<div>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        CVS Health&rsquo;s acquisition of Signify Health, 
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/12814">
          first announced in September 2022
        </a>
        , is set to close this week around March 29, 2023, according to an announcement from CVS. The closing is still subject to the meeting or waiving of the remaining customary closing conditions detailed in the merger agreement.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        The acquisition will be carried out for USD 30.50 per share, amounting to a transaction value of approximately USD 8 billion in an all-cash deal. The proposed acquisition will help CVS advance its healthcare strategy to expand its presence in the in-home healthcare space and to address patient needs more efficiently. Post-acquisition, Kyle Ambrester will remain as CEO of Signify Health under CVS Health.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cvs-health-to-close-acquisition-of-signify-health-301781642.html">
      Company press release
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/cvs-expects-close-8-bln-signify-deal-this-week-2023-03-27/">
      Reuters
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


Telehealth

CVS Health set to complete acquisition of Signify Health this week

Technologies bringing about a new reality

Extended Reality

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 <p>The US Navy has initiated a new T-45C Goshawk mixed reality simulator named Project Link, designed for training student pilots. Utilizing a blend of physical and virtual cockpit elements, Project Link offers an immersive training experience.</p>
 <p>The simulation system closely mimics the actual T-45C Goshawk cockpit and utilizes head-mounted display systems for visual projection. The Navy claims that this innovative mixed reality trainer could potentially supplement operational flight trainers and even replace some of the larger, costlier visual projector systems currently in use for pilot training.</p> 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> The use of XR for pilot training has been well documented, with startups such as <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/495343"> Vrgineers </a> and <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/1061172"> Red 6 </a> being key players in the space. The NYU Tandon School of Engineering also announced "HuBar," a visual analytics tool designed to provide <a href="https:<br>
//techxplore.com/news/2024-10-tool-mental-workload-augmented-reality.html"> insight </a> into a pilot's behavior and mental status in AR training environments.</p>

US Navy introduces T-45C Goshawk mixed reality simulator

Automation and robotics are finally creating solutions for the complexities of doorstep deliveries.

Last-mile Delivery Automation

<div>
 <p>Starship Technologies, a maker of autonomous delivery droids, is initiating a droid-based grocery delivery service in Tallinn, Estonia, in collaboration with Bolt, a delivery and mobility firm. This alliance enables more than 180,000 residents to order groceries from three Bolt Market outlets through the Bolt Food app, with Starship's autonomous robots handling the deliveries.</p>
 <p>They anticipate broadening the service to additional European cities.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> Starship Technologies has established operations in Estonia. The company <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/19575"> first partnered with Bolt </a> in June 2023 to offer droid-based deliveries across multiple European countries, and today’s launch marks the first rollout of this collaboration.</p>

Starship Technologies partners with Bolt for robot-powered grocery delivery in Estonia

Reinforcing recycling, rerouting refuse, and reducing wasteflows

Waste Recovery & Management Tech

<div>
 <p>Solarcycle, a tech-based solar recycling company, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Runergy Alabama, a solar module producer, to provide solar glass and module recycling. Solarcycle is projected to provide at least four gigawatts of ultra-low-carbon glass, which is partially composed of recycled solar modules, over a five-year period to be used in bifacial solar modules to Runergy Alabama. Additionally, Solarcycle will offer recycling services for Runergy Alabama's solar offerings.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Runergy joins a growing list of Solarcycle’s North American partners as the company aims to consolidate the domestic solar PV supply chain. In <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/28815"> April 2024 </a> , the company partnered with Sol Systems to implement a circular solution for the latter’s post-consumer solar panels.</p>

Runergy Alabama partners with Solarcycle for glass supply and module recycling

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

<div>

 <p>Fortum Recycling, a clean energy provider based in the Nordic region, has generated biodegradable plastic from carbon dioxide emissions obtained from waste incineration at its Finnish plant in Riihimäki. The creation of this new product is part of the Carbon2x program, and its purpose is to supply the plastics industry with a sustainable raw material.</p>
 <p>According to the company, the biodegradable plastic is purely made from captured CO2 emissions, providing a substitute for conventional raw materials derived from fossils. The company also asserts that the biodegradable plastic matches the quality of traditional virgin plastics, has a recyclable nature like other forms of plastic and breaks down in the environment without leaving behind harmful microplastics.</p>
 <p>Fortum suggests that if this innovation was adopted more widely, it could potentially sequester and encapsulate up to 90% of CO2 emissions produced from waste incineration into products. The company’s intention is to launch the new "plastics born from CO2" brand in Europe in November 2024, with the possibility of starting industrial production by the close of the decade. </p>
</div>

Fortum produces biodegradable plastic from CO2 emissions

<div>
 
 <p>Recycling and resource recovery company, Enva, has collaborated with clean technology company, Envetec, to provide sustainable management solutions for biohazardous waste. The partnership aims to combine Envetec's onsite biohazardous waste treatment technology, GENERATIONS, with Enva's cutting-edge waste management solutions. This initiative is expected to assist healthcare and life science institutions in Ireland and the UK in lowering carbon emissions and water consumption, whilst implementing a circular system for managing biohazardous waste.</p>
 
</div>

Enva partners with Envetec to provide sustainable biohazardous waste management solutions

<div>
 
 <p>Textile recycling startup SuperCircle and global retail brand Guess Inc. have launched a recycling program titled "Guess Again". The program allows customers to recycle any branded clothing items in Guess stores across the US and Canada, offering a purchase discount in return.</p>
 <p>SuperCircle handles the technology interface, collection, sortation, and processing. This initiative aligns with Guess' existing in-store recycling collaboration with LA-based social enterprise, Homeboy Threads.</p>
 <p>The program commenced on October 10, with US customers also having the option to request shipping labels via the Guess website for recycling purposes.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> The partnership is the company’s second major tie-up with an apparel brand in 2024. In <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/26994"> February 2024 </a> , SuperCircle partnered with J. Crew to implement a take-back program to recycle old swimwear and redeploy the fibers into new clothing items.</p>

SuperCircle partners with Guess for consumer recycling program

Natural Fertilizers

<div>
 
 <p>Acadian Plant Health, a biostimulant technology firm, and BASF Agricultural Solutions, a global chemical and material science division, have joined forces to develop climate-resilient crop protection products.</p>
 <p>This partnership aims to merge Acadian's biostimulant technology with BASF's chemical and biological assets, creating new agricultural solutions. These solutions reportedly improve crop productivity, sustainability, and resilience to climate change conditions.</p>

</div>

Acadian Plant Health partners with BASF Agricultural Solutions for climate-resilient crop solutions

Sustainably solving the food shortages of the future

Smart Farming

<div>

 <p>Syngenta Crop Protection, a Swiss agricultural science and seed technology company, has entered a multi-year partnership with Taranis, an Israeli startup specializing in digital agriculture solutions via aerial imagery. The collaboration aims to introduce AI-based agronomic solutions to agricultural retailers in the United States. </p>
 <p>The initiative aims to facilitate the adoption of Taranis' AI-powered platforms by ag retailers. The platform provides detailed remote scouting insights and AI-generated agronomic recommendations. Both companies assert their primary goal is to enhance retailer workflows, improve farm decision-making processes, and encourage conservation practices.</p>

</div>

Syngenta Crop Protection partners with Taranis for AI-powered agronomy solutions

Conservation Tech

<div>
 <p>OroraTech, a startup specializing in wildfire detection and monitoring solutions, has successfully raised EUR 25 million, which is approximately USD 27.3 million, in funding. The round of investment was primarily led by Korys and included the EU's Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF) and Bayern Kapital, an existing investor.</p>
 <p>The startup has earmarked the funds for its expansion into markets outside of Europe and for further development and refinement of its AI-powered Wildfire Solution technology.</p>
 <p>Presently, OroraTech has two satellites in space, with plans to launch a third one next month. The company has ambitious plans to have 100 satellites in orbit by 2026. Each of these will be about the size of a shoebox. In addition, OroraTech is also in the process of testing eight new thermal-imaging satellites, which are slated for rollout in early 2025.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> OroraTech also recently secured a contract from Greece in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/33388"> September 2024 </a> to provide thermal infrared (TIR) satellites based on its FOREST-3 design for Greece's disaster response capabilities. The funds raised would also support this partnership.</p>

OroraTech raises EUR 25 million in funding to scale wildfire detection system

Pushing the envelope in MedTech with emerging technologies

Next-gen Medical Devices

<div>
 <p>Medical device firm Hologic, which specializes in women's health, has purchased Gynesonics, another medical device company, for $350 million. This transaction is subject to standard closing adjustments. </p>
 <p>This acquisition is intended to augment Hologic's portfolio and provide gynecologist surgeons with a more comprehensive range of minimally invasive treatment options. These are primarily for women experiencing heavy periods and fibroids. </p>
 <p>Gynesonics has been recognized for creating the Sonata System. This system merges real-time intrauterine ultrasound guidance with focused radiofrequency ablation for the transcervical treatment of certain symptomatic uterine fibroids. These fibroids include those associated with heavy menstrual bleeding. </p> 
</div>

All Updates

CVS Health set to complete acquisition of Signify Health this week

US Navy introduces T-45C Goshawk mixed reality simulator

Starship Technologies partners with Bolt for robot-powered grocery delivery in Estonia

Runergy Alabama partners with Solarcycle for glass supply and module recycling

Fortum produces biodegradable plastic from CO2 emissions

Enva partners with Envetec to provide sustainable biohazardous waste management solutions

SuperCircle partners with Guess for consumer recycling program

Acadian Plant Health partners with BASF Agricultural Solutions for climate-resilient crop solutions

Syngenta Crop Protection partners with Taranis for AI-powered agronomy solutions

OroraTech raises EUR 25 million in funding to scale wildfire detection system

Hologic to acquire Gynesonics for USD 350 million to expand its fibroid treatment solutions

Telehealth

CVS Health set to complete acquisition of Signify Health this week

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