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Ginkgo Bioworks Partners with HaDEA in Up to €24 Million Consortium Project to Deliver Next-Generation ‘Agnostic Diagnostics’ for Respiratory Viruses at the Point of Care

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International consortium to develop rapid metagenomic NGS solutions that can identify known and novel respiratory pathogens, reduce time-to-diagnosis, and enhance hospital decision-making and public health preparedness

BOSTON, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA), which is building the leading platform for cell programming and biosecurity, today announced a collaboration with the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) as contracting authority under a joint tender of up to €24 million. The funding is made available through the EU4Health programme, linked to the key priorities of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) of the European Commission.

The partnership, RApid Next Generation Sequencing for Effective Medical Response (RANGER), aims to develop a rapid, point-of-care metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) solution that enables hospitals and other healthcare facilities to achieve rapid turnaround diagnostics for respiratory viruses – capabilities that move us closer to a “Star Trek tricorder”- style tool for biosecurity and public health. Under this award, Ginkgo and its consortium partners are eligible to receive up to €24 million over the next 4 years.

RANGER seeks to transform the diagnostic landscape, enabling clinicians to diagnose complex respiratory conditions quickly and efficiently at the bedside with a device that allows for fully automated push-button sample preparation. With 6-hour turnaround time, hospitals could gain critical flexibility and optionality, allowing them to rapidly triage patients and reduce the burden of prolonged isolation, empirical therapies, and costly inpatient stays.

“Agnostic diagnostics” means the device wouldn’t just look for a handful of known targets; it could sequence and identify virtually any respiratory pathogen, including emergent or engineered pathogens. This could significantly enhance pandemic preparedness. The program also offers the European Commission the option to procure 200 devices at preferred pricing, which could enable widespread and scalable deployment across EU/EEA healthcare systems.

The program is designed to be delivered in three phases. In the first phase, Ginkgo will work with a consortium of technology partners – Jumpcode, TGen, Bugseq, and Planet Innovation – to bring together existing technologies at different stages of technology readiness in one benchtop device. That device will then be taken through clinical trials in hospital settings in the EU in partnership with KU Leuven (Belgium), Karolinska University Hospital (Sweden), and Tartu University Hospital (Estonia) during the second phase of the program. Once clinical trials have been satisfactorily completed, Ginkgo will collaborate with medical device regulatory specialists at the QbD Group to secure EU certification and validation for certain analytes and sample types before bringing the RANGER device to market.

This collaboration aligns with HERA’s mission to strengthen Europe’s ability to prevent, detect, and rapidly respond to cross-border health emergencies, as it seeks to expand the availability of and access to key medical countermeasures. By supporting the development of near-patient sequencing capabilities, HERA and HaDEA aim to reduce diagnostic delays, enhance hospital triage and infection control, and provide a powerful early-warning tool against emerging pathogens. “Diagnostics as decision making tools are a key component of our toolbox to rapidly respond to health emergencies. The ability to quickly identify even previously unknown pathogens will be a critical step in reinforcing the EU’s collective health resilience,” said Laurent Muschel, Acting Director-General of HERA.

“HaDEA is committed to fostering innovative solutions that can strengthen Europe’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to biological threats,” said Marina Zanchi – Director of HADEA. “This project represents a leap forward in leveraging next-generation sequencing at the bedside, and we believe the collaborative approach taken by Ginkgo and its partners will greatly accelerate the path toward safer, more prepared healthcare systems across the region.”

“This collaboration with HaDEA embodies our mission at Ginkgo Biosecurity to arm global healthcare systems with cutting-edge capabilities,” said Matt McKnight, General Manager of Ginkgo Biosecurity. “Instead of waiting days to confirm a diagnosis, we want doctors to be able to run a sample through this machine and get results in about 6 hours. Ultimately, this means faster triage, better patient outcomes, and a more resilient frontline response to both seasonal viruses and future pandemics.”

“We’re moving toward a diagnostic model that’s as easy and quick as scanning a patient’s sample right on the spot,” added Dr. Nita Madhav, Head of Epidemiology & Global Risk Analytics at Ginkgo Bioworks. “The European Commission’s decision to fund this effort not only accelerates access to innovative medical countermeasures but also enables a step-change in how we detect and respond to novel respiratory pathogens. Our integrated approach—incorporating metagenomic sequencing, computational design, and predictive analytics—will help clinicians and public health leaders stay ahead of the curve.”

“We’re excited to be part of the RANGER consortium, which in partnership with Jumpcode’s CRISPR-based technology, represents a significant advancement in diagnostic capabilities. By enabling faster and more comprehensive pathogen detection through our Cipher system, we’re taking an important step forward in improving clinical diagnostics and enhancing pandemic preparedness,” said Mike Salter, CEO of Jumpcode Genomics.

“TGen is focused on translating genomic findings to the clinic and the RANGER project and the outstanding collaborators involved are excellent vehicles for setting precedents in the translational research space” says Dr. Nicholas J. Schork, Professor at TGen whose lab published findings with Jumpcode on the initial version of the system to be developed and evaluated in the proposed research.

“BugSeq is thrilled to partner with RANGER consortium members to deploy our clinically-tailored bioinformatics platform to advance the use of rapid metagenomic sequencing for infectious disease diagnostics,” said Sam Chorlton, CEO of BugSeq. “This collaborative effort to develop a seamless, end-to-end solution marks a significant step forward in accelerating the adoption of agnostic diagnostics and strengthening our ability to respond swiftly to public health emergencies.”

“Planet Innovation is proud to be a part of the RANGER consortium, and will leverage its large product development and manufacturing capabilities in developing the highly innovative Cipher system. Planet Innovation has extensive experience in developing world-class platforms and we look forward to working alongside Jumpcode Genomics and all the consortium members in delivering a diagnostic solution that provides better patient outcomes, and a more resilient frontline response to both seasonal viruses and future pandemics,” said Stuart Elliott, CEO of Planet Innovation.

To learn more about how you can benefit from Ginkgo Biosecurity, please visit our website at https://biosecurity.ginkgo.bio.

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 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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Wise introduces first-of-its-kind multi-currency Interest feature in Canada

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Wise customers can now opt in to earn market-leading returns on CAD, USD, EUR and GBP from the convenience of one multi-currency accountCustomers opted in can continue to send, spend and convert funds while earning a return, with no penalties or minimum balance requirements

TORONTO, May 4, 2026 /CNW/ – Wise, the global technology company building the best way to move and manage the world’s money, today announced the launch of its new Interest feature for people and businesses in Canada. Wise is the first provider in Canada to enable customers to earn a return on balances held across multiple currencies within one consolidated account.

Millions of Canadians send international payments each year, with outbound remittances and cross-border commercial activity steadily increasing, according to public data from Payments Canada. However, options for holding and growing money across multiple currencies have historically required opening separate accounts with financial providers in each currency. These accounts often come with minimum balance thresholds and promotional rates that get more expensive over time. Wise Interest removes these barriers for Canadians.

Eligible customers can now opt into the new Interest feature to earn a market-leading return on balances held in CAD, USD, EUR and GBP from the convenience of their Wise multi-currency account. Once opted in, customers can continue to hold, spend, send and convert their money internationally from their balances with no penalties or minimum balance requirements.

Key features of the new feature include:

Earn market-leading returns across currencies: Opt in to Interest and earn 2.22% in CAD, 3.14% in USD,  0.8% in EUR and 2.21% in GBP from the convenience of the Wise multi-currency account*Instant access to your funds: Continue to hold, spend, send funds internationally with no minimum balance requirements or lock-up periodsSimple opt-in: Activate the feature in just a few taps within the Wise app

Vinay Nilakantan, Head of Product for North America at Wise, said: “Earning a return on your money across currencies shouldn’t require opening and managing multiple accounts or giving up access to your funds — but that’s the reality many Canadians have grown accustomed to. With Wise’s Interest feature, we’re changing that. We’re offering a more flexible way for our customers to make their money work harder across currencies, combining market-leading returns with the ability to use funds instantly, all in one convenient account.”

This launch builds on Wise’s growing momentum in Canada, where its active customer base grew by more than 30% in FY25. As Wise continues to scale in the market, it is investing in local infrastructure to better serve its growing customer base. Wise became a member of Payments Canada earlier this year, making it eligible to apply for direct participation in Canada’s national payment systems, including ACSS, Lynx and the forthcoming Real-Time Rail. Over time, this direct access to local payment infrastructure would enable Wise to move money faster and reduce costs further for Canadians and people sending to and from Canada.

*To find out more about Wise’s Interest feature in Canada, please visit http://www.wise.com/ca/interest

About Wise

Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world’s money. With Wise Account and Wise Business, people and businesses can hold 40 currencies, move money between countries and spend money abroad. Large companies and banks use Wise technology too; an entirely new network for the world’s money. Launched in 2011, Wise is one of the world’s fastest growing, profitable tech companies.

In fiscal year 2025, Wise supported around 15.6 million people and businesses, processing over $185 billion USD in cross-border transactions and saving customers around $2.6 billion USD.

Media Contact: Samantha Krupa‑Carbone, skrupa-carbone@national.ca

SOURCE WISE

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Ecobat Completes Sale of Germany & Austria Operations to Clarios, Marking Exit from European Lead Market

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DALLAS, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ecobat, a global leader in battery recycling, today announced the successful completion of the sale of its battery recycling and specialty lead operations in Germany and Austria to Clarios, a global leader in advanced energy storage solutions. The transaction encompasses Ecobat’s facilities in Freiberg and Braubach, Germany, as well as the Arnoldstein operation in Austria.

This sale, together with previously completed divestitures in France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, marks Ecobat’s exit from the European lead market and the completion of a multi-transaction repositioning of its Resources division.

“The sale of our Germany and Austria operations is a defining milestone for Ecobat,” said Tom Slabe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ecobat. “With our European lead footprint now fully transitioned to new ownership, Ecobat is positioned as a focused North American platform. We will continue to pursue opportunities to maximize value for shareholders as we build on that foundation.”

Mr. Slabe added, “Clarios’ expertise and strategic vision offer a strong foundation for the continued success of these operations in Germany and Austria. We’re confident they will continue to foster and enhance the valued relationships we have built with our employees, customers, and suppliers across Europe.”

Rothschild & Co acted as financial advisor and White & Case as legal advisor to Ecobat on the transaction.

About Ecobat

Ecobat is the world’s largest recycler of batteries with global operations. The company delivers innovative solutions for battery recycling, resource recovery and energy storage by responsibly managing valuable materials essential to modern life.

About Clarios

Clarios is the global leader in advanced, low-voltage battery technologies for mobility and owner of the brand VARTA in the automotive sector. Our batteries and smart solutions power nearly every type of vehicle and are found in 1 of 3 cars on the road today. With around 18,000 employees in over 100 countries, we bring deep expertise to our Aftermarket and OEM partners, and reliability, safety and comfort to everyday lives. We answer to the planet with a rigorous sustainability focus – advancing best-in-class sustainability practices and advocating for them across our industry. We work to ensure 100% of our products sold are recyclable, and we recycle 8,000 batteries an hour in our network.

For Media Inquiries:

Elizabeth Tuma

Ecobat

Press@Ecobat.com

1-888-317-4687 ext. 703

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SOURCE Ecobat

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Hyperscale Data to Launch 20-Week Business Spotlight Series to Highlight the Scale, Scope and Value of Its Operations

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Company Plans Weekly Monday Releases to Help Investors Better Understand Businesses Owned Directly and Through Ault Capital Group; Management Believes Hyperscale Data’s Assets and Operating Businesses Are Not Fully Reflected in the Company’s Market Valuation

LAS VEGAS, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hyperscale Data, Inc. (NYSE American: GPUS), an artificial intelligence (“AI”) data center company anchored by Bitcoin (“Hyperscale Data” or the “Company”), today announced that it plans to launch a 20-week business spotlight series, with a new press release expected to be issued each Monday morning, highlighting the Company’s businesses, subsidiaries, assets and strategic initiatives owned directly and through its wholly owned subsidiary, Ault Capital Group, Inc. (“ACG”).

Management believes that the market does not fully appreciate the scale and breadth of the platform Hyperscale Data has built, the operations it conducts through acquisitions, internal development and ongoing investment or its resulting long-term growth opportunities. Through this 20-week series, Hyperscale Data intends to provide investors, stockholders and the broader market with enhanced transparency into its business, including its AI data center strategy, Bitcoin treasury and digital asset initiatives, robotics platform, financial services, lending operations, market platforms, defense-related businesses, energy services and other strategic assets.

The Company expects that more consistent and detailed communication may assist investors in more fully evaluating Hyperscale Data as a diversified operating platform with multiple potential growth drivers.

Management has previously indicated that it believes the Company has the potential to generate between $180 million and $200 million in annual revenue across its operating businesses for its fiscal year 2026, based on current operations and internal estimates. These expectations are forward-looking, subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially.

The 20-week series is expected to highlight businesses and strategic initiatives across the Hyperscale Data ecosystem, including, among others:

Infrastructure, AI, Digital Asset Platform and Robotics

Hyperscale Data’s AI data center infrastructure and strategy;The Company’s Bitcoin treasury and digital asset strategy;Sentinum, Inc. and its Bitcoin mining operations;Omnipresent Robotics, LLC and robotics and data collection opportunities;Ault Blockchain and blockchain-related initiatives; andDigital asset market-making, decentralized finance and tokenization initiatives, including through strategic investments, partnerships and other arrangements.

Financial Services and Market Platforms

ACG and its financial services platform;Ault Lending, LLC and its private credit activities;Ault Markets, Inc. and financial technology initiatives;askROI, Inc. and AI-powered software solutions; andOnlyBulls and consumer financial technology offerings.

Industrial, Energy and Defense Operations

Gresham Worldwide, Inc. and its defense and mission-critical operations;TurnOnGreen, Inc. and its design and manufacturing of power products for mission-critical applications across defense, healthcare, industrial and other sectors; andCircle 8 Crane Services, LLC and energy services.

Additional operating subsidiaries, investments and strategic assets that management believes are important to understanding the overall enterprise may also be highlighted among this series of press releases.

Milton “Todd” Ault III, Executive Chairman of Hyperscale Data, stated, “We believe Hyperscale Data is not yet fully understood by the market. Over the last several years, we have assembled a broad operating platform spanning AI data centers, Bitcoin and digital assets, robotics, financial services, lending, market platforms and defense-related businesses. Through this spotlight series, we intend to provide greater transparency into our operations and strategy, and to help investors better understand how these businesses may contribute to our long-term growth objectives as they continue to scale and integrate.”

The Company reserves the right to either issue press releases of the kind described in this announcement on Monday afternoons in the event that management believes a different kind of press release must be issued on Monday mornings or not issue them for a particular Monday at all. Further, the Company reserves the right to terminate the 20-week spotlight series in its entirety at any time.

For more information on Hyperscale Data and its subsidiaries, Hyperscale Data recommends that stockholders, investors and any other interested parties read Hyperscale Data’s public filings and press releases available under the Investor Relations section at hyperscaledata.com or available at www.sec.gov.

About Hyperscale Data, Inc.

Through its wholly owned subsidiary Sentinum, Inc., Hyperscale Data owns and operates a data center at which it mines digital assets and offers colocation and hosting services for the emerging AI ecosystems and other industries. Hyperscale Data’s other wholly owned subsidiary, ACG, is a diversified holding company pursuing growth by acquiring undervalued businesses and disruptive technologies with a global impact.

Hyperscale Data currently expects the divestiture of ACG (the “Divestiture”) to occur in the second quarter of 2027. Upon the occurrence of the Divestiture, the Company would be an owner and operator of data centers to support high-performance computing services, as well as a holder of the digital assets. Until the Divestiture occurs, the Company will continue to provide, through ACG and its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries and strategic investments, mission-critical products that support a diverse range of industries, including an AI software platform, equipment rental services, defense/aerospace, industrial, automotive and hotel operations. In addition, ACG is actively engaged in private credit and structured finance through Ault Lending, LLC, a licensed lending subsidiary. Hyperscale Data’s headquarters are located at 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway, Suite 190, Las Vegas, NV 89141.

On December 23, 2024, the Company issued one million (1,000,000) shares of a newly designated Series F Exchangeable Preferred Stock (the “Series F Preferred Stock”) to all common stockholders and holders of the Series C Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis. The Divestiture will occur through the voluntary exchange of the Series F Preferred Stock for shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of ACG (collectively, the “ACG Shares”). The Company reminds its stockholders that only those holders of the Series F Preferred Stock who agree to surrender such shares, and do not properly withdraw such surrender, in the exchange offer through which the Divestiture will occur, will be entitled to receive the ACG Shares and consequently be shareholders of ACG upon the occurrence of the Divestiture.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “potential,” or similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. More information, including potential risk factors, that could affect the Company’s business and financial results are included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All filings are available at www.sec.gov and on the Company’s website at hyperscaledata.com.

 

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SOURCE Hyperscale Data Inc.

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