GenScript Launches Life Sciences Startup PitchFest with NVIDIA to Accelerate Biotech Innovation

Inaugural competition will connect emerging AI life sciences platforms with validation expertise, investors, and ecosystem partners during JPM Week

PISCATAWAY, N.J. and SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GenScript Biotech Corporation today announced the GenScript and NVIDIA Life Sciences Startup PitchFest, a global competition for startups applying artificial intelligence to therapeutic discovery and life sciences. The program brings together GenScript's wet lab validation and data generation capabilities and NVIDIA's accelerated computing platforms and startup ecosystem to help selected companies advance AI-driven platforms toward biological proof, investor engagement, and industry visibility.

Up to six finalists will be selected for a GenScript-hosted pitch event during JPM Week in January before a panel of judges. The winning company will receive GenScript wet lab data credits and Brev credits from NVIDIA to support its development efforts. Applications opened today, and finalists will be confirmed in December.

AI is making therapeutic discovery more expansive than ever, giving scientists new ways to generate hypotheses, identify targets, and design candidates at unprecedented speed. The PitchFest is designed to channel that momentum by connecting emerging AI drug discovery and life science companies with investors, technology leaders, and partners focused on turning computational predictions into biological proof. The competition will feature startups developing technologies such as AI-driven antibody and protein design, as well as technologies that accelerate the design-build-test-learn cycle.

"To harness the true potential of AI in life sciences, we must build an ecosystem where world-class computation meets trusted, scalable biological validation," said Ray Chen, President of GenScript Life Science Group. "Success in this space requires a connected pathway that brings together data, experimental evidence, and investment to help innovators move with confidence from computational promise to therapeutic progress. PitchFest gives digital biology startups integrated support to rapidly test their models, generate evidence, and accelerate breakthrough therapies."

Through the competition, GenScript will contribute sequence-to-data capabilities and experimental validation expertise, while NVIDIA will provide access to NVIDIA Inception, its free program that helps startups build, scale, and connect across the NVIDIA platform and ecosystem. Together, GenScript and NVIDIA will help selected startups move from promising AI-driven concepts toward stronger biological evidence, investor readiness, and potential partnerships.

Finalists will also be invited to GenScript's Biotech Global Forum, where they can engage with biotechnology executives, strategic partners, and industry leaders focused on the future of AI-enabled discovery.

Additional details on judging criteria, speakers, and investor participation will be announced in the coming weeks as the program helps AI-driven life science startups generate evidence, build industry relationships, and accelerate their own commercialization journeys.

About GenScript Biotech Corporation
Founded in 2002 in New Jersey, GenScript Biotech Corporation accelerates innovation in biotech and healthcare by providing researchers and companies with the building blocks needed to develop groundbreaking treatments and products. As a cornerstone of the global life science ecosystem, GenScript actively collaborates with a diverse network of partners – from academic institutions to industry leaders – to co-create cutting-edge solutions that redefine service excellence. Guided by its mission to Make People and Nature Healthier Through Biotechnology, GenScript has become a trusted global partner with a team of 6,100+ employees, supporting over 200,000 customers across 100+ countries and regions, including the world's Top 20 pharma companies. For more information: www.genscript.com.

Media Contacts:
Kate Grusich, GenScript Biotech Corporation
Katherina.Grusich@genscript.com

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GenScript Launches Life Sciences Startup PitchFest with NVIDIA to Accelerate Biotech Innovation

TORONTO, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Manulife has appointed Sinéad O'Connor as Chief Actuary, effective October 12, 2026, reporting to Phil Witherington, President and Chief Executive Officer, and joining Manulife's Executive Leadership Team.

"Sinéad's strategic expertise, deep knowledge of our enterprise, and ability to lead highly engaged teams will make her an incredible Chief Actuary for Manulife," said Phil Witherington, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife. "Her appointment reflects her robust experience and proven leadership, and I am confident she will define an impactful and results-driven next chapter for our Actuarial, Inforce, and Reinsurance teams."

O'Connor joined Manulife in 2007 and, in addition to her most recent role as Global Head of Inforce Management, she has served as Deputy Chief Actuary, Head of Group Actuarial, US IFRS Chief Actuary, and held leadership roles in Annuities, Long Term Care, and Finance.

Her leadership experience spans actuarial reporting, capital management, reinsurance strategy, risk management, inforce optimization, operational transformation, and enterprise performance. She has been previously accountable for optimizing the financial and risk profile of Manulife's global inforce and legacy closed blocks, integrating value management with best-in-class operations, delivering multi-year financial outcomes through organic and inorganic strategies, and overseeing Canadian IFRS reporting requirements.

"It is a privilege to take on this role and have the opportunity to lead a team of colleagues who approach their work with such care and expertise each day," said Sinéad O'Connor, Chief Actuary, Manulife. "Manulife has an incredible Actuarial function, and I look forward to building on our strong foundation to not only ensure rigorous inforce management, innovative reinsurance strategies, and actuarial excellence, but also embrace innovative approaches to help define the future of our industry."

O'Connor is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries UK (FIA) and a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries USA (FSA), and she is working toward obtaining her Canadian FCIA accreditation. Until O'Connor completes the Canadian accreditation, Manulife's Derek Houle will serve as Appointed Actuary. Manulife will appoint a new Global Head of Inforce Management in due course.

O'Connor succeeds Stephanie Fadous, who passed away suddenly last month.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

Media contact:
Brittany Straughn
Global Chief Communications Officer
Brittany_Straughn@jhancock.com
978-621-9116

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Manulife appoints Sinéad O'Connor as Chief Actuary, joining Executive Leadership Team