Here is Read Magazine’s Weekly Roundup of the top news from global markets. In this fast paced world, breaking down information helps readers grasp the nuances that follow the news.
In Aerospace News this week…
NASA, First Street Foundation Announce Collaboration on Climate Risk Research. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, along with the agency’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York City, have partnered with science and technology nonprofit First Street Foundation to enhance climate risk modeling, promote applied science research, and more effectively communicate the risks of a changing climate.
NASA will now receive bulk access to First Street’s national high-resolution, property-specific, climate-adjusted risk hazard and statistical data, as well as technical insights into the foundation’s methodologies.
In Agritech News this week…
Leading Hydroponic Vertical Farmer Kalera Commits to Sustainable Nourishment. Kalera, one of the world’s leading hydroponic indoor vertical farmers, signed the premier Vertical Farming Identity Declaration and Manifesto, showcasing its commitment to solve food problems by promoting vertical farming’s resilient, future-proof practices. Kalera is one of 23 international vertical farmers to pledge their commitment.
“At the heart of our business is a strong commitment to grow a better world,” said Jim Leighton, President & CEO of Kalera. “We understand that we have a critical role to play in the transformation of food systems, we strive to operate at the cutting edge of sustainable agriculture and contribute to global food security.”
In Automotive News this week…
Hertz and GM Plan Major EV Expansion. Hertz and General Motors Co. announced an agreement in which Hertz plans to order up to 175,000 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac and BrightDrop EVs over the next five years. Hertz and GM believe this plan is the largest expansion of EVs among fleet customers and the broadest because it spans a wide range of vehicle categories and price points — from compact and midsize SUVs to pickups, luxury vehicles and more.
The agreement will encompass electric vehicle deliveries through 2027 as Hertz increases the EV component of its fleet and GM accelerates production of EVs broadly.
In BFSI sector news this week…
Flutterwave Enables Google Pay for African Businesses. Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology company, announced Google Pay, a mobile payment service, developed by Google, as a payment method on Flutterwave. As part of this collaboration, Google Pay will serve as an additional payment option for merchants on Flutterwave for business. This collaboration will offer safe and seamless payments, as well as convenient checkout experiences for customers.
Google Pay is a safe, simple, and helpful way to make contactless payments in store, and also payments in apps and on the web. Users store their cards for Google Pay in Google Wallet, a digital wallet app that is available on supported Android smartphones, tablets or watches.
In Biotechnology news this week…
Ionis Provides Update on Development Program Evaluating PCSK9 Antisense Medicine. Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that topline results from the Phase 2b SOLANO study in patients with hypercholesterolemia demonstrated that 60mg of ION449 (AZD8233) administered monthly achieved a statistically significant 62.3% (p<0.001) reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels after 28 weeks compared to placebo, meeting the study’s primary efficacy endpoint. ION449 was generally safe and well tolerated in this study.
However, these results did not achieve pre-specified efficacy criteria and AstraZeneca has decided not to advance ION449 (AZD8233) into Phase 3 development for hypercholesterolemia. AstraZeneca is continuing to analyze the results from the SOLANO study to determine its next steps for the program.
In Chemicals sector news this week…
Essentium and Braskem Partnership Unlocks Sustainable Additive Manufacturing at Scale. Essentium, Inc., a worldwide leader in industrial additive manufacturing (AM), announced it is partnering with Braskem, the largest polyolefins producer in the Americas, as well as a market leader and pioneer producer of biopolymers on an industrial scale, to offer manufacturers a fully integrated AM machine and materials solution. Combining the Essentium High Speed Extrusion (HSETM) 280i HT 3D Printer with Braskem’s polyolefin materials will unlock affordable, sustainable, and rapid volume production of 3D printed thermoplastic components.
In Energy & Power news this week…
Xcel Energy and Bloom Energy to Produce Zero-Carbon Hydrogen at Nuclear Facility. Bloom Energy announced plans to install an electrolyzer at the Xcel Energy Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant in Welch, Minnesota. The installation is designed to augment existing clean energy nuclear infrastructure to create immediate and scalable pathways to produce cost-efficient, clean hydrogen, supporting the growing hydrogen economy while enhancing value for operators of zero-carbon nuclear facilities.
In Food & Beverage news this week…
Happy Family Organics Unveils Five Nutritious Innovations to Address Critical Feeding Milestones. Happy Family Organics – the #1 organic baby food brand in the U.S.1 – introduces an exciting lineup of innovations that add to its wide portfolio of solutions for families navigating their babies’ & toddlers’ feeding journeys. Happy Family remains committed to its mission to change the trajectory of children’s health through nutrition with this new slate of innovations, bringing two product lines to market for baby that offer a full serving of veggies – Happy Baby Stage 3 Savory Blends and Happy Baby Advancing Textures Bowls; a new pouch line – Happy Baby Brain Support Blends™ – with DHA & Choline to help support brain health; and two new snack options – Happy Tot Fruity Sticks and Happy Tot Give Back Variety Pack – that feature 0g added sugar.
In IT news this week…
Cybeats Applauds New White House Memorandum Regarding Securing the Software Supply Chain. Cybeats Technologies Inc. is pleased to comment on the memorandum (M-22-18) issued by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget on September 14, 2022 under President Biden’s May 2021 Cybersecurity Executive Order.
The memorandum, intended for the heads of executive departments and agencies, focuses on enhancing the security of the software supply chain through secure software development practices.