Houston-based Velostics has made an M&A move to integrate new software onto its platform. Photo by Tom Fisk from Pexels

A Houston company that has created software to automate logistics at terminals, plants, and warehouses has announced the acquisition of a California-based startup.

Houston-based Velostics Inc. has acquired Terusama, a logistics tech company with dock management and truck scheduling capabilities. The company's software solution that speeds up truck loading and unloading w2ill be rolled into Velostics's platform.

"We are enthusiastic about integrating Terusama's truck scheduling with Velostics' load automation and check-in solutions. The combined offering enables Velostics to create a new standard for inbound logistics automation," says Gaurav Khandelwal, CEO of Velostics, in a news release.

"We can now bring to market unmatched ROI on logistics automation, by providing visibility into future demand, reducing delays associated with load prep and staging, eliminating manual errors, improving throughput and reducing operating costs and detention at our customers' facilities," he continues.

The two software-as-a-service solutions aim to reduce delays and errors, improve ROI, and provide visibility into deliveries and future product demand.

"Appointment scheduling technology is a powerful lever to track, measure, and improve operations at facilities large and small. Being part of the Velostics family gives Terusama the opportunity to not only continue that mission, but also to accelerate and to serve larger markets," says Andrew Denta, CEO of Terusama. "I have full confidence that Velostics' unique capabilities, out-of-the-box integrations with carriers and solid support resources will further fuel the growth at Terusama and further reduce cost to the customer."

The details of the deal were not disclosed. Founded in San Francisco last year, Terusama has raised $150,000 from Y Combinator, according to Crunchbase, and has two employees.

Terusama's trucking software will be implemented into Velostics's services. Image via terusama.com

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Axiom Space-tested cancer drug advances to clinical trials

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A cancer-fighting drug tested aboard several Axiom Space missions is moving forward to clinical trials.

Rebecsinib, which targets a cancer cloning and immune evasion gene, ADAR1, has received FDA approval to enter clinical trials under active Investigational New Drug (IND) status, according to a news release. The drug was tested aboard Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) and Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3). It was developed by Aspera Biomedicine, led by Dr. Catriona Jamieson, director of the UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute (SSCI).

The San Diego-based Aspera team and Houston-based Axiom partnered to allow Rebecsinib to be tested in microgravity. Tumors have been shown to grow more rapidly in microgravity and even mimic how aggressive cancers can develop in patients.

“In terms of tumor growth, we see a doubling in growth of these little mini-tumors in just 10 days,” Jamieson explained in the release.

Rebecsinib took part in the patient-derived tumor organoid testing aboard the International Space Station. Similar testing is planned to continue on Axiom Station, the company's commercial space station that's currently under development.

Additionally, the drug will be tested aboard Ax-4 under its active IND status, which was targeted to launch June 25.

“We anticipate that this monumental mission will inform the expanded development of the first ADAR1 inhibitory cancer stem cell targeting drug for a broad array of cancers," Jamieson added.

According to Axiom, the milestone represents the potential for commercial space collaborations.

“We’re proud to work with Aspera Biomedicines and the UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute, as together we have achieved a historic milestone, and we’re even more excited for what’s to come,” Tejpaul Bhatia, the new CEO of Axiom Space, said in the release. “This is how we crack the code of the space economy – uniting public and private partners to turn microgravity into a launchpad for breakthroughs.”

Chevron enters the lithium market with major Texas land acquisition

to market

Chevron U.S.A., a subsidiary of Houston-based energy company Chevron, has taken its first big step toward establishing a commercial-scale lithium business.

Chevron acquired leaseholds totaling about 125,000 acres in Northeast Texas and southwest Arkansas from TerraVolta Resources and East Texas Natural Resources. The acreage contains a high amount of lithium, which Chevron plans to extract from brines produced from the subsurface.

Lithium-ion batteries are used in an array of technologies, such as smartwatches, e-bikes, pacemakers, and batteries for electric vehicles, according to Chevron. The International Energy Agency estimates lithium demand could grow more than 400 percent by 2040.

“This acquisition represents a strategic investment to support energy manufacturing and expand U.S.-based critical mineral supplies,” Jeff Gustavson, president of Chevron New Energies, said in a news release. “Establishing domestic and resilient lithium supply chains is essential not only to maintaining U.S. energy leadership but also to meeting the growing demand from customers.”

Rania Yacoub, corporate business development manager at Chevron New Energies, said that amid heightening demand, lithium is “one of the world’s most sought-after natural resources.”

“Chevron is looking to help meet that demand and drive U.S. energy competitiveness by sourcing lithium domestically,” Yacoub said.

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This article originally appeared on EnergyCapital.