NFT Marketplace Meets Insider Trader



Image Credit: Andrew (Flickr)


The Case Against an NFT Marketplace Employee that Allegedly was Front-Running

New markets allow new chances for manipulation, rigging, or just good old-fashioned trading on insider information. While the regulatory agencies are still trying to define where they fit in the blockchain asset explosion, some on the inside might already be exploiting what they know may have already defined their role. The Department of Justice has charged a former OpenSea employee in the first-ever NFT insider trading case on Wednesday (June 1).

The allegations concern insider trading in NFTs on the OpenSea platform, the largest online marketplace for the purchase and sale of NFTs. In violation of the employers rules and his duty of trust and confidence to customers and OpenSea, the allegations are that he exploited inside information of what NFTs would be featured on OpenSea’s homepage. The allegations also imply he did this for his own personal benefit.

The employee was in part responsible for selecting NFTs to be featured on OpenSea’s homepage. OpenSea is said to have been properly responsible by keeping confidential the identity of featured NFTs until they were featured on its homepage. After an NFT was posted on OpenSea’s homepage, the market price for that NFT, and for other NFTs created by the same artist, usually increases substantially.

From about June 2021 to at least September 2021, The employee is accused of using OpenSea’s confidential business information about what NFTs were going to be featured on its homepage. He secretly purchase dozens of NFTs shortly before they were featured. After those NFTs were featured on OpenSea, the employee sold them at profits of two- to five times his initial purchase price. Anonymous digital currency wallets were used to conceal the fraud, according to reports.

The person charged is a 31-year-old from New York City. The charges are wire fraud and money laundering, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The sentences are prescribed by Congress, however, any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

This case is being prosecuted by the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas S. Burnett and Nicolas Roos are in charge of the prosecution.

His alleged crimes were uncovered by Twitter “sleuths” that were able to identify the owner of the anonymous accounts. The employer said in a statement that it was aware of insider trading. Opensea has since implemented new policies to prevent future insider trading among its employees.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

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Sources

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/former-employee-nft-marketplace-charged-first-ever-digital-asset-insider-trading-scheme

https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/nft-insider-trading-charge-doj-former-opensea-employee-crypto-2022-6

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Why the Great Employment Conditions are Causing Market Sell-offs



Image Credit: Amtec Photos (Flickr)


Great Economic News is Spooking the Stock Market, Here’s Why

Any concern that Fed governors may have harbored that they might overtighten at an inopportune time with an already weakening economy probably ended today. The Labor Department’s employment report released Friday gave them the green light. In fact, the Fed may be even more motivated to stick to its aggressive “back-to-the-future” mindset.

Background

The BLS posted its employment report (June 3), which showed the U.S. economy created 390,000 jobs in May. The unemployment rate held steady at 3.6%. Economists had expected fewer jobs created. This provides evidence for them to work from. It confirms that demand for employees is still outpacing supply and hiring remains competitive.

We’re in a period of stock market history where good economic news is bad news for stocks and bonds and bad news provides relief for markets. In the case of this report, it likely means the Federal Reserve remains on track to raise its key interest rate by 0.50% in June, July, and possibly September.

While job growth has slowed from the 500,000-plus average pace year-over-year, the Consumer Price Index is running at over 8%. There is agreement both from the current Administration in Washington and among market pundits that soaring prices are a huge concern for the nation. President Biden went on record this week in an op-ed posted in the Wall Street Journal and a meeting he had with Fed chair Powell that price increases have caught the attention of the White House.

Good vs. Bad Definitions

Payrolls are still 822,000 below their pre-Covid 19 levels, and the overall jobless rate is only 0.1 percentage point above where it stood in March 2020. At any other time, monthly payroll gains over 200,000 would be considered a strong labor market. In addition, the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey for April, reported earlier this week, showed 1.9 job vacancies for every unemployed person. This means there are almost two jobs for every job seeker.

The markets sold off on this news. Both the Nasdaq dropped by well over 2%, the S&P by 1.5% and the small-cap Russell 2000, and large Dow Industrials by less than 1%. The reason they are selling off on economic strength is it means rising interest rates becomes more certain. The higher rates will provide better fixed income choices for investors and increase costs for many businesses that will be borrowing at the higher rates.

Other Concerns

At the same time, the Fed has begun the process of winding down its $8.5 trillion dollar balance sheet. The employment data suggests monetary tightening is only just beginning, and businesses face greater headwinds.

The reduction of the balance sheet requires the Fed to allow bonds it owns to mature without the Fed reinvesting alike amount. For June (already accomplished) and July, the Fed is letting $47.5 billion mature without reinvesting. The needs of the U.S. Treasury have changed little so it will have to find new buyers for new bonds near this amount.

Take-Away

Bad economic news is usually bad for equities. Currently, the market is looking for the Fed to have a reason not to raise rates and drain money from the economy. Today’s unemployment number may have emboldened the Fed to act aggressively. The stock and bond markets also are mindful that less money in the economy means fewer investment dollars. The price of anything is a balance of scarcity. As dollars become more scarce asset prices may also retreat.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

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Sources

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm


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Release – Schwazze Closes Acquisition of Assets of Urban Health & Wellness, Inc.



Schwazze Closes Acquisition of Assets of Urban Health & Wellness, Inc.

Research, News, and Market Data on Schwazze


DENVER, June 1, 2022 /CNW/ – Schwazze, (OTCQX: SHWZ) (NEO: SHWZ) (“Schwazze” or the “Company”), announced today that it closed the transaction to acquire substantially all the assets of Urban Health & Wellness, Inc. (“Urban”).  The transaction includes the adult use Urban Dispensary, located at West 38th Avenue and Clay Street, in Denver’s vibrant Highlands neighborhood as well as a 7,200 square foot indoor cultivation facility (2,700 square feet of canopy) located in Denver, Colorado. This purchase continues Schwazze’s aggressive expansion in Colorado and brings the Company’s total number of Colorado dispensaries to 23 and grow facilities to four. The acquired assets included state and local retail marijuana and marijuana cultivation licenses supporting the adult use dispensary and indoor cultivation facility acquired in the transaction.

 

“Urban’s strategically located dispensary
and grow facility will be excellent additions to our expanding portfolio of
assets in Colorado.  Delivering our brands and our excellent customer
service into new neighborhoods is a Schwazze hallmark as we continue to go deep
in Colorado and New Mexico.” 
said Nirup Krishnamurthy, Schwazze’s COO.    

The consideration for the acquisition was US$3.2 million, which was paid $1.3M in cash and $1.9M in Company common stock upon closing, of which $288,000 of this common stock consideration was held back by the Company for indemnification claims. The common stock consideration was  split 65% to 35% between the two equityholders of Urban.   At closing, each equityholder that received common stock consideration was required to execute a standard lock-up agreement providing for limitations on resale of the stock consideration received.  There were no finder’s fees or similar arrangements in connection with the transaction.

Since April 2020, Schwazze has acquired or announced the planned acquisition of 33 cannabis dispensaries as well as seven cultivation facilities and two manufacturing assets in Colorado and New Mexico. In May 2021, Schwazze announced its BioSciences division and in August 2021, it commenced home delivery services in Colorado.

About Schwazze
Schwazze (OTCQX:SHWZ, NEO:SHWZ) is building a premier vertically integrated regional cannabis company with assets in Colorado and New Mexico and will continue to take its operating system to other states where it can develop a differentiated regional leadership position. Schwazze is the parent company of a portfolio of leading cannabis businesses and brands spanning seed to sale.  The Company is committed to unlocking the full potential of the cannabis plant to improve the human condition.  Schwazze is anchored by a high-performance culture that combines customer-centric thinking and data science to test, measure, and drive decisions and outcomes.  The Company’s leadership team has deep expertise in retailing, wholesaling, and building consumer brands at Fortune 500 companies as well as in the cannabis sector.  Schwazze is passionate about making a difference in our communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and doing our part to incorporate climate-conscious best practices.  Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. was Schwazze’s former operating trade name.  The corporate entity continues to be named Medicine Man Technologies, Inc.

Schwazze derives its name from the pruning technique of a cannabis plant to enhance plant structure and promote healthy growth.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Such statements may be preceded by the words “plan,” “will,” “may,”, “predicts,” or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events or performance, are based on certain assumptions, and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control and cannot be predicted or quantified. Consequently, actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) our inability to manufacture our products and product candidates on a commercial scale on our own or in collaboration with third parties; (ii) difficulties in obtaining financing on commercially reasonable terms; (iii) changes in the size and nature of our competition; (iv) loss of one or more key executives or scientists; (v) difficulties in securing regulatory approval to market our products and product candidates; (vi) our ability to successfully execute our growth strategy in Colorado and outside the state, (vii) our ability to consummate the acquisition described in this press release or to identify and consummate future acquisitions that meet our criteria, (viii) our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and realize synergies therefrom, (ix) the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, * the timing and extent of governmental stimulus programs, (xi) the uncertainty in the application of federal, state and local laws to our business, and any changes in such laws, and * out ability to satisfy the closing conditions for the private finding described in this press release. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/schwazze-closes-acquisition-of-assets-of-urban-health–wellness-inc-301558885.html

SOURCE Medicine Man Technologies, Inc.


Release – Kelly to Participate in the Sidoti Virtual Investor Conference



Kelly to Participate in the Sidoti Virtual Investor Conference

Research, News, and Market Data on Kelly


TROY, Mich., June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Kelly (Nasdaq: KELYAKELYB), a leading specialty talent solutions provider, today announced it will participate in the Sidoti Virtual Investor Conference on Thursday, June 16, 2022.

Peter Quigley, president and CEO, Olivier Thirot, executive vice president and chief financial officer, and James Polehna, chief investor relations officer and corporate secretary, will participate in virtual one-on-one meetings. A copy of Kelly’s investor presentation is also available at kellyservices.com.

About
Kelly

Kelly Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB) connects talented people to companies in need of their skills in areas including Science, Engineering, Education, Office, Contact Center, Light Industrial, and more. We’re always thinking about what’s next in the evolving world of work, and we help people ditch the script on old ways of thinking and embrace the value of all workstyles in the workplace. We directly employ more than 350,000 people around the world, and we connect thousands more with work through our global network of talent suppliers and partners in our outsourcing and consulting practice. Revenue in 2021 was $4.9 billion. Visit kellyservices.com and let us help with what’s next for you.

KLYA-FIN

ANALYST
& MEDIA CONTACT: 
James Polehna
(248) 244-4586   
james.polehna@kellyservices.com

Cision View original content:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kelly-to-participate-in-the-sidoti-virtual-investor-conference-301559691.html

SOURCE Kelly Services, Inc.


Release – Ayala Pharmaceuticals to Present at the 2022 Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference



Ayala Pharmaceuticals to Present at the 2022 Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference

Research, News, and Market Data on Ayala Pharmaceuticals


REHOVOT, Israel and WILMINGTON, Del., June 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ayala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: AYLA), a clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing and commercializing small molecule therapeutics for patients suffering from rare and aggressive cancers, primarily in genetically defined patient populations, today announced that it will participate in a “Fireside Chat” presentation at the Jefferies Healthcare Conference, to take place June 8-10, 2022, in New York, NY. The company will also be available for one-on-one meetings with institutional investors at the conference.

Details on the presentation can be found below:

Date:

Friday, June 10, 2022

Time:

12:15 – 12:40 PM EST

Format:

Fireside Chat

Location:

Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, NYC

A webcast of the presentation will be available on the “Events and Presentations” section of the Ayala Pharmaceuticals website.

About Ayala Pharmaceuticals
Ayala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing and commercializing small molecule therapeutics for patients suffering from rare and aggressive cancers, primarily in genetically defined patient populations. Ayala’s approach is focused on predicating, identifying and addressing tumorigenic drivers of cancer through a combination of its bioinformatics platform and next-generation sequencing to deliver targeted therapies to underserved patient populations. The company has two product candidates under development, AL101 and AL102, targeting the aberrant activation of the Notch pathway with gamma-secretase inhibitors to treat a variety of tumors including Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL), Desmoid Tumors and Multiple Myeloma (MM) (in collaboration with Novartis). AL101, has received Fast Track Designation and Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. FDA and is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial for patients with ACC (ACCURACY) bearing Notch activating mutations. AL102 is currently in a Pivotal Phase 2/3 clinical trials for patients with desmoid tumors (RINGSIDE) and is being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial in combination with Novartis’ BMCA targeting agent, WVT078, in patients with relapsed/refractory Multiple Myeloma. For more information, visit 
www.ayalapharma.com.

Contacts:

Investors:
Joyce Allaire
LifeSci Advisors LLC
+1-617-435-6602

jallaire@lifesciadvisors.com

Ayala Pharmaceuticals:
+1-857-444-0553

info@ayalapharma.com


Release – Lineage Broadens Collaboration With Advanced BioMatrix for HyStem Cell Drug Delivery Technology

 



Lineage Broadens Collaboration With Advanced BioMatrix for HyStem® Cell Drug Delivery Technology

Research, News, and Market Data on Lineage Cell Therapeutics

CARLSBAD, Calif.–()–Lineage Cell
Therapeutics, Inc.
 (NYSE American and TASE: LCTX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing allogeneic cell therapies for unmet medical needs, today announced that it has expanded its existing collaboration with Advanced BioMatrix, a division of BICO Group AB (STO: BICO), for Lineage’s HyStem cell/drug delivery technology. Under the expanded collaboration, Advanced BioMatrix will broaden its current focus of manufacturing and supplying R&D-grade HyStem to the research community to include the development, supply and/or licensing of clinical/commercial GMP- (Good Manufacturing Practice) grade material for its customers. The amended agreement increases the milestone payments and royalty percentages due to Lineage upon ABM reaching certain development milestones and/or product sales.

 

“We are pleased to broaden the scope of our agreement with Advanced BioMatrix and the opportunity to include the commercial supply of clinical-grade HyStem as part of ABM’s biomaterials & bioprinting portfolio which is widely available to the cell therapy product development community,” stated Brian M. Culley, Lineage CEO. “We have decided this year to place a greater emphasis on business development and licensing and we believe the decision to broaden our partnership with ABM is an example of our ability to rapidly monetize prior investments in our technology platform and its related intellectual property. Alongside our prioritized assets, other assets which are not core to our cell transplant platform can create new opportunities for cash flow and support our development pipeline. Our strategy is to identify and pursue opportunities to unlock value from our business and to utilize capital from these corporate alliances to advance our novel cell therapy programs.”

“The mission of Advanced BioMatrix is to enable the future of life-saving treatments, and the HyStem technology can now be more fully utilized as a tool towards accomplishing this mission,” added Bowman Bagley, Advanced BioMatrix CEO.

HyStem is a patented hydrogel which mimics naturally occurring extracellular matrix, the structural network of molecules surrounding cells in organs and tissues and essential to cellular function and tissue structure. HyStem biomaterial has been shown to support cellular attachment and survival as well as compatibility with a wide variety of cells and tissue types including brain, bone, skin, cartilage, vascular and heart tissues.

About Advanced BioMatrix, Inc.

Advanced BioMatrix, a San Diego based leader in the life science of three dimensional (3D) applications for tissue culture, cell assay, bioprinting and cell proliferation, was acquired by BICO Group AB in September 2021. BICO is a publicly traded bioconvergence company that designs and supplies technologies and services to enhance biology research. Advanced BioMatrix has been manufacturing and delivering high quality products for research uses and applications for over 10 years and continues to add several innovative new products each year that provide research tools for our customers worldwide. Advanced BioMatrix develops new products and technologies directly and also collaborates with many research institutes, universities and life science companies.

About Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc.

Lineage Cell Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel cell therapies for unmet medical needs. Lineage’s programs are based on its robust proprietary cell-based therapy platform and associated in-house development and manufacturing capabilities. With this platform Lineage develops and manufactures specialized, terminally differentiated human cells from its pluripotent and progenitor cell starting materials. These differentiated cells are developed to either replace or support cells that are dysfunctional or absent due to degenerative disease or traumatic injury or administered as a means of helping the body mount an effective immune response to cancer. Lineage’s clinical programs are in markets with billion dollar opportunities and include five allogeneic (“off-the-shelf”) product candidates: (i) OpRegen, a retinal pigment epithelial cell therapy in Phase 1/2a development for the treatment of geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration, which is being developed under a worldwide collaboration with Roche and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group; (ii) OPC1, an oligodendrocyte progenitor cell therapy in Phase 1/2a development for the treatment of acute spinal cord injuries; (iii) VAC2, a dendritic cell therapy produced from Lineage’s VAC technology platform for immuno-oncology and infectious disease, currently in Phase 1 clinical development for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer; (iv) ANP1, an auditory neuronal progenitor cell therapy for the potential treatment of auditory neuropathy; and (v) PNC1, a photoreceptor neural cell therapy for the treatment of vision loss due to photoreceptor dysfunction or damage. For more information, please visit www.lineagecell.com or follow the company on Twitter @LineageCell.

Forward-Looking Statements

Lineage cautions you that all statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, in some cases, can be identified by terms such as “believe,” “aim,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “design,” “intend,” “expect,” “could,” “can,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “seek,” “should,” “would,” “contemplate,” “project,” “target,” “tend to,” or the negative version of these words and similar expressions. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to: the collaboration and license agreement with Roche and Genentech; the power and efficiency of Lineage’s platform and its competitive advantages; the potential future achievements of Lineage’s clinical and preclinical programs; and plans and expectations of Lineage’s products in development. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Lineage’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release, including, but not limited to, the risk that Advanced BioMatrix may not be successful in maintaining or expanding its market for HyStem; risks and uncertainties inherent in Lineage’s business and other risks discussed in Lineage’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Lineage’s forward-looking statements are based upon its current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included under the heading “Risk Factors” in Lineage’s periodic reports with the SEC, including Lineage’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC and its other reports, which are available from the SEC’s website. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. Lineage undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.

Contacts

Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. IR
Ioana C. Hone
(
ir@lineagecell.com)
(442) 287-8963

Solebury Trout IR
Justin Frantz
(
jfrantz@soleburytrout.com)
(617) 221-9100

Russo Partners – Media Relations
Nic Johnson or David Schull
Nic.johnson@russopartnersllc.com
David.schull@russopartnersllc.com
(212) 845-4242

 

Release – PDS Biotechnology Granted FDA Fast Track Designation for Lead Candidate PDS0101



PDS Biotechnology Granted FDA Fast Track Designation for Lead Candidate PDS0101

Research, News, and Market Data on PDS Biotech


PDS Biotech has been granted Fast Track designation for PDS0101 in combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic HPV16-positive head and neck cancer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., June 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PDS Biotechnology Corporation (Nasdaq: PDSB), a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing a growing pipeline of molecularly targeted cancer immunotherapies and infectious disease vaccines based on the Company’s proprietary Versamune® and Infectimune™ T cell activating technologies, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to PDS0101 in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab). PDS0101 in combination with KEYTRUDA® is being studied in the VERSATILE-002 Phase 2, open-label, multicenter trial for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic HPV16-positive head and neck cancer in collaboration with Merck (known as MSD outside the US and Canada).

The FDA’s Fast Track designation program is designed to aid in the development and to expedite the review of drug candidate applications that could potentially treat serious or life-threatening conditions. In order to receive Fast Track designation, a product must also demonstrate the potential to address an unmet medical need. Treatments granted this designation are given the opportunity to have more frequent meetings and interactions with the FDA throughout the entire drug development and review process, with the goal of moving promising new drugs more rapidly through the process. It also provides the opportunity to submit sections of a New Drug Application (NDA) on a rolling basis, where the FDA may review portions of the NDA as they are received instead of waiting for the entire NDA submission. In addition, Fast Track designated products are eligible for Priority Review at the time of NDA or Biologics License Application submission.

“We are thrilled that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation for PDS0101 in combination with KEYTRUDA®,” said Frank Bedu-Addo, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of PDS Biotech. “The HPV-associated head and neck cancer prevalence continues to rise, leaving this affected group with limited treatment options to date. Receiving this designation underscores the potential of the Versamune® platform and the need for a new therapy that may improve outcomes for those with this devastating disease.”

PDS Biotech’s lead candidate, PDS0101, is a T cell HPV-specific immunotherapy delivered subcutaneously that has shown the potential to stimulate high levels of HPV16-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells within patients by activating multiple immune pathways. These HPV-specific T cells have been shown to target tumors such as anal, cervical, head and neck, penile, vaginal, vulvar that are caused by HPV16 infection. The incidence of head and neck cancer cases has been increasing steadily over the last 10-15 years and over 90% of HPV-positive head and neck cancers are caused by HPV16.1 In addition to the Phase 2 VERSATILE-002 trial, PDS Biotech is also conducting three additional Phase 2 studies in advanced HPV-associated cancers, locally advanced cervical cancer, and early-stage pre-metastatic HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Mayo Clinic, respectively.

KEYTRUDA® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp and Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.

1Exploring Roles of HPV16 variants
in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: current challenges and opportunities
, Daniela Cochicho, Rui Gil da Costa, Ana Felix, Virology
Journal
, November 2021

About PDS Biotechnology
PDS Biotech is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing a growing pipeline of molecularly targeted cancer and infectious disease immunotherapies based on the Company’s proprietary Versamune® and Infectimune™ T cell activating technology platforms. We believe our Versamune®-based products have demonstrated the potential to overcome the limitations of current immunotherapy by inducing in
vivo
, large quantities of high-quality, highly potent polyfunctional tumor specific CD4+ helper and CD8+ killer T cells. PDS Biotech has developed multiple therapies, based on combinations of Versamune® and disease-specific antigens, designed to train the immune system to better recognize diseased cells and effectively attack and destroy them. The Company’s pipeline products address various cancers including HPV16-associated cancers (anal, cervical, head and neck, penile, vaginal, vulvar) and breast, colon, lung, prostate and ovarian cancers.

Our Infectimune™ -based vaccines have demonstrated the potential to induce not only robust and durable neutralizing antibody responses, but also powerful T cell responses including long-lasting memory T cell responses. To learn more, please visit www.pdsbiotech.com or follow us on Twitter at @PDSBiotech.

To learn more, please visit www.pdsbiotech.com or follow us on Twitter at @PDSBiotech.

Forward Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended) concerning PDS Biotechnology Corporation (the “Company”) and other matters. These statements may discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future plans, trends, events, results of operations or financial condition, or otherwise, based on current beliefs of the Company’s management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “forecast,” “guidance”, “outlook” and other similar expressions among others. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights; the Company’s anticipated capital requirements, including the Company’s anticipated cash runway and the Company’s current expectations regarding its plans for future equity financings; the Company’s dependence on additional financing to fund its operations and complete the development and commercialization of its product candidates, and the risks that raising such additional capital may restrict the Company’s operations or require the Company to relinquish rights to the Company’s technologies or product candidates; the Company’s limited operating history in the Company’s current line of business, which makes it difficult to evaluate the Company’s prospects, the Company’s business plan or the likelihood of the Company’s successful implementation of such business plan; the timing for the Company or its partners to initiate the planned clinical trials for PDS0101, PDS0203 and other Versamune® and Infectimune™-based product candidates; the future success of such trials; the successful implementation of the Company’s research and development programs and collaborations, including any collaboration studies concerning PDS0101, PDS0203 and other Versamune® and Infectimune™-based product candidates and the Company’s interpretation of the results and findings of such programs and collaborations and whether such results are sufficient to support the future success of the Company’s product candidates; the success, timing and cost of the Company’s ongoing clinical trials and anticipated clinical trials for the Company’s current product candidates, including statements regarding the timing of initiation, pace of enrollment and completion of the trials (including the Company’s ability to fully fund its disclosed clinical trials, which assumes no material changes to our currently projected expenses), futility analyses, presentations at conferences and data reported in an abstract, and receipt of interim or preliminary results (including, without limitation, any preclinical results or data), which are not necessarily indicative of the final results of the Company’s ongoing clinical trials; the timing of and the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other regulatory authority approval of, or other action with respect to, PDS0101, PDS0203 and other Versamune® and Infectimune™-based product candidates; any Company statements about its understanding of product candidates mechanisms of action and interpretation of preclinical and early clinical results from its clinical development programs and any collaboration studies; and other factors, including legislative, regulatory, political and economic developments not within the Company’s control, including unforeseen circumstances or other disruptions to normal business operations arising from or related to COVID-19. The foregoing review of important factors that could cause actual events to differ from expectations should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the risk factors included in the Company’s annual and periodic reports filed with the SEC. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release and, except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Versamune® is a registered trademark and Infectimune™ is a trademark of PDS Biotechnology Corporation.

Investor Contact:
Rich Cockrell
CG Capital
Phone: +1 (404) 736-3838
Email: pdsb@cg.capital

 


Inflation Sticker Shock to be on Powell Says President




Powell is Told by President that He is the Face of Inflation

President Biden made clear on Tuesday (June 1) that Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell is the person responsible for handling the inflation fight. Inflation had hit a 40-year high this year while GDP retreated, yet jobs remain strong. The Fed’s new quantitative tightening and Fed Funds increases run the risk of spurring a recession. The President’s message seems to have been Powell’s in charge of the outcome. The rare meeting between a Fed Open Market Committee (FOMC) chairman and a sitting President would seem to highlight the importance of allowing the nation to understand there’s a separation of powers when it comes to the economy. Biden openly told Powell prior to the closed-door meeting that addressing inflation was his “top priority” and added that his plan “starts with a simple proposition: respect the Fed.” This places Powell in the national spotlight as being the face of whatever comes next.

Biden’s top White House economic adviser, Brian Deese, held a press briefing after the meeting related to the Fed’s mission to reel in price spikes. A reporter asked Deese if he thought the Fed has moved too slowly on inflation. The response takes responsibility away from the White House; Deese said, “what the President is doing is acknowledging and underscoring the pivotal role that the Fed plays institutionally and that monetary policy plays in the process of bringing prices down.”

This is the second effort this week to calm discussions about what has been unfolding economically. The President published an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday. The op-ed discussed inflation as well as the  $2 trillion Build Back Better initiative, which stalled in Congress because of its expected impact on inflation, lowering the high cost of shipping, renewable energy subsidies, a social spending initiative, raising taxes, and deficit reduction. Biden also wrote that “the Federal Reserve has a primary responsibility to control inflation” the 46th President then spoke of his efforts, including releasing oil from the national strategic reserve to lower gas prices.

The annual US inflation rate declined slightly to 8.3% in April after hitting a 40-year annual high of 8.5% in March, according to the CPI report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, a poll released last month by CBS found that 69% of US adults disapprove of Biden’s handling of inflation. Separating oneself in the public’s eye from an economy that is fraught with the kind of risk that voters dislike, or even marrying oneself to strong economies, is what Presidents have done through the years.

Does the intent to show separation suggest the Administration fears there may be a hard landing? Lower inflation and sustainable growth can be considered building back better. The economic pain to get there, timed with the mid-term elections, may be the biggest concern addressed this week.

Let us know what you think, comment under this article on Twitter.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

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Sources

https://www.whitehouse.gov/build-back-better/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/my-plan-for-fighting-inflation-joe-biden-gas-prices-economy-unemployment-jobs-covid-11653940654?mod=opinion_major_pos6&mod=article_inline

https://nypost.com/2022/05/31/joe-biden-hands-inflation-response-to-jerome-powell/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2022/05/31/inflation-economy-timeline/

https://www.cnsnews.com/blog/michael-w-chapman/cbs-news-poll-51-us-adults-say-biden-incompetent

Stay up to date. Follow us:

 

Release – Comtech Strengthens Leadership Team for Its U.S. Based Satellite-Focused Business Line



Comtech Strengthens Leadership Team for Its U.S. Based Satellite-Focused Business Line

Research, News, and Market Data on Comtech Telecommunications


Appointments
of New Divisional Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Lend Deep
Communications & Defense Experience to Comtech

MELVILLE, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jun. 2, 2022– June 2, 2022– Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL), a leading global provider of next-generation 911 emergency systems and secure wireless communications technologies, announced today that it has appointed a new divisional Chief Operating Officer (COO) in Jon Opalski and created a new General Manager of Digital Products position that will be filled by Bob Pescatore. Both individuals bring deep communications and military expertise to Comtech’s satellite business line and will report to Daniel Gizinski who was named President of Comtech’s U.S. based satellite product line in January 2022.

Mr. Opalski will be responsible for driving operational excellence at both Comtech’s existing Santa Clara site and for the new state-of the-art Chandler, Arizona high-volume manufacturing and technology facility. Mr. Pescatore will lead the Satellite Network Technologies Digital Products Team in continuing development of industry leading satellite modems, network products, and cybersecurity support, ensuring flawless program execution and high customer satisfaction.

“Jon and Bob’s record of success and proven leadership skills make them highly qualified and ensure that we will strengthen our ability to serve government and commercial customers who have a need for integrated satellite-based solutions developed and manufactured in-house at facilities based in the United States,” said Michael Porcelain, CEO and President of Comtech.

About Jon
Opalski and Robert (“Bob”) Pescatore

Opalski joins Comtech from Benchmark Electronics, Inc. a multi-billion-dollar, world-class technology, engineering, and manufacturing service company that includes focus on next-generation technology and defense products. He served as General Manager of the Lark RF Technology Group where he oversaw a team of engineering and production personnel focused on RF/Microwave products. Opalski has also held several senior executive roles at REMEC Broadband Wireless Networks, including President and COO, where he managed hundreds of millions of dollars of RF and microwave solutions for the wireless telecom infrastructure market.

Pescatore joins Comtech from Cubic Corporation, a multi-billion-dollar defense company. At Cubic, Pescatore held a variety of executive level positions including Sr. Director of Halo Enterprise, Vice President and General Manager of Ground Training Solutions, Program Director for Air Ranges, and Business Development Director for Airborne Systems and Information Superiority. His earlier career was with the United States Marines Corps where he served 20 years as a Marine F/A 18 pilot.

About Comtech

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. is a leading global provider of next-generation 911 emergency systems and secure wireless communications technologies to commercial and government customers around the world. Headquartered in Melville, New York and with a passion for customer success, Comtech designs, produces and markets advanced and secure wireless solutions. For more information, please visit www.comtechtel.com (and preview its new website at www.comtech.com).

Certain information in this press release contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and involve certain significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from such forward-looking information. The Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings identify many such risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking information in this press release is qualified in its entirety by the risks and uncertainties described in such Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

PCMTL

View source version on 
businesswire.comhttps://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220601006312/en/

Contacts
Investor
 Relations
Robert Samuels
631-962-7102

robert.samuels@comtech.com

Source: Comtech Telecommunications Corp.


Release – Motorsport Games and BTCC Announce Future Promotional Plan to Upcoming Official BTCC Game



Motorsport Games and BTCC Announce Future Promotional Plan to Upcoming Official BTCC Game

Research, News, and Market Data on Motorsport Games


THE DEVELOPMENT TEAMS WILL CONTINUE REFINING THE USER EXPERIENCE WHILE BOTH COMPANIES WILL OFFER MULTIPLE BRAND ACTIVATIONS AND GAMEPLAY CONTENT IN THE LEAD-UP TO FULL RELEASE

MIAMI, June 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Motorsport Games Inc. (NASDAQ: MSGM) (“Motorsport Games”
or the “Company”)
, a leading racing game developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider of official motorsport racing series throughout the world, announces today a promotional plan update, including activations, content releases and ‘first-play content’ tech demos through rFactor 2, to its planned British Touring Car Championship (“BTCC”) official game, which will release in 2024, as previously disclosed by the Company. A link to the trailer for the rFactor 2 content can be found here.

Motorsport Games and its developers are expanding and reinforcing their BTCC development efforts to optimize the user experience, offer a better value proposition to the end user and enhance product differentiation within a robust racing games marketplace. By expanding their development efforts, the Motorsport Games development team will fundamentally overhaul the platform, allowing for a cleaner codebase with more robust features. As part of these efforts, Motorsport Games will leverage the improvements it made to the rFactor 2 platform, developed in its work on KartKraft, to strengthen the BTCC offering, unifying the title with the Company’s current and future product portfolio to create the best possible user experience.

George Holmquist, Vice President, Publishing and Marketing,
Motorsport Games: 
“We are expanding our development efforts on the BTCC release to create the best experience possible for all players, with the full support from our partners at the BTCC. Both Motorsport Games and the BTCC are committed to bringing this famous and popular motorsport series to life within the virtual world. We remain excited by this project and look forward to the many activations and content releases we have planned for the BTCC game.”

While these development efforts are ongoing, Motorsport Games and the BTCC will have multiple activations for fans to participate in. This includes on-site BTCC Fan Zone events at selected BTCC events in the second half of the 2022 season, at the Autosport International Show and future BTCC events during the 2023 season. At those races during 2022 and the majority of 2023, the BTCC Fan Zone will have between two to four racing simulators with BTCC ‘first-play content’ tech demos through rFactor 2. As the BTCC game development progresses, each activation will include the official BTCC game via demos at the tracks. Fans who participate will be able to provide real-time feedback for the new game’s development. As development approaches full release in 2024, more content is planned to become available through first playable demos.

Further, Motorsport Games plans to add additional BTCC branded content into the rFactor 2 simulation platform, which would also host regular BTCC esports events. Motorsport Games and rFactor 2 added the Infiniti Q50 and Toyota Corolla BTCC cars into the simulation for fans to drive as part of a first content rollout. Daily BTCC competitions through the rFactor 2 competition system will be open to all users, allowing for statistics-driven benefits to each driver’s rating. All content released via rFactor 2 will be utilized as a technical test bed, allowing consumers and official drivers to provide feedback for the development team and help build the best experience upon full release.

Alan Gow, CEO, BTCC: “While we understand that our fans are eager to get their hands on the BTCC game, I can assure them that the expanded development efforts that Motorsport Games is pursuing through the game’s 2024 launch will make it well worth the wait. So, we invite all of our fans to attend activations at selected BTCC events later this year to get a first look and to provide their feedback, so as to help make the new BTCC game the very best.”

Motorsport Games will announce additional information on select BTCC events featuring test versions of the game closer to each activation date. Fans are encouraged to keep up-to-date on the status of the official BTCC game through the social media channels of both Motorsport Games and the BTCC.

To keep up with the latest Motorsport Game news, visit www.motorsportgames.com and follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About Motorsport Games:
Motorsport Games, a Motorsport Network company, is a leading racing game developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider of official motorsport racing series throughout the world. Combining innovative and engaging video games with exciting esports competitions and content for racing fans and gamers, Motorsport Games strives to make the joy of racing accessible to everyone. The Company is the officially licensed video game developer and publisher for iconic motorsport racing series across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and mobile, including NASCAR, INDYCAR, 24 Hours of Le Mans, rFactor 2, KartKraft and the British Touring Car Championship (“BTCC”). Motorsport Games is an award-winning esports partner of choice for 24 Hours of Le Mans, Formula E, BTCC, the FIA World Rallycross Championship and the eNASCAR Heat Pro League, among others. Motorsport Games is building a virtual racing ecosystem where each product drives excitement, every esports event is an adventure and every story inspires.

About the British Touring Car Championship:
The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) was formed in 1958 and is Britain’s most popular motor racing spectacle with its race season comprising ten events at top circuits across the UK. It is contested by professional racing drivers in competition versions of everyday road cars, giving it tremendous public appeal. Over 380,000 watch the BTCC trackside each year and it receives widespread UK terrestrial TV exposure on the ITV network, with all ten events broadcast live across ITV, ITV4 and itv.com.

The 2022 campaign marks the start of the BTCC’s Hybrid Era, as the championship becomes the first touring car series in the world to integrate hybrid power into all of its race cars.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this press release, the related conference call and webcast which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are provided pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Words such as “continue,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “expected,” “plans,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning: (i) the release of the BTCC game in 2024 and/or the activations of the BTTC game for fans to participate in; (ii) and the expectation that each activation will include the official BTCC game via demos at the tracks; (iii) the expectation to refine the user experience, offer a better value proposition to the end user and enhance product differentiation within a robust racing games marketplace; (iv) the expectation that, with the expanded development efforts, the Company’s development team will fundamentally overhaul the platform, allowing for a cleaner codebase with more robust features in the BTTC game; (v) the expectation that the Company will leverage the improvements it made to the Factor 2 platform, developed in its work on KartKraft will strengthen the BTCC game; (vi) the expectation that more content will become available through ”first play content” demos and that such demos will be made available through rFactor 2; (vii) the expectation that unifying BTTC title with the Company’s current and future product portfolio will create the best possible user experience; (viii) that fans who participate in the activations will be able to provide real-time feedback for the new game’s development; (ix) that, as development approaches full release in 2024, more content will become available through first playable demos; (x) the expectation that BTCC branded content will be added into the rFactor 2 simulation platform and that such platform will also host regular BTCC esports events; (xi) the expectation that daily BTCC competitions through the rFactor 2 competition system will be open to all users and that such competitions will allow for statistics-driven benefits to each driver’s rating; (xii) the expectation that content released via rFactor 2 will be utilized as a technical test bed, allowing consumers and official drivers to provide feedback for the development team and help build the best experience upon full release; (xiii) the expectation that new BTCC game will be the very best; (xiv) that the expanded development efforts that the Company is pursuing through BTCC game’s 2024 launch will make it well worth the wait; and (xv) the expected future impact of new or planned products or offerings and the timing of launching such products and offerings, including, without limitation the Company’s belief that we will deliver against our product roadmap. All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, many of which are generally outside the control of Motorsport Games and are difficult to predict. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) difficulties, delays or less than expected results in achieving the Company’s growth plans, objectives and expectations, such as due to a slower than anticipated economic recovery and/or the Company’s inability, in whole or in part, to continue to execute its business strategies and plans, such as due to less than anticipated customer acceptance of the Company’s new game titles, the Company’s experiencing difficulties or the inability to launch its games as planned, less than anticipated performance of the games impacting customer acceptance and sales and/or greater than anticipated costs and expenses to develop and launch its games, including, without limitation, higher than expected labor costs and, in addition to the factors set forth in (ii) through (iv) below, the Company’s continuing financial condition and ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing to meet its liquidity requirements, such as the going concern qualification on the Company’s annual audited financial statements posing difficulties in obtaining new financing on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all; (ii) difficulties, delays in or unanticipated events that may impact the timing and scope of new product launches, such as due to difficulties or delays in using its product development personnel in Russia due to the Russia invasion of Ukraine and the related sanctions and/or more restrictive sanctions rendering transacting in the region more difficult or costly and/or difficulties and/or delays arising out of any resurgence of the ongoing and prolonged COVID-19 pandemic; (iii) less than expected benefits from implementing the Company’s management strategies and/or adverse economic, market and geopolitical conditions that negatively impact industry trends, such as significant changes in the labor markets, an extended or higher than expected inflationary environment (such as the impact on consumer discretionary spending as a result of significant increases in energy and gas prices which have been increasing since early in 2020), a higher interest rate environment, tax increases impacting consumer discretionary spending and or quantitative easing that results in higher interest rates that negatively impact consumers’ discretionary spending, or adverse developments relating to the Russia invasion of Ukraine; and/or (iv) difficulties and/or delays in resolving our liquidity position, and other unanticipated difficulties in resolving our continuing financial condition and ability to obtain additional capital to meet our liquidity needs, including without limitation, difficulties in securing funding that is on commercially acceptable terms to us or at all, such as our inability to complete in whole or in part any potential debt and/or equity financing transactions, as well as any inability to achieve cost reductions and/or less than expected availability of funds under its $12 million line of credit from Motorsport Network. Factors other than those referred to above could also cause Motorsport Games’ results to differ materially from expected results. Additional examples of such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) delays and higher than anticipated expenses related to the ongoing and prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, any resurgence of COVID-19 and the Russia invasion of Ukraine; (ii) Motorsport Games’ ability (or inability) to maintain existing, and to secure additional, licenses and other agreements with various racing series; (iii) Motorsport Games’ ability to successfully manage and integrate any joint ventures, acquisitions of businesses, solutions or technologies; (iv) unanticipated operating costs, transaction costs and actual or contingent liabilities; (v) the ability to attract and retain qualified employees and key personnel; (vi) adverse effects of increased competition; (vii) changes in consumer behavior, including as a result of general economic factors, such as increased inflation, higher energy prices and higher interest rates; (viii) Motorsport Games’ ability to protect its intellectual property; and/or (ix) local, industry and general business and economic conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements can be found in Motorsport Games’ filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC during 2022, as well as in its subsequent filings with the SEC. Motorsport Games anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its plans, intentions and expectations to change. Motorsport Games assumes no obligation, and it specifically disclaims any intention or obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing Motorsport Games’ plans and expectations as of any subsequent date.

Website and Social Media Disclosure:
Investors and others should note that we announce material financial information to our investors using our investor relations website (ir.motorsportgames.com), SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. We use these channels, as well as social media and blogs, to communicate with our investors and the public about our company and our products. It is possible that the information we post on our websites, social media and blogs could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the websites, social media channels and blogs, including the following (which list we will update from time to time on our investor relations website):

Websites

Social Media

motorsportgames.com

Twitter: @msportgames & @traxiongg

traxion.gg

Instagram: msportgames & traxiongg

motorsport.com

Facebook: Motorsport Games & traxiongg

 

LinkedIn: Motorsport Games

 

Twitch: traxiongg

 

Reddit: traxiongg

The contents of these websites and social media channels are not part of, nor will they be incorporated by reference into, this press release.

Investors:
Ashley DeSimone
Ashley.Desimone@icrinc.com

Press:
ASTRSK PR
motorsportgames@astrskpr.com


Release – PsyBio Therapeutics Initiates Commercial Biosynthetic Based Process Development for Psycho-Targeted and Psychoactive Compounds


PsyBio Therapeutics Initiates Commercial Biosynthetic Based Process Development for Psycho-Targeted and Psychoactive Compounds

Research, News, and Market Data on PsyBio


PsyBio Therapeutics Advances Proprietary
Patent Pending Manufacturing Towards Fully Developed GMP Production Methodology

OXFORD, Ohio and DENVER, June 2, 2022 /CNW/ – PsyBio Therapeutics Corp. (TSXV: PSYB) (OTCQB: PSYBF) (”
PsyBio” or the “Company“), a fully integrated and intellectual property driven biotechnology company developing novel, bespoke psychoactive medicinal candidates targeting the potential treatment of mental health challenges, neurological disorders and other human health conditions, today reported that it has initiated formal process development for commercially scalable, patent pending manufacturing technology expected to enable Good Manufacturing Practice (“GMP”) production. PsyBio’s manufacturing process utilizes state of the art bioreactor manufacturing technology to facilitate expansion of PsyBio’s portfolio of compounds. This process methodology is another necessary component for the Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls section (“CMC”) for its therapeutic candidate portfolio Investigational New Drug (“IND”) applications with the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).

“This latest manufacturing milestone demonstrates PsyBio’s continued progress, maintaining our role as one of the only biotechnology companies in the psychoactive therapeutic sector developing their own compounds,” stated Evan Levine, PsyBio’s Chief Executive Officer. “PsyBio remains committed to developing effective and scalable techniques designed to enhance our ability to produce an ever-growing number of psycho-targeted therapeutic candidates in a rapid and highly cost-efficient approach.”

PsyBio retains the global, exclusive, and perpetual right to license a platform technology enabling rapid generation of tryptamines and related compounds through a biosynthetic process using genetically modified bacteria and has demonstrated the ability to manufacture one of its first promising therapeutic candidates at commercial scale. Commercial purification process development furthers the ability to manufacture compounds with predictable and reproducible purity.

“The mark of successful product development is the ability to transfer technology from the bench to full scale GMP production. PsyBio has been working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to develop commercial methodology for the manufacture of pipeline compounds using biotechnology. The initiation of GMP process development is an important step leading to clinical trial initiation,” stated Michael Spigarelli, MD, PhD, MBA, PsyBio’s Chief Medical Officer. “This is expected to allow us to reliably produce predictably pure drug product for clinical evaluation in order to determine its ability to potentially improve mental and neurological health.”

About PsyBio Therapeutics Corp.

PsyBio is an intellectual property driven biotechnology company developing new, bespoke, fully approved, psycho-targeted therapeutics to potentially improve mental and neurological health. The team has extensive experience in drug discovery based on synthetic biology and metabolic engineering as well as clinical and regulatory expertise progressing drugs through human studies and regulatory protocols. Research and development is currently ongoing for naturally occurring psychoactive tryptamines originally discovered in different varieties of hallucinogenic mushrooms, other tryptamines and phenethylamines and combinations thereof. The Company utilizes a bio-medicinal chemistry approach to therapeutic development, in which psychoactive compounds can be utilized as a template upon which to develop precursors and analogs, both naturally and non-naturally occurring, specifically because they are already known to have an effect within the brain.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking information” (“forward-looking information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information. Forward looking-statements in this press release include statements regarding: the impact of this manufacturing process achievement on the CMC section of PsyBio’s IND application with the FDA; the impact of this manufacturing process achievement on GMP production; PsyBio’s ability to develop compounds more readily and rapidly than competitive methods; PsyBio’s plans for filing IND applications with the FDA; PsyBio’s ability to develop novel formulations to potentially treat neurologic and psychologic conditions and other disorders; PsyBio’s plans to move towards clinical trials for psycho-targeted therapeutics intended to potentially improve mental and neurological health; PsyBio’s ability to launch clinical trials; PsyBio’s ability to build its intellectual property portfolio of novel drug candidates; PsyBio’s ability to achieve cost competitive synthesis with reduced environmental impact over current production methods; and PsyBio’s ability to move target candidates into scaled commercial manufacturing and regulatory application.

In disclosing the forward-looking information contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions, including that: this manufacturing process will enable GMP production and will help facilitate expansion of PsyBio’s portfolio of compounds; this manufacturing process will have a positive impact on progress toward the filing of IND applications with the FDA; PsyBio will receive approval from the FDA to launch clinical trials; PsyBio will be successful in protecting its intellectual property; PsyBio will be successful in discovering new valuable target molecules; PsyBio will be successful in submitting IND applications and will be able to obtain all necessary approvals for clinical trials; the results of preclinical safety and efficacy testing will be favourable; PsyBio’s technology will be safe and effective; a confirmed signal will be identified in PsyBio’s selected indications; and that drug development involves long lead times, is very expensive and involves many variables of uncertainty. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking information will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: compliance with extensive government regulations; domestic and foreign laws and regulations adversely affecting PsyBio’s business and results of operations; decreases in the prevailing process for psilocybin and nutraceutical products in the markets in which PsyBio operates; and the impact of COVID-19; and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking information or otherwise.

PsyBio makes no medical, treatment or health benefit claims about PsyBio’s proposed products. The FDA or other similar regulatory authorities have not evaluated claims regarding psilocybin and other next generation psychoactive compounds. The efficacy of such products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. There is no assurance that the use of psilocybin and other psychoactive compounds can diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Vigorous scientific research and clinical trials are needed. PsyBio has not conducted clinical trials for the use of its intellectual property. Any references to quality, consistency, efficacy and safety of potential products do not imply that PsyBio verified such in clinical trials or that PsyBio will complete such trials. If PsyBio cannot obtain the approvals or research necessary to commercialize its business, it may have a material adverse effect on the PsyBio’s performance and operations.

The TSX Venture Exchange (the
“TSXV”) has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this
news release. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that
term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the
adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE PsyBio Therapeutics Corp.

 


Industries that Benefit from Digital Twin Applications


Image Credit: Science.org


Computer Modeling Experts Explain the Benefits of Digital Twins

A digital twin is a virtual representation of a real system – a building, the power grid, a city, even a human being – that mimics the characteristics of the system. A digital twin is more than just a computer model, however. It receives data from sensors in the real system to constantly parallel the system’s state.

A digital twin helps people analyze and predict a system’s behavior under different conditions. The systems being twinned are typically very complex and require significant effort to model and track.

Digital twins are useful in a wide variety of domains, including supply chains, health care, buildings, bridges, self-driving cars and retail customer personas to improve efficiency and reliability. For example, a warehouse operator can optimize a warehouse’s performance by exploring the response of its digital twin to various material handling policies and equipment without incurring the cost of making actual changes.

Even a wildfire can be represented by a digital twin. Government agencies can predict the spread of the fire and its impact under different conditions such as wind velocity, humidity and proximity to habitats, and use this information to guide evacuations.

Why Digital Twins Matter

Digital twins are often used to model, understand and analyze complex systems where performance, reliability and security of the system are critical. In such systems it is paramount to test any changes, whether planned or unplanned.

In order to accurately test changes to the state of the actual system and the effects of any possible stimulus, the digital twin must accurately represent the physical system in its current state. This requires the digital twin to receive continuous updates from the physical system via fast and reliable communications channels.

Creating and maintaining digital twins often involves vast amounts of data to represent various features of the real system. Collecting and processing this data requires advanced communication and computing technologies. Communication support typically involves high-speed internet connections and wireless networks such as Wi-Fi and 5G. Computational support is typically in the form of servers, either in the cloud or closer to the physical system.

This article was republished with permission from The Conversation, a news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by and represents the research-based opinions of Amlan Ganguly, Associate Professor of Computer Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology and Nalini Venkatasubramanian, Professor of Computer Science, University of California, Irvine.


We and other faculty members at Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of California, Irvine are starting the Center for Smart Spaces Research, a research center sponsored by the National Science Foundation. One of the primary ongoing projects within this center is building the basic technologies for creating digital twins in a variety of applications.


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The Promise of Reengineered IL-12 to More Safely Kill Cancer Cells


Victor Segura Ibarra and Rita Serda/National Cancer Institute (Flickr)


‘Masked’ Cancer Drug Stealthily Trains Immune System to Kill Tumors While Sparing Healthy Tissues

Many cancer treatments are notoriously savage on the body. Drugs often attack both healthy cells and tumor cells, causing a plethora of side effects. Immunotherapies that help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells are no different. Though they have prolonged the lives of countless patients, they work in only a subset of patients. One study found that fewer than 30% of breast cancer patients respond to one of the most common forms of immunotherapy.

This article was republished with permission from The Conversation, a news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by and represents the research-based opinions of Aslan Mansurov, Postdoctoral Researcher in Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering.

But what if drugs could be engineered to attack only tumor cells and spare the rest of the body? To that end, my colleagues and I at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering have designed a method to keep one promising cancer drug from wreaking havoc by “masking” it until it reaches a tumor.

The Promise of IL-12

Cytokines are proteins that can modulate how the immune system responds to threats. One way they do this is by activating killer T cells, a type of white blood cells that can attack cancer cells. Because cytokines can train the immune system to kill tumors, this makes them very promising as cancer treatments.

One such cytokine is interleukin-12, or IL-12. Though it was discovered more than 30 years ago, IL-12 still isn’t an FDA-approved therapy for cancer patients because of its severe side effects, such as liver damage. This is in part because IL-12 instructs immune cells to produce a large amount of inflammatory molecules that can damage the body.

Scientists have since been working to reengineer IL-12 to be more tolerable while retaining its powerful cancer-killing effects.

Masking the Killer

To create a safer version of IL-12, my colleagues and I took advantage of one of the main differences between healthy and cancerous tissue: an excess of growth-promoting enzymes in cancers. Because cancer cells proliferate very rapidly, they overproduce certain enzymes that help them invade the nearby healthy tissue and metastasize to other parts of the body. Healthy cells grow at a much slower pace and produce fewer of these enzymes.

With this in mind, we “masked” IL-12 with a cap that covers the part of the molecule that normally binds to immune cells to activate them. The cap is removed only when it comes into contact with enzymes found in the vicinity of tumors. When these enzymes chop off the cap, IL-12 is reactivated and spurs nearby killer T cells to attack the tumor.

When we applied these masked IL-12 molecules to both healthy and tumor tissue donated by melanoma and breast cancer patients, our results confirmed that only the tumor samples were able to remove the cap. This indicated that masked IL-12 could potentially drive a strong immune response against tumors without causing damage to healthy organs.

We then examined how safe masked IL-12 is by measuring liver damage biomarkers in mice. We found that immune-related side effects typically associated with IL-12 were notably absent in mice treated with masked IL-12 over a period of several weeks, indicating improved safety.

In breast cancer models, our masked IL-12 resulted in a 90% cure rate, while treatment with a commonly used immunotherapy called a checkpoint inhibitor resulted in only a 10% cure rate. In a model of colon cancer, masked IL-12 showed a 100% cure rate.

Our next step is to test the modified IL-12 in cancer patients. While it will take time to bring this encouraging development directly to patients, we believe a promising new treatment is on the horizon.


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