambassador for Japanese sake in India.

The elegant ceremony was graced by distinguished guests, including H.E Mr. Toshihiro Kaneko, Acting Consul General of Japan in Mumbai; Ms. Chisato Tateno, Miss Sake Japan 2025; Ms. Mika Onishii, Chairperson of Miss Sake Association; Ms. Akansha Shrivastava, Miss Sake India 2025; and Ms. Mika Eoka, a renowned sake sommelier also known as “Sake Mom India.”

The event commenced with an insightful introduction by Mr. Kojiro Honda, Co-owner and Founder of Hirohama India Pvt. Ltd. and Kuuraku India Pvt. Ltd., said they are organizing this event in India for the third consecutive year. Also, He emphasized that Miss Sake is not just a competition, but also a platform for cultural exchange between India and Japan.

H.E Mr. Toshihiro Kaneko, the Acting Consul General of Japan, emphasized the cultural similarities between India and Japan, noting that these shared values are deeply rooted in history. In the current scenario, Japan is actively collaborating with India to promote regional development through an environmentally friendly approach.

This was followed by the introduction of seven exceptional finalists competing for the coveted title.

During the event, attendees were introduced to the renowned sake brand Hakutsuru, originating from Kobe—one of Japan’s most celebrated sake-producing regions. Known for its pure water, rich heritage, and exceptional craftsmanship, Hakutsuru is enjoyed in over 50 countries worldwide.

After a rigorous selection process evaluated by a distinguished jury, Ms. Nishita Yogesh Antarkar—a business owner and a certified Visharad Kathak dancer with 16 years of experience and a strong passion for language and cultural exchange—was crowned Miss Sake India 2026 by her predecessor, Akansha Shrivastava.

Ms. Priyanka Sarkar, a chef based in Bangalore, and Ms. Sakshi Khari, a storyteller and Japanese language learner from Delhi, were announced as the runners-up.

In her acceptance speech, Ms. Nishita emphasized that “Sake is not merely an alcoholic beverage; it is culture itself, symbolizing the history and spirit of Japan.” She spoke passionately about the immense beauty and value of Japanese tradition, expressing her commitment to expanding the reach of sake’s charm throughout India expressed her commitment to promoting sake culture across India and encouraging more people to explore this refined beverage. 

Other finalists included Ms. Disha (sales professional), Ms. Salwadi Nandini (marketing professional), Ms. Purva Ninad (project coordinator), and Ms. Shivani Thakur (restaurant management professional specializing in Japanese cuisine).

As Miss Sake India 2026, Nishita will engage in promotional activities across the country and represent India at the Miss Sake Japan Finals to be held in June 2026 in Japan.

For updates on Miss Sake India’s journey and upcoming events promoting Japanese sake culture in India, follow @miss_sake_india on Instagram.

Business Wire India

Byondis B.V., an independent biopharmaceutical company creating innovative targeted medicines for patients with cancer, will profile the Company’s first-in-class antifolate and phosphonate antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology platforms in poster sessions at the American Society for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026 in San Diego, CA, from today through to 22 April.

 

Wim Dokter, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Byondis, said: “The research we are presenting at AACR highlights the potential of two of our state-of-the-art ADC technology platforms to address significant limitations with current therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment. Our first-in-class antifolate linker-drug platform features an orthogonal mechanism of action based on clinically validated biology. This approach is engineered to address acquired resistance that can develop with current ADC treatments, positioning it for use across treatment lines. Our phosphonate linker-drug platform offers a complementary mechanism that can provide new treatment options for patients, including those who may not respond to immune therapy. Both platforms underscore our mission to deliver breakthrough solutions and enable a new generation of cancer therapeutics for patients.”

 

 

Antifolate ADCs, a novel linker-drug platform for targeted therapy with a clearly differentiated mechanism of action (abstract #: 3178/13)
Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Session Title: Targeting Cell Surface Vulnerabilities to Overcome Therapeutic Resistance
Time: 20 April, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

 

 

Resistance to widely used ADC payloads, such as topoisomerase-I and tubulin inhibitors, is increasing, underscoring the need for differentiated approaches. Byondis has revisited the clinically validated antifolates class and developed a proprietary antifolate linker-drug platform that provides a differentiated and validated mechanism of action with a payload designed to overcome systemic side effects.

 

 

The optimized payload demonstrates low- to sub-nanomolar potency, strong inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), and broad in vitro cytotoxicity cell lines. It also shows no interaction with key resistance-associated transporters (BCRP, PGP) and favorable physicochemical properties, supporting GMP-scale manufacturing and ADC compatibility. A glucuronide-based linker enhances therapeutic index while maintaining favorable physicochemical properties, preserving ADC stability and enabling potential dual-payload strategies.

 

 

Byondis’ lead antifolate ADC, targeting an undisclosed tumor antigen, has shown strong in vitro activity and achieved robust tumor regressions in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patient-derived xenograft models, with no significant toxicity at active doses. This differentiated profile supports broad tumor applicability, positioning it for use from first-line therapy through to combination approaches.

 

 

Phosphonate antibody-drug conjugates, an innovative, immunostimulatory class of ADCs that drive inside-out activation of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells, enabling selective tumor cell killing (abstract #: 6921/2)
Session Category: Immunology
Session Title: Antibody-Drug Conjugates 2
Time: 22 April, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

 

 

Addressing a critical need for patients who do not respond to immune therapy, Byondis’ linker-drug platform, ByonBoost™, is engineered to activate Vγ9Vδ2 (γδ) T cells in the tumor microenvironment, enabling targeted delivery with an immunologic antitumor effect and compatibility with single and dual-payload concepts.

 

 

Gamma delta (γδ) T cells are potent cytotoxic effectors that eliminate tumor cells independently of MHC presentation and are associated with improved clinical outcomes. However, prior approaches to activate Vγ9Vδ2 T cells have been limited by lack of tumor specificity and short half-life.

 

 

To address these limitations, Byondis has developed tumor-targeting phosphonate ADCs that selectively deliver payloads to tumor cells, enabling inside-out activation of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. These ADCs combine a tumor-associated antigen (TAA)-targeting antibody with a cleavable phosphonate payload and have been successfully applied across multiple targets, including CD123, CD20, TROP2, and HER2. They drive robust and targeted immune activation, inducing cytokine release, degranulation and tumor cell killing in vitro, including in studies where primary patient material was used. In non-human primate models, the lead candidate displayed excellent tolerability with no clinical signs of cytokine release syndrome (CRS), even at high doses.

 

 

This modular platform enables the dual mechanisms of action of direct tumor targeting and immune activation while preserving antibody effector function. With broad applicability across tumor types and compatibility with multiple antibodies, it represents a differentiated and scalable approach to targeted immunotherapy.

 

 

– END –

 

 

About Byondis

 

 

Driven to improve patients’ lives, Byondis is an independent, fully integrated biopharmaceutical research and development company creating innovative targeted medicines for cancer. The company is developing new biological entities (NBEs) with a focus on antibody-drug conjugates.

 

 

Byondis’ development portfolio leverages expertise in linker-drug (LD) technology, antibody-drug conjugation and disease biology. Byondis’ fully integrated drug development capabilities cover all stages from pre-clinical and clinical R&D, production of clinical batches of the selected product candidates and regulatory filings, which are all done in-house.

 

 

The company has a dedicated team of more than 200 staff working in its state-of-the-art R&D and GMP manufacturing facilities in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. For more information visit www.byondis.com.

 

 

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260417253206/en/

 

Business Wire India

The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), in collaboration with WPU Goa, conferred the prestigious ‘Gomant Gaurav Sanman’ upon eminent scientist Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar at a grand ceremony held at Kala Academy on April 16, 2026. The award was presented by Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, who also announced the establishment of WPU Goa University in the state.

A recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, Chancellor – Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, and former Director General, CSIR, Dr. Mashelkar was honoured for his extraordinary contributions to science, innovation, and nation-building, as well as for being a distinguished ‘Son of Goa’ whose journey continues to inspire generations.

The ceremony was graced by Mr. Mauvin Godinho, Hon’ble Minister for Transport & Industries, Government of Goa, along with Prof. Dr. Walter Leal Filho, Vice Chancellor, MIT WPU Goa and Professor at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Germany; Dr. Vijayan Karippal, Registrar, MIT WPU Goa; and Mr. Sanjay Amonkar, Director General, GCCI, among other distinguished dignitaries.

Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, said, “I congratulate Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar on behalf of all Goans. He has brought immense pride to the state, and his journey from humble beginnings to global scientific leadership is truly inspiring. Inspired by his vision, we are working on innovative initiatives such as affordable diagnostic solutions through the Directorate of Health Services.

We are actively building a strong triple helix model of collaboration between government, industry, and academia, which is essential for sustainable development. Our commitment to science and technology is reflected in our budgetary priorities, with focused allocations for innovation, research, and digital infrastructure. These are investments in Goa’s intellectual capital, preparing our youth for emerging sectors.”

“I am also pleased to announce that WPU Goa will commence its academic session this year. We remain committed to transforming Goa into a hub of knowledge, innovation, and inclusive growth,” Sawant added.

Mr. Mauvin Godinho, Hon’ble Minister for Transport & Industries, Government of Goa, said, “Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar’s vision of using science and innovation for the benefit of society, especially the common man, is truly inspiring, and it is a matter of great pride for Goa to honour one of its most distinguished sons.”

On receiving the honour, Dr. Mashelkar said, “I dedicate this honour to my mother, not only because she gave birth to me, but because she shaped my entire journey. Coming from a very poor background, every day was a struggle, but she made a resolve that her son would achieve the highest education possible. Whatever I am today is because of her values and determination. She always reminded me never to forget our beginnings and to do science for the poor. That has been the guiding principle of my life’s work, and I remain committed to using science and innovation for the benefit of the poorest of the poor.”

Mrs. Pratima Dhond, President, GCCI, in her welcome address, said, “A future where economic progress aligns with environmental stewardship, innovation is inclusive, and youth are empowered, this conclave is a step forward, and today’s felicitation of Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar reminds us that with vision and collaboration, such a future is within reach.”

Dr. Rahul Karad, Executive President, WPU Goa, stated: “Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar is not only a towering figure in science but someone who has ignited thousands of minds across the country through his vision and contributions. For Goa, his journey is deeply inspiring. We believe Goa has the potential to go beyond tourism and emerge as a hub of knowledge and innovation. Through the vision of WPU Goa, we are committed to building a collaborative, future-ready education ecosystem that contributes to solving real-world challenges.”

The award ceremony was a highlight of the ‘Goa 2037: Knowledge, Industry & Sustainability Conclave,’ a strategic initiative aimed at aligning Goa’s long-term development vision with the national goal of Viksit Bharat@2047. The conclave brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academicians, and thought leaders to deliberate on shaping a future-ready Goa.

Mr. Sanjay Amonkar, Director General, GCCI shared the legacy of the GCCI he said, “The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has evolved from a traditional advisory body into a proactive driver of a modern, tech-led economy. It has played a key role in shaping Goa’s future through a forward-looking vision focused on sustainable and inclusive growth. Through initiatives supporting MSMEs, startups, and women entrepreneurs, along with strengthening industry-academia collaboration, GCCI is fostering innovation and employability. With a strong focus on ease of doing business and future-ready skills, the Chamber is committed to building a globally competitive Goa while ensuring that economic progress is aligned with values, harmony, and long-term societal well-being.”

The conclave featured two pivotal panel discussions. The first, ‘Reimagining Goa’s Future: Industrial Growth with Ecological Balance,’ brought together Mr. Pravimal Abhishek (IAS), Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of Goa and Managing Director, Goa Industrial Development Corporation; Prof. Abhishek Ranjan, Global Sustainability and CSR Leader and Chairman, ASSOCHAM Karnataka (CSR & Sustainability); Mr. Anirudh Dempo, Director, Goa Paints and Allied Products Pvt. Ltd.; Mr. Rajkumar Kamat, Managing Director, EP Bio Composites Ltd.; and Mr. Manguirish Pai Raiker, Former Chair, MSME National Council and Past President, GCCI. Moderated by Mr. Sanjay Amonkar, Director General, GCCI, the session underscored sustainable growth guided by the “more from less for more” philosophy, highlighting the need to maximize limited land through green industries, R&D, and vertical expansion, while advocating balanced development, measurable sustainability goals, and a shift towards impact-driven, collaborative approaches.

The second session, ‘Goa as a Global Knowledge Hub: Transdisciplinary Education & Industry-Academia Synergy,’ featured Mr. Prasad Lolyenkar (IAS), Secretary – Education, Government of Goa; Dr. Sandeep Sancheti, Vice President – Research Relations & Academic Affairs, Elsevier (India) and former Vice Chancellor, SRM Institute of Science and Technology; Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan, Former Chairman, Executive Committee, NAAC and National Research Professor – Ayush; Mr. Yatin Kakodkar, Director, Apex Packing Products Pvt. Ltd. and Vice President, GCCI; Dr. Suman Kundu, Director, BITS Pilani, Goa; and Dr. Bhushan V. Bhave, Principal, Vidya Prabodhini College. Moderated by Prof. Walter Leal Filho, Vice Chancellor, MIT-WPU Goa and Professor at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Germany, the discussion emphasized strengthening academia-industry collaboration to drive innovation and employability, with a focus on skill development, practical learning, curriculum reform, and leveraging Goa’s strengths in research, tourism, and integrative health to build a globally competitive knowledge ecosystem.

These sessions fostered meaningful dialogue on positioning Goa as a model state that harmonises economic growth with environmental sustainability, while also strengthening industry-academia collaboration to build a globally competitive knowledge ecosystem.

Business Wire India

itel, a leading tech brand of India known for its Durability, Reliability and Affordability, is celebrating 10 years of its impactful presence in India. itel has now reached a massive customer base of 15 crores, marking yet another milestone in its transformative journey. To celebrate this achievement, itel has unveiled an exciting 1-year Counter Replacement offer for any manufacturing defect in feature phones – a massive bonanza for customers across India. Over the past decade, itel has steadily built a dominant presence in India, connecting with consumers by offering a wide range of durable and reliable electronics products at affordable prices.

 

Speaking about the completion of 10 years and launch of Counter Replacement, Arijeet Talapatra, CEO of itel India, said, “Completing 10 years in India and reaching 15 crore customers is an incredibly proud moment for all of us at itel. This would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication and support from our partners, team and customers. Today, this milestone reflects the trust we have earned over time. We are proud to introduce Counter Replacement for Feature Phones – an initiative born directly from the voices of our consumers. Every insight, every interaction shapes how we innovate. When we began this journey, our goal was to make technology available to people who are taking their first step into the digital world. We are committed to continuously building products that are durable, reliable, and affordable – qualities that itel is renowned for across Bharat.”

 

The brand’s journey also reflects a deeper purpose – enabling digital access for millions of Indians who previously had little to no exposure to smart technology. From first-time smartphone buyers to families looking for home appliances, the brand has played an integral role in helping consumers stay connected. Globally, itel is now present in over 80 countries – with an extensive portfolio spanning feature phones, smartphones, smartgadgets, TVs, solar products, personal grooming products and home appliances. By keeping affordability at the centre of its approach, the brand continues to support Bharat’s growing digital aspirations while addressing the everyday technology needs of its consumers.

Business Wire India

• Unlike traditional competitions limited to indoor or scripted tasks, ATEC2026 evaluates whether robots can autonomously complete long-horizon, continuous complex tasks in open, dynamic, and unstructured real-world environments.
• Focuses on three core capabilities—Locomotion, Manipulation, and Environment Modification—to build a public verification framework for general-purpose intelligence.

 

The ATEC2026 – AI and Robotics Real-World Extreme Challenge officially launched today.

 

Organized by the Advanced Technology Exploration Community (ATEC), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Shanghai Innovation Institute, this year’s competition aims to establish a “Turing Test” framework for embodied AI, pushing robots beyond the safety of controlled laboratories to demonstrate stability and intelligence in open, dynamic, and unstructured environments.

 

 

Registration is now open on the official website, inviting teams from universities, research institutions, technology companies, and independent groups worldwide to validate their innovations on arm-equipped legged robots against the unpredictability of the real world.

 

 

Defining the “Turing Test” for Robots

 

 

While many robotics competitions focus on isolated demonstrations or specific indoor scenarios, ATEC2026 is designed to answer a critical question: Can robots truly leave the laboratory and function reliably in our complex world? The competition serves as a public verification framework for embodied intelligence, moving from “demonstration feasibility” to “application reliability.”

 

 

To achieve this, ATEC2026 revolves around three core capabilities of robots: locomotion, manipulation, and environment modification. By integrating movement, operation, and environmental interaction into a unified evaluation chain, ATEC2026 tests the robot’s ability to autonomously complete long-horizon, continuous complex tasks in open, dynamic, and unstructured real-world environments. This approach ensures that the competition evaluates the true “intelligence” of the system—its ability to handle uncertainty and adapt to physical disturbances without human intervention.

 

 

A Rigorous Path from Simulation to Reality

 

 

The competition follows a comprehensive “Online Simulation → Real-World Transfer → Real-World Validation” framework, ensuring that successful algorithms are robust enough for physical deployment.

 

 

Registration for ATEC2026 opened on April 1 and will remain open until May 30, 2026, inviting global participation. Following registration, the competition officially begins with an Online Qualifier running from May 1 to June 30, 2026. This initial stage is designed to establish a clear and reproducible pathway from simulation-based validation to real-world application. It features two distinct tracks focusing on Robot Hiking (legged locomotion) and Table Clean-up (tabletop manipulation) within a simulated environment.

 

 

The top-performing teams from the online stage will then advance to the Real-World Preliminary rounds. These physical events will be held across three regions: Pittsburgh (September), Shanghai (October), and Hong Kong (November). These regional challenges will rigorously test the “sim-to-real” transfer capability, requiring robots to execute long-distance locomotion, target detection, grasping, and precise placement in a single, continuous run.

 

 

The journey culminates in the Grand Final in Hong Kong in December 2026. Set in open outdoor environments—featuring natural terrain, stairs, and unstructured obstacles—robots must complete multi-stage objectives within a single continuous run. This final stage serves as the ultimate test, demanding sustained consistency in perception, decision-making, and execution over long-horizon workflows.

 

 

Awards and Global Expertise

 

 

ATEC2026 offers significant incentives to drive technical breakthroughs. The Online Qualifier features a prize pool of $40,000 USD, while the Real-World Preliminary events offer awards valued up to $150,000 USD. The Champion of the Grand Final will exclusively win a $150,000 USD prize pool. Additionally, compute resource vouchers and travel allowances are available for eligible teams.

 

 

The competition is guided by a panel of world-renowned experts to ensure technical rigor. The panel is chaired by Prof. Yunhui Liu of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and advised by Prof. Masayoshi Tomizuka of UC Berkeley. The expert committee includes leading academics and researchers from institutions such as Tsinghua University, The University of Hong Kong, Nanyang Technological University, University of Victoria, University of South Florida, and Ant Group.

 

 

The competition is co-organized by a broad consortium of world-renowned academic and industry institutions, such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, Fudan University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Ant Group, with participation and cooperation from leading enterprises across the embodied intelligence industry chain, such as LimX Dynamics, DISCOVER Robotics, and AgileX Robotics.

 

 

Since 2020, the ATEC has been successfully held five times, attracting nearly 5,000 teams from over 200 universities worldwide.

 

 

Registration Information

 

 

• Registration Period: 10:00, April 1 – 22:00, May 30, 2026 (UTC+8)
• Online Competition Period: 10:00, May 1 – 22:00, June 30, 2026 (UTC+8)
• Official Website: https://www.atecup.com/competitions/ATEC2026
• Scope of Robot Selection: Arm-equipped Legged Robots, including but not limited to:

 

• Humanoid robots (Bipedal with arms)
• Quadrupeds with manipulators
• Wheeled-legged platforms with arms

 

About ATEC

 

ATEC (Advanced Technology Exploration Community) focuses on practical development of cutting-edge technologies in the computer science field. The community is dedicated to building an industry-academia-research collaboration platform for next-generation intelligent technologies. It promotes applied research on innovative technologies, supports the cultivation of application-oriented technical talent, and fosters a positive and enterprising culture among programmers and engineers. ATEC Community is founded by Tsinghua University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Zhejiang University, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Ant Group.

 

 

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260417363920/en/

 

Business Wire India

Orthogon Therapeutics today announced the closing of a follow-on $11 million financing, bringing its total capital raised to $36 million. This financing supports the continued advancement of its first-in-class drug against BK polyomavirus. BK virus infections are a major cause of complications in transplant patients, with no approved treatments.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260417911548/en/

 

 

 

The company is pioneering an oral therapy that addresses the full spectrum of BK infection, from early reactivation through systemic spread and onset of severe disease. By targeting viral proteins previously considered inaccessible to small molecule drugs, Orthogon is advancing a solution where other therapeutic modalities have fallen short.

 

Orthogon’s lead asset uniquely targets the viral capsid protein (VP1), delivering potent antiviral effect at the site of viral replication. The intracellular activity leads to sustained control of viral infection across BK variants and related human polyomaviruses, particularly in transplant patients, where viral persistence drives disease.

 

 

“This is not a conventional antiviral setting. We built this program to meet the realities of transplant care,” said Ali H. Munawar, Ph.D., CEO of Orthogon Therapeutics. “These patients are treated within a narrow balance of immunosuppression, organ function, and high pill burden. We designed around those constraints, arriving at a candidate profile that we’re excited to take into development.”

 

 

In parallel, Orthogon has published findings examining hundreds of patient-derived BK virus sequences, showing that the virus carries pre-existing diversity at antibody-binding regions and that it replicates beyond the reach of circulating antibodies. These studies explain the limited clinical benefit observed with neutralizing antibodies, challenges that Orthogon’s drug is designed to overcome.

 

 

The program draws on Orthogon’s portfolio of novel small molecules directed at each of the two viral proteins: the VP1 capsid and large T antigen (LTAg), a capability that has eluded the field for decades. The program will be featured at leading transplant and virology meetings in 2026, building on findings presented at the ASN in 2025.

 

 

Alongside its core focus on polyomaviruses, Orthogon is advancing programs in additional areas of unmet need in transplant-associated infections.

 

 

About BK and polyomaviruses:

 

 

BK virus (BKV) is among the most widespread chronic viral infections in humans. A member of the polyomavirus family, BKV establishes a lifelong infection in 80–90% of healthy adults worldwide. Reactivation occurs in the kidneys of nearly half of all solid organ and stem cell transplant recipients, leading to severe complications and graft loss. Other human polyomaviruses, including JC virus and Merkel cell polyomavirus, cause fatal progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and aggressive Merkel cell carcinoma, respectively.

 

 

About Orthogon Therapeutics:

 

 

Orthogon is a polyomavirus-focused biotech built on a proprietary discovery platform that fuses structure-based drug design with deep biophysical interrogation of viral proteins, unlocking targets long considered undruggable. The company is headquartered in Greater Boston with a research branch in Leuven, Belgium. To learn more visit www.orthogontherapeutics.com

 

 

Orthogon Therapeutics LLC is an independent, privately held research & development (R&D) company affiliated with the Pledge Therapeutics discovery engine. More info on www.pledge-tx.com

 

 

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260417911548/en/

 

Business Wire India

Zoya, India’s leading luxury jewellery brand and a landmark of quiet luxury, unveils its 13th boutique in India and its second in Bengaluru, with Amanpreet Ahluwalia, Business Head of Zoya from the Tata Group, leading the unveiling. Set within the Colonnade at The Leela Palace, the boutique redefines the experience as intimate, warm, and deeply meaningful. Unfolding like a poem, the boutique draws the unapologetically herself Zoya muse in, revealing itself slowly as she moves through the space, discovering stories expressed through soulful craft and exquisite jewellery.

 

Zoya means alive—and at the heart of the brand is the belief that every woman is on her own heroine’s journey. At the threshold, she is greeted by an enigmatic mural that captures this defining evolution. Zoya’s intricate yet minimal boutique becomes a space of her own, wrapped in hand-beaded wallpaper—a quiet expression of India’s artisanal pride and legacy. Lit by a handcrafted chandelier in banana fibre paper and organza, this gallery of wearable art gently invites her into her feminine journey. As she moves through the boutique, a quiet sense of belonging deepens.

 

The space is thoughtfully crafted to bring meaningful collections to life, softly revealing the stories each piece holds. In this gentle unfolding, a sense of boundlessness stirs within her. As she gazes at the Beyond collection—an inlay of diamonds and emerald-cut emeralds that move like the Indus River—it reminds her that she is a force of nature. At the Alive collection, she feels like a wildflower—wherever she stands, she blooms.

 

The bespoke wall draws her in, where gemstones and stories come together—each one-of-a-kind piece an ode to her uniqueness.

 

She steps into a more cocooned space, where the Zoya experience deepens. With a cup of freshly brewed coffee and delectable hors d’oeuvres in hand, she lingers, held in a moment of quiet indulgence, immersed in stories expressed through each collection in a space that feels like a quiet oasis.

 

Commenting on the boutique, Amanpreet Ahluwalia, Business Head of Zoya from the Tata Group, said, “Our thirteenth boutique in India and our second in Bengaluru – and with each one, Zoya grows into a deeper expression of herself. At The Leela Palace, the space unfolds like a gallery of wearable art – where each piece is meant to be seen, felt, and experienced. The boutique is intentionally immersive and deeply personal, shaped by an instinctive warmth. We hope every woman who walks in finds her own pause here-a moment to slow down and return to herself.”

 

The Zoya Boutique is now open at The Leela Palace, Bengaluru.

Business Wire India

The new Sisvel Point of Sale (POS) patent pool, announced on 1 April, has added three new licensors in the last two weeks. BlackBerry, JVCKENWOOD and SK Telecom have joined founding licensors Huawei, LG Electronics and Nokia in making their patents available for license through the programme.

 

Sisvel POS covers 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G technologies. It is the first joint licensing programme to address point of sale devices – a category of product that has leveraged cellular connectivity to transform customer payment processing.

 

 

Participating patent owners make their relevant standards essential patents (SEPs) available on FRAND terms, simplifying access to essential IP rights for POS device makers. Early participation incentives for licensors are available until mid-May. Parties interested in joining the pool are encouraged to contact Sisvel as soon as possible.

 

 

“BlackBerry, JVCKENWOOD and SK Telecom are first-rate cellular innovators. I am pleased they have chosen to become part of Sisvel POS,” says programme manager Sven Törringer. “Since announcing the pool just over two weeks ago we have received a tremendous volume of interest from the market. We are confident of welcoming additional patent owners into the programme, so watch this space.”

 

 

About Sisvel

 

 

Sisvel is driven by a belief in the importance of collaboration, ingenuity and efficiency to bridge the needs of patent owners and those who wish to access their technologies. In a complex and constantly evolving marketplace, our guiding principle is to create a level playing field through the development and implementation of flexible, accessible, commercialisation solutions.

 

 

Sisvel | We Power Innovation

 

 

 

 

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