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KBR Announces Segment Realignment and Executive Appointments in Support of Advancing Strategy

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Realigned segments to support continued growth and profitability; Government Solutions segment renamed Mission Technology SolutionsStuart Bradie, President and Chief Executive Officer, appointed Chair Elect and Byron Bright, President, Government Solutions U.S., named Chief Operating Officer, effective May 2025Reiterating 2027 financial targetsHosting a webcast to discuss these updates on January 8, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. EST

HOUSTON, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — KBR (NYSE: KBR) today announced segment reporting updates and executive appointments focused on advancing the Company’s strategic direction. These updates include changes previously approved by KBR’s Board of Directors and disclosed in a Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2024.

“As KBR continues to scale and expand capabilities, we are realigning our portfolio to streamline operations, reduce complexity, and optimize our processes,” said Stuart Bradie, KBR President and CEO. “During 2024, we eliminated substantial costs and moved necessary support into the segments to enable greater self-sufficiency. We are already seeing the benefits of these initiatives, which have broken down historical silos, created cross-team collaboration, and opened a larger pipeline of opportunities globally. We also effected leadership changes to facilitate continued strong execution and greater value creation. These deliberate moves will ensure that our capabilities and talent are best aligned with our customers, help us remain cost competitive, and accelerate our progress toward achieving our strategic objectives, including maximizing shareholder value.”

Segment Realignment

KBR comprises two operating business segments: Government Solutions (GS) and Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS). As part of the segment realignment, GS has been renamed Mission Technology Solutions (MTS), reflecting KBR’s leading-edge mission critical capabilities spanning space, defense, national security, and its expanding commercial end markets. Sustainable Technology Solutions retains its name. The legacy GS International business unit has been eliminated and its elements integrated into both MTS and STS. Both segments will continue to operate globally, serving government and commercial customers.

The realigned organization is not effective until fiscal year 2025. For investor convenience, selected proforma financial information (under the realigned organization) for the prior 11 reported quarters will be posted on the Investor Relations section of KBR’s website at investors.kbr.com. The fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 will be added to this supplemental schedule once it is reported in February 2025. KBR’s 2025 Forms 10-Q and Form 10-K will include comparable historical periods and reflect the realigned organization.

Executive Appointments

On December 19, 2024, KBR announced executive appointments in support of advancing its strategic direction:

Byron Bright, currently President, Government Solutions U.S., has been appointed to serve in KBR’s newly created Chief Operating Officer (COO) role, effective May 2025. As COO, he will lead both segments with Jay Ibrahim, President, Sustainable Technology Solutions, reporting to him. Additional Mission Technology Solutions leadership appointments will be made in the coming months.Bright, 50, joined KBR in 2010 and has served in his current position since June 2020. Bright brings extensive operational experience and deep technical expertise, with prior roles in government services and the U.S. Air Force.

Bradie commented, “Byron has demonstrated exceptional leadership in his current role. As COO, he will provide focused operational oversight to ensure that KBR continues to win the right work and deliver value as we execute our strategic initiatives. I am extremely confident in Byron’s ability to consistently deliver results across the enterprise, and I look forward to partnering with him in his new leadership role.”

KBR Chair, General Lester L. Lyles, notified the Board of Directors of his decision to retire from service effective post KBR’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. General Lyles has served on the Board since 2007 and as Chair since 2019.The Board appointed Bradie to serve as Chair effective following the 2025 Annual Meeting. An Independent Lead Director will be appointed ahead of the 2025 Annual Meeting.

Bradie commented, “General Lyles has been an invaluable member of our Board and instrumental in guiding KBR’s transformation into a global, diversified technology solutions leader. We are grateful for Les’s leadership and thank him for his 18 years of dedicated service. I am honored to take on the role of Chair and thank the Board for their confidence in me. I look forward to continuing to work with our Board and leadership team to execute our strategy and deliver continued stakeholder value.”

Financial Targets

KBR is reiterating its 2027 financial targets, introduced at its May 2024 Investor Day which are based on 2023 baseline year.

Specifically, the company expects to achieve:

KBR Consolidated: Revenues of $11.5 billion; Adj. EBITDA of $1.15+ billion; Adj. EBITDA Margin of 10% – 11%, and Operating Cash Flow of $700+ millionMTS: Revenue CAGR of 11% – 15% and Adj. EBITDA Margin of 9% – 10%STS: Revenue CAGR of 11% – 15% and Adj. EBITDA Margin of ~20%

Bradie concluded, “The outlook for KBR is exciting and we are well positioned with our unique capabilities and talented teams to capture outsized demand driven by global megatrends. The structural changes communicated today provide us greater strategic flexibility as we continue to build strength and scale across the organization. We remain focused on leveraging our unique ONE KBR capabilities, enabled by our digital accelerators, to deliver best-in-class solutions to our global customers.”

Webcast Information

KBR will host a special webcast to discuss the segment realignment and executive leadership updates on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call will be webcast simultaneously through the Investor Relations section of KBR’s website at investors.kbr.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on our website or by telephone at +1.866.813.9403, passcode: 639026.

About KBR

We deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in over 30 countries.

KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver.

Visit www.kbr.com

Forward Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, investments, capital deployment, future financial performance, 2024-2027 financial targets, expected returns, cost reductions and future events, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond the company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those set forth in the company’s most recently filed annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks and other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which discuss some of the important risks, uncertainties and assumptions that the company has identified that may affect its business, results of operations and financial condition. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

 

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SOURCE KBR, Inc.

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RiDYMO® Designs Cyclic Peptide for “Undruggable” β-Catenin Target Within Two Months

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January 9, 2025

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BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a recent achievement, DP Technology’s hit discovery platform RiDYMO® has successfully designed a cyclic peptide targeting β-catenin, a historically “undruggable” protein, in just two months. This innovative AI-driven approach combines advanced algorithms, physics simulations, and high-throughput experimentation to rapidly develop potential drug candidates for challenging targets. The platform’s success with β-catenin, a key player in cancer development, demonstrates its potential to revolutionize drug discovery for previously intractable targets.

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a crucial role in various biological functions and is implicated in multiple cancers[1-3]. Despite its importance as a therapeutic target[4-7], β-catenin has long been considered “undruggable” due to its flat protein surface[8-10]. The RiDYMO® platform overcomes this challenge by leveraging a vast library of over 10^12 cyclic peptides and macrocyclic molecules, incorporating both natural and non-natural amino acids.

Using the RiDYMO® platform, researchers rapidly designed and screened cyclic peptide molecules for β-catenin binding. The process involved:

Optimizing the β-catenin protein structure to improve the binding interface.High-throughput screening and design of cyclic peptides using the platform’s extensive library.Synthesis and testing of 29 candidate molecules.

The results were impressive, with 12 compounds showing strong inhibition of protein-protein interactions (IC50≤10 μM), a success rate of over 40%. One standout compound, designated as compound 24, effectively bound to β-catenin, disrupted its interaction with BCL9, and inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Dr. Dongdong Wang, Co-President of DP Technology’s Drug Discovery Unit, emphasized the platform’s ability to tackle undruggable targets and rapidly design high-quality compounds. The RiDYMO® platform’s success with β-catenin demonstrates its potential to accelerate the development of orally available cyclic peptide drugs, potentially transforming the pharmaceutical industry’s approach to challenging targets.

This breakthrough in cyclic peptide design for β-catenin showcases the power of AI-driven drug discovery platforms in addressing previously intractable targets, potentially opening new avenues for cancer treatment and other therapeutic areas.

About the RiDYMO® Hit Discovery and Optimization Platform

RiDYMO® is a state-of-the-art hit discovery and optimization platform developed by DP Technology, leveraging the principles of AI for Science. It employs the proprietary Hermite® computational drug design software to elucidate the dynamics of “undruggable” targets and explores a broader chemical space encompassing small molecules, macrocycles, and cyclic peptides. By integrating advanced artificial intelligence, physics-based algorithms, and high-throughput experimentation, the platform excels in designing oral macrocyclic compounds and rapidly delivers innovative drug candidates.

As one of its core algorithms, Reinforced Dynamics (RiD)[4] has a significant advantage in the sampling efficiency of molecular dynamics simulation. By fully leveraging the high-dimensional representation capabilities of neural networks, RiD can efficiently capture dynamic conformational changes in complicated biomolecular systems. Previously, the core RiD algorithm of the platform was published in Nature Computational Science [11]. The study demonstrated that RiD could achieve a more comprehensive free energy surface within 1.86 μs, compared to 100 μs required by traditional MD methods, representing nearly a hundredfold increase in efficiency.

RiDYMO® has been successfully employed in various drug discovery programs, including the development of small molecule compounds for crucial targets such as c-Myc and GPX4, as well as other modalities such as cyclic peptides and ADCs.

For more information, please visit our website.

(https://www.dp.tech/en/services/medicine).

About Hermite

Hermite® is a next-generation computational drug design platform developed by DP Technology, powered by AI for Science, to provide a comprehensive solution for drug design. Hermite® integrates industry-leading tools such as the Free Energy Perturbation module (“Uni-FEP”), and the ultra-high-throughput virtual screening tool (“Uni-VSW”). The platform supports key stages of drug discovery from protein structure prediction and target validation to hit discovery and lead optimization.

In addition, the platform offers an interactive, web-based molecular visualization experience, with detailed management of projects, teams, and data. It features full compliance certification, multi-tier security measures. Users have the flexibility to choose between cloud-based or private deployment options.

Hermite® is rapidly gaining traction in the pharmaceutical industry, with over 60% of leading companies in China utilizing the platform across more than 50 drug pipelines. This growing trust is reflected in the impressive number of calculations performed—over 200,000 Uni-FEP calculations to date—demonstrating Hermite®’s reliability and effectiveness as a powerful tool for drug discovery and development.

For more information, please visit: https://www.dp.tech/en/product/hermite  

References:

Salik B, et al. Targeting RSPO3-LGR4 signaling for leukemia stem cell eradication in acute myeloid leukemia. Cancer Cell. 2020;38(2):263–78.e6.Liu J, et al. Wnt/β-catenin signal ling: function, biological mechanisms, and therapeutic opportunities. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2022 Jan 3;7(1):3.Choi BR, Cave C, Na CH, Sockanathan S. GDE2-dependent activation of canonical wnt signaling in neurons regulates oligodendrocyte maturation. Cell Rep. 2020;31(5):107540.Zhang L, Shay JW. Multiple roles of APC and its therapeutic implications in colorectal cancer. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 2017;109(8).Belenguer G, et al. RNF43/ZNRF3 loss predisposes to hepatocellular-carcinoma by impair ing liver regeneration and altering the liver lipid metabolic ground-state. Nat. Commun. 2022;13(1):334.Cao L, et al. Helicobacter pylori-induced RASAL2 Through Activation of Nuclear Factor-κB Promotes Gastric Tumorigenesis via β-catenin Signaling Axis. Gastroenterology. 2022 May;162(6):1716-1731.e17.Hashemi M, et al., Biological functions and molecular interactions of Wnt/β-catenin in breast cancer: Revisiting signaling networks. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2023 Mar 31:232:123377.Hwang et al., Direct Targeting of b-Catenin by a Small Molecule Stimulates Proteasomal Degradation and suppresses Oncogenic Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling. 2016, Cell Rep. 16, 28–36.Tanton et al., A novel β-catenin/BCL9 complex inhibitor blocks oncogenic Wnt signaling and disrupts cholesterol homeostasis in colorectal cancer. 2022, Sci. Adv. 8, eabm3108.Scuoppo C. et al., “ST316, a Clinical Peptide Antagonist of β-catenin, Induces Anti-Tumor Immune Responses by Multiple Mechanisms of Action.” AACR 2024.Wang D, et al. Efficient sampling of high-dimensional free energy landscapes using adaptive reinforced dynamics. 2022, Nat. Comp. Sci. 2, 20.

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SOURCE DP Technology

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Technology

iGarden Debuts TurboX Series Robotic Pool Cleaner and Robotic Lawn Mower

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January 9, 2025

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LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — iGarden, a pioneer in smart, comprehensive outdoor living solutions, is proud to announce the launch of two groundbreaking product series: the iGarden TurboX Series Robotic Pool Cleaner and the iGarden Lawn Mower.

iGarden TurboX Series Robotic Pool Cleaners – Effortless Pool Maintenance Redefined

Featuring a sleek hypercar inspired design packed with state-of-the-art iGarden AI-InverterTM technology that guarantees powerful, long-lasting performance, the iGarden TurboX Series is a year round device, ensuring your pool stays sparkling clean with minimal effort.

Pool Cleaning Powerhouse 

Being the Guinness Record Holding Endurance Champion for Longest Continuous Operation robotic pool cleaner, the TurboX series is a pool cleaning powerhouse with the TurboX Master edition featuring a record 15 Hour Marathon performance. Integrated with multiple patented iGarden AI-InverterTM  technologies, the TurboX Master boasts greater cleaning and battery efficiency, resulting in a lighter machine and long-lasting performance and run time, allows for up to a month of use without recharging, assuming twice-weekly cleanings*. The TurboX Master also comes with its Turbo mode for 200% extra turbocharged suction to clear those tougher stains.

Effortless Navigation Through Any Pool 

Armed with infrared sensors, IMU (inertial measurement unit + gyroscope), and obstacle-crossing design (tracks), the TurboX Master possesses strong compatibility, catering to cleaning needs of all shapes and sizes from pool steps, plateaus and round or oval shaped pools. Its intelligent algorithm allows the TurboX Master to autonomously return to its initial drop-off point when the battery is low, ensuring it does not remain adrift in the middle of the pool.

Intelligent Cleaning Paths 

The TurboX series follows an advanced 3D “S” pathing system, methodically cleaning every inch of your pool, leaving no spot untouched. Its modular propeller design gives it an edge when it comes to cleaning tough to remove algae and particles along the water line and bottom of the pool.

Elite Aesthetics and Durability

Featuring multi-layered anti-corrosion and UV-resistant coating, the TurboX Master ensures long-lasting durability against prolonged pool water and sunlight exposure. It also comes integrated with a magnetic filter basket which is designed for easy extraction from the top, making scheduled maintenance a breeze. The holographic touch interface is made for easy operation and resistant to deterioration or water damage.

iGarden Lawn Mower – the All-Terrain Robotic Lawn Mower

Powered by advanced AI technology Zero-turn AWD high traction driving system and the company’s inherited energy management system, the iGarden Lawn Mower brings users All-Scenario Friendly robotic lawn mower keeps your lawn perfectly manicured with minimal effort.

Flawless Cutting Performance Without the Hassle

With its built-in AWD, the Garden Lawn Mower can master slopes and hills and offering superior traction when traversing various terrains and precision manoeuvring for flawless cuts on uneven ground. The robust battery system allows the iGarden Lawn Mower to enjoy up to 10 hours of continuous, flawless mowing on a single charge, making it the best maintenance device to ensure your lawn is perfectly maintained at all times, day or night.

Made for Ease of Use and Convenient Wireless Control

Unlike other robotic lawn mowers, the iGarden Lawn Mower comes integrated with LiDAR technology and doesn’t require cumbersome perimeter wires or RTK reference stations. With the iGarden Lawn Mower, you can be ready to mow in minutes. Users can easily set up and monitor multiple lawn zones with ease, ensuring every area receives the perfect cut.

Smarter Mapping with AI Vision and Unwavering Precision

Cutting-edge AI technology allows the lawn mower to automate mapping, cross-edge cutting, and seamless obstacle recognition and avoidance. The 360° 430K-point cloud 3D LIDAR ensures stable, interference-free positioning and mapping for unparalleled accuracy and reliability. The iGarden Lawn Mower is specifically designed to avoid cutting flowers, so your garden and hedges remain beautifully untouched.

The iGarden TurboX and TurboX Master will be available in March and April 2025 respectively, and the iGarden lawn mower will be available on Kickstarter in April 2025. 

About iGarden

Founded in 1999, iGarden has been at the forefront of revolutionizing outdoor living with smart, comprehensive solutions that seamlessly blend premium energy efficiency with sophisticated design. iGarden is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technology and design to elevate your everyday lifestyle to new heights of elegance and comfort.

Our product range is meticulously crafted to enhance every aspect of the outdoor experience. From our cutting-edge inverter pool technology to advanced robotic pool cleaners, solar energy panels, robotic lawnmowers, and surfing-swim machines, iGarden offers a holistic suite of solutions that transform your outdoor space into sanctuaries of luxury and efficiency.

At iGarden, we understand that true innovation lies in the details. Our vision is to provide you with hassle-free, stylish, and sustainable outdoor living solutions that not only meet but exceed expectations. Elevate your lifestyle with solutions designed to integrate seamlessly and experience the epitome of performance without the hassle.

Experience the artful living with iGarden:

Website: www.fairlandgroup.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/iGarden/61570919963920/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKtrBDHjIeviWcSzMP_dpZg

Media Contact:

TEAM LEWIS
Leo Li
Email: leo.li@teamlewis.com

 

 

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SOURCE iGarden

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Technology

Vatrer Power Debuts Latest LiFePO4 Sustainable Energy Technology Solutions at CES 2025

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January 9, 2025

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LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Vatrer Power, the leading Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) product and technology solution provider, is currently showcasing its latest sustainable energy solutions and products for consumer electronics, home energy storage, and electric vehicles at Booth #35906 during CES 2025, held from January 7 to 10 in Las Vegas.

“The CES exhibition is not only a platform to highlight our latest products but also an opportunity for us to communicate with global innovators, industry leaders, consumer users, and more. The brand mission of Vatrer Power is ‘to make green energy at your fingertips,’ and we hope to welcome you to visit us at the exhibition or follow us online,” said Henry Ma, CEO of Vatrer Power.

The Vatrer 48V 105AH Lithium Golf Cart Battery, to be highlighted at CES 2025, adopts EVE’s Grade A Prismatic LiFePO4 cells and offers 5.37kWh of energy. It delivers 10.24kW of power with low self-discharge and stable performance that’s 50 percent more powerful than similar-sized lithium batteries, and provides strong acceleration to handle tough terrains with ease. Engineered for 48V golf carts, this battery offers powerful energy and compatibility with major golf cart controllers, includes a 58.4V 20A LiFePO4 charger for fast charging, and features a 2.8-inch touchscreen for real-time monitoring.

The Vatrer 48V (51.2V) 100Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Solar Battery is a compact and high-efficiency home energy storage solution that seamlessly integrates with renewable energy. Its user-friendly design features a touchable smart interface for monitoring and controlling the battery anytime, anywhere, providing great convenience. With no acid in the lithium-ion battery, it can be mounted in any position, making Li-ion batteries perfect for marine, RV, campers, travel trailers, and off-grid applications.

In addition, the Vatrer 12V 460AH RV Lithium Battery is specifically designed for RVs and a perfect replacement for lead-acid batteries. It boasts a capacity of 5,888Wh and an impressive maximum load power of 3,200W. It fits the most unobstructed lead-acid battery trays with a compact size that takes up only half the space of four 12V 100Ah batteries. When used in conjunction with MPPT and an inverter, it seamlessly integrates into solar power systems, providing uninterrupted power supply for the RV.

At CES 2025, Vatrer Power’s exhibition will also feature simulations to demonstrate the products’ performance under extreme conditions. Visitors will have the opportunity to try the products firsthand and experience their functionality and efficiency.

Looking ahead, Vatrer Power will continue to innovate powerful, long-lasting and affordable LiFePO4 batteries for broader applications and accentuate on its commitment to green energy accessibility, supporting sustainable practices to build a green future for all.

For more information about Vatrer Power’s products and exhibition at CES 2025, please visit https://www.vatrerpower.com/blogs/event/consumer-electronics-show-2025.

About Vatrer Power

Vatrer Power was founded on a commitment to bridge the gap between cost and accessibility and mission of democratizing access to advanced lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) technology to make sustainable energy solutions affordable for all. Vatrer Power opened its flagship store in 2020—not just as a business venture but as a pledge to the planet and customers. Today, with a dedicated team of 200, it leads in providing eco-friendly batteries that power everything from consumer electronics to electric vehicles, ensuring energy that is not only reliable but also responsible. Driven by a promise of quality, innovation, and trust from the community, Vatrer Power thrives to create a greener future, not just powering the devices, but powering a better, sustainable life for everyone.

www.vatrerpower.com

https://www.instagram.com/vatrerpower/

https://www.youtube.com/@Vatrer

https://www.tiktok.com/@vatrerpowerofficial

CONTACT: Zixin Li, global@vatrerpower.com

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SOURCE Vatrer Power Inc.

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