Regulatory Update

FDA Approves Viatris' RYZUMVI for Presbyopia in Adults

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FDA Approves Viatris' RYZUMVI for Presbyopia in Adults

Pittsburgh – October 17, 2026 -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Viatris Inc.'s RYZUMVI (phentolamine ophthalmic solution 0.75%) for the treatment of presbyopia in adults, adding a second indication to a product already on the U.S. market.

RYZUMVI is currently approved in the United States for pharmacologically-induced mydriasis and is the only commercially available FDA-approved product for that use. The presbyopia approval expands its label beyond that use.

Viatris Is Exploring a U.S. Commercialization Partner for the Presbyopia Indication

Viatris said it is exploring the potential for a partner in the United States to commercialize RYZUMVI for presbyopia. The company disclosed no partner, timeline or financial terms.

California Oil Permits Hit 433 in 9 Months, Up 277% on 2023-25

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California Oil Permits Hit 433 in 9 Months, Up 277% on 2023-25

Los Angeles – October 16, 2026 -- California approved 433 oil well drilling permits in the first nine months of 2026, a 277% jump over the 115 approved across all of 2023 through 2025, according to analysis by Consumer Watchdog and FracTracker Alliance of state data.

Approvals rose another 22.7% between the first half of the year and the first nine months. The figures come from the California Department of Geological Energy Management (CalGEM).

New-well approvals climb from 2 to 80 in a year

Permits for new well drilling reached 80 in the third quarter of 2026, up from two in the same quarter of 2025. Permits to rework or redrill existing wells fell only slightly, and well plugging dropped 5.2% against the third quarter of 2025.

n6 Wins ISO 13485:2016 Certification for NGS Prep Instruments

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n6 Wins ISO 13485:2016 Certification for NGS Prep Instruments

Pleasanton – October 16, 2026 -- n6 Tec, Inc. has received ISO 13485:2016 certification from Intertek for its quality management system, covering the manufacture and service of genetic research instrumentation at its Pleasanton, California headquarters.

Certificate 0259003 runs through October 2029

Intertek issued the initial certificate on October 12, 2026. It is valid through October 11, 2029, subject to ongoing surveillance by the certification body.

ISO 13485:2016 is the international quality management standard for organizations that design, manufacture and service medical devices. An independent auditor must verify that documented processes for design controls, supplier management, manufacturing, traceability, corrective and preventive action, and customer feedback exist and are followed.

Eventide Earns SOC 2 Type 1 for Cloud Recording and AI Tools

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Eventide Earns SOC 2 Type 1 for Cloud Recording and AI Tools

Little Ferry, N.J. – October 16, 2026 -- Eventide Communications has completed an independent SOC 2 Type 1 examination covering the security and availability of its cloud-based mission-critical recording and analytics solutions, giving public safety buyers third-party evidence of its controls.

A-LIGN audits cloud environment against Security and Availability criteria

The examination was performed by A-LIGN, a cybersecurity compliance and audit firm. It evaluated controls against the Security and Availability Trust Services Criteria and included an assessment of relevant HIPAA/HITECH safeguards.

The scope covers Eventide's broader cloud environment and the controls supporting its cloud-based solutions. These include Critical Insights AI™ and the cloud-hosted and virtualized NexLog® DX-Series recording solutions.

FDA Approves UCB's ZILBRYSQ Autoinjector for gMG; Launch Set for Q1 2027

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FDA Approves UCB's ZILBRYSQ Autoinjector for gMG; Launch Set for Q1 2027

Atlanta – October 16, 2026 -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a once-daily autoinjector for UCB's ZILBRYSQ (zilucoplan), with complete dose delivery in 99.8% of 449 administrations, UCB said. Commercial availability is expected in Q1 2027.

The device is cleared for adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody positive. UCB (Euronext Brussels: UCB) describes ZILBRYSQ as the first and only macrocyclic peptide C5 inhibitor approved as a self-administered, once-daily subcutaneous autoinjector for gMG in the U.S.

Autoinjector adds a second self-administration route alongside the prefilled syringe

Before this approval, ZILBRYSQ was available only as a self-administered prefilled syringe (PFS). The autoinjector automatically delivers a pre-defined dose when activated against the skin. Patients or their care partners now have two portable options.

All 15 oneworld Airlines Sign Wildlife Trafficking Declaration

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All 15 oneworld Airlines Sign Wildlife Trafficking Declaration

Brussels – October 16, 2026 -- oneworld and all 15 of its member airlines have signed the Buckingham Palace Declaration against illegal wildlife trafficking, making it the first airline alliance to join with unanimous member support.

Royal Jordanian CEO completes alliance-wide signing in Brussels

Royal Jordanian President and CEO Samer Majali signed the declaration at IATA's Wings of Change Europe in Brussels, completing the commitment across the alliance. oneworld CEO Ole Orvér said the full membership commitment "greatly increases" the alliance's ability to identify and disrupt trafficking.

California Opens Workforce Pell Portal for Short-Term Programs

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California Opens Workforce Pell Portal for Short-Term Programs

Sacramento – October 16, 2026 -- The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will open its state application portal for the federal Workforce Pell (WFP) Grant on October 21, allowing colleges and career technical education providers to seek state authorization for eligibility starting in the 2026-27 academic year.

CSAC acts as the state gatekeeper under Senate Bill 135

Under Senate Bill 135, CSAC is the designated state agency that decides whether an institution's short-term program meets state and federal requirements. It consults the California Workforce Development Board and the Labor and Workforce Development Agency. Programs deemed eligible are then submitted to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) for final approval. ED notifies institutions of their eligibility, after which students can receive grants through campus financial aid offices.

Drone as First Responder Programs Surge as BVLOS Rules Ease

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Drone as First Responder Programs Surge as BVLOS Rules Ease

Glendale – October 16, 2026 -- Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs have surged over the past year because regulatory changes made routine beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) flights realistic for police departments, according to a Vertical Magazine feature.

Regulatory change removes the federal waiver bottleneck

BVLOS operations were previously a special-case exception that required lengthy federal waivers. Under the new rules, departments can fly them routinely, which is the main driver behind the program growth the feature documents across multiple agencies.

Departments report faster scene assessment and lower officer risk

Agencies running DFR programs cite three benefits: faster scene assessment, reduced officer risk on unclear calls, and the ability to clear low-priority calls remotely once a drone confirms nothing further is needed.

AXN Wins USMCA Certification for Louisville Axle Output

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AXN Wins USMCA Certification for Louisville Axle Output

Louisville – October 16, 2026 -- AXN Automotive Systems, a member of Randoncorp, has received United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) certification for axles built at its Louisville, Kentucky, plant, which can produce up to 100,000 axles a year.

The certification confirms the Louisville-made axles meet USMCA regional content and manufacturing requirements. AXN says this gives customers a verified North American supply chain for sourcing.

AXN is investing nearly $15 million in the Louisville plant over the next decade

The certification follows AXN's move into its new Louisville manufacturing facility in spring 2026. The investment, to be completed over the next decade, is meant to support long-term growth and higher production capability. The plant serves both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and aftermarket customers.

Cedro Wins Environmental Approval for R$3.6bn Porto do Meio Terminal

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Cedro Wins Environmental Approval for R$3.6bn Porto do Meio Terminal

Belo Horizonte – October 16, 2026 -- Cedro Participações has cleared the main regulatory hurdle for Porto do Meio, a R$3.6 billion iron ore terminal planned at the Port of Itaguaí in Greater Rio de Janeiro. The State Environmental Control Commission (CECA) approved issuance of the Integrated Environmental License (LAI) on Tuesday, October 13.

The company describes the decision as the project's most significant milestone so far. It confirms the terminal's environmental feasibility and allows Cedro to move into the next project phases.

License covers initial handling volumes below 15 million tonnes per year

In this first phase, the license covers throughput of less than 15 million tonnes annually. Cedro won the federal auction for the ITG02 area in December 2024 and signed a 35-year lease, renewable for an equal period.