DELRAY BEACH, FL / ACCESS Newswire / August 12, 2025 / Adolore BioTherapeutics, Inc., (“Company” or “Adolore”) announced that Roy Clifford Levitt, MD, Clinical Professor at the University of Miami, Principal Investigator and Program Director of the NIH, NINDS, HEAL UH3 Award supporting ADB-102 development for the treatment of chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis, (“OA”), and founder and Executive Chairman of Adolore presented the Company’s breakthrough non-opioid gene therapy programs for chronic pain at the Next Generation Gene Therapy Vectors Summit on July 31, 2025 in Boston.
Dr. Levitt presented the latest safety and efficacy data on Adolore’s replication defective, disease-free, HSV viral vectors during his talk entitled: “Rethinking Vector Choice: Utilizing Optimized HSV to Enhance Safety & Efficacy”. He presented evidence of long-lasting (>7 months), profound analgesia (equivalent to high doses of opioids) for their HSV gene therapy with regional administration (single intra-articular knee joint injection) in model systems. Additional data demonstrated excellent cellular tropism (neuronal specificity), biodistribution, and shedding characteristics. Dr. Levitt also highlighted how regional administration minimizes off-target effects, improving safety, efficacy, and minimizes immunogenicity.
Adolore is advancing two preclinical development programs: a lead program for knee pain due to OA and a program for erythromelalgia, (“EM”), an orphan neuropathic pain indication for which there are no FDA-approved treatments. EM is a rare, heritable, chronic and debilitating pain disease.
In model systems, replication-defective, disease-free, herpes simplex virus (rdHSV) gene therapy expressing an analgesic carbonic anhydrase-8 (CA8*) peptide variant corrects somatosensory hyperexcitability by activating Kv7 voltage-gated potassium channels, thereby producing profound, long-lasting analgesia. Adolore has achieved proof-of-concept in animal models, validating the mechanism of action in knee pain from OA and EM.
About Adolore BioTherapeutics, Inc.
Adolore BioTherapeutics, Inc., is a biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies for treating chronic pain using a revolutionary intra-cellular replication-defective HSV (rdHSV) drug delivery platform that is disease-free, non-toxic, and permits localized peripheral nervous system delivery of proprietary biotherapeutics. This rdHSV gene therapy technology incorporates an established re-dosing strategy and an excellent safety profile. HSV vectors are known for their stability and prolonged gene expression, providing an excellent basis for the long-term treatment of chronic pain conditions and neurological disorders. Our best-in-class CA8* programs are long-acting, locally acting gene therapies that are opioid-free Disease-Modifying Anti-Pain therapies (DMAPs) designed to treat many forms of chronic pain as well as therapies for epilepsy and hearing loss.
Leveraging its innovative gene therapy vectors expressing CA8* analgesic peptides (ADLR-1001), Adolore is currently advancing two preclinical development programs: ADB-101 for the treatment of patients’ chronic pain caused by erythromelalgia, an orphan disease, and ADB-102, their lead program for the treatment of patients with chronic pain caused by knee OA. Based on substantial compelling preclinical data generated to date, the Company is progressing these programs toward IND filings and first-in-human clinical studies. Adolore has two additional programs available for partnering: ADB-104 for Drug-Resistant Refractory Focal Epilepsy, ADB-105 for Acute Severe Hearing Loss and ADB-106 for Chronic Eye Pain.
For more information, visit adolore.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
To the extent this announcement contains information and statements that are not historical, they are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “will,” “should,” “may,” “plan,” “intend,” “assume” and other expressions which predict or indicate future events and trends and which do not relate to historical matters. You should not rely on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Company. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those associated with drug development. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from the anticipated future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
Safety First Training Ltd. has been a leader in safety education for more than 30 years. They focus on workplace safety, especially through their Forklift Operator Certification Program. This program is available in Toronto, Mississauga, the Greater Toronto Area, and all across Ontario. It is tailored to equip workers with the skills needed to operate forklifts safely while meeting Canadian safety standards. Courses from Safety First Training Toronto are vital for companies looking to improve their safety measures and follow necessary regulatory requirements, which are key for both efficiency and worker well-being.
The program provided by Safety First Training combines both classroom learning and hands-on practice. This ensures that forklift operators not only know the technical details but also understand safety procedures. The course covers equipment inspections, effective load handling, identifying and reducing workplace hazards, and following safe operational strategies. These elements help create a safer work environment, reduce accidents, and enable workers to do their jobs well.
Participants must pass a series of written and practical tests to prove their understanding and skill in operating forklifts safely. Those who pass earn a certification according to CSA Standard B335-15. This certification is a recognized credential for forklift operator qualifications and matches both provincial and federal standards. Its recognition highlights the program’s alignment with national safety rules, contributing to nationwide safety compliance.
“Forklifts are vital to many industries, but without proper training, they can pose serious safety risks,” said Kevin Mork, CEO of Safety First Training Ltd. “Our program gives operators the confidence and competence to work safely, while helping organizations maintain compliance and reduce workplace incidents.”
The training is designed for a wide range of participants, such as newcomers to forklift operations, experienced workers needing recertification, and industry employees in warehousing, manufacturing, construction, and logistics. The program covers various types of forklifts, and experienced instructors adjust the course to suit different categories, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and skills development. For companies interested in self-sufficiency, Safety First Training also offers a Train the Trainer program which allows companies to develop their in-house safety experts.
Safety First Training Toronto is dedicated to offering flexible training options. They provide scheduling choices and on-site training to allow companies to incorporate certification into their operations without significant downtime. This flexibility supports companies in keeping up with their work demands while boosting their workforce’s safety skills.
The process for enrolling in Safety First Forklift Training Toronto‘s certification program is simple. Companies can tailor the training according to their needs, considering factors such as group size, experience level, or location. This adaptability and commitment to quality training have built client trust across various industries. By addressing specific business needs, Safety First Training solidifies its role as a dependable partner in workplace safety.
To learn more about the Forklift Operator Certification Program and see how Safety First Training can help achieve safety aims across different fields, visit the company’s website. Businesses can find out more about the program’s benefits and how it helps maintain a culture of safety within organizations.
Silverback AI Chatbot has announced an enhancement to its conversational automation platform with a focus on expanding the capabilities of its AI Agents system. The new update supports a growing shift in how companies are leveraging AI Automation to manage customer and operational interactions through autonomous, multi-step workflows that traditionally required live human involvement.
The development represents a continued evolution of the AI Chatbot landscape moving from simple, scripted tools to systems that can independently process tasks with logic, memory, and outcome-based reasoning. Unlike conventional chat interfaces limited to keyword triggers or one-off replies, Silverback’s AI Agents are engineered to understand task objectives, track progress, and take action over time, often across multiple systems or channels.
At the core of this shift is the concept of agentic architecture. AI Agents, as deployed in Silverback’s framework, are designed to operate with goal persistence. Once assigned a task such as booking an appointment, qualifying a lead, or responding to a support ticket the agent proceeds through a structured sequence of steps, adapting to new inputs as they occur. These tasks may span multiple user sessions, involve complex decision trees, or require accessing and updating external systems like CRMs, calendars, or knowledge bases.
Silverback’s AI Chatbot platform integrates these agents into a broader system of AI Automation that combines natural language understanding with programmable business logic. This integration allows for AI-driven conversations that do more than just answer questions they can initiate, track, and complete real tasks in real time.
The agents function by orchestrating different components, including large language models for language comprehension, secure APIs for data handling, and memory modules that preserve user context over time. This configuration enables the chatbot to shift from reactive interaction to proactive task execution. Whether it’s following up with a customer days after their initial inquiry or routing information between departments, the agent acts as a self-contained operator within defined business parameters.
The update is designed to meet growing demand from small to mid-sized businesses that require intelligent automation but do not have in-house AI development capabilities. By removing technical barriers to entry, the platform allows users to configure their own AI Agents without needing to write or maintain complex codebases. Users can define goals, connect systems, and customize workflows through an accessible interface.
In application, the AI Agents are being adopted for diverse use cases across industries. A professional services firm may use an agent to onboard clients and collect required documentation. An online retailer might configure agents to handle common post-purchase queries, return processes, or shipping updates. Each agent is tailored to the specific workflow requirements of the business deploying it.
A defining characteristic of these agents is their ability to manage continuity in asynchronous interactions. Unlike legacy AI Chatbot models that lose context after a session ends, Silverback’s AI Agents retain memory and can resume conversations where they left off. This continuity allows them to guide users through extended processes that may not be completed in one sitting, while ensuring data consistency and task integrity.
Security and governance are built into the system’s architecture. As AI Automation becomes more deeply integrated into customer-facing and internal systems, Silverback has focused on ensuring compliance with global data protection standards. Data passed through the AI Chatbot interface is encrypted and processed in monitored environments, with audit capabilities available to business users for transparency.
Performance optimization is another key feature of the AI Agents system. Through built-in analytics, businesses can monitor how each agent is performing—tracking metrics such as task completion rates, customer satisfaction, and conversation drop-offs. This data allows for iterative improvements to workflows and decision trees, resulting in a smarter, more effective automation model over time.
The release reflects wider industry trends pointing toward AI Chatbot platforms becoming more task-centric rather than solely conversational. AI Agents are not designed merely to simulate dialogue, but to deliver tangible outcomes through autonomous operations. As such, their deployment touches on areas of operations, customer service, marketing, and internal administration.
Silverback’s strategy includes continued development of cross-functional capabilities for its agents. While current implementations focus on external interactions—such as customer engagement and sales enablement—the roadmap includes potential extensions to internal business support roles. Future versions of AI Agents may assist with employee onboarding, document generation, or real-time reporting for teams operating in hybrid or remote models.
The company has also made available a library of onboarding resources, configuration templates, and technical support channels to assist non-technical users. These tools are intended to accelerate deployment timelines and improve usability, allowing businesses to focus on defining task outcomes rather than managing infrastructure.
As businesses continue to explore the possibilities of AI Automation, tools like Silverback’s AI Agents provide a bridge between high-level strategic goals and day-to-day operational execution. By combining persistence, adaptability, and system integration within a conversational framework, these agents mark a new phase in the practical deployment of AI technology.
Analysts observing the shift note that agent-based AI Chatbot systems are playing an increasingly central role in modern business environments. The move from static chat tools to intelligent agents capable of executing workflows represents not only a technological upgrade but also a fundamental shift in how companies can structure digital labor.
The growing functionality of AI Agents is also prompting broader discussions around oversight, responsibility, and value alignment in automation. While the agents can operate independently, Silverback has emphasized the importance of maintaining human visibility into critical operations, ensuring that business rules, ethics, and user trust are upheld.
With the ongoing expansion of AI capabilities, Silverback’s development of its AI Agents system positions it as part of the next wave of intelligent automation tools. Businesses looking to streamline tasks, enhance user experience, and reduce operational friction now have access to tools that are both technically advanced and operationally accessible.
FreeFlyer® modeling confirms feasibility of new orbit families offering persistent lunar access for surveillance, navigation and communication.
LANHAM, MD / ACCESS Newswire / August 12, 2025 / a.i. solutions, a leading provider of mission-critical aerospace engineering services and software, and Coorbital Inc., an emerging startup specializing in cislunar astrodynamics, announced the successful modeling and validation of a newly discovered family of “tulip-shaped” orbits, a first in the field of cislunar astrodynamics. This innovative research, originally developed by Dr. Darin Koblick in collaboration with Texas A&M University, was modeled and verified using a.i. solutions’ FreeFlyer® astrodynamics software.
Recently published in the Journal of Astronautical Sciences, these orbit families, characterized by their distinctive multi-lobed, flower-like geometry, were introduced as “tulip-shaped orbits.” They leverage the gravitational interplay between Earth and the Moon to enable mission profiles previously considered infeasible. Unlike traditional NRHOs or Distant Retrograde Orbits, tulip-shaped orbits enable sidereal resonant coverage with more flexible geometry and lower ΔV demands, offering broad utility for lunar surveillance, communications, navigation and space domain awareness.
“Working with Coorbital Inc., we used FreeFlyer to validate the performance and station-keeping feasibility of tulip-shaped orbits,” said Dr. Brian McCarthy, senior astrodynamicist at a.i. solutions supporting the NASA Gateway Program. “These orbits offer persistent lunar coverage with minimal ΔV and have real potential to support both commercial and government cislunar operations.”
This work aligns with key national priorities to advance lunar exploration and space surveillance capabilities. It supports efforts such as the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s Oracle family, the U.S. Space Force’s Golden Dome, and NASA’s LunaNet architecture. “We have a great deal to learn when it comes to operating, navigating and communicating from cislunar space,” said Col. Jeremy Raley, Director of the AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate.
Employing a novel station-keeping control strategy, Koblick and McCarthy successfully maintained all fourteen families of sidereal resonant tulip-shaped orbits with mean annual ΔV costs between 6-15 m/s, well within operational feasibility for current and future spacecraft.
“This represents a major advancement in astrodynamics research and underscores the value of industry collaboration in advancing both government and commercial space exploration and security missions,” said Koblick. The successful validation of tulip-shaped orbits sets the stage for a near-term demonstration mission, an opportunity to test and confirm their operational advantages. With continued collaboration and real-world testing, tulip-shaped orbits could soon play a foundational role in building secure, scalable infrastructure across the Earth-Moon system.
About a.i. solutions Inc. a.i. solutions is a leading aerospace engineering firm providing mission-critical software, engineering services, and operational support to civilian, commercial, and national security space missions. With a history spanning over two decades, the company is committed to delivering reliable solutions that ensure mission success. Learn more at http://www.ai-solutions.com.
About Coorbital Inc. Coorbital Inc. is a Los Angeles based aerospace startup pioneering next-generation space and missile defense technologies. The company develops advanced solutions for ISR, SDA, hypersonic threats, and interplanetary missions. With a focus on innovation and national security, Coorbital is helping shape the future of defense and space exploration. Learn more at http://www.coorbital.com.
Contact Information
Doug Stewart Vice President of Strategic Marketing, Appleton doug@appletoncreative.com 407-246-0092 ext. 1
Now Offering Veterinary Hemodialysis, Therapeutic Plasma Exchange, and Hemoperfusion
BEND, OR / ACCESS Newswire / August 12, 2025 / The Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon (VRCCO) is proud to announce the addition of advanced Extracorporeal Therapies, including Hemodialysis, Therapeutic Plasma Exchange, and Hemoperfusion, to its suite of specialized veterinary services. VRCCO is honored to be among the few facilities in the US to offer these cutting-edge treatments that provide new hope for pets suffering from acute kidney injuries, chronic kidney disease, immune-mediated diseases, and life-threatening toxicities.
Hemodialysis serves as an “artificial kidney” by filtering a pet’s blood to remove harmful substances such as waste, toxins, and excess fluids. While it does not directly heal the kidneys, it provides a vital window of time for recovery, while significantly improving comfort and quality of life for the pet during this critical period. Hemodialysis is most commonly used for acute kidney injuries, severe electrolyte imbalances, fluid overload, and certain toxicities.
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) is a procedure designed to remove harmful substances from a pet’s plasma, replacing it with donor plasma. This therapy is particularly effective in managing severe immune-mediated conditions such as immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) and myasthenia gravis, as well as certain toxicities. Pets may experience rapid improvement, particularly with immune-mediated diseases that are unresponsive to conventional treatments.
Hemoperfusion involves filtering a pet’s blood through a cartridge containing activated charcoal or similar materials to adsorb toxins. This technique is especially valuable in cases of NSAID overdoses (e.g., ibuprofen, carprofen) or exposure to other harmful substances where no antidote exists. Treatments are generally completed within 2-4 hours, and a single session is often sufficient if administered before organ damage occurs.
VRCCO utilizes the same advanced dialysis machines and materials used in human medicine, ensuring the highest standards of care. Throughout treatments, patients are continuously monitored for vital parameters including blood clotting times, fluid balance, hematocrit, electrolytes, and cardiac health, with personalized attention from their care team. Pet Parents should also be aware of the following while considering these therapies:
Comfort & Compassionate Care: Dialysis treatments are not painful. Pets rest comfortably on soft bedding under the continuous care and observation of VRCCO’s specialized team. Sedation is rarely required.
Patient Size & Suitability: Most companion animals, regardless of size, can be safely treated. VRCCO’s in-house blood bank ensures the availability of transfusions if necessary.
Prognosis & Expectations: Treatment outcomes are highly variable and depend on the severity and cause of the condition. Some pets may require only a few treatments, while others may need ongoing therapy.
Early Intervention is Critical: Starting dialysis before severe complications arise, such as fluid overload or organ dysfunction, dramatically improves the likelihood of a positive outcome.
The Veterinary Referral Center’s board-certified specialists encourage pet parents and referring veterinarians to consult with them to determine whether these therapies are appropriate for individual cases. In many situations, time is a critical factor and early intervention can be life-saving. To learn more about Extracorporeal Therapies or VRCCO’s comprehensive specialty services, please contact the Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon at 541-209-6960 or info@vrcvet.com.
GREENSBORO, NC—Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD, the founder of Medical Justice and a nationally recognized medico‑legal authority, supports a newly issued Position Statement from the American Academy of Neurology, American Epilepsy Society, and Epilepsy Foundation of America that revisits when—and under what circumstances—people who experience seizures may safely resume driving. The Statement, “Seizures, Driver Licensure, and Medical Reporting Update,” replaces a 2007 version and urges states to anchor their licensing rules in clinical evidence while preserving the physician‑patient relationship.
Dr. Segal dissects the Position Statement’s findings in his blog post “How Soon Can Patients Who Experience a Seizure Resume Driving, If at All?”, noting that the societies’ research confirms a “modest but real” increase in motor‑vehicle accidents (MVAs) associated with epileptic seizures, yet also shows that fatal‑crash risk is LOWER than that posed by alcohol use disorder and by young, inexperienced drivers.
“The data overturn the notion that every person with a seizure disorder represents an outsized menace on the road,” Dr. Segal explained. “Risk clearly decreases the longer a patient remains seizure‑free, and that decline becomes meaningful at about three months. A universal requirement that people wait six, nine, or twelve months after a seizure looks more punitive than protective.”
Dr. Segal endorses the Position Statement’s central recommendation: a minimum three‑month seizure‑free interval, with flexibility for state medical‑review boards to shorten or lengthen that period based on individualized factors such as medication adherence, nocturnal‑only seizure patterns, or a history of treatment‑resistant epilepsy.
“Blanket prohibitions do little to enhance public safety if they push patients into unlicensed driving or discourage them from being honest with their doctors,” he said. “A tailored, evidence‑driven approach respects patient autonomy and still allows regulators to intervene when red flags appear, like recurrent seizures despite aggressive therapy or clear non‑compliance with medication.”
Equally significant, according to Dr. Segal, is the Position Statement’s stance on reporting. The societies conclude that mandatory physician reporting of every seizure does not reduce crash rates, yet does increase unlicensed driving and patient reluctance to disclose essential information. The Statement therefore recommends placing primary responsibility on patients to self‑report seizure activity to their departments of motor vehicles (DMVs) and recommends granting clinicians legal authority—but not an obligation—to notify authorities when a patient poses a clear hazard.
“Imposing a mandate to report every seizure creates an adversarial dynamic,” Dr. Segal commented. “Physicians become reluctant enforcers, patients clam up, and genuine public‑safety threats go underground. Authorizing, but not compelling, reporting, coupled with robust immunity for clinicians who in good faith choose to report or not report, strikes the right balance.”
The Position Statement also urges states to keep licensing criteria in regulations or guidelines rather than hard‑coding them into statutes. “That’s an important procedural safeguard,” Dr. Segal observed. “Evidence evolves, and regulators need agility to adjust rules as new data emerge without waiting for a legislature to reconvene.”
He added that DMVs should retain ultimate decision‑making authority, even when they consult treating practitioners. “Physicians supply the facts; medical advisory boards weigh those facts against risk‑tolerance thresholds set by the public and its elected representatives.”
Commercial and professional drivers warrant more stringent scrutiny, the societies acknowledge, because of greater road exposure and larger vehicles. Dr. Segal agrees but cautions against overgeneralization. “A long‑haul trucker who has been seizure‑free for years under stable therapy should not be lumped with someone who had a breakthrough tonic‑clonic episode last month,” he said. “Regulations must reflect real‑world risk, not fear.”
Functional (psychogenic non‑epileptic) seizures, which lack the electrical abnormalities of epilepsy yet still impair consciousness and motor control, also fall under the new guidance. The statement recommends that drivers experiencing these events receive counseling and restrictions comparable to those for epileptic seizures until more data emerge. Dr. Segal supports this inclusion: “Ignoring functional seizures would create a dangerous loophole. The societies wisely err on the side of safety while signaling the need for further study.”
Ultimately, Dr. Segal views the Position Statement as a timely nudge for states whose rules still rely on decades‑old assumptions. “It is long overdue,” he said. “States should update their regulations to adopt a three‑month minimum seizure‑free interval, allow nuanced adjustments, and place reporting responsibility primarily on drivers. We cannot legislate perfect safety, but we can remove arbitrary barriers that penalize well‑controlled patients and undermine candid doctor‑patient dialogue.”
About Medical Justice: Founded by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD, Medical Justice has guided physicians through the complex intersection of medicine, law, and public policy for nearly two decades. Healthcare professionals seeking advice on medico‑legal risk management are invited to schedule a complimentary 15‑minute consultation online and explore Medical Justice’s protection plans for doctors, which provide wide-ranging strategies from in-office risk management protocols to online reputation management.
Strategic acquisition expands capabilities in financial incentives and behavioral engagement, further strengthening Clutch’s growing healthcare footprint
AMBLER, PENNSYLVANIA / ACCESS Newswire / August 12, 2025 / Clutch, the leading AI-powered engagement platform serving both commerce and healthcare verticals, today announced its acquisition of Reciprocity Health, a healthcare technology company known for its behavioral science-driven approach to financial incentives and patient engagement.
The acquisition marks a significant expansion of Clutch Health, Clutch’s dedicated healthcare business line. By integrating Reciprocity Health’s specialized technology and experienced healthcare team, Clutch Health is poised to scale faster, serve broader use cases, and deliver even more impactful outcomes across the healthcare ecosystem.
“Clutch Health has been growing rapidly, and the addition of Reciprocity accelerates everything; capabilities, talent, and strategic reach,” said Craig Hauben, CEO of Clutch. “We’re combining the science and discipline of healthcare engagement with the consumer-grade technology Clutch is known for. It’s a natural evolution of the platform.”
A Platform Built for Behavioral Impact
This acquisition unites two mission-aligned organizations:
Reciprocity Health’s TheraPay® platform leveraging gamified, incentive-based models to drive plan adherence and patient/member action
Clutch Health’s personalized engagement engine, designed to deliver 1:1 communication and behavioral nudges at scale
Together, Clutch Health will offer enhanced capabilities for healthcare organizations, payers, providers, health plans, cost management and VBC entities to engage consumers more intelligently, efficiently, and measurably.
“With market healthcare opportunities rapidly expanding and a focus towards enhanced consumerism and patient/provider engagement through care journeys,” said Jim Mayhall, CEO of Reciprocity Health. “joining Clutch furthers our mission in empowering patients with customized incentives to enhance adherence, improve outcomes, and reduce costs”
Reciprocity Health was born from the vision of Co-Founders Matt Swanson and Jon Silvon in applying innovative retail behavioral science technology to improve outcomes in complex care journeys for members in vulnerable populations. This vision has broadened to deliver commercially scalable solutions to help activate, empower, and engage members in a variety of healthcare settings.
“This next phase is about more than scaling technology – it’s about combining Reciprocity’s clinical, decision science expertise with Clutch’s world-class AI and data science to redefine how healthcare engagement works,” said Matt Swanson, Co-Founder of Reciprocity Health. “We’re operating in a rapidly evolving market that demands greater precision in patient activation and, together with Clutch, we’re bringing the full power of behavioral science and dynamic incentives to the center of value-based care.”
No Shift Away from Commerce, Just Expanding the Vision
Clutch remains committed to its Commerce line of business supporting leading brands in retail, grocery, restaurants, and consumer services. This acquisition simply reflects Clutch’s multi-sector strategy, where the same core technology powers high-performance engagement across both consumer and healthcare domains.
Under the Clutch umbrella:
Clutch Commerce continues to grow with leading commerce clients
Clutch Health expands its reach, capabilities, and delivery model now strengthened by the Reciprocity Health team and technology
Expanded Capabilities for a Growing Market
With this acquisition, Clutch Health now offers:
Advanced Financial Incentive Management: Deploy secure, gamified incentives tied to plan and program milestones
Hyper-Personalized Outreach: Use AI and behavioral data to drive targeted, outcome-based messaging
Integrated Behavioral Science: Build durable engagement models that improve outcomes and reduce churn
The combined team is already delivering results across existing client portfolios and is poised for rapid expansion through the remainder of 2025 and beyond.
About Clutch
Clutch is an AI-powered Retention, Loyalty, and Engagement Platform that helps businesses in Commerce and Healthcare build stronger relationships with their customers, patients, and members. Through personalized, data-driven communication, automation, and incentives, Clutch helps clients drive measurable outcomes in loyalty, retention, and health engagement.
About Reciprocity Health
Reciprocity Health is a healthcare engagement company that uses behavioral science and financial incentives to activate patients and members. Its flagship platform, TheraPay®, delivers personalized nudges, gamified engagement, and real-time rewards to help individuals take action on their care plans and health journeys.
MAHWAH, NEW JERSEY / ACCESS Newswire / August 12, 2025 / Core Development Group, a nationally ranked, independent, trusted clean energy provider, today announced its sponsorship and attendance at RE+ 2025 in Las Vegas from September 8-11, 2025. The event will feature exhibits and presentations on renewable energy and is expected to attract over 40,000 industry experts, innovators, and thought leaders in the clean energy sector.
RE+ 25 is more than just the largest clean energy event; it brings the modern energy industry together to foster a cleaner future. What began as Solar Power International (SPI) has evolved into RE+, bringing together renewable energy leaders for four days of educational and networking opportunities. Today’s RE+25 brings together industry leaders from across the clean energy industry, including solar, energy storage, hydrogen, microgrids, EV charging and infrastructure, wind energy, and now geothermal energy.
“The RE+25 Las Vegas conference unites the global clean energy community and provides business networking and educational opportunities that give attendees the insights and strategies needed to position themselves for 2026 and beyond,” said Henry Cortes, CEO and Founder of Core Development Group “We are grateful to the commitment of RE+ and other sponsors who have consistently pledged to support sustainability and clean energy in making the RE+ conference a continued success.”
Core Development Group designs and builds solutions to lead the way forward to net zero. Collaborating with the right partners is crucial to success in the clean energy sector. RE+ serves as a common ground for innovators and industry leaders to connect and learn from one another. Sharing ideas, challenges, and solutions makes for a stronger market that can grow and adapt more quickly, ensuring a future powered by clean energy.
Every year, Core Development Group hosts vendor and partner gatherings at RE+. Conference days can be long, so Core Development Group meets with key partners in casual, face-to-face settings to unwind, share ideas, and review accomplishments in the company’s increasingly complex and challenging projects.
RE+25 also enables new partners and customers to connect and speak with Core Development Group experts to discuss how to address critical clean energy challenges.
About Core Development Group
Core Development Group is a trusted and agile independent U.S. renewable energy developer, contractor and consultant. The company helps organizations transition to clean, renewable energy and provides solar energy systems, battery storage, microgrids, and EV charging infrastructure to companies in the U.S. and abroad. Core Development Group also provides world-class engineering, design, construction, quality assurance, and construction management consulting services for renewable energy projects. Founded in 2012, Core Development Group is headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey. Learn more at coredevusa.com.
About RE+ Events
RE+ Events is the global event and association management organization specializing in the clean energy industry. Our flagship event, RE+ (formerly SPI), is the largest renewable energy event in North America. The RE+ Events portfolio also includes events within the U.S. focusing on trends and policies in specific states/regions, and international events that bring together clean energy leaders in up-and-coming markets across the world. Visit re-plus.events.
RICHARDSON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / August 12, 2025 / Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:OPXS), a leading manufacturer of precision optical sighting systems for domestic and worldwide military and commercial applications, announced financial results for the three and nine months ended June 29, 2025.
Danny Schoening, CEO of Optex Systems Holdings, Inc., commented, “We are proud to announce another record-breaking quarter for revenue, a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, reliability, and customer support. This milestone reflects not only our strong operational performance but also the momentum we are building across the business.
“In addition to surpassing previous revenue records, we are excited to report several significant new program wins that expand our footprint in both domestic and international markets. These new awards are the result of our consistent delivery of high-quality products and the trust we have earned as a dependable defense manufacturing partner.
“Our factory performance continues to highlight the strength of our team and the efficiency of our processes. As we celebrate this achievement, we remain focused on sustaining this growth trajectory, investing in innovation, and delivering superior value to our customers and shareholders.
“We thank our employees, customers, and investors for their ongoing support in making this success possible.”
Backlog as of June 29, 2025 was $38.3 million, compared to a backlog of $45.6 million as of June 30, 2024, representing a decrease of $7.3 million, or 16.0% from the prior year June period. Subsequent to the period ended June 29, 2025, the Company announced several new awards including a $2.8 million order for the XM30 program, a $10.2 million five-year requirement-type contract award for optical sighting systems, and a $1.6 million order for laser filters, bringing our total backlog to $45.0 million as of August 5, 2025.
For the three months ended June 29, 2025, our total revenue increased by $2.1 million, or 22.6%, compared to the prior year period. For the nine months ended June 29, 2025, our total revenue increased by $5.5 million, or 22.3%, compared to the prior year period. The increase in revenue was primarily driven by higher periscope production levels at the Optex Richardson segment, combined with increased customer demand across both the Optex Richardson and the Applied Optics operating segments.
Consolidated gross profit for the three months ended June 29, 2025 increased by $0.3 million, or 10.0%, compared to the prior year period. Consolidated gross profit for the nine months ended June 29, 2025 increased by $1.5 million, or 21.6%, compared to the prior year period. The increase in the most recent three and nine-month period gross profit was primarily attributable to increased revenue and changes in product mix.
Our operating income for the three months ended June 29, 2025 increased by $0.3 million, or 18.3%, compared to the prior year period. Our operating income for the nine months ended June 29, 2025 increased by $1.5 million, or 43.8%, compared to the prior year period. The increase in operating income was primarily driven by higher revenue and gross profit.
As of June 29, 2025, Optex Systems Holdings had working capital of $19.4 million, as compared to $15.1 million as of September 29, 2024. During the nine months ended June 29, 2025, we generated operating cash of $5.4 million, primarily driven by increased net income, reductions in inventory and increased accounts payable. During the nine months ended June 29, 2025, we paid $1.0 million against the credit facility and purchased capital assets of $0.5 million.
At June 29, 2025, the Company had approximately $4.9 million in cash and no draws against its revolving credit line. As of June 29, 2025, our outstanding accounts receivable balance was $4.1 million to be collected during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025.
Our key performance measures for the three and nine months ended June 29, 2025 and June 30, 2024 are summarized below.
(Thousands)
Three months ended
Nine months ended
Metric
Jun 29, 2025
Jun 30, 2024
% Change
Jun 29, 2025
Jun 30, 2024
% Change
Revenue
$
11,110
$
9,060
22.6
%
$
30,038
$
24,552
22.3
%
Gross Profit
$
3,168
$
2,881
10.0
%
$
8,658
$
7,122
21.6
%
Gross Margin %
28.5
%
31.8
%
(10.4
)%
28.8
%
29.0
%
(0.7
)%
Operating Income
$
1,911
$
1,615
18.3
%
$
5,065
$
3,523
43.8
%
Net Income
$
1,510
$
1,261
19.7
%
$
4,122
$
2,754
49.7
%
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)
$
2,125
$
1,837
15.7
%
$
5,698
$
4,224
34.9
%
The table below summarizes our three- and nine-month operating results for the periods ended June 29, 2025 and June 30, 2024, in terms of both the GAAP net income measure and the non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA measure. We believe that including both measures allows the reader better to evaluate our overall performance.
(Thousands)
Three months ended
Nine months ended
June 29, 2025
June 30, 2024
June 29, 2025
June 30, 2024
Net Income (GAAP)
$
1,510
$
1,261
$
4,122
$
2,754
Add:
Federal Income Tax Expense
401
337
931
737
Depreciation and Amortization
131
132
386
341
Stock Compensation
83
90
247
360
Interest (Income) Expense
–
17
12
32
Adjusted EBITDA – Non GAAP
$
2,125
$
1,837
$
5,698
$
4,224
Adjusted EBITDA has limitations and should not be considered in isolation or a substitute for performance measures calculated under GAAP. This non-GAAP measure excludes certain cash expenses that we are obligated to make. In addition, other companies in our industry may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do or may not calculate it at all, which limits the usefulness of Adjusted EBITDA as a comparative measure.
Our net income increased by $0.2 million to $1.5 million for the three months ended June 29, 2025, as compared to net income of $1.3 million for the prior year period. Our adjusted EBITDA increased by $0.3 million to $2.1 million for the three months ended June 29, 2025, as compared to adjusted EBITDA of $1.8 million for the prior year period.
Our net income increased by $1.3 million to $4.1 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2025, as compared to net income of $2.8 million for the prior year period. Our adjusted EBITDA increased by $1.5 million to $5.7 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2025, as compared to adjusted EBITDA of $4.2 million for the prior year period.
The increase in net income and adjusted EBITDA for the most recent three and nine-month periods compared to the prior year periods is primarily driven by increased revenue and gross profit.
We currently do not anticipate any significant material risks as a result of the recent tariff uncertainties or China’s stranglehold on rare earths. Our defense products are primarily sourced domestically, but those which are imported are generally not subject to tariff or duties. We produce some commercial optical assemblies with selective components sourced from Taiwan; however, our current customer backlog is covered with existing material in inventory. We anticipate any future orders for these commercial products will be subject to revised pricing inclusive of any potential tariff impact.
Highlights of the Consolidated and Segment Results of Operations have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. These financial highlights do not include all information and disclosures required in the consolidated financial statements and footnotes and should be read in conjunction with our Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the three and nine months ended June 29, 2025 filed with the SEC on August 12, 2025.
Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Thousands, except share and per share data)
June 29, 2025
September 29, 2024
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
4,871
$
1,009
Accounts Receivable, Net
4,140
3,764
Inventory, Net
14,514
14,863
Contract Asset
155
219
Prepaid Expenses
469
217
Current Assets
24,149
20,072
Property and Equipment, Net
1,475
1,292
Other Assets
Deferred Tax Asset
852
947
Intangible Assets, Net
845
951
Right-of-use Asset
1,836
2,233
Security Deposits
23
23
Other Assets
3,556
4,154
Total Assets
$
29,180
$
25,518
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts Payable
$
1,778
$
1,177
Credit Facility
–
1,000
Operating Lease Liability
645
638
Federal Income Taxes Payable
–
74
Accrued Expenses
1,227
1,258
Accrued Selling Expense
169
237
Accrued Warranty Costs
173
52
Contract Loss Reserves
423
259
Customer Advance Deposits
285
255
Current Liabilities
4,700
4,950
Other Liabilities
Operating Lease Liability, net of current portion
1,346
1,760
Other Liabilities
1,346
1,760
Total Liabilities
6,046
6,710
Commitments and Contingencies
–
–
Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock – ($0.001 par, 2,000,000,000 authorized, 6,912,919 and 6,873,938 shares issued and outstanding, respectively)
7
7
Additional Paid in Capital
21,669
21,465
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
1,458
(2,664
)
Stockholders’ Equity
23,134
18,808
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
$
29,180
$
25,518
The accompanying notes in our Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the three and nine months ended June 29, 2025 filed with the SEC on August 12, 2025 are an integral part of these financial statements.
Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(Thousands, except share and per share data)
Three months ended
Nine months ended
June 29, 2025
June 30, 2024
June 29, 2025
June 30, 2024
Revenue
$
11,110
$
9,060
$
30,038
$
24,552
Cost of Sales
7,942
6,179
21,380
17,430
Gross Profit
3,168
2,881
8,658
7,122
General and Administrative Expense
1,257
1,266
3,593
3,599
Operating Income
1,911
1,615
5,065
3,523
Interest Expense
–
17
12
32
Income Before Taxes
1,911
1,598
5,053
3,491
Income Tax Expense, net
401
337
931
737
Net Income
$
1,510
$
1,261
$
4,122
$
2,754
Basic income per share
$
0.22
$
0.19
$
0.60
$
0.41
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding – basic
6,884,429
6,799,807
6,856,776
6,744,997
Diluted income per share
$
0.22
$
0.18
$
0.60
$
0.40
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding – diluted
6,929,625
6,888,208
6,911,817
6,812,431
The accompanying notes in our Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the three and nine months ended June 29, 2025 filed with the SEC on August 12, 2025 are an integral part of these financial statements.
ABOUT OPTEX SYSTEMS
Optex, which was founded in 1987, is a Richardson, Texas based ISO 9001:2015 certified concern, which manufactures optical sighting systems and assemblies, primarily for Department of Defense (DOD) applications. Its products are installed on various types of U.S. military land vehicles, such as the Abrams and Bradley fighting vehicles, Light Armored and Armored Security Vehicles, and have been selected for installation on the Stryker family of vehicles. Optex also manufactures and delivers numerous periscope configurations, rifle and surveillance sights, and night vision optical assemblies. Optex delivers its products both directly to the military services and to prime contractors. For additional information, please visit the Company’s website at www.optexsys.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those relating to the products and services described herein. You can identify these statements by the use of the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “continue,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “likely,” “forecast,” “probable,” and similar expressions.
These forward-looking statements represent our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies concerning future events, including, but not limited to, any statements regarding growth strategy; product and development programs; financial performance and financial condition (including revenue, net income, profit margins and working capital); customer demand; orders and backlog; expected timing of contract deliveries to customers and corresponding revenue recognition; increases in the cost of materials and labor; costs remaining to fulfill contracts; contract loss reserves; labor shortages; follow-on orders; supply chain challenges; the continuation of historical trends; the sufficiency of our cash balances for future liquidity and capital resource needs; the expected impact of changes in accounting policies on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows; anticipated problems and our plans for future operations; and the economy in general or the future of the defense industry.
These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, continued funding of defense programs and military spending, the timing of such funding, general economic and business conditions, including unforeseen weakness in the Company’s markets, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, changes in the U.S. Government’s interpretation of federal procurement rules and regulations, changes in spending due to policy changes in any new federal presidential administration, market acceptance of the Company’s products, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, inability to fully realize the expected benefits from acquisitions and restructurings or delays in realizing such benefits, challenges in integrating acquired businesses and achieving anticipated synergies, changes to export regulations, increases in tax rates, changes to generally accepted accounting principles, difficulties in retaining key employees and customers, unanticipated costs under fixed-price service and system integration engagements, changes in the market for microcap stocks regardless of growth and value and various other factors beyond our control.
You must carefully consider any such statement and should understand that many factors could cause actual results to differ from the Company’s forward-looking statements. These factors include inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of other risks and uncertainties, including some that are known and some that are not. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. The Company does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. You should carefully evaluate such statements in light of factors described in the Company’s filings with the SEC, especially on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. In various filings the Company has identified important factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historic results. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete list of all potential risks or uncertainties.
NORTH CONWAY, NH / ACCESS Newswire / August 12, 2025 / Digitunity, in collaboration with Brian Whitacre, Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University, and AT&T, has released a new report, Supportive and Sustainable Computer Ownership Ecosystems for Rural America: Key Takeaways and Actionable Strategies. Based on a 15-month initiative in Mississippi and Arizona, the report provides practical recommendations on how to increase computer ownership and digital skills in rural communities.
Computer Ownership Is a Challenge in Rural Communities
One in seven households still lacks access to a large-screen computer in the United States, and the gap is even wider in rural areas, where many households rely solely on smartphones, while others lack any computers at all. In the absence of access, there are limited opportunities for education, employment, health care, and community engagement.
Key Findings and Solutions
The report documents the unique barriers rural communities face, including limited local resources for device supply, refurbishment, and deployment. It provides 20 actionable takeaways, including:
Building partnerships with trusted local organizations to understand community needs
Creating sustainable systems for computer donation and deployment
Formalizing device distribution practices and digital skills training
Leveraging field catalyst organizations to connect rural communities with national partners, donors, and resources
Supportive and Sustainable Computer Ownership Ecosystems for Rural America includes case studies from Mississippi and Arizona. These reports present detailed survey data, best practices, and recommendations for stakeholders seeking to expand digital opportunities in rural America.
Collaboration and Impact
Digitunity led the project, collaborating with AT&T, Oklahoma State University, Chicanos Por La Causa, Arizona Students Recycling Used Technology (AZStRUT), and the Mississippi Broadband Association, among other partners. The initiative led to the deployment of hundreds of computers, digital skills workshops, and the development of tools and templates now available to rural communities nationwide.
“Our goal is to shape and strengthen systems to make computer ownership possible for everyone, no matter where they live,” said Karisa Tashjian, Senior Director of Programs and Strategic Partnerships at Digitunity. “This report offers practical guidance and real-world examples for communities demonstrating that lasting solutions are possible.”
Download the Report
The full report, Supportive and Sustainable Computer Ownership Ecosystems for Rural America: Key Takeaways and Actionable Strategies, is available for download here.
About Digitunity: Digitunity is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to make owning a computer possible for everyone. For over 40 years, Digitunity has been engaged in the work of shaping and strengthening systems to address computer ownership among those impacted by the digital divide. Through generating and placing donated computers with organizations serving people in need, supporting a national practitioner network, and providing strategic advisory support to states and cities, Digitunity works to create sustainable solutions that make computer ownership possible for all.
