
Infinite Uptime Unlocks Production Reliability for Heavy Industries with PlantOS™ at Global Steel Dynamics Forum
– Chaitanya Bulusu, SVP & Business Head – Americas, Infinite Uptime
NEW YORK, June 18, 2025 /CNW/ -- At the Global Steel Dynamics Forum, Infinite Uptime launched PlantOS™ and Production Outcomes as a Service (POaaS) globally. PlantOS™, an AI-driven manufacturing intelligence platform, focuses on value delivery, unlocking production reliability by delivering measurable outcomes, such as 99.97% equipment availability and up to 2% energy reduction per unit produced for heavy industries.
Production Reliability is a balance of metric and mindset. PlantOS™ empowers partners to attain this balance from parameter to plant level. Infinite Uptime's POaaS focuses on outcome-centric production reliability, guaranteed performance, and cost certainty. Powered by PlantOS™, the outcomes are delivered through a layered combination of device-agnostic sensing, vertical-specific AI, and human expertise.
Explore the Potential of Production Reliability with PlantOS™
PlantOS™ is a modular, AI-native platform that unifies five functions: Sense & Ingest, Administer & Configure, Diagnose & Analyze, Act & Resolve, and Collaborate & Integrate. It captures data from any sensor—vibration, acoustics, temperature—using the proprietary piezoelectric and MEMS (Micro-electromechanical systems) technology, even in extreme conditions like 150°C or 2 rpm, and across a variety of industrial environment settings—corrosive to explosive.
PlantOS™ 's vertical AI models, tailored for industries like metal & cement, deliver 99.97% fault prediction accuracy validated across 53,026 installations. The collaborative Outcome Assistant then routes persona-specific insights—diagnostic alerts for engineers, ROI metrics for CFOs—ensuring insights lead to action.
PlantOS™ combines 24/7 remote support, domain expertise and intuitive AI, bridging skills gaps to simplify adoption and foster trust.
Discover PlantOS™ in our Frost & Sullivan Executive Interview
PlantOS™ 's impact is evident across various heavy industries. With the largest install base of over 84 MTPA in terms of steel production, Infinite Uptime has digitized, monitored, and safeguarded every second on 214 steel production sites globally. JSW, the world's most valuable steel company, gained 25,842 hours of additional production uptime, leading to higher throughput, lower costs, improved sustainability, and millions in revenue and operational resilience.
"Infinite Uptime has been a strategic partner of JSW for the last four years, playing a pivotal role in transforming & optimizing our Steel, Cement and Paint Plant production outputs."
– Rishi Shroff, CEO, JSW New Age
Infinite Uptime's outcome-based contracts align with the rising demand for rapid ROI, delivering measurable value within 6–12 months.
To explore how PlantOS™ can empower you to unlock production outcomes, visit Infinite Uptime's website today.
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Cision Canada
22 minutes ago
- Cision Canada
METRO REPORTS 2025 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS Français
MONTRÉAL, Aug. 13, 2025 /CNW/ - METRO INC. (TSX: MRU) today announced its results for the third quarter of Fiscal 2025 ended July 5, 2025. 2025 THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS Sales of $6,871.0 million, up 3.3% Food same-store sales (1) up 1.9% Pharmacy same-store sales (1) up 5.5% Net earnings of $323.0 million, up 9.0% and adjusted net earnings (1) of $331.8 million, up 8.8% Fully diluted net earnings per share of $1.48, up 13.0% and adjusted fully diluted net earnings per share (1) of $1.52, up 12.6% 16 weeks / Fiscal Year (Millions of dollars, except for net earnings per share) 2025 % 2024 % Change (%) Sales 6,871.0 100.0 6,651.8 100.0 3.3 Operating income before depreciation and amortization and impairments of assets 655.7 9.5 620.2 9.3 5.7 Net earnings 323.0 4.7 296.2 4.5 9.0 Fully diluted net earnings per share 1.48 — 1.31 — 13.0 Adjusted net earnings (1) 331.8 4.8 305.0 4.6 8.8 Adjusted fully diluted net earnings per share (1) 1.52 — 1.35 — 12.6 40 weeks / Fiscal Year (Millions of dollars, except for net earnings per share) 2025 % 2024 % Change (%) Sales 16,898.0 100.0 16,281.5 100.0 3.8 Operating income before depreciation and amortization and impairments of assets 1,598.2 9.5 1,527.4 9.4 4.6 Net earnings 802.5 4.7 711.8 4.4 12.7 Fully diluted net earnings per share 3.63 — 3.13 — 16.0 Adjusted net earnings (1) 803.8 4.8 746.4 4.6 7.7 Adjusted fully diluted net earnings per share (1) 3.64 — 3.28 — 11.0 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE "We are pleased with our results in the third quarter, marked by solid comparable sales growth in food and pharmacy, and good cost control. We successfully opened 5 new food stores in the quarter, a pace that will continue (2) in the fourth quarter, on track with our plan to accelerate the development of our growing discount banners. We are confident that our sustained investments in our retail network and supply chain combined with strong execution will continue to fuel our growth and create long-term shareholder value (2)", declared Eric La Flèche, President and Chief Executive Officer. SALES Sales in the third quarter of Fiscal 2025 ended on July 5, 2025 were $6,871.0 million, up 3.3% versus the third quarter of the prior year which ended on July 6, 2024, driven by higher sales in our retail network. Food same-store sales (1) were up 1.9% in the third quarter of Fiscal 2025 (2024 — 2.4%). Online food sales (1) were up 14.4% versus last year (2024 — 34.3%). Our food basket inflation was generally in line with the reported CPI for food purchased from stores. Pharmacy same-store sales (1) were up 5.5% (2024 — 5.2%), with a 6.2% increase in prescription drugs (1) and a 4.0% increase in front-store sales (1), primarily driven by over-the-counter products, cosmetics, and health and beauty. Sales in the first 40 weeks of Fiscal 2025 totalled $16,898.0 million, up 3.8% compared to $16,281.5 million for the corresponding period of 2024. This earnings measurement excludes financial costs, taxes, depreciation and amortization and impairments of assets. Operating income before depreciation and amortization and impairments of assets for the third quarter of Fiscal 2025 totalled $655.7 million, or 9.5% of sales, an increase of 5.7% versus the corresponding quarter of Fiscal 2024. Operating income before depreciation and amortization and impairments of assets for the first 40 weeks of Fiscal 2025 totalled $1,598.2 million, or 9.5% of sales, up 4.6% versus the corresponding period of 2024. The first 40 weeks of Fiscal 2024 benefited from a gain on sale of assets of $6.7 million. Gross margin (1) for the third quarter and the first 40 weeks of Fiscal 2025 was 19.8% versus 19.6% and 19.7% for the corresponding periods of 2024. The margin improvement in the quarter is partly attributable to productivity gains at our food distribution centers and a reduction in shrink. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales for the third quarter of Fiscal 2025 were 10.2%, the same rate as in the corresponding quarter of 2024. For the first 40 weeks of Fiscal 2025, operating expenses as a percentage of sales were 10.4% versus 10.3% for the corresponding period of 2024. The increase in operating expenses for the 40-week period ended on July 5, 2025 is mainly due to the launch of the Moi Rewards program in Ontario in the first quarter of 2025, fees related to higher online partnership sales and the recording of professional fees regarding the resolution of a tax position related to prior years. DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION Total depreciation and amortization expense for the third quarter of Fiscal 2025 was $184.9 million versus $174.0 million for the corresponding quarter of 2024. For the first 40 weeks of Fiscal 2025, total depreciation and amortization expense was $454.6 million versus $434.6 million for the corresponding period of 2024. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense is mainly due to the timing of retail investments and the commissioning of investments in our supply chain, including some automation technology in the Pharmacy division and the final phase of our fresh distribution centre in Toronto last summer. IMPAIRMENTS OF ASSETS During the second quarter of Fiscal 2024, the Corporation recorded $20.8 million of impairments of assets resulting from the decision to have Metro stores in Ontario withdraw from the Air Miles® loyalty program in the summer of 2024. This impairment represents the entire carrying value of the loyalty program asset. NET FINANCIAL COSTS Net financial costs for the third quarter of Fiscal 2025 were $45.3 million compared with $46.6 million for the corresponding quarter of 2024. For the first 40 weeks of Fiscal 2025, net financial costs were $109.4 million compared with $113.1 million for the corresponding period of 2024. The decrease in financial costs is mainly due to lower interest expense on net debt partly offset by lower capitalized interest. INCOME TAXES The income tax expense of $102.5 million for the third quarter of Fiscal 2025 represented an effective tax rate of 24.1% compared with an income tax expense of $103.4 million and an effective tax rate of 25.9% for the third quarter of Fiscal 2024. The decrease in the effective tax rate in 2025 is mainly attributable to a provincial tax holiday related to the commissioning of our new automated distribution center for fresh and frozen products in Terrebonne. The 40-week period income tax expense of $231.7 million for Fiscal 2025 and $247.1 million for Fiscal 2024 represented effective tax rates of 22.4% and 25.8% respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate in 2025 is mainly attributable to a $20.6 million income tax adjustment in respect of prior years and a provincial tax holiday related to the commissioning of our new automated distribution center for fresh and frozen products in Terrebonne. The total tax holiday represents approximately $66 million and we estimate it will be recognized over a period of 3 years (2). NET EARNINGS AND ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS (1) Net earnings for the third quarter of Fiscal 2025 were $323.0 million compared with $296.2 million for the corresponding quarter of 2024, while fully diluted net earnings per share were $1.48 compared with $1.31 in 2024, up 9.0% and 13.0% respectively. Excluding the specific item shown in the table below, adjusted net earnings (1) for the third quarter of Fiscal 2025 totalled $331.8 million compared with $305.0 million for the corresponding quarter of 2024, and adjusted fully diluted net earnings per share (1) for third quarter of Fiscal 2025 were $1.52, versus $1.35 in 2024, up 8.8% and 12.6% respectively. Net earnings for the first 40 weeks of Fiscal 2025 were $802.5 million compared with $711.8 million for the corresponding period of 2024, while fully diluted net earnings per share were $3.63 compared with $3.13 in 2024, up 12.7% and 16.0% respectively. Excluding the specific items shown in the table below, adjusted net earnings (1) for the first 40 weeks of Fiscal 2025 totalled $803.8 million compared with $746.4 million for the corresponding period of 2024, and adjusted fully diluted net earnings per share (1) amounted to $3.64 versus $3.28, up 7.7% and 11.0% respectively. 40 weeks / Fiscal Year 2025 2024 Change (%) Net earnings (Millions of dollars) Fully diluted EPS (Dollars) Net earnings (Millions of dollars) Fully diluted EPS (Dollars) Net earnings Fully diluted EPS Per financial statements 802.5 3.63 711.8 3.13 12.7 16.0 Loss on impairment of a loyalty program, net of taxes of $2.7 — 18.1 Gain on disposal of an investment in an associate, net of taxes of $1.6 — (5.4) Amortization of intangible assets acquired in connection with the Jean Coutu Group acquisition, net of taxes of $7.8 21.9 21.9 Favorable resolution of a tax position in respect of prior years (20.6) — Adjusted measures (1) 803.8 3.64 746.4 3.28 7.7 11.0 NORMAL COURSE ISSUER BID PROGRAM Under the current normal course issuer bid program, the Corporation may repurchase up to 10,000,000 of its Common Shares between November 27, 2024 and November 26, 2025. Between November 27, 2024 and August 1, 2025, the Corporation has repurchased 5,700,000 Common Shares at an average price of $98.55, for a total consideration of $561.8 million. On August 12, 2025, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.37 per share, the same amount declared last quarter. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION We have used, throughout this report, different statements that could, within the context of regulations issued by the Canadian Securities Administrators, be construed as being forward-looking information. In general, any statement contained herein that does not constitute a historical fact may be deemed a forward-looking statement. Expressions such as "continue", "estimate", "predict" and other similar expressions are generally indicative of forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon certain assumptions regarding the Canadian food and pharmaceutical industries, the general economy, our annual budget, as well as our 2025 action plan. These forward-looking statements do not provide any guarantees as to the future performance of the Corporation and are subject to potential risks, known and unknown, as well as uncertainties that could cause the outcome to differ significantly. Risk factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from our expectations as expressed in, or implied by, our forward-looking statements are described and discussed under the "Risk Management" section in our Annual Report 2024. We believe these statements to be reasonable and pertinent as at the date of publication of this report and represent our expectations. The Corporation does not intend to update any forward-looking statement contained herein, except as required by applicable law. NON-GAAP AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASUREMENTS In addition to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) measurements provided, we have included certain non-GAAP and other financial measurements. These measurements are presented for information purposes only. They do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measurements presented by other public companies. National Instrument 52-112 Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure sets out specific disclosure requirements for non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios, and other financial measures, which are capital management measures, supplementary financial measures, and total of segments measures, as defined in the Instrument (together the "specified financial measures"). The specified financial measures we disclose in our documents made available to the public are presented by measurement categories below. NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES Adjusted earnings before net financial costs and income taxes is a non-GAAP financial measurement that, with respect to its composition, is adjusted to exclude net financial costs and special items from the composition of the most directly comparable financial measure disclosed in our consolidated financial statements, which is earnings before income taxes. Special items may include acquisition and restructuring charges, gains or losses on the disposal of investments, and amortization and impairment losses of intangible assets resulting from a business acquisition. Adjusted net earnings is a non-GAAP financial measurement that, with respect to its composition, is adjusted to exclude special items from the composition of the most directly comparable financial measure disclosed in our consolidated financial statements, which is net earnings. Special items may include acquisition and restructuring charges, gains or losses on the disposal of investments, amortization and impairment losses of intangible assets resulting from a business acquisition, and significant prior-year tax adjustments. For measurements depicting financial performance, we believe that presenting earnings adjusted for these items, which are not necessarily reflective of the Corporation's performance, leaves readers of financial statements better informed thus enabling them to better perform trend analysis, evaluate the Corporation's financial performance and assess its future outlook. Adjusting for these items does not imply that they are non-recurring. NON-GAAP RATIOS Adjusted fully diluted net earnings per share is a non-GAAP ratio by where a non-GAAP financial measure is used as one or more of its components. The non-GAAP component used is adjusted net earnings (1). Adjusted fully diluted net earnings per share is calculated by dividing the adjusted net earnings (1) attributable to equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding during the year, adjusted to reflect all potential dilutive shares. We believe that presenting this ratio, in which a non-GAAP financial measurement is used as one or more of its components, leaves readers of financial statements better informed as to the current period and corresponding prior year's period's performance, thus enabling them to better perform trend analysis, evaluate the Corporation's financial performance and assess its future outlook. Adjusting for these items does not imply that they are non-recurring. SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL MEASURES The supplementary financial measures listed below are, or are intended to be, disclosed on a periodic basis to depict the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of the Corporation. Food same-store sales are defined as comparable retail sales of stores with more than 52 consecutive weeks of operations, including relocated, expanded and renovated locations. Food same-store sales is a measure based on all stores in our network, including those whose sales are not included in the Corporation's consolidated financial statements. Online food sales are the sum of sales made from all our online channels. Pharmacy same-store sales (including total, front-store and prescription drugs) are defined as comparable retail sales of stores with more than 52 consecutive weeks of operations, including relocated, expanded and renovated locations. Pharmacy same-store sales do not form part of the Corporation's consolidated financial statements because the pharmacies are held by pharmacist owners. Gross margin ratio is calculated by dividing gross profit by sales. The significant investments in the modernization of our supply chain are largely behind us, and we are now focussed on realizing efficiency gains. These investments position us well for growth through the expansion of our retail network in the years ahead. As we begin our fourth quarter, we continue to face an uncertain economic environment, and it is difficult to predict how this environment will evolve and how it will impact our operations and our customers. We remain steadfast in our focus to deliver value to our customers through our robust merchandising programs, our strong private label and loyalty offers and working with our supply chain partners. CONFERENCE CALL Financial analysts and institutional investors are invited to participate in a conference call for the 2025 third quarter results at 9:00 a.m. (EDT) today, August 13, 2025. To access the conference call, please dial 1 (800) 990-4777. The media and investing public may access this conference via a listen mode only. Notice to readers: METRO INC. third quarter of 2025 interim condensed consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis are available on the Internet at - Corporate Site - Investors - 2025 Quarterly Results - 2025 Third Quarter Results.


Cision Canada
22 minutes ago
- Cision Canada
Health Canada Approves KEYTRUDA® for Patients with Resectable Locally Advanced Head & Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Tumours that are PD-L1 (CPS) Positive as Neoadjuvant Treatment, Continued as Adjuvant Treatment Combined With Radiotherapy With or Without Cisplatin Then as Monotherapy Français
Approval is based on KEYNOTE-689 Phase III Clinical Trial Results KIRKLAND, QC, Aug. 13, 2025 /CNW/ -- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, announced today that Health Canada has granted approval for KEYTRUDA ® (pembrolizumab), Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, for the treatment of adult patients with resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) whose tumours express PD-L1 (Combined Positive Score [CPS] ≥ 1), as determined by a validated test, as neoadjuvant treatment as monotherapy, continued as adjuvant treatment in combination with radiotherapy (RT) with or without cisplatin and then as monotherapy. The approval is based on data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-689 trial, which demonstrated positive clinical outcomes in patients with resectable locally advanced HNSCC whose tumours expressed PD-L1 (CPS ≥ 1). Perioperative KEYTRUDA ® in combination with adjuvant radiotherapy with or without cisplatin reduced the risk of event free survival (EFS) by 30% (Hazard Ration [HR]=0.70 [95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.55–0.89; p=0.0014]) compared to adjuvant radiotherapy with or without cisplatin. "We know that head and neck squamous cell carcinomas present significant treatment challenges because of their complexity," said André Galarneau, PhD, Executive Director & Vice President, Oncology Business Unit at Merck Canada. "The introduction of a perioperative anti-PD-1 treatment option for eligible patients in Canada represents an important development with the potential to make a meaningful difference for patients and their families impacted by this disease." About KEYNOTE-689 KEYNOTE-689 is a randomized, multicenter, open label, active-controlled Phase III trial ( NCT03765918) evaluating pembrolizumab in patients with resectable locally advanced (Stage III-IVA) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Randomization was stratified by primary tumour site (oropharynx/oral cavity vs. larynx vs. hypopharynx), tumour stage (III vs. IVA) and PD-L1 status (Tumour Proportion Score [TPS] ≥ 50% vs TPS < 50%). The study enrolled 714 patients who were randomized (1:1) to receive one of two treatment arms: Neoadjuvant pembrolizumab 200 mg for 2 cycles every 3 weeks prior to surgical resection. Within 6 weeks following surgery, pembrolizumab 200 mg for 3 cycles in combination with either radiation + 3 cycles of cisplatin 100 mg/m 2 every 3 weeks for patients with high-risk pathological features after surgery or radiation alone for patients without high-risk pathological features after surgery. This was followed by pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks for up to 12 cycles. No neoadjuvant treatment prior to surgery. Within 6 weeks following surgery, either radiation + 3 cycles of cisplatin 100 mg/m 2 every 3 weeks for patients with high-risk pathological features after surgery or radiation alone for patients without high-risk pathological features after surgery. High-risk pathological features included the presence of positive margins or extranodal extension following surgical resection. Treatment with pembrolizumab continued until completion of the treatment (17 cycles), disease progression that precluded definitive surgery, disease recurrence in the adjuvant phase, disease progression for those who did not undergo surgery or had incomplete resection and entered the adjuvant phase, or unacceptable toxicity. Assessment of tumour status was performed prior to surgery at Week 6 in the neoadjuvant phase. Following the start of the adjuvant phase, assessment of tumour status was performed 12 weeks after the end of RT ± cisplatin treatment and then every 3 months until the end of Year 3; then every 6 months thereafter up to the end of Year 5. The primary efficacy outcome measure was event-free survival (EFS) by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) defined as the time from randomization to the first occurrence of any of the following events: progression of disease that precludes definitive surgery, local or distant disease progression or recurrence, or death due to any cause. Secondary primary malignancy was not considered an event. An additional efficacy outcome measure was overall survival (OS). Among the CPS ≥1 population, at the time of the first pre-specified interim analysis, the EFS HR was 0.70 (95% CI, 0.55-0.89; p=0.00140) and the number of events was 128 (37%) in the pembrolizumab arm versus 156 (47%) in the RT +/- cisplatin arm. The median EFS was 59.7 months (95% CI, 37.9-not reached) versus 29.6 months (95% CI, 19.5-41.9), in the pembrolizumab and RT +/- cisplatin arms respectively. The most common treatment-related adverse events for patients treated with pembrolizumab in KEYNOTE-689 (reported in at least 20% of patients) were radiation skin injury and stomatitis. The most common Grade 3-5 treatment-related adverse events (reported in at least 5% of patients) were stomatitis (11.6%), lymphocyte count decreased (5.5%), and neutrophil count decreased (5.3%). For complete information, refer to the KEYTRUDA ® product monograph. About head and neck cancer Head and neck cancer are comprised of a group of cancers that develop in or around the mouth, nose, throat, sinuses, larynx or voice box and saliva glands. In Canada, it was estimated that there were approximately 8,100 new cases of head and neck cancer diagnosed and more than 2,100 deaths from the disease in 2024. Most head and neck cancers begin in the squamous cells that line the mucosal surfaces such as the mouth, throat and voice box. There are several factors that greatly increase the risk of developing head and neck cancer, including tobacco and alcohol use, human papillomavirus (HPV), occupation exposure to certain substances, genetic history and pool oral hygiene. About KEYTRUDA ® KEYTRUDA ® is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (anti-PD-1) therapy that works by helping increase the ability of the body's immune system to help detect and fight tumour cells. KEYTRUDA ® is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumour cells and healthy cells. KEYTRUDA ® was first approved in Canada in 2015 and currently has indications in several disease areas, including advanced renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, non-small cell lung carcinoma, primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer, endometrial carcinoma, cervical cancer, esophageal cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, melanoma, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. About Merck At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable, and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information about our operations in Canada, visit and connect with us on LinkedIn @MerckCanada. Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (the "company") includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline candidates that the candidates will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company's ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company's patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC's Internet site ( ® Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. Used under license. © 2025 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved. CA-NON-04264 Media Contacts:


Cision Canada
22 minutes ago
- Cision Canada
Praxis Spinal Cord Institute, Technology for Living and MIMIC Systems Vancouver pilot Novel Solid-State Cooling and Heating System Advancing Climate Resiliency for People with Disabilities
Pilot marks Canadian first in climate-resilient, refrigerant-free heating & cooling technology to assess climate equity. VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 13, 2025 /CNW/ - Through the SCI Climate Futures initiative, Praxis Spinal Cord Institute and Technology for Living (TFL) are advancing innovative solutions to support the health resiliency of individuals vulnerable to rising temperatures. Today, Praxis and TFL are proud to announce the successful installation of the first pilot MIMIC solid-state climate control system in the Vancouver home of an individual living with spinal cord injury (SCI). This milestone was made possible with the generous support of the Gore Mutual Insurance Collaborative Climate and Equity Partnerships grant. For individuals living with SCI, multiple sclerosis (MS), and other chronic conditions that impair the body's natural ability to regulate temperature, prolonged exposure to heat, especially temperatures exceeding 29°C can be life-threatening. Without access to effective cooling technologies, these individuals face daily health risks, including muscle spasms, disorientation, and hospitalization. "At Gore Mutual, we believe that climate resilience must be inclusive. Supporting innovative solutions like the MIMIC system aligns with our commitment to equity and sustainability," said Gaby Polanco Sorto, VP, Purpose, Sustainability and Office of the CEO at Gore Mutual Insurance. "As the founding partner of The Climate and Equity Lab, we remain committed to deepening our collective understanding of how climate change impacts vulnerable communities, and we're proud to partner with organizations that are creating real-world impact for Canadians living with disabilities." MIMiC Systems unveils a solid-state solution for indoor climate control for the built environment, designed to eliminate refrigerants or moving parts. Offering both heating and cooling in a single, compact unit, the system provides a quiet alternative to traditional HVAC, ideal for property owners seeking simplicity, sustainability, and performance. The installation faced several delays due to the complexity of approving novel clean tech in BC, with support from the City of Vancouver essential to the launch of the pilot, highlighting the need for regulatory change to effectively meet the climate resiliency needs of Canadians living with disabilities. "It's been a great experience. The unit is beautiful, and we're really happy our family was chosen for the pilot. Just walking into a cool home makes such a difference. I hope this system helps us stay comfortable while using less energy during the summer"— Pilot PLEX (person with spinal cord injury, lived experience) homeowner. " We're building a new standard for thermal comfort - one that's easy to install, built to last, and aligned with our planet's needs.", said Berardo Matalucci, CEO of MIMiC. "SCI Climate Futures initiative helped us to deploy our first unit to provide heating and cooling to those who need it the most. We're humbled and grateful for all the support. We'd also like to give a huge shoutout to Terra Mechanical Ltd. They've been a fantastic partner for our first install". The installation was completed by Terra Mechanical Ltd., BC HVAC and controls specialists, with support from the MIMIC, Praxis, and TFL teams. It involved close collaboration with the homeowner and building management to ensure compatibility, accessibility, and safety. Valuable feedback gathered during the process is already informing future product refinements. Why It Matters The SCI Climate Futures initiative was launched in response to British Columbia's escalating heat crises, which disproportionately affect people with disabilities. Phase 2 expands the scope to test and validate built-environment technologies that offer year-round thermal regulation. "At Technology for Living, we believe equitable access to assistive technology is essential for the well-being and independence of people with disabilities. This pilot is a powerful example of how inclusive innovation can reduce health risks and support safer, more sustainable living environments." said Ean Price, Innovation Strategist, Technology for Living. "This pilot project is a critical step forward for our SCI Climate Futures initiative," said Bill Barrable, CEO of Praxis Spinal Cord Institute. "The project signifies our dedication to advancing innovative, climate-resilient solutions that protect the health and safety of people with spinal cord injuries and others who are vulnerable to extreme heat. At the core of our mission is improving the lives of individuals living with SCI, especially for those most vulnerable to rising temperatures." Next Steps MIMIC Systems will continue working with the pilot household to monitor performance, energy usage, and user experience, while providing ongoing technical support. A second pilot installation site has already been confirmed and is scheduled for deployment in the coming months. This milestone represents a key step toward a climate-resilient future, one that centers on inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability. About Praxis Spinal Cord Institute Praxis Spinal Cord Institute is a Vancouver-based not-for-profit organization that leads global collaboration in spinal cord injury research, innovation, and care. We accelerate the translation of discoveries and best practices into improved treatments for people with spinal cord injuries. Learn more: About Gore Mutual Built on a foundation of financial strength for more than 180 years, Gore Mutual Insurance Company is one of the oldest property and casualty mutual insurers in Canada. With offices in Cambridge, Toronto and Vancouver, Gore Mutual is a Canadian mutual company offering competitive insurance products through trusted broker partners. Every decision and investment made is anchored in the long-term benefits to customers, members and communities. For more information, please visit About Technology for Living Technology for Living (TFL) supports people with severe physical disabilities in living as independently as possible. TFL provides individuals who experience physical barriers with peer support, innovative technologies, respiratory therapy services, and equipment that address unmet needs and promote independence, inclusion, and well-being. Learn more: About MIMIC Systems MIMiC Systems is pioneering solid-state, refrigerant-free heat pump technology to reduce the climate impact of heating and cooling. Unlike traditional systems that depend on compressors and leak high-GWP refrigerants, MIMiC's solution is a quiet, reliable, and emission-free alternative. Our mission is to accelerate the transition to resilient and sustainable heating and cooling systems in buildings and beyond. Learn more: