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SandboxAQ Collaborates with The Michael J. Fox Foundation to Speed Identification of New Therapies

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2 years ago

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Collaboration with KU Leuven, [led by global leader Peter Vangheluwe, PhD, a longstanding partner of The Michael J. Fox Foundation] will leverage Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) and other advanced AI technologies to design and rapidly screen potential new drug compounds

PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — SandboxAQ announced today that The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) has selected the company’s AI platform to accelerate the identification of compounds that activate a gene linked to Parkinson’s disease (PD). SandboxAQ’s team of computational chemists and machine learning experts will collaborate with the Vangheluwe lab and CD3 at Belgium-based KU Leuven to identify activators for ATP10B. Peter Vangheluwe is a global leader in lysosomal transporters that are implicated in Parkinson’s disease, such as ATP13A2 and ATP10B. As a long-standing MJFF partner, the Vangheluwe lab has helped to better understand the underlying mechanisms of ATP13A2 and ATP10B dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease and pioneered drug discovery efforts on ATP13A2.

ATP10B is a novel candidate risk gene for PD encoding a sphingolipid-transporting ATPase involved in neuronal lipid homeostasis. As a member of the P4-ATPase family, it flips glucosylceramide across the lysosomal membrane, maintaining essential cellular functions. Despite its potential as a therapeutic target, drug discovery efforts face challenges due to ATP10B’s multiunit structural complexity, poor expression and difficult handling and limited understanding of its large-scale reorganization during a complex functional cycle. Targeting ATP10B requires novel approaches to identify small molecule modulators capable of restoring its function.

“Leveraging innovative technology in Parkinson’s research and fostering a collaboration with leading experts] is one of the many ways MJFF works to enable a diverse pipeline of treatments for people with Parkinson’s disease,” said Michelle Durborow, head of research operations, MJFF. “We look forward to this collaboration with SandboxAQ and KU Leuven to unlock novel treatments for PD.”

SandboxAQ’s Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) integrate active learning with physics-based scoring functions to create detailed protein profiles and complex interaction matrices. This approach enables rapid in silico high-throughput screening of millions of available compounds to identify potential modulators of ATP10B’s function. Leveraging their expertise in challenging protein targets, SandboxAQ will also support assay development and optimization, generate actionable hypotheses for ATP10B activation and advance early-stage drug discovery efforts on a remarkably complex target with major implications in neurodegenerative diseases.

“SandboxAQ’s Large Quantitative Models and AI simulation techniques have proven their ability to rapidly identify ligands and design novel molecules for other challenging neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s,” said Nadia Harhen, GM of AI Simulation at SandboxAQ. “KU Leuven hosts one of the world’s foremost research labs for Parkinson’s disease, and we’re eager to apply our Large Quantitative Models to their existing efforts, accelerating new breakthrough treatments for PD.” 

KU Leuven researchers, in collaboration with the Centre for Drug Design and Discovery (CD3) of KU Leuven, have taken the first steps to unlock the ATP10B protein for small molecule drug discovery since first describing the gene in 2020. Despite significant advances in understanding the biology of ATP10B, the protein has proven difficult to study. Also, there is little real-world data available related to this specific class of lipid flippases that researchers can use to identify the most effective compounds. SandboxAQ’s Quantitative AI simulations can generate accurate data that enable a more efficient search of the vast chemical space to find and develop compounds with the correct profile.

“The ability to simulate a drug compound’s effects on ATB10B and analyze its mode of action will greatly accelerate our groundbreaking research, helping us achieve with AI technology what lab experimentation alone could not,” said Peter Vangheluwe, professor and head of the Laboratory of Cellular Transport Systems at KU Leuven. “SandboxAQ’s technology has opened the door to a new way of designing novel molecules from the vast chemistry space and testing our hypotheses with unprecedented speed and accuracy, delivering previously unknowable insights that will guide our research.”

About SandboxAQ
SandboxAQ is a B2B company delivering AI solutions that address some of the world’s greatest challenges. The company’s Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) deliver critical advances in life sciences, financial services, navigation, cyber and other sectors. The company emerged from Alphabet Inc. as an independent, growth capital-backed company in 2022, funded by leading investors including T. Rowe Price, Eric Schmidt, Breyer Capital, Guggenheim Partners, Marc Benioff, Thomas Tull, Section32, and others. For more information, visit http://www.sandboxaq.com.

About KU Leuven
KU Leuven boasts a rich tradition of education and research spanning six centuries. Recognized with the European HR Excellence in Research Award, the university’s commitment to fundamental research remains unwavering. Simultaneously, KU Leuven stays attuned to contemporary cultural, economic, and industrial developments, as well as the needs and expectations of the community.

As Belgium’s largest university in terms of research funding and expenditure, KU Leuven is a proud charter member of LERU. The university excels in both fundamental and applied research across all academic disciplines, maintaining a strong international orientation. In the Times Higher Education 2023 ranking, KU Leuven was ranked as the 14th best European university. Additionally, for four consecutive years, it has been recognized as the most innovative university in Europe by Reuters’ Top 100 of the World’s Most Innovative Institutions.

The Lab of Cellular Transport Systems (LCTS), led by Prof. Dr. Peter Vangheluwe, is dedicated to advancing our understanding of cellular transport mechanisms. The lab focuses on the unique molecular properties of P-type ATPases and their crucial roles in health and disease. Through cutting-edge research, LCTS aims to uncover the physiological functions of these transport systems, contributing to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for various diseases.

The Centre for Drug Design and Discovery (CD3) is a pioneering drug discovery centre and investment fund. KU Leuven Research & Development and the European Investment Fund created CD3 in 2006 to drive the translation of innovative basic research to the clinic. With a focus on the discovery and development of new medicines, CD3 supports academic research groups and small companies by providing expert drug discovery capabilities and financial resources. The center has successfully launched multiple investment funds, including a €70 million fund (CD3 IV) in 2023 to expand its scope and impact.

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LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions Introduces Field Clarity for LexisNexis® Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS) at IACP 2026

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15 minutes ago

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October 25, 2026

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A new, modern DORS and Field Clarity, the First AI-Guided Smartphone Video Assistant, Enhances Community Experience and Helps Improve Evidence, Case Building

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LexisNexis® Coplogic™ Solutions today announced its modernized LexisNexis® Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS) community online reporting solution and the addition of DORS with Field Clarity, an AI-guided video assistant designed to improve field documentation accuracy and enable faster resolution by law enforcement agencies (LEAs). Field Clarity is designed to help community members submit reports to their local LEAs using DORS via intuitive step-by-step instructions. A hands-on experience for DORS with Field Clarity will be available for demonstration during the 2026 International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) annual conference.

“Agencies generally look to strategic partners like us not just for technology, but also for relief, reinforcement, and credibility across three tightly connected challenges: public expectation, workforce strain and digital evidence overload,” said Jason LaRue, associate vice president, LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions. “Our modernized LexisNexis Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS) helps agencies improve officer safety along with community member experiences. Field Clarity strengthens video evidence quality and digital evidence management to reduce friction and alleviate strain on a challenged workforce.”

Key Highlights
Integrated into LexisNexis® Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS), Field Clarity is the first AI-Guided video assistant for community member online reporting that:

Transforms data capture from passive intake into intelligent, guided capture to help create more positive officer and civilian mobile-first experiencesDrives more accurate field documentation, evidence and case building to help with faster resolution and enhanced public safetyBenefits civilians submitting reports with intuitive, step-by-step instructions, almost like having a digital assistant with them in real timeBenefits officers by bringing video, photos and scanned data together for a clearer picture of an event without the need to track down additional details

How the DORS with Field Clarity Solution Works
DORS allows each law enforcement agency to collect information directly from civilians on more than 200 incident types based on the needs of their community. DORS and Field Clarity make the filing of an online report experience easier by guiding users intuitively through each step of the process on their smartphone device, similar to having a personal digital assistant. Instead of asking a driver, for example, to fill out forms and guess what’s needed, the Field Clarity conversational interface prompts them to scan their driver’s license, capture a VIN or record a short walkaround video explaining what happened during the incident, all while capturing the data necessary to complete the report.

For civilians, being able to easily film on-scene evidence means less confusion and need for reentries or follow-up by the sworn officer responsible for approving reports. For officers, the benefits include cleaner, more complete accident reports and less time spent requesting and gathering additional details. With reports fed directly into the agency’s Record Management System (RMS), law enforcement also benefits from more efficient workflows and stronger documented cases for their investigators. DORS is used by nearly 600 agencies in North America, saving agencies approximately 900,000 personnel hours and $90 million annually*

“Trust in law enforcement is built one interaction at a time. Every opportunity for a community member to engage with their police department matters, including something as routine as filing a report,” said Sarah E. Connolly, co-founder of Guardian Communications, FBI-LEEDA instructor and retired Baltimore Police lieutenant and PIO. “When technology makes that process easier, improves the quality of information collected and supports a more responsive agency, it has the potential to do more than improve efficiency. It can help strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”

LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions delivers solutions and capabilities that can create a clearer line of sight from the field to law enforcement leadership, strengthening the connection between daily operations, workforce support, data management and community trust. DORS with Field Clarity is available through LexisNexis® Command Center, a single access point to the LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions data and analytics solutions suite, including LexisNexis®  BuyCrash®, LexisNexis® eCrash and LexisNexis® eCitation solutions. Coplogic Solutions also offers Unified Performance Dashboards for crash and citation mapping and illustrated visualizations, which connect field data with contextual insight in a single, coherent view – so law enforcement leaders can better understand and more confidently explain to their communities not just what is happening in near-real time, but also why. 

To speak with Coplogic law enforcement experts about LexisNexis Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS) with Field Clarity and experience the solution firsthand, visit LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions at IACP Booth #941, October 24 – 27, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. To learn more, check out this video: LexisNexis® Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS).

About LexisNexis Risk Solutions
LexisNexis® Risk Solutions provides customers with information-based analytics and decision tools that combine public and industry-specific content with advanced technology and algorithms to assist them in evaluating and predicting risk and enhancing operational efficiency. Headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, the company has offices throughout the world, serves customers in more than 190 countries and territories and is part of RELX. For more information, please visit LexisNexis Risk Solutions.

About LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions
LexisNexis® Coplogic™ Solutions is committed to meeting law enforcement agencies where they are on the road to saving more lives and helping take them where they want to be by delivering an innovative full suite of data sophistication solutions to create workflow efficiencies while delivering world-class crash and citation data and analytics visualizations through advanced technology. Our proven solutions, developed by and specifically for law enforcement, can help agencies operate more effectively, increase services to their communities and improve traffic and overall public safety through electronic, mobile-first authoring capabilities, web-based eCommerce solutions, analytics and more. For more information, please visit risk.lexisnexis.com/Coplogic.

Media Contacts: 
Chaz Abbott
LexisNexis Risk Solutions
chaz.abbott@lexisnexisrisk.com
+1 949.922.1167

*Based on a 2025 LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions internal study

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World Young Scientist Summit 2026 Opens in Wenzhou, Zhejiang

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15 minutes ago

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October 25, 2026

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WENZHOU, China, Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from China Daily:

On October 24, the World Young Scientist Summit 2026 opened in Wenzhou, Zhejiang. The event is hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, and the World Association of Young Scientists. Nearly 800 representatives, including scientists, educators, and entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries and regions, are attending the summit.

With the theme “Gathering Talents Worldwide to Create a Better Future,” the summit’s annual agenda is “Global Youth Action in the AI Era: Building a Sustainable Future.” It aims to draw on the insights of young people around the world, deepen international sci-tech cooperation, and jointly address questions about young people, science, the world and the future.

Delivered keynote speeches respectively on education reform in the AI era, AI and processor chips, young women scientists’ participation in science, and quantum computing. They explored new opportunities for scientific research, talent cultivation, and international cooperation in the AI era.

This year’s summit placed greater emphasis on the growth needs of young scientists, with young talents under the age of 45 accounting for 88 percent of participants. It aimed to build a cluster of international journals, bring together young scientific talent, facilitate a batch of international collaborative projects and advance the application and commercialization of scientific and technological achievements. The summit released the Report on the Distribution and Mobility of Young Scientists in the Field of Embodied Intelligence, launched the World Young Scientist Summit Partner Journal Program and the 2026 World Young Scientist Innovation and Entrepreneurship Growth Support Program. It also published the “Young Scientist Pioneers 2035” list and announced the 2026 Sustainable Development Young Scientist Award. The awards were presented to four Chinese and foreign scientists.

In addition, the conference focused on fields such as future manufacturing, quantum information, embodied intelligence, brain-computer intelligence, environmental science, deep-sea resources, and life and health, and held 12 parallel forums. It also included the “Gravitation π” Future Technology and Concept Products Exhibition and Exchange, local thematic side events, and sci-tech and humanities study visits, further building an interdisciplinary, cross-regional and cross-sector platform for youth sci-tech exchange and cooperation.

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SOURCE China Daily

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Monster Energy and Call of Duty® Take Over Cosm Los Angeles for Immersive Modern Warfare® 4 Launch Celebration

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1 hour ago

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October 25, 2026

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Celebrities, athletes and creators came together for an action-packed night of gaming, immersive entertainment and exclusive experiences on Cosm’s massive Shared Reality Display. 

INGLEWOOD, Calif., Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Monster Energy transformed Cosm Los Angeles into the ultimate gamer’s destination on Friday night as fans came together to celebrate the highly anticipated launch of Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 4 at an immersive event fueled by Monster Energy.

Set against Cosm’s spectacular 87-foot-diameter, 12K+ LED dome, the Monster Energy x Call of Duty celebration brought the action of one of gaming’s most anticipated franchises into the real world. Guests experienced live gameplay, special celebrity appearances, interactive activations, and real-life displays inspired by the game, including the Monster Energy Operator Skin, alongside a lineup of Polaris vehicles including the DAGOR, which is playable in Modern Warfare 4 – all in an electrifying atmosphere that blurred the lines between gaming and reality.

The event drew a guest list spanning entertainment, sports and gaming, including actors O’Shea Jackson Jr., Trevor Jackson and Khleo Thomas, who arrived by Slingshot, rapper Symba, social media star Lin Lamar (Pinkchyu), and Monster Energy UFC fighters Johnny Walker and Jalin Turner.

Guests lined up around the block for a jam-packed program, featuring a live edition of The Flank, hosted by ZooMaa and Ben Nissim, including an interview with Infinity Ward developer Jacky Reynolds and the reveal of the CDL Launch Invitational groups. Fans also got a closer look at Modern Warfare 4’s DMZ mode during a gameplay showcase led by Infinity Ward game designer Roman Spazafumo.

The gaming action continued with artists, athletes and gaming creators, including Jericho, Jaybroski, Tyler Rizzi, Johnny Walker and LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, facing off in two-versus-two matchups, while fans tested their own skills in king-of-the-hill rounds. Monster Energy’s skate team also took to the virtual battlefield, swapping their boards for controllers, with Ishod Wair, Filipe Mota and Elliot Sloan going head-to-head in a Modern Warfare 4 showdown.

“With Call of Duty, we’re always looking for ways to push the experience beyond the screen,” said Jordi Gayola, CMO of the Americas at Monster Energy. “Bringing this launch to Cosm gave us an incredible opportunity to put fans, athletes and creators right in the middle of the action. It’s about bringing our worlds together and creating the kind of unforgettable experience that only Monster Energy can deliver.”

Beyond the main gameplay, fans enjoyed exclusive merchandise giveaways and immersive experiences, while the Modern Warfare 4-themed experience extended to the menu, which featured Korean-inspired dishes including kimchi mandu, Korean corn cheese nachos, and gochujang-glazed wings, alongside complimentary Monster Energy throughout the venue.

The launch also spotlighted Monster Energy’s ongoing Call of Duty promotional partnership, running through March 31, 2027. Fans can earn 15 minutes of Double XP per qualifying Monster Energy Original Green, Zero Sugar or Zero Ultra can, alongside exclusive in-game rewards, including a Large Decal, two weapon blueprints and two Operator Skins unlocked across the first five cans. The collaboration also extends beyond the game through four Monster Energy x Polaris vehicle sweepstakes at participating 7-Eleven, Hy-Vee, QuikTrip and RTG stores, with entry via retailer-specific QR codes in-store.

For more information on the Monster Energy x Call of Duty partnership, promotion and rewards, visit callofduty.monsterenergy.com.

Images from the Monster Energy Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 4 Launch Day are available HERE. 

Photo Credit: Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Monster Energy.

About Monster Energy
Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is a leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Known for its connection to action sports, motorsports, music, gaming and athletes around the world, Monster Energy fuels the passions of its fans through products, partnerships and experiences that bring communities together. For more information, visit MonsterEnergy.com.

Media Contact:
press@monsterenergy.com 

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SOURCE Monster Energy

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