Connect with us

Technology

AgPlenus Launches Novel AI Model for Predicting Antifungal Potency, Expanding ChemPass AI for Ag™ Capabilities

Published

on

New AI model enables ChemPass AI for Ag™ to identify and prioritize antifungal molecules with a higher probability of biological success at early discovery stages

REHOVOT, Israel, July 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AgPlenus Ltd., a company developing novel, sustainable crop protection products and a subsidiary of Evogene Ltd. (NASDAQ: EVGN) (TASE: EVGN), today announced the launch of its Antifungal Potency Predictor (APP). This new machine learning model predicts the antifungal potency of small molecules directly from their chemical structures, expanding the capabilities of Evogene’s ChemPass AI for Ag™ platform by forecasting biological efficacy prior to chemical synthesis and fungal assay validation.

 

The global fungicide market is estimated at approximately $22[1] billion annually. Fungal diseases cause significant crop loss worldwide, resulting in tens of billions of dollars in economic damage each year and posing a growing threat to global food security[2]. Concurrently, the widespread and repetitive use of existing fungicides has accelerated the emergence of resistant fungal pathogens, diminishing the long-term efficacy of many commercial products. As resistance continues to spread, the agriculture industry faces an urgent need for novel fungicides with innovative modes of action (MoAs) and distinct chemical structures.

The APP model, developed using advanced machine learning algorithms trained on AgPlenus’ proprietary curated datasets, represents a significant milestone in the company’s AI-driven fungicide discovery capabilities. Building upon the proven success of the ChemPass AI for Ag™ platform in identifying novel crop protection targets and generating molecules with high target-protein affinity, the new model further extends these capabilities to predict the small molecule activity within the fungus itself.

By forecasting antifungal potency during the earliest discovery phases, the model enables highly informed decision-making prior to chemical synthesis and biological testing. This approach significantly reduces the number of molecules requiring experimental evaluation, focusing resources on candidates with the highest probability of downstream development success and accelerating the discovery of next-generation fungicides.

The launch of the APP model is expected to support and advance AgPlenus’ internal fungicide pipeline, which includes promising targets such as APTF-1. This target is designed to combat devastating global crop diseases, including Septoria Wheat Blotch. Additionally, the model is expected to contribute to planned pipeline expansions targeting other critical pathogens, such as Botrytis and Fusarium.

Beyond its immediate application in accelerating current and future product development, the APP model lays the groundwork for additional predictive AI models that AgPlenus and Evogene plan to co-develop, aiming to forecast other critical biological attributes throughout the crop protection discovery process.

Dr. Dan J. Gelvan, CEO of AgPlenus, commented: “In 2025, we demonstrated the power of the ChemPass AI for Ag™ platform to identify novel target proteins capable of overcoming resistance, as well as novel active small molecules combating devastating crop diseases like Septoria wheat blotch. Today, we are taking another major step forward with the launch of our Antifungal Potency Predictor. By enabling us to forecast antifungal potency directly from molecular structure, prior to chemical synthesis, the APP model allows us to identify and prioritize high-quality candidates at the earliest stages of discovery. I am excited to see this breakthrough model integrated into ChemPass AI for Ag™, further strengthening our ability to advance current and future product development programs.”

[1] Based on Company’s calculations.
[2] https://www.mpg.de/23545750/plants-fungal-diseases 

About Evogene Ltd.

Evogene Ltd. (NASDAQ: EVGN) (TASE: EVGN) is a pioneering company in computational chemistry specializing in the generative design of small molecules for drug development and ag-chemical products. At the core of its technology is ChemPass AI™ a proprietary generative AI designed to explore vast chemical space and generate novel, highly potent small molecules optimized across multiple critical parameters. Built on this powerful technological foundation, and through strategic partnerships alongside internal product development, Evogene is focused on products for the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries, driven by the integration of scientific innovation with real-world industry needs.

For more information, please visit www.evogene.com.

About AgPlenus Ltd.

AgPlenus, a subsidiary of Evogene, is a platform company designing effective and sustainable crop protection products. At AgPlenus, we are solving pesticide resistance by infusing the discovery process with predictive biology and artificial intelligence. AgPlenus leverages the ChemPass AI™ tech-engine, licensed by Evogene, to discover and bring to market effective and sustainable crop protection products. Our target-based approach allows us to reduce risk and increase efficiency, so that we can deliver on our promise to defeat global pesticide resistance.

For more information, please visit www.agplenus.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating to future events. These statements may be identified by words such as “may,” “could,” “expects,” “hopes,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “believes,” “scheduled,” “estimates,” “demonstrates”, “designed to,” “intended to,” “with the goal of,” or words of similar meaning. For example, Evogene and its subsidiaries use forward-looking statements in this press release when it discusses: the Antifungal Potency Predictor’s ability to forecast biological efficacy prior to chemical synthesis and fungal assay validation and to predict the small molecule activity within the fungus itself, the ability to reduce the number of molecules requiring experimental evaluation, focusing resources on candidates with the highest probability of downstream development success and accelerating the discovery of next-generation fungicides, the new model’s contribution to planned pipeline expansions and APP model ability to lay the groundwork for additional predictive AI models. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions, describe opinions about future events, involve certain risks and uncertainties which are difficult to predict and are not guarantees of future performance. Therefore, actual future results, performance or achievements of Evogene and its subsidiaries may differ materially from what is expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond the control of Evogene and its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, the aftermath of the recent war between Israel and each of (i) the terrorist groups, Hamas and Hezbollah, (ii) Iran, and (iii) other regional terrorist groups supported by Iran, and any potential destabilizations in Israel, neighboring territories or the Middle East region, and those risk factors contained in Evogene’s reports filed with the applicable securities authority. In addition, Evogene and its subsidiaries rely, and expect to continue to rely, on third parties to conduct certain activities, such as their and pre-clinical studies, and if these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties, comply with regulatory requirements or meet expected deadlines, Evogene and its subsidiaries may experience significant delays in the conduct of their activities. Evogene and its subsidiaries disclaim any obligation or commitment to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments or changes in expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions.

Investor Relations Contact:

ir@evogene.com
Tel: +972-8-9311901

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1947468/Evogene_Logo.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1334691/AgPlenus_Logo.jpg

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agplenus-launches-novel-ai-model-for-predicting-antifungal-potency-expanding-chempass-ai-for-ag-capabilities-302826355.html

SOURCE AgPlenus Ltd.

Continue Reading

Technology

10 WORKING DAYS TO READ: PRIVACY FINE PRINT BEHIND A FAMILY’S DIGITAL DAY MORE THAN SHAKESPEARE’S COMPLETE WORKS, NEW STUDY FINDS

Published

on

By

UK family would need about 83 hours, or 10.4 working days, to read 257 consumer privacy and terms documents linked to one ordinary day

ZURICH, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A UK family would need more than 10 full working days to read the privacy small print attached to the digital services and systems involved in one ordinary day, according to a new Web3 Foundation study.

The modelled family scenario involved 257 documents containing 1,184,835 words. That is about 83 hours of reading, or 10.4 eight-hour working days, and 34% more than the 884,647 words in William Shakespeare’s complete works.

The White Paper, Everyday Surveillance: What One Ordinary Day May Reveal About You, mapped six model households in the UK and US. Researchers identified 1,195 relevant consumer privacy and terms documents containing more than 5.38 million words.

Across 143 companies and institutions, 83% describe the ability to use personal data for marketing or advertising, 80% to combine it with other information, 71% to sharing with commercial partners and at least 24% have documents stating that user data may be used to train or improve AI or machine-learning systems.

The study does not claim to be a national survey or to describe the practices of every user. It examines documented capabilities and permissions across evidence-led model scenarios involving ordinary digital services and systems in the UK and US.

Gavin Wood, founder of Web3 Foundation, said: “We did what consumers are told to do: we read the privacy policies. For the modelled UK family, one ordinary day means more than ten working days of reading. None of this is hidden. Rather, it is disclosed, in public, in full, and at a volume that functions as concealment.”

Bill Laboon, Vice President of Technical Operations at Web3 Foundation, said: “What is striking is how much data may be generated around completely ordinary digital activity. The report raises the question of whether we can build services differently, for example, by allowing people to prove what is needed without routinely disclosing the underlying information.”

The White Paper and Technical Methodology: https://web3.foundation/insights/

Media enquiries: Tom Collins, tom@zebek.co.uk, +44 7904 496117

About Web3 Foundation: Web3 Foundation supports a fairer internet.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/10-working-days-to-read-privacy-fine-print-behind-a-familys-digital-day-more-than-shakespeares-complete-works-new-study-finds-302890851.html

Continue Reading

Technology

Envision Energy Accelerates the Evolution of Global Wind Technology with DNV Certification for TG Pro

Published

on

By

HAMBURG, Germany, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Envision Energy, a global leader in green technology, has received Type Certification from DNV for its TG Pro (EN-206/8.35 60 Hz) wind turbine, marking an important milestone in the collaboration between the two companies and further validating the technical maturity and market readiness of Envision’s next-generation wind turbine platform.

The certificate was presented during WindEnergy Hamburg 2026 by Mette Redanz, Vice President of Renewables Certification at DNV, and Yimin Lou, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer of Envision Energy. The ceremony underscored the role of independent certification and industry collaboration in supporting the development of advanced wind technologies.

Since its launch in 2024, the TG Pro (EN-206/8.35 60 Hz) has secured multiple orders in China and international markets and undergone extensive prototype and commercial validation. Built on Envision’s Model TG Pro platform, the turbine combines a high-performance turbine architecture, optimized aerodynamic design and intelligent control technologies to improve energy capture and generation efficiency across a broad range of wind conditions.

The TG Pro platform is also designed for long-term reliability, with strengthened key components and engineering solutions tailored to demanding operating environments. Its validation process has included component testing, digital-twin simulation, multi-site prototype operation and commercial deployment, providing a comprehensive basis for evaluating the turbine’s performance and reliability. The DNV Type Certification provides independent third-party confirmation that the turbine design meets applicable certification requirements.

“The continued advancement of our next-generation turbine portfolio is built on rigorous validation and real-world application.” said Yimin Lou, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer of Envision Energy, “The DNV certification of TG Pro further demonstrates the maturity of the platform and its readiness to serve customers across diverse international markets. As renewable power systems evolve, Envision will continue to advance intelligent, high-performance and reliable turbine technologies for Future Energy Systems, enabling renewable energy to deliver greater value at scale.”

“Independent certification provides an important foundation for confidence in wind turbine technology, helping manufacturers, developers and other stakeholders assess the performance, reliability and compliance of new turbine platforms. We are pleased to support Envision through the certification of TG Pro.” added Mette Redanz, Vice President of Renewables Certification at DNV.

Beyond TG Pro, Envision is also showcasing its broader wind turbine portfolio at WindEnergy Hamburg 2026. Its EN-156/5.0 MW platform has received a Provisional Type Certificate from Bureau Veritas. The certification process was completed in less than five months, providing independent third-party assessment of the platform’s design and technical capabilities as it moves toward broader commercial deployment.

Developed for the Asia-Pacific region, the EN-156/5.0 MW is being deployed at the Manar Wind Power Project in Sri Lanka, representing Envision’s first utility-scale wind turbine order in the country. Featuring a 110-meter hub height and enhanced anti-corrosion specifications, the turbine is designed for demanding coastal environments characterized by high salinity and humidity. The combination of international certification and real-world project deployment demonstrates the platform’s focus on reliability and environmental adaptability, supporting its application in Sri Lanka and other markets across the region.

Together, the two certification milestones demonstrate Envision’s continued focus on rigorous engineering, independent validation and market-specific product development. Through collaboration with leading international certification bodies and customers across diverse markets, Envision is advancing wind turbine technologies that combine performance, reliability and adaptability for the evolving global energy system.

– End –

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/envision-energy-accelerates-the-evolution-of-global-wind-technology-with-dnv-certification-for-tg-pro-302890895.html

SOURCE Envision Energy

Continue Reading

Technology

Alive App Raises $1 Million From Powerhouse Ventures and Flipkart Ventures to Accelerate India’s Experience Economy

Published

on

By

Experience-tech platform expands to six markets with 500+ experiences and 400+ creators

Targets 3X revenue growth in the next few months, as it seeks to make experiences a default part of urban India’s weekends

BENGALURU, India, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Alive App, India’s AI powered experience-tech platform for building and distributing new and unique experiences, has raised $1 million in a new funding round led by Powerhouse Ventures and Flipkart Ventures. The capital will support the company’s next phase of product and supply expansion as it works to make experiences a more frequent and habitual part of how urban Indians spend their leisure time.

The investment from Flipkart Ventures also creates opportunities for Alive App to explore synergies across the broader Flipkart ecosystem as it builds new pathways for consumer discovery, engagement and access to experiences at scale.

The new capital will be used to strengthen Alive App’s product and technology capabilities and accelerate the creation and availability of experiences across its existing markets. The company is targeting 3X revenue growth in the next few months and plans to focus on increasing the frequency with which consumers use Alive App, with the goal of making the platform a default companion for weekend discovery. The company has also achieved its first profitable quarter in Bengaluru, its first and largest market, as it continues to build density across cities.

Alive App is seeing this shift play out on its platform. The company is now present across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Goa, offering more than 500 experiences across categories including adventure, food, wellness, art, culture and learning. Its creator ecosystem has grown to over 400 creators and partners. Over the last six months, it has expanded into Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi, in addition to its presence in Goa. The company’s experience supply in the newly launched markets of Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Goa has grown five times faster than during its initial expansion phase, with Alive App now adding approximately 100 new experiences every month. The rapid expansion follows a broader shift in how consumers are spending their leisure time. According to Alive App’s platform data, more than 90% of bookings are for local experiences, with consumers increasingly choosing activities closer to home rather than treating experiences purely as part of travel.

The company’s growth reflects the evolution of India’s experience economy from an occasional, travel-led activity into a more regular part of urban consumption. Alive App’s platform combines technology with a curated and largely exclusive supply of experiences, working with creators to conceptualise, build and launch experiences rather than simply aggregating existing listings. With the latest round, Alive App’s focus shifts from establishing the category across individual cities to building the habit around it and making discovery of experiences as routine a part of the weekend as choosing a restaurant, watching a movie or planning a day out.

Supporting Quotes

Vivek Kumar, Founder & CEO, Alive App, said, “Over the last year, the biggest validation for us has been seeing how quickly experiences are being adopted as an upgrade to weekend plans in every city we enter. Mumbai and Chennai are growing much faster than Bengaluru did in its early months, while our supply in the newly launched cities has grown five times faster than in our initial expansion phase. We are now adding around 100 new experiences every month. The opportunity ahead is to make Alive App the default weekend companion for urban India, something people return to every week to discover what they want to do next.”

Kshitij Golwalkar, General Partner, Powerhouse Ventures, said, “Alive App stands out as one of the most differentiated and capital-efficient companies we have seen in this category. What is particularly compelling is how the team is using AI not only as a product feature, but across the business to rethink how consumer technology companies can be built, scaled and operated in India. We believe this combination of a strong consumer proposition, differentiated supply and an AI-led operating model gives Alive App the potential to be a leader in India’s rapidly growing experience economy.”

About Alive App

Alive App is an experience-tech platform focused on helping urban consumers discover and experience curated activities across adventure, food, wellness, art, culture, learning and more. The platform currently operates across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Goa, with 500+ experiences and 400+ creators and partners. Founded by Vivek Kumar, Alive App is building technology and supply infrastructure for India’s emerging experience economy.

Website: www.iamalive.app

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/alive-app-raises-1-million-from-powerhouse-ventures-and-flipkart-ventures-to-accelerate-indias-experience-economy-302891202.html

Continue Reading

Trending