Niihara International announced that its Founder and CEO, Dr. Yutaka Niihara, has been awarded the Rosa Parks Spirit Award by the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development. The honor recognizes his long-standing commitment to improving care and treatment options for patients with sickle cell disease, particularly those affected by health disparities. The Company continues to advance therapies, including L-glutamine treatment, aimed at reducing complications and addressing unmet medical needs in rare diseases.

Irvine, California – June 23, 2026 – Niihara International, Inc. (“Niihara International” or the “Company”), a development-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on therapies for rare and orphan diseases, today announced that its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Yutaka Niihara, M.D., has been awarded the Rosa Parks Spirit Award by the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development, the only organization founded by civil rights icon Rosa Parks.

The Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development, co‑founded by Rosa Parks and Elaine Eason Steele in 1987, is dedicated to educating and motivating youth and adults for self and community betterment and continues Mrs. Parks’ legacy as a global symbol of courage and human rights. The Rosa Parks Spirit Award is presented on a selective basis to individuals and partners whose work reflects Mrs. Parks’ belief that “we are here on Planet Earth to live, grow up, and do what we can to make the world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom,” including freedom from injustice and inequity.

In presenting the Rosa Parks Spirit Award to Dr. Niihara, a representative of the Institute cited his more than decade‑long commitment to improving the lives of patients with sickle cell disease, particularly those facing significant health disparities and barriers to care. The presentation acknowledged Dr. Niihara’s role in bringing broader attention to the burden of pain experienced by sickle cell patients and his sustained efforts to develop and advance treatment options for this historically underserved population.

“This recognition from the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development is deeply humbling,” said Dr. Yutaka Niihara. “Rosa Parks devoted her life to the cause of human dignity and equal opportunity, and I am honored that our work on behalf of sickle cell patients has been associated with her legacy. We remain committed to developing therapies that can help reduce suffering and address the persistent inequities faced by patients and families around the world.”

Niihara International is focused on the development, commercialization, and distribution of innovative therapies for rare and orphan diseases, including its initial product candidate, a generic prescription‑grade L‑glutamine oral powder designed to reduce acute complications associated with sickle cell disease in patients ages five years and older. L‑glutamine therapy has been recognized as an important option within a limited range of treatments available to sickle cell patients and reflects the Company’s mission to target serious unmet medical needs.

Niihara International’s efforts build on a growing body of clinical and real‑world evidence demonstrating that pharmaceutical‑grade L‑glutamine can reduce the frequency of painful vaso‑occlusive crises in sickle cell disease and offer meaningful benefits in a population that has historically had few therapeutic choices. The Company intends to continue advancing its product and pipeline strategy while seeking collaborations that align with its commitment to patient‑centered innovation and health equity.

About the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development
The Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development was co‑founded in 1987 by Rosa Parks and Elaine Eason Steele to educate and motivate youth and adults, particularly African American communities, for self and community betterment. Based in Detroit, Michigan, the Institute sponsors programs that promote civil rights education, leadership development, and civic engagement, continuing the legacy of Rosa Parks, widely known as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.”

About Niihara International, Inc.
Niihara International, Inc., incorporated in California in 2023, is a development‑stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, commercialization and distribution of innovative therapies for rare and orphan diseases. The Company’s initial product is a generic prescription‑grade L‑glutamine oral powder designed to reduce acute complications associated with sickle cell disease in patients ages five years and older. For more information, please visit www.niiharainternational.com.

Forward‑Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward‑looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements regarding the Company’s business strategy, development plans, product candidates, and potential markets. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward‑looking statements, including those described under “Risk Factors” in any offering circular or other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward‑looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release, and Niihara International, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward‑looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Offering Portal Administrator
Glass Box Law, Inc.
Offering Portal Website:  https://glassboxlaw.com/portal/niihara-international-inc

Media Contact

Organization: Niihara International, Inc.

Contact Person: Maurice Bethea

Website: https://niiharainternational.com/

Email:
mbethea@niiharainternational.com

City: Rolling Hills Estates

State: California

Country:United States

Release id:46420

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The State of AI at Work, published by Kristian Kabashi and The Blank Collar, shows that adoption is widespread, but 87% of users are still beginners

Switzerland, 24th Jun 2026 — Kristian Kabashi, the technology executive and analyst who developed The Blank Collar transformation practice for the intelligence age, today announced the publication of a new field report, The State of AI at Work. The report reveals a significant gap between corporate expectations of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace versus actual results. The report shows that while AI adoption is widespread, 87% of workers use AI at the beginner level. Just 13% use AI for meaningful work.

According to Kabashi, “Your company bought AI, but nobody changed. At some level, we’ve seen this with every major technology shift over the years, but in the case of AI, these results are quite disappointing. The technology has such vast promise, but, in my view, it’s not being used the right way.”

The Zurich-based Kabashi comes to his perspective on AI after spending two decades as a creative, a builder, and a transformer. He served in senior executive roles in global enterprises such as Dentsu and the Havas agency, as well as being the founder of Cybee.ai and the AI company Numarics, which was acquired in 2024.

The Blank Collar has been Kabashi’s philosophical home since 2018. The Blank Collar’s slogan is, “Work is for bots. Life is for humans.” It is the successor to the idea of white-collar employment. While blue collars built the industrial age, and white collars led the way in the information age, blank collars will build the intelligence age—directing AI agents instead of doing the routine work themselves.

The problem, as Kabashi sees it, is that so few workers move past the experimenter line into work that pays for itself. What blocks proficiency is not prompting. “People can learn to in an afternoon,” Kabashi said. “They get stuck one step earlier, on a blank question, which is ‘What do I even point this at?’ They open the tool, summarize one email, and bounce, because nothing in the actual job comes pre-labeled, give this to AI.” 

Kabashi calls this the “use case desert.” The real issue, in his view, however, is a lack of leadership. “I don’t want to point fingers. This is all so new, it’s not surprising that senior executives aren’t quite plugged into what’s going to work. But, everyone better get busy pretty soon, because the companies that figure this out—who can rise above 13% meaningful AI use—are going to be strong competitive performers.”

To learn more, visit https://www.theblankcollar.com/

To download the report, visit https://www.theblankcollar.com/reports/the-state-of-ai-at-work.pdf

About The Blank Collar

The Blank Collar is a philosophy, a framework, and an engine, a transformation practice for the intelligence age. The term was coined in 2016. The practice was founded in 2018. By the time the world had a vocabulary for what was coming, The Blank Collar already had a thesis, a method, and a name. The term “Blank Collar” refers to a new kind of professional who works alongside AI agents, directing, orchestrating, framing, and keeping what no machine can take. 

Media Contact

Organization: The Blank Collar

Contact Person: Kristian Kabashi

Website: https://www.theblankcollar.com

Email: Send Email

Country:Switzerland

Release id:46443

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Dental Pitch Advisory & Brokerage has released its 2026 dental practice valuation guidance to help practice owners better understand the financial and operational factors buyers evaluate before a sale. The guidance explains why modern dental practice valuation is no longer based on collections alone, but on EBITDA, Quality of Earnings, expense benchmarks, valuation multiples, clean financial documentation, provider dependence, hygiene performance, growth potential, and transferability after closing. Dental Pitch emphasizes that stronger sale outcomes are created through preparation, not guesswork, and that practice value is built, documented, defended, and positioned before going to market.

Atlanta, GA, United States, 24th Jun 2026- Dental Pitch Advisory & Brokerage, a seller-side dental practice advisory and brokerage firm, has released new 2026 dental practice valuation guidance to help dentists understand what their practice is worth — and how to protect that value before going to market.

The guidance addresses the most common questions dentists ask when preparing for a sale: how much is my dental practice worth, what drives dental practice valuation multiples, how dental office expense percentages affect EBITDA, and what it takes to earn a defensible number buyers will not renegotiate in due diligence.

“Revenue still matters, but it is no longer enough to simply show strong collections,” said Dental Pitch Advisory & Brokerage. “The practices that sell for the strongest outcomes have clean financials, healthy EBITDA margins, documented systems, stable teams, strong hygiene production, and a clear story that gives buyers confidence.”

EBITDA Is the Primary Driver of Dental Practice Valuation in 2026

According to Dental Pitch, EBITDA dental practice valuation has become the standard methodology used by DSOs, private equity-backed groups, and sophisticated private buyers. EBITDA — earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization — measures how efficiently a practice converts revenue into operating profit, independent of how the owner is compensated or how the practice is financed.

A well-run general dental practice typically generates an EBITDA margin of 18% to 22% of net collections. Practices pushing 20% or higher may attract stronger buyer interest and more favorable dental practice valuation multiples. In cases where doctor compensation is properly normalized and overhead is controlled, normalized EBITDA margins can reach 25% to 29%.

Dental Pitch advises sellers that EBITDA must be clean, documented, and defensible — supported by organized financials, properly categorized add-backs, and a compensation structure buyers can understand and validate.

Dental Office Expense Percentages Are a Direct Signal of Practice Health

As part of its 2026 valuation guidance, Dental Pitch has published updated dental office expense percentage benchmarks to help sellers compare their cost structure against what healthy, well-run practices typically spend. Buyers use these benchmarks to evaluate efficiency, flag risk, and stress-test EBITDA before making offers.

Healthy 2026 ranges as a percentage of net collections include: doctor compensation at 22% to 25%, total team labor at 30% to 33%, dental supplies and lab combined at 11% to 13%, occupancy at 6% to 7%, marketing at 2% to 4%, and G&A at 6% to 8%.

“When expenses fall outside these ranges, buyers ask harder questions,” said Dental Pitch Advisory & Brokerage. “When expense performance is clean and well-documented, it reinforces EBITDA and supports the valuation — rather than creating room for buyers to push back.”

Dental Pitch works with sellers to identify where overhead improvements can meaningfully increase EBITDA before a practice goes to market. At current multiples, every dollar of overhead reduction that flows through to EBITDA can add $5 to $8 of practice value. Full benchmark guide: Dental Office Expense Percentages — 2026 Guide.

2026 Dental Practice Valuation Multiples Reward Earnings Quality

Dental Pitch’s 2026 guidance outlines the following general dental practice valuation multiples based on normalized EBITDA size:

• $200K–$500K EBITDA: 4x to 6x
• $500K–$1M EBITDA: 5x to 7x
• $1M–$2M EBITDA: 6.5x to 8x
• $2M+ EBITDA: 8x and above

Dental Pitch emphasizes that these multiples are not automatic. They are earned through earnings quality, consistency, provider diversity, hygiene strength, operational documentation, and buyer competition. Practices below $200,000 in EBITDA are often evaluated differently, with value more closely tied to collections, location, and buyer fit. Complete breakdown: Dental Practice Valuation Multiples 2026.

Quality of Earnings Protects Valuation Through Due Diligence

Beyond the valuation number, Dental Pitch advises sellers on Quality of Earnings — the process of determining whether EBITDA is accurate, recurring, and defensible under buyer scrutiny. A strong Quality of Earnings story reduces the risk of valuation renegotiation after a letter of intent is signed.

Quality of Earnings reviews may examine revenue consistency, collections trends, hygiene performance, add-back documentation, payer mix, payroll structure, and operational risks. Dental Pitch’s QoE Lite process is designed specifically for dental transactions — lighter and faster than a full third-party engagement, and focused on the variables buyers actually scrutinize. Dental Practice Valuation: Why Sellers Need a QOE Lite Before Buyers Do.

“A valuation gives a number. A Quality of Earnings review explains and defends that number,” said Dental Pitch Advisory & Brokerage. “Sellers who go to market with both are in a fundamentally stronger position than sellers who have only one.” Read more https://dentalpitchbrokerage.com/dental-practice-valuation-qoe-lite/

About Dental Pitch Advisory & Brokerage

Dental Pitch Advisory & Brokerage is a seller-side dental practice advisory and brokerage firm helping dentists understand dental practice valuation, improve EBITDA, prepare for sale, evaluate buyer options, and transition with confidence. The firm supports single private practices, specialty practices, multi-location groups, and larger dental organizations preparing for sale to private buyers, DSOs, private equity-backed groups, or strategic partners.

For more information, visit dentalpitchbrokerage.com 

Media Contact

Organization: Dental Pitch Advisory & Brokerage

Contact Person: Dental Pitch Advisory & Brokerage

Website: https://dentalpitchbrokerage.com/

Email: Send Email

Contact Number: +18336580118

Address:3290 Northside Parkway NW, Suite 825 Atlanta, GA 30327

City: Atlanta

State: GA

Country:United States

Release id:46417

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San Francisco, CA, 24th June 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Kevin D. Oden & Associates (KDOA), a model risk management and quantitative advisory firm, today shared its perspective on SR 26-2, the revised interagency guidance on model risk management issued jointly by the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the FDIC on April 17, 2026.

The revised guidance (SR 26-2, OCC Bulletin 2026-13, and FDIC FIL-15-2026) supersedes the 2011 guidance widely known as SR 11-7, which had governed how banking organizations identify, validate, monitor, and govern quantitative models for fifteen years. The update moves toward a more flexible, principles-based approach that is tailored to an institution’s model risk profile and the size and complexity of its operations. It is expected to be most relevant to banking organizations with more than $30 billion in total assets, though smaller institutions with significant model-risk exposure may also fall within its expectations.

KDOA’s central observation is what the guidance leaves out. SR 26-2 expressly places generative AI and agentic AI models outside its scope, describing them as novel and rapidly evolving. The revised principles apply to traditional statistical and quantitative models. For institutions already deploying AI-driven tools across credit, fraud, BSA/AML, and customer-facing functions, this means there is no regulatory floor specific to those systems. The responsibility to define proportionate governance and controls sits with the institution.

 “The agencies modernized the baseline and were deliberate about not extending it to generative and agentic AI,” said Kevin Oden, Managing Partner of Kevin D. Oden & Associates. “That is a reasonable call given how fast the technology is moving, but it does not reduce the risk these systems carry. It relocates the burden. Boards and model risk teams now have to build credible governance for AI without a prescriptive standard to point to, while also re-grounding their traditional model programs in the revised guidance.”

KDOA notes three practical implications for institutions reassessing their programs against SR 26-2:

1. Re-baselining is not optional. Policies, validation standards, and inventory taxonomies written against SR 11-7 reference a superseded standard. Programs should be re-mapped to the revised principles, with particular attention to how materiality and a risk-based, tailored approach are documented.
2. The AI gap is now an institutional decision. Because generative and agentic AI sit outside the guidance, institutions must decide, document, and defend how those systems are governed under their own risk frameworks. Examiners can still act on unsafe or unsound practices regardless of scope. Separate AI-specific guidance is widely anticipated.
3. Proportionality cuts both ways. A principles-based standard gives institutions room to right-size their programs, but it also removes the cover of a checklist. The reasoning behind each control choice has to hold up.

 A final point on scope: the exclusion is narrower than it first appears. Only generative and agentic AI fall outside SR 26-2. Traditional statistical and quantitative models remain fully in scope, as do non-generative, non-agentic AI and machine learning models. For most institutions, that means the bulk of their AI/ML footprint, including the conventional machine learning used in credit, fraud, and BSA/AML, is still governed by the revised guidance and has to be re-mapped to it. The open question sits only with the newest generative and agentic systems, which is exactly where the institution, not the regulator, now sets the standard.

KDOA’s validation and governance teams, whose members have held senior model risk roles at institutions including the Federal Reserve, Fannie Mae, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Lloyds Banking Group, and Varo Bank, are advising clients on re-baselining their programs to the revised guidance.

The firm’s technology platform, Model IQ, supports this work by managing the full model lifecycle in one system, from registration and risk tiering through validation, monitoring, and board reporting. Its program-assessment tooling is being updated to evaluate institutions against the revised guidance, helping teams identify gaps and track remediation as they transition off the 2011 standard.

About Kevin D. Oden & Associates

Kevin D. Oden & Associates provides quantitative analysis, model risk management, and risk advisory services to the financial industry and beyond. The firm’s team includes more than ten PhDs and senior quantitative analysts with experience across credit, market, BSA/AML, fraud, CECL, stress testing, and AI/ML models. KDOA is SOC 2 Type II certified and an NMSDC-certified Minority Business Enterprise. Its Model IQ platform was designed by practicing model risk managers for the teams that run MRM programs day to day.

For more Information, You can Visit: https://kdoden.com

Xiamen, China, 24th Jun 2026 – Xiamen Million Stone Art & Crafts Co., Ltd., a leading original wall art and home decor manufacturer established in 1995, has introduced an AI-assisted design system to support OEM, ODM, and wholesale buyers worldwide. The new system combines artificial intelligence with the company’s long-standing expertise in original design, mixed-media craftsmanship, and copyright protection, helping global partners improve product development efficiency and accelerate time-to-market.

Key Takeaways

• Established in 1995 with over 30 years of manufacturing experience
• More than 30,000 original designs supported by extensive copyright registrations
• 20,000-square-meter production facility and 2,000-square-meter showroom
• OEM, ODM, and wholesale services available worldwide
• Specialized in mixed-media wall art and home decor products
• AI-assisted trend analysis and design development system
• Long-term export experience across North America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Combining AI Technology with Original Design Expertise

As global demand for differentiated home decor products continues to grow, buyers increasingly seek suppliers capable of delivering original designs while maintaining efficient production cycles.

To address these market needs, Xiamen Million Stone Art & Crafts Co., Ltd. has integrated AI-assisted trend analysis into its design workflow. By analyzing global color trends, interior design preferences, and consumer purchasing patterns, the system helps designers identify emerging opportunities and develop market-oriented collections more efficiently.

The AI-assisted process complements the company’s professional design team, enabling faster concept development while preserving originality, creativity, and copyright compliance throughout the product development cycle.

Core Strengths of Xiamen Million Stone Art & Crafts Co., Ltd.

1. Extensive Original Design Library

The company maintains a library of over 30,000 original designs, supported by extensive copyright registrations. Hundreds of new products are introduced annually to meet evolving market demands.

This commitment to original creation helps buyers reduce product similarity, strengthen brand differentiation, and minimize intellectual property risks in international markets.

2. Advanced Mixed-Media Craftsmanship

Xiamen Million Stone Art & Crafts Co., Ltd. specializes in combining various materials, including:

• Solid wood
• Metal
• Fabric
• Paper pulp
• Feathers
• Gold foil
• Silver foil

Through the integration of traditional handcraft techniques and modern manufacturing processes, the company creates layered decorative products that offer distinctive visual appeal for residential, hospitality, and commercial environments.

3. Large-Scale Manufacturing Capacity

The company operates a 20,000-square-meter production facility and a 2,000-square-meter showroom displaying thousands of product samples.

Its integrated supply chain supports:

• Product design
• Sampling
• Mass production
• Quality control
• International logistics

This comprehensive manufacturing system allows the company to provide stable quality and reliable delivery schedules for global buyers.

4. Global OEM and ODM Services

All products are available for global OEM, ODM, and wholesale orders.

The company provides customized solutions for:

• Home decor brands
• Retail chains
• Interior design firms
• Hospitality projects
• Commercial decoration projects

Services include custom design development, material selection, packaging solutions, and private-label manufacturing.

Artificial Intelligence in Home Decor Manufacturing

Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important tool within the home decor industry.

For manufacturers, AI can help analyze market trends more efficiently, identify emerging consumer preferences, and support product planning decisions. When combined with experienced designers, AI-assisted systems can improve development efficiency while maintaining originality and creativity.

At Xiamen Million Stone Art & Crafts Co., Ltd., AI serves as a supporting technology rather than a replacement for human creativity. The company continues to prioritize original design, craftsmanship, and copyright protection while using AI tools to enhance responsiveness to market changes.

Industry Outlook

According to industry research, the global home decor market is expected to maintain steady growth through 2031, driven by increasing demand for personalized home furnishings, sustainable materials, and digitally assisted product development.

As retailers and consumers continue seeking unique decorative products, manufacturers with strong design capabilities and efficient development systems are expected to play an increasingly important role in the global supply chain.

Future Development Plans

Over the coming years, Xiamen Million Stone Art & Crafts Co., Ltd. plans to continue investing in:

• Original design development
• Mixed-media craftsmanship innovation
• AI-assisted trend analysis systems
• Copyright protection initiatives
• Global logistics optimization
• International customer support services

These investments are intended to strengthen the company’s ability to serve long-term partners across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and other international markets.

About Xiamen Million Stone Art & Crafts Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1995, Xiamen Million Stone Art & Crafts Co., Ltd. specializes in the research, design, and manufacturing of original wall art and home decor products. The company combines original creativity, mixed-media craftsmanship, large-scale manufacturing capabilities, and comprehensive supply chain management to serve global OEM, ODM, and wholesale customers.

Media Contact

Organization: Xiamen Million Stone Art & Crafts Co., Ltd.

Contact Person: Michael Yang

Website: http://www.millionstone.com/

Email: Send Email

Address:Tong’an District, Xiamen, Fujian, China

City: Xiamen

Country:China

Release id:46438

The post Xiamen Million Stone Launches AI-Assisted Design System to Enhance Original Wall Art Development appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section