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(Reuters) -Algen Biotechnologies said on Monday it has agreed to grant AstraZeneca a license to develop gene therapies the U.S.-based biotech discovers using its artificial intelligence-driven platform, in a deal worth up to $555 million. Under the deal, AstraZeneca will get exclusive rights to develop therapies that target immune system-related disorders. The Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical major will also get the right to sell the treatments, if they get approved, while Algen will get upfront and milestone payments. AstraZeneca has been advancing its cell and gene therapy capabilities through acquisitions and partnerships as it works towards its target of $80 billion in sales by 2030. Globally too, drugmakers are increasingly turning to AI for drug development. The drugmaker in March agreed to buy Belgian biotech EsoBiotec for up to $1 billion, gaining access to technology that modifies immune cells directly inside the body. Monday's deal, however, does not include AstraZeneca buying a stake in the company, Algen CEO and co-founder Chun-Hao Huang told Reuters in an interview. "Together with AstraZeneca's deep expertise in translational science and clinical development, we aim to uncover new biological insights to accelerate the development of novel therapies," Huang said. Algen was spun out from the lab at UC Berkeley, where biochemist Jennifer Doudna pioneered the CRISPR technology that won her the Nobel Prize. The biotech firm's AI platform, AlgenBrain, can map genes to disease outcomes, helping the companies decide their development focus for therapies. The Financial Times had first reported the news. (Reporting by Raechel Thankam Job and Pushkala Aripaka in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo)

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PARIS (Reuters) -The Paris prosecutor's office said on Monday it was investigating Siri, Apple's voice assistant, after it received a complaint. Politico reported earlier on Monday that Apple is suspected of using users' recordings without their knowledge. (Reporting by Gabriel Stargardter; Writing by Makini Brice)

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By Max A. Cherney SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -AMD said on Monday it will supply artificial intelligence chips to OpenAI in a multi-year deal that would bring in tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue and give the ChatGPT creator the option to buy up to roughly 10% of the chipmaker. The deal offers OpenAI an opportunity to take a stake in one of Nvidia's most formidable rivals and is a powerful endorsement of Advanced Micro Devices' (AMD's) AI chips and software. "We view this deal as certainly transformative, not just for AMD, but for the dynamics of the industry," AMD executive vice president Forrest Norrod told Reuters on Sunday. Shares of AMD jumped more than 23% in premarket trading, putting them on track to open at their highest level since March 2024, if gains hold. The agreement covers the deployment of hundreds of thousands of AMD's AI chips, or graphics processing units (GPUs), equivalent to six gigawatts, over several years beginning in the second half of 2026. AMD said OpenAI would build a one-gigawatt facility based on its forthcoming MI450 series of chips beginning next year, and that it would begin to recognize revenue then. AMD executives expect the deal to net tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue. Because of the ripple effect of the agreement, AMD expects to receive more than $100 billion in new revenue over four years from OpenAI and other customers, they said. "Other people are going to come along with it because this is really the pioneer, a pioneer in the industry that has a lot of influence over the broader ecosystem," AMD strategy chief Mat Hein said. The deal with AMD will help OpenAI build enough AI infrastructure to meet its needs, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in a statement. Analysts, on average, estimate AMD will generate revenue of $32.78 billion this year, according to LSEG data. As part of the arrangement, AMD issued a warrant that gives OpenAI the ability to buy up to 160 million shares of AMD for 1 cent each over the course of the chips deal. The warrant vests in tranches based on milestones that the two companies have agreed on. The first tranche will vest after the initial shipment of MI450 chips set for the second half of 2026. The remaining milestones include specific AMD stock price targets that escalate to $600 a share for the final installment of stock to unlock. AMD has 1.62 billion shares outstanding and is valued at $267.23 billion, according to LSEG data. Its shares closed on Friday at $164.67. OpenAI has a valuation of $500 billion. OPENAI WANTS MORE GPUs OpenAI has worked with AMD for years, providing inputs on the design of older generations of AI chips such as the MI300X. The San Francisco-based AI company has been taking a number of steps to ensure it has the chips needed for its future needs. In September, Nvidia announced an investment of up to $100 billion in OpenAI that included a plan to supply at least 10 gigawatts worth of Nvidia systems. The plan includes OpenAI deploying a gigawatt of Nvidia's next-generation Vera Rubin chips in late 2026. In addition to using Nvidia hardware, cloud computing giants such as Alphabet's Google and Amazon build their own in-house processors. Similarly, OpenAI is in the process of developing its own silicon for AI use and has partnered with Broadcom, Reuters reported last year. Shares of Nvidia dipped 2%, while those of Broadcom fell 3%. OpenAI and its main backer Microsoft also announced last month that they had signed a non-binding agreement to restructure OpenAI into a for-profit entity, signaling further changes in the governance of the fast-growing AI company. A person familiar with the matter said the deal with AMD does not change any of OpenAI's ongoing compute plans, including that effort or its partnership with Microsoft. (Reporting by Max A. Cherney in San Francisco; Additional reporting by Deepa Seetharaman in San Francisco and Arsheeya Bajwa in Bengaluru; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)

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Washington (dpa) – Researchers at the US health centre Penn Medicine have found specific brain circuits are affected by psilocybin, the active compound in certain psychedelic mushrooms, opening new ways to treat pain and mental health issues. The new study, published in Nature Neuroscience by the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, sheds light on how this link between chronic pain and depression might be broken. So-called magic mushrooms are known and used recreationally for their psychedelic effects. Even for medicinal purposes, psilocybin remains illegal in most countries, but a growing body of research suggests it has potential therapeutic uses. The Pennsylvania team studied two mouse models of chronic pain – one caused by nerve injury and another by inflammation. These mice also developed behaviors similar to anxiety and depression. Four weeks later, the researchers gave the mice psilocybin. The next day, the animals showed less pain sensitivity and improvements in mood. These benefits lasted for 12 days, until the study ended. To pinpoint where psilocybin worked, the researchers tested its active form, psilocin, by injecting it either into the brain or the spinal nerve. Only brain injections produced pain relief and mood improvements. Further study showed that psilocin calmed overactive neurons in the brain region linked to pain and emotions, bringing their activity down to normal levels. Psilocin works by binding to serotonin receptors. To find out which receptors were responsible, the team blocked two of them. When they did, psilocin no longer relieved pain or improved mood. "This new study offers hope. These findings open the door to developing new, non-opioid, non-addictive therapies, as psilocybin and related psychedelics are not considered addictive," senior author Joseph Cichon noted. Earlier in 2025, the American Cancer Society published findings of a second phase of tests that showed a "significant" reduction in depression among more than half of participants two years on from receiving a 25-milligram dose of psilocybin. Meanwhile, a 2025 study from the Baylor College of Medicine and Emory University in the US found that the active psychedelic compound could even extend both cellular and organismal lifespans by reducing the hallmarks of ageing in cells. The following information is not intended for publication dpa yyfx coh

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By Max A. Cherney SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -AMD said on Monday it will supply artificial intelligence chips to OpenAI in a multi-year deal that would bring in tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue and give the ChatGPT creator the option to buy up to roughly 10% of the chipmaker. The deal offers OpenAI an opportunity to take a stake in one of Nvidia's most formidable rivals and is a powerful endorsement of Advanced Micro Devices' (AMD's) AI chips and software. Shares of AMD jumped more than 23% in premarket trading. "We view this deal as certainly transformative, not just for AMD, but for the dynamics of the industry," AMD executive vice president Forrest Norrod told Reuters on Sunday. The agreement covers the deployment of hundreds of thousands of AMD's AI chips, or graphics processing units (GPUs), equivalent to six gigawatts, over several years beginning in the second half of 2026. AMD said OpenAI would build a one-gigawatt facility based on its forthcoming MI450 series of chips beginning next year, and that it would begin to recognize revenue then. AMD executives expect the deal to net tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue. Because of the ripple effect of the agreement, AMD expects to receive more than $100 billion in new revenue over four years from OpenAI and other customers, they said. "Other people are going to come along with it because this is really the pioneer, a pioneer in the industry that has a lot of influence over the broader ecosystem," AMD strategy chief Mat Hein said. The deal with AMD will help OpenAI build enough AI infrastructure to meet its needs, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in a statement. Analysts, on average, estimate AMD will generate revenue of $32.78 billion this year, according to LSEG data. As part of the arrangement, AMD issued a warrant that gives OpenAI the ability to buy up to 160 million shares of AMD for 1 cent each over the course of the chips deal. The warrant vests in tranches based on milestones that the two companies have agreed on. The first tranche will vest after the initial shipment of MI450 chips set for the second half of 2026. The remaining milestones include specific AMD stock price targets that escalate to $600 a share for the final installment of stock to unlock. AMD has 1.62 billion shares outstanding and is valued at $267.23 billion, according to LSEG data. Its shares closed on Friday at $164.67. OpenAI has a valuation of $500 billion. OPENAI WANTS MORE GPUs OpenAI has worked with AMD for years, providing inputs on the design of older generations of AI chips such as the MI300X. The San Francisco-based AI company has been taking a number of steps to ensure it has the chips needed for its future needs. In September, Nvidia announced an investment of up to $100 billion in OpenAI that included a plan to supply at least 10 gigawatts worth of Nvidia systems. The plan includes OpenAI deploying a gigawatt of Nvidia's next-generation Vera Rubin chips in late 2026. In addition to using Nvidia hardware, cloud computing giants such as Alphabet's Google and Amazon build their own in-house processors. Similarly, OpenAI is in the process of developing its own silicon for AI use and has partnered with Broadcom, Reuters reported last year. OpenAI and its main backer Microsoft also announced last month that they had signed a non-binding agreement to restructure OpenAI into a for-profit entity, signaling further changes in the governance of the fast-growing AI company. A person familiar with the matter said the deal with AMD does not change any of OpenAI's ongoing compute plans, including that effort or its partnership with Microsoft. (Reporting by Max A. Cherney in San Francisco; Additional reporting by Deepa Seetharaman in San Francisco; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)

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(Reuters) -The Trump administration is ramping up its efforts to secure U.S. supply chains for critical minerals and semiconductors by converting federal grants into equity stakes in key companies. The move marks a shift from traditional subsidies to direct ownership, aimed at reducing reliance on China for materials vital to electric vehicles, defense systems and advanced computing. The administration has taken or discussed stakes in several companies across the mining and tech sectors, signalling a more aggressive industrial policy. Following are the companies linked to the Trump administration's strategic investment push: ** Critical Metals Stake under discussion: About 8% Project: Tanbreez rare earths deposit, Greenland Strategic value: Trump administration officials have discussed taking a stake in Critical Metals, four people familiar with the discussions told Reuters, which would give Washington a direct interest in the largest rare earths project in Greenland, the Arctic territory that President Donald Trump once suggested buying. ** Lithium Americas Stake acquired: 5% in parent company and 5% in Thacker Pass JV with General Motors Project: Thacker Pass lithium mine, Nevada Strategic value: The Thacker Pass project is seen as a linchpin in building a domestic supply chain part of Washington's long-standing drive to boost U.S. production of lithium, a metal used to make batteries for electric vehicles and other electronics. ** MP Materials Stake acquired: About 15% Project: Mountain Pass rare earth mine, California Strategic value: MP operates the only U.S. rare earths mine and is working to boost domestic processing and magnet production. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) will become the largest shareholder in Las Vegas-based MP, making it Washington's most high-profile investment to date in the critical minerals sector. ** USA Rare Earth Status: In discussions Details: Barbara Humpton, CEO of the company, told CNBC that it was in close talks with the White House while responding to a question about its potential interest in striking a deal with the Trump administration. Strategic value: USA Rare Earth has been developing a mine in Sierra Blanca, Texas and a neo magnet manufacturing facility in Stillwater, Oklahoma, which is expected to go commercial in the first half of 2026 ** Intel Corp Stake acquired: 9.9% Strategic value: The investment strengthens U.S. supply chain security and supports Intel's plans to build and expand advanced manufacturing facilities domestically. (Reporting by Arunima Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)

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(Reuters) -Customer survey software maker Qualtrics, owned by private equity firm Silver Lake, has agreed to buy healthcare market research company Press Ganey Forsta for $6.75 billion, including debt, the Financial Times reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. The companies are betting that the combination of Qualtrics' artificial intelligence technologies with Press Ganey's reach in the healthcare industry will give rise to new AI-powered tools and services, the report said, adding the deal is set to be announced later on Monday. The merger is also meant to bolster Press Ganey's technology offerings as large tech giants such as Palantir and Oracle expand into healthcare, the report said, citing a person briefed on the matter. U.S.-based Qualtrics provides tools for measuring and analyzing customer, employee, product and brand experiences. It serves large enterprises, governments and universities, with clients including Microsoft, BMW, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Qualtrics did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. (Reporting by Puyaan Singh and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)

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TOKYO (Reuters) -Asahi Group's beer-making subsidiary, Asahi Breweries, said on Monday it has restarted production at its six Japanese beer plants after the group's operations were disrupted by a cyberattack. Asahi Group suspended operations, including order processing, shipping and call-centre functions in Japan, a week ago after a cyberattack caused a system outage. Production resumed at the six plants on October 2, Asahi Breweries said in a statement, without specifying how much longer it would take to return to full capacity. The company already restarted shipments of its popular Super Dry beer, and plans to resume shipments of more than a dozen other products on October 15, the statement said. The disruption has seen restaurants, bars and stores in Japan running low on beer and other Asahi drinks. The breach is the latest in a series of cyber and ransomware attacks targeting global companies including Jaguar Land Rover. (Reporting by Kentaro Okasaka; Writing by Sam Nussey, Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Kate Mayberry)

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(Reuters) -Space tech firm Firefly Aerospace will acquire national security technology company SciTec for about $855 million, the company said on Sunday, just months after its Nasdaq listing, honing its portfolio at a time when U.S. military and civil programs are receiving increased investor interest. The deal, which will be funded through a combination of $300 million in cash and $555 million in Firefly shares, is set to close by the end of the year, Firefly said. In August, Texas-based firm Firefly secured a valuation of $9.84 billion after its shares surged 55.6% in their Nasdaq debut, marking the largest U.S. listing this year by a space tech firm. Firefly's acquisition of Princeton, New Jersey-headquartered SciTec will enhance its space services by integrating SciTec's defense software analytics into its systems, the company said. SciTec's core capabilities, which encompass missile warning, tracking and defense, intelligence, surveillance, among other elements, will bolster Firefly's existing launch, lunar, and in-space services. Once the deal closes, SciTec will be operated as a Firefly unit under Jim Lisowski, its current CEO, Firefly said. Rising geopolitical tensions and deteriorating international relations have put a spotlight on space and defense contractors. The deal would help Firefly strengthen its position as a space tech firm boosting its lucrative military-space prospects. Firefly has come a long way from a tumultuous past, including a bankruptcy in 2017 and the ouster of its CEO last year. In September, Firefly said its Alpha rocket booster was destroyed in a testing mishap. The incident was another interruption to Firefly's business just weeks after it closed an investigation into the failure of its Alpha rocket, which put a satellite owned by Lockheed Martin in a shallow orbit in late April, implying a mission failure. (Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; editing by Diane Craft and Chizu Nomiyama)

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(Reuters) -AstraZeneca has signed a $555 million deal with a San Francisco-based biotech business Algen Biotechnologies, The Financial Times reported on Monday. The agreement with Algen gives AstraZeneca exclusive rights to develop and commercialise therapies from the Crispr gene-editing technology, the report said. Reuters could not immediately confirm the FT report. (Reporting by Raechel Thankam Job in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich)

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