Rescued Orangutan Returns Home to Indonesia After Being Found in an Indian Bathroom

Maharashtra, Oct 19: A three-year-old orangutan rescued from suspected wildlife traffickers in Maharashtra has returned to its native Indonesia after months of specialised care and rehabilitation.

 Representational Image 

The young male orangutan was reportedly discovered inside a cramped cage in a residential bathroom in Palava City, Dombivli. Following the rescue, the animal was taken to a facility in Nagpur before being transferred to the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, operated by Vantara, in March 2025.

On Monday, October 19, 2026, the orangutan was flown from Ahmedabad to Jakarta under the supervision of Indian wildlife authorities, Vantara personnel and representatives of the Indonesian government.

After arriving in Jakarta, the animal was scheduled to be placed in a designated quarantine facility before moving to a specialised rehabilitation centre for further care.

The repatriation marks a significant step in international cooperation against illegal wildlife trafficking. Orangutans are listed under Appendix I of CITES, which provides the highest level of protection against international commercial trade.

The case highlights the importance of rescuing trafficked wildlife and ensuring that animals receive appropriate care and, wherever possible, are returned to their country of origin.

BML Munjal University hosts ICATS 2026 to explore how AI is reshaping trade and sustainable growth

International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Trade and Sustainability brought together 400 participants, 100+ research papers and global experts to examine responsible AI, digital trade and sustainable business

NEW DELHI, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As artificial intelligence increasingly shapes how businesses operate, economies trade and organisations approach sustainability, BML Munjal University (BMU) brought together academicians, researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and practitioners at the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Trade and Sustainability (ICATS 2026). Held on October 6 and 7 in a hybrid format at the University’s Gurugram campus, the conference examined the intersection of AI, digital transformation, global trade and sustainable development, with around 400 participants and more than 100 research papers.

The two-day conference sought to move the conversation beyond AI as a technology and towards its wider implications for businesses, economies and society. Discussions at ICATS 2026 focused on AI-driven trade ecosystems, smart supply chains, digital commerce, sustainable business models, responsible governance and the future of work, bringing together perspectives from technology, business, economics, management, social sciences and public policy.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Jaskiran Arora, Dean – Education Quality and Professor, School of Management, BML Munjal University said, “Artificial intelligence is no longer shaping businesses in isolation, it is influencing how economies trade, how organisations make decisions and how we think about sustainable growth. ICATS 2026 brings these conversations together because the opportunities created by AI need to be examined alongside questions of responsibility, inclusion and long-term resilience. By bringing academia, industry and policymakers into the same dialogue, the conference aims to encourage ideas and collaborations that can translate technological progress into meaningful and sustainable economic outcomes.”

Sharing her thoughts at the conference, Dr. Nishu Ayedee, Founder and CEO Confab 360 Degree and MentorEDGE said, “ICATS 2026 connects academia and industry through meaningful dialogue on artificial intelligence, trade and sustainability, creating opportunities for collaboration and responsible innovation with lasting societal impact.”

Dr. Buddha Chandrashekhar, CEO Anuvadini AI and CCO, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), graced the conference as the Guest of Honour.

The conference featured participation from leading international institutions including the University of Sydney, University of Leeds, University of Sheffield, University of Groningen, High Point University, Rushford Business School, Universidade Portucalense, Sofia University, INTI International University, Tamaulipas Autonomous University and others. Indian institutions including IIM Indore, SRCC, Manipal University, Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University, IILM University and Dev Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya also participated.

ICATS 2026 brought together experts from academia and industry, including Dr. Chandrashekhar Buddha, CEO, Anuvadini AI, Ministry of Education and CCO, AICTE, along with industry leaders from DBS Bank India, Landis+Gyr India, MAHR Metrology India, Twimbit and Physics Wallah, among others. The conference was chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Anuj Kumar, Rushford Business School, Switzerland, and Dr. Michael E. Auer, CEO, CTI Consulting, USA, with Dr. Atul Mishra and Dr. Jolly Masih of BMU serving as Conference Co-Chairs.

The International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Trade and Sustainability (ICATS 2026) was organised by BML Munjal University in collaboration with Confab 360 Degree and Orchid University, Sikkim.

The conference team comprised Dr. Anuj Kumar as Conference Chair; Dr. Jolly Masih and Dr. Atul Mishra as Co-Chairs; Mr. Neelesh Kumar as Convenor; and Dr. Jaya Ahuja and Dr. Meenakshi Malik as Co-Convenors. MentorEDGE and Pathlock were the major sponsors of the conference.

Across its two-day programme, ICATS 2026 featured keynote addresses, industry and global panels, technical research sessions and discussions around the role of AI in emerging economic and social systems. Discussions included the role of resilient academic networks in strengthening global collaboration, as well as the application of AI, Industry 4.0 and sustainable business models.

The conference was structured around five thematic tracks covering AI and emerging technologies; trade, commerce and the digital economy; sustainable business and management; innovation, entrepreneurship and the future of work; and AI, society, education and sustainable development. These tracks covered subjects ranging from Generative AI, Large Language Models and robotics to digital trade, smart supply chains, ESG, circular economy, human-AI collaboration, future skills, smart governance, digital inclusion and data ethics.

With more than 100 research papers received and approximately 400 participants joining through online and offline formats, ICATS 2026 provided a platform for knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration. The conference aimed to encourage research and partnerships that contribute to innovative, inclusive and sustainable approaches to economic growth in an increasingly AI-powered world.

About BML Munjal University (BMU)

Named after the late Founder Chairman of the Hero Group, BML Munjal University (BMU) is a not-for-profit initiative established by the promoters of the Hero Group. The University is committed to creating, preserving, and disseminating internationally benchmarked knowledge and skills through a future-facing approach to teaching, learning, and research. BMU aims to transform higher education in India by fostering a world-class, innovative academic ecosystem and nurturing the leaders and change-makers of tomorrow.

BMU’s School of Management has been consistently ranked among the top 100 management institutions in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) for the past five years. In the Careers360 B-School Rankings 2025, the School secured Rank 3 in Haryana and Rank 55 nationally.

The University has also been ranked #5 in India and #1 in Haryana among Top Private Engineering and Technology Universities in the EducationWorld India Higher Education Rankings 2024–25. BMU is accredited with an A-grade by NAAC, reaffirming its commitment to academic excellence and institutional quality.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/bml-munjal-university-hosts-icats-2026-to-explore-how-ai-is-reshaping-trade-and-sustainable-growth-302912526.html

Iran Keeps Seven-Day Hormuz Reopening Proposal on the Table, Says Foreign Minister Araghchi

Tehran, Oct 19: Iran has kept its proposed seven-day plan to reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz on the table, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has said, adding that Tehran is reviewing Washington’s response to its conditions for ending hostilities and resuming negotiations.

 Representational Image 

Araghchi made the remarks in an interview with Iran’s official news agency IRNA on the sidelines of the 52nd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Baghdad, Iraq.

According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, the Iranian foreign minister said Tehran had clearly communicated its conditions to the United States under the proposed plan. Washington has responded with its views, which Iran is currently examining.

Iran Sets Out Timeline for Reopening the Strait

Araghchi said the proposal remained available if the United States agreed to Iran’s stated conditions.

“If they (the United States) meet those conditions, the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened on the sixth day, and negotiations will resume on the seventh,” he said, reiterating Tehran’s proposed timeline.

He argued that Iran’s conditions were neither extraordinary nor unusual, claiming they reflected commitments the United States had previously accepted in a peace memorandum of understanding and during other negotiations.

However, the report did not provide the full text of the seven-day proposal or detail all the conditions attached to it. It also did not indicate whether Washington had accepted any part of the plan.

Tehran Signals Readiness for Diplomacy but Rejects Pressure

Araghchi maintained that Iran would not give in to threats and was prepared to defend itself. At the same time, he said Tehran remained open to diplomatic efforts.

His remarks suggest that the proposed reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is linked to broader negotiations over the cessation of hostilities and the conditions for restarting talks between Iran and the United States.

The waterway is a critical route for global energy shipments, making any disruption or reopening arrangement a matter of international economic and security concern.

Trump Claims US Operations Have Crippled Iran’s Nuclear Capability

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has defended American military operations against Iran, claiming that the campaign destroyed the country’s nuclear weapons capability and that Washington would prevent Tehran from rebuilding it.

Speaking at a Republican election rally at Truist Arena at Northern Kentucky University on Saturday, Trump described the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran as a key reason for US intervention.

“They cannot have a nuclear weapon. They can’t because they’ll use it,” Trump told supporters.

He also said the United States had struck Iranian nuclear infrastructure and was taking steps to ensure the programme could not be revived.

“We have to make sure it doesn’t come back,” he said, referring to instructions he had given senior administration officials during the operation.

Trump’s statements represent the US administration’s position on the outcome of the military campaign. The claims should be distinguished from independently verified assessments of the current status of Iran’s nuclear programme.

Diplomatic Path Remains Uncertain

Iran’s decision to keep the seven-day proposal available comes as Tehran reviews the US response and continues to maintain that an agreement must meet its conditions.

Whether the two sides can reach an understanding remains unclear. The available report does not establish that an agreement has been reached or that a confirmed timetable for reopening the Strait of Hormuz is in place.

For now, the proposed sequence—reopening the waterway on the sixth day and restarting negotiations on the seventh—remains conditional on Washington meeting Tehran’s demands.

Odisha Cyclone Watch: Possible Bay of Bengal System Around October 22, Forecast Clarity Expected by October 26

Bhubaneswar, Oct 19: Odisha is monitoring the possibility of a developing weather system over the Bay of Bengal, with a cyclonic circulation potentially forming over the South Andaman Sea around October 22. However, the system’s likely intensity, direction and possible impact on the state remain uncertain.

 Representational Image

According to preliminary weather-model indications, the system could strengthen into a depression or a deeper weather disturbance, with the possibility of further intensification. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has not officially confirmed cyclone formation.

A clearer picture of the system’s development and potential trajectory is expected around October 25 or 26, as meteorological agencies gather more data.

Odisha May Receive Little Rain Until October 25

Weather scientist Sarat Chandra Sahu said some coastal districts of Odisha had experienced light rainfall, but the likelihood of further rain remained low over the following days.

“Light rain has been reported in some coastal districts, but the possibility of further rainfall in Odisha remains low until around October 25,” Sahu said, according to the report.

He indicated that if rainfall did not occur in the immediate period, the chances of rain over the next few days could decline further.

Sahu also noted that certain meteorological conditions could support the intensification of a system over the Bay of Bengal. Its eventual strength, however, would depend on how the system develops.

Possible Weather System Over the Arabian Sea

Weather models are also indicating the possibility of another system developing over the Arabian Sea around the same period.

According to Sahu, this system may have a greater influence on India’s western coast, including parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra. Odisha’s weather, meanwhile, will largely depend on the formation, movement and intensity of the system over the Bay of Bengal.

The development and interaction of the two systems could influence their respective paths and intensity, although their eventual behaviour remains uncertain.

Official Updates Will Be Crucial

With several days remaining before the possible formation of the Bay of Bengal system, forecasts may change as new observations become available. The current indications should not be treated as confirmation that a cyclone will form or make landfall in Odisha.

Residents are advised to follow official IMD bulletins and local administration advisories for reliable updates on rainfall, wind conditions and any potential threat to coastal areas.

YINGFA Showcases TOPCon 3.0 Multi-Cut and XBC 2.0 Solar Cells at REI 2026

Manufacturing in China and Indonesia, combined with dedicated local support in India, strengthens partnerships with module manufacturers

GREATER NOIDA, India, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — YINGFA will showcase its TOPCon multi-cut and XBC solar cells at Renewable Energy India Expo 2026, taking place October 22–24 at India Expo Mart. At Hall 14, Booth C33, the company will present cell technologies designed to help module manufacturers achieve higher efficiency and greater design flexibility, supported by production facilities in China and Indonesia and dedicated local customer support in India.

Cell Innovation for Module Design

YINGFA’s TOPCon 3.0 solar cells deliver a measured cell efficiency of 27.3% and are available in full-cell, half-cut, third-cut and quarter-cut formats to accommodate different module designs. Visitors can view physical samples and discuss cell selection, product configurations and manufacturing compatibility with the YINGFA team.

YINGFA’s XBC 2.0 solar cells deliver efficiencies of up to 28.4%, combining a pure black appearance with a front surface free of metal gridlines. These characteristics make them suitable for module designs where both performance and aesthetics matter.

Both efficiency figures apply to individual solar cells. Actual finished-module performance will vary depending on module design, materials and manufacturing processes.

Global Manufacturing, Local Support

With manufacturing operations in China and Indonesia, including PT. Bintan Cellular Indonesia (BCI), YINGFA combines international production capacity with dedicated customer support in India.

Its India-based team provides customers with access to sales, technical and customer service specialists, helping address product requirements, quality considerations and after-sales needs. By combining manufacturing capabilities across Asia with local market expertise, YINGFA aims to strengthen long-term partnerships with Indian module manufacturers.

At REI 2026, YINGFA invites customers and industry partners to visit Hall 14, Booth C33 to learn more about its solar cell portfolio, discuss next-generation module designs and explore potential areas of collaboration.

About YINGFA

YINGFA is a solar cell manufacturer with operations in China and Indonesia, serving customers in international markets. Its portfolio includes TOPCon and XBC solar cells in multiple formats. With a commitment to “We Only Make Better Solar Cells,” YINGFA focuses on cell innovation, manufacturing quality and customer service.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/yingfa-showcases-topcon-3-0-multi-cut-and-xbc-2-0-solar-cells-at-rei-2026–302912472.html

24X Completes Spot Cryptocurrency Trade in BTC with Standard Chartered and Wintermute

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 24X Bermuda Limited (“24X“) today announced that it has successfully completed its second consecutive spot cryptocurrency client trade on its institutional-grade, multi-asset trading platform, solidifying its position as one of a select few global venues offering both crypto spot and FX trading on a single, unified technology infrastructure.

The trade was executed in Bitcoin (BTC) as part of 24X’s strategic partnership with Standard Chartered, a leading international banking group and one of the world’s global systemically important banks (G-SIBs). Standard Chartered acted as liquidity taker and Wintermute served as liquidity provider for this trade.

The transaction follows 24X’s inaugural spot crypto trade, in which Cumberland DRW served as liquidity provider. Taken together, these two trades mark the continued development of regulated, institutional-grade infrastructure for digital asset markets, demonstrating how established financial institutions and specialist liquidity providers are helping accelerate the adoption of digital assets by institutional investors.

“Institutional demand for digital assets is increasing at an unprecedented level, and our 24X platform is ready to meet this moment,” said 24X CEO and Founder Dmitri Galinov. “This trade with Wintermute affirms the deep liquidity, rigorous oversight, and the seamless workflow of our crypto trading infrastructure. We are very happy to be working with Wintermute and Standard Chartered on this transaction, and we look forward to continuing to execute these types of trades as global markets continue to converge around digital assets.”

“Institutions already represent a significant part of the digital asset market, as reflected in their record share of our OTC spot flow in the first half of 2026, and expect the same quality of execution and infrastructure they are used to in traditional markets. Meeting those expectations requires the long-term investment in technology and operational efficiency we’ve made since Wintermute was founded. That approach has allowed us to serve a broad range of counterparties and now expand into traditional markets. We’re pleased to have provided liquidity for this trade,” said Evgeny Gaevoy, CEO and founder of Wintermute. 

24X also offers Deliverable Swaps, Non-Deliverable Swaps, Metals and Spot products to institutional customers in addition to NDFs. Since its launch in 2019, 24X’s multi-asset offering through a single trading interface has enabled market participants to access increased liquidity at lower cost. 24X’s crypto activity is regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

About 24X

24X Bermuda Holdings LLC (“24 Exchange”) is a privately held company with two primary operating subsidiaries: 24X Bermuda Limited, which allows seamless and cost-effective exchange of currency exposures; and 24X National Exchange LLC, the first national securities exchange approved by the SEC to operate 23 hours each weekday. 24X’s mission is to enable cost-effective trades across a growing range of asset classes around the clock. 24X lowers the cost of exchanging assets in the global markets while delivering creative and unique workflows catered to each asset class. More information is available at https://24exchange.com/. 24X National Exchange enables retail and institutional customers around the world to trade in U.S. equities via broker-dealers who are approved members. More information about 24X National Exchange is available at https://equities.24exchange.com/home.

About Wintermute

Wintermute is a global algorithmic trading firm, leading OTC desk, and liquidity provider operating across digital asset and traditional financial markets. With over $3.5 trillion in annual trading volume, it provides liquidity across more than 70 centralized and decentralized exchanges and is a key partner to token projects seeking deep, scalable liquidity. Wintermute’s proprietary trading infrastructure allows it to trade across the entire digital asset ecosystem as well as on the leading global derivatives exchanges in traditional markets, making it the preferred counterparty for a broad range of market participants, including some of the world’s largest financial institutions. Alongside trading, building is central to Wintermute’s DNA, from backing early-stage projects through Wintermute Ventures to incubating new protocols, some of which have grown into independent businesses. 

Media Contact:

Eric Andrus, KARV

24Xmedia@karv.global

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/24x-completes-spot-cryptocurrency-trade-in-btc-with-standard-chartered-and-wintermute-302910556.html

Canton Fair Expands Global Partnership Network, Elevating Open Platform Toward Shared Value Creation

GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The signing ceremony for the 140th Canton Fair Global Cooperative Partners was held on October 16th. Zhu Yong, Director General of CFTC; Eugene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, City of Los Angeles Harbor Department and Ali El Abdallah, President of the Lebanese Chinese Business Association, delivered remarks to over 70 guests.

Zhu Yong noted that the Canton Fair Global Cooperative Partners Program advances Premier Li Qiang’s vision of “following the trend of economic globalization and answering the call of the international community for joint development.” This round of signings, she said, marks a deeper partner network, more complete and effective matchmaking services and higher, more substantive levels of cooperation.

Eugene Seroka described the agreement with the Canton Fair as a new beginning built on mutual trust, one that drives business growth and promotes shared progress.

Strengthening Global Partnerships for Shared Growth

The Canton Fair signed memoranda with eight organizations, including six new partners: Benelux Chamber of Commerce in China, Joinco, Palestinian Businessmen Association, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI), Polish-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Port of Los Angeles, City of Los Angeles Harbor Department, and renewed ties with two existing partners, Lebanese Chinese Business Association and China Information & Culture Centre (Kenya).

The new partners span key nodes, from a major North American port gateway to established European markets and cover a diverse mix of shipping and logistics firms, business associations and leading procurement enterprises.

As of the 140th session, the Canton Fair has partnered with 240 organizations across 112 countries and regions.

In his congratulatory letter to the 140th Canton Fair, President Xi Jinping noted that China stands ready to join hands with countries around the world to jointly uphold the multilateral trading system and expand the space for mutually beneficial international economic and trade cooperation. Guided by this spirit, the Canton Fair will extend cooperation beyond goods trading to joint brand-building, shared market development and shared services.

For more convenient attendance, please click here for pre-registration:

https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/canton-fair-expands-global-partnership-network-elevating-open-platform-toward-shared-value-creation-302912452.html

Comviva and Aduna Showcase Network Intelligence for Financial Services at Money20/20

 NEW DELHI and LAS VEGAS, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Comviva, a global leader in digital transformation solutions, and Aduna, the global aggregator of standardized network APIs, are advancing the use of network intelligence to address growing digital identity and fraud challenges in financial services. At Money20/20 USA, taking place October 18–21, 2026, in Las Vegas, the companies will showcase the progress of their collaboration and demonstrate how network APIs can help financial institutions strengthen identity verification, detect SIM-swap detection, enhance fraud prevention, and streamline customer onboarding. By enabling financial institutions to leverage network-derived insights, the collaboration aims to strengthen digital trust while supporting more secure and frictionless customer experiences.

The showcase comes nearly a year after Comviva and Aduna announced their strategic partnership in November 2025 to accelerate enterprise adoption and monetisation of Network APIs through Comviva’s NGAGE platform. Through the platform, enterprises can access communication and network APIs through a single interface, while Aduna brings together standardised network capabilities from its global operator ecosystem. NGAGE platform already operates at significant commercial scale, supporting 7,000+ enterprises, 40+ deployments, 100+ industry use cases, 130+ Communication APIs, and 25+ Network APIs, while processing 250+ billion messages annually. NGAGE is deployed across industries.

For banks and fintechs, network-level intelligence can provide an additional layer of information for customer verification and risk assessment. Capabilities such as number verification and SIM-swap detection can help identify potential fraud, strengthen authentication and support faster, lower-friction onboarding and KYC journeys.

The focus on financial services builds on Comviva’s established presence in the sector and its experience supporting digital financial services ecosystems globally. The collaboration brings this expertise together with network intelligence to address practical challenges across identity, fraud prevention and customer onboarding.

Rajesh Chandiramani, Chief Executive Officer, Comviva, said, “Over the past year, NGAGE has evolved as a unified and scalable access point for enterprises looking to bring network intelligence into their digital journeys. Financial services is a natural priority because the impact can be measured directly through outcomes such as faster onboarding, stronger fraud controls and reduced dependence on OTPs and other verification steps. Our collaboration with Aduna, combined with Tech Mahindra’s BFSI reach, enables us to take these capabilities to financial institutions across markets and help address these challenges at scale.”

Peter Arbitter, Chief Commercial Officer, Aduna Global, said, “Standardisation is essential to scaling the use of network APIs across financial services. Aduna brings together CAMARA-standardised APIs from leading mobile operators, simplifying access to trusted network intelligence across operators and markets. Working with Comviva and Tech Mahindra makes it easier for banks and fintechs to embed these capabilities into customer verification, fraud prevention and onboarding processes, helping them strengthen security while reducing friction for their customers.”

The collaboration will continue to focus on expanding the use of Network APIs across financial services markets and exploring applications beyond identity and fraud, including lending risk, payments intelligence and other areas where real-time network information can support secure and seamless digital experiences.

Comviva will showcase its NGAGE, a new-age Communication Platform as a Service that draws its power and performance from robust AI engines at Money20/20 USA alongside its parent company Tech Mahindra at MC-7. Together, the companies will demonstrate how AI, advanced analytics, network APIs and digital platforms are helping financial institutions accelerate innovation, strengthen fraud prevention and identity verification, and deliver more seamless customer experiences.

About Aduna

Aduna is a landmark venture between some of the world’s leading telecom operators and Ericsson, dedicated to enabling developers worldwide to accelerate innovation by leveraging networks to their full potential via common network Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Its venture partners include AT&T, Bharti Airtel, Deutsche Telekom, KDDI, Orange, Reliance Jio, Singtel, Telefonica, Telstra, T-Mobile, Verizon and Vodafone. By combining network APIs from multiple operators globally under a unified platform based on the CAMARA open-source project, driven by the GSMA and the Linux Foundation, Aduna provides a standardized platform to foster collaboration, enhance user experiences, and drive industry growth. To find out more about network APIs and Aduna, visit adunaglobal.com

About Comviva

Comviva empowers organizations to drive transformative growth with measurable business impact. Our AI-driven digital solutions and intelligent platforms enable our customer to unlock new revenue opportunities, enhance customer experiences, and simplify operational complexities to achieve exponential success.

From maximizing customer lifetime value to enabling large-scale digital transformation, Comviva is trusted by 200+ global communication service providers and enterprises to solve complex challenges and prepare for the future. With our solutions deployed across 100+ countries, Comviva has brought the benefits of digital innovation and mobility to billions worldwide. As a subsidiary of Tech Mahindra and a member of the Mahindra Group, Comviva is committed to driving growth, efficiency, and transformation for tomorrow. For more information, visit us at www.comviva.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/comviva-and-aduna-showcase-network-intelligence-for-financial-services-at-money2020-302912453.html

Altimetrik Opens Healthcare & Life Sciences Center of Excellence in Hyderabad

Launches PharmaOS as the Center’s first offering, taking clients from concept to validation in a week

HYDERABAD, India, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Altimetrik, an AI engineering company, today opened its Healthcare & Life Sciences Center of Excellence (CoE) in Hyderabad to accelerate AI innovation for its clients. The Center’s first launch is PharmaOS, Altimetrik’s agentic AI framework for life sciences, built on Altimetrik’s ALTi AIOS™ (operating system), with more offerings to be built alongside clients across the industry. With PharmaOS, the Center promises to take clients from a defined concept to a validated, governed AI agentic workflow in one week, helping organizations move quickly from an initial idea to a working, validated use case.

The CoE brings together AI engineers and life sciences specialists to build agents that meet regulatory requirements, trace every output to trusted sources and keep people accountable for decisions. The Center is part of Altimetrik’s 22,000 sq ft office at Phoenix Equinox in Gachibowli, near HITEC City, which is home to more than 300+ Altimetrik employees. It will support work across drug discovery, clinical development, commercial operations, manufacturing, patient engagement and care delivery.

“Enterprises want AI that delivers meaningful outcomes, and in healthcare and life sciences, that means engineering solutions that are grounded in industry context, regulatory requirements and trusted data. PharmaOS is our first offering from the Healthcare & Life Sciences Center of Excellence, designed to help global customers build and scale governed AI agents across critical workflows. Hyderabad’s deep pharma expertise and technology talent make it the right home for this Center, bringing together the capabilities needed to deliver practical, industry-specific innovation,” said Raj Sundaresan, Chief Executive Officer, Altimetrik.

PharmaOS connects AI agents to life sciences workflows

Built on Altimetrik’s ALTi AIOS™ framework, PharmaOS brings together more than 35 purpose-built agents and accelerators spanning commercial operations, clinical and regulatory evidence review, manufacturing and quality, responsible AI and data modernization. The framework connects them to enterprise processes and trusted data, traces their outputs to source evidence and keeps people responsible for decisions. This approach allows organizations to apply AI to tasks such as clinical study report review, GxP compliance checks and batch-release readiness, while building governed capabilities that can be reused across teams and workflows.

PharmaOS is designed to work with leading enterprise AI ecosystems, including Google, Anthropic, and OpenAI, with model flexibility supported by its underlying architecture.

A one-week path from concept to production-grade execution

Alongside PharmaOS, Altimetrik is introducing a one-week delivery model designed to shorten the time between identifying an AI use case and assessing its potential for deployment. Given a defined business challenge, agreed data access and a bounded workflow, life sciences specialists and AI engineers use reusable agents and industry-specific accelerators to build an executable workflow within a week.

The engagement incorporates security, observability, source traceability, quality checks, human decision rights and a measurable business KPI from the outset. Clients can therefore assess an agentic workflow in its enterprise context and make an informed decision on the next stage of investment.

“Across healthcare and life sciences, organizations must move faster without compromising patient safety or compliance. AI can transform that value chain, but only when it works within a regulated and governed environment and earns the trust of the teams who own the outcomes. PharmaOS is our first offering from the Center, giving clients a validated agent on their own data in a week, and the start of a broader portfolio we’ll co-create with clients across the industry,” said Ramji Vasudevan, Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences, Altimetrik.

“In pharma, AI’s value comes from helping our teams work faster while preserving trust in the evidence and accountability for decisions. PharmaOS brings together capabilities we look for: agents built for life sciences workflows, outputs traceable to trusted sources, and human oversight. This foundation supports the responsible use of AI in developing pharmaceutical products, building trust in technology to serve the larger purpose of healthcare and life sciences—improving patient care and outcomes,” said Dr Vivek Jha, Global Healthcare Pharma Leader, Co-Founder DANRICX.

Hyderabad strengthens Altimetrik’s India expansion

Altimetrik chose Hyderabad to place the CoE close to the pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations whose workflows will shape its life sciences offerings. The city’s pool of clinical, regulatory, quality and engineering specialists will support the development of those offerings for global clients. Following its recent expansion in Pune, which took its global workforce past 10,000, the Hyderabad launch gives Altimetrik a dedicated industry-focused center in India and expands the role of its India teams in global AI engineering delivery.

Learn more about the CoE.

About Altimetrik

Altimetrik is an AI engineering company helping some of the most revered and iconic enterprises modernize systems, data, and processes at the heart of their business, so they can move faster, operate more efficiently, and innovate continuously. Through ALTi AIOS™, its AI-native operating system, Altimetrik combines the latest AI capabilities with deep engineering expertise to help clients solve complex challenges, accelerate modernization, and deliver measurable outcomes at scale.

Altimetrik’s clients get access to the latest AI innovations while maintaining flexibility to choose the right technologies for their business, through trusted relationships with OpenAI, Google Gemini, Anthropic, Databricks, and major hyperscalers.

A member of the World Economic Forum’s Centre for AI Excellence, the Forum’s global hub for shaping responsible AI, Altimetrik is also recognized in the 2025 Constellation Research ShortList™ for Global AI Services and named a Major Contender in multiple Everest Group PEAK Matrix® assessments, including Software Product Engineering Services (2026), Enterprise Quality Engineering Services (2025), and Digital Engineering Services for BFSI and Life Sciences.

Learn more at altimetrik.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/altimetrik-opens-healthcare–life-sciences-center-of-excellence-in-hyderabad-302912463.html