Innovation

The U.S. Commerce Department denies reports of negotiating equity stakes in quantum computing firms like IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave in exchange for federal funding, despite market reactions to the initial Wall Street Journal report. The denial follows earlier government investments in strategic sectors like semiconductors and rare earth mining, fueling debates about government involvement in private enterprise. Potential applications span various industries, while military implications drive further interest. The sector faces challenges including revenue generation, long development cycles, and a skilled labor shortage. Nonetheless, advancements like Google’s “quantum advantage” attract investment.

Apimeds Pharmaceuticals US, Inc. (NYSE: APUS) is expanding its *ai^² Futures Lab* program through a collaboration with the University of Oregon’s Lundquist College of Business, starting Winter 2026. This initiative connects student teams with biopharmaceutical business development projects, aiming to discover therapeutic assets and nurture future industry leaders. Students will assess early-stage pharmaceutical assets, analyze markets and intellectual property, and identify pathways for patient care. The program, part of Apimeds’ *ai^²* innovation platform, also partners with the University of Alabama and the University of San Diego.

Celanese Corporation will showcase new materials, digital services, and expanded capabilities at the K Show (October 8-15). Key highlights include the enhanced Chemille® Digital Assistant, an AI-powered tool for material selection, and new specialty materials for automotive, connectivity, and consumer applications. Sustainable solutions like low carbon POM ECO-C and recycled content Fortron® PPS ECO-R will also be featured. Celanese emphasizes collaboration and customer-centric innovation to address design challenges and promote sustainability across diverse industries. Visitors can explore these innovations at Hall 6/D02.

Bio-Rad Laboratories announced the death of its co-founder and Director Emeritus, Alice N. Schwartz, on September 25, 2025, at age 99. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad grew from a specialty chemicals provider into a leading life science and clinical diagnostics company, driven by Schwartz’s technological contributions, including a pivotal thyroid function test kit. Her business acumen fostered innovation and scientific curiosity. Bio-Rad, with approximately 7,500 employees and $2.6 billion in revenue in 2024, continues to focus on innovative products for research and healthcare.

The International Insurance Society (IIS) announced the finalists for the 2025 RGA Leaders of Tomorrow Award. These emerging leaders were selected for their research addressing key challenges in insurance and risk management. Finalists include Robin Huettemann (McKinsey), focusing on public-private partnerships for natural catastrophe resilience; Sulim Lee (AIA), exploring the role of human advisors in the age of AI; and Anne-Katherin Schirlitz (Gallagher Re), examining growth imperatives in reinsurance. They will present their research at the IIS Global Insurance Forum in Switzerland, where the 2025 RGA Leader of Tomorrow will be named.

Motorola Solutions has been recognized by Fast Company as the #1 “Best Workplace for Innovators” for its culture of innovation and development of purpose-built AI solutions. The company’s “Assist” platform, an AI assistant for emergency response, streamlines information for dispatchers, enabling faster, more coordinated responses and saving lives. Motorola Solutions has invested $18 billion in AI research and development and strategic acquisitions, demonstrating a commitment to integrating AI across its public safety and enterprise security solutions while promoting responsible AI practices. The implementation of Assist has demonstrably improved efficiency and accuracy in emergency response.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy is aggressively combating internal bureaucracy to revitalize the company’s innovative spirit. Initiatives include mandating return-to-office, increasing worker-to-manager ratios, and establishing a “no bureaucracy” email for reporting cumbersome processes, resulting in modification of 455 processes. Jassy aims to operate Amazon as the “world’s largest startup,” fostering innovation and quick decision-making. This streamlining complements strategic investments in areas like AI amidst cost-cutting measures and workforce reductions implemented since Jassy took over in 2021.

Manulife and UpLink announced the winners of the “Innovating for Asia’s Demographic Future Challenge”, the second in a longevity-focused series. Ten ventures addressing financial resilience, healthy aging, and lifelong fulfillment in Asia’s changing demographic landscape were selected from over 85 submissions. Winners gain access to networking, partnerships, and visibility, with three top innovators receiving a share of CAD $200,000. The challenge highlights the urgent need for innovation to support Asia’s aging population, projected to be one in four over 60 by 2050.

Huawei Chairman Guo Ping addressed new hires in July 2025, discussing the company’s strengths and weaknesses in a “decoupling world.” Acknowledging restricted access to advanced technologies, Guo emphasized Huawei’s strong domestic base and ambition to become a global leader in ICT and smart devices. He highlighted strategies like “hardware-software synergy” and “non-Moore’s Law approaches” to overcome limitations and offer “another option” to the world. Guo urged new employees to seize opportunities in the dynamic industry and contribute to reshaping it.

Fosun International highlighted its H1 2025 results in Shanghai, emphasizing strategic focus, innovation, and globalization. Chairman Guo Guangchang cited progress in biopharmaceuticals and a commitment to core sector dominance. Co-Chairman Wang Qunbin stressed prudent financial management and debt reduction, while Co-CEO Chen Qiyu emphasized an “Innovation + Globalization” strategy. Overseas revenue constitutes 53% of total revenue. CFO Gong Ping outlined goals to reduce debt to RMB 60 billion, achieve RMB 10 billion in profit, and increase dividend payout. Revenue reached RMB 87.28 billion.