Technology

SandboxAQ Partners with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in $25 Million Initiative to Develop Novel Treatments

Published

2 years ago

October 29, 2024

SandboxAQ collaborating with the University of Dundee through The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s LRRK2 Investigative Therapeutics Exchange (LITE) program to improve its inhibitor for the gene most commonly associated with Parkinson’s

PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — SandboxAQ announced today it has signed a $25 million research grant through The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) LRRK2 Investigative Therapeutics Exchange (LITE) program to advance drug candidates for Parkinson’s disease (PD.) The partnership brings SandboxAQ’s expertise in neurodegenerative diseases and its Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) to cutting-edge research in the field of Parkinson’s research where, despite important biological and genetic discoveries, effective new therapeutics have yet to be approved.

As part of the partnership, SandboxAQ will collaborate with University of Dundee in Scotland to improve the potency and specificity of its LRRK2 inhibitors and to identify innovative compounds acting as allosteric modulators. LRRK2 is a gene identified in 2004 as being the most commonly associated with Parkinson’s, however, no new therapy targeting this protein has reached the market.

This research grant is to support an MJFF program focused on bridging basic science advances to industry-led drug development. LITE will include tens of millions of dollars in grant support and has already attracted more than 30 academic and clinical collaborators and more than a dozen companies. The program aims to develop new approaches to targeting the LRRK2 gene with therapies while also supporting the development of LRRK2-relevant clinical biomarkers to measure progress.

The initiative will take advantage of recent LRRK2 structures to identify or design new drug candidate molecules and complete pre-clinical investigation, with the goal of optimizing four inhibitors with distinct modes of action within the next two years. The agreement includes a license for SandboxAQ’s LQMs, with key milestones to be delivered over the 24-month engagement period.

“By combining MJFF’s network and expertise with SandboxAQ’s AI and computational capabilities, we have a powerful force joining us and creating a unique opportunity to accelerate the development of new therapies for Parkinson’s,” said Professor Dario Alessi, Director of the MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit at the University of Dundee and LITE program leader. “This collaboration represents a significant step forward in our understanding and treatment of this challenging disease.”

SandboxAQ’s LQMs integrate AI tools with physics-based scoring functions, allowing the creation of detailed protein-ligand complex models, the rapid screening of millions of compounds, ligand identification, and small molecule design.

These technologies will help advance the research being conducted across the LITE Consortium, whose projects are led by scientists from the University of Dundee and attract more than 30 global academic and clinical collaborators as well as more than a dozen companies. SandboxAQ is one of the first commercial partners to join the LITE consortium.

“We are confident that SandboxAQ’s Large Quantitative Models and AI simulation techniques will enable us to translate academic discoveries into new drugs and ultimately help people who have Parkinson’s disease,” said Nadia Harhen, GM of AI Simulation at SandboxAQ. “Our partners at the University of Dundee have done extraordinarily important preclinical research, and we are excited to help them translate their discoveries into breakthrough therapies to help patients affected by PD.”

The collaboration with the University of Dundee is SandboxAQ’s second research partnership with the MJFF. Also today, SandboxAQ shared a collaboration with Belgium-based KU Leuven‘s Vangheluwe Lab to identify small molecule modulators capable of restoring the function of the ATP10B gene, another key gene linked to PD.

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 the LRRK2 Investigative Therapeutics Exchange (LITE) Program
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research launched LITE in 2024 to support new approaches to targeting the LRRK2 gene with therapies, while also supporting the development of LRRK2-relevant clinical biomarkers to measure progress. Mutations in the LRRK2 gene were first linked to PD 20 years ago, and they are now understood to be the most common causes of inherited PD. The LITE program, which will provide tens of millions of dollars of grant support, paves the way for new cooperation on LRRK2, attracting more than 30 academic and clinical collaborators as well as more than a dozen companies expressing interest at launch. The program connects companies that are developing LRRK2-targeting therapies with key opinion leaders and provides preclinical and clinical resources to establish best practices for advancing LRRK2 therapeutics. LITE will be led by Dario Alessi, PhD, of the University of Dundee in the United Kingdom. Alessi, a global leader in the study of kinases, leads a project focusing on LRRK2 signaling pathways as part of the Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network (CRN), creating a point of collaboration across initiatives as he continues to build on this work in the space. The LITE program also will benefit from collaboration with other ASAP initiative-supported programs including the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiatives (PPMI) and the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2). Learn more here.

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SOURCE SandboxAQ

Technology

B&R Technology Merger Corp. Announces Pricing of $325 Million Initial Public Offering

Published

19 minutes ago

July 20, 2026

NEW YORK, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — B&R Technology Merger Corp. (the “Company”) announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 32,500,000 units at $10.00 per unit. The units will be listed on the Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “BRTMU” commencing on July 21, 2026. Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share of the Company and one-third of one warrant, each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Class A ordinary share of the Company at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. Once the securities constituting the units begin separate trading, the Company expects that the Class A ordinary shares and warrants will be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols ” BRTM” and ” BRTMW,” respectively.

The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. It may pursue an initial business combination target in any business or industry.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“Citigroup”) is acting as sole bookrunner and representative of the underwriters. The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 4,875,000 additional units at the initial public offering price to cover over-allotments, if any.

This offering will only be made by means of a prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus relating to the offering and final prospectus, when available, may be obtained from Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717 or by telephone at (800) 831-9146.

A registration statement relating to these securities has been declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any State or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State or jurisdiction.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” including with respect to the proposed initial public offering and the anticipated use of the net proceeds. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described, or at all, or that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and preliminary prospectus for the Company’s offering filed with the SEC. Copies are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/br-technology-merger-corp-announces-pricing-of-325-million-initial-public-offering-302830053.html

SOURCE B&R Technology Merger Corp.

Technology

Paris-Planet Is Back with a Fresh New Way to Explore Paris

Published

19 minutes ago

July 20, 2026

MONTREAL, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Planning a trip to Paris just got a little easier.

Paris-Planet has officially relaunched with a completely redesigned website that helps travelers discover and book some of Paris’s best museums, attractions, tours, and local experiences in one place.

The new site was built for people who want to spend less time jumping between dozens of websites and more time getting excited about their trip. Whether it’s your first visit to Paris or your fifth, Paris-Planet brings together the experiences that make the city unforgettable.

“We wanted to build the kind of website we would actually use ourselves,” said Chaz Desousa, founder of Paris-Planet. “There are so many incredible things to see in Paris, but planning a trip can quickly become overwhelming. Our goal was to make discovering and booking experiences simple, inspiring, and enjoyable.”

Visitors can browse everything from famous landmarks and museums to food tours, river cruises, walking tours, family activities, and seasonal events. Along with tickets and experiences, the site also features destination guides, travel tips, and ideas for making the most of every day in Paris.

The relaunch also includes a faster website, improved navigation, and a mobile-friendly design, making it easy for travelers to plan before they leave home or while they’re already exploring the city.

Activity provider can sign up here to Sell Paris Tours & Tickets Online

Paris remains one of the world’s most visited destinations, welcoming millions of visitors every year. Paris-Planet was created to help those travelers spend less time searching and more time experiencing everything the city has to offer.

About Paris-Planet

Paris-Planet is an online travel guide and booking platform focused exclusively on Paris. The website helps visitors discover museums, attractions, tours, activities, and unique local experiences while making trip planning simple and enjoyable.

For more information, visit www.paris-planet.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/paris-planet-is-back-with-a-fresh-new-way-to-explore-paris-302829953.html

SOURCE Paris-Planet

Technology

Fox ESS Launches POWER BEAST to Simplify C&I Energy Storage Deployment

Published

20 minutes ago

July 20, 2026

SYDNEY, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fox ESS, a global leader in renewable energy solutions, has announced the Australian launch of POWER BEAST, a scalable commercial and industrial energy storage solution combining the H3 Plus Hybrid Inverter with the CQ7 High Voltage Storage Battery.

Traditional commercial battery systems often require extensive cabling, multiple connection points, and significant on-site assembly, “POWER BEAST combines a compact dual-stack design with fast, plug-and-play installation, reducing system height and installation complexity,” said Brooks Richard Geng, APAC & Middle East Managing Director at Fox ESS. “By integrating the H3 Plus with the scalable CQ7 platform, we are helping partners lower costs, save space and deliver C&I projects with greater confidence.”

POWER BEAST is built around the H3 Plus Hybrid Inverter, the modular CQ7 High Voltage Battery and the optional CQ7 Dual Tower Base. Available with AC output from 50 kW to 125 kW, the H3 Plus supports up to three independent battery inputs.

When paired with CQ7 batteries, a single inverter can support up to 292 kWh of storage capacity. Multiple POWER BEAST systems can scale up to 3.125 MW / 7.35 MWh for on-grid applications and 1.25 MW / 2.94 MWh for off-grid applications.

For projects targeting the NSW PDRS BESS4 capacity range, one H3 Plus 100 kW inverter paired with two CQ7 battery stacks provides approximately 195 kWh of storage capacity, allowing projects to maximise potential incentive value.

A key feature of POWER BEAST is the CQ7 Dual Tower Base, which supports two battery stacks on one shared base and keeps system height under 1.3 m. Pre-installed power and communication connections simplify installation and reduce wiring risks, while the system integrates solar PV, battery storage, EPS backup, generator and EV charging, with approximately five-second module installation.

By combining the H3 Plus Hybrid Inverter, modular CQ7 storage and the Dual Tower Base accessory, POWER BEAST provides installers, EPCs, distributors and project partners with a scalable C&I platform designed to reduce installation complexity and make more efficient use of available space. For more information, please visit: https://au.fox-ess.com/

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SOURCE Fox ESS