Connect with us

Technology

Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation’s Diagnostics Accelerator (DxA) Partners with Siemens Healthineers to License DxA’s SpeechDx Dataset, Gold-Standard Dataset for Alzheimer’s Speech Biomarkers

Published

on

Siemens is the first of many partners to non-exclusively license SpeechDx’s speech and clinical dataset with the goal of developing a speech-based biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease.

NEW YORK, May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)‘s Diagnostics Accelerator (DxA) today announced a new partnership with Siemens Healthineers to license the DxA’s SpeechDx dataset. SpeechDx, DxA’s most sizeable investment to date, was launched in 2023 as a study aimed at creating the largest longitudinal dataset consisting of harmonized speech and biomarker data to help accelerate the detection, diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease. Under the agreement, Siemens will license the SpeechDx dataset to develop speech-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease.

“We have long known that Alzheimer’s pathology can appear 20-30 years before symptoms arise, creating an opportunity to detect and intervene earlier on in the disease progression,” said Howard Fillit, MD, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at the ADDF. “Previous research suggests subtle changes in speech can be one of the earliest indicators of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s, and our partnership with Siemens represents the first of many collaborations that will utilize SpeechDx dataset to identify a new class of speech-based biomarkers and digital tools for Alzheimer’s.”

This cutting-edge initiative provides researchers with rigorously collected longitudinal speech, clinical, and biomarker data – allowing scientists to identify speech-based biomarkers and develop novel diagnostic and prognostic tools for Alzheimer’s.

“The earlier we identify the prospect of life-altering degenerative diseases, the greater impact we can potentially have on patients and their families’ lives. Predicting Alzheimer’s disease at the earliest possible stage with speech analysis and laboratory testing is untapped potential. The limitation to achieving this milestone has been access to large cohorts of ethically sourced patient data that might provide clues about how early we may be able to predict patients’ degeneration. Through this collaborative agreement, we can explore what opportunities may be possible for earlier detection,” said Arejas J. Uzgiris, PhD, neurology innovation lead and head of the Center for Innovation in Diagnostics for North America at Siemens Healthineers.

SpeechDx serves as the gold-standard dataset for developing diagnostic and prognostic speech-based biomarkers that may signal Alzheimer’s at its earliest stages. The DxA recognized a critical gap in the data fueling the high-potential field of speech diagnostics for Alzheimer’s, establishing SpeechDx as a unified speech dataset for industry, biotech, and academic leaders to accelerate development of speech biomarkers.

Speech data is collected in a standardized fashion via a custom speech app, while clinical and biomarker data come from different partner clinical sites and are harmonized before they are shared with partners via the AD Data Initiative’s AD Workbench. The SpeechDx dataset may inform new diagnostics, with biomarkers detecting decline as early as possible, or may provide insights into prognostics to predict future cognitive decline.

“The SpeechDx dataset has the potential to transform the fight against Alzheimer’s by harnessing the power of speech and digital voice-based biomarkers, opening up new possibilities for earlier disease detection, and progression monitoring,” said Niranjan Bose, Managing Director, Health and Life Sciences at Gates Ventures. “This partnership with Siemens underscores our shared commitment to accelerating Alzheimer’s screening and diagnostics, and we are excited for the progress we can achieve together in the coming years.” 

SpeechDx’s dataset includes approximately 2,000 participants recruited from eight clinical sites, with speech collected in three languages (English, Spanish, and Catalan). Each study participant is deeply characterized, including by medical history and demographic data and by longitudinal Alzheimer’s blood-based biomarker and neuropsychological testing and MRI imaging. SpeechDx collects data from each participant for three years to track potential cognitive decline. While SpeechDx participants range from participants with normal cognition to participants with mild Alzheimer’s, most participants are cognitively normal or at earliest stages of decline. SpeechDx is on track to complete data collection in 2028 and will release data to partners in batches, starting in 2025.

“Validation of speech as a digital biomarker has the potential to transform how we diagnose and predict Alzheimer’s disease,” said Rhoda Au, PhD, MBA, Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Principal Investigator of the SpeechDx clinical site at Boston University, and recipient of the 2023 Melvin R. Goodes Prize for Excellence in Alzheimer’s Drug Development. “Speech recordings are easily attainable with the widespread and low-cost use of microphones from everyday sources like cell phones, computers, and other electronic devices – leading to greater accessibility to screenings for Alzheimer’s. Combining cognitive assessments, patient demographic information, and speech data may provide a more comprehensive diagnostic and prognostic method of screening for Alzheimer’s.”

About The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)
Founded in 1998 by Leonard A. and Ronald S. Lauder, the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation is dedicated to rapidly accelerating the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer’s disease. The ADDF is the only public charity solely focused on funding the development of drugs for Alzheimer’s, employing a venture philanthropy model to support research in academia and the biotech industry. The ADDF’s leadership and contributions to the field have played a pivotal role in bringing the first Alzheimer’s PET scan (Amyvid®) and blood test (PrecivityAD®) to market, as well as fueling the current robust and diverse drug pipeline. Through the generosity of its donors, the ADDF has awarded more than $370 million to fund 765 Alzheimer’s drug discovery programs, biomarker programs and clinical trials in 21 countries. To learn more, please visit: http://www.alzdiscovery.org/.

About the Diagnostics Accelerator (DxA)
The Diagnostics Accelerator, created in July 2018, is a $100 million global research initiative from partners including ADDF Co-Founder Leonard A. Lauder, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, MacKenzie Scott, the Dolby family, the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, among others, to develop novel biomarkers for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

This research initiative is dedicated to accelerating the development of affordable and accessible biomarkers to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and advance the clinical development of more targeted treatments. Through translational research awards and access to consulting support from industry experts, this program will challenge, assist and fund the research community in both academia and industry to develop novel peripheral and digital biomarkers.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alzheimers-drug-discovery-foundations-diagnostics-accelerator-dxa-partners-with-siemens-healthineers-to-license-dxas-speechdx-dataset-gold-standard-dataset-for-alzheimers-speech-biomarkers-302444400.html

SOURCE Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

SK hynix Begins Mass Production of 192GB SOCAMM2 ‘Setting a New Standard for AI Server Memory Performance’

Published

on

By

–     Mass production of 192GB high capacity products designed for the NVIDIA Vera Rubin platform
–     Maximizes power efficiency by featuring high density DRAM based on the latest 1cnm process
–     Company to closely collaborate with NVIDIA to solve bottlenecks in AI infrastructure and provide optimal performance

SEOUL, South Korea, April 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SK hynix Inc. (or “the company”, www.skhynix.com) announced today that it has begun mass production of the 192GB SOCAMM2, a next-generation memory module standard based on the 1cnm process (sixth-generation of the 10-nanometer technology) LPDDR5X low-power DRAM.

SOCAMM2[1] is a module that adapts low-power memory – which was previously used mainly in mobile products like smartphones – for server environments. It is designed to be a primary memory solution for next-generation AI servers.

[1]SOCAMM2 (Small Outline Compression Attached Memory Module 2): An AI server–optimized memory module based on LPDDR. It offers a slim form factor and high scalability, while its compression connector enhances signal integrity and allows for easy module replacement

SK hynix emphasized that the 1cnm based SOCAMM2 product that is now in mass production delivers more than double the bandwidth with over 75% improved power efficiency compared to conventional RDIMM[2], providing an optimized solution for high performance AI operations.

[2]RDIMM (Registered Dual In-Line Memory Module): DRAM module for server/workstation that includes a register or buffer chip to relay address and command signals between the memory controller and DRAM chip in a memory module

In particular, the company noted that its SOCAMM2 products are designed for NVIDIA Vera Rubin platform.

SK hynix expects the new SOCAMM2 product will fundamentally resolve the memory bottlenecks encountered during the training and inference of large language model (LLM) with hundreds of billions of parameters, thereby playing a pivotal role in dramatically accelerating the processing speed of the overall system.

The company stated that with the AI market shifting focus from inference to training, SOCAMM2 is gaining significant attention as a next-generation memory solution capable of operating LLMs with low power consumption. To meet the demands of its global Cloud Service Provider (CSP) customers, SK hynix has not only been providing a supply portfolio, but also stabilized its mass production system early on.

“By supplying the 192GB SOCAMM2, SK hynix has established a new standard for AI memory performance,” Justin Kim, President & Head of AI Infra (CMO, Chief Marketing Officer) at SK hynix said. “We will solidify our position as the most trusted AI memory solution provider, through close collaboration with our global AI customers.”

About SK hynix Inc.

SK hynix Inc., headquartered in Korea, is the world’s top-tier semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips (“DRAM”) and flash memory chips (“NAND flash”) for a wide range of distinguished customers globally. The Company’s shares are traded on the Korea Exchange, and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Further information about SK hynix is available at www.skhynix.com, news.skhynix.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sk-hynix-begins-mass-production-of-192gb-socamm2–setting-a-new-standard-for-ai-server-memory-performance-302746711.html

SOURCE SK hynix Inc.

Continue Reading

Technology

EBANX announces expansion into four Southeast Asian countries and Turkey, unlocking a USD 610 billion digital market

Published

on

By

Following the inauguration of its Asia-Pacific Headquarters in Singapore, EBANX brings its payments infrastructure to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Turkey, opening access to more than 380 million consumers for global merchants

SINGAPORE, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — EBANX, a global technology company specializing in cross-border payment services for emerging markets, today announced it will begin operating in five new countries: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Turkey. With this expansion, EBANX will have integrated payment methods across seven economies in Asia, including India and the Philippines. Combined, they represent a USD 610 billion opportunity in digital commerce and more than 1.1 billion consumers, according to data from Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI) and World Data Lab (WDL) analyzed by EBANX. The five new markets alone account for 57% of that volume and 386 million of those consumers — whose spending is projected to grow 97% over the next decade, faster than regions like Europe, the US, and Canada, per WDL data featured in EBANX’s Beyond Borders 2026 study.

EBANX’s announcement follows a series of milestones in the region: the inauguration of its Asia-Pacific Headquarters in Singapore, a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and the appointment of Eduardo de Abreu as Chief Product Officer (CPO) and regional CEO of EBANX Singapore.

“Asia is where the world’s fastest-growing consumer base is, and also where some of the most ambitious digital companies are headquartered,” said João Del Valle, Co-founder and CEO of EBANX. “Our investment in the region allows us to be closer to both. Global companies need local payment infrastructure to reach Asian consumers, and Asian companies need that same expertise to sell internationally. The opportunity runs in both directions.”

Among the five new EBANX’s additions, Vietnam is the fastest-growing digital commerce market, with a 22% compound annual rate through 2027, according to PCMI projections — rising from USD 36 billion to USD 44 billion. The others are not far behind. Indonesia will expand 19% over the same period, from USD 106 billion to USD 125 billion. Turkey’s 15% growth takes it from USD 123 billion to USD 142 billion. Malaysia and Thailand round out the group at 16% and 15%, respectively.

As global merchants look to diversify beyond established markets like the U.S., Europe, Brazil, and Mexico, cross-border demand in these economies is already waiting for them: international transactions account for 30% of e-commerce volume in Thailand and Malaysia, and 28% in the Philippines.

EBANX’s operations in Indonesia, Thailand, and Turkey are already available to merchants, with Malaysia and Vietnam set to follow in the next quarter. These operations will be fully supported by EBANX’s APAC HQ in Singapore.

A region that skipped the card era

Southeast Asia’s payment landscape is structurally distinct from other emerging markets. EBANX’s new countries of payment operations largely bypassed card infrastructure entirely, going from cash straight to e-wallets and account-to-account (A2A) transfers. Combined, those two methods account for 65% of e-commerce in Thailand, 61% in Indonesia, 50% in the Philippines, 35% in Malaysia, and 21% in Vietnam, according to PCMI.

“This did not happen by accident,” explained Eduardo de Abreu, Chief Product Officer and regional CEO of EBANX Singapore. “Southeast Asia has one of the youngest, most digitally fluent consumer populations in the world. Many of them got their first smartphone before they ever had a bank account, and certainly before they had a credit card. Digital wallets and instant transfers solved a real problem for a generation that was already living online.”

According to WDL data analysed by EBANX, Southeast Asia and India are the only regions where Generation Z holds the largest share of online spending across all verticals, at 27%. Elsewhere in Asia, Generation X leads at 30% — nearly double Gen Z’s 18% share.

How to reach local consumers

That payment landscape has become a barrier for global companies looking to scale in the region. According to an EBANX survey with its merchants, its fragmentation and low card usage often lead to performance issues that prevent them from reaching local consumers.

“The global companies we talk to about Southeast Asia are no longer asking about the region’s potential; they are asking how to unlock that potential and achieve high conversion rates,” said Abreu. “Our APAC Headquarters in Singapore gives us the regulatory anchor and the operational proximity to build country-by-country solutions that actually convert. We have been working toward this expansion for years, and the infrastructure is ready.”

Considering the seven Asian countries in EBANX’s portfolio, the company will have integrated more than 20 payment methods across the region. Among them are some of the most widely used alternative payment methods in each market, such as digital wallets and account-to-account (A2A) transactions—like bank transfers and QR-based paymentsas well as credit and debit cards.

ABOUT EBANX

EBANX is the leading technology platform connecting global businesses to the world’s fastest-growing digital markets. Founded in 2012 in Brazil, EBANX was built with a mission to expand access to international digital commerce. Leveraging proprietary technology, deep market expertise, and robust infrastructure, the platform enables global businesses to offer hundreds of local payment methods and streamline cross-border payments across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. With a global footprint, it established a technology and regulatory headquarters in Singapore in 2026. More than just payments, EBANX drives growth, enhances sales, and delivers seamless purchase experiences for businesses and end users alike.

For further information, please visit:
Website: https://www.ebanx.com/en/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ebanx

Media Contact:
Shan Huang
shan.huang@ahgstrategies.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/ebanx-announces-expansion-into-four-southeast-asian-countries-and-turkey-unlocking-a-usd-610-billion-digital-market-302745701.html

SOURCE EBANX

Continue Reading

Technology

Agoda Report Highlights Opportunities for Japanese Hoteliers to Capture Asia’s Travelers as Only 34% Reach Advanced Localization

Published

on

By

Insights from Agoda’s latest report highlight how moving beyond basic localization can drive stronger revenue outcomes as Japan sees rising intra-Asia travel demand

SINGAPORE, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda, in its latest deep dive report “Tailored to Win: Mastering Localization to Capture Asia’s Travelers in Japan“, reveals opportunities for Japanese hotels to capture more value from Asia’s fast-growing travel demand, with only 34% of properties having progressed beyond basic localization strategies.

Among surveyed properties, 71% of hotels at early stages of localization report positive revenue outcomes, compared to all hotels that have implemented more advanced localization, showing that while early efforts are delivering results, a more holistic approach maximizes commercial outcomes.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the market welcomed over 42 million international visitors in 2025, a 16% year-on-year increase, with Asian travelers accounting for over 80% of all arrivals.[1]  With such a high concentration of regional travelers, tailored strategies are becoming essential for hotels looking to better capture Japan’s Asian visitor market.

Agoda’s report highlights that with around 7 in 10 visitors coming from just five key Asian markets (South Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand), hotels need to move beyond one-size-fits-all strategies and tailor their offerings to the distinct preferences of each market, whether through localized digital payment options, language support or culturally relevant on-site experiences. Hotels that adopt this more integrated approach are already seeing results, with around 80% of surveyed hoteliers reporting improvements in bookings.

“Only 34% of hotels have reached advanced stages of localization today with real opportunity lying in accelerating these efforts across the guest experience,” said Tadashi Ikai, Senior Country Director for Japan at Agoda. “By closing gaps across payments, language, and cultural understanding, hotels can better connect with Japan’s highly concentrated Asian traveler base and turn this into a sustained competitive advantage.”

Despite the potential results, Japanese hotels face several challenges in advancing localization efforts. According to the report, hoteliers cite limitations in payment integrations and marketing resources (each at 51%) as key barriers, alongside gaps in foreign language capabilities and awareness of cultural norms (each at 49%). These constraints continue to slow the adoption of more advanced, market-specific strategies.

As Japan’s tourism landscape becomes increasingly shaped by regional travel, the ability to deliver culturally attuned and localized guest experiences is becoming a key differentiator. To help partners navigate these challenges, Agoda’s report includes targeted “Quick Wins” based on traveler motivations:

South Korean Travelers: Seeks cultural exploration and unique local experiencesChinese Travelers: Spends more on experiences such as dining and activities rather than accommodationTaiwanese Travelers: Strongly motivated by culinary exploration and wellness experiencesHong Kong Travelers: Frequent, tech-savvy repeat visitors who value flexibility and convenienceThai Travelers: Often travel in families and favor budget-conscious, short-haul getaways

Agoda’s digital suite for localization draws on a global network of over 6 million diverse accommodations across markets, enabling partners to better align their offerings with the preferences of different traveler segments. With support for 39 languages, multi-currency payment options, and 24/7 customer support, Agoda helps hotels deliver more seamless and locally relevant experiences. Dedicated programs such as the Agoda Growth Program for visibility in priority markets, country-specific promotions and Agoda Media Solutions for native-language campaigns further support partners in localizing effectively. Through Agoda’s platform and expertise, hotels can overcome barriers, reach new segments and optimize their returns from international demand.

To explore how practical localization tips and actionable insights can help hotels capture more value from Asia’s diverse traveler base, download the full report at https://ago-da.co/4bAITjm.

[1] Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) (2025), “Tourism Statistics Database – Inbound Travel to Japan (Annual Data 2025).”
Available at: https://www.tourism.jp/en/tourism-database/stats/inbound/

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/agoda-report-highlights-opportunities-for-japanese-hoteliers-to-capture-asias-travelers-as-only-34-reach-advanced-localization-302739301.html

SOURCE Agoda

Continue Reading

Trending