<div>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Flytrex, an Israeli drone-based delivery company, and its long-term partner and drone delivery operator, Causey Aviation Unmanned (CAU) have been granted an exception from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate drones Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) without visual observers.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        This would authorize the companies to fly the drones longer distances and help scale the drone-based delivery services across the US suburbs.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        <b>Analyst QuickTake:</b>
         
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/16014">
          In January 2023,
        </a>
         CAU received FAA&rsquo;s part 135 certification, enabling Flytrex to launch its drone delivery services commercially on a trial basis across the US. With today&rsquo;s approval, the companies will be able to scale operations further, as not requiring visual observers in general should make BVLOS operations at scale economically more feasible.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://thespoon.tech/drone-delivery-operator-flytrex-receives-faa-go-ahead-to-fly-without-visual-observers/">
      The Spoon
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
    <a href="https://uasweekly.com/2023/10/31/flytrex-and-causey-aviation-unmanned-gain-faa-approval-for-bvlos-operations-across-u-s-suburbs/">
      UASWeekly.com
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
    <a href="https://dronelife.com/2023/11/01/bvlos-drone-delivery-no-visual-observers-flytrex-and-causey-aviation-unmanned-get-faa-approval/">
      Drone Life
    </a>
  </p>
</div>


Last-mile Delivery Automation

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

DISRUPTOR_PRESENT

<div>
 <ul>
  <li><p>Flytrex, an Israeli drone-based delivery company, and its partner, Causey Aviation Unmanned (CAU), have received an exception from the FAA to operate drones BVLOS without visual observers.</p></li>
  <li><p>This will allow the companies to fly drones longer distances and expand delivery services in US suburbs.</p></li>
 </ul> 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:</b> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/16014"> In January 2023, </a> CAU received FAA’s part 135 certification, enabling Flytrex to launch its drone delivery services commercially on a trial basis across the US. With today’s approval, the companies will be able to scale operations further, as not requiring visual observers in general should make BVLOS operations at scale economically more feasible.</p>

Flytrex receives FAA approval for BVLOS operations without visual observers

AI, robotics, and IoT to streamline the flow of goods and information

Logistics Tech

<div>
 <p>Brightpick, a firm that designs autonomous mobile robots for warehouse automation, has secured USD 12 million in a funding round involving equity and debt. The round was participated in by a new investor, EBRD Venture Capital, and several existing investors. With this, the total funds raised by the company so far have reached USD 47 million.</p>
 <p>The newly acquired funds are intended to facilitate the launch of Brightpick's automation solutions on the US market. The company predicts that by 2024, this market sector will be responsible for half of its total revenue.</p>
</div>

Brightpick raises USD 12 million in funding to accelerate US deployment

Additive manufacturing makes objects by systematically adding material via a CAD program

Additive Manufacturing

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 <p>ArcelorMittal, a steel solutions provider, is collaborating with HP to create steel additive manufacturing solutions through the use of HP's Metal Jet S100 technology.</p>
 <p>This partnership will see ArcelorMittal incorporating its steel powders with HP's binder jetting technology. ArcelorMittal's research center will also serve as a hub for developing new applications with clients. The goal of this collaboration is to decrease cost per part and expand material options for 3D printing, especially within the automotive industry.</p> 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> ArcelorMittal has been gradually expanding its presence in the steel additive manufacturing through partnerships after it <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/24011"> entered the additive manufacturing market </a> almost exactly one year ago. This marks its second partnership since it <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/30133"> signed an MOU with Materialise in June </a> to collaborate on solutions for optimizing laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) equipment and metal 3D printing strategies.</p>

ArcelorMittal partners with HP to develop steel additive manufacturing solutions

Technology providers that enhance satellite operations

Next-gen Satellites

<div>
 <p>Japanese satellite manufacturer, Synspective, has begun the production of small Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites at its Yamato Technology Center. This is in addition to its existing operations in Tokyo and Singapore. </p>
 <p>The Yamato Technology Center is designed to produce 12 small SAR satellites annually. It uses iterative manufacturing, a method where production data is consistently collected and analyzed to make ongoing improvements.
 <p>Synspective reports that with this new facility and collaborations with Seiren and TOKYO KEIKI, it now has an efficient production setup for its StriX SAR satellites and aims to launch a constellation of 30 satellites by the late 2020s.</p>
</div>

Synspective commences full-scale SAR satellite manufacturing at Yamato Technology Center

Leveraging personal data for custom-fit diagnosis and treatment

Precision Medicine

<div>
 
 <p>IDEAYA Biosciences has introduced its new development candidate, IDE034. It's a bispecific antibody drug conjugate (BsADC) that targets B7H3/PTK7 proteins in cancer cells. This drug has been acquired through an exclusive global license with Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals.</p>
 <p>IDE034 is a unique BsADC with a B7H3/PTK7 topo-I-payload, presenting a new strategy for cancer treatment. It is said to be effective for several high-priority solid tumor types, such as lung and colorectal cancer. Additionally, it can be combined with IDEAYA's IDE161 PARG inhibitor. The company aims to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for IDE034 by the year 2025.</p>
 
</div>

IDEAYA Biosciences presents new development candidate IDE034

<div>

 <p>23andMe, a genetic testing company, is set to undergo significant business restructuring, which will involve the termination of about 40% of its overall workforce, affecting more than 200 employees. This decision is a result of their plans to discontinue all in-house therapeutic programs and instead shift the company's primary focus to consumer and research sectors. </p>
 <p>The company expects that this large-scale restructuring will lead to an annual cost savings of approximately USD 35 million. However, this change will also involve a one-time cost that will amount to up to USD 12 million, which will cover severance pay, transition costs, and other termination-related expenditures.</p> 

</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> In September 2024, the company agreed to a USD 30 million settlement agreement relating to a data breach incident in 2023 that exposed the genetic and ancestry information of 6.9 million users. In the same month, seven independent board members of the company resigned from their posts. Following these events, the restructuring effort seems to target long-term cost reductions and strengthening of business resilience.</p>

23andMe lays off 40% of workforce; discontinues therapeutics development division

Clean, congestion-free air travel gets liftoff

Passenger eVTOL Aircraft

<div>
 <p>EHang Holdings Limited, an autonomous aerial vehicle technology company based in China, has partnered with Enpower, a NEV power systems provider, to develop electric motor drive systems for eVTOLs, with the aim of progressing EHang's urban air mobility ambitions.</p>
 <p>This partnership will focus on developing electric motors specifically crafted for EHang’s eVTOLs, while maintaining accordance with aviation standards. The technology of Enpower is expected to be integral in optimizing the weight of the motor, power density, cooling, and compatibility. This is intended to boost the overall performance across EHang’s eVTOL models.</p>

</div>

EHang partners with Enpower to enhance electric motor systems for eVTOL aircraft

Reinventing gene therapies with next-generation technologies

Human Gene Editing

<div>
 
 <p>Swiss biotechnology firm Nerai Bio has earned a funding of CHF 150,000 (~USD 171,000) from non-profit organization Venture Kick.</p>
 <p>This investment will boost the company's business expansion and assist in forming strategic alliances. It will also help progress its prominent drug candidates towards pivotal validation studies by utilizing preclinical models.</p>
 <p>Nerai Bio has developed MORPHEME, a platform powered by AI that enables high-volume protein engineering. Its design aids in creating highly specific gene-editing tools to increase DNA editing's efficiency and safety. The company is currently working on two main therapeutic candidates, aiming to find a safe, permanent treatment for severe monogenic liver disorders.</p>
 
</div>

Nerai Bio raises ~USD 171,000 in venture funding to develop gene editing candidates

<div>
 <p>Aridditive, a provider of concrete 3D printing solutions, has secured EUR 500,000 in pre-seed funding. The funding round was led by BeAble Capital and featured participation from Suma Capital and ACCIÓ's startup capital. The funds will be invested in advancing its concrete 3D printing technology, with planned proof-of-concept trials by end of 2024 and an official launch set for spring 2025.</p>
 <p>Aridditive was established in August 2023 as a spin-off from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) and CIM UPC. The Barcelona-based company develops 3D printing technology specifically for precast concrete manufacturing. By creating digital twins of precast components, the technology automates the production process, minimizing material waste and energy consumption. Ultimately, Aridditive's concrete 3D printer technology aims to streamline manufacturing processes, decrease costs, and reduce carbon emissions in the construction sector.</p>
</div>

Aridditive raises EUR 500,000 in pre-seed funding

<div>
 <p>Japan has launched LignoSat, a wooden satellite, aboard an uncrewed Cargo Dragon spacecraft bound for the International Space Station (ISS). It will later be deployed into orbit approximately 400 km above Earth.</p>
 <p>The satellite, a 10 cm cube shape, was developed by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry. It's largely built from honoki wood, using traditional Japanese methods, without any screws or glue. Its aim is to research wood's properties as a potential space material, especially its ability to shield semiconductors from space radiation.</p>
 <p>Developers of the wooden satellite note the advantages over common metal satellites. One advantage being it's environmentally friendly, as it can fully burn up upon reentering the Earth's atmosphere, unlike metals which might leave harmful debris in the atmosphere and oceans.</p>
</div>

Japan launches world's first wooden satellite

<div>
 <p>Maxar Technologies, a provider of satellite management and data platforms, has strengthened its collaboration with the digital mapping company, HERE Technologies. The goal of this expansion is to increase the precision and automation of HERE's map creation process.</p>
 <p>In a renewed multi-year contract, HERE has purchased a subscription to Maxar’s Geospatial Platform Pro. This will allow them access to the most recent high-resolution images from the Maxar satellite constellation, supporting the prompt and accurate updating of maps.&nbsp;</p>
 <p>The established partnership is reported to enhance the accuracy of HERE’s maps and location services, which are utilized in industries such as automotive, transportation, logistics, and retail.</p>

</div>

All Updates

Flytrex receives FAA approval for BVLOS operations without visual observers

Brightpick raises USD 12 million in funding to accelerate US deployment

ArcelorMittal partners with HP to develop steel additive manufacturing solutions

Synspective commences full-scale SAR satellite manufacturing at Yamato Technology Center

IDEAYA Biosciences presents new development candidate IDE034

23andMe lays off 40% of workforce; discontinues therapeutics development division

EHang partners with Enpower to enhance electric motor systems for eVTOL aircraft

Nerai Bio raises ~USD 171,000 in venture funding to develop gene editing candidates

Aridditive raises EUR 500,000 in pre-seed funding

Japan launches world's first wooden satellite

Maxar Intelligence expands partnership with HERE Technologies to scale automated mapmaking

Last-mile Delivery Automation

Flytrex receives FAA approval for BVLOS operations without visual observers

Contact us