Market Entry

VADUZ – November 05, 2026 -- Implantica AG has completed the first commercial U.S. procedures with its RefluxStop implant at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, opening a market where gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects 78 million Americans, according to the company.

Keck School surgeon performs first RefluxStop implants in the U.S.

Dr. John Lipham, Chief of the Division of Upper GI and General Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and co-founder of the American Foregut Society, performed the procedures. He reported that the patients are doing well and that he plans to offer the treatment to many more.

RefluxStop is FDA-approved and CE-marked. It aims to restore the body's natural anti-reflux barrier rather than encircle the esophagus, as conventional anti-reflux surgery does.

Frankfurt – November 03, 2026 -- Battery-electric vehicles took more than 8% of Indian passenger car registrations in September 2026, and BEV registrations nearly doubled from a year earlier, according to FADA data cited by consultancy BearingPoint. Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra together captured about 63% of those BEV registrations, narrowing the window for European carmakers to build a position.

The share of electric vehicles in Indian new-car registrations stood at just 4% at the end of 2025, per FADA. It has climbed steadily through 2026 and is approaching the 10% mark.

Urban buyers favor BEVs 39% to 17% over combustion cars

BearingPoint's international e-mobility study shows a gap between purchase intent and market reality. Among urban respondents likely to buy a vehicle within three years, 39% prefer a new BEV and 25% a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. Only 17% want a new petrol or diesel car.

VADUZ – October 29, 2026 -- Implantica AG has begun training its first U.S. surgeon on the RefluxStop anti-reflux implant, with the first U.S. procedures already scheduled at the University of Southern California (USC) after FDA approval in August 2026.

USC professor observes live RefluxStop procedures in Mainz

Dr. John C. Lipham, Professor of Surgery at USC, observed RefluxStop procedures performed by Dr. Moustafa Elshafei at Marienhaus Klinikum Mainz, Germany, on Monday, October 26. The observation is part of the training requirements for U.S. surgeons.

Lipham said his waiting list has continued to grow since the FDA approval and that he is eager to return to Los Angeles and begin treating patients.

Dallas – October 14, 2026 -- Ten Taiwanese hospitals and health-tech companies used Taiwan Expo USA 2026 in Dallas to probe the U.S. market, arriving at stages ranging from seeking first partners to operating FDA-cleared products with American customers.

The Smart Healthcare Pavilion ran September 24–26 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. It was organized by the International Trade Administration (TITA) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and implemented by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA). Exhibitors covered chronic-disease management, hospital AI, remote monitoring, elder care, medical computing and rehabilitation. Their shared hurdles were validation across patient populations, U.S. regulatory clearance, workflow fit and local deployment partners.

Bedford – October 14, 2026 -- Blo Blow Dry Bar has signed a three-unit development agreement to enter New Hampshire, with local entrepreneur Marissa Gardner as the brand's sole operator in the state.

Gardner will open locations in Bedford, Nashua and Southern New Hampshire. She is currently securing sites, and addresses have not been announced.

Former beauty procurement executive anchors the New Hampshire rollout

Gardner spent 19 years in global procurement at a leading prestige beauty company in New York, where she held leadership roles across multiple brands. She holds a master's degree in business management. After relocating to New Hampshire with her family, she chose to franchise with Blo, citing its proven success and established support.

Hong Kong – – October 13, 2026 -- Euro Tech Holdings Company Limited (Nasdaq: CLWT) has entered Norway through a 50/50 joint venture with Sea Clean AS, giving the Hong Kong-based company a Scandinavian base for its PortoBallast ballast water treatment system.

The venture, named CleanPACT Environmental and Marine Engineering AS, was signed between Sea Clean and Euro Tech's wholly owned subsidiary, Euro Tech Global Pte Ltd.

CleanPACT will operate as a customer experience center for port ballast water treatment

The center will offer hands-on demonstrations, expert servicing, realistic simulations and tailored training. It is built around PortoBallast, a next-generation mobile hybrid system. The system is designed to treat ballast water from UV and electrolysis-type treatment systems aboard vessels that fail to meet discharge compliance requirements.

Los Angeles – October 06, 2026 -- FullGood Motor, a Beijing-based manufacturer of retro-styled plug-in hybrid vehicles, will make its first U.S. exhibition appearance on Nov. 19 at AutoMobility LA, seeking American assembly partners, distributors and investors to enter the U.S. market.

FullGood Motor targets component-export model rather than direct retail entry

The company plans to export vehicles in component form for final assembly in the United States, with vehicles sold and registered under an American partner's brand instead of through a FullGood-owned retail network. The strategy mirrors the entry path used by nearly every international automaker that has previously launched in the U.S. market through Southern California.

Austin, Texas – September 22, 2026 -- Mendocino Farms opened its 102nd restaurant nationwide on September 22, marking its third Austin location at 1100 South Lamar Boulevard, Suite 1125, and expanding its Texas footprint to 14 restaurants statewide.

Chain expands Austin presence following two prior openings

The South Lamar site follows earlier debuts at Arbor Trails and West 38th Street, building out the fast-casual chain's third foothold in the Austin market since entering the city in 2025.

Chief Marketing Officer cites sustained local demand since 2025 entry

"Ever since we opened our first Austin location in 2025, the community has embraced Mendocino Farms and showed us incredible support," said Alicia Mowder, Chief Marketing Officer of Mendocino Farms, noting the new opening reflects continued customer traction in the region.