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The ADDF’s Diagnostics Accelerator Authors New Paper on Ocular Biomarker Landscape, Highlighting Ocular Tests as a Tool for Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease

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New findings published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia suggest blood biomarkers are expected to become the standard method for diagnosing Alzheimer’s, while ocular tests offer a non-invasive alternative for detecting at-risk patient populations

NEW YORK, March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation’s (ADDF) Diagnostics Accelerator (DxA) authored a first-of-its-kind paper, “Unlocking ocular biomarkers for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease,” providing a landscape review of ocular biomarkers as another tool, alongside blood biomarkers, to aid in the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. The paper, which was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, shares an informed perspective on the role of ocular biomarkers in the broader Alzheimer’s diagnostics space and what defines a true ocular biomarker, while also highlighting the potential for ocular screening to identify at-risk patients who would otherwise go undiagnosed. The authors’ assessment is based on hours of in-depth interviews with leading neurologists, ophthalmologists, optometrists, and primary care physicians from across the United States.

“Meaningful progress is being made in Alzheimer’s research, with advances in novel biomarkers – including blood tests, retinal scans and digital tools – providing less invasive and more accessible ways to detect and diagnose Alzheimer’s disease,” said Howard Fillit, MD, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of the ADDF. “With the advent of these new tools, it is important to understand the appropriate context of use for each test. This paper shares a new and more nuanced perspective on the role of ocular biomarkers, which have the potential to identify at-risk individuals during routine eye exams, who otherwise may go undiagnosed.”

Blood-based testing for Alzheimer’s is more cost-effective, convenient, and less invasive than current diagnostic methods and blood biomarkers are most likely to emerge as the standard clinical practice for Alzheimer’s diagnostics. For patients to receive an Alzheimer’s blood test, they must see their primary care doctor or a neurologist, which is not always accessible to all patients. As stated in the paper, the authors categorize ocular biomarkers as an additional non-invasive and accessible option to identify people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease (e.g., pre-symptomatic) outside of the traditional settings of an annual physical or an exam with a neurologist.

Ocular technologies are expected to cost between $100-200 of out-of-pocket costs and must meet minimum performance standards of 90-95% sensitivity and 75-85% specificity to qualify as a test for preclinical Alzheimer’s. The authors believe focusing on these factors will help identify which of the four to eight million aging Americans who undergo an annual eye exam and who may be at risk for developing Alzheimer’s.

“This paper highlights the critical requirements and path to success of retinal biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnosis”, says Niranjan Bose, Managing Director, Health and Life Sciences at Gates Ventures. “While blood-based biomarkers are poised to take the lead in AD diagnostic applications, retinal biomarker testing can play a vital role in detecting preclinical AD and supporting differential diagnosis in neurodegenerative conditions. However, to make a meaningful impact in the future, it must meet rigorous technical standards similar to blood-based tests and demonstrate clinical utility to ensure integration as a reliable tool in early AD detection.”

Research into ocular biomarkers for detecting Alzheimer’s disease is ongoing with early findings pointing to biomarkers in the retina as having the potential to provide key indicators of the disease. The retina displays similarities to the brain’s cellular composition, and several neurodegenerative disorders are known to have manifestations in the retina. With ongoing technological advancements, ocular biomarkers have the potential to become a scalable, accessible tool that can be integrated into routine eye exams, making early detection of Alzheimer’s disease more feasible and improving outcomes for at-risk individuals.    

“The pace of innovation in the Alzheimer’s field has accelerated greatly in recent years, but major gaps persist, particularly in early, pre-symptomatic patient identification.  Ocular biomarkers offer a novel method to detect the earliest molecular beginnings of Alzheimer’s disease, and to do so with the potential for elevated sensitivity and without the burden of more invasive tests,” said Sam Ulin, a Partner at ClearView Healthcare Partners who specializes in the translation of innovative technologies into clinical application.  “Our work here with the DxA can hopefully serve as a guidepost to innovators in the space, helping them understand what is needed for an ocular biomarker test to meet the needs of patients and practitioners, maximizing the impact of these technologies on AD research, development, and ultimately, patient care.”

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. 

ABOUT CLEARVIEW HEALTHCARE PARTNERS
ClearView is the leading independent strategy consulting firm focused on the life sciences. The Company was founded on the core belief that companies driving innovation in the life sciences need strategic partners that can combine deep scientific expertise, robust analytic approaches, and sound business instincts to create actionable and impactful results. These principles have enabled ClearView to build enduring partnerships with clients across the industry and around the globe, where we thrive in engagements where the stakes are high and the answer uncertain. ClearView meets these challenges with transparent problem-solving and dedicated thought partnership to create clarity on the path forward. For further information please visit www.clearviewhcp.com.

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SOURCE Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation

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Yunji Technology to Showcase AI-Driven Robotics and Real-World Hospitality Solutions at EquipHotel Paris 2026

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November 3, 2026

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PARIS, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the hospitality industry gathers for EquipHotel Paris 2026, Yunji Technology (HKEX: 02670), a listed enterprise specializing in commercial service robots and AI agents, will present its latest systems at Booth P7.3-R044 from November 2 to 5.

Yunji will demonstrate how its robotic solutions work alongside existing hotel management systems to address common operational issues. Hoteliers across Europe continue to face persistent staff shortages, and the challenge of maintaining consistent guest service across multiple properties. Yunji’s technology is built to support these daily demands by automating routine tasks and streamlining internal logistics.

The exhibition will feature live demonstrations of robots handling everyday hotel workflows. Visitors will see how the systems manage tasks ranging from in-room deliveries and guest guidance to broader facility management. Instead of operating as isolated machines, Yunji’s robots function as a connected network, ensuring smooth operations even during peak hours. Yunji will also introduce the GORA C40 to address hotel public area cleaning. 

Integrated Cleaning Design: The C40 combines scrubbing, sweeping, dust mopping, and vacuuming into a single unit, significantly reducing equipment maintenance and staff training time. Notably, the C40 can autonomously navigate between floors by integrating with hotel elevator systems, ensuring continuous cleaning without manual transfer.

This technology is already delivering practical results globally. Yunji has deployed solutions in more than 20 countries and regions, working closely with international hotel groups. By taking over repetitive tasks, such as delivering amenities or transporting linens, the robots provide hotel staff with more time to focus on guest-facing services. The system also generates operational data that helps hotel managers identify bottlenecks and optimize their workflows.

“At EquipHotel Paris, our primary goal is to listen to European hoteliers,” said Jake Ma, Chief Marketing Officer at Yunji Technology. “By demonstrating how our AI-driven fleet and updated cleaning solutions integrate into daily operations, we aim to provide scalable solutions that address the specific labor and efficiency issues the industry is facing today.”

Yunji Technology invites hotel groups, facility managers, and partners to visit Booth P7.3-R044 to see the systems in operation and discuss collaboration opportunities.

About Yunji Technology

Yunji Technology (HKEX: 02670) is a Hong Kong-listed enterprise headquartered in Beijing, specializing in the research, development, and commercialization of service robots and AI agents. Guided by its mission, “Robots, Making Humanity Happier,” Yunji provides intelligent and reliable robotics for the hospitality, retail, and commercial sectors. Visit https://www.yunjichina.com.cn for more information.

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DUPR and InBody Announce Official Body Composition Technology Partnership

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November 3, 2026

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The partnership brings InBody’s body composition technology to the DUPR community, with activations at DUPR events and exclusive offers for DUPR players, clubs and coaches

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DUPR, the global rating system for pickleball, today announced a new partnership with InBody, one of the global leaders in body composition technology, naming InBody the Official Body Composition Technology Partner of DUPR.

The partnership brings together two organizations focused on helping people better understand their performance and make more informed decisions about their health and fitness. Through the collaboration, InBody will engage with the DUPR community through digital content, event activations and special product offers for DUPR players, clubs and coaches.

As part of the partnership, InBody will have a presence across DUPR’s digital ecosystem, including the DUPR app, website, email communications and social media channels. InBody will also activate at select DUPR-owned events, giving players and attendees opportunities to interact with InBody products and participate in experiences such as grip-strength testing with InBody’s InGrip.

“Pickleball is increasingly becoming part of how people stay active, competitive and connected, and that makes understanding your body and performance increasingly important,” said Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR. “InBody brings trusted technology and meaningful insights to that conversation. We’re excited to introduce our community to tools that can help them better understand their health and fitness both on and off the court.”

The partnership will also provide opportunities for DUPR players and the broader DUPR ecosystem to access InBody products, including special offers for DUPR Clubs and DUPR Certified Coaches.

“We’re excited to partner with DUPR and connect InBody’s technology with a growing community of active players who are invested in their health and performance,” said Jeremy Choo, E-Commerce Business Development Manager at InBody USA. “Pickleball is a sport that brings together people of all ages and fitness levels, and we see a natural fit between InBody’s mission to simplify the understanding of health and wellness and DUPR’s commitment to helping players better understand their game.”

The collaboration will also extend to DUPR’s competitive events, with InBody product prizes and promotional activations planned around select regional and national competitions.

Together, DUPR and InBody aim to give players more ways to understand the relationship between their performance, fitness and overall well-being.

About InBody

InBody is an innovation-focused company that develops biomedical technologies designed to simplify the understanding of health and wellness. InBody’s award-winning, medical-grade devices are currently used by more than ten million professionals and consumers across medical, fitness, research, and corporate wellness settings worldwide. The company delivers technologies and services in more than 110 countries, supported by thirteen global branch offices and a global network of distributors. To learn more about InBody and its mission, visit www.inbody.com.

About DUPR

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the premier global pickleball rating system and technology platform, trusted by the world’s leading clubs, tournaments, leagues, and players. DUPR’s dynamic rating system unifies pickleball across age, gender, and location by analyzing match results to accurately evaluate all players across a 2.000 – 8.000 scale. DUPR is the official pickleball rating of leagues, tournaments and clubs around the world, including USA Pickleball, Global Pickleball Federation (GPF), United Pickleball Association (UPA), Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), Major League Pickleball (MLP), Pickleball.com, Life Time, The Picklr, National Team Pickleball League, and National Pickleball League. It also owns and operates Minor League Pickleball and Collegiate Pickleball, two of the biggest amateur leagues in the sport. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more.

Media Contacts

Kyrill Hartog
Vice-President of Marketing & Communications, DUPR
kyrill@mydupr.com 

Gloria Song
Marketing Operations Manager, InBody
gloria.song@inbody.com
www.inbody.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dupr-and-inbody-announce-official-body-composition-technology-partnership-302928097.html

SOURCE DUPR

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Centric Software Selected to Work with The Magnum Ice Cream Company to Drive Innovation and Global Operational Efficiency

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November 3, 2026

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Centric PLM will strengthen the global ice cream company’s digital foundation and empower cross-functional teams with real-time data

CAMPBELL, Calif., Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Centric Software® is pleased to announce that The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC), the leading ice cream company in the world, has selected Centric PLM™ to drive strategic growth, improve product development efficiency and ensure regulatory compliance across global markets. Centric Software delivers innovative, integrated, end-to-end AI-powered enterprise solutions to take products from concept to commercialization. Food & beverage, cosmetics & personal care, grocery and multi-category retail teams can plan, design, develop, source, comply, buy, make, price, allocate, assort, sell and replenish products to achieve strategic and operational digital transformation goals.

TMICC operates in over 80 countries and manages a portfolio that includes five of the most iconic global ice cream brands including Magnum, Ben & Jerry’s, Cornetto, Wall’s (Heartbrand) and Talenti.

As part of its transformation strategy, TMICC conducted a selection process for a new, innovative PLM solution. Centric PLM was selected for its modern, scalable platform, food & beverage-specific capabilities and end-to-end product lifecycle coverage.

Centric PLM will create a stronger digital foundation for product development, bringing product information into one platform and supporting collaboration across functions and markets.

Real-time data and integrated tools will give teams greater visibility across the product lifecycle, helping TMICC manage complexity and accelerate innovation at scale.

TMICC expects its future-ready R&D and PLM architecture to align processes and integrations across global operations, reduce implementation risk, enable breakthrough innovation and accelerate time to market.

“Bringing R&D, packaging, quality, regulatory affairs and other functions into one connected way of working will be an important step forward for The Magnum Ice Cream Company. Centric PLM will give our teams greater visibility across the product lifecycle and create stronger alignment from early development all the way through commercialisation,” says Zbigniew Lewicki, Chief RD&I Officer of The Magnum Ice Cream Company.

“Centric Software is proud to partner with The Magnum Ice Cream Company on this transformative journey,” says Fabrice Canonge, CEO of Centric Software. “This collaboration demonstrates the power of Centric PLM to provide the flexible, scalable digital foundation global food & beverage companies need to accelerate innovation, strengthen agility and ensure compliance.”

Centric Software® (www.centricsoftware.com)

From its headquarters in Silicon Valley, Centric Software provides the market-leading AI-enabled product lifecycle management platform for food & beverage manufacturers, grocery, brands and multi-category retailers. As experts in all fast-moving consumer goods, Centric Software delivers best-of-breed solutions to design, develop, source, comply, buy, make, package, assort and sell products. Centric Software solutions optimize the product portfolio, harmonize product offers and streamline product development by speeding time to market and innovation while enhancing quality control and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Centric PLM™ features integrated industry best practices and innovative, AI-enabled capabilities tailored for food and beverage manufacturers, retailers and food service providers. Seamlessly manage the overall product lifecycle, from initial concept and formula development to packaging, quality, supplier collaboration, nutritional labeling, production, SKU rationalization and beyond. Results include up to a 50% improvement in productivity and a 60% decrease in time to market.Centric Visual Boards™ are a visually oriented product portfolio optimization tool. A singular accessible workspace pulls in real-time data and imagery from multiple business systems. It is a new, visual way of working to ensure robust, consumer-right product offers, dramatically decreasing assortment development cycle time.Centric PXM™ AI-powered product experience management (PXM) encompasses PIM, DAM, content syndication and digital shelf analytics (DSA) to optimize the product commercialization lifecycle resulting in a transformed brand experience. Increase sales channels, boost sell through and drive margins. Centric Software’s market-driven solutions have the highest user adoption rate, customer satisfaction rate and fastest time to value in the industry. Centric Software has received multiple industry awards and recognition, appearing regularly in world-leading analyst reports and research.

Centric Software is a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA), the world leader in 3D design software, 3D digital mock-up and PLM solutions.

Centric Software is a registered trademark of Centric Software, Inc. in the US and other countries. Centric PLM, Centric Planning, Centric Pricing & Inventory, Centric Market Intelligence, Centric Visual Boards, Centric PXM, Centric PIM, Centric DAM, Centric Shoppingfeed® and Centric DSA (including Centric Digital Shelf Analytics) are trademarks of Centric Software, Inc. All third-party trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners.

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SOURCE Centric Software

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