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  • CUE-101 Plus Pembrolizumab Yields 50% ORR in HPV+ HNSCC With Low PD-L1 Expression

    CUE-101 Plus Pembrolizumab Yields 50% ORR in HPV+ HNSCC With Low PD-L1 Expression

    Head and Neck Cancer | Image credit:

    © G.Go – stock.adobe.com

    First-line treatment with CUE-101 at the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of 4 mg/kg in combination with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) produced a confirmed overall response rate (cORR) of 50%, including complete responses (CRs), in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)–positive, recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with a PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) of at least 1, according to updated data from the expansion portion of the phase 1 CUE-101-01 trial (NCT03978689).1

    At a data cutoff of July 14, 2025, 2 patients had achieved a CR and 10 had achieved a partial response (PR); an additional CR was reported in a patient with multiple tumors. Responders included patients with a low PD-L1 CPS (between 1 to 19). The 12-month overall survival (OS) rate with CUE-101 plus pembrolizumab was 88% and the median OS was 32 months.

    “We are excited to report an additional CR in a patient that had recurrent metastatic HPV-positive HNSCC treated with CUE-101 in combination with pembrolizumab,” Matteo Levisetti, chief medical officer of Cue Biopharma, stated in a news release. “This patient had durable stable disease for close to 2 years and more recently demonstrated significant tumor reductions and now a CR. Notably, the patient had multiple sites of disease, including the lungs that cleared prior to the CR observed in the target lesion. We believe the kinetics of tumor reduction and disease eradication in this patient is due to the repeated stimulation and expansion of tumor-specific T cells given the mechanism of action of CUE-101. It also serves as a clear example of the differences in timing of the clinical activity often observed with immunotherapy compared to traditional cytotoxic therapies and supports the prolonged median OS observed in this trial.”

    According to the drug’s developer, Cue Biopharma, these results are favorable compared with historical data from the phase 3 KEYNOTE-048 trial (NCT02358031). Treatment with pembrolizumab monotherapy in this trial produced an ORR of 19%, a 12-month OS rate of 57%, and a median OS of 12.3 months.

    Dan Passeri, chief executive officer of Cue Biopharma, added that, “The culmination of maturing data further support our conviction that CUE-101, representative of our approach with the CUE-100 series, demonstrates a potential breakthrough therapeutic approach for establishing a new standard of care. With this maturing data, we are further emboldened in our conviction that our Immuno-STAT platform represents transformative potential for selectively modulating the patient’s immune system.”

    CUE-101 is a modular T-cell engager designed to selectively activate HPV16-specific CD8-positive T cells through targeted delivery of attenuated IL-2.1,2 It consists of an HLA-A*0201 molecule presenting an HPV16 E7–derived peptide, fused to 4 reduced-affinity IL-2 molecules.

    CUE-101 is currently being evaluated as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab for the treatment of patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC in CUE-101-01.2

    CUE-101-01 Trial Overview and Additional Data

    This phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation and -expansion study requires patients to have the HLA-A*0201 genotype and HPV16-positive disease confirmed by P16 immunohistochemistry and HPV16 mRNA in situ hybridization. Patients in the monotherapy cohort were also required to have disease progression following platinum-based chemotherapy or checkpoint inhibitor therapy and received CUE-101 every 3 weeks. Patients in the combination cohort were treatment-naive for recurrent/metastatic disease and received CUE-101 with pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks. Notably, eligibility for the combination arm required a PD-L1 CPS of 1 or higher.

    Enrollment in both the monotherapy and combination therapy arms of the study is now complete. As of the data cutoff of September 7, 2023, 49 and 27 patients were enrolled onto the first-line monotherapy and second-line combination cohorts, respectively.

    Previously reported data from the study showed that the Kaplan-Meier estimate for median OS among patients treated with CUE-101 monotherapy in the second line (n = 20) was 20.8 months (95% CI, 11.0-not applicable); the landmark 12-month OS rate was 59% in this patient population.

    Twenty of the 22 patients who received the second-line combination of CUE-101 and pembrolizumab were alive at the data cutoff, with 8 patients surviving for at least 12 months and 13 remaining on treatment. The disease control rate among newly diagnosed patients receiving the combination was 65%.

    In terms of safety, adverse effects (AEs) were consistent with the mechanism of action of CUE-101, known profile of pembrolizumab, and underlying disease biology. The risk of grade 3 or higher treatment-related AEs was low; most were no higher than grade 2, reversible, and easily managed with appropriate medical care.

    References

    1. Cue Biopharma reports new complete response and confirmed 50% overall response rate in ongoing phase 1 trial of CUE-101 and pembrolizumab in recurrent/metastatic HPV+ head and neck cancer. News release. Cue Biopharma. July 16, 2025. Accessed July 16, 2025. https://cuebiopharma.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/cue-biopharma-reports-new-complete-response-and-confirmed-50
    2. Chung CH, Adkins D, Colevas D, et al. A phase 1 dose-escalation and expansion study of CUE-101, given as monotherapy in 3L and in combination with pembrolizumab in 1L recurrent/metastatic HPV16+ head and neck cancer patients. J ImmunoTher Cancer. 2023;11(suppl 1):674. doi:10.1136/jitc-2023-SITC2023.0674

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  • Excise deptt recovers over Rs 67,000 in taxes

    Excise deptt recovers over Rs 67,000 in taxes

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    ISLAMABAD, Jul 16 (APP): The Islamabad Excise Department has intensified vehicle inspections along major roads to enforce traffic and tax regulations and in a recent operation, officials inspected a total of 42 vehicles and imposes fine of  Rs 67,700 to violators.

    The inspection teams specifically targeted vehicles with dark tinted windows and non-standard number plates, both of which are prohibited under local laws due to security and identification concerns, said the spokesman of ICT administration here.

    As a result of the inspection, fines amounting to Rs50,000 were imposed on drivers found using unauthorized tinted windows. Additionally, a separate penalty was enforced against the use of non-compliant number plates, leading to 10 fines issued to motorists who had installed plates that did not match the officially approved format.

    Beyond traffic-related violations, the Excise Department also recovered outstanding vehicle token taxes during the operation.

    A total of Rs67,700 was collected from motorists who had not cleared their token tax dues, which are mandatory annual payments required for all registered vehicles.

    Officials emphasized that such actions are part of a broader campaign to ensure compliance with vehicle regulations in Islamabad. The crackdown aims to improve road safety, aid law enforcement in vehicle identification, and ensure tax collection from vehicle owners.

    Authorities have reiterated that inspections and enforcement will continue across various parts of the capital. The Excise Department has urged citizens to abide by the rules, remove unauthorized window tints, replace non-standard number plates, and pay their token taxes on time to avoid fines and legal action.

    According to the Excise Department spokesman, the drive also helps address broader security concerns in the region, where tinted windows and obscure number plates can hinder law enforcement’s ability to monitor vehicle movements effectively.

    The Islamabad administration plans to maintain a strict check on vehicles circulating within the city, particularly on main highways and entry points. Officials warned that further operations will be carried out unannounced, with heavy penalties for repeat offenders.

    Motorists have been advised to ensure their vehicles meet all regulatory standards, including the proper display of number plates, removal of dark window tints, and clearance of pending taxes. Authorities believe that these steps are essential to streamline road monitoring and promote a culture of accountability among vehicle owners.

    The administration has called on residents to cooperate with the ongoing campaign and ensure their vehicles comply with all legal requirements. Failure to do so may lead to fines, impoundment of vehicles, or other legal consequences.

    The Assistant Commissioner Nilore, who oversaw the recent inspection on Express Highway, stated that the operation was conducted smoothly, with most motorists cooperating with the inspection teams. He added that such initiatives are necessary to uphold traffic discipline and ensure public safety.

    The authorities have pledged to continue their vigilance in ensuring that all vehicles operating in the city are in compliance with the law.

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  • Can’t sleep, can’t focus, can’t thrive? ADHD and insomnia may be a vicious cycle

    Can’t sleep, can’t focus, can’t thrive? ADHD and insomnia may be a vicious cycle

    Insomnia could explain why adults with ADHD traits report having a lower quality of life, according to new research led by the University of Southampton and the Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience.

    A study published on July 15 in BMJ Mental Health found that having higher ADHD traits was associated with a lower quality of life and that insomnia could be part of the reason why.

    At least one in four people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) report having a sleep disorder, with insomnia being the most common of these.

    “Our findings show a link between ADHD traits, insomnia severity, and reduced life satisfaction,” says Dr Sarah L. Chellappa, Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Southampton and senior author on the research paper.

    “We know that sleep disruption can impact neurobehavioral and cognitive systems, including attention and emotional regulation. At the same time, sleep disruption may arise from ADHD-related impulsivity and hyperactivity, suggesting a reinforcing cycle between sleep disorders and ADHD.”

    Researchers from the University of Southampton and the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (Prof Eus Van Someren) examined data from the Netherlands Sleep Registry, an online survey with more than ten thousand adult participants.

    The team analysed responses from 1,364 participants who had answered questions about ADHD traits, sleep disturbances, circadian factors, depression, and quality of life.

    They found ADHD traits were associated with worse depression, more severe insomnia, lower sleep quality, and a preference for going to bed and waking up later.

    ADHD and insomnia severity both predicted a lower quality of life, with analysis suggesting insomnia was the potential link in this association.

    “Adults with ADHD traits may be more likely to have low sleep quality, insomnia complaints, and low mood levels, all of which lead to reduced life satisfaction,” says Professor Samuele Cortese, a co-author on the paper, also from the University of Southampton.

    “There needs to be more research to understand this complex interplay. By improving our understanding, we could uncover treatment options that improve the quality of life of people with ADHD. For instance, targeting insomnia complaints in individuals with higher ADHD traits, with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia or Sleep Restriction therapy may help improve their quality of life.”

    The paper Associations of ADHD symptom severity, sleep/circadian factors, depression, and quality of life is published in BMJ Mental Health and is available online.

    The research was supported by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research and the European Research Council.

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  • Insta360 now offers filters and a larger battery for its 360-degree X5

    Insta360 now offers filters and a larger battery for its 360-degree X5

    It’s been less than three months since Insta360 released its X5 360-degree action camera, but the company is already introducing new accessories and a major firmware update. Improvements include a new AdaptiveTone feature delivering “better color and detail in both bright and dark areas” when filming with both lenses, and a larger battery you can swap in that boosts recording time to just under four hours.

    AdaptiveTone is the most compelling reason to install the free update. It addresses the challenges of adjusting and balancing exposure on dual lens cameras when both are potentially capturing scenes with different lighting conditions. The new feature records ”more comprehensive lighting information from the environment” for each lens, which the company says is then used in post-processing to adjust the exposure of footage and deliver more “natural-looking results” based on the perspective, angle, or specific footage you choose to export.

    The update also makes the X5’s PureVideo mode, designed to reduce the noise in footage captured in low-light conditions using AI and “dynamic range optimization,” available when shooting with just a single lens. To better deal with bright lighting conditions where creators want to use slower shutter speeds to capture motion blur, Insta360 is also introducing three neutral density filters (ND16, ND32, and ND64 all priced at $59.99 each) that can be attached using the X5’s user-replaceable lens system.

    The X5’s battery life is getting a boost with Endurance Mode now available while shooting in 8K/30 fps mode to extend recording time to just under two hours. Dropping the camera’s resolution to 5.7K/24 fps also increases the camera’s runtime from 185 to 208 minutes, but if that’s still not enough a new $49.99 2,800mAh Ultra Battery is about 17 percent larger than the X5’s standard 2,400mAh power pack.

    Insta360 has even introduced a handful of upgrades designed for motorcyclists. Immersive Shake Stabilization will smooth out footage while still preserving a bit of natural shake to impart a feeling of speed, and the X5 can now automatically blur and obscure license plates. There’s also a new $159.99 remote control accessory that can be strapped to a bike’s handlebars or worn like a watch that features an LCD live preview screen, GPS data like speed and direction, and a built-in noise canceling microphone with a wind screen.

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  • Best Apple Pencil deal: Get the Apple Pencil Pro for its Prime Day price at Amazon

    Best Apple Pencil deal: Get the Apple Pencil Pro for its Prime Day price at Amazon

    SAVE $30: As of July 16, get the Apple Pencil Pro for $99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $129. That’s a discount of 23%.

    If you’re the type of person who enjoys using a stylus to navigate when using a tablet, or you enjoy having the ability to draw or write on said tablet, the Apple Pencil was made for you. The latest iteration of the pen tool for iPads, the Apple Pencil Pro, is the newest version on the market, with a slew of upgrades and features that you can use to get the most out of it when you use your iPad. And right now, you can still get it for its Prime Day price, the same deal we saw earlier in the year when it also took a similar price cut.

    As of July 16, get the Apple Pencil Pro for $99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $129. That’s $30 off and a discount of 23%.

    SEE ALSO:

    Score $99 off the Apple iPad with this steal of a post-Prime Day deal

    This model is great for simply writing or drawing, but it has several additional features that have been updated since the original Apple Pencil. Rotate the pencil to change the brush size and other tool settings. You can also squeeze it to cycle through modes or change tools entirely.

    It offers haptic feedback so you feel more like you’re actually drawing on a piece of paper, and it’s a much smoother feel than you’d get from the original Apple Pencil. Plus, you can charge it wirelessly by just attaching it magnetically to your iPad, if compatible. That includes certain iPad Pro and iPad Air models.

    Mashable Deals

    This discount likely won’t stick around long, so if you want a good stylus to get started taking notes or doodling on your iPad, it’s a good time to buy.

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  • TDE Punch Explains How Nicki Minaj & SZA’s Beef Started

    TDE Punch Explains How Nicki Minaj & SZA’s Beef Started

    TDE Punch provided some backstory to Nicki Minaj’s feud with SZA while speaking with Loren Lorosa over text after the rapper’s fiery social media posts on Tuesday night. During Wednesday morning’s episode of The Breakfast Club, Lorosa revealed what Punch had to say about the drama.

    “He said, ‘Back in 2020, Nicki Minaj reached out for a SZA feature on a song.’ He responded and told Nicki Minaj that SZA was in album mode heavy and that he would get it over to her and that was it. They never spoke again. Feature didn’t happen, but he says he’s lost after that as well,” Lorosa said of her conversation with Punch.

    In addition to attacking SZA, Minaj also had some harsh words for Punch. At one point, she shared a picture of the TDE president with the caption: “Me after I suck some good zik. Guarantee you wouldn’t fight a man. We have every tweet of your incessant bullying, lying, & more. Your name was added to that sh*t list sh*tty drawers. Same thing that make you laugh make you…sh*t.”

    Nicki Minaj & SZA Beef

    SZA later hopped into the drama by seemingly reacting to the criticism of Punch by posting: “Mercury retrograde .. don’t take the bait lol silly goose.” Minaj responded to that remark by writing: “Go draw your freckles back on bookie #JusticeForDemoree #DepositionPerez Liar liar pants on fire. Sounding like a fkng dead dog.”

    SZA then clapped back: “I don’t give a f*ck bout none of that weird sh*t you popping.” As fans advised her against feuding with Nicki Minaj due to her passionate fanbase, SZA added: “I get bullied by millions online every day then step my ass out onna packed stadium tour where ppl show me REAL love . IN REAL LIFE . My parents are healthy and I’m the most successful I ever been . GET SOME F*CKING PERSPECTIVE n BARK AT THE WALL !!!”

    Prior to beefing with SZA and TDE Punch, Nicki Minaj also made headlines for going after Jay-Z and Megan Thee Stallion on social media.

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  • Tokyo Toni Tells SZA To Mind Her Business Following Nicki Minaj Dispute

    Tokyo Toni Tells SZA To Mind Her Business Following Nicki Minaj Dispute

    With the instrumental to Minaj’s “Chun-Li” playing in the background, Toni addressed the confrontation on her stream. “B***hes bullying you, boo?” she asked. “B***hes tryna get all up in your business. SZA, why’d you do that. […] why’d you get in that business, girl?” she continued, directing her attention to the singer. “Mind your business, slim,” she implored.

    She also delivered a new “nickname” for SZA, calling the singer a “Serious Zoo Animal.”

    The livestream received a variety of reactions. Some pointed to a stream from 2024, where she dissed Nicki Minaj and alleged that her and Megan Thee Stallion faked their beef for streams. Others suggested that Minaj use the clip as an interlude for her next album. There were also fans who jokingly told Angela White (formerly known as Blac Chyna, Toni’s daughter) to “get her mother.”

    Nicki Minaj SZA Beef

    Nicki Minaj and SZA’s X dispute was short-lived, as SZA quickly distanced herself from everything soon after she made her response. That does not mean Minaj has let it go, as she continued to issue scathing words about the singer’s appearance, music, and more.

    As for SZA, she is still on tour with Kendrick Lamar. The two began the European leg of the Grand National tour on July 2, and it runs through August 9. She will not be joining Lamar on the road when he brings the proceedings to several Latin American countries, ending the co-headlining portion of the tour in the process. Hopefully, the two can patch things up somewhat after their feud kicked off because of what seemed to be a misunderstanding.

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  • Scientists Develop Deep-Blue LEDs Expected to Greatly Enhance General Lighting

    Scientists Develop Deep-Blue LEDs Expected to Greatly Enhance General Lighting

    BYLINE: Kitta MacPherson

    Newswise — A Rutgers-led team of scientists has developed an eco-friendly, very stable, ultra-bright material and used it to generate deep-blue light (emission at ~450 nm) in a light-emitting diode (LED), an energy-efficient device at the heart of all major lighting systems.

    The new copper-iodide hybrid emitter materials are expected to contribute to the advancement of blue LED technologies because of their excellent qualities, according to the scientists who pioneered the discovery. The process that produces the material is described in the science journal Nature.

    “Deep-blue LEDs are at the heart of today’s energy-efficient lighting technologies,” said Jing Li, a Distinguished Professor and Board of Governors Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology in the School of Arts and Sciences who leads the study. “However, existing options often present issues with stability, scalability, cost, efficiency or environmental concerns due to the use of toxic components. This new copper-iodide hybrid offers a compelling solution, leveraging its nontoxicity, robustness and high performance.”

    LEDs are lighting devices that use special materials called semiconductors to turn electricity into light in an efficient and durable way. Blue LEDS were discovered in the early 1990s and earned their discoverers the 2014 Nobel Prize in physics.

    Blue LEDs are particularly important because they are used to create white light and are essential for general lighting applications.

    Li and her colleagues at Rutgers collaborated with scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory and four other research teams representing national and international institutions in the effort to work on new materials that would improve upon existing blue LEDs.

    The researchers involved in the study found a way to make blue LEDs more efficient and sustainable by using a new type of hybrid material: a combination of copper iodide with organic molecules.

    “We wanted to create new kind of materials that give very bright deep-blue light and use them to fabricate LEDs at lower cost than current blue LEDs,” Li said.

    The new hybrid copper-iodide semiconductor offers a number of advantages over some other materials used in LEDs, scientists said. Lead-halide perovskites, while cost effective, contain lead, which is toxic to humans, as well as have issues with stability, due to their sensitivity to moisture and oxygen. Organic LEDs (OLEDs) are flexible and potentially efficient but may lack structural and spectral stability, meaning they can degrade quickly and lose their color quality over time. Colloidal quantum dots perform well mainly in green and lower-energy LEDs and are often cadmium-based, which may raise toxicity concerns. Phosphorescent organic emitters may be costly and complex to synthesize.

    “The new material provides an eco-friendly and stable alternative to what currently exists, addressing some of these issues and may potentially advance LED technology,” Li said.

    The hybrid copper-iodide material possesses favorable qualities such as a very high photoluminescence quantum yield of about 99.6%, meaning it converts nearly all the photoenergy it receives into blue light. Blue LEDs made from this material have reached a maximum external quantum efficiency (the ratio between the number of emitted photons and number of injected electrons) of 12.6%, among the highest achieved so far for solution-processed deep-blue LEDs.

    Not only are these LEDs bright, they also last longer compared with many others. Under normal conditions, they have an operational half-lifetime of about 204 hours, meaning they can keep shining for a good amount of time before their brightness starts to fade. In addition, the material works well in larger-scale applications. The researchers successfully created a larger device that maintains high efficiency, showing that this material has potential to be used in real-world applications.

    The secret to the material’s impressive performance lies in an innovative technique developed by the scientists called dual interfacial hydrogen-bond passivation. The manufacturing technique significantly boosts the performance of the LEDs four-fold.

    “Our processing method minimizes defects that can impede the movement of electric charges at the interface of these hybrid materials,” said Kun Zhu, a former graduate student and postdoctoral associate at Rutgers who is now at the Max Planck Institute in Germany and is the paper’s first author. “This approach could be a versatile strategy for generating high-performance LEDs.”

    If the LED can be imagined as a sandwich with different layers, each layer has a specific job, such as emitting light or transporting electrons and holes. Sometimes, the emissive layer doesn’t interact perfectly with its interface layers, which can reduce efficiency or shorten lifespan. The technique eliminates such problems by forming hydrogen bonds between the layers to create better connections.

    “Overall, this type of new material is paving the way for better, brighter and longer-lasting LEDs,” Li said.

    Other Rutgers scientists contributing to the study included Deirdre O’Carroll, associate professor, and Nasir Javed, doctoral student, of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Department of Materials Science and Engineering; and Sylvie Rangan, assistant research professor, and Leila Kasaei, postdoctoral research associate, of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

    The research was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

     Explore more of the ways Rutgers research is shaping the future.


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  • Marvel Announces Panels, Booths and More for San Diego Comic-Con 2025

    Marvel Announces Panels, Booths and More for San Diego Comic-Con 2025

    Marvel returns to San Diego Comic-Con Thursday, July 24, through Sunday, July 27, with an all-star line-up of panels and programming across the convention, including cosplay events, giveaways, and some big announcements in store!

    This year, see how Marvel’s First Family, the Fantastic Four, is being celebrated throughout Marvel’s comics, games, movies, and more in two brand-new immersive booths (#2329 & #2519) that will take you from the heart of the city to Yancy Street.

    Be sure to visit the Marvel booths on the exhibition floor each day! Comics readers can also check out the Marvel Unlimited app, and new members can receive a discounted membership plus a special sign-up gift. Current members will have the chance to purchase an exclusive H.E.R.B.I.E. pin. Keep a close eye on the booth for more fun surprises.

    Check out Marvel’s panel schedule at SDCC 2025 below, and keep an eye out for exciting details about additional Marvel partner panels and activations!

     

    Thursday, July 24

    1:45PM – 2:45PM PT in Room 6A: MARVEL COMICS: X-Men

    The next big X-Universe saga, Age of Revelation, is coming—and mutantkind is not ready! The X-Men have risen from the ashes, but what is the disastrous threat that lies in their future?  Find out as Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski, Conductor of X Tom Brevoort, and a lineup of uncanny talent including David Marquez and Ryan North shed light on the calamitous new epic with first-looks, reveals, insight on the titles leading into the event, and more!  Plus—attendees who stay until the end will receive an exclusive giveaway comic book!

    4:45PM – 5:45PM PT in Room 6BCF: MARVEL Cosmic Invasion Deep Dive – A Nostalgia Driven Approach to your Favorite Characters!

    MARVEL Cosmic Invasion crashes onto store shelves this holiday season 2025 — a galaxy-shattering, retro-inspired beat ’em up that channels the spirit of your favorite ’90s arcade classics. Get ready to go behind the scenes of this cosmic brawler with an exclusive look at:

    • The game’s origin story and its many inspirations

    • Never-before-seen footage and concept art from character development

    • Meet the iconic voices bringing this larger-than-life cast to reality

    • An exclusive look at the next TWO playable characters!

    • …and a few epic surprises we’re keeping under wraps (for now)

    Friday, July 25

    10:15AM – 11:15AM PT in Room 6BCF: Marvel Rivals: Hero Creation from Concept to Showcase

    The Marvel Rivals panel provides an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Hero Creation process, guiding you from concept to showcase. Join insights from the talented NetEase Games creative team, including Dino Ma (art director), Peilin Zhong (lead character concept artist) , Weitai Luo (principal environment artist), and Zhen Li (principal 3D character artist) , alongside the Marvel Games creative team: Danny Koo (executive producer), Dakota Maysonet (creative development manager), and Dan LaDuca (senior art director). Together, they will explore the concepts of Marvel Rivals heroes design and delve into the exciting new content from Season 3 and more.

    2:15PM – 3:15PM PT in Room 6A: Marvel Fanfare with C.B. Cebulski

    Join Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski and extra special guests for a behind-the-scenes trip through House of Ideas storytelling, including insider insights and unheard comic book anecdotes behind upcoming and past projects! If you have a love of Marvel Comics, this is the panel you do not want to miss! And be sure to stay until the end for the exclusive giveaway.

    3:30PM – 4:30PM PT in Room 6A: MARVEL COMICS: Next Big Thing

    This is it: the biggest comic panel of the weekend! Join Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski, VP & Executive Editor Tom Brevoort, Ultimate Editor Wil Moss, and a lineup of superstar creators including Jonathan Hickman (Imperial), Ryan North (One World Under Doom), Stephanie Phillips (Imperial War: Planet She-Hulk) as they give fans a glimpse into the future of the Marvel Universe—including announcements for upcoming series and storylines that will have the whole industry talking! Plus, you’ll want to hang around for the special giveaway comic at the end of the show!

    Saturday, July 26

    12:00PM – 1:00PM PT in Room 7AB: Marvel SNAP: The Art of Marvel SNAP

    Jomaro Kindred (art director, Second Dinner), Jeremy Cranford (art outsource manager), Thomas Brillante (art outsource supervisor), Adi Granov (artist), and Brett Bean (artist) go behind the scenes of the creative process behind the award-winning game Marvel SNAP. From early concepts to final illustrations, the team will showcase how thousands of cards are brought to life and share an exclusive first look at what’s next.

    1:45PM – 2:45PM PT in Room 6A: MARVEL COMICS: Ultimate Universe

    Marvel’s growing Ultimate Universe continues to captivate longtime fans and new readers alike! Learn why as Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski, Ultimate Editor Wil Moss and some of the line’s hit creators including Jonathan Hickman (Ultimate Spider-Man), Deniz Camp (Ultimates), and Chris Condon (Ultimate Wolverine)  discuss the imprint’s success while revealing the bold and unpredictable storytelling still on the horizon. The countdown to the Maker’s return is on, as the moment readers have been anticipating since the start prepares to send the universe and characters they’ve grown to love into a frenzy! Make sure to stick around until the end of the discussion to score an exclusive giveaway comic book.

    3:00PM – 4:00PM PT in Room 6A: MARVEL: Comics to Screen

    Marvel masters collide in an unprecedented meeting of page and screen as Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski, writer Jonathan Hickman, Marvel Studios Head of Visual Development Ryan Meinerding, executive producer Grant Curtis, and other very special guests explore Marvel’s First Family’s journey from the comic page to the big screen—just as The Fantastic Four: First Steps lands in theaters! And that’s not all – Fans who stick around till the end will receive an exclusive giveaway comic book!

    Cosplay Events (Booth #2329)

    Thursday, July 24

    • Fantastic Four*

    • Event Start: 2:00PM PT

    • Sign-Up Starts: 1:40PM PT

    Friday, July 25

    • Marvel 616 (all Marvel cosplay is welcome)*

    • Event Start: 1:00PM PT

    • Sign-Up Starts: 12:40PM PT

    *NOTE: Participants will need to be 18 years of age or over and will need to sign a release form prior to the start of the event.

    Keep an eye on Marvel.com for updated booth schedules, details on panels and cosplay events, early looks at Marvel’s giveaways, and more news from San Diego Comic-Con!

     

    See schedules and get the latest Marvel news and announcements at San Diego! San Diego Comic-Con 2025 runs Thursday, July 24 through Sunday, July 27. For all the latest Marvel news from SDCC 2025, follow along live on Marvel.com, YouTube, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok.


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  • Snail, Inc. Announces Intent to Explore Proprietary USD-Backed Stablecoin

    Snail, Inc. Announces Intent to Explore Proprietary USD-Backed Stablecoin

    Culver City, United States, July 16th, 2025, Chainwire

    Snail, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNAL) (“Snail Games” or the “Company”), a leading global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment, announced its intention to explore pursuing a strategic digital asset initiative that includes the evaluation and feasibility for introduction of its own proprietary stablecoin. This initiative would be subject to a range of factors, including but not limited to, regulatory approvals, market conditions, technical feasibility, cybersecurity safeguards, financial controls, and internal governance. The Company believes that exploring stablecoin infrastructure may position it as an early mover within the digital entertainment industry. While no decisions have been made to integrate such technology into the Company’s corporate strategy, it continues to evaluate and explore opportunities as part of its broader innovation roadmap.

    Recognizing the growing potential of crypto-based transactions in the digital entertainment and gaming industry, the Company is currently assessing the feasibility of developing and exploring its stablecoin with multiple external use cases, with no current timeline or commitment.

    To support this initiative, Snail Games has retained Dr. George Cao, an external consultant. Dr. Cao earned his PhD degree in Computer Science from the University of Chicago and is the Founder and the Chief Executive Officer of AscendEX, a full-stack cryptocurrency financial platform that offers simple solutions for investing, trading, and earning to global users. In addition, the Company also retained seasoned legal advisors, including a nationally recognized law firm ranked by Chambers FinTech Legal USA as a leading firm serving cryptocurrency and blockchain clients.

    “This stablecoin exploration is a natural evolution of our innovation-led strategy and will support a broader effort to evaluate how blockchain-based technologies could be aligned with the Company’s long-term goal to be at the forefront of digital transformation in the entertainment space,” said Snail, Inc. co-CEO Hai Shi. “To support this initiative, we’ve engaged a nationally recognized law firm and a seasoned strategic advisor to support and guide the successful exploration of this opportunity. We are evaluating potential future phase hiring needs for professionals with specialized experience in blockchain, stablecoins, and digital asset strategy. While our focus continues to remain on gaming across our ARK franchise, indie titles, and other up-and-coming genres, this investigation into the crypto space and evaluation of the feasibility of launching our own stablecoin would mark a key step in advancing our vision of driving innovation across digital entertainment. We’re excited to share continued updates as we reach meaningful milestones in our evaluation.”

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