Month: September 2026

Combined company to focus on developing first-in-class next-generation medicines for cardioendocrine diseases

Marea has multiple late-stage clinical product candidates: MAR001/005 for severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG) currently in Phase 2b and MAR002 for the treatment of acromegaly which is advancing to a Phase 2 study

Concurrent financing of $225 million from leading life sciences investors and other institutional investors projected to fund operations into 2028

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lisata Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: LSTA) (“Lisata”), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has acquired Marea Therapeutics, Inc. (“Marea”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company harnessing the latest advances in human genetics to develop first-in-class, next-generation medicines for cardioendocrine diseases.

Concurrent with the acquisition, Lisata entered into a definitive purchase agreement for the sale of Series C non-voting convertible preferred stock in a private placement financing, which is expected to result in gross proceeds to Lisata of approximately $225 million before deducting placement agent and other offering expenses. The oversubscribed financing included participation from leading life sciences investors including RA Capital Management, Forbion, Third Rock Ventures, Alpha Wave, Perceptive Advisors, Sofinnova Investments, Omega Funds, Surveyor Capital (a Citadel company), Columbia Threadneedle Investments, Nantahala Capital, Affinity Asset Advisors, LLC, venBio, Rock Springs Capital and other institutional investors.

Lisata plans to use the net proceeds primarily to advance MAR001/005 and MAR002 through key clinical milestones, including the completion of an ongoing Phase 2b trial in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia, as well as a Phase 2 trial in patients with acromegaly. Both studies are expected to report topline data in the fourth quarter of 2027. Remaining proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.

“After a thorough review of strategic alternatives, the acquisition of Marea marks a significant milestone for Lisata as we broaden our focus toward advancing Marea’s product candidate portfolio, which addresses significant unmet need across a range of cardioendocrine diseases,” said Dr. David J. Mazzo, CEO of Lisata. “This pipeline, led by MAR001, is designed to overcome the limitations of current treatment paradigms and has the potential to establish a new standard of care in the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG). With a strong balance sheet, we believe that we are well-positioned to drive these programs through their next stages of development and ultimately deliver meaningful benefit to patients. We believe that this acquisition, in combination with our parallel efforts to evaluate possible next steps in the development of certepetide, can provide long-term value to our shareholders.”

“This transaction provides the combined company with the resources to advance our two clinical stage drug candidates through pivotal milestones, including MAR001 topline Phase 2b data in severe hypertriglyceridemia and MAR002 Phase 2 proof of concept data in patients with acromegaly next year, as well as initiation of Phase 3 registrational studies for both programs,” said Dr. Josh Lehrer, newly appointed Chief Operating Officer and President of Lisata Therapeutics and Chief Executive Officer of Marea. “Joining with Lisata gives our first-in-class antibody programs a faster path to patients who today have limited options for these serious cardioendocrine diseases, and we’re grateful for the continued confidence of our new and existing investors.”

About the Transactions
The acquisition of Marea was structured as a stock-for-stock transaction pursuant to which all of Marea’s outstanding equity interests were exchanged based on a fixed exchange ratio for a combination of 1,793,129 shares of Lisata common stock and 211,365.213 shares of Series C non-voting convertible preferred stock (representing in the aggregate 213,158,342 shares of Lisata common stock on an as-converted-to-common stock basis), in each case, calculated on a fully-diluted basis (and without giving effect to any beneficial ownership limitations). Concurrently with the acquisition of Marea, Lisata entered into a definitive purchase agreement for a private placement financing with leading life sciences investors and other institutional investors to raise $225 million in which the investors will be issued an aggregate of 150,867.995 shares of Series C non-voting convertible preferred stock (or 150,867,995 shares of Lisata common stock on an as-converted-to-common stock basis and without giving effect to any beneficial ownership limitations) at a price of approximately $1,491.37 per share (or approximately $1.4914 per share of common stock on an as-converted-to-common stock basis). Subject to Lisata stockholder approval, each share of Series C non-voting convertible preferred stock will automatically convert into 1,000 shares of common stock, subject to certain beneficial ownership limitations set by each holder. As a result of the transactions, equity holders of Lisata immediately prior to the acquisition will own approximately 2.39% of Lisata’s common stock, equity holders of Marea immediately prior to the acquisition will own approximately 59.54% of Lisata’s common stock and investors in the private placement financing will own approximately 38.07% of Lisata’s common stock, in each case, calculated on a fully-diluted, as-converted-to-common-basis (and without giving effect to any beneficial ownership limitations) using the treasury stock method and based on the implied equity values of Lisata and Marea.

The acquisition was approved by the Board of Directors of Lisata and the Board of Directors and stockholders of Marea. The acquisition and private placement financing were not subject to the approval of Lisata’s stockholders. The approval of Lisata’s stockholders is required under the terms of the Series C non-voting convertible preferred stock in order for the Series C non-voting convertible preferred stock to be converted into shares of Lisata common stock, and Lisata is required to hold a stockholder meeting for such vote. On an as-converted basis and after accounting for these transactions (and without giving effect to any beneficial ownership limitations), the total number of shares of Lisata common stock (including shares underlying the Series C non-voting convertible preferred stock) will be approximately 396,315,542.

H.C. Wainwright is serving as financial advisor to Lisata. Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. is serving as legal counsel to Lisata. Leerink Partners is serving as financial advisor to Marea. Jefferies, Leerink Partners, Guggenheim Securities, Cantor and LifeSci Capital are acting as placement agents for the concurrent private placement financing. Goodwin Procter LLP is serving as legal counsel to Marea. Cooley LLP is serving as legal counsel to the placement agents.

About Lisata Therapeutics
Lisata Therapeutics is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of advanced solid tumors and other major diseases. Lisata’s cyclic peptide product candidate, certepetide, is an investigational drug designed to activate a novel uptake pathway that allows co-administered or tethered anti-cancer drugs to selectively target and penetrate solid tumors more effectively. Lisata has established noteworthy partnerships based on its CendR Platform^® technology. For a comprehensive overview of certepetide’s mechanism of action, please view our informative short film.

About Marea Therapeutics
Marea Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company harnessing the latest advances in human genetics to develop first-in-class, next-generation medicines for cardioendocrine diseases. The company’s lead product candidate, MAR001, is in Phase 2b clinical development for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG), a condition characterized by very high triglyceride levels. The company is also advancing MAR002 for the treatment of acromegaly.

About MAR001/005
MAR001 is a potential first-in-class monoclonal antibody in clinical development that targets ANGPTL4, a protein that is highly expressed in adipose tissue. By inhibiting ANGPTL4 and thereby augmenting lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, MAR001 is designed to lower triglycerides and improve adipose tissue function. Human genetic data has identified ANGPTL4 as a highly promising therapeutic target because loss of function alleles lead to lower triglyceride levels, improved adipose distribution, better insulin sensitivity, and protection from cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

MAR005, a half-life-extended version of MAR001 with an improved pharmacokinetic profile, is Marea’s planned Phase 3 candidate and is in clinical development for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG), a condition characterized by very high triglyceride levels. Preclinical models with MAR001 demonstrated reduction in triglycerides, remnant cholesterol and ectopic fat, and improved insulin sensitivity. MAR001 has demonstrated strong Phase 1a and 2a results and is in Phase 2b clinical development.

About Severe Hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG)
Severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG) is a serious and often under-recognized metabolic condition marked by triglyceride levels high enough to place patients at significant risk of acute pancreatitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening complication that frequently results in hospitalization. Patients with sHTG also commonly present with a broader burden of cardiometabolic comorbidities, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, compounding the overall health risks associated with the condition. Despite the availability of lifestyle modification and existing lipid-lowering therapies, many patients with sHTG continue to experience dangerously elevated triglycerides and recurrent pancreatitis events, underscoring a persistent gap in disease management.

About MAR002
MAR002 is a potent and selective half-life-extended, allosteric, human monoclonal growth hormone receptor antagonist (GHRA) antibody being developed for the treatment of acromegaly. The in vivo PK and PD properties of MAR002 are predictable and typical of a half-life extended human antibody, showing a long duration of action compatible with infrequent subcutaneous dose administration in humans. These characteristics support its potential to offer an effective and convenient treatment for patients with acromegaly. In a Phase 1 study in healthy volunteers, MAR002 achieved proof-of-concept dose-dependent suppression of IGF-1, and was generally well tolerated with no serious adverse events. Marea is currently evaluating MAR002 in a Phase 2 trial of patients with acromegaly.

About Acromegaly
Acromegaly is an orphan disease characterized by the excess secretion of growth hormone (GH) from a benign pituitary adenoma. Acromegaly affects approximately 30,000 patients in the U.S. If left untreated, acromegaly is highly morbid, leading to significant comorbidities such as GH-induced insulin resistance and diabetes, and serious cardiovascular pathology. The median lifespan of patients can be shortened by 10 years without effective therapy, and incomplete IGF-1 normalization is associated with increased mortality. Despite its severity, acromegaly is often under or misdiagnosed, with an average time from symptom onset to diagnosis of approximately eight years.

The current treatment paradigm for acromegaly often involves surgery, performed in over 90% of patients, which achieves remission in about 50% of cases, though this can degrade over time. Medical therapy is required for approximately 65% (around 20,000 in the U.S.) of patients during their disease journey. Current medical treatments include somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs) and GHRA pegvisomant. However, most patients do not achieve biochemical control with existing therapies.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release, other than purely historical information, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, concerning Lisata, Marea, the concurrent private placement financing and the acquisition of Marea by Lisata (the “Transactions”) and other matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, express or implied statements relating to the company’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future including, without limitation, statements regarding: the Transactions, including the closing of the concurrent private placement financing, and the expected effects, perceived benefits or opportunities and related timing with respect thereto; expectations regarding or plans for Marea’s pipeline, including its ongoing clinical trials, research and development programs and the expected timing for key milestones, including the release of clinical data; the potential benefits of MAR001/005 and MAR002; and expectations regarding the use of proceeds from the concurrent private placement financing and cash runway expectations therefrom, including such proceeds funding the company through key clinical milestones. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “opportunity,” “potential,” “milestones,” “pipeline,” “can,” “goal,” “aim,” “strategy,” “target,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “achieve,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions (including the negatives of these terms or variations of them) may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the company or the Transactions will be those that have been anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the company’s control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to those uncertainties and factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” and in the company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 12, 2026, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors included in other filings by the company from time to time, as well as risk factors associated with companies, such as Marea, that operate in the biotechnology industry. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the company’s assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this press release, which speak only as of the date they are made and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the cautionary statements herein. The company does not undertake or accept any duty to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements. This press release does not purport to summarize all of the conditions, risks and other attributes of an investment in the company.

Contacts:

Lisata:

Investors and Media:
John Menditto
jmenditto@lisata.com

Marea:

Media:
1AB
Katie Engleman
katie@1abmedia.com 

Investors:
Meru Advisors
Lauren Glaser
lglaser@meruadvisors.com

ATHENS, Greece, Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Performance Shipping Inc. (NASDAQ: PSHG) (“Performance Shipping” or the “Company”), a global shipping company specializing in the ownership of tanker vessels, today announced that, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, it has completed the previously announced sale of the 2010-built, 105,304 dwt Aframax tanker vessel M/T P. Aliki, with the successful delivery of the vessel to her new owners. The M/T P. Aliki was debt-free at the time of her delivery to the new owners, following the Company’s prepayment of approximately US$12.8 million to Alpha Bank in July 2026 in connection with the sale.

As previously announced on April 14, 2026, the gross sale price of the vessel was US$42.65 million. The Company acquired the M/T P. Aliki in the fourth quarter of 2022 for a gross purchase price of US$36.5 million and operated the vessel profitably for approximately four years.

Commenting on the delivery, Andreas Michalopoulos, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, stated:

“The sale of the M/T P. Aliki reflects our disciplined approach to fleet renewal. We continue to focus on the timely disposals of vessels at historically high asset values to monetize older tonnage. The net proceeds from this transaction, estimated at approximately US$30 million including the vessel’s debt prepayment, together with our existing strong liquidity position, are expected to support our ongoing fleet expansion program, almost fully covering our remaining newbuilding commitments. With our first LR1 newbuilding expected to be delivered in early 2027, followed by our two Suezmax newbuildings in late 2028 and early 2029, we remain committed to operating an attractive, modern, high specification and energy efficient fleet.”

About the Company

Performance Shipping Inc. is a global provider of shipping transportation services through its ownership of tanker vessels. The Company employs its fleet on spot voyages, through pool arrangements, and on time charters.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts including with respect to employment of our fleet and vessel deliveries. The words “believe,” “anticipate,” “intends,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “potential,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “expect,” “targets,” “likely,” “would,” “could,” “seeks,” “continue,” “possible,” “might,” “pending” and similar expressions, terms or phrases may identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including, without limitation, our management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs, or projections.

In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the strength of world economies, fluctuations in currencies and interest rates, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker shipping industry, changes in the supply of vessels, changes in worldwide oil production and consumption and storage, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, crew costs, drydocking and insurance costs, our future operating or financial results, availability of financing and refinancing including with respect to vessels we agree to acquire, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, the length and severity of epidemics and pandemics, including COVID-19, and their impact on the demand for seaborne transportation of petroleum and other types of products, general domestic and international political conditions or events, including “trade wars”, armed conflicts including the war in Ukraine and the war in the Middle East, the imposition of new international sanctions, acts by terrorists or acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, labor disputes or political events, vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other important factors. Please see our filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.

CONTACT: Corporate Contact:
Andreas Michalopoulos
Chief Executive Officer, Director and Secretary
Telephone: +30-216-600-2400
Email: amichalopoulos@pshipping.com
Website: www.pshipping.com

Investor and Media Relations:
Edward Nebb
Comm-Counsellors, LLC
Telephone: + 1-203-972-8350
Email: enebb@optonline.net

Orders for CLARUS In-Ear Headset systems designated for a European army reflect continued demand from European defense customers

Netanya, Israel, Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Silynxcom Ltd. (NYSE American: SYNX) (“Silynxcom” or the “Company”), a manufacturer and developer of ruggedized tactical communication headset devices as well as other communication accessories, today announced that it has received two consecutive purchase orders totaling approximately $400,000 from a leading global defense company, for its CLARUS In-Ear Headset system family of products. The systems are designated for a European army.

“We believe these two consecutive orders reflect both the strength of our relationship with a leading global defense company and the growing recognition among European defense forces of Silynxcom’s ability to deliver reliable, mission-critical communication solutions that enhance operational effectiveness and soldier safety,” said Nir Klein, Silynxcom’s  Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud that our systems continue to be deployed by European armed forces, and we view these orders as a further step in our expanding presence across European markets. Our in-ear platform is increasingly being evaluated by military and defense organizations globally, as customers seek combat-proven communication solutions.”

About Silynxcom Ltd.

Silynxcom Ltd. develops, manufactures, markets and sells ruggedized tactical communication headset devices as well as other communication accessories, all of which have been field-tested and combat-proven. The Company’s In-Ear Headsets are used in combat, riot control, demonstrations and weapons training courses, and integrate seamlessly with professional-grade ruggedized radios used by military and law enforcement units worldwide. The sleek, lightweight In-Ear Headsets fit tightly into protective gear to enable users to speak and hear clearly while protected from the hazardous sounds of combat, and include active sound protection that eliminates unsafe sounds while maintaining ambient environmental awareness, giving users 360° situational awareness, including acoustic drone detection for operators in modern combat arenas.

For additional information about the Company please visit: https://silynxcom.com

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 and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. For example, the Company uses forward-looking statements when it discusses its belief that these orders reflect the strength of its relationship with a leading global defense company and growing recognition of Silynxcom’s communication solutions among European defense forces; its anticipated expansion across European markets; and the expected continued global adoption of its in-ear platform. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 30, 2026, and other documents filed with or furnished to the SEC which are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Capital Markets & IR Contact:
ir@silynxcom.com

New Energy Group EPSO-G (legal entity code 302826889, registered office address Laisvės pr. 10, Vilnius, Lithuania)

The sole shareholder of EPSO-G (hereinafter – the Company), the Republic of Lithuania, whose property and non-property rights are exercised by the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania, adopted the following decisions on 17 September 2026:

1. Regarding approval of the resolution of the Board of UAB EPSO-G to increase the share capital of UAB EPSO-G Invest, to enter into a share subscription agreement with UAB EPSO-G Invest, and to approve the material terms and conditions of such agreement.

1. 1. To approve the resolution of the Board of UAB EPSO-G dated 15 September 2026:
   2. To increase the share capital of UAB EPSO-G Invest by EUR 3,360,000, from EUR 7,405,600 to EUR 10,765,600, by issuing 3,360,000 ordinary registered shares of UAB EPSO-G Invest, each with a nominal value of EUR 1.
   3. To enter into a share subscription agreement with UAB EPSO-G Invest and to approve the material terms and conditions of such agreement:

1.Parties to the Agreement	The company whose shares are subscribed for – UAB EPSO-G Invest, legal entity code 306949519, registered office address Laisvės pr. 10, Vilnius, Lithuania (“EPSO-G Invest”, the “Company”); The subscriber of the shares – UAB EPSO-G, legal entity code 302826889, registered office address Laisvės pr. 10, LT-04215 Vilnius, Lithuania (“EPSO-G”, the “Subscriber”).
2. Object and subject matter of the Agreement	The Company undertakes to deliver to the Subscriber 1,713,600 newly issued shares of the Company, each with a nominal value of EUR 1 and an issue price of EUR 10 (the “Shares”), and the Subscriber undertakes to pay the issue price of the subscribed Shares (the “Issue Price”) in accordance with the procedure and within the time limits set out in this Agreement. Issue Price – EUR 17,136,000. Of this amount, EUR 1,713,600 shall be allocated to the increase of the Company’s share capital, and EUR 15,422,400 shall be transferred to share premium.
3. Procedure and terms for payment for the Shares	The Subscriber shall pay the Issue Price of EUR 17,136,000 for the 1,713,600 shares acquired by the Subscriber under the Agreement when the need arises to pay for the newly issued shares of Rheinmetall Defence Lietuva, UAB by additional monetary contributions of the Company due to the increase of the share capital of Rheinmetall Defence Lietuva, UAB, but in any event no later than 28 September 2026. Upon receipt of the relevant notice, EPSO-G shall use reasonable efforts to make the payment earlier.

Please be informed, that the total issue price of the newly issued shares of EPSO-G Invest will amount to EUR 33,600,000, of which EUR 30,240,000 will be allocated to the share premium. EPSO-G will invest EUR 17,136,000 (51%), while Valstybės investicinis kapitalas will invest EUR 16,464,000 (49%).

The EPSO-G group of companies consists of the holding company EPSO-G and its six direct subsidiaries Amber Grid, Baltpool, Energy cells, EPSO-G Invest, Litgrid and Tetas. EPSO-G and its Group companies also hold shares in Rheinmetall Defence Lietuva, Baltic RCC OÜ and TSO Holding AS. The rights and obligations of the sole shareholder of EPSO-G are exercised by the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania.

For more information, contact
Gediminas Petrauskas, communication partner of EPSO-G
Tel: +370 610 63306, email: gediminas.petrauskas@epsog.lt

Live Demonstration Follows Strong Consumer Growth, Defense Momentum, and Enterprise Expansion Across Robotics and Healthcare

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Virtuix Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: VTIX), a leading developer of AI-driven, full-body simulation systems, today announced that CFO Thomas McGinnis will present the Company’s recent commercial progress and host a live demonstration of Omni One at The Austin Family Office & High Net Worth Conference, hosted by DC Finance on September 23, 2026 at Hotel Ella in Virtuix’s hometown of Austin, Texas.

The conference brings together family offices, high-net-worth investors, and private wealth advisors. Mr. McGinnis is scheduled to present at 9:40 a.m. CT, with Omni One available for live demonstrations throughout the day.

The demonstration follows a period of broadening adoption for Omni One, including strong order growth since the launch of Omni One for Quest with Meta, enterprise deployments in humanoid robotics with Tesla and Figure AI, counter-drone training systems for the U.S. military, and use in therapy and rehabilitation at universities and clinical partners. Virtuix most recently reported quarterly revenue ahead of analyst estimates.

“Demand continues to grow since our Meta launch, and Omni One is gaining traction well beyond its original consumer market.,” said Thomas McGinnis. “We look forward to bringing our platform into a room of Austin family offices to demonstrate why the same technology is being adopted in living rooms, military training programs, robotics facilities, and clinical settings.”

The Austin Family Office & High Net Worth Conference
Date: September 23, 2026
Location: Hotel Ella, Austin, TX
Conference Website: Here
Format: Company Presentation and Live Omni One Demonstration
Presentation Time: 9:40 a.m. CT
Attendees: Thomas McGinnis

For more information on The Austin Family Office & High Net Worth Conference, please email VTIX@mzgroup.us or call Chris Tyson at (949) 491-8235.

About Virtuix

Virtuix Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: VTIX) is a developer of AI-driven, full-body immersive simulation systems and the creator of the “Omni” omni-directional treadmill. Virtuix’s technology lets users physically move through virtual and AI-generated environments. The Company’s products are deployed across consumer entertainment, defense training and simulation, robotics, healthcare, research, and enterprise applications involving organizations including NASA, Tesla, KBR, and Sirica Therapeutics. The Company’s growing federal and defense footprint includes programs, deployments, and research initiatives involving the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force.

Virtuix continues to expand the Omni brand from immersive entertainment into a broader, full-body simulation technology platform serving multiple commercial and government markets. For more information, visit virtuix.com or the Company’s new Investor Relations website at invest.virtuix.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as “may,” “will,” “intend,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” “could,” “would,” “potential” or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s sales and expansion plans, plans to pursue strategic acquisitions, potential impacts on future revenues or shareholder value, and the Company’s position in the defense training market. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the Company’s ability to identify, negotiate, and complete acquisitions on favorable terms or at all; the ability to successfully integrate any acquired business; risks related to government contracting, including contract cancellations, modifications, or funding changes; the uncertainties related to market conditions; and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s registration statement filed with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

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Company Contact
Lauren Premo
Virtuix Inc.
press@virtuix.com

Investor Relations Contact
Chris Tyson
MZ Group
Direct: 949-491-8235
VTIX@mzgroup.us

SurgePays to hold 51% stake as joint venture builds on early rent-to-own traction, with 100+ dealers onboarded and 500 locations targeted by year end

BARTLETT, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SurgePays, Inc. (NASDAQ: SURG) (“SurgePays” or the “Company”), a wireless and fintech company, today announced that it has signed a non-binding letter of intent with All Prepaid, LLC, dba LowWeeklyPayments (“LWP”), to form a joint venture to scale the smartphone rent-to-own program across the SurgePays independent retail dealer network.

The LWP rent-to-own program allows subprime consumers to take home a smartphone under a rent-to-own agreement with low weekly payments, and to own the device outright once the payments are complete. Any consumer can apply regardless of credit history or bank account, which makes the program a natural fit with the subprime and underserved customers who already shop in the SurgePays dealer network. The joint venture will be operated through LWP-SURGE, LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company formed on September 2, 2026.

Under the terms of the letter of intent, SurgePays will hold a 51% interest in the joint venture and serve as its Managing Member, and LWP will hold a 49% interest. The joint venture will combine SurgePays’ independent retail dealer distribution channel, dealer recruiting and field enablement, and shared corporate infrastructure with LWP’s proprietary rent-to-own platform, approval matrix, and in-store payment technology.

“At LWP, we built our approval matrix and rent-to-own platform to reach the customers that traditional financing programs turn away, the same subprime and underserved consumers SurgePays built its business around, and their dealer network gives that platform a distribution footprint we could not reach on our own,” said Enrique Hirlemann, Co-Founder of LWP. “Signing this letter of intent is a big step toward building that reach together, and we are looking forward to bringing this program to many more dealers and customers.”

“The purpose of this joint venture is to maximize the preliminary success of the rent-to-own business we have seen firsthand,” said Derron Winfrey, President, Sales and Operations, of SurgePays. “We know people want great smartphones, but we also know many cannot afford them. Additionally, dealers have inventories of phones they need to move consistently, and we saw an opportunity where dealers, customers, and SurgePays all win. Adding the LWP platform to our product suite has driven some of the best store acquisition results we have seen, helping us onboard more than 100 dealers already.”

The parties are now working to finalize a definitive operating agreement to formalize the joint venture, incorporating the governance, funding, and operating terms outlined in the letter of intent. SurgePays believes this joint venture represents a meaningful opportunity to build long term shareholder value, and the Company will provide additional updates as the venture advances.

About SurgePays, Inc.

SurgePays, Inc. (NASDAQ: SURG) is a wireless and fintech company connecting subprime and underserved consumers to essential mobile and financial services. The Company operates a nationwide retail network and proprietary technology platform that enables the distribution of wireless services, financial products, and essential services to consumers who primarily transact in person. By combining physical distribution with data driven technology, SurgePays is building a scalable platform designed to increase engagement and drive recurring revenue across multiple product categories. For more information, please visit www.surgepays.com.

About LowWeeklyPayments

All Prepaid, LLC, dba LowWeeklyPayments (“LWP”), is a Florida limited liability company headquartered in Doral, Florida that operates a rent-to-own platform focused on making quality smartphones and other electronics accessible to underbanked and subprime consumers. Under the LWP program, LWP purchases the product from participating retailers and rents the device to the customer under a low weekly payment structure until it is paid off, at which point the customer owns the device outright. The LWP approval matrix is designed to deliver materially higher approval rates than traditional programs, enabling retail dealers to convert customers who would otherwise be turned away at the counter. For more information, please visit www.AllPrepaidRTO.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the proposed joint venture between SurgePays and LWP, the anticipated growth, scale, and expansion of the smartphone rent-to-own program, target store counts, the timing of the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements and the commencement of operations of LWP-SURGE, LLC, and the future performance of the Company. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied. The letter of intent described in this release is non-binding except as expressly provided therein, and there can be no assurance that the parties will negotiate or execute definitive agreements, meet the target dates described herein, achieve the store counts described herein, or complete the proposed joint venture on the terms described herein or at all. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, the risks and uncertainties described in the filings of the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. SurgePays undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements, except as required by law.

Investor Relations Contact

SurgePays, Inc.
ir@surgepays.com

Zorronet selected for AI-powered video analytics and access-control technology under framework agreement spanning a broad swathe of northern Israel

NETANYA, Israel, Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tessera Defense and Homeland Security Inc. (NYSE American: HLSQ) (“Tessera” or the “Company”), formerly BiomX Inc., today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Zorronet Ltd. (“Zorronet”), has been selected in a public tender issued by Eshkol Kinneret Valleys (officially registered as Eshkol Kinneret Amakim) for the supply and implementation of an artificial intelligence system for video analysis.

The tender establishes a multi-year framework with a maximum aggregate value of up to approximately $1.3 million. Under the framework, Zorronet was selected to provide AI-powered video analytics technology for security systems at community access points, including vehicle and license-plate identification, automated alerts and integration with existing video and gate-control systems. The framework positions Zorronet’s technology for potential deployment across local authorities spanning a broad swathe of northern Israel.

Zorronet’s technology is designed to build on existing security infrastructure, enabling participating authorities to add AI-driven capabilities without requiring wholesale replacement of systems already in place. The system also analyzes vehicle activity in real time, alerts control centers to defined events and enables integration with automated gate systems for authorized vehicles.

The framework has an initial term of 36 months, with options for up to two additional 12-month extensions. Participating authorities can issue individual orders under the framework and, where applicable, conduct additional competitive processes among selected framework vendors.

“The next major advance in physical security will come from systems that can interpret events, not simply detect them,” said Idan Wasserman, CEO of Zorronet. “We believe the future of physical security will be defined by systems that can continuously turn fragmented data into a coherent understanding of what’s happening, and use that understanding to drive faster, more informed decisions. This project reflects a broader industry shift from standalone analytics toward AI-driven security intelligence, where existing infrastructure becomes part of a connected, adaptive security architecture. The result is a more intelligent security layer built on top of infrastructure that organizations already use, and the Eshkol Kinneret Valleys framework gives us the opportunity to apply that approach across a broad network of local authorities in northern Israel.”

“This is the kind of win that builds a major market footprint,” said Michael Oster, CEO of Tessera. “Zorronet has been selected for a framework that can reach multiple authorities across northern Israel, giving us a meaningful new channel for expanding its presence in the Israeli market. For Tessera, this is exactly the kind of business development we want to see for our technologies, helping broaden the reach of the platform we’re building and expand our presence in the market.”

About Tessera Defense and Homeland Security Inc. (Formerly BiomX Inc.)

Tessera Defense and Homeland Security Inc. (NYSE American: HLSQ) is a physical security technology company providing integrated, bespoke security solutions that connect detection, intelligence and response across complex security environments. The Tessera platform integrates cameras, sensors, detection technologies, AI and other security infrastructure to identify threats, understand events and coordinate response in real time. Tessera provides the technology, hardware and implementation expertise needed to tailor security solutions to the specific requirements of each site, helping customers deploy and optimize integrated security systems across critical infrastructure, energy, digital infrastructure and homeland security applications.

About Zorronet Ltd.

Zorronet Ltd., a Tessera company, develops AI-powered operational intelligence and command-and-control technology that connects cameras, sensors, drones, IoT devices and other field systems into a unified real-time operating picture. The platform enables organizations to bring together information, operational workflows and communications across multiple systems and locations, supporting both centralized control rooms and distributed teams in the field.

Zorronet combines its software platform with systems integration, communications infrastructure and operational deployment capabilities, enabling the Company to support projects from initial characterization and planning through implementation, commissioning and ongoing operations. Its technologies and capabilities are applicable across defense, homeland security, critical infrastructure, transportation, municipalities, agriculture, smart cities, test and evaluation environments, remote asset protection and civilian security applications.

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 Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “will,” “may,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “potential,” and similar expressions. These statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied.

These risks and uncertainties include, among others: the risk that the Eshkol Kinneret Valleys framework may not result in orders to Zorronet, or that the timing, scope or value of any orders may be less than anticipated; the fact that the approximately NIS 4 million maximum framework value applies across all selected vendors and does not represent committed revenue to Zorronet; the risk that participating authorities may elect not to procure Zorronet’s technology or may conduct additional competitive processes among selected vendors; the risk that the framework may not be extended beyond its initial term; the ability of Zorronet’s AI video analytics, intelligence and orchestration technology to perform as designed and integrate with existing security infrastructure; the risk that deployments may be delayed as a result of technical, budgetary, regulatory, procurement or other requirements; the Company’s ability to translate Zorronet’s selection under the framework into deployments and broader commercial opportunities in Israel and other markets; the adoption of Zorronet’s technologies by additional authorities, customers and markets; the Company’s ability to comply with applicable privacy, data protection, security and other regulatory requirements; the risk that the Company may not regain compliance with the NYSE American continued listing standards within the plan period or at all; the risk that the Company may not make progress consistent with its plan; the possibility that the Company’s common stock may be suspended from trading or delisted from the NYSE American; the Company’s ability to raise additional capital and execute its business and strategic initiatives; the Company’s going concern qualification; and the other risks described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 19, 2026, as supplemented by the Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on April 30, 2026, and in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2026 and June 30, 2026, filed with the SEC on May 20, 2026 and August 19, 2026, respectively, as well as the Company’s other filings with the SEC.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Investor Relations Contact:
Yair Ohayon, IR & Communications Manager
Yairo@thlsq.ai