<div>
  <p>
  </p>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        SpaceX has recently conducted its second test flight of Starship, the world's most powerful rocket. Despite ending in a mid-air explosion, the test flight marked significant improvements over the first flight, making it a key milestone for SpaceX.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        The key features of this Starship mission consisted of the successful ignition of all 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy booster, the implementation of a functional stage separation technique known as &ldquo;hot staging,&quot; and the observed improvement in launch infrastructure resilience due to a newly introduced water deluge system. However, both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage had to be blown up mid-flight for reasons yet to be clarified by SpaceX.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        Despite the explosive end of the test flight, SpaceX considers it a successful day, primarily because of the data collected that could help in better understanding the rocket's performance.&nbsp;
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        <b>Analyst QuickTake</b>
        : In 
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17914">
          April 2023
        </a>
        , SpaceX's first-ever Starship spacecraft exploded mid-air after taking off from the Starbase spaceport in Texas. Despite facing engine and stage separation failures, it managed to climb to a height of just under 25 miles. Meanwhile, NASA officials recently 
        <a href="https://spacenews.com/starship-lunar-lander-missions-to-require-nearly-20-launches-nasa-says/">
          revealed
        </a>
         that SpaceX's Starship will need &quot;in the high teens&quot; of launches for Artemis lunar landings. This number is significantly higher than what the company's leadership had previously communicated.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2023/11/18/spacex-launches-starship-for-the-second-time-ever-going-farther-than-ever-before/">
      TechCrunch
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


Space Travel and Exploration Tech

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<p>SpaceX conducted its second test flight of Starship, the world's most powerful rocket. Despite ending in an explosion, the test marked significant improvements over the first flight, making it a milestone for SpaceX.</p><p>The key features of this mission included successful ignition of all 33 Raptor engines, implementation of a stage separation technique called "hot staging," and improved launch infrastructure resilience with a water deluge system. However, both the booster and upper stage were blown up mid-flight for unknown reasons.</p><p>Despite the explosive end, SpaceX considers it a successful day due to the valuable data collected for better understanding the rocket's performance.</p><p><strong>Analyst QuickTake</strong> : In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17914">April 2023 </a>, SpaceX's first-ever Starship spacecraft exploded mid-air after taking off from the Starbase spaceport in Texas. Despite facing engine and stage separation failures, it managed to climb to a height of just under 25 miles. Meanwhile, NASA officials recently <a href="https://spacenews.com/starship-lunar-lander-missions-to-require-nearly-20-launches-nasa-says/">revealed </a>that SpaceX's Starship will need "in the high teens" of launches for Artemis lunar landings. This number is significantly higher than what the company's leadership had previously communicated.</p>

SpaceX flies Starship rocket for second time despite mid-air explosion

New insurance models are disrupting a centuries-old industry with a focus on personalization and convenience.

Neo Insurance

Wag! Introduces WeCompare.com, an insurance comparison site

Promising research and receding stigma are giving investors cannabis-boom flashbacks.

Psychedelic Medicine

<div>
 
 <p>Compass Pathways and Mindful Health Solutions have established a research collaboration. The partnership aims to investigate a scalable delivery model for the COMP360 psilocybin treatment for treatment-resistant depression, a subject currently under the consideration of the FDA. </p>
 <p>In this collaboration, both parties will share insights regarding the delivery model of the COMP360 program. The primary focus of this research will be on examining patient journeys, identifying existing challenges, and developing solutions. Mindful Health Solutions will be trained in Compass' support model and will conduct research on the requirements for therapist training. They will additionally evaluate treatment room configurations, site activation, and coding/reimbursement procedures for psychedelic treatments. </p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake</b> :<br>
 This marks Compass Pathway’s fourth collaboration this year in support of its product development initiatives. Previous partnerships include 1) Journey Clinical to develop a deployment and training model for COMP360 ( <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/28939"> April 2024 </a> ), 2) Hackensack Meridian Health to support research efforts using psilocybin in mental health treatments ( <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/25618"> January 2024 </a> ), and 3) Greenbrook TMS to explore delivery models for COMP360 ( <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/25237"> January 2024 </a> ).</p>

Compass Pathways and Mindful Health Solutions collaborate to research on scalable psilocybin treatment model

<div>
 
 <p>Toronto-based psychedelic therapy company, Reunion Neuroscience, has secured USD 103 million in a Series A funding round. The financing was co-led by MPM BioImpact and Novo Holdings, and included participation from Arkin Bio Capital, Mitsui &amp; Co. Global Investment, Plaisance Capital, FemHealth Ventures, among others.</p>
 <p>These new funds will be notably used to support the company’s “RECONNECT” Phase II clinical trial for RE104, a psychedelic drug candidate developed for the treatment of postpartum depression. The company also plans to deploy funds to expand into other psychiatric indications. The results from the clinical trial are anticipated to be publicized in the second quarter of 2025.</p>
 
</div>

Reunion Neuroscience raises USD 103 million in Series A funding for RE104 clinical trial

Membership-based, non-insurance healthcare companies helping maintain a steady state of well being.

Preventive Healthcare

<div>
 
 <p>Thyme Care, a chronic care-focused management company has established Enhanced Supportive Care services, an online palliative care program to support members and caregivers. Julia Frydman has been named the program's first medical director for palliative care.</p>
 <p>This innovative program aims to help eligible patients and their caregivers navigate the challenges of cancer, offering assistance with physical and psychological symptoms. It features detailed medical decision-making advice, alignment of patient goals and values with treatment plans, regular interaction with patient oncologists, and clinical oversight and mentoring for the care team. Thyme Care is also looking to increase its clinician workforce by hiring nurse practitioners by year-end.</p> 
 
</div>

Thyme Care launches virtual palliative care program; appoints medical director

<div>
<p>Livara Health, previously known as SpineZone, is a virtual musculoskeletal (MSK) care management platform. It has successfully procured USD 15 million in a Series B funding round, with A1 Health Ventures, Polaris Partners, Providence Ventures, and other investors leading the contribution. This funding has increased Livara Health's total capital raised to USD 27 million. The newly acquired funds are planned to be used for augmenting the company's technological and clinical proficiencies.</p>
</div>

Livara Health raises USD 15 million in Series B funding to enhance platform capabilities

Travel Tech

<div>
 
 <p>Guesty, a software provider based in Israel that offers accommodation management services, has recently purchased Rentals United, a distribution platform for property managers. The financial details related to this purchase were not disclosed. </p>
 <p>After this acquisition, it is Guesty's plan to combine its solutions with the distribution capabilities of Rentals United. It is anticipated that this partnership will result in higher booking volumes and increased relevance.</p>
 <p>Founded in 2015, Rentals United provides a platform for short-term rental managers to manage and market their property listings on over 60 different sites. The company has established integrations with over 100 technology providers, enhancing their service offerings. Rentals United is based in Spain and Poland and employ approximately 100 people. </p>
 
</div>

Guesty acquires Rentals United to expand property management offerings

Generating, collecting, and analyzing enterprise data will never be the same.

Edge Computing

<div>
 
 <p>Edgio, a company that specializes in providing secure and speedy online services, has introduced a new tool called Attack Surface Management solution (ASM). This tool is designed to help locate web assets, create a list of technologies, pinpoint security risks, and manage responses to these vulnerabilities.</p>
 <p>Notable features of Edgio's ASM involve continual inventory monitoring of all external web applications, automated detection of potential threats, and a unified interface for managing the rectification of all security issues. Additionally, it provides web application and API protection (WAAP) to guard against DDoS and malevolent code injection threats.&nbsp;</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> The announcement comes after Edgio launched a <a href="https:<br>
//siliconangle.com/2023/04/18/new-edgio-solution-mitigates-malicious-bots-providing-observability-good-bots/"> new bot management solution </a> that leverages machine learning to detect and mitigate a wide range of evolving and malicious bots. Furthermore, in late 2023, Edgio raised <a href="https:<br>
//www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231114321677/en/Edgio-Inc.-Announces-New-Capital-Infusion-to-Drive-Growth-Strategies#:<br>
~:<br>
text=PHOENIX--(BUSINESS%20WIRE)--,%2466%20million%20of%20new%20financing."> USD 66 million </a> in post-IPO debt to strengthen its financial position and support the execution of its strategic objectives.</p>

Edgio launches attack surface management for continuous web application threat management

Empowering Tomorrow's Innovations with Generative AI Infrastructure

Generative AI Infrastructure

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

<div>
 <p>Oracle has made its AI vector search feature in Oracle Database 23i generally available. This feature uses sentence semantics to help users find information more effectively than traditional keyword searches. The key features of this AI vector search include new SQL operators that help in generating vector embeddings and a VECTOR data type that helps in storing vector embeddings. Additionally, the integration enables comprehensive searches by combining business metrics, security filters, among other features.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> The update broadens Oracle’s activities in the space and follows the launch of its OCI GenAI service in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/25852"> January 2024 </a> , a cloud-based platform that allows enterprises to utilize LLMs for tasks like text generation, summarization, and semantic similarity.</p>

Oracle announces general availability of AI vector search feature in Oracle Database 23i

<div>
 <p>DataRobot, an Enterprise LLM development platform, has launched its real-time intervention functionality for GenAI solutions. This is designed to detect and prevent unexpected artificial intelligence behaviors. The service is versatile, being available on-premise, in the cloud and in a hybrid format.</p>
 <p>To prevent prompt injections, detect personally identifiable information, and mitigate hallucinations, the platform employs a library of configurable safeguards. Moreover, it provides customizable alerts, and allows the ability to diagnose issues visually and trace back answers.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> The update builds on DataRobot’s existing cloud solutions, including the launch of its unified AI Cloud platform in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/23738"> November 2023 </a> . The platform provides real-time monitoring, LLM cost, and performance tracking and the introduction of "guard models" to influence GenAI behavior. Additionally, the company partnered with Google to make its Gemini models available through DataRobot’s platform in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/28345"> April 2024 </a> .</p>

DataRobot launches AI observability functionality for real-time intervention

Platforms, apps, and cards to keep the corporate wallet in check

Business Expense Management

<div>

<p>Pleo, a company that provides payment and expense management solutions, has secured an approximately USD 42.9 million worth of debt financing facility from HSBC Innovation Banking UK. The financing is meant for the expansion of the company's credit offering, Pleo overdraft. This service facilitates enhanced financial flexibility for businesses and augmented credit limits across Europe, initially in the Netherlands. It aims to reach new markets and currencies, acquiring new customers in the process. Pleo overdraft is currently available in Sweden, the UK, Germany, and Denmark.</p>

</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> This latest fundraise builds on its Series C funding in 2021, which was reportedly the largest ever for a Danish startup, where the company was valued at USD 4.7 billion, supporting its European expansion plans.</p>

All Updates