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Ginkgo Bioworks Launches New Protein LLM and Model API Built on Google Cloud Technology

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Protein large language model (LLM) designed to help enterprises accelerate drug development coming to Google Cloud’s Vertex AI Model Garden soon; one of the first-of-its-kind in the industryModel API programmable interface now available for individual scientists and researchers to quickly test and advance work

BOSTON, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: DNA), which is building the leading platform for cell programming and biosecurity, today announced two new offerings that will make it easier for pharmaceutical and biotech companies to develop new medicines, building on the partnership announced with Google Cloud last year. The first launch is one of the first-of-its-kind in the industry – a protein large language model (LLM) built in collaboration with Google Cloud Consulting that will give individual researchers and enterprise companies the ability to develop medicines with insights from Ginkgo’s private data. Secondly, Ginkgo is launching its model API, a powerful tool designed to bring biological AI models directly to machine learning scientists. The API is publicly available on Ginkgo’s website today, and enterprise companies will be able to access the protein-based LLM Google Cloud’s Vertex AI Model Garden soon.

Jason Kelly, CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks: “I’m excited to see how the community builds on top of these models and our API. AA-0 is the first model we have released trained on Ginkgo’s proprietary data – we’re opening it to data scientists and bioinformaticians so they can build new models and applications on top. We believe that the low cost for tokens and our other customer-friendly terms, like the lack of royalties, and our commitment to not re-use customer data, will allow users to build tools like iterative protein design programs that call our protein generation API or to use our embedding API to compute features for a clustering algorithm.”

These new offerings demonstrate how Ginkgo is enabling the life sciences industry in new ways, helping them improve and accelerate the drug development process.

Protein LLM for individual researchers and enterprise companies: Built on Vertex AI in collaboration with Google Cloud Consulting and trained on Ginkgo’s extensive proprietary dataset, this and future LLMs empower companies to generate novel insights and accelerate the discovery of new therapeutics. By harnessing the power of AI to analyze and understand complex protein structures and interactions, researchers and enterprises can streamline their research pipelines, optimize lead identification, and ultimately bring life-saving medicines to market faster and more efficiently. Building on models that learn from Ginkgo’s private data, unavailable to the public, can enable companies to unlock hidden patterns and potential therapeutic targets that would otherwise remain elusive.

Open API for scientists and researchers: With this programmer-friendly ultra-low cost API, Ginkgo is making its internally-developed AI tools available to anyone. The interface provides an easy and scalable way to access sophisticated models trained on protein and DNA data, starting with its first release: a machine learning model trained on a proprietary Ginkgo dataset. (Read more about Ginkgo’s first model — ginkgo-AA-0-650m, a large-scale model trained on 2+ billion proprietary Ginkgo protein sequences — here.)

Chris Sakalosky, vice president of Strategic Industries, Google Cloud: “Ginkgo’s new protein LLM and open API mark a major step forward in making advanced AI tools accessible for drug discovery and biological research. By leveraging Google Cloud’s infrastructure and AI capabilities, Ginkgo is empowering both enterprises and individual scientists to accelerate their work and drive innovation in the life sciences. Ginkgo is leading the way in democratizing access to cutting-edge AI models, to increase value to pharma companies using Ginkgo’s platform and to ultimately help people live healthier lives.”

Ginkgo has a multitude of models under development, spanning machine learning methods like language modeling and diffusion for conditional design. Ginkgo’s first protein language model release will support two use-cases:

Generation via Masked Language Modeling: given a sequence of amino acids with one or more <mask> tokens, the model will complete the sequence.Embedding calculation: Calculate the final hidden layer of the trained model to extract valuable representations for downstream tasks. To begin, Ginkgo’s model returns the mean-pooled representation across the length axis.

Over the next year, Ginkgo will roll out more models and expand the API’s capabilities, building a robust suite of tools that will enable you to solve complex problems in drug discovery, synthetic biology, genomics, and more using the latest machine learning methods. Access the portal today and be among the first to explore our new API.

Ankit Gupta, General Manager of Ginkgo AI: “Flexibility is everything. Alongside our first proprietary model, which leverages unique datasets from Ginkgo, you’ll also have access to publicly available models like ESM2. This means you can explore and experiment with different approaches, all through a single streamlined platform. We’re also deeply committed to making advanced machine learning tools accessible, which is why our API comes with competitive pricing and a free tier. We’ve structured our costs to make it easy for you to jump in, experiment, and get predictions without worrying about high fees. Our initial models will have a free tier and our introductory pricing is approximately $0.18 per million tokens. This means for a protein with around 500 amino acids, users should be able to get predictions on 2000 sequences for roughly 10 cents. In the age of generative biology, with engineers designing thousands to millions of sequences at a time, we hope to enable them with enormous amounts of computational scale.”

About Ginkgo Bioworks
Ginkgo Bioworks is the leading horizontal platform for cell programming, providing flexible, end-to-end services that solve challenges for organizations across diverse markets, from food and agriculture to pharmaceuticals to industrial and specialty chemicals. Ginkgo Biosecurity is building and deploying the next-generation infrastructure and technologies that global leaders need to predict, detect, and respond to a wide variety of biological threats. For more information, visit ginkgobioworks.com and ginkgobiosecurity.com, read our blog, or follow us on social media channels such as X (@Ginkgo and @Ginkgo_Biosec), Instagram (@GinkgoBioworks), Threads (@GinkgoBioworks), or LinkedIn.

GINKGO BIOWORKS INVESTOR CONTACT:
investors@ginkgobioworks.com

GINKGO BIOWORKS MEDIA CONTACT:
press@ginkgobioworks.com

Forward-Looking Statements of Ginkgo Bioworks

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the capabilities and potential success of the partnership, Ginkgo’s model API and Ginkgo’s cell programming platform. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “can,” “project,” “potential,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) volatility in the price of Ginkgo’s securities due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Ginkgo operates and plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, and changes in laws and regulations affecting Ginkgo’s business, (ii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, and to identify and realize additional business opportunities, (iii) the risk of downturns in demand for products using synthetic biology, (iv) the uncertainty regarding the demand for passive monitoring programs and biosecurity services, (v) changes to the biosecurity industry, including due to advancements in technology, emerging competition and evolution in industry demands, standards and regulations, (vi) the outcome of any pending or potential legal proceedings against Ginkgo, (vii) our ability to realize the expected benefits from and the success of our Foundry platform programs, (viii) our ability to successfully develop engineered cells, bioprocesses, data packages or other deliverables, and (ix) the product development or commercialization success of our customers. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of Ginkgo’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 29, 2024, Ginkgo’s most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and other documents filed by Ginkgo from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Ginkgo assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Ginkgo does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

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SOURCE Ginkgo Bioworks

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Club Offers for Travel Enthusiasts in Germany

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November 8, 2026

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BERLIN, Nov. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Travelzoo® (NASDAQ: TZOO), the club for travel enthusiasts, announces five of many new Club Offers for Club Members in Germany.

Rigorously vetted and negotiated for us travel enthusiasts:

FROM €99 PP—HESSE: 3 DAYS AT A CASTLE HOTEL WITH DINNER IN THE KNIGHTS’ HALL
A crackling fireplace and historic suits of armor on the walls: a cozy winter evening at Staufenberg Castle. Included for us Club Members: a 3-course dinner in the Knights’ Hall, which is more than 500 years old.

€499 PP—TUSCANY: VILLA WITH COOKING CLASS & 6-COURSE DINNER
“Fantastic cooking class, wonderful wine tasting, excellent dinner.” Club Members love Villa Patriarca, which is why we’ve negotiated another offer. Save 50% for three nights in a junior suite compared to the market price.

FROM €299 PP—NEW 5-STAR HOTEL IN PORTO WITH FLIGHTS
Three nights in a prime location next to the historic city walls. Views of the Douro River from the outdoor hot tub. A special price to celebrate the opening of this boutique hotel: the offer regularly costs €580.

€89 PP—3 DAYS AT A BOUTIQUE HOTEL ON SYLT
A ship’s wheel on the wall and a historic nautical chart on the ceiling. Or Delft tiles in the bathroom and a tiger-print rug. Every room at Haus Noge is unique. In the off-season, we travel enthusiasts pay €89 instead of €267 per person.

FROM €399 PP—TURKEY: 1 WEEK ALL-INCLUSIVE WITH FLIGHTS
Relax on a sandy beach and soak up the sun at the start of the season in April. Included for Club Members: a sea-view room and all meals and drinks. There’s also a sports and entertainment program, from beach volleyball to tennis.

Are you a travel enthusiast? Join the club today: https://travelzoo.com

Who are we?
We, Travelzoo®, are the club for travel enthusiasts. We reach 30 million travelers. Club Members receive Club Offers negotiated and rigorously vetted by our deal experts around the globe. Our relationships with thousands of top travel companies give us access to irresistible deals. Our club and its benefits are built around the lifestyle of a modern travel enthusiast.

Travelzoo
Unter den Linden 40
10117 Berlin

Media Contact: 
Natalia Cwierz – Berlin
+49 30 311 975 20
ncwierz@travelzoo.com

 

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“Pulse @ Jurong” launches as a New Digital Community Platform connecting Everyday Life across Singapore’s West

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2 hours ago

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November 8, 2026

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Developed by Jurong Point and Link Asset Management, the app extends the mall’s role beyond its physical space to serve as a digital connector for the wider community in the West.

New community-centric app brings transport updates, local discoveries, neighbourhood happenings and offers together in one place.

Built around the needs of residents, workers and visitors, with input from a focus group and closed beta involving 270 people living and working in the West.Connects people to the diversity of Jurong, bringing together everyday convenience, neighbourhood discoveries and community happenings in one platform.Jurong Point serves as the launchpad for the wider Jurong community, with future features shaped by user feedback and potential portfolio expansion.

SINGAPORE, Nov. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pulse @ Jurong, a new community-centric digital platform developed by Jurong Point and Link Asset Management, has officially launched to bring everyday life across Singapore’s West closer together. Designed around the needs of residents, workers, students and visitors, the app connects transport information, neighbourhood businesses, local dining and retail offers, community activities and essential amenities in one convenient platform.

With Jurong Point as its starting point, Pulse @ Jurong serves the wider Jurong community, connecting people to neighbourhood businesses, services and experiences beyond the mall. The initiative reflects Jurong Point’s evolving role as a community hub and Link’s commitment to strengthening connections between its assets and the communities they serve.

Designed around everyday needs

Whether checking bus arrival times before leaving home, looking for a nearby meal, finding an upcoming community programme or discovering a relevant dining offer, users can access multiple aspects of their day through one app. Pulse brings together transport information and alerts, parking and EV-charging information, food and dining recommendations, neighbourhood amenities and services, and community events. Users can also discover eligible retail and dining offers, claim them through the app and keep them in an in-app wallet.

At launch, Pulse includes more than 470 store listings alongside local discoveries and places of interest. The app is designed for a potential Jurong West residential catchment of more than 250,000 people (this figure does not represent registered users).

Shaped with the Community, for the Community

The platform is developed with input from focus groups and closed beta involving 270 people living and working in the West over eight months, Pulse reflects feedback on transport, deals and neighbourhood discovery. This initial launch will be followed by further enhancements shaped by community feedback and actual usage. AI-assisted tools were also used to support feedback analysis and identify recurring themes.

“Access to timely and useful local information can help residents plan their day and participate more actively in community life. I hope Pulse @ Jurong will complement existing community channels and make it easier for residents to stay informed, discover activities nearby and feel more connected to the people and places around them,” said Mr Patrick Tay, Member of Parliament for Pioneer SMC and Adviser to Pioneer Grassroots Organisations.

“We began by looking at what people across Jurong need in their everyday lives, beyond what happens within the mall. Pulse is being piloted in Jurong to make local information, community activities and neighbourhood businesses easier to discover, while exploring how a digital platform can complement physical retail spaces and strengthen community connections. This is only the beginning. We will continue refining the platform and introducing new features based on feedback from residents, merchants and community partners. As we assess adoption, sustained engagement and the outcomes of this pilot, a successful model could potentially be adapted across Link’s wider portfolio,” said Mr Andy Kau, General Manager, Jurong Point.

Making Community Happenings easier to Discover

Pulse @ Jurong is intended to complement existing community and public-service channels by helping residents discover nearby events, activities and volunteer opportunities. Where available, users can follow links to the relevant organisers’ platforms to register or learn more.

Working with The Frontier and Boon Lay Community Clubs and local stakeholders, Jurong Point aims to broaden the visibility of local activities and provide another channel through which residents can connect with their community.

Supporting Local Business and strengthening the Jurong ecosystem

Beyond community information, Pulse @ Jurong creates a new digital discovery channel connecting residents and visitors with local businesses across Singapore’s West. The platform features 200 Jurong Point tenants and more than 300 neighbourhood merchants in the surrounding precincts, bringing together a diverse mix of retail, dining, services and everyday experiences in one convenient app.

Participating businesses can increase their visibility, showcase relevant offerings and engage customers through targeted promotions and campaigns. By connecting digital discovery with physical visits, the platform aims to encourage local spending, support neighbourhood businesses and strengthen the wider commercial ecosystem.

“For hawkers and small businesses in the neighbourhood, reaching new customers beyond our regular patrons is always important. Many residents may not be aware of the variety of food and services available just around the corner. The Jurong Point team took the time to engage us personally and guide us through how to use Pulse @ Jurong, making it easier for merchants like us to come on board. The app gives us another way to showcase what we offer, reach new customers and encourage more people to explore and support local businesses. It is encouraging to see Jurong Point extending its reach beyond the mall to bring the wider business community together,” said Mr Anthony Low Hock Kee, Vice President of The Federation of Merchants’ Associations, Singapore, and owner of Xin Sheng Ngoh Hiong Prawn Cracker at Boon Lay Place Food Village.

“Many neighbourhood merchants rely on word-of-mouth and returning customers, but there is often a wider audience nearby that may not be aware of what local businesses have to offer. Pulse @ Jurong provides a valuable platform for merchants to increase their visibility and connect with more residents in the community. Beyond supporting local businesses, it also helps bring people closer to the activities, services and experiences available in the neighbourhood. We are encouraged to see Jurong Point extending its role beyond the mall to strengthen connections across the wider Jurong community,” said Mr Kuek Chiew Peng, BBM(L) Chairman, Boon Lay Merchants’ Association for Boon Lay Shopping Centre.

Through its tenant relationships, on-site touchpoints and engagement with local merchants, Jurong Point is helping connect the mall with the wider Jurong community.

The launch also marks an important step in Link’s approach to digital placemaking, exploring how technology can complement physical retail assets, deepen customer engagement and create measurable value for tenants and community partners. Insights from adoption, usage and merchant participation will guide the platform’s continued development and potential expansion.

Discover More of the West with Pulse @ Jurong

To celebrate the launch, new users who sign up for Pulse @ Jurong from 7 November 2026 can enjoy dining and retail vouchers at the designated sign-up booths within Jurong Point, giving them an added incentive to discover and experience the offerings.

Adding to the excitement, users will also have the opportunity to stand a chance to win a JAECOO 6, an off-road-inspired electric SUV, as part of a launch lucky draw. Further details on participation and eligibility will be announced.

Pulse @ Jurong is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Residents and visitors are invited to download the app to explore real-time transport information, neighbourhood dining and retail offers, local discoveries and community happenings across Singapore’s West.

Download Pulse @ Jurong:

Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/sg/app/id6770556908
Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mll.pls

Stay connected with Pulse @ Jurong:

Follow Pulse @ Jurong on Facebook and Instagram for the latest neighbourhood discoveries, community happenings, exclusive offers and updates on upcoming activities.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pulseatjurong/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pulseatjurong/

Everyday Information in One Place

Pulse @ Jurong enables users to:

Plan their journeys
Access transport information and alerts, including bus arrival timings, traffic and train alerts, parking availability and EV-charging information.Discover what is nearby
Browse store listings, alongside local food and dining recommendations, neighbourhood amenities, services and places of interest across Pioneer, Jurong and nearby areas.Stay connected with the community
Discover upcoming community events, programmes and volunteer opportunities, with direct links to the relevant platforms for users to register their interest.Access relevant offers
Discover retail and dining offers, claim them through the app and store them in the in-app wallet.

About Pulse @ Jurong

Pulse @ Jurong is a community-centric digital platform developed by Jurong Point and Link Asset Management Limited to connect people, places, businesses and everyday experiences across Singapore’s West.

Designed for residents, workers, students and visitors, the app brings together real-time transport information, neighbourhood discoveries, dining and retail offers, local amenities and community happenings in one convenient platform. It also provides a digital discovery channel for Jurong Point tenants and neighbourhood merchants, helping local businesses connect with customers and encouraging greater participation in the local economy.

For more information about Pulse @ Jurong, please visit https://www.pulseatjurong.com.sg/

About Jurong Point

With 750,000 square feet of lettable space, Jurong Point is one of Singapore’s largest suburban lifestyle destination for shoppers in Singapore. Strategically located in the western part of Singapore and connected to Boon Lay MRT and Bus Interchange, the mall attracts an average footfall of 5.6 million visits a month.

Jurong Point is also home to a number of thematic precincts, such as, Japanese Food Street and Mongkok streets. The mall aims to meet shoppers’ diverse needs with anchor tenants like FairPrice Xtra, Harvey Norman, Kopitiam, Malaysia Boleh, Don Don Donki and more than 400 retail and food & beverage outlets that offer a dazzling array of merchandise, services and culinary delights.

Apart from being a retail destination, it also shares its space with a large cluster of 11 community and civic institutions, such as SAGE, AMP, TARA and My First Skool. The mall not only serves a 250,000 residential population but a 100,000 PMET Workforce as well within its 5 kilometre radius.

For more information about Jurong Point, please visit https://sg.linkreit.com/malls/jurong-point/

About Link Asset Management Limited

Link Asset Management Limited (Link) is a leading, independent, and fully integrated real estate investor and manager focusing on the APAC region. It manages Link Real Estate Investment Trust (Link REIT, Hong Kong stock code: 823), the largest REIT in Asia, and its real estate investment portfolio. Link also aims to leverage its investment management capabilities to serve as a trusted investment manager to capital partners through its business line, Link Real Estate Partners.

Building on its strong track record over almost two decades, Link targets to deliver resilient returns and growth to its unitholders. Link offers a “REIT plus” investment case through its strategic focus on diversifying the Link REIT Portfolio across geographies and asset classes in APAC and expanding its investment management business.

Link aspires to be the trusted partner in APAC real estate sector for unitholders, capital partners, tenants, and the wider communities it serves. 

For more information about Link, please visit https://www.laml.com/en/

Chinese Translations

Jurong Point 裕廊坊

Link Asset Management Limited 领展资产管理有限公司

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SOURCE Jurong Point and Link Asset Management

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2026 China International Intelligent Communication Forum Held in Wuxi

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November 8, 2026

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WUXI, China, Nov. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — From November 8 to 10, the 2026 China International Intelligent Communication Forum (CIICF), jointly organized by China Media Group (CMG) and the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government, is held in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province.

At the forum, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) releases the “2026 Report on the Development of Chinese Cities’ International Intelligent Communication Capabilities”, examining the key characteristics, current challenges and innovative pathways in the development of Chinese cities’ international intelligent communication. A new episode of the original franchise “Global Youth Talk” is also launched. Representatives of key cultural industry projects in Wuxi sign agreements on stage. The forum also launches the “Wuxi Initiative of the China International Intelligent Communication Forum,” calling on all parties to work together to build a new global ecosystem for intelligent communication that is open, inclusive, collaborative and mutually beneficial.

Lu Bingheng, Chairman of the National Technical Committee on Additive Manufacturing Standardization, Director of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center and Professor at Xi’an Jiaotong University; Michael Levitt, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry and Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences; Ge Yuefeng, Deputy General Manager of China Time and Space Information Group Co., Ltd.; and Scott Ross, Founder of Digital Domain, Former Senior Vice President of Lucasfilm and Former President of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), are among the guests sharing theoretical vision and practical perspectives. They exchange ideas on intelligent communication and media transformation, technological innovation and industrial development, and mutual learning among civilizations and international cooperation, building consensus on future development.

The forum also features a series of side events, including the 2026 Forum on the International Communication of Digital Culture, the AIGC Digital and Intelligent Industries Forum, the “Wuxi Dialogue” on Local International Communication, a closed-door industry dialogue, the “Film Music • Wuxi Night” gala, and the 2026 “Experience China Insights from Wuxi” International Media Tour.

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SOURCE CIICF

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