Category: 3. Business

  • Apple and Google may be forced to change app stores

    Apple and Google may be forced to change app stores

    The way we download apps onto our phones could be about to change after a ruling from the UK’s competition regulator.

    The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has designated Apple and Google as having “strategic market status” – effectively saying they have a lot of power over mobile platforms.

    This means the two tech giants may have to make changes, after the CMA said they “may be limiting innovation and competition”.

    The ruling has drawn fury from the tech giants, with Apple saying it risked harming consumers through “weaker privacy” and “delayed access to new features”, while Google called the decision “disappointing, disproportionate and unwarranted”.

    “We simply do not see the rationale for today’s designation decision,” Google competition lead Oliver Bethell said.

    But the CMA said it did not “find or assume wrongdoing” from the firms.

    “The app economy generates 1.5% of the UK’s GDP and supports around 400,000 jobs, which is why it’s crucial these markets work well for business,” said Will Hayter, the CMA’s executive director for digital markets.

    The investigation into Apple and Google’s app stores, browsers and operating systems focused on how prominent their own apps are compared with rivals.

    “Around 90-100% of UK mobile devices running on Apple or Google’s mobile platforms,” the CMA has previously said, adding this meant the firms “hold an effective duopoly”.

    According to analysis from Uswitch, 48.5% of UK users have an iPhone – which runs Apple’s iOS operating system (OS) – with the vast majority of the rest using Google’s Android OS.

    It comes after a separate decision taken in October, where the CMA designated Google’s search division as having strategic market status.

    It is unknown exactly what changes the regulator will look to request, but in July it published roadmaps outlining potential measures it would take if the firms were found to have strategic market status.

    These include requiring it to be easier for people to transfer data and easily switch between Apple and Android devices, and for both firms to rank apps “in a fair, objective and transparent manner” in their app stores.

    Apple specifically may be required to allow alternative app stores on its devices, and let people download programs directly from companies’ websites.

    Such a move would be a significant change to the so-called “closed system” which has defined iPhones since their inception, where apps can only be downloaded from Apple’s own App Store.

    Both of these things are currently possible on Android devices – but the roadmap said Google may have to “change the user experience” of downloading apps directly from websites, as well as “remove user frictions” when using alternative app stores, such as listing them directly on the Google Play Store.

    Android is an open-source operating system, which means developers can use and build on top of it for free.

    Google argues this means it opens up competition.

    Mr Bethell said “the majority of Android users” use alternative app stores or download apps directly from a developer’s website, and claimed there is a far greater range of apps available for Android users compared to those on Apple devices.

    “There are now 24,000 Android phone models from 1,300 phone manufacturers worldwide, facing intense competition from iOS in the UK,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Apple warned the UK could lose access to getting new features – as has happened in the EU – which the company blames on tech regulation.

    For example, some Apple Intelligence features which have been rolled out in other parts of the world are not available in the EU.

    “Apple faces fierce competition in every market where we operate, and we work tirelessly to create the best products, services and user experience,” the company said in a statement.

    “The UK’s adoption of EU-style rules would undermine that, leaving users with weaker privacy and security, delayed access to new features, and a fragmented, less seamless experience.”

    But consumer group Which? said curbs on these companies’ power in other countries “are already helping businesses to innovate and giving consumers more choice”.

    “Their dominance is now causing real harm by restricting choice for consumers and competition for businesses,” said its head of policy and advocacy Rocio Concha.

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  • Workday Introduces New Custom AI Model Library to Power Smarter, Faster Contract Reviews

    Workday Introduces New Custom AI Model Library to Power Smarter, Faster Contract Reviews

    With 120+ Pre-Built AI Models, the Workday Contract Intelligence Agent Helps Customers Quickly Analyze Contracts, Flag Risks, and Gain Insights Across HR, Finance, Legal, IT, and More

    PLEASANTON, Calif., Oct. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ: WDAY), the enterprise AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, today announced a new Custom AI Model Library for the Workday Contract Intelligence Agent, powered by Evisort. The library includes more than 120 pre-built AI models trained to identify key clauses, risks, line items, and terms in contracts — from HR agreements to vendor contracts to sales deals. By giving organizations access to these specialized models, Workday is enabling faster contract reviews, earlier risk detection, and significantly less manual effort.

    The Workday Contract Intelligence Agent already helps legal and business teams make smarter decisions by reviewing contracts at scale to flag risks, track obligations, and uncover opportunities. With the addition of the Custom AI Model Library, customers can now automatically analyze a wider range of contract terms — from employment agreements and vendor security clauses to payment schedules, data privacy obligations, and renewal provisions — across HR, Finance, Legal, IT, and Sales. The new models are pre-trained and ready to deploy, but customers can also refine them further by simply providing feedback — no coding required.

    “AI in the enterprise often delivers piecemeal automation without true transformation,” said Jerry Ting, vice president, head of agentic AI & Evisort, Workday. “We aren’t just adding features; we are giving our Contract Intelligence Agent new skills that help solve real business problems. Our goal is to make deep, complex contract analysis fast and actionable for every team.”

    The Custom AI Model Library delivers a deeper level of contract analysis by enabling models to summarize, calculate, and classify key terms — turning complex documents into actionable insights. With these new models, teams can:

    • Summarize complex employment terms, like non-competes, in plain language and connect them across systems.
    • Identify and extract financial details such as dates, amounts, and addresses to enable faster, more accurate invoice processing.
    • Analyze terms related to data privacy, security, access, minimization, and deletion across a range of contract types.
    • Extract lease agreement terms such as square footage, property tax requirements, and rights of first refusal, and summarize detailed repair and maintenance obligations.
    • Analyze terms from sales agreements like publicity and logo rights, included products and services, and uplift on renewals — and share them with CRMs.

    For more information

    • Learn more about Evisort’s AI-powered contract intelligence and contract lifecycle management solutions available through Workday here.
    • Visit the Workday Marketplace to learn more about our contract intelligence agent here.

    About Workday
    Workday is the enterprise AI platform for managing people, money, and agents. Workday unifies HR and Finance on one intelligent platform with AI at the core to empower people at every level with the clarity, confidence, and insights they need to adapt quickly, make better decisions, and deliver outcomes that matter. Workday is used by more than 11,000 organizations around the world and across industries – from medium-sized businesses to more than 65% of the Fortune 500. For more information about Workday, visit workday.com.

    © 2025 Workday, Inc. All rights reserved. Workday and the Workday logo are registered trademarks of Workday, Inc. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements including, among other things, statements regarding Workday’s plans, beliefs, and expectations. These forward-looking statements are based only on currently available information and our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. If the risks materialize, assumptions prove incorrect, or we experience unexpected changes in circumstances, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements, and therefore you should not rely on any forward-looking statements. Risks include, but are not limited to, risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our most recent report on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K and other reports that we have filed and will file with the SEC from time to time, which could cause actual results to vary from expectations. Workday assumes no obligation to, and does not currently intend to, update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this release, except as required by law.

    Any unreleased services, features, or functions referenced in this document, our website, or other press releases or public statements that are not currently available are subject to change at Workday’s discretion and may not be delivered as planned or at all. Customers who purchase Workday services should make their purchase decisions based upon services, features, and functions that are currently available.

    SOURCE Workday Inc.

    For further information: For further information: Investor Relations: ir@workday.com, Media Inquiries: media@workday.com

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  • Insurance as a key catalyst for climate action: Insights from New York Climate Week

    Insurance as a key catalyst for climate action: Insights from New York Climate Week

    It was clear from New York Climate Week (NYCW) that the insurance industry is widely recognized as a cross-cutting enabler of climate action. In the context of resilience, the industry plays an important role in understanding and quantifying risk, pricing it accurately, promoting the adoption of solutions, and incentivizing measures that strengthen resilience against climate impacts. In the context of the energy transition, insurance can be an enabler of investment by mitigating risks associated with projects.

    While this was my first experience of NYCW, colleagues who have attended in previous years confirmed that insurance has always been part of the conversation, but it was more central to the dialogue this year. However, although insurance is a key part of the solution to climate change, it cannot provide all the answers.

    Rising expectations on the insurance industry

    A central theme to emerge from NYCW was the growing challenges of insurability and affordability amid increasing climate-related losses. Insured losses are rising sharply, driven in part by more frequent and severe climate events, which is putting pressure on the availability and affordability of (re)insurance coverage. As the likelihood and severity of extreme weather events increases, the risk of loss — and consequently, insurance costs — also rise. While homeowners have been more affected to date, this same dynamic increasingly applies to businesses.

    Wildfires in California are a case in point. Total insured losses from the California wildfire in January 2025 are estimated to cost between US$25 billion to US$39.4 billion. Meanwhile, the California FAIR Plan, the state’s insurer of last resort, had just US$377 million available to pay claims. These economics are not sustainable, emphasizing the need to focus on building resilience into homes, businesses, and communities.

    Given this, participants were keen to better understand how insurance can drive solutions through risk-based pricing and incentives, how to navigate insurer climate risk disclosures, and how to demonstrate the return on investment (ROI) of adaptation measures.

    Elevating resilience in business decisions 

    During the week, we presented key findings from the Marsh Climate Adaptation Survey 2025, revealing that 60% of respondents report having sufficient funds allocated for climate adaptation. However, a general consensus at NYCW was that organizations do not have enough resources for these efforts. A missed opportunity may include not using a cost-benefit analysis to build a compelling business case for these investments, as revealed in our survey. Many organizations still struggle to frame such adaptation spending in terms of potential avoided future costs.

    Supporting this trend, industry feedback at the event emphasized the importance of including resilience-related questions in client requests for proposals (RFPs). This approach allows companies to underscore the importance of resilience to their leadership. By highlighting long-term financial risks, businesses can strengthen the economic rationale for proactive adaptation, potentially mitigating future losses.

    A practical example of successful adaptation investment is New York City’s redevelopment of Brooklyn Bridge Park. This mixed-use space combines residential areas, revitalized public spaces, and resilience-building infrastructure such as elevated structures and saltmarsh grasses that protect against flood waves. Funded partly through property taxes, these flood resilience measures also contribute to lowering insurance premiums, demonstrating a practical synergy between adaptation investment and risk reduction.

    Investing in nature-based solutions and quantifying their value

    The third key theme from NYCW was the growing interest in nature-based solutions. Academic research shows that natural measures — such as restoring mangrove forests — can protect communities and properties from coastal flooding and storm surges.

    An inspiring story shared was the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s project in New Mexico’s Carson National Forest, which draws on Indigenous knowledge to manage forests more resilient to wildfires and floods. This initiative integrates ecological restoration, cultural stewardship, and community engagement, highlighting the value of traditional practices in modern climate resilience efforts.

    However, scaling nature-based solutions can be challenging. As my colleague Lovey Sidhu explained during the webinar, Harnessing Nature for Resilience, “One of the major issues is the complexity of valuing nature benefits, which are often hard to quantify and accrue over long-time horizons, making them difficult to capture on traditional balance sheets.”

    Insurance can play an important role here. One way to quantify the benefits of nature-based solutions is to integrate them into catastrophe models. The reduced risk can potentially lead to lower insurance premiums and improved access to insurance for vulnerable areas.

    Challenges ahead, but optimism prevails 

    Enhancing how monetary value is assigned to nature-based solutions is key to addressing the three major themes highlighted in New York: making insurance more affordable by demonstrating measurable risk reductions, supporting adaptation initiatives, and encouraging broader adoption of effective solutions. Together, insurance, adaptation, and nature-based solutions create a powerful, mutually reinforcing pathway toward stronger climate resilience.

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  • Trend Micro Service Sender Email Address Update

    Trend Micro currently uses the trendmicro.com domain for the sender address for several service-related system emails such as support-advisorytrendmicro.com.
     

    As part of a security enhancement for Trend Micro’s service-related email system, beginning on October 31, 2025, Trend Micro will be replacing the trendmicro.com domain with service.trendmicro.com in the sender addresses.
     

    Some examples (but not limited to) of the updated sender addresses:

    Old Sender Address (before Oct. 31) New Sender Address (after Oct. 31)
    DoNotReplytrendmicro.com DoNotReplyservice.trendmicro.com
    support-advisorytrendmicro.com support-advisoryservice.trendmicro.com
    business-successtrendmicro.com business-sucessservice.trendmicro.com
    TrendMicroTSCasestrendmicro.com TrendMicroTSCasesservice.trendmicro.com
    soc_mmeatrendmicro.com soc_mmeaservice.trendmicro.com
    globalchannelteamtrendmicro.com globalchannelteamservice.trendmicro.com

     

    There is no specific required action on the customer end for this change, unless your organization currently employs automation or other types of handling rules for Trend Micro specific service emails. In this case, you will want to update these rules and/or automation to account for the updated sender domain addresses.
     

    Users are advised to check their email filtering solutions after October 31, 2025, if expected emails from service.trendmicro.com are not being received.
     

    If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your authorized Trend Micro support representative for further assistance.

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  • Team Engine Leasing | ST Engineering

    Team Engine Leasing | ST Engineering

    Aircraft Engine Leasing by TEAM

    Total Engine Asset Management (“TEAM”) is a 50-50 aircraft engine leasing joint venture between Marubeni Corporation and ST Engineering. It is a leading global full-service engine lessor providing comprehensive asset management solutions including deal origination, lease and technical management, sales and remarketing.

    In 2020, it marked a significant achievement with the launch of Sunbird Engine Finance Limited, which debuted as Asia’s first engine asset-backed securitisation with a portfolio of 30 engines.

    Over the years, TEAM has built strong partnerships with airlines worldwide through medium-to long-term narrowbody aircraft engines leasing. TEAM aims to be a strategic partner for its airline customers, growing together as it provides them with value-adding and tailored engine solutions. 


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  • César Mascaraque, new director of the Board of Telefónica

    César Mascaraque, new director of the Board of Telefónica

    The Board of Directors of Telefónica has today appointed Cesar Mascaraque as a director of Telefónica by co-optation, unanimously by its members and at the proposal of the Nominating and Compensation Committee. As a result, Telefónica’s Board of Directors goes from eight to nine directors in the category of Independent, which represents 60% of its total composition.

    Mascaraque has an extensive professional career of more than 25 years as an entrepreneur and businessman in the technology sector at an international level. He holds a degree in industrial engineering from the Barcelona School of Industrial Engineering and a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Harvard Business School, and is currently an independent director of the Board of Directors of Telefônica Brasil S.A.

    Mascaraque founded Finexia Ltd in the UK, an online financing platform for SMEs. After its sale in 2003, he joined Google Inc. as head of business development for Southern Europe and emerging markets. In 2008 he joined IAC Search & Media Ltd as Managing Director of its operations in Europe. In 2012 he founded BPM Marketing Ltd, a leading company in the development and marketing of artificial intelligence tools for digital marketing.

    Throughout his professional career, he has been non-executive chairman of Media Response Group in Spain and Brazil, member of the advisory board of Seaya Ventures in Spain and member of the board of MedicAnimal Ltd and Geocast Ltd in the United Kingdom.

    Mascaraque replaces Javier de Paz who, after 18 years as a member of the Board of Directors of Telefónica S.A., has voluntarily resigned from his position as a director to perform executive functions in the Telefónica Group, as Deputy Director to the Chairman, responsible for Infrastructure, Real Estate Assets and Corporate Social Responsibility. He will also retain the non-executive Presidency of Movistar Plus +.

    Likewise, Ana María Sala Andrés has been appointed president of Telefónica’s Sustainability and Regulation Committee, replacing Javier de Paz.

    Guillermo Ansaldo, head of Infrastructure to date, will remain in the group supporting the transition and as advisor in the infrastructures’ field. 

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  • Press Release: From AI to BNPL, PayPal Survey Reveals How Merchants Can Win the Holidays

    Press Release: From AI to BNPL, PayPal Survey Reveals How Merchants Can Win the Holidays

    Forty percent of consumers have used AI for shopping, and a majority plan to use it this holiday season to uncover deals

    SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — PayPal today released its 2025 Holiday Shopping Survey, highlighting how U.S. shoppers are approaching this holiday season and what merchants need to know to capture sales and build loyalty.

    “Shoppers are moving fluidly across channels, discovering products through AI, returning to stores, and choosing flexible payment options like Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) to maximize this holiday season,” said Michelle Gill, General Manager of Small Business and Financial Services at PayPal. “Merchants that enable seamless experiences and deliver value at every touchpoint will not only thrive this holiday season but build stronger, long-term customer loyalty.”

    AI is Reshaping Holiday Shopping: Merchants Should Take Note

    This holiday season, shoppers are turning to AI to find inspiration and make purchasing decisions. Merchants that ensure their products are visible and optimized across AI-powered platforms will be best positioned to capture demand and drive sales in this AI-driven shopping season.

    • AI is becoming a go-to shopping tool, with 40% of Americans – led by 61% of Gen Z and 57% of Millennials – having used AI to assist with a purchase in the past year, and one in five doing so regularly.
    • Adoption is accelerating, as 77% of past or potential AI shoppers plan to use it as a shopping assistant this holiday season, underscoring the need for merchants to appear where consumers are searching.
    • Holiday shoppers are turning to AI for value and guidance, with the top ways they plan to use it including finding the best deals (34%), comparing products (30%), and discovering gift ideas or recommendations (26%).

    As AI reshapes how consumers shop, flexible payment options like BNPL are transforming how they pay, creating a smoother path from discovery to purchase for both shoppers and merchants.

    BNPL Helps Shoppers Manage Cash Flow While Boosting Merchant Conversion

    Once considered an alternative payment method, BNPL is now a mainstream expectation at checkout. BNPL has become a vital tool for managing cash flow and helping consumers shop with confidence and flexibility – while empowering merchants to increase conversion and average order value.

    • Half of consumers plan to use BNPL as a flexible payment option for holiday shopping this year, citing affordability and budget control as the top reasons.
    • BNPL is driving purchasing decisions, with 52% of shoppers saying they’re more likely to make a purchase when BNPL is available as a payment option.
    • Gen Z and Millennials lead BNPL adoption as one in four use it regularly, and another third have tried it at least once, making BNPL a core part of how younger generations prefer to pay.

    “Merchants can enhance the shopper experience and boost sales by making flexible payment options like BNPL visible throughout the shopping journey,” continued Gill. “When shoppers know they can pay overtime, they’re more likely to complete their purchase. PayPal data shows offering BNPL leads to a 91% higher average order value for enterprises and 62% higher for small businesses, meaning it isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a proven advantage to win.”

    Omnichannel Returns as Shoppers Expect Seamless, Rewarding Experiences Everywhere

    Shoppers are taking more paths to purchase this holiday season than ever before, signaling the true return of omnichannel retail. Consumers expect seamless experiences, meaningful rewards, and value – and merchants that connect every channel will capture both sales and long-term customer relationships.

    • In-store shopping is resurging, as 64% of shoppers plan to shop in-store this holiday season, with 41% planning to shop both online and in-store.
    • Online shopping still matters, with 28% planning to shop primarily online, underscoring that no single channel dominates the holiday experience.
    • Rewards drive decisions where Americans shop as 74% are more likely to shop with merchants offering cash back or rewards.

    Success this holiday season will hinge on connection, not just convenience. Merchants that unify rewards, online and in-store experiences will deepen loyalty and help fuel long-term growth. To help with this, PayPal is expanding Pay Monthly to in-store purchases across the U.S., and shoppers can also earn 5% cash back on all PayPal BNPL purchases, in-store and online, throughout the holiday season.

    About the 2025 Holiday Shopping Survey

    PayPal commissioned Talker Research to survey 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults online from September 5-9, 2025. Percentages for AI data reflect respondents who have used or considered using AI tools to help with a purchase within the last year. Percentages for BNPL data reflect respondents who have ever used or considered using BNPL to make a purchase.

    About PayPal

    PayPal has been revolutionizing commerce globally for more than 25 years. Creating innovative experiences that make moving money, selling, and shopping simple, personalized, and secure, PayPal empowers consumers and businesses in approximately 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy. For more information, visit https://www.paypal.com, https://about.pypl.com, and https://investor.pypl.com.

    Media Contact:

    PayPal Media Relations

    press@paypal.com

     

    BNPL is now mainstream as half of consumers plan to use it as a flexible payment option for holiday shopping, helping consumers to manage cash flow while boosting sales.

    PayPal Logo (PRNewsfoto/PayPal)

    SOURCE PayPal Holdings, Inc.


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  • 100 charities nationwide receive funds raised through the Halliburton Charity Golf Tournament

    100 charities nationwide receive funds raised through the Halliburton Charity Golf Tournament

    Houston, TXOctober 22, 2025 – The Halliburton Charitable Foundation raised more than $3.8 million through the annual Halliburton Charity Golf Tournament, which takes place at The Clubs of Kingwood. This year, the funds will support the missions of 100 nonprofit organizations that serve the community through educational, workforce development, health and safety, and social services programs. Since 1993, the event has raised $35 million in support of more than 250 charities.

    It is remarkable to witness the meaningful impact this tournament has across communities nationwide. What began as a small initiative has expanded to support 100 charities each year. We are grateful to each of our generous sponsors whose contributions make the Halliburton Charity Golf tournament possible.

    Jeff Miller, Halliburton chairman, president, and CEO

    The following charities attended the event and brought awareness to causes that the Halliburton Charitable Foundation supports. The 2025 onsite charities were:

    • All Ears Listening and Language Center
    • Be an Angel
    • BEAR…BE A Resource
    • Brighter Bites
    • Buckner International
    • Camp Quality USA
    • Children’s Assessment Center
    • Coastal Prairie Conservancy
    • Colorado Youth Outdoors
    • Combined Arms
    • Dress for Success
    • Girls Inc. of Greater Houston
    • Gratitude Initiative
    • High Sky Children’s Ranch
    • Houston Area Women Center
    • Houston Police Foundation
    • Hunt with Heart Outdoor Adventures
    • Inspiration Ranch
    • Kids’ Meals
    • Medical Bridges
    • Oilfield Helping Hands
    • Recipe for Success Foundation
    • Ronald McDonald House
    • Texas Mission of Mercy
    • The Council on Recovery
    • The Landing
    • The Montrose Center
    • Trees for Houston
    • Undies for Everyone
    • YES Prep Public Schools

    About the Halliburton Charitable Foundation

    The Halliburton Charitable Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that strengthen the communities where Halliburton employees live and work. Through initiatives focused on education, environment, health & safety, and social services, the Foundation provides grants, donations, and volunteer support to make a meaningful impact. Since 1993, its annual Halliburton Charity Golf Tournament has raised over $30 million for more than 250 charities across the U.S., reflecting Halliburton’s deep commitment to corporate citizenship and community engagement.

    About Halliburton

    Halliburton is one of the world’s leading providers of products and services to the energy industry. Founded in 1919, we create innovative technologies, products, and services that help our customers maximize their value throughout the life cycle of an asset and advance a sustainable energy future. Connect with us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.

    For Investors:
    David Coleman
    investors@halliburton.com
    281-871-2688

    For Media Relations:
    Milka Horst
    PR@halliburton.com
    281-318-9676


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  • Experts talk on developing the isotope supply chain — ANS / Nuclear Newswire

    Experts talk on developing the isotope supply chain — ANS / Nuclear Newswire

    The big picture: Paul Dickman, president of the World Council on Isotopes and chair of the ANS External Affairs Committee, moderated the event. After introducing the speakers, he kicked off the discussion by taking a broad look at why isotopes matter and why their supply chain is imperiled.

    “Every modern society depends on isotopes, often without really realizing it. [Isotopes] sterilize 40 percent of all single-use medical devices, power diagnostic imaging, initiate nuclear reactor startups, and ensure the integrity of aircraft and turbine components. Yet this critical global system is fragile and growingly dependent on foreign sources,” he said.

    In many cases, single facilities, or single nations, represent the majority of global production—leaving the world exposed to cascading shortages. The list of isotopes with vulnerable supply chains includes but is not limited to molybdenum-99, lutetium-177, actinium-225, iodine-131, iridium-192, and yttrium-90.

    While each vulnerable isotope presents a unique set of challenges, much of the webinar focused on the supply chains of cobalt-60 and californium-252 as two contrasting case studies shedding light on the industry’s broader issues.

    Cobalt-60: Co-60 is used for cancer therapy and sterilizing medical equipment. It is primarily produced in Canada, Russia, and China, with India and Argentina also producing part of the total global supply. Among those five countries, 20 reactors are producing Co-60—all but one of which are power reactors. So, there exists both “a diversity of supply and a highly reliable network in terms of uptime” which puts the Co-60 supply chain in a relatively healthy place, according to Richard Weins, director of business development and strategic supply at Nordion, a major radioisotope supply company.

    Weins added that the positive change for Co-60 in the past two years contrasts a five-year period of relative difficulty. According to him, a reduction in Russian supply combined with an unexpected increase in demand led to increasing supply chain fragility.

    These rapid changes, to Weins, reflect one of the key issues in bolstering supply chains: predictability. Development becomes more difficult to justify when investors don’t know if demand will grow by 1 percent or 10 percent in the near future—especially considering the long lead time and capital intensity that development projects require.

    Californium-252: Ca-252 is a neutron emitter vital for reactor startups, neutron radiography, and oil exploration. In sharp contrast to Co-60, Ca-252 is produced in only two reactors in the world, both of which are research reactors. According to Samantha Schrell, a program manager at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, those reactors are the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at ORNL and Russia’s SM-3.

    That small number of facilities is only one of many challenges that the Ca-252 supply chain faces. Schrell explained that Ca-252 needs a heavy feedstock, such as curium, which is itself a precious radioisotope with a limited supply. Demand is also increasing, thanks in part to the proliferation of new reactor startups, programs, and projects.

    Schrell added that the already precarious supply chain for Ca-252 was put under further stress by the Russia-Ukraine war, an event that has introduced issues to the supply chains of many radioisotopes.

    Go deeper: To learn more about the current state of the isotope supply chain and the path forward, watch the full webinar, which features further commentary from Steven Biegalski of Georgia Tech and Anikitos Garofalakis of OECD Nuclear Energy Agency.

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  • Data from REZOLVE-AD Phase 2b Study for Rezpegaldesleukin Accepted for Late-Breaking Oral Abstract Presentation at ACAAI 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting

    Data from REZOLVE-AD Phase 2b Study for Rezpegaldesleukin Accepted for Late-Breaking Oral Abstract Presentation at ACAAI 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting

    SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) announced today that new data from the ongoing REZOLVE-AD Phase 2b study of rezpegaldesleukin, an IL-2 pathway agonist and regulatory T-cell (Treg) proliferator, in atopic dermatitis has been accepted for a late-breaking oral abstract presentation at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting. The meeting will be held in Orlando, USA, from November 6 to 10, 2025.

    Details of the presentation at ACAAI are as follows:

    • Abstract ID: 7005
    • Oral Presentation: “Rezpegaldesleukin Novel Treg-Inducing Therapy Demonstrates Efficacy in Atopic Dermatitis and Asthma in Phase 2b Trial”
    • Presenter: Jonathan Corren, MD
    • Session Title: Distinguished Industry & Late-breaking Oral Abstracts – Session 2
    • Presentation Date and Time: Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 5:33 PM ET
    • Location: Room W231

    The presentation will be available on Nektar’s website at http://www.nektar.com under Scientific Publications, following the formal presentation.

    About REZOLVE-AD Phase 2b Study

    The ongoing global Phase 2b REZOLVE-AD study (NCT06136741) enrolled 393 patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis who had not previously received treatment with biologic or JAK inhibitor therapies. Patients were randomized across three different dose regimens of subcutaneous rezpegaldesleukin or placebo for a 16-week induction treatment period. Following this period, rezpegaldesleukin-treated patients who achieved EASI percent score reductions of >50 (EASI-50) were re-randomized (1:1) to continue at the same dose level on a q4w or q12w regimen through study week 52 in a blinded maintenance period.

    The primary endpoint of the Phase 2b study is mean improvement in EASI score at the end of the 16-week induction treatment period. Secondary endpoints include the proportion of patients achieving Validated Investigator Global Assessment (vIGA-AD) of 0 or 1, those achieving EASI-75, and those achieving a greater than or equal to a 4-point improvement in Itch Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Preplanned exploratory endpoints include a full range of translational biomarker measurements and a change in asthma control questionnaire – 5 (ACQ-5) scores for patients with comorbidity of asthma.

    This trial was initiated in October 2023 and enrolled patients across approximately 110 sites globally with: 68% enrolled and treated in Europe, including Poland, Bulgaria, Germany, Czech Republic, Spain, Croatia and Hungary; 16% enrolled and treated in the United States; 11% enrolled and treated in Canada; and 5% enrolled and treated in Australia. Patient randomization was stratified based on baseline disease severity measured by vIGA-AD and geographic region. Key enrollment criteria in the study included a minimum EASI score of 16.0, a minimum Body Surface Area (BSA) of 10% and a minimum vIGA-AD of 3. 

    About Rezpegaldesleukin

    Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases cause the immune system to mistakenly attack and damage healthy cells in a person’s body. A failure of the body’s self-tolerance mechanisms enables the formation of the pathogenic T lymphocytes that conduct this attack. Rezpegaldesleukin is a potential first-in-class resolution therapeutic that may address this underlying immune system imbalance in people with many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. It targets the interleukin-2 receptor complex in the body to stimulate proliferation of immune-modulating cells known as regulatory T cells. By activating these cells, rezpegaldesleukin may act to bring the immune system back into balance.

    In February 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation for rezpegaldesleukin for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable. In July 2025, the FDA granted Fast Track designation for rezpegaldesleukin for the treatment of severe alopecia areata (AA) in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 40 kg.

    Rezpegaldesleukin is being developed as a self-administered injection for a number of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. It is wholly owned by Nektar Therapeutics.

    About Atopic Dermatitis

    Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema, affecting approximately 30 million people in the United States.1 AD is characterized by a defect in the skin barrier, which allows allergens and other irritants to enter the skin, leading to an immune reaction and inflammation.

    About Nektar Therapeutics

    Nektar Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments that address the underlying immunological dysfunction in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. Nektar’s lead product candidate, rezpegaldesleukin (REZPEG, or NKTR-358), is a novel, first-in-class regulatory T cell stimulator being evaluated in three Phase 2b clinical trials, one in atopic dermatitis, one in alopecia areata, and one in Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Nektar’s pipeline also includes a preclinical bivalent tumor necrosis factor receptor type II (TNFR2) antibody and bispecific programs, NKTR-0165 and NKTR-0166, and a modified hematopoietic colony stimulating factor (CSF) protein, NKTR-422. Nektar, together with various partners, is also evaluating NKTR-255, an investigational IL-15 receptor agonist designed to boost the immune system’s natural ability to fight cancer, in several ongoing clinical trials.

    Nektar is headquartered in San Francisco, California. For further information, visit www.nektar.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements which can be identified by words such as: “will,” “develop,” “potential,” “target,” “address,” “may” and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the therapeutic potential of, and future development plans for, rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-0165, NKTR-0166, NKTR-422, and NKTR-255. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others: (i) our statements regarding the therapeutic potential of rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-0165, NKTR-0166, NKTR-422 and NKTR-255 are based on preclinical and clinical findings and observations and are subject to change as research and development continue; (ii) rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-0165, NKTR-0166, NKTR-422 and NKTR-255 are investigational agents and continued research and development for these drug candidates is subject to substantial risks, including negative safety and efficacy findings in future clinical studies (notwithstanding positive findings in earlier preclinical and clinical studies); (iii) rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-0165, NKTR-0166, NKTR-422 and NKTR-255 are in clinical development and the risk of failure is high and can unexpectedly occur at any stage prior to regulatory approval; (iv) data reported from ongoing clinical trials are necessarily interim data only and the final results will change based on continuing observations; (v) the timing of the commencement or end of clinical trials and the availability of clinical data may be delayed or unsuccessful due to regulatory delays, slower than anticipated patient enrollment, manufacturing challenges, changing standards of care, evolving regulatory requirements, clinical trial design, clinical outcomes, competitive factors, or delay or failure in ultimately obtaining regulatory approval in one or more important markets; (vi) a Fast Track designation does not increase the likelihood that rezpegaldesleukin will receive marketing approval in the United States; (vii) patents may not issue from our patent applications for our drug candidates, patents that have issued may not be enforceable, or additional intellectual property licenses from third parties may be required; and (viii) certain other important risks and uncertainties set forth in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 8, 2025. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    Contacts:

    For Investors:

    Vivian Wu
    [email protected]

    Corey Davis, Ph.D.
    LifeSci Advisors, LLC
    [email protected] 
    212-915-2577

    Ahu Demir, Ph.D.
    LifeSci Advisors, LLC
    [email protected] 
    212-915-3820

    For Media:

    Jonathan Pappas
    LifeSci Communications
    857-205-4403
    [email protected] 

    1. Eczema stats. National Eczema Association (2022, September 27). https://nationaleczema.org/research/eczema-facts/

    SOURCE Nektar Therapeutics

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