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SandboxAQ Launches AQPotency, Bringing Ultrafast Virtual Screening to Drug Discovery Without a Solved Protein Structure

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PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SandboxAQ today announced the general availability of AQPotency, its Large Quantitative Model (LQM) for predicting how well a potential drug will work, now available on Claude via Model Context Protocol (MCP). For any disease target, AQPotency scores how strongly candidate molecules are likely to act on it, and it does this without the expensive, time-consuming lab work that older methods depend on. Drug discovery teams can now rank enormous libraries of molecules by computer in seconds, then spend their limited lab budgets only on the candidates most likely to succeed.

Early drug discovery is a high-stakes guessing game. Teams have to decide which molecules to test in the lab, and a wrong call can cost months of work and significant expense. The established computer methods for narrowing the field are slow and costly to run, and they only work when scientists already have a detailed structural map of the disease target. Many of the most valuable targets have no such map, so those methods never reach them, and promising programs stall before they start.

AQPotency clears that roadblock. It runs on ordinary computing hardware, ranks pairs of molecules and targets in seconds, and costs as little as $1 per 1,000 comparisons. For every prediction, it also reports how confident it is and whether the target falls within the range where the model performs reliably. Older tools give scientists a single score with no sense of its reliability. AQPotency tells them not only what it predicts, but when they can trust it, which makes the results something teams can act on.

AQPotency also works in the other direction. Starting with a single promising molecule, it scans a broad panel of proteins across the body and returns a ranked list of the ones it is most likely to act on. When a molecule shows a useful effect but no one yet knows why, this gives research teams a focused set of leads to test.

“SandboxAQ’s models have been very impactful for our work as we develop new treatments for Parkinson’s,” said Professor Dario R. Alessi, OBE, FMedSci, FRS, Director of the MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit at the University of Dundee. “These models enable us to explore a much larger biochemical space in a short timeframe and improve both activity and selectivity. SandboxAQ’s unique datasets and models stand out in the industry for their impact.”

“This collaboration with SandboxAQ highlights the power of combining advanced AI-enabled discovery with rigorous experimental validation to unlock novel opportunities against historically difficult membrane targets. By identifying selective SV2C binders from a broad commercial library, the work establishes a compelling foundation for the development of first-in-class small-molecule tools and future therapeutics aimed at Parkinson’s disease and other disorders of dopaminergic signaling,” said Dr. Gary W. Miller the Adrienne Block Professor of Environmental Health Sciences and the Vice Dean for Research Strategy and Innovation at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

Andrea Bortolato, Vice President of Drug Discovery, at SandboxAQ, said: “AQPotency has given us and our customers a faster, scalable and reliable way to prioritize compounds in the workflows we already run, without needing a 3D crystal structure of the target. This opens up programs that structure-based methods simply couldn’t reach. The confidence intervals make the output actionable for biopharma companies, and the model has already been successfully used in eight customer programs with experimentally validated impact.”

“What’s compelling about AQPotency is that it makes high-value discovery decisions faster and more practical,” said Robin Roehm, CEO and Co-Founder at Apheris, which offers federated data and AI networks for life science companies. “Researchers can prioritize the most promising compounds with greater confidence, focus experimental resources where they matter most, and expand discovery efforts to targets that have traditionally been harder to pursue.”

AQPotency is generally available today through Claude via MCP and SandboxAQ’s website, with availability on Google Cloud’s Marketplace to follow. Its general availability is paired with the GA on Claude and Claude Science of a second LQM, AQCat Adsorption Spin, for catalyst discovery.

About SandboxAQ

SandboxAQ is a B2B company delivering solutions at the intersection of AI and quantum techniques. The company’s Large Quantitative Models deliver critical advances in life sciences, financial services, navigation, and other sectors. SandboxAQ is an independent, growth backed company funded by leading investors and strategic partners including funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., Google, Alger, IQT, US Innovative Technology Fund, S32, Paladin Capital, BNP Paribas, Eric Schmidt, Breyer Capital, Ray Dalio, Marc Benioff, Thomas Tull, and others. For more information, visit www.sandboxaq.com.

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FGR advances carbon fibre commercialisation with Aeropreg agreement

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First Graphene enters Development and Commercialisation Agreement with global prepreg manufacturer Aeropreg to develop graphene-enhanced carbon fibre prepregThree-year agreement builds on positive results from First Graphene’s development work incorporating PureGRAPH® into carbon fibre compositesCollaboration combines PureGRAPH® and proprietary epoxy concentrates with Aeropreg’s established manufacturing and resin development capabilitiesFirst Graphene intends to progress the graphene-enhanced prepreg product towards commercial launch through Aeropreg’s existing sales channelsPartnership solidifies FGR’s pathway into the global carbon fibre reinforced plastics market, estimated to grow to US$43.7 billion by 2033

SYDNEY, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — First Graphene Limited (ASX: FGR; “First Graphene” or “the Company”) (FRA:M11) (OTCQB:FGPHF) has entered a three-year Development and Commercialisation Agreement with Turkish prepreg manufacturer, Aeropreg, to advance a PureGRAPH® enhanced carbon fibre prepreg towards commercialisation.

Under the three-year agreement, First Graphene’s proprietary epoxy concentrates will be used to optimise the incorporation of PureGRAPH® into Aeropreg’s existing carbon fibre prepreg manufacturing process.

Carbon fibre prepreg is a composite material that has been pre-infused with partially cured polymer resin and is often used to strengthen components used in aerospace, defence, automotives and sporting goods.

The development program will focus on achieving controlled and repeatable graphene loading within prepreg before validating the strength, durability, performance and manufacturability of the resulting material.

Subject to trial results, First Graphene and Aeropreg will advance the material towards commercial launch, leveraging Aeropreg’s existing sales channels across the aerospace, automotive, marine and sporting goods industries.

The new partnership represents the next stage in First Graphene’s strategy to convert its technical development in carbon fibre composites into commercial opportunities for PureGRAPH®.

It also follows First Graphene’s track record of positive results from customer development programs and grant-funded research on graphene-enhanced carbon fibre composites.

Securing a commercial prepreg solution and an experienced manufacturing partner is an essential step towards addressing defence, aerospace and automotive applications. Modern commercial aircraft make extensive use of carbon fibre prepreg in their airframes, for primary structures.

The collaboration aligns with First Graphene’s increased focus on the US market and its recent acquisition of MITO Materials, which expanded the Company’s composites technology and customer relationships in North America.

Importantly, Aeropreg has in-house resin development and testing capabilities, providing First Graphene with a manufacturing partner to advance this technology towards commercial production.

This agreement provides First Graphene with a potential pathway into the global carbon fibre reinforced plastics market, which is estimated to grow to the value of US$43.7 billion by 2033[1].

About Aeropreg

Aeropreg manufactures and supplies prepreg composite materials, including carbon, glass, aramid and basalt fibre prepregs, for aerospace, automotive, marine, sporting goods, medical and wind energy applications. The company offers customised material solutions and technical support to meet customers’ specific requirements.

Aeropreg’s research and development capabilities include developing and refining resin systems, supported by in-house chemical, physical, thermal and mechanical testing.

Aeropreg is a subsidiary of Spinteks. According to Aeropreg, its prepreg production operates under AS9100 aerospace quality management certification. In June 2026, Spinteks was added to the Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ) Approved Supplier List for composite manufacturing, with Aeropreg carrying out prepreg production within the group.[2]

First Graphene Managing Director and CEO, Michael Bell, said:

“The new partnership with Aeropreg represents an important step in progressing our carbon fibre development work towards commercialisation in key industries such as aerospace and defence.

We have built considerable knowledge around incorporating PureGRAPH® into composite materials and the next step was to combine that expertise with an established manufacturer capable of producing and taking a product to market.

Aeropreg brings extensive prepreg manufacturing and resin development capabilities, as well as established global sales channels across a number of high-value industries.

Our immediate focus will be on successfully validating the material within Aeropreg’s manufacturing process, with the longer-term objective of establishing another commercial route to market for PureGRAPH®.”

-Ends-

This announcement has been approved by the Chairman.

References

 

SOURCE First Graphene Limited

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Oracle Announces $10 Million Partnership with the Nashville Symphony

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The investment will allow Music City’s orchestra to reinstate its 2026-27 season and recall furloughed musicians and staff

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Oracle today announced that it is investing $10 million and creating a strategic partnership to help sustain the Nashville Symphony and keep the music playing as the organization restructures. Oracle’s support will help the Nashville Symphony address its immediate financial needs, move forward with its 2026-27 season, and bring its musicians and staff back to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

“Oracle’s commitment is a lifeline for the Nashville Symphony and the community we serve,” said Mark Tillinger, president and CEO, Nashville Symphony. “Oracle’s partnership gives us the ability to bring our musicians and our music back to the stage, and it gives us momentum as we build toward a stronger, more sustainable long-term future. We’re immensely grateful for Oracle’s belief in the Nashville Symphony.”

“It’s an extraordinary relief to be able to welcome a new corporate partner to arts philanthropy in Nashville,” said Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell. “Oracle’s generosity ensures that the upcoming season will not be lost. For years, the Nashville Symphony has entertained fans—including me—and it’s encouraging to see the steps its new leadership is taking to ensure that remains true for years to come.”

The partnership enables the Symphony to reinstate the 2026-27 season along with its full-time staff members and all members of the orchestra who were to be furloughed on Oct. 18 due to a financial emergency.

“Nashville is a city that understands how music can bring people together,” said Clay Magouyrk, CEO, Oracle. “We are part of this community and understand how important cultural institutions like this are to the residents of Nashville. As Oracle builds its new headquarters on Nashville’s East Bank, we are here to help solve the community’s problems and ensure Nashville remains a vibrant place to live and work for generations to come.”

About the Nashville Symphony
The Nashville Symphony inspires and engages audiences across Middle Tennessee with extraordinary live orchestral music experiences. Founded in 1946, the Symphony is celebrated for its commitment to contemporary American orchestral music, innovative programming across genres, and a prolific recording legacy, earning 14 GRAMMY® Awards and 27 nominations. Today, the Symphony performs in the world-class, acoustically superb Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and reaches nearly 550,000 Middle Tennesseans annually through its free and low-cost education and community programs. Globally, the orchestra connects with almost 13 million listeners worldwide through its recordings, broadcasts, and streaming activities. The Nashville Symphony is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching its community and inspiring the next generation of music lovers. Learn more at nashvillesymphony.org.

About Oracle
Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com.

Trademarks
Oracle, Java, MySQL, and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company—ushering in the new era of cloud computing.

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Tigerair Taiwan Expands Its Network With New Connected Travel Platform, Powered by Dohop

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With Scoot as its first airline partner, tigerhop expands Dohop’s footprint in Asia and adds new network capacity and destinations for Taiwan’s leading low-cost carrier.

REYKJAVÍK, Iceland, Oct. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dohop, the travel technology company creating a new standard for Connected Travel that works beyond traditional interline, has announced a new partnership with Tigerair Taiwan to deploy the Dohop-powered tigerhop platform, now live on the airline’s retail channels. Through the initial partnership with Scoot, Singapore Airlines’ low-cost subsidiary, Tigerair Taiwan customers will have more options for travel within Asia, specifically across North Asia routes and new connections to Singapore, all bookable in a single transaction.

Tigerhop, powered by Dohop’s RetailConnect platform, allows Tigerair Taiwan to sell multi-carrier journeys that combine its own flights with onward services operated by partner airlines. At launch, tigerhop will offer connections from Taipei and Da Nang to Singapore via Scoot, and travelers departing from Singapore can transfer at Taoyuan International Airport to other destinations, including Akita, Hanamaki, and Tottori.

“Tigerair Taiwan demonstrates how airlines can use Connected Travel to expand their network without the cost and complexity of bilateral interlining,” said Hugh Aitken, Chief Operating Officer at Dohop. “Launching tigerhop with Scoot gives Taiwanese travellers access to more destinations through Tigerair Taiwan’s own channels, while enabling the airline to capture bookings that might otherwise go to OTAs. With additional carriers joining the platform in the coming months, tigerhop also marks an important expansion of Dohop’s presence in Asia.”

For Tigerair Taiwan, the partnership adds connections with other carriers without complex interline or codeshare agreements, expanding its commercial reach with minimal technical investment. By selling these itineraries through tigerhop under its own brand, the airline can compete more effectively with online travel agents while giving passengers access to Dohop’s ConnectSure disruption support and travel protection services.

“Working with Dohop, we can grow our international reach without traditional interline structures while maintaining our brand promise to our passengers,” said Joyce Huang, Chairperson of Tigerair Taiwan. “We look forward to partnering with new carriers and expanding our coverage in the APAC region through Dohop’s technology.”

The Tigerair Taiwan launch extends Dohop’s presence across Asia, where its platforms are already live for Scoot, Thai Vietjet, Citilink and Air India Express, with others in development. These deployments reflect growing demand among Asian carriers for flexible connectivity that can integrate into existing retail channels without individual codeshare or bilateral interline agreements, supporting the industry’s broader move toward modular, multi-carrier connectivity and modern retailing.

For more information about the partnership between Dohop and Tigerair Taiwan, or to arrange an interview with a Dohop executive, please contact Vanessa Horwell at vhorwell@thinkinkpr.com.

About Dohop 
Dohop enables connected journeys from booking through arrival, combining flights and travel segments from multiple airlines and travel providers into a single trip supported by disruption handling, travel protection, and baggage transfer. More than 100 airlines and travel partners, including Air France, Air Transat, easyJet, Scoot, Vueling and Wizz Air, use Dohop’s Connected Travel platform to create, sell, and support multi-carrier journeys without traditional interline agreements, expanding network connectivity and route options as participation grows. Visit www.dohop.com/airlines to learn more.

About Tigerair Taiwan
Tigerair Taiwan launched its first route in 2014. As Taiwan’s first and only low-cost carrier (LCC), it operates routes across Asia, providing travelers with affordable, reliable, and convenient options. Focusing on a warm, passionate, and genuine service while upholding safety as its core value, Tigerair Taiwan continues to expand its footprint and add more destinations in Asia. Learn more at www.tigerairtw.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tigerair-taiwan-expands-its-network-with-new-connected-travel-platform-powered-by-dohop-302896382.html

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