Month: September 2024

Release – Century Lithium Produces Lithium Carbonate Onsite At Pilot Plant

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on CYDVF

August 6, 2024 – Vancouver, Canada – Century Lithium Corp. (TSXV: LCE) (OTCQX: CYDVF) (Frankfurt: C1Z) (Century Lithium or the Company) is pleased to report the successful addition of a lithium carbonate stage at the Company’s Lithium Extraction Facility (Pilot Plant) in Amargosa Valley, Nevada, USA, part of the Company’s 100%-owned Angel Island Mine (the Project). Prior to this addition, concentrated lithium solutions from the Pilot Plant were treated by Saltworks Inc. at their facility in Richmond B.C. where samples of battery quality lithium carbonate were produced. During the first days of startup of the lithium carbonate stage, Century’s team at the Pilot Plant successfully treated 200 liters of concentrated lithium solution and produced 20 kg of high-grade lithium carbonate onsite.       

“At this point in time, the ability to make lithium carbonate at our Pilot Plant is an important step forward, in line with recommendations from our recently completed Feasibility Study” commented President and CEO Bill Willoughby. “The drop in lithium prices over the last year has taken a toll on the share price of all lithium companies. Despite the downturn, domestic production is still key to the security of supply in the U.S. While it is becoming well known that a vast amount of lithium is contained within the claystone deposits of Nevada, the benefit in unlocking these resources is the ability to produce a battery quality lithium product onsite and thereby reducing or eliminating the need for downstream processing.”

The Company continues work at the Pilot Plant, utilizing the Company’s patent-pending process for chloride leaching combined with Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) to generate data as the Company works to identify further technological breakthroughs to make the extraction of lithium from clay more economic. Adding the lithium carbonate stage at the Pilot Plant is one of the recommendations made in the Feasibility Study, not only to further demonstrate that battery quality lithium carbonate can be made, but to better understand and minimize the recycle streams from the DLE stage through to final product in the process. With the assistance of engineers from Hargrove Engineers and Constructors, Century’s team configured equipment to run 40-liter batches of concentrated lithium solution though precipitation, washing and drying steps. Final assays on the lithium carbonate are pending.

Qualified Person

Todd Fayram, MMSA-QP and Senior Vice President, Metallurgy of Century Lithium is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical information in this release.

ABOUT CENTURY LITHIUM CORP.

Century Lithium Corp. is an advanced stage lithium company, focused on developing its 100%-owned Angel Island Mine in west-central Nevada, USA. Century Lithium recently completed a Feasibility Study on its Clayton Valley Lithium Project and is currently in the permitting stage, with the goal of becoming a domestic producer of lithium for the growing electric vehicle and battery storage market.

ON BEHALF OF CENTURY LITHIUM CORP.
WILLIAM WILLOUGHBY, PhD., PE
President & Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:
Spiros Cacos | Vice President, Investor Relations
Direct: +1 604 764 1851
Toll Free: 1 800 567 8181
scacos@centurylithium.com
centurylithium.com

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved” and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook.

Forward-looking statements relate to any matters that are not historical facts and statements of our beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, without limitation, statements with respect to the potential development and value of the Project and benefits associated therewith, statements with respect to the expected project economics for the Project, such as estimates of life of mine, lithium prices, production and recoveries, capital and operating costs, IRR, NPV and cash flows, any projections outlined in the Feasibility Study in respect of the Project, the permitting status of the Project and the Company’s future development plans.

These and other forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause their actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein. These risks include those described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent annual information form and its other public filings, copies of which can be under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.com. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update-forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Furthermore, Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Release – Unicycive Therapeutics Announces Submission of the New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. FDA for Oxylanthanum Carbonate (OLC) for the Treatment of Hyperphosphatemia in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease on Dialysis

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on UNCY

September 03, 2024 7:03am EDT Download as PDF

LOS ALTOS, Calif., Sept. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNCY), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies for patients with kidney disease (the “Company” or “Unicycive”), today announced that the Company has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Oxylanthanum Carbonate (OLC) for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis. Unicycive is seeking FDA approval of OLC via the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway.

“With this NDA submission, we are excited to be one step closer to our goal of bringing OLC to patients with chronic kidney disease who are living with hyperphosphatemia,” said Shalabh Gupta, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Unicycive. “We believe our data support a differentiated and best-in-class therapy that will maintain phosphate control while reducing the onerous pill burden patients currently have to manage. Over the last several months, our team has worked diligently to reach this milestone, and we are now preparing to launch OLC, if approved. We are also pleased to report that the FDA granted a waiver for the NDA application Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) fees which is a significant savings of approximately $4 million.”

The NDA submission package is based on data from three clinical studies (a Phase 1 study in healthy volunteers, a bioequivalence study in healthy volunteers, and a tolerability study of OLC in CKD patients on dialysis), multiple preclinical studies, and the specifications and practices related to chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC).

About Oxylanthanum Carbonate (OLC)

Oxylanthanum carbonate is a next-generation lanthanum-based phosphate binding agent utilizing proprietary nanoparticle technology being developed for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis. OLC has over forty issued and granted patents globally. Its potential best-in-class profile may have meaningful patient adherence benefits over currently available treatment options as it requires a lower pill burden for patients in terms of number and size of pills per dose that are swallowed instead of chewed. Based on a survey conducted in 2022, Nephrologists stated that the greatest unmet need in the treatment of hyperphosphatemia with phosphate binders is a lower pill burden and better patient compliance.1 The global market opportunity for treating hyperphosphatemia is expected to exceed $2.5 billion, with the United States accounting for more than $1 billion of that total2. Despite the availability of several FDA-cleared medications, 75 percent of U.S. dialysis patients fail to achieve the target phosphorus levels recommended by published medical guidelines.

Fosrenol® is a registered trademark of Shire International Licensing BV.
1Reason Research, LLC 2022 survey. Results here.
2Fortune Business InsightsTM, Hyperphosphatemia Treatment Market, 2021-2028 

About Hyperphosphatemia

Hyperphosphatemia is a serious medical condition that occurs in nearly all patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). If left untreated, hyperphosphatemia leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), which then results in renal osteodystrophy (a condition similar to osteoporosis and associated with significant bone disease, fractures and bone pain); cardiovascular disease with associated hardening of arteries and atherosclerosis (due to deposition of excess calcium-phosphorus complexes in soft tissue). Importantly, hyperphosphatemia is independently associated with increased mortality for patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. Based on available clinical data to date, over 80% of patients show signs of cardiovascular calcification by the time they become dependent on dialysis.

Dialysis patients are already at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (because of underlying diseases such as diabetes and hypertension), and hyperphosphatemia further exacerbates this. Treatment of hyperphosphatemia is aimed at lowering serum phosphate levels via two means: (1) restricting dietary phosphorus intake; and (2) using, on a daily basis, and with each meal, oral phosphate binding drugs that facilitate fecal elimination of dietary phosphate rather than its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream.

About Unicycive Therapeutics

Unicycive Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing novel treatments for kidney diseases. Unicycive’s lead drug candidate, oxylanthanum carbonate (OLC), is a novel investigational phosphate binding agent being developed for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis. UNI-494 is a patent-protected new chemical entity in clinical development for the treatment of conditions related to acute kidney injury. For more information, please visit Unicycive.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

Forward-looking statements 

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimated” and “intend” or other similar terms or expressions that concern Unicycive’s expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on Unicycive’s current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are several factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, clinical trials involve a lengthy and expensive process with an uncertain outcome, and results of earlier studies and trials may not be predictive of future trial results; our clinical trials may be suspended or discontinued due to unexpected side effects or other safety risks that could preclude approval of our product candidates; risks related to business interruptions, which could seriously harm our financial condition and increase our costs and expenses; dependence on key personnel; substantial competition; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; dependence upon third parties; and risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: the uncertainties related to market conditions and other factors described more fully in the section entitled ‘Risk Factors’ in Unicycive’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Unicycive specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contact:

ir@unicycive.com
(650) 543-5470

SOURCE: Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc.

Primary Logo

Source: Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc.

Released September 3, 2024

Wall Street Stumbles into September: Key Economic Data Looms Over Markets

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Wall Street started September on a sour note as major indexes fell more than 1%, driven by concerns over the latest U.S. manufacturing data and the anticipation of key labor market reports due later this week. The decline highlights growing investor unease about the direction of the U.S. economy and the potential actions of the Federal Reserve in the coming months.

The U.S. manufacturing sector showed modest improvement in August, rising slightly from an eight-month low in July. However, the overall trend remained weak, pointing to continued challenges within the sector. The S&P 500 industrials sector, which includes industry giants like Caterpillar and 3M, dropped over 1.6% as market participants digested the mixed signals from the manufacturing data. This decline in industrial stocks was mirrored by a significant drop in rate-sensitive technology stocks, with Nvidia leading the losses, falling 5.4%. The Philadelphia SE Semiconductor Index followed suit, losing 4.1%. Other tech heavyweights, including Apple and Alphabet, also felt the pressure, with each company’s stock declining by more than 1.6%.

Investors are now turning their attention to the labor market, with a series of reports scheduled throughout the week, culminating in Friday’s non-farm payrolls data for August. The labor market has been under increased scrutiny since July’s report suggested a sharper-than-expected slowdown, which contributed to a global selloff in riskier assets. This week’s labor data will be closely watched, as it could influence the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions later this month. The Fed’s meeting is expected to provide more clarity on potential policy adjustments, especially after Chair Jerome Powell recently expressed support for forthcoming changes. According to the CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, the probability of a 25-basis point interest rate cut stands at 63%, while the likelihood of a larger 50-basis point reduction is at 37%.

Amid the broader market downturn, defensive sectors such as consumer staples and healthcare managed to post marginal gains, offering some relief to investors. In contrast, energy stocks were the worst performers, with the sector falling 3% due to declining crude prices. The drop in energy stocks underscores the volatility in commodity markets and the broader uncertainty facing investors as they navigate the current economic environment. Despite the recent setbacks, the Dow and S&P 500 have shown resilience, recovering from early August’s losses to end the month on a positive note. Both indexes are near record highs, though September has historically been a challenging month for equities.

Among individual stocks, Tesla managed to gain 0.5% following reports that the company plans to produce a six-seat version of its Model Y car in China starting in late 2025. Conversely, Boeing shares plummeted 8% after Wells Fargo downgraded the stock from “equal weight” to “underweight,” citing concerns about the company’s near-term outlook.

As the week progresses, the market will be closely monitoring labor market data and any signals from the Federal Reserve regarding future monetary policy. With the economic outlook still uncertain, investors are likely to remain cautious, weighing hopes for a soft landing against fears of a more pronounced economic slowdown.

NN Inc. (NNBR) – Some Additional Flexibility

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Tuesday, September 03, 2024

Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Flexibility. On Friday, NN filed an 8-K disclosing some amendments to its term loan and ABL agreements. In essence, the amendments to each will provide the Company with additional financial flexibility, in our view. While there does not appear to be any change in interest rates, a reduction in rates is a long-term goal of management.

Term Loan. The amendment raises the amount of the Company’s allowable indebtedness – incurred in connection with the purchase or lease of fixed assets – from $20 million to $40 million, provided that no more than $26.95 million is used with respect to any sale and leaseback transaction. In addition, the amendment requires the Company to use the net cash proceeds obtained in connection with any future sale and leaseback transactions to prepay any outstanding principal indebtedness under the term loan.


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

MustGrow Biologics Corp. (MGROF) – Gearing Up for Sales

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Tuesday, September 03, 2024

Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

2Q Results. MustGrow had no revenue during the quarter. We estimated revenue of CAD$1,000. Net loss was CAD$960,209, or a loss of $0.02/sh, compared to a loss of CAD$1.2 million last year, or a loss of $0.02/sh. We estimated a net loss of $1.1 million, or a loss of $0.02/sh.

But Revenue Underway. Revenue for MustGrow’s TerraSante product is now coming in. We believe this initial revenue recognition to be an important milestone for the Company, with the product now in farmers’ hands. Management noted that sales are performing as expected, with farmers having small-scale testing of TerraSante to understand the product.


Get the Full Report

Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Lifeway Foods (LWAY) – Positive Momentum for Shares, Increasing Price Target

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Tuesday, September 03, 2024

Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Increasing Price Target. Shares of LWAY have risen since the Company had record-breaking operating results in the second quarter. The increase in the share price, of around 15% from the announcement of second quarter results, along with the positive operating momentum of the Company pushes our target price from a previous $20 to $25.

Rise in Price. Since the second quarter results on August 13th, shares of LWAY have risen to $19.18 as of Friday’s close from $16.66. The average volume per day over the course of this time (14 days) was approximately 255,571 shares as opposed to last quarter’s 164,046. Although not all volume is positive, the positive trend indicates more investor interest in Lifeway’s story and being encouraged with the Company’s performance.


Get the Full Report

Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

1·800·Flowers.com, Inc. (FLWS) – Why This Company Should Be On Your Radar Screen

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Tuesday, September 03, 2024

For more than 45 years, 1-800-Flowers.com has offered truly original floral arrangements, plants and unique gifts to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, everyday occasions, and seasonal holidays, and to deliver comfort during times of grief. Backed by a caring team obsessed with service, 1-800-Flowers.com provides customers thoughtful ways to express themselves and connect with the most important people in their lives. 1-800-Flowers.com is part of the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. family of brands. Shares in 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, ticker symbol: FLWS.

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Q4 results. The company reported Q4 revenue of $360.9 million, which was modestly below our estimate of $373.5 million by 3.4%. Additionally, Adj. EBITDA loss in the quarter of $8.8 million was below our estimate of negative $5.8 million. While the results were softer than expected, there were some bright spots. Notably, Q4 gross profit margin increased 130 basis points from the prior year period, which was largely attributed to lower freight and commodity costs, as well as cost saving initiatives. 

Increasing revenue investments. Management indicated that it plans to step up marketing, post the upcoming elections, and will introduce new products at price points that may help to offset the lackluster sales particularly for its everyday gifting products. There has been a bifurcation of sales for its products that target its high end consumer and that for consumers that are price sensitive. 


Get the Full Report

Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

Nvidia Leads Chip Stocks Lower as Market Takes a Downturn

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Nvidia’s stock tumbled nearly 8% on Tuesday, leading a broad decline in semiconductor stocks and contributing to a rough start for the market this month. The S&P 500 experienced a drop of over 1% amid a broader market slump, exacerbated by disappointing data from the ISM manufacturing index. This data raised concerns about the strength of the economy and the potential for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, which in turn impacted investor sentiment across various sectors.

The semiconductor sector, which has been a high-flyer over the past year thanks to the AI boom, saw significant losses. Nvidia, a dominant player in AI data center chips, saw its stock fall dramatically. Other major chipmakers also experienced declines, with Intel and Marvell down 8%, Broadcom falling around 6%, and AMD and Qualcomm each dropping 6%. The SMH, an index tracking semiconductor stocks, was down 6%, marking its biggest one-day loss in a month.

The optimism driving chip stocks had been fueled by the belief that the artificial intelligence revolution would lead to increased demand for semiconductors and memory. Nvidia, in particular, has seen its stock rise nearly 129% so far in 2024, bolstered by its leading position in AI data center chips. However, some investors were unsettled by Nvidia’s recent forecast, which suggested a potential slowdown in growth despite reporting impressive quarterly earnings of $30 billion and a 154% year-on-year increase in data center revenue.

Nvidia’s recent performance highlights the volatility in the semiconductor sector. The company’s stock had recently surged nearly 25% in three weeks following a global market sell-off, but Tuesday’s drop brought it to its lowest level since mid-August. The decline was attributed not only to the broader market downturn but also to concerns over Nvidia’s gross margins, which are expected to decrease slightly into the end of the year.

Meanwhile, other chipmakers are striving to capture investor attention with their AI products. Intel unveiled new laptop processors capable of running AI programs on-device, and Broadcom, which collaborates with major companies to develop custom AI chips, is set to report its third-quarter earnings on Thursday. Qualcomm continues to promote its chips as optimal for AI applications on Android phones.

Despite the challenges faced by Nvidia and other chipmakers, Wall Street remains largely optimistic about the sector’s long-term prospects. Analysts from Stifel reiterated their Buy rating on Nvidia, maintaining a $165 price target. They remain confident in Nvidia’s role as a primary beneficiary of the ongoing modernization of data center computing.

As Nvidia prepares to ramp up production of its next-generation Blackwell chip later this year, analysts expect the stock to potentially recover and continue its upward trajectory, provided the new products meet market expectations.