The Daily

This might be the most concrete "AI does useful security work" story of the year so far. In a partnership with Mozilla, Anthropic's Frontier Red Team set Claude Opus 4.6 loose on Firefox's codebase for about two weeks. The result: 22 security vulnerabilities — 14 classified as high-severity, 7 moderate, 1 low. Anthropic even generated a working exploit for one of them (CVE-2026-2796). Mozilla fixed over 100 bugs total from the collaboration. What's compelling here isn't the raw number — it's the workflow: AI as a systematic red-team scanner that covers more code surface than human auditors realistically can. Mozilla is now integrating AI-assisted analysis into their internal security processes. This is what "AI augmentation" looks like when you point it at something boring but critical.

Bloomberg and Reuters both report that the US Commerce Department has drafted regulations that would require government approval for AI chip shipments anywhere in the world — not just to adversary nations. The draft includes a potential carrot: foreign firms that invest in US infrastructure could qualify for exemptions, but even then, exporters (Nvidia, AMD) would need to monitor chips and recipients would have to agree to software preventing chips from being linked into large clusters. This is a significant escalation from the Biden-era "tiered" approach, and it would give Washington sweeping control over who builds AI data centers globally. Nvidia and AMD shares dipped on the news; the lobbying war has already started.

Reuters reports that Yao Dezhong, a leading BCI scientist and National People's Congress delegate, told reporters that China could see brain-computer interface technology move into practical public use within three to five years as products mature. It's a broad claim — BCI is still a field where the gap between "laboratory demonstration" and "reliable consumer product" remains enormous. But as both China and US (Neuralink, Synchron) race to commercialize, the regulatory and ethical framework hasn't kept pace. Worth watching, especially given China's relatively permissive approach to human trials.

Medtronic's diabetes spinoff MiniMed Group raised $560 million in its Nasdaq IPO (28 million shares at $20 each), valuing the business at roughly $5.6 billion. The problem: it priced below the marketed range, and then fell 8% on its first trading day. Medtronic is trimming to focus on higher-margin growth areas, but the timing is tough — the GLP-1 revolution (Wegovy, Mounjaro) is reshaping how the market values diabetes franchises, and continuous glucose monitors face intensifying competition from Abbott and Dexcom. The spinoff makes strategic sense for Medtronic; whether the market gives MiniMed credit for standalone execution is the open question.

Vanda Pharmaceuticals scored its second FDA approval in two months with BYSANTI (milsaperidone), cleared for acute manic/mixed episodes in bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia in adults. The interesting regulatory detail: milsaperidone is classified as a new chemical entity but demonstrates bioequivalence to the established antipsychotic iloperidone across the therapeutic dosing spectrum — essentially a metabolite-based reformulation that leveraged existing clinical heritage for a faster path. This is a business model as much as a drug.

The T-cell engager wave is officially spilling from oncology into autoimmunity. Prolium Bioscience launched with a $50M Series A (led by RTW Investments) and announced first patients dosed with PRO-203, a CD20×CD3 bispecific antibody targeting systemic sclerosis and other severe autoimmune diseases. The molecule is in-licensed from KeyMed/InnoCare (China). Context matters: Candid Therapeutics just announced a $505M PIPE for a similar CD20×CD3 approach days earlier. The hypothesis — that B-cell depletion via T-cell engagers can achieve the deep resets seen with CAR-T in autoimmunity, but with an off-the-shelf format — is being funded aggressively.

A meaningful expansion of CAR-T's territory: this week's Lancet publication presents updated data (from ZUMA-5) showing that CAR-T cell therapy improved both progression-free and overall survival in patients with relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). MZL has historically been the "orphan within indolent NHL" — overtreated with rituximab-based regimens until nothing works, with limited options beyond. This is new clinical footing. The study acknowledges that bispecific antibodies are also promising in this space, and the question of sequencing (CAR-T vs. bispecifics) will define the next generation of treatment algorithms for indolent NHL.

Real-world always tells the harder story, and REALiTEC delivers it for teclistamab outside clinical trials. This retrospective study pooled 113 patients from 23 sites across 8 European countries/Israel — heavily pretreated (median 6 prior lines, 78.8% triple-class refractory). Overall response rate: 60.2%, with 52.2% achieving ≥VGPR. At 20.7 months follow-up: median PFS 9.7 months, median OS 26.3 months. For those hitting ≥VGPR, 12-month PFS was 71.2%. The infection rate (70.8% all-grade) is the sobering counterpoint — this is a drug that works, but demands excellent supportive care infrastructure.

EPCORE NHL-2 Arm 4 combines epcoritamab (subcutaneous CD3×CD20 bispecific) with salvage chemo R-DHAX/C in transplant-eligible R/R DLBCL patients. Results at 40.4 months median follow-up: ORR 79%, CR rate 69%. Over half the patients (55%) proceeded to ASCT. At 36 months, 70% of responses were ongoing, and 76% of patients were alive. CRS was universally low-grade (all Grade 1–2). This is a credible salvage bridge — the kind of combination that could reshape how transplant-eligible patients are managed before ASCT, giving an alternative to the current "three cycles of R-ICE and pray" paradigm.

CNS lymphoma has been the "no-fly zone" for T-cell engagers — these molecules are large, and the BBB is famously selective. This Blood Advances paper reports that glofitamab (CD20×CD3 bispecific, Roche) demonstrates activity against both primary and secondary CNS lymphoma, with evidence it crosses the blood-brain barrier. If confirmed in larger cohorts, this could change the treatment paradigm for a patient population that currently relies on high-dose methotrexate-based regimens with significant toxicity.

Wien Tourismus macht 2026 zum Kulinarik-Jahr: „Vienna Bites: Küche, Kultur, Charakter" — und den Auftakt setzt eine neue Folge „Hungry for More" mit Tim Mälzer und Lukas Mraz (Mraz & Sohn). Die City Guide App ivie listet über 500 Gastrobetriebe, es gibt einen eigenen Wirtshaus & Beisl Guide, und der Wien-Tourismus positioniert die Stadt offensiv als „Food Destination". Dafür braucht es keine Übertreibung: von der Beisl-Kultur über die Naschmarkt-Szene bis zu den Hauben-Restaurants — Wien hat die Substanz. Dass Mälzer die Stadt ernst nimmt, hilft der internationalen Wahrnehmung.

Für alle, die „Haubenküche" bisher nur vom Hörensagen kennen: Die 32. Restaurantwoche 2026 macht über 115 Restaurants zum Fixpreis erlebbar, darunter 58 Haubenbetriebe. Die Idee ist bewährt, das Angebot bemerkenswert breit: von alpiner Handschrift bis globaler Aromatik. Reservierungen laufen über die Restaurantwoche-Website. Mein Tipp: früh buchen, die Top-Plätze sind schnell weg.

1000things liefert den monatlichen Neueröffnungs-Radar für März 2026 — und die Bandbreite ist sehr Wien: Seafood-Boil im Plastiksackerl, Longevity-Smoothies, Specialty Coffee, asiatische Mehlspeisen, Pizza mit Charakter und Cocktails in der edlen Hotel-Bar. Highlight: das Grey Kaffee Pop-up in der Schwarzspanierstraße (9. Bezirk) — Dominic Geistberger testet 2–3 Monate lang, ob aus seinem Hernalser Café-Konzept (berühmt für Pistaziencornetti) eine zweite fixe Adresse wird. Espresso-Realitätstest statt Marktanalyse — kann man so machen.

The Venice Art Biennale (May 9 – Nov 22) is shaping up as more than an art event this year. Russia's pavilion is returning after being effectively canceled in 2022 when artists withdrew over the Ukraine invasion. The commissioner, Anastasia Karneeva, has ties to Russia's Culture Ministry and family connections to Rostec (Russia's largest state defense company) and Foreign Minister Lavrov's family. Artists like Kirill Savchenkov who withdrew in 2022 call it "part of an ongoing culture war." Travel-wise, the Biennale remains Venice's single best shoulder-season draw — but this year's political dimension adds a layer of discourse that will shape the visitor experience.

Forget the usual suspects: online search data reveals that Montesilvano (Abruzzo) had an astounding 1,007% year-on-year increase in search interest, making it the top trending Italian destination for summer 2026. The coastal city is famous for long sandy beaches and a scenic promenade — and crucially, it's not (yet) overrun. Also trending: Portici (Naples area) and Busto Arsizio (Lombardy). It's a sign that travelers are discovering Italy's "second tier" — which often delivers better food, fewer crowds, and dramatically lower prices than the Venice-Florence-Rome circuit.

For anyone planning an Easter getaway in Southern Italy: Canne Bianche Lifestyle Hotel on Puglia's Adriatic coast is offering a spring package combining coastal relaxation, regional Puglian cuisine, and wellness. Spring transforms Puglia into a different place — olive groves and almond blossoms, 20°C days, and the tourist density is a fraction of July. This isn't the cheapest option, but it's the kind of curated experience that works well with kids (beach + quiet + good food = the formula).

Saturday's six-game slate delivered: Oklahoma City (50-15) beat the Warriors 104-97, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hitting a stepback three over Draymond Green with under a minute left — a genuine dagger. OKC did it without Chet Holmgren, Hartenstein, and Jalen Williams. Earlier in the week, Jayson Tatum returned from his Achilles rupture with a double-double in the Celtics' win — a moment that shifts the Eastern Conference balance. Other scores: Magic 119, Timberwolves 92 (Desmond Bane 30 pts); Nets 107, Pistons 105 (upset of the league's best record); Hawks 125, 76ers 116; Bucks 113, Jazz 99 (Giannis 27/9/8); Clippers 123, Grizzlies 120 (Kawhi 28 pts, Garland's first 20-pt game as a Clipper).

Ab diesem Wochenende und bis 6. April 2026 läuft der Ostermarkt auf Schloss Hof (Marchfeld, ~50 Min. von Wien) — an Wochenenden von 10 bis 18 Uhr. Barocke Kulisse, Kunsthandwerk, Osterdekor, und für Kinder ein volles Programm im historischen Gutshof. Eintritt: 12 € Erwachsene, 6 € Kinder. Der große Vorteil: Schloss Hof ist weitläufig genug, dass auch lebhafte Kinder genug Platz haben, ohne dass es stressig wird. Ideal kombinierbar mit einem Spaziergang durch die Barockgärten.

Für den Kalender vormerken: Der Ostermarkt vor Schloss Schönbrunn startet am 25. März und läuft bis 19. April 2026. Das Programm wurde dieses Jahr deutlich aufgestockt: neben über 80 Ständen gibt es erstmals Minigolf und Boule-Bahnen, dazu das beliebte Strohlabyrinth, eine Bastelhütte „Holzzirkus", Kinderyoga, Karussell und eine Eisenbahn. Von der Dichte des Kinderprogramms her ist Schönbrunn dieses Jahr schwer zu schlagen. Und: barocke Kulisse bleibt immer ein guter Hintergrund für Familienfotos.