LA JOLLA, Calif., April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Acurion, formerly known as io9, today announced its official rebranding as part of a strategic initiative to align with its evolving mission and future vision. The transformation includes a refreshed brand identity and the appointment of a dynamic leadership team to drive the company’s next phase of growth.

“io9—now Acurion—has a critical mission: to make precision medicine a reality for more cancer patients,” said Scott Lippman MD., medical co-founder and Board member. “My colleagues and I witness the suffering that occurs in oncology every day because the journey from diagnosis to therapeutic selection is costly, time consuming, and confusing, causing life-threatening delays in front-line treatment. Much of the anguish of this uncertainty can be alleviated by providing oncologists with clinically actionable tumor genomic information, to ensure that every patient has access to the right treatment as quickly as possible, so they get the best chance at a positive outcome. There is no question that this approach is the future of precision oncology.”

Featured on CNN‘s Global Innovations series, Acurion’s DeepHRD artificial intelligence platform, OncoGaze™, is a transformative approach to precision oncology that enables rapid identification of the genomic biomarkers used to determine precision therapies, directly from routine tumor biopsy slides. This reduces the time from diagnosis to curative first-line treatment from weeks to mere seconds and makes the approach readily accessible worldwide. “Acurion’s approach is truly paradigm-shifting”, said Web Cavenee, Ph.D., scientific co-founder and Board member. “The promise of precision medicine has been hampered by the tissues and time needed for genomic analysis. Its cost also limits access and is an increasing concern for healthcare payers. OncoGaze addresses each of these issues.”

Not only does OncoGaze deliver insights instantaneously and affordably—it is also proven to be remarkably more accurate than FDA-approved genomic testing, identifying complex molecular patterns hidden in the tissue architecture of tumors, often undetectable even by molecular assays. Acurion’s AI technology is the only one of its kind to have been in the coveted Journal of Clinical Oncology and it has been well received by the oncology community, signaling growing excitement about this approach. Bringing this to market for patient benefit will be in the hands of an experienced and passionate team.

New Leadership Team

Acurion has appointed a world-class team of executives with deep expertise in life sciences, technology, and finance to accelerate its mission of innovation in precision oncology:

Rick Fultz, Chief Executive Officer – A veteran in the life sciences industry, Fultz has spent 15 years guiding companies toward growth allowing them to deliver value to patients and healthcare systems. His strategic vision and business development expertise will be key in guiding Acurion forward.

Feng Cao Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer – An expert in operational management, Cao will oversee the company’s commercial growth as well as regulatory and reimbursement strategy.

Ludmil Alexandrov, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer – A leading figure in cancer genomics, Alexandrov will direct Acurion’s scientific initiatives, advancing precision medicine and oncology research.

Erik Bergstrom Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer – With extensive experience in computational biology and AI, Bergstrom leads platform development at Acurion and led development of OncoGaze as a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Alexandrov’s lab.

Shelly Vandertie, Vice President of Finance – Vandertie brings deep expertise in financial strategy and planning, overseeing Acurion’s financial operations and growth planning.

“I am thrilled to welcome Rick Fultz as CEO,” said Magda Marquet, Ph.D., co-founder and board chair. “Rick is a dynamic, high-energy leader who is deeply committed to advancing patient care. He brings a wealth of experience in commercial operations, business development, and international relations, which will be invaluable to our mission. In a short time, he has assembled an outstanding management team and forged key partnerships in both academia and industry. We are excited for the impact his leadership will have on Acurion’s growth and success.”

“I am honored to lead Acurion during this important stage,” said Rick Fultz, CEO. “I am in awe of our exceptional scientists, clinicians, board members, and staff, and I am truly humbled to work alongside such a dedicated team on this important mission. Many aspects of this opportunity stood out to me, but none more than the chance to work with our inventor, Dr. Ludmil Alexandrov. As one of the most highly cited and influential computational AI biologists in the world, Ludmil is a standout talent even among the many brilliant minds at UCSD. Working with him feels like catching an ascending rocket by the tail. Together with our team and advisors, we are positioned to drive meaningful advancements in precision oncology.”

Series A Fundraising Launch
With its leadership team in place, Acurion is focused on expanding partnerships with academic institutions, patient advocacy groups, molecular profiling and industry leaders. The company will officially launch its Series A fundraising on April 15th to support its continued growth and innovation.

About Acurion
Acurion is revolutionizing frontline cancer care by equipping oncologists with critical genomic activity insights to get cancer patients onto the right treatments faster. The company’s mission is to accelerate the translation of its life-saving AI technology into the clinical arena to make a real, immediate and profound difference in therapy for patients worldwide. 

Dedicated to improving patient outcomes, Acurion collaborates with leading research institutions, patient advocacy groups, and industry partners to advance precision oncology. Please visit www.acurionhealth.com to learn more.

Media Contact:
Catherine Eng
Acurion, Inc.
ceng@acurionhealth.com
818-795-7184

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SOURCE Acurion

MILPITAS, Calif., April 9, 2025 /CNW/ — Worldwide sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment increased 10% to $117.1 billion in 2024 from $106.3 billion in 2023, SEMI, the industry association representing the global electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, reported today. The data is now available in the Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS) report.

In 2024, the global front-end semiconductor equipment market experienced notable growth, with sales of wafer processing equipment increasing by 9% and other front-end segments rising by 5%. This growth was largely fueled by heightened investments in expanding capacity for both leading-edge and mature logic, advanced packaging, and high-bandwidth memory (HBM), alongside a significant rise in investments from China.

The back-end equipment segment, after two consecutive years of decline, saw a robust recovery in 2024, driven by the increasing complexity and demands of AI and HBM manufacturing. Assembly and packaging equipment sales increased by 25%, while test equipment billings rose by 20% year-over-year, reflecting the industry’s push toward supporting advanced technologies.

“The global semiconductor equipment market surged by 10% in 2024, rebounding from a slight dip in 2023 to reach an all-time high of $117 billion in annual sales,” said Ajit Manocha, SEMI President and CEO. “Industry spending on chipmaking equipment in 2024 reflects a dynamic landscape shaped by regional investment trends, technological advancements in logic and memory, and the rising demand for chips related to AI-driven applications.”

Regionally, China, Korea, and Taiwan remained the top three markets for semiconductor equipment spending, collectively accounting for 74% of the global market. China solidified its position as the largest semiconductor equipment market, with investments surging 35% year-over-year to $49.6 billion, driven by aggressive capacity expansion and government-backed initiatives aimed at bolstering domestic chip production. Korea, the second-largest market, saw a modest 3% increase in equipment spending, reaching $20.5 billion, as memory markets stabilized and demand for high-bandwidth memory soared. In contrast, Taiwan experienced a 16% decline in equipment sales, falling to $16.6 billion, reflecting a slowdown in demand for new capacity.

Elsewhere, North America recorded a 14% rise in semiconductor equipment investments, reaching $13.7 billion, driven by increased focus on domestic manufacturing and advanced technology nodes. The Rest of the World saw a 15% increase, with billings at $4.2 billion, supported by emerging markets ramping up chip production. However, Europe faced a significant 25% decline in equipment spending, falling to $4.9 billion, due to weakened demand in the automotive and industrial sectors amid economic challenges. Japan also saw a slight 1% dip, with sales at $7.8 billion, as the region grappled with slower growth in key end markets.

Compiled from data submitted by members of SEMI and the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ), the WWSEMS report is a summary of the monthly billings figures for the global semiconductor equipment industry.

The SEMI Equipment Market Data Subscription (EMDS) provides comprehensive market data for the global semiconductor equipment market. The subscription includes three reports:

Monthly SEMI Billings Report, a perspective on equipment market trendsMonthly Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS), a detailed report of semiconductor equipment billings for seven regions and 24 market segmentsSEMI Semiconductor Equipment Forecast, an outlook for the semiconductor equipment market

Download a sample of the EMDS report.

For more information about the report or to subscribe, please contact the SEMI Market Intelligence Team at mktstats@semi.org. More details are also available on the SEMI Market Data webpage.  

About SEMI

SEMI® is the global industry association connecting over 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON® expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members’ business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more.

Association Contact
Sherrie Gutierrez/SEMI
Phone: 1.831.889.3800
Email: sgutierrez@semi.org

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SOURCE SEMI

LAS VEGAS, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CleanSpark, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLSK), America’s Bitcoin Miner® (the “Company”), today announced that Executive Chairman Matthew Schultz will participate in a fireside chat at the Jones Healthcare and Technology Innovation Conference at 2:30 p.m. PT / 5:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

A live webcast of the fireside chat will be available on the Events and Presentations section of CleanSpark’s investor relations website. An archived replay of the chat will be available for approximately 90 days after the webcast.

About CleanSpark
CleanSpark (Nasdaq: CLSK), America’s Bitcoin Miner®, is a market-leading, pure play Bitcoin miner with a proven track record of success. We own and operate a portfolio of mining facilities across the United States powered by globally competitive energy prices. Sitting at the intersection of Bitcoin, energy, operational excellence and capital stewardship, we optimize our mining facilities to deliver superior returns to our shareholders. Monetizing low-cost, high reliability energy by securing the most important finite, global asset – Bitcoin – positions us to prosper in an ever-changing world. Visit our website at www.cleanspark.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this press release, forward-looking statements include, but may not be limited to, statements regarding the Company’s expectations, beliefs, plans, intentions, and strategies. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: attendance of and matters discussed during the fireside chat; anticipated additions and targets to CleanSpark’s hashrate and the timing thereof; the success of its digital currency mining activities; the volatile and unpredictable cycles in the emerging and evolving industries in which we operate; the expectations of future revenue growth may not be realized; and other risks described in the Company’s prior press releases and in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, and any subsequent filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as to the date of this press release, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of any new information, changed circumstances or future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Investor Relations Contact  
Barbara Domingo 
702-989-7693 
ir@cleanspark.com 

Media Contact 
Eleni Stylianou
702-989-7694
pr@cleanspark.com  

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SOURCE CleanSpark, Inc.