Month: September 2026

São Paulo, Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Marfrig Global Foods S.A. (“MBRF”) (B3: MBRF3; ADR Level 1: MBRFY), through its subsidiary, NBM US Holdings, Inc. (“NBM” or the “Offeror”), Banco Bradesco BBI S.A., Banco BTG Pactual S.A. – Cayman Branch, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Santander US Capital Markets LLC (the “Dealer Managers”) today announced the commencement of an offer by the Offeror to purchase for cash from each registered holder (each, a “Holder” and, collectively, the “Holders”) any and all of the outstanding 6.625% Senior Notes due 2029 (CUSIP Nos. 62877V AB7; U63768 AB8 / ISIN Nos. US62877VAB71; USU63768AB83) issued by NBM (the “Notes” and the “Offer”, respectively).

The Offer is being made by the Offeror pursuant to the offer to purchase dated September 28, 2026 (the “Offer to Purchase”). The principal purpose of the Offer is to acquire for cash any and all of the outstanding Notes.

Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the Withdrawal Date (as defined below) will be purchased by the Offeror. The table below summarizes certain payment terms for the Offer:

Title of Security	CUSIP	ISIN	Principal Amount Outstanding	Consideration*
6.625% Senior Notes due 2029	62877V AB7 / U63768 AB8	US62877VAB71 / USU63768AB83	US$467,471,000	US$1,002.50

________________

* Per US$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase, excluding Accrued Interest to the Settlement Date.

The Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 2, 2026, unless extended or earlier terminated (such date and time, including as extended or earlier terminated, the “Expiration Date”). The deadline for withdrawing tenders is 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 2, 2026 (such date and time, including as extended, the “Withdrawal Date”), unless extended.

The Offeror expects the settlement of accepted Notes to occur, within two business days following the Expiration Date, which is expected to be October 6, 2026 (the “Settlement Date”).

The consideration for each US$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn is US$1,002.50 (the “Consideration”). Holders who validly tender their Notes at or prior to the Expiration Date and whose Notes are purchased in the Offer, will receive the Consideration plus accrued and unpaid interest (the “Accrued Interest”) in respect of their purchased Notes from the last interest payment date to, but excluding, the Settlement Date.

The Offer is conditioned upon, among other things, the consummation or closing on terms satisfactory to NBM of one or more offerings of senior notes by subsidiaries of MBRF and guaranteed by MBRF, NBM,  BRF S.A., Marfrig Holdings (Europe) B.V. and Marfrig Overseas Limited (the “Guarantors”), to be sold in an offering exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) (the “Debt Offering”) (the “Financing Condition”). The Debt Offering is not conditioned upon completion of the Offer. The Offer is not conditioned on any minimum amount of Notes being tendered. No assurance can be given that the Debt Offering will be priced or completed on the terms currently envisioned or at all. Additional conditions to the Offer are described under “Conditions to the Offer” in the Offer to Purchase.

The information and tender agent for the Offer is D.F. King & Co., Inc. (the “Information and Tender Agent”). To contact the Information and Tender Agent, banks and brokers may call +1 (212) 328-8038, and others may call U.S. toll-free: +1 (800) 515-4479. Additional contact information is set forth below.

Banks and Brokers: +1 (212) 328-8038	All others toll free (U.S. only): +1 (800) 515-4479
E-mail: MBRF@dfking.com	Offer website: www.dfking.com/MBRF

Any questions or requests for assistance in relation to the Offer and the Offer to Purchase may be directed to the Dealer Managers at their respective telephone numbers set forth below or, if by any Holder, to such Holder’s broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer. Requests for additional copies of the Offer to Purchase may be directed to the Information and Tender Agent at the telephone numbers set forth above. Documents relating to the Offer, including the Offer to Purchase, are also available at www.dfking.com/MBRF.

The Dealer Managers for the Offer are:

Banco Bradesco BBI S.A. Av. Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek, 1309, 5th floor São Paulo, SP 04543-011 – Brazil Attn: International Fixed Income Department Tel: +1 (646) 432-6642 E-mail: daniel.fuccillo@bradescobbi.com	Banco BTG Pactual S.A. – Cayman Branch 601 Lexington Avenue, 57th floor New York, NY 10022 Attn: Debt Capital Markets Call Collect: +1 (646) 924-2500 E-mail: ol-dcm@btgpactual.com
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. 66 Hudson Boulevard New York, NY 10001 Attn: Global Liability Management Group Toll-Free: +1 (888) HSBC-4LM Call Collect: +1(212) 525-5552 E-mail: lmamericas@us.hsbc.com	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC 270 Park Avenue New York, NY 10017 Attn: Latin America Debt Capital Markets Call Collect: +1 (212) 834-4533 Toll-free: +1 (866) 846-2874
Santander US Capital Markets LLC 437 Madison Avenue, 8th floor New York, NY 10022 Attn: Liability Management Group Toll-Free: +1 (855) 404-3636 Call Collect: +1 (212) 940-1442 E-mail: AmericasLM@santander.us

This notice does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to purchase, or any solicitation of any offer to sell, the Notes or any other securities in the United States or any other country, nor shall it or any part of it, or the fact of its release, form the basis of, or be relied on or in connection with, any contract therefor. The Offer is made only by and pursuant to the terms of the Offer to Purchase, and the information in this notice is qualified by reference to the Offer to Purchase. None of the Offeror, the Guarantors, the Dealer Managers or the Information and Tender Agent makes any recommendation as to whether Holders should tender their Notes pursuant to the Offer.

This notice to the market does not represent an offer to sell securities or a solicitation to buy securities in the United States or in any other country. The Debt Offering has not been and will not be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Brazil (CVM) and also will not be registered under the Securities Act. Consequently, the Notes issued in the Debt Offering are prohibited from being offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons without the applicable registration or exemption from registration required under the Securities Act.

This press release is released for disclosure purposes only, in accordance with applicable law. It does not constitute marketing material and should not be interpreted as advertising an offer to sell or soliciting any offer to buy securities issued by the Offeror or any of the Guarantors.

Forward-Looking Statements

This notice includes and references “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may relate to, among other things, the Offeror’s and the Guarantors’ business strategy, goals and expectations concerning their market position, future operations, margins and profitability.

Although the Offeror and the Guarantors believe the assumptions upon which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of these assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions could be incorrect.

The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and trends to differ materially from those made, projected or implied in or by the forward-looking statements depending on a variety of uncertainties or other factors.

The Offeror and the Guarantors undertake no obligation to update any of their forward-looking statements.

TORONTO, Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) (NYSE: RCI) plans to release its third quarter 2026 financial results on Friday, October 23, 2026, before North American financial markets open. The results will be distributed by newswire and posted at about.rogers.com/investor-relations. Rogers management will host its quarterly teleconference with the investment community to discuss the results and outlook at 8:00 a.m. ET.

A live webcast of the teleconference will be available on the Investor Relations section of Rogers’ website at about.rogers.com/investor-relations. Alternatively, the teleconference can be accessed by dialing 647-361-2258 (1-844-282-4459 toll free Canada/USA). When prompted, callers are required to enter passcode 3793238# for admittance to the call.

An archive of the presentation will be available at this same website following the teleconference. In addition, a telephonic re-broadcast will be available for two weeks following the teleconference by dialing 1-855-669-9658 (toll free Canada/USA) and providing access code 4728600#.

About Rogers:
Rogers is Canada’s communications, sports and entertainment company and its shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For more information, please visit rogers.com or about.rogers.com/investor-relations.

For further Information:
Investor Relations
1-844-801-4792
investor.relations@rci.rogers.com

WUXI, China, Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LOBO TECHNOLOGIES LTD. (NASDAQ: LOBO) (“LOBO” or the Company”), an innovative manufacturer of electric mobility products and AI service provider, today announced its entry into the AI‑powered community‑and home-based senior care market through the development and rollout of an integrated platform that combines intelligent mobility, multi‑terminal data collection, AI-powered analytics and community-based senior care services.

Building on its existing capabilities in electric mobility manufacturing and AI data services, LOBO is developing an integrated community‑ and home-based senior care platform. Through intelligent senior mobility devices, health wearables designed to collect health, activity and behavioral data across mobility, home and community settings, this platform is intended to support travel safety, continuous health monitoring and risk identification, while enabling intelligent intervention, coordinated community-based care services and remote family care, thereby forming an integrated AI‑powered senior care operating system.

LOBO’s current product and technology portfolio spans three principals categories: intelligent senior mobility devices; onboard embedded non‑contact vital‑sign sensing solutions and AI application modules to integrate data from health wearables for senior users.

Within LOBO’s broader platform architecture, intelligent senior mobility devices are designed to function not only as transportation tools, but also as connected mobile data terminal. Together with health wearables and onboard sensing technologies, these devices can provide multi‑scenario data relating to users’ health status, physical activity, mobility patterns and travel safety.

The Company’s AI‑powered community senior care operating platform is designed to serve as a central data analytics and service hub connects users, family members, community senior care centers, caregivers and partner healthcare resources. The platform is intended to aggregate health and mobility data collected through connected terminals and apply AI and multimodal data analytics to assess health trends and potential risk signals. Planned and developing functionality also includes care work‑order dispatching, remote family monitoring, AI voice companionship, medication reminders and electronic health record management.

Though this architecture, LOBO is developing a closed-loop service model encompassing “multi-terminal data collection — AI analysis — health and mobility monitoring — community operation — home-based care.” At this stage, the Company is focused on community- and home-based senior care pilot programs and product validation, with the goal of gradually expanding coverage as commercialization progresses.

LOBO believes its model has several differentiated characteristics compared with certain existing senior care technology solutions. Many existing solutions primarily focus on single‑device health tracking, consumer‑oriented health data analysis or institutional care data collection and analytics capabilities across mobility engineering competencies, intellectual property portfolio, industry‑standard development experience, multi‑scenario data collection and analytics capabilities across mobility, home and community settings, and platform operating capabilities to develop an integrated community‑ and home-based senior care platform.

China’s silver economy represents a significant long‑term market opportunity. According to publicly available industry data, the size of China’s silver economy is projected to exceed RMB 30 trillion (approximately $4.47 trillion) by 2035. By the end of 2025, China’s population aged 60 and above had reached approximately 323 million. With most older adults continuing to rely primarily on home‑ and community‑based care, demand for safety monitoring, health‑risk identification, fall detection, mobility assistance and accessible senior care services continue to grow.

To capture such a vast market, LOBO has been investing in intelligent senior mobility and related technologies for several years. Since 2021, the Company has collaborated with the Jiangsu Research Institute of Dalian University of Technology on the integrated research and development (“R&D”) of core hardware and software technology on the intelligent senior mobility. Through these R&D initiatives, LOBO has developed a portfolio of five software copyrights and invention patents covering technologies including advanced driver‑assistance systems for low‑speed vehicles, full‑band cellular and Internet of Things (“IoT”) connectivity, and video interaction applications.

In 2022, the Company, together with the China Electrotechnical Society and other organizations, participated in the development of the Technical Requirements for Wheeled Service Robots with Traffic Assistance Functions (T/CES 161‑2022), contributing to technical specifications for intelligent mobility and service robot applications. These intellectual property assets, engineering capabilities and industry-standard development experience provide a technical foundation for LOBO’s AI-powered senior care platform. Combined with the Company’s capabilities in multimodal data governance, AI dataset processing and physiological signal analysis, LOBO intends to integrate intelligent mobility hardware, sensing technologies, AI analytics and community-based senior care operations into a unified technology and service architecture.

Management views this initiative as a strategic extension of LOBO’s existing capabilities in electric mobility manufacturing, AI technologies and data services, with the objective of developing an ecosystem integrating hardware, data, AI analytics and community-based senior care services. Rather than relying solely on individual senior mobility products, the Company intends to establish multiple connected data and service terminals around senior users, creating an infrastructure through which mobility, health and behavioral data can support ongoing community- and home-based care services.

As LOBO continues to advance pilot deployments, product validation and community‑oriented commercialization, management believes the silver economy business has the potential to become a new long‑term growth opportunity for the Company.

About LOBO TECHNOLOGIES LTD.

LOBO TECHNOLOGIES LTD. (NASDAQ: LOBO) is a manufacturer of electric mobility products and AI service provider. Its product portfolio includes electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, electric tricycles, electric four-wheeler carts, including golf carts and senior mobility vehicles, as well as AI-related products and services.

For more information about the Company, please visit: www.loboebike.com.

For more information about the Company’s Claw AI Agent platform and LoboToken.ai platform, please visit:

Claw AI Agent platform: www.loboaiclaw.com;

LoboToken.ai: www.lobotoken.ai.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “seek,” “will,” and similar expressions. Any statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be considered forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied in such statements.

LOBO’s AI-powered community home elderly-care platform remains at the pilot deployment and commercialization development stage. Certain platform functions and integrations described herein remain under development or are planned for future implementation. The elderly-care industry generally involves long operating cycles, and the Company’s hardware development, product adoption, community commercialization, service execution, regulatory compliance and near-term revenue contribution remain subject to uncertainty.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee that such expectations will prove to be correct. Investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from anticipated results and are encouraged to review the risk factors that may affect the Company’s future results as set forth in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F and in other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.

For more information, please contact:

LOBO TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
Zane Xu
Investor Relations Manager
Email: ir@loboai.com

Ascent Investor Relations LLC
Tina Xiao
Tel: +1-646-932-7242
Email: investors@ascent-ir.com

New York, Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Columbus Acquisition Corp (the “Company”), a blank check company, today announced that it reconvened its Extraordinary General Meeting of the Shareholders (the “Meeting”) and, without conducting any business, adjourned the Meeting to 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on September 29, 2026 at the offices of Loeb & Loeb LLP, 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154, and virtually via teleconference using the following dial-in information:

Telephone access:
Within the U.S.: and Canada: 1 800-450-7155 (toll-free)
Outside of the U.S. and Canada: +1 857-999-9155 (standard rates apply)
Phone conference ID: 5870682#

The Meeting was adjourned as to all of the proposals contained in the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 19, 2026, including any amendments or supplements thereto (the “Proxy Statement”), including the proposal to approve the proposed business combination with WISeSat.Space Corp. Except for the meeting date and time provided above, the Company’s previously announced information concerning the Meeting remains unchanged.

The record date for determining the Company shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting remains the close of business on August 17, 2026 (the “Record Date”). Shareholders as of the Record Date are eligible to vote, even if they have subsequently sold their shares.

If you have already voted, you do not need to vote again unless you would like to change or revoke your prior vote on any proposal.

If you have already submitted a proxy and do not wish to change your vote, you need not take any further action. If you have submitted a proxy and wish to change your vote, you may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised at the Meeting as provided in the Proxy Statement. Please note, however, that if your shares are held in street name by a broker or other nominee and you wish to revoke a proxy, you must contact the broker or nominee to revoke any prior voting instructions.

The Company’s shareholders who have questions regarding the adjournment, or the Meeting, or would like to request documents may contact the Company’s proxy solicitor, Advantage Proxy, Inc., at:

Advantage Proxy, Inc. P.O. Box 10904
Yakima, WA 98909
Individuals call toll-free 1-877-870-8565
Banks and brokers call 1-206-870-8565
Email: ksmith@advantageproxy.com

In addition, shareholders who have already submitted a redemption request with respect to the shares held by them may withdraw such request by contacting our transfer agent. If you would like to change or revoke your prior vote on any proposal, or reverse a redemption request, please refer to the Proxy Statement for additional information on how to do so.

About Columbus Acquisition Corp

Columbus Acquisition Corp is a blank check company, also commonly referred to as a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. Columbus is led by Fen “Eric” Zhang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Jie “Janet” Hu, Chief Financial Officer, who are growth-oriented executives with a long track record of value creation across industries. 

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the date of the Meeting, are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

On August 19, 2026, the Company filed a definitive proxy statement with the SEC in connection with its solicitation of proxies for the Meeting. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THE COMPANY FILES WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the definitive proxy statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto) and other documents filed with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or by contacting the Company’s proxy solicitor.

Participants in the Solicitation

The Company and its respective directors and officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders in connection with the Meeting. Additional information regarding the identity of these potential participants and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the definitive proxy statement. You may obtain free copies of these documents using the sources indicated above.

Contact

Fen Zhang
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Email: eric.zhang@herculescapital.group

Tel: (+1) 949 899 1827 

Independent French health agency ANSES recommends a maximum nicotine limit for all combustible tobacco product; the Company’s supply now includes non-GMO reduced-nicotine tobacco, addressing a key feasibility question for France and the EU

MOCKSVILLE, N.C., Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 22nd Century Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: XXII), the only low nicotine tobacco company in the world, today highlighted the findings of a scientific assessment published by ANSES, France’s National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety, which identifies nicotine reduction in combustible tobacco products as a promising public health initiative and points to 22nd Century’s technology as the only commercially available production path for reduced nicotine content combustible cigarettes.

The ANSES report (Referral No. 2025-AST-0038 – Nicotine), commissioned by France’s Directorate General of Health (DGS) and validated on December 5, 2025, concludes that reducing the nicotine content of cigarettes could be an effective tool in the fight against smoking, citing randomized controlled trials showing that reduced-nicotine cigarettes limit addiction and cigarette consumption and can facilitate abstinence when combined with nicotine replacement therapy and professional support. The report recommends that any maximum nicotine limit be applied to all combustible tobacco products, conventional cigarettes, rolling tobacco and cigars alike, and that the measure be considered at the European Union level, including through the ongoing revision of Directive 2014/40/EU on tobacco products.

The report’s reference standard for very-low-nicotine production

In its assessment of international experience, the report notes that the only very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNC’s) currently available rely on low-nicotine tobacco produced through plant science and describes 22nd Century’s approach as the only currently in commercial use in its VLN^® and Pinnacle VLN^® cigarettes. The report further documents the Company’s regulatory record: FDA authorization of the VLN product line in December 2019, and in December 2021 the first-ever Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) designation for combustible cigarettes, authorizing 22nd Century as the first cigarette manufacturer to use the claim “Helps reduce nicotine consumption.” The Company has also supplied the Spectrum research cigarette line to the U.S. scientific community in partnership with FDA, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) since 2011, and in May 2026 the FDA filed the Company’s MRTP renewal applications for VLN King and VLN Menthol King for scientific review.

Non-GMO reduced-nicotine tobacco now available for France and the EU

The ANSES report raises the question of how reduced nicotine products would fit within French and European rules on genetically modified organisms. 22nd Century has expanded its technology platform to include reduced-nicotine tobacco produced without genetic modification. 22^nd Century’s non-GMO low nicotine tobacco has been sourced at commercial scale and is available to support an initiative like the one contemplated in France or across the broader European Union. This means the nicotine-cap scenario described in the report could be supplied without reliance on genetically modified tobacco, removing a perceived key implementation barrier of the reduced nicotine standard.

Alignment with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

A maximum nicotine standard for combustible products, as recommended by ANSES, would operate squarely within the framework of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), to which France and all EU Member States are parties. Regulation of the product itself, reducing the addictive potential of combustible tobacco, complements the demand-reduction and supply measures the Convention establishes and advances the goal of protecting public health policies from commercial influences on consumption.

A multi-billion-euro market would convert to reduced-nicotine products

Under a nicotine-cap rule of the kind ANSES recommends, the standard would apply to all combustible tobacco products sold in France, converting what is today an estimated to be over €20 billion annual retail market into a very-low-nicotine market. Accounting for the transition dynamics the ANSES report itself identifies, displacement to illicit trade, substitution to other nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, and reduced cigarettes-per-day among remaining smokers, the Company estimates the sustainable legal market at approximately €8-13 billion at retail over the first three to five years following implementation. However, as only a small fraction of the retail price reaches manufacturers after French excise duties and VAT, success under this scenario depends on the supply of reduced-nicotine tobacco at scale, a role 22nd Century’s expanded platform, including non-GMO reduced-nicotine tobacco, is positioned to fulfill.

European policy window

The European Commission launched a call for evidence on May 18, 2026 as part of the announced revision of the EU tobacco control framework, with legislative proposals widely expected to be put forward before the end of 2026. The ANSES report explicitly frames this revision as the opportunity to create a legal framework for reduced-nicotine tobacco products across the EU single market, harmonized to limit cross-border circumvention.

“The ANSES report is a significant validation of the work our Company has pursued for almost three decades. A sovereign public health agency, after a critical review of the global evidence , has concluded that reducing nicotine in combustible products is among the best-supported interventions in the scientific literature, and has identified the approach we pioneered as the one currently available at commercial scale. With reduced-nicotine tobacco now also sourced and available without genetic modification, we are prepared to supply an initiative like France’s in France or across the European Union.” said Larry Firestone, Chief Executive Officer of 22nd Century Group.

“With VLN^® products now commercially available in 23 U.S. states, we are seeing a growing number of consumers adopt the platform and purchase through our retail channels, with sales growing month over month. Our reduced nicotine VLN^® cigarette solution is now gaining recognition in Europe as well. Interested parties and prospective partners across multiple European countries have reached out to the Company, and we are actively evaluating these markets and how we can best serve them,” Firestone continued.

22nd Century Group remains focused on advancing tobacco harm reduction through its FDA-authorized VLN^® product platform and its reduced-nicotine tobacco supply, and looks forward to contributing constructively and transparently to the policy discussions ahead in France and the wider European Union.

About 22nd Century Group, Inc.

22nd Century Group is pioneering the Tobacco Harm Reduction and Nicotine Reduction Movements by enabling smokers to take control of their nicotine consumption. 

Our Technology is Tobacco

Our proprietary non-GMO reduced nicotine tobacco plants were developed using our patented technologies that regulate alkaloid biosynthesis activities resulting in a tobacco plant that contains 95% less nicotine than traditional tobacco plants. Our extensive patent portfolio has been developed to ensure that our-high-quality tobacco can be grown commercially at scale. We continue to develop our intellectual property to ensure our ongoing leadership in the tobacco harm reduction movement. 

Our Products 

We created our flagship product, the VLN^® cigarette using our low nicotine tobacco, to give traditional cigarette smokers an authentic and familiar alternative in the form of a combustible cigarette that helps them take control of their nicotine consumption. VLN^® cigarettes have 95% less nicotine compared to traditional cigarettes and have been proven to allow consumers to greatly reduce their nicotine consumption. 

VLN^® and Helps You Smoke Less^® are registered trademarks of 22nd Century Limited LLC. 

Learn more at xxiicentury.com, on X (formerly Twitter), on LinkedIn, and on YouTube. 

Learn more about VLN^® at tryvln.com. 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to our full year business outlook. Forward-looking statements typically contain terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “consider,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “explore,” “foresee,” “goal,” “guidance,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “preliminary,” “probable,” “project,” “promising,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding (i) our expectations regarding regulatory enforcement, including our ability to receive authorization or approval for new products, and (ii) our financial and operating performance. Actual results might differ materially from those explicit or implicit in forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are set forth in “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 26, 2026 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed May 7, 2026 and August 14, 2026. All information provided in this release is as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. 

Investor Relations & Media Contact 
Daniel Otto
Chief Financial Officer & Investor Relations 
22nd Century Group 
investorrelations@xxiicentury.com

The Company is developing an integration of its patent-pending quantum atomic clock technology with Rydberg atom-based RF sensing technology

TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Quantum X Labs Inc. Ltd. (Nasdaq: QXL) (“Quantum X” or the “Company”) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Quantum X Labs Ltd. (“Quantum X Labs” or “QXL”), is working on the development of Rydberg atom-based radio-frequency (“RF”) sensing technology and its integration with the Company’s patent-pending quantum atomic clock technology, expanding QXL’s work in atom-based quantum sensing.

The development program is currently underway in QXL’s laboratories and is intended to combine two complementary atom-based capabilities: high-precision atomic timing and quantum-enabled RF sensing. The integration work builds on QXL’s quantum atomic clock platform, for which the Company has a pending patent application. QXL previously announced the successful demonstration of its high-sensitivity atomic clock based on its Ramsey Coherent Population Trapping (“Ramsey-CPT”) platform.

QXL is now working to expand its atom-based sensing capabilities by developing Rydberg atom RF sensing technology and working toward its integration with the Company’s atomic clock platform. The Rydberg RF sensing technology and the proposed integration are separate development activities and are not covered by the Company’s pending atomic clock patent application.

Rydberg RF sensing uses atoms excited into highly energetic states known as Rydberg states. In these states, atoms become highly sensitive to electromagnetic fields, creating the potential to use the atoms themselves as RF sensing elements. Changes in atomic states caused by incoming RF signals can be optically interrogated, providing a different approach to detecting and characterizing electromagnetic signals compared with conventional electronic RF sensing. QXL’s development program is focused on bringing this capability together with its existing atomic timing technology.

By integrating these capabilities through the development program, QXL is working toward an atom-based sensing architecture that combines precision timing, frequency reference and RF sensing within a unified technological platform.

The development is aligned with a broader defense and aerospace industry shift toward atom-based quantum sensing and precision timing technologies for operations in increasingly complex and contested electromagnetic environments. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has advanced both Rydberg atom-based RF receivers for potential applications, including electromagnetic spectrum operations, radar and communications, as well as precision atomic-clock technologies intended to maintain critical timing capabilities in environments where access to GPS may be degraded or unavailable.

The aerospace sector is also evaluating Rydberg sensing for space applications. A 2026 study conducted in collaboration between Airbus Defence and Space, Quantum Valley Ideas Laboratories and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) examined the feasibility of using Rydberg atom-based sensors in spaceborne radar systems, reflecting growing interest in transitioning atom-based quantum sensing from laboratory research toward potential aerospace and defense applications.

QXL believes that this evolution strengthens the potential relevance of combining precision atomic timing with atom-based RF sensing within a common technology architecture for future aerospace and defense systems.

“We see significant technological value in bringing different atom-based sensing capabilities together rather than developing each technology entirely in isolation,” said Prof. Nir Sharon, Chief Quantum Scientist of Quantum X Labs. “Our atomic clock provides a precision timing and frequency foundation. We are now developing Rydberg atom RF sensing technology in our laboratories and working toward integrating these capabilities. Our objective is to create an architecture in which atomic technology can provide both precise timing and information about the surrounding RF environment.”

QXL intends to continue laboratory development, testing and integration work toward demonstrating the combined architecture.

The Rydberg RF sensing technology and its integration with QXL’s atomic clock remain under development. The Company has not yet demonstrated a fully integrated atomic clock and Rydberg RF sensing system, and there can be no assurance that the development program will achieve its intended technical performance or result in a commercially viable product.

About Quantum X Labs Inc.

 Quantum X Labs Inc. and its subsidiaries are focused on quantum technology, digital advertising and computing and enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. Quantum X Labs Ltd. is focused on developing and promoting quantum algorithms for the transportation, drug discovery and security segments as well as developing quantum- based GPS replacement and quantum atom accuracy solutions. Gix Media develops a variety of technological software solutions, which perform automation, optimization and monetization of internet campaigns, for the purposes of acquiring and routing internet user traffic to its customers. Metagramm is a developer of grammatical error correction software and offers tools for writing and reviewing, grammar, spelling, punctuation and style features, as well as translation and multilingual dictionaries, using artificial intelligence and machine learning technology.

For more information about Quantum X Labs, visit https://quantumxlabs.xyz/

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Quantum X Labs’ and its subsidiaries’ strategic and business plans, technology, relationships, objectives and expectations for its business, growth, the impact of trends on and interest in its business, intellectual property, products and its future results, operations and financial performance and condition and may be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “seek,” “will,” “consider,” “likely,” “assume,” “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “do not believe,” “aim,” “predict,” “plan,” “project,” “continue,” “potential,” “guidance,” “objective,” “outlook,” “trends,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “target,” “on track” or their negatives or variations, and similar terminology and words of similar import, generally involve future or forward-looking statements. For example, the Company is using forward-looking statements when it discusses the development, testing and potential integration of its atomic clock and Rydberg RF sensing technologies; the intended capabilities, benefits and potential applications of such technologies; the potential use of atom-based sensing and precision timing solutions in defense, aerospace and other industries; the Company’s research and development activities, intellectual property strategy and patent applications; and the ability of the Company’s development efforts to achieve technical milestones, commercial viability, market acceptance or future revenue-generating opportunities. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based upon management’s current expectations, beliefs and projections, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain. Such expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith. However, there can be no assurance that management’s expectations, beliefs and projections will be achieved, and actual results may differ materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company, reference is made to the Company’s reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including, but not limited to, the risks detailed in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on 10-K and in subsequent filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, subsequent events or circumstances, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. Quantum X Labs is not responsible for the content of third-party websites.

Investor Relations Contacts:

Michal Efraty
Investor Relations
michal@efraty.com 

DALLAS, Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hyperion DeFi, Inc. (NASDAQ: HYPD) (“Hyperion DeFi” or the “Company”), today announced it has been named a launch partner for Frontier’s Hyperliquid Vault, a new membership program that gives priority access to the next wave of internet top-level domains (TLDs).

“Every cycle, the crypto industry goes looking for real assets with real history. Domains are a multi-billion dollar market with 25 years of institutional history, and the internet is about to expand for only the second time in its history. We’re excited to launch Frontier with Hyperion DeFi, making the Hyperliquid community a key part of this domain supercycle,” said Fred Hsu, CEO and Co-Founder of D3.

The launch follows the opening of only the second application round for new top-level domains in the history of the internet. ICANN, the non-profit that coordinates the domain name system, received more than 1,600 applications in August 2026 for extensions including .agent, .crypto, .wallet, .sol, and .robot — with .hype among the applications in this round. The last expansion round, in 2012, produced roughly 1,200 new TLDs now used by tens of millions of websites, including .xyz and .app. 

D3, the core contributor to the Doma Protocol, is one of the only Web3 ICANN-accredited registrars. Frontier gives members priority access to this next wave:

1. Deposit. Members deposit eligible assets with supported vault providers on Solana and Hyperliquid. Additional vaults on other major chains are expected to follow in the coming months.
2. Earn points. Members earn Frontier Points toward supported top-level domains.
3. Get priority. Members commit Frontier Points to establish priority for names from participating registries ahead of General Registration.

“In continuing to build and scale institutional products onchain, we saw a unique opportunity to work alongside D3 and position the Hyperliquid ecosystem for the historic expansion of the internet, with .hype among the new domain extensions that can be accessed through this program,” said Hyunsu Jung, Chief Executive Officer of Hyperion DeFi. “As the tokenization of real-world assets continues to accelerate, we expect a dramatic shift in how domains operate as an asset class, especially with future integrations into DeFi both on Hyperliquid and beyond.”

The Frontier Hyperliquid Vault is Hyperion DeFi’s first supporting role in a Doma Protocol program, extending the Company’s strategy of connecting Hyperliquid to new products and services moving onchain. Internet domains represent one of the largest real-world asset categories to date, and Frontier is Doma Protocol’s and D3’s vehicle for bringing that market onchain.

As part of this initial commitment, Hyperion DeFi is entitled to receive an allocation of DOMA token supply from a potential future token generation event, under a separate incentive arrangement with Doma Foundation. The Company expects additional collaboration and revenue opportunities with D3 and Doma Protocol to follow.

Users can learn more about Frontier at frontier.d3.com.

About Doma Protocol

Doma Protocol is a DNS-compliant blockchain designed to bring the global domain industry onchain. By tokenizing internet domains as real-world assets, Doma unlocks liquidity across the $360B domain market and introduces a new category called DomainFi. Built with contributions from D3, the protocol bridges Web2 domains with Web3 ecosystems, enabling domains to become programmable, tradeable digital assets. Learn more at www.doma.xyz.

About D3

D3 is a domain infrastructure company building the DomainFi network on Doma Protocol. Backed by Paradigm, the team brings decades of experience in domain monetization, internet protocols, and TLD operations, including work on extensions such as .xyz, .tv, and .link. Learn more at d3.com.

About the Hyperliquid Platform and the HYPE Token

Hyperliquid is a next-generation layer one blockchain optimized for high frequency, transparent trading. The blockchain includes fully onchain perpetual futures and spot order books, with every order, cancel, trade, and liquidation occurring within 70 millisecond block times. It also hosts the HyperEVM, a general-purpose smart contract platform that supports permissionless decentralized financial applications akin to Ethereum.

HYPE is the native token of Hyperliquid. Staked HYPE provides utility for users via reduced trading fees and increased referral bonuses. As of September 2026, 47 million HYPE have been autonomously purchased and sequestered by the blockchain with the trading fees generated on the network’s central limit order books.

About Hyperion DeFi, Inc.

Hyperion DeFi, Inc. is the first U.S. publicly listed DeFi company building on Hyperliquid. The Company provides investors with streamlined access to the Hyperliquid ecosystem, one of the fastest growing, highest revenue-generating blockchains in the world. Shareholders benefit from compounding exposure to HYPE, both from its native staking yield and additional revenues generated from its unique onchain utility.

For more information, please visit Hyperiondefi.com or follow @hyperiondefi on X.

Forward Looking Statements

Except for historical information, all the statements, expectations and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express our intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions or any other statements, our future activities or other future events or conditions, including the viability of, and risks associated with, our cryptocurrency treasury strategy, the growth and revenue potential of the Hyperliquid ecosystem and the growth prospects of the Company. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may, and in some cases are likely to, differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements due to numerous factors discussed from time to time in documents which we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and except as may be required under applicable securities laws, Hyperion DeFi does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Hyperion DeFi, Inc. Investor Contact:

Jason Assad
Hyperion DeFi, Inc.
IR@hyperiondefi.com
(678) 570-6791

U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. government research engagements anchor growth in defense and national security

ExynAI deployment at Eldorado Gold’s Tüprag mine cut survey capture times from approximately 40 minutes to 5 minutes per scan

Gross margin expanded to 46.9% in the second quarter of 2026, driven by a higher contribution from software and subscription revenue

Actions taken to reduce annualized operating expenses

PHILADELPHIA, PA, Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Exyn Technologies (“Exyn” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: EXYN, EXYNW), a leader in physical AI for autonomous mapping and perception-driven navigation in complex, GPS-denied environments, today issued the following letter to shareholders from Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer Ben Williams.

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

Since stepping into the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer in August, I have spent much of my time with our customers, partners, engineers, and board. I have been with Exyn since 2019, and I want to share with you where the Company stands, what we have accomplished since our initial public offering in May, and what you can expect from us in the months ahead.

I am pleased to be working alongside Dr. Gregory McNeal, who became Chairman of our Board in August, and he also chairs our Nominating and Governance Committee and serves on our Audit and Compensation Committees. Dr. McNeal is a U.S. Army veteran who served as a Signal Corps officer responsible for secure military communications networks. He co-founded AirMap, an aerospace and defense software company that Fast Company recognized as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies and that was later acquired, and he has advised the White House, the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and multiple Federal Aviation Administration rulemaking committees on unmanned aircraft systems. He also served as Executive Chairman of SailPlan, a maritime artificial intelligence company, through its growth and acquisition. His experience across defense, autonomous systems policy, and building technology companies aligns closely with where Exyn is headed, and his guidance will be valuable as we execute our strategy.

ExynAI and the Physical AI Opportunity

Artificial intelligence is moving beyond the digital world and into machines that can perceive their surroundings, make decisions, and act on their own. This shift is often called Physical AI, and I see a significant opportunity in what I think of as continuous, ubiquitous digitalization, where fleets of autonomous systems keep an up-to-date digital model of the physical world, whether that is a mine, a factory, a tunnel network or bunker, an aircraft, or a military installation.

ExynAI® was built for the places where that is hardest to do. Our autonomy has been fielded since 2016 and has completed thousands of autonomous missions in underground mines, tunnels, industrial facilities, and other GPS-denied environments worldwide. It has achieved Level 4B autonomy and is designed to navigate, map, and operate in GPS-denied, communications-denied, and unknown environments without prior maps or continuous human control. Using onboard artificial intelligence, it enables aerial and ground robots to perceive their surroundings, localize in real time, build maps as they move, and reason about changing conditions with minimal or no operator input. We see significant opportunity in commercial and government, and the same capabilities that transformed how our early customers operated in the mining industry are now being utilized to great effect across government, industrial, and geospatial industries.

Momentum in Government and Defense

Our government and defense strategy has gained significant momentum across U.S. and allied government programs in recent months. We secured an agreement supporting autonomous aircraft inspection and digital twin initiatives at the U.S. Air Force’s Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, our entry into defense sustainment, where operating and support costs account for roughly 70% of a weapon system’s lifecycle cost according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. A leading U.S. government research and engineering organization selected our Nexys platform after a head-to-head technical evaluation against other commercial LiDAR systems, and we initiated the Green UAS certification process to support broader adoption of Nexys across defense and federal programs. We also secured new work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

This progress is reflected in growing engagement with new and existing defense, government, OEM and commercial customers. Several of these opportunities are at an advanced stage, and our team is focused on converting them into signed contracts and longer-term customer relationships.

Commercial Results and a Growing Platform

Our commercial customers continue to show what ExynAI can deliver. At Tüprag, Eldorado Gold’s mining operation in Turkey, Exyn Nexys reduced survey capture times from approximately 40 minutes per scan to approximately 5 minutes and delivered approximately 300% greater survey coverage. According to Tüprag, the investment paid for itself when Nexys scanned previously inaccessible sections of the mine and identified additional recoverable ore.

We are also bringing ExynAI to more platforms. We recently extended it to CHCNAV’s X500 drone and are integrating it with UP Caeli Via’s ARGOS drone, and through our APIs and software development kit, manufacturers can add our autonomy to their own aerial and ground systems without building it themselves. Each integration extends our reach without requiring Exyn to build the hardware and supports our shift toward recurring, higher-margin software revenue. A growing contribution from software and subscription revenue helped lift our gross margin to 46.9% in the second quarter of 2026 from 40.6% a year earlier.

Disciplined Execution and Rigorous Governance

Over the past several weeks, I have reviewed every line item of our expense base to make sure our resources go to the customers, programs and engineering work most likely to generate revenue. As a result, we have taken actions, including a strategic and targeted reduction in our workforce, that we expect to meaningfully lower annualized operating expenses. These were difficult decisions that affect talented colleagues, and I am grateful for everything they contributed to Exyn.

We are also moving forward with the plan described in our most recent quarterly report to strengthen our internal controls and financial oversight, including a full review of our compliance and governance policies. To support this work, we are engaging an experienced outside financial advisory firm to work alongside our finance team. Strong financial controls matter to our shareholders and to our customers, particularly in defense, and I take personal responsibility for getting this right.

What to Expect

In the months ahead, we expect to conduct the initial demonstration at Warner Robins in October, with operational activities planned to begin in January 2027. We will also report on our progress in converting our pipeline into contracts, expanding OEM and platform integrations, advancing Green UAS certification, and strengthening our controls. I believe Exyn has the technology, the field experience, and the team to build a larger and more valuable business, and I look forward to reporting to you on each of these milestones.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Ben Williams
Interim Chief Executive Officer & Chief Operating Officer
Exyn Technologies, Inc.

About Exyn Technologies

Exyn Technologies (NASDAQ: EXYN, EXYNW) is a leader in physical AI for autonomous mapping and perception-driven navigation in complex, GPS-denied environments. The Company’s technology enables teams to capture accurate 3D data in environments that are dark, disconnected, hazardous, or difficult to access. Exyn’s solutions support customers across mining, construction, infrastructure, geospatial, industrial, government, and defense applications. For more information, visit www.exyn.com.

© 2026. Exyn Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. Exyn Technologies and ExynAI are registered trademarks of Exyn Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company’s sales pipeline and its ability to convert pipeline opportunities into contracts, deployments and revenue; the timing, terms and completion of potential contract awards; the anticipated annualized cost savings from the Company’s cost reduction actions and the effect of those actions on its operations; the engagement of an outside financial advisory firm and the Company’s efforts to remediate material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting; the timing and outcome of the Company’s work at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex and of the Green UAS certification process; the Company’s defense strategy and expansion into defense and national security markets; the Company’s ability to expand ExynAI across additional third-party aerial and ground robotic platforms; the potential market for Physical AI and autonomous systems; customer and partner adoption of ExynAI; and the Company’s strategy to expand software, SDK, API and OEM integration opportunities and grow recurring software licensing revenue.

These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs of the Company’s management. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to raise substantial additional funds in the future; the Company’s ability to convert its sales pipeline into contracts and revenue; defense priorities, budgets, procurement processes and contract timing; the Company’s ability to realize anticipated cost savings without disrupting its operations; the outcome of matters disclosed in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as amended, including matters arising from the Audit Committee’s internal investigation and the Company’s remediation of identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting; Exyn’s ability to successfully integrate, commercialize and deploy ExynAI, Nexys and other autonomy solutions across third-party platforms; customer and partner adoption of autonomous robotics and 3D mapping solutions; the Company’s ability to develop and expand software, SDK, API and OEM relationships; industrial, government and defense customer purchasing decisions; competition, technological change, supply chain, manufacturing, regulatory, export-control and government-contracting risks; and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Investor Contact
Crescendo Communications, LLC
exyn@crescendo-ir.com
(212) 671-1020