Category: Business

Research from UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry is orbiting Earth aboard the International Space Station as part of an innovative project studying how to preserve bone health in space.

The project, known as VIBES — Vibration-Induced Bone Exercise Stimulation — will examine whether low-intensity vibration can help counteract the aging-like bone loss associated with microgravity.

The study uses 3D-printed tissue-engineered bone marrow analogs designed to model the effects of aging and bone loss in space. Researchers aim to better understand whether low-intensity mechanical vibration can serve as a countermeasure to preserve bone tissue during extended spaceflight.

Some samples aboard the International Space Station will receive low-intensity vibration twice daily during the 21-day mission, while others will serve as non-stimulated controls for comparison.

Launched May 15 aboard SpaceX’s CRS-34 resupply mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the experiment will operate aboard the International Space Station for 21 days using Space Tango’s automated bioreactor system.

Led by Gunes Uzer, PhD, of Boise State University’s College of Engineering, the $1.2 million National Science Foundation-funded project includes researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students from multiple institutions, including Rice University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Representing the School of Dentistry on the interdisciplinary research team are Mary C. “Cindy” Farach-Carson, PhD, professor and associate dean for research, and Danielle Wu, PhD, assistant professor, from the Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences.

“This project represents an exciting opportunity to study bone biology in a completely unique environment,” Farach-Carson said. “The findings could have important implications not only for astronauts during long-duration missions, including missions to Mars or permanent stations on the moon, but also for aging populations and individuals experiencing bone loss here on Earth.”

Microgravity conditions in space can accelerate bone deterioration, making astronauts more susceptible to fractures and other skeletal complications. Researchers hope the study will provide insights into strategies that may reduce those effects and contribute to future treatments for osteoporosis and age-related bone disease.

Wu said the collaboration reflects the project’s interdisciplinary nature.

“Participating in a project aboard the International Space Station underscores how collaboration among engineers, biomedical scientists, and biologists drives transformative discovery, all while preparing the next generation of researchers to work seamlessly across disciplines to solve complex health challenges,” Wu said.

The VIBES mission brings together expertise in tissue engineering, biomechanics, space biology, and regenerative medicine, with the goal of advancing human health in space and on Earth.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Dragon spacecraft launched at 5:05 p.m. CT on May 15. After an approximately 36-hour flight, Dragon autonomously docked with the International Space Station on May 17.

US Formulations

Formulation sales in the US were US$ 459 million, lower by 1.1%. Innovative Medicines continued to grow offsetting the decline in generics business. US sales accounted for approximately 28.8% of total consolidated sales. For the full year FY26, sales were US$ 1,904 million.

Emerging Markets (EM) Formulations

Emerging Markets formulations sales were US$ 306 million, up by 17.4% and accounted for 19.2% of total consolidated sales. For the full year FY26, sales were US$ 1,265 million, growing 13.6%.

Rest of World (ROW) Formulations

Formulation sales in Rest of World markets were US$ 220 million, up by 10% and accounted for 13.8% of total consolidated sales. For the full year FY26, sales were US$ 969 million, up 14.4%.

Innovative Medicines

Global Innovative Medicines sales were US$ 354 million for Q4FY26, up 20.1% and accounted for 22.2% of sales. For the full year FY26, sales were US$ 1,420 million, up 16.8%.

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API)

Our API portfolio supports our formulation business and API customers across geographies. External sales of API were Rs. 6,739 million, up 26.4%. For the full year FY26, API sales were Rs. 21,853 million, up 2.6%.

R&D Update

Sun Pharma’s R&D efforts span across both innovative and generic businesses and the company continues to invest in building the pipeline for various markets. Sun’s innovative R&D pipeline includes five novel entities in clinical stage. Sun has a comprehensive product offering in the US market consisting of approved ANDAs for 552 products while filings for 122 ANDAs await US FDA approval, including 28 tentative approvals. During the quarter, 7 ANDAs were filed, and approval received for 2 ANDAs.

Sun’s portfolio includes 57 approved NDAs while 13 NDAs await US FDA approval.

Uttarakhand, Roorkee, May 22: Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee has signed two Technology Transfer Agreements for innovative lithium ion battery electrode technologies developed by Prof. Anjan Sil, marking another significant step toward strengthening India’s advanced energy storage ecosystem. Both technologies have been transferred to Cathion Energy Private Limited for further development and commercialisation.

The two transferred technologies are titled:

1.      A Novel Electrode Composite for High Power and High Energy Application in Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery

2.      A High-Performance Composite Electrode for Li–ion Battery

These technologies focus on enhancing the electrochemical performance, energy density, charging capability, and overall efficiency of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The innovations are expected to contribute toward the growing demand for efficient and sustainable energy storage solutions across sectors, including electric mobility, portable electronics, and renewable energy systems. 

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Anjan Sil, inventor of both technologies, said, “The transfer of these technologies represents an important step toward translating laboratory-scale research into impactful industrial applications. Our objective has been to develop advanced electrode materials that can address the increasing demand for high-performance and reliable energy storage systems.”

Dr Hari Raj, CEO, Cathion Energy Private Limited, expressed enthusiasm regarding the collaboration and stated, “We are pleased to collaborate with IIT Roorkee for the commercialisation of these advanced Li–ion battery technologies. The innovations hold strong potential for improving battery performance and supporting the rapidly evolving energy storage and electric mobility sectors.”

Prof. Vivek K. Malik, Dean, Sponsored Research & Industrial Consultancy (SRIC), Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, commented, “Technology transfer is a critical component of the innovation ecosystem at IIT Roorkee. Such collaborations facilitate the translation of cutting-edge research into real-world solutions and contribute significantly toward industrial advancement and national technological growth.”

Prof. Kamal K. Pant, Director, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, stated, “IIT Roorkee remains committed to fostering impactful research and promoting industry-academia collaboration. The transfer of these battery technologies reflects the institute’s continued efforts toward supporting innovation in strategic and emerging sectors.”

The technology transfer agreements were facilitated by the Intellectual Property Rights Cell of SRIC at IIT Roorkee, reinforcing the institute’s commitment to promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry engagement.

Bangalore: The grand inauguration of the 19th outlet of Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor was successfully held in Koramangala, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s continued expansion.

The evening was graced by renowned personalities including actor and singer Ambarish Bhattacharya, actor, director, and singer Anirban Bhattacharya, and acclaimed artist Sreenanda Shankar, whose presence added to the celebratory spirit of the occasion.

The inauguration ceremony, illuminated with traditional lamps, reflected a vibrant blend of culture, music, and celebration. The guests of honour marked the occasion with heartfelt interactions and engaging performances, creating a memorable evening for all attendees.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajib Paul, the driving force behind the brand, shared his vision of bringing the rich culinary heritage of Bengal to audiences across India and beyond. His continued commitment to authenticity and innovation has been instrumental in the brand’s growing success.

Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor is not just a restaurant; it is an emotion deeply connected to Bengal’s culture, nostalgia, and flavours. With every new outlet, our vision is to bring people closer to authentic Bengali culinary experiences while preserving the warmth and spirit of our heritage,” said Rajib Paul.

Inspired by the imaginative worlds of Bhooter Raja and Shundi Raja, the new outlet in Koramangala has been thoughtfully designed to reflect the charm, warmth, and cultural essence of Bengal.

With this launch, Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor continues its journey of celebrating authentic flavours and warm hospitality, welcoming food lovers from all backgrounds to experience its distinctive culinary offerings.

The brand looks forward to strengthening its presence and continuing its growth across new markets in the coming years.

Mangalore, Karnataka, May 22: With Indian surfing preparing for its historic debut at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in September, the seventh edition of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) Indian Open of Surfing 2026, has received a major shot in the arm, with leading corporate brands and Government bodies coming together to support one of India’s biggest surfing championships. Scheduled to be held from May 29 to 31, 2026, here at the Blue Bay Eco Beach in Tannirbhavi, the championship will be organised by the Surfing Swami Foundation and the Mantra Surf Club under the aegis of the Surfing Federation of India (SFI).

The New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) has returned as the Title Sponsor for the third consecutive year, reaffirming its continued commitment towards the growth of surfing and coastal sports in the region. The renowned Cycle Agarbatti and skincare brand deconstruct have joined the championship as Gold Sponsors, with deconstruct also coming on board as the Official SPF Partner for the event, while the Karnataka Tourism Department, Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, and the Karnataka Surfing Association continue their support towards the development of surfing in the state and the country. Northern Sky has also come on board as the Venue Partner for the event.

The NMPA Indian Open of Surfing remains one of the most important stops on the national surfing calendar and is expected to play a crucial role in India’s preparations for the Asian Games later this year. The championship will serve as a key competitive platform for surfers aiming to strengthen their claims for places in the Indian contingent for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026.

Indian surfing has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, with Indian surfers securing the country’s first-ever qualification quotas for the Asian Games and delivering strong performances at the Asian Surfing Championships on the international stage. With surfing rapidly emerging as one of India’s fastest-growing coastal sports, events like the NMPA Indian Open of Surfing, are playing a key role in building the country’s competitive ecosystem.

Speaking on behalf of the Karnataka Government, Mr. Darshan H.V., IAS, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, Dakshina Kannada, said, “Karnataka has steadily emerged as one of India’s leading destinations for surfing and beach tourism. The continued success of the Indian Open of Surfing highlights the state’s growing stature as a hub for coastal sports, tourism and youth engagement. We are happy to support an event that celebrates both sport and the natural beauty of our coastline.”

Reaffirming his support to the championship, Shri. Sushil Kumar Singh, IRSME, Chairperson, New Mangalore Port Authority, said, “The NMPA Indian Open of Surfing has grown into a nationally recognised sporting property over the years and we are proud to continue our support as the title sponsor. As a coastal institution deeply connected with the region, we believe the championship not only promotes sports but also showcases the immense tourism and cultural potential of coastal Karnataka.”

Mr. Arjun Ranga, Managing Partner, NR Group & MD, Cycle Pure Agarbatti, also expressed happiness at the association saying, “We are delighted to associate with a progressive sporting property like the NMPA Indian Open of Surfing. Surfing reflects youthfulness, energy and aspiration, values that resonate strongly with our brand and its growing connection with younger audiences across the country.”

Ms. Malini Adapureddy, Founder and CEO, deconstruct, weighed in on the immense potential of the sport and said, “Indian surfing is entering a very exciting phase with growing international recognition and participation. Supporting the NMPA Indian Open of Surfing aligns with our vision of encouraging emerging sporting cultures and backing athletes who are pushing boundaries for the country.”

Mr. Rammohan Paranjape, Vice President, Surfing Federation of India, highlighted the importance of sponsor support for the sport’s growth when he shared, “The support extended by our sponsors and government stakeholders has played a major role in strengthening the surfing ecosystem in India. With the Asian Games approaching, events like the NMPA Indian Open of Surfing become extremely important in preparing our athletes for the international stage while also helping the sport reach newer audiences.”

Over the years, the NMPA Indian Open of Surfing has established itself as one of India’s premier surfing championships, attracting top surfers from across the country while also significantly contributing towards the growth of surfing tourism in Karnataka. The championship has also played an instrumental role in positioning Mangalore and Karnataka among India’s leading surfing destinations.

The 2026 edition is expected to witness participation from some of the country’s top surfers competing across multiple categories in what promises to be another landmark edition of India’s flagship surfing championship.

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 22 May 2026: AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), a leading global enabler of trade, logistics and industry, announced the establishment of a consolidated, multimodal inland logistics network of rail-linked dry ports and cargo depots, including KEZAD Group’s Industry City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD). This network will position Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals as dual gateways for the UAE industry, while strengthening the movement of industrial cargo across the UAE and the wider region.

In support of this effort, the Group signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four leading UAE manufacturers, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), EMSTEEL Group, Al Ghurair Iron & Steel, and Tenaris, positioning them as anchor industrial cargo clients of AD Ports Group’s rail-linked inland logistics network.

The network aims to facilitate the efficient movement of industrial inputs, finished goods and strategic cargo across the UAE. It will connect Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals to rail-linked inland dry ports, ICAD, and cargo depots across the UAE, creating a more integrated logistics backbone that supports seamless flows between production sites, inland markets and regional trade corridors.

Designed to enhance supply chain performance, the network will enable more reliable inbound flows of industrial feedstock and raw materials to UAE manufacturers, whilst offering greater flexibility for outbound distribution of finished and semi-finished goods, through multiple inland and gateway options, strengthening corridor resilience, reducing reliance on single gateways, and improving access to the UAE and regional markets. 

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, said: “Through establishing a consolidated, multimodal inland logistics network, anchored by the UAE’s leading industrial champions, we aim to further strengthen the UAE’s industrial logistics backbone. This network will connect Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals to a rail-linked network of inland dry ports and cargo depots, enhancing commercial use of the UAE’s national rail infrastructure. It will also provide improved access to industrial inputs, greater export flexibility, and long-term competitiveness for national supply chains, in line with the vision of our wise leadership.”

By strengthening inland cargo connectivity between ports, industrial zones and end markets, the consolidated network will support the UAE’s industrial growth agenda, improving trade corridor optionality for strategic cargo across the UAE and the wider region. Its benefits will extend to manufacturers and industries across KEZAD and other UAE industrial sectors, enabling more efficient access to raw materials and streamlined export of finished goods through Khalifa Port and Fujairah Terminals as key gateways.

Mumbai, May 22: ideaForge Technology Limited, India’s leading UAV technology company, today announced DGCA Type Certification for the Q6 V2 GEO, a multi-purpose enterprise and geospatial UAV designed for advanced surveillance, mapping, inspection, and multi-sensor aerial data acquisition, under the Drone Rules, 2021, in the Small category (2 to 25 kg).

The Q6 V2 GEO addresses the growing demand for reliable aerial surveillance, mapping, surveying, and geospatial data acquisition across enterprise and government operations, spanning infrastructure, mining, utilities, urban planning, forestry, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster response.

Launched at PRAGYA 2025 as part of ideaForge’s geospatial technology initiatives, the platform supports five payload configurations: LiDAR, LiDAR with RGB imaging, high-resolution photogrammetry, 3D oblique imaging, and dual (day & night) payload operations. The platform is suited for applications such as perimeter surveillance and patrolling, terrain modelling, corridor mapping, volumetric analysis, infrastructure inspection, environmental assessment, glacier and avalanche mapping, river basin conservation, rural land digitisation, and high-resolution heritage and terrain documentation across challenging environments.

The Q6 V2 GEO is part of ideaForge’s complete enterprise and geospatial stack, operating with the BlueFire Touch ground control system for terrain-adaptive mission planning and multi-UAV coordination, and FLYGHT CLOUD for video data analysis, mission data management, and processing orthomosaics, point clouds, NDVI layers, and 3D terrain models in the cloud. Together, the platform and the stack deliver an end-to-end workflow from flight to certified data output.

Commenting on the milestone, Mr Ankit Mehta, Co-founder & CEO, ideaForge Technology Limited, said: “We are pleased that Q6 V2 GEO has received DGCA Type Certification. The platform has been developed to address the growing need for reliable aerial intelligence, surveillance, mapping, and geospatial data acquisition across enterprise and government applications supporting safety, security, and governance operations. With support for advanced payloads including LiDAR, Q6 V2 GEO is designed to operate in demanding environments while enabling high-quality data capture for a wide range of surveying, mapping, and inspection workflows.”

With up to 45+ minutes of flight time, the Q6 V2 GEO is designed to support demanding survey and mapping operations across varied terrain and operational environments. This certification further expands ideaForge’s portfolio of DGCA-certified UAV platforms deployed across defence, homeland security, civil, and enterprise applications.