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Playground Global Deepens Partnership with Taiwan to Accelerate the Next Generation of Computing

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From memory and power to photonics, packaging and beyond, Playground portfolio companies announce new technology and deepen their roots in Taiwan

TAIPEI, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Playground Global, the leading deep tech venture capital firm, today highlighted new technology, funding and commercial milestones across its portfolio at its second annual Taiwan Deep Tech Summit, underscoring Taiwan’s essential role in bringing breakthrough technologies from idea to prototype to production at scale.

The Summit includes a dinner co-hosted with Foxconn Chairman Young Liu, reflecting a longstanding partnership between Playground and Foxconn and a shared commitment to Taiwan’s technology ecosystem.

“Taiwan is where the world’s most ambitious technologies become real products at scale,” said Pat Gelsinger, General Partner at Playground Global. “Its precision, pace and technical excellence make it an indispensable partner to deep tech founders building the next era of computing. We are proud to be back for a second year and to deepen the ties between Playground’s companies and Taiwan’s extraordinary ecosystem.”

Taiwan has become a critical backbone of the global technology industry as demand for AI-related semiconductors accelerates. Its ecosystem across semiconductors, advanced packaging and precision manufacturing is increasingly central to the next era of AI and advanced computing.

“AI, quantum and cryogenic computing are transforming every layer of the stack, changing how we build and deliver computation and how we live,” said Peter Barrett, General Partner at Playground Global. “Taiwan is where computing becomes physical, placing it at the center of an extraordinary opportunity to build new companies and industries.”

Playground Launches a New Company in Taiwan as Portfolio Companies Announce Breakthroughs and Partnerships

Nagare Labs – New AI Memory Technology Launches in Taiwan

Nagare Labs launches in Taiwan, unveiling a new memory technology that combines density and speed, promising to make AI compute systems more fluidic, responsive, and economically scalable. Nagare Labs is founded by Georgia Tech’s Dr. Suman Datta and Dr. Shimeng Yu, two of the most accomplished semiconductor researchers with a track record of creating groundbreaking and commercially successful semiconductor logic and memory technologies. Nagare Labs’ memory technology is built on silicon compatible manufacturing processes rather than exotic materials, using the same manufacturing processes that Taiwan already does better than anywhere on Earth.

Syenta – Taiwan Debut: First Full-Wafer Demonstration

Syenta is unveiling its first full-wafer demonstration of its Localized Electrochemical Manufacturing (LEM) process, an important milestone toward scaling the technology for advanced packaging. The demonstration shows stamp-based, localized copper deposition across a full wafer. Each deposition takes only a few minutes and requires no conventional lithography, pointing to a significantly simpler and faster way to manufacture high-resolution copper interconnects. The same platform is designed to scale from wafers to large-area panels, supporting Syenta’s roadmap toward high-volume advanced packaging manufacturing.

Ayar Labs – Hsinchu Office Opening, $650 million in recent funding

Ayar Labs is advancing co-packaged optics to move data with light rather than electricity, helping remove the bandwidth, latency, and power constraints that limit large-scale AI infrastructure. The company is reinforcing its commitment to Taiwan with its Hsinchu office now open, supporting the co-packaged optics manufacturing and packaging ecosystem in Taiwan. This builds on a year in which Ayar Labs, a Playground unicorn valued at $3.75 billion, raised $650 million, including strategic investments from Taiwan’s Wiwynn and MediaTek.”

Powerlattice – Industry’s First Power Chiplet Demonstration

Powerlattice has demonstrated the industry’s first monolithic integrated voltage regulator (IVR) chiplet under conditions designed to emulate the wide-ranging loads and rapid changes in power demand of next-generation AI accelerators. By bringing the final stage of power delivery closer to the processor, Powerlattice aims to reduce energy loss and ease a growing constraint on AI performance: the power wall. Its chiplet integrates the controller, power transistors and on-die magnetic film inductors in a configurable design that can be tailored to individual accelerators or synchronized arrays. The company says its technology can reduce total compute power needs by more than 50%, helping data centers get more performance from available power.

PicoJool – $27.5 Million to Scale Optical Connectivity for AI

PicoJool, a pioneer in optical connectivity for AI infrastructure, is scaling its optical connectivity products and strengthening ties across Taiwan’s semiconductor ecosystem in response to increased microVCSEL demand. The company raised $27.5 million in a Series A led by Socratic Partners, with participation from Hudson River Trading, bringing total funding to $39.5 million. The round followed PicoJool’s June unveiling of its 200G VCSEL and MicroVCSEL product family for scale-up AI data centers. Its 200G products exceed 37 GHz of bandwidth, while its portfolio gives customers multiple paths to 1.6T connectivity.

Snowcap – Power Efficient Superconducting Devices for AI

Snowcap, which is developing superconducting computing for AI, with circuits that can compute using minimal energy and carry current with no electrical resistance, has demonstrated functioning superconducting devices on 300mm wafers manufactured on foundry CMOS process, with results showing the technology is ready to scale toward higher-density, larger digital designs. Snowcap’s goal is to bring the power needed for large-scale AI down from gigawatts to megawatts, and the milestone is a key step toward that.

Playground’s continued engagement with Taiwan reflects a shared commitment to building the technologies that will define the next generation of computing. By pairing breakthrough deep tech innovation with Taiwan’s capabilities in semiconductors, advanced packaging and manufacturing, Playground and its portfolio companies are helping accelerate a more powerful, efficient and resilient technology future.

About Playground Global

Playground Global is a deep tech venture capital firm with $1.7 billion under management, backing companies tackling foundational challenges in next-generation compute, industrial transformation, and engineered biology. Founded in 2015 and based in Palo Alto, Playground partners closely with technical and scientific founders to turn breakthrough ideas into enduring companies. The firm’s portfolio includes Agility Robotics, Ayar Labs, d-Matrix, Manifold Bio, MosaicML (acquired by Databricks), PsiQuantum, Strand Therapeutics and Ultima Genomics. Learn more at www.playground.vc

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SOURCE Playground Global

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CHIME and ScaleHealth Announce Joint Venture to Expand Healthcare’s Innovation Ecosystem

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ScaleHealth, powered by CHIME, creates new pathways connecting healthcare leaders, innovators, technology partners, and investors to accelerate the future of digital health.

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) today announced a strategic joint venture with ScaleHealth, Inc. to create ScaleHealth, powered by CHIME, LLC, a new innovation ecosystem designed to connect healthcare’s most pressing challenges with the innovators, leaders, organizations, and partners capable of solving them. By combining CHIME’s trusted digital health community with ScaleHealth’s expansive innovation ecosystem, the venture creates a unique environment where healthcare organizations, entrepreneurs, established technology companies, and investors can discover, connect, validate, and advance the ideas shaping the future of healthcare.

For 35 years, CHIME has evolved alongside the digital health leaders it serves. What began as a community centered on healthcare CIOs has grown into a global network of digital health leaders supported through education, events, research, policy initiatives, media platforms, executive collaboration, and professional communities. The creation of ScaleHealth, powered by CHIME represents the next chapter in that evolution, expanding CHIME’s ecosystem to include the innovators, entrepreneurs, and emerging technology companies helping define what comes next in healthcare.

As healthcare organizations face increasing pressure to improve outcomes, strengthen operations, address workforce challenges, improve cybersecurity, and realize the promise of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, the need for stronger connections across the innovation ecosystem has never been greater. ScaleHealth, powered by CHIME was created to help build those connections.

“CHIME has spent 35 years bringing together the leaders responsible for solving healthcare’s most important technology and transformation challenges,” said Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME. “As the pace of innovation continues to accelerate, we have an opportunity to expand that trusted community even further. ScaleHealth, powered by CHIME, extends our ecosystem to include entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and emerging technology companies so that healthcare leaders can engage earlier, collaborate more effectively, and help shape the innovations that will define the future of healthcare.”

The opportunity emerged through CHIME’s growing innovation programming, particularly its Innovation Summit series, where healthcare leaders and technology companies increasingly expressed a desire to engage more directly with innovators and entrepreneurial organizations. At the same time, startups and growth-stage companies were seeking trusted pathways into healthcare and stronger connections to leaders who understand the industry’s real-world operational challenges.

“Healthcare has no shortage of innovation. The challenge is creating trusted pathways that connect innovators with the healthcare leaders who understand the industry’s most urgent problems,” said Taylor McPartland, CEO of ScaleHealth and leader of the new venture. “By combining ScaleHealth’s innovation ecosystem with CHIME’s trusted community of digital health leaders, we’re creating an environment where meaningful connections can lead to validation, partnership, and real-world impact. This is about bringing together everyone who has a role to play in the future of healthcare innovation and helping them move great ideas forward.”

Unlike traditional accelerators, startup showcases, or innovation marketplaces, ScaleHealth, powered by CHIME is designed as a trusted innovation ecosystem. Healthcare organizations bring forward meaningful challenges. Innovators and startups contribute cutting-edge ideas and technologies. Established technology organizations bring expertise, infrastructure, and scale. Investors provide capital and growth pathways. Together, these stakeholders create an environment where innovation can move from discovery and connection to validation, partnership, and measurable impact.

“Throughout its history, CHIME has grown by bringing the right people together around the challenges that matter most,” said Tressa Springmann, Senior Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer at LifeBridge Health and Chair of the CHIME Foundation Board of Directors. “Today, innovation is essential to every aspect of healthcare transformation. ScaleHealth, powered by CHIME extends that trusted community into a broader innovation ecosystem, creating new opportunities for healthcare leaders, entrepreneurs, technology partners, and investors to collaborate, learn from one another, and accelerate meaningful progress across healthcare.”

The venture reflects CHIME’s belief that the next era of digital health will be co-created by healthcare leaders, technology partners, entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators working together to solve the challenges that matter most. By creating a trusted environment for discovery, collaboration, validation, and advancement, ScaleHealth, powered by CHIME aims to become the connective layer between healthcare’s needs and the innovation being built to address them.

Read the full release here.

About CHIME
The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) is the leading professional organization for digital health executives and leaders. CHIME provides a trusted, collaborative environment where members and partners connect, share best practices, advance professional development, and advocate for the effective use of information and technology to improve health and care in the communities they serve. For more information, please visit chimecentral.org.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Contact

Calli Dretke
Executive Vice President & Chief Digital and Marketing Officer
CHIME                                                                                                           
734.412.6255
cdretke@dhinsights.org

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SOURCE College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME)

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In HelloNation, Prenatal Imaging Expert Erika Lambright Explains Ultrasound Differences Between 2D, 3D, And 4D Imaging

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The article outlines how each type of pregnancy ultrasound supports fetal development and family understanding.

DENISON, Texas, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What is the difference between 2D, 3D, and 4D ultrasound imaging during pregnancy? HelloNation has published an article that clearly explains the differences between ultrasound and other prenatal imaging modalities and how each supports fetal development.

The HelloNation article explains that a 2d ultrasound is the most common form of prenatal imaging used during routine pregnancy ultrasound appointments. It produces flat, black-and-white images that allow medical providers to assess fetal development, monitor growth, and evaluate vital structures. The article notes that 2D ultrasound plays a central role in identifying potential concerns early and remains the foundation of prenatal diagnostic imaging.

According to the article, a 3d ultrasound builds on the same technology but creates a more detailed still image with depth. This form of prenatal imaging allows families to see clearer views of the baby’s face, hands, and feet. While 3d ultrasound can support certain medical evaluations, the article describes its primary value as helping parents better visualize fetal development in a more lifelike way.

The article further describes how a 4D ultrasound adds motion to the 3d ultrasound image. This allows families to view real-time video of the baby moving, stretching, or making facial expressions. The article explains that this type of pregnancy ultrasound creates a more engaging experience and helps strengthen the emotional connection, while still using the same safe, noninvasive prenatal imaging technology.

The HelloNation article emphasizes that understanding ultrasound differences helps families set clear expectations before imaging sessions. Each type of pregnancy ultrasound serves a distinct purpose. 2D ultrasound focuses on medical accuracy and fetal development monitoring, while 3D and 4D ultrasound provide enhanced visualization and connection. The article highlights that medical professionals typically rely on 2D ultrasound for diagnostic purposes, while 3D and 4D ultrasound are often optional.

The article also notes that several factors can affect the quality of prenatal imaging results. Baby position, gestational age, and fluid levels all play a role in how clearly images appear, especially during 3D and 4D ultrasound sessions. The article explains that providers often guide families on the best timing for ultrasound visits during pregnancy to improve image clarity and achieve better results.

Prenatal Imaging Experts emphasize through the article that learning about ultrasound differences can reduce uncertainty and help families feel more prepared. By understanding how each type of prenatal imaging contributes to monitoring fetal development, expectant parents can approach each pregnancy ultrasound appointment with clearer expectations.

The article concludes that while 2D ultrasound remains essential for medical care, the added perspectives of 3D and 4D ultrasound offer families a broader, more personal understanding of fetal development. Together, these forms of prenatal imaging provide both clinical insight and meaningful connection throughout pregnancy.

What Is the Difference Between 2D, 3D, and 4D Ultrasounds Explained Simply features insights from Erika Lambright, Prenatal Imaging Experts of Denison, Texas, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused digital publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. HelloNation maintains partnerships with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the United States First Responders Association.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/in-hellonation-prenatal-imaging-expert-erika-lambright-explains-ultrasound-differences-between-2d-3d-and-4d-imaging-302792440.html

SOURCE HelloNation

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Grünenthal presents Phase III results for Qutenza® in post-surgical neuropathic pain at IASP 2026 World Congress on Pain

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Late-breaking data from the Phase III RISE trial further strengthen the well-established efficacy and safety profile of Qutenza®. Post-surgical neuropathic pain is a debilitating complication of surgery affecting millions of patients every year.1 

AACHEN, Germany, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Grünenthal, a global leader in pain management and research, today announced new data from the Phase III RISE trial (NCT04967664), evaluating Qutenza® versus control in people with post-surgical neuropathic pain. These data were shared today as late-breaking poster presentations at the 2026 International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) World Congress on Pain in Bangkok, Thailand.

The trial (n=409) showed that Qutenza® achieved a statistically significantly greater reduction in average pain intensity (API) than the control treatment over weeks 2-12, meeting one of its pre-specified primary endpoints. When evaluating API at week 12 specifically, at the point when patients would typically return for retreatment, the numerical difference favoured Qutenza® but did not reach statistical significance. In the extension phase of the trial, in which up to 4 retreatments were allowed, Qutenza® achieved a statistically significantly greater reduction in API than the control treatment over weeks 2-42. Safety findings were consistent with previous Qutenza® trials and no new safety signals were observed. These data support the well-established efficacy and safety profile of Qutenza®.2,3

“Post-surgical neuropathic pain can be difficult to manage with current treatment options, and there is an urgent need for patient-centred, effective solutions. The RISE trial provides encouraging evidence that Qutenza® can deliver clinically meaningful and sustained pain reduction for up to 42 weeks, having shown a greater reduction in average pain intensity than the control,” said Prof. Patrice Forget, MD, PhD, FFPMRCA, Clinical Chair (full professor) in Anaesthesia, University of Aberdeen, and Honorary Consultant, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, UK. “As IASP shines a global spotlight on neuropathic pain at this year’s congress, findings such as these are important to help improve outcomes for patients and reduce the burden of pain on families and healthcare systems.”

“Post-surgical neuropathic pain has been relatively understudied and continues to go under-recognised in clinical practice,” said Uli Brödl, Chief Scientific Officer, Grünenthal. “These results build on the robust body of evidence for Qutenza® and reinforce its potential to provide meaningful, long-lasting pain relief for people living with pain.”

Post-surgical neuropathic pain is a poorly recognised potential complication of surgery that can result in devastating outcomes. It affects millions of patients every year, with pain lasting for months or years post-procedure.1 It can also have a significant mental health impact, with patients reporting feeling extremely depressed or anxious, and having problems with daily activities.4

Qutenza® is already approved in Europe for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain in adults, either alone or in combination with other medicinal products for the treatment of pain.5 It is also approved in the US for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia and for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) of the feet in adults.6

About the RISE trial2,3
The RISE (AV-001) trial is a Phase III multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group trial to confirm the efficacy and safety of Qutenza 179mg cutaneous patch versus a low-dose capsaicin control patch in people with moderate to severe post-surgical neuropathic pain.

It included eligible adults with a 24-hour average pain intensity (API) score of 4 or more, a pain duration of 6 to 60 months after index surgery and a DN4 (Douleur Neuropathique 4) Interview score of 3 or more.

Participants were randomly assigned to receive treatment with either a 60-minute Qutenza patch (8%) or a low-dose capsaicin control patch (0.04%).

The trial had two primary endpoints:

Change in 24-hour API from baseline to the average score of the entire period between Week 2 and Week 12.Change in 24-hour API from baseline to the average score at Week 12.

The primary sponsor of the trial is Averitas Pharma, Inc., Grünenthal’s U.S. subsidiary.

About post-surgical neuropathic pain
Post-surgical neuropathic pain (PSNP) is defined as chronic pain with neuropathic characteristics that develops or increases after surgery and persists beyond the normal healing process. It is thought to arise, at least in part, from nerve injury and pain sensitisation associated with surgery.7

The signs and symptoms of peri- and post-surgical pain can vary based on the person and the severity of the injury caused in surgery. Reported symptoms include pain caused by stimuli that are normally painless (allodynia), abnormally increased sensitivity to pain (hyperalgesia), tingling, numbness, phantom pain and scar pain.8,9,10 

About Qutenza®
In Europe, Qutenza® (capsaicin) is indicated for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain in adults, either alone or in combination with other medicinal products for the treatment of pain.5

Qutenza® (capsaicin) 8% topical system is approved in the US for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia and for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) of the feet in adults. Important US safety information is available at www.qutenza.com.6

Qutenza® is a topical TRPV1 agonist, designed to provide neuropathic pain relief for up to three months through defunctionalisation of nociceptors and nerve fibre regeneration.

About Grünenthal
Grünenthal is a global leader in pain management and related diseases. As a science-based, fully integrated pharmaceutical company, we have a long track record of bringing innovative treatments and state-of-the-art technologies to patients worldwide. Our purpose is to change lives for the better – and innovation is our passion. We focus all our activities and efforts on working towards our vision of a World Free of Pain.

Grünenthal is headquartered in Aachen, Germany, and has affiliates in 28 countries across Europe, Latin America, and the U.S. Our products are available in approx. 100 countries. In 2025, Grünenthal employed around 4,100 people and achieved revenues of €1.8 billion.

More information: www.grunenthal.com

Follow us on LinkedIn & Instagram

For further information, please contact:

Matt Crabb, Head of Global Communications (Interim) at Grünenthal

matt.crabb@grunenthal.com 

References

1 Gregory P & Settles K. Pract Pain Manag. 2013;13(9):1–6.
2 Wallace M et al. Efficacy of high-concentration capsaicin patch in post-surgical neuropathic pain (RISE). Presented at the International Association for the Study of Pain World Congress 2026.
3 Wallace M et al. Safety and tolerability of high-concentration capsaicin patch in post-surgical neuropathic pain (RISE). Presented at the International Association for the Study of Pain World Congress 2026.
4 Santos MP, Lemos F, Gomes J, Romao JM, Veiga D. Br J Pain 2024;18(1):42–56.
5 European Medicines Agency. Qutenza 179 mg cutaneous patch SmPC. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/573/smpc
6 US Food and Drug Administration. Qutenza® Prescribing Information. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/022395s019lbl.pdf
7 Correl D. F1000Res. 2017;6:1054.
8 Werner MU & Kongsgaard UE. Br J Anaesth. 2014;113(1):1–4.
9 Macrae WA. Br J Anaesth. 2008;101:77–86.
10 Searle RD & Simpson KH. Contin Educ Anaesth Crit Care Pain. 2010;10:12–14.

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SOURCE Grünenthal Group

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