cpatches, Author at Channelchek

Saga Communications (SGA) – Highlights From Noble’s Virtual Emerging Growth Conference

Posted on October 14, 2025October 14, 2025 by cpatches

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Saga Communications, Inc. is a broadcast company whose business is primarily devoted to acquiring, developing and operating radio stations. Saga currently owns or operates broadcast properties in 27 markets, including 79 FM and 33 AM radio stations. Saga’s strategy is to operate top billing radio stations in mid sized markets, defined as markets ranked (by market revenues) from 20 to 200. Saga’s radio stations employ a myriad of programming formats, including Active Rock, Adult Album Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Country, Classic Country, Classic Hits, Classic Rock, Contemporary Hits Radio, News/Talk, Oldies and Urban Contemporary. In operating its stations, Saga concentrates on the development of strong decentralized local management, which is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the stations in their market area and is compensated based on their financial performance as well as other performance factors that are deemed to effect the long-term ability of the stations to achieve financial objectives. Saga began operations in 1986 and became a publicly traded company in December 1992. The stock trades on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “SGA”.

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.

A blended growth opportunity. This report highlights a fireside chat with Christopher Forgy, CEO & President, and Samuel Bush, CFO, at Noble’s Virtual Emerging Growth Conference on October 8th & 9th. Management highlighted its attractive growth opportunities from its “blended” advertising strategy. The full presentation may be viewed here.

Blended advertising strategy. Saga’s approach integrates radio (“wanted”), search (“found”), and display (“chosen”) to capture the full consumer journey. Management targets disrupting 5% of local digital ad spend to double annual gross revenue, focusing on 27 small-to-medium-sized markets where the company has trusted community relationships.

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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.

ONE Group Hospitality (STKS) – Randian Adds Some Detail

Posted on October 14, 2025October 14, 2025 by cpatches

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

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

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

Additional Detail. Randian Capital added another post on the social media platform X, providing additional details to its proposed turnaround plan for ONE Group Hospitality. Reportedly, the latest Randian X post was in response to STKS CEO Manny Hilario and CFO Nicole Thaung stating they had not engaged with Randian and were unaware if the firm held shares. The pair reiterated that ONE Group had no changes to guidance or plans for capital deployment being made.

The Driver. As we noted in our September 29th note, Randian believes there is tangible, underutilized value in this franchise—especially in Benihana, a legendary brand with global recognition and untapped potential. However, poor capital allocation, slipping operational execution, and marketing that is failing to drive engagement have resulted in a 60% decline in the share price since the 2024 Benihana acquisition, according to Randian.

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

EuroDry (EDRY) – Recovering Rates and Greater Liquidity Enhance Outlook

Posted on October 14, 2025October 14, 2025 by cpatches

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

EuroDry Ltd. was formed on January 8, 2018 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to consolidate the drybulk fleet of Euroseas Ltd. into a separate listed public company. EuroDry was spun-off from Euroseas Ltd. on May 30, 2018; it trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker EDRY. EuroDry operates in the dry cargo, drybulk shipping market. EuroDry’s operations are managed by Eurobulk Ltd., an ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 certified affiliated ship management company and Eurobulk (Far East) Ltd. Inc., which are responsible for the day- to-day commercial and technical management and operations of the vessels. EuroDry employs its vessels on spot and period charters and under pool agreements.

Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Hans Baldau, Associate Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Vessel sale enhances liquidity. EuroDry recently announced an agreement to sell the M/V Eirini P. to a third party for approximately $8.5 million, with the transaction expected to close in October 2025. The sale is projected to generate a gain of approximately $0.6 million, or roughly $0.21 per share. The proceeds will enhance near-term liquidity and strengthen EuroDry’s flexibility to pursue selective investments in more efficient vessels.

Market environment improving. The dry-bulk market has shown signs of recovery as charter rates have recently rebounded from multi-year lows. The improvement reflects strengthening market sentiment, supported by limited fleet growth and rising expectations for Chinese demand. A historically low orderbook and modest fleet expansion provide a constructive foundation for rate stabilization heading into 2026.

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

Alliance Entertainment Holding (AENT) – Noble Virtual Conference Highlights

Posted on October 14, 2025October 14, 2025 by cpatches

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

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.

Management appeared confident. Bruce Ogilvie, Executive Chairman, and Jeffrey Walker, CEO, presented at Noble’s October 8th & 9th Virtual Emerging Growth Conference. This report highlights the company’s presentation and fireside Q&A chat, which provided a sanguine outlook for improved margins into fiscal 2026. Investors may listen to the company’s presentation here.

Favorable margin expansion outlook. Operating margins are expected to expand in fiscal 2026, supported by a full year of the company’s high margin licensing deal with Paramount and development of its Handmade by Robots collectible line. In addition, management anticipates further operating efficiencies.

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

BioCryst to Acquire Astria Therapeutics, Expanding HAE Portfolio with Late-Stage Injectable Candidate

Posted on October 14, 2025October 14, 2025 by cpatches

Move expected to strengthen BioCryst’s presence in hereditary angioedema and sustain double-digit growth trajectory

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: BCRX) has announced plans to acquire Astria Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATXS) in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at approximately $700 million in enterprise value, or about $920 million in aggregate equity value. The deal is designed to expand BioCryst’s hereditary angioedema (HAE) portfolio and enhance its long-term growth prospects.

Under the terms of the agreement, Astria shareholders will receive $8.55 in cash and 0.59 shares of BioCryst common stock for each Astria share. Based on BioCryst’s 20-day volume-weighted average price of $7.54 as of October 8, 2025, the consideration represents an implied value of $13.00 per Astria share, a 53% premium to Astria’s October 13 closing price and a 71% premium to its 20-day VWAP. The transaction, unanimously approved by both boards, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to customary conditions. Upon completion, Astria CEO Jill C. Milne, Ph.D., will join the BioCryst board of directors.

The acquisition adds navenibart, Astria’s late-stage, long-acting monoclonal antibody inhibitor of plasma kallikrein, currently in Phase 3 clinical development for HAE prophylaxis. Navenibart’s extended dosing schedule—every three to six months—could offer patients a more convenient alternative to existing injectable treatments.

“With navenibart, BioCryst gains a perfectly complementary second product candidate that fits seamlessly within our HAE core competency,” said Jon Stonehouse, CEO of BioCryst. “Together with Orladeyo, we can offer patients both oral and injectable options that address diverse needs, while driving sustainable growth and profitability.”

The addition of navenibart positions BioCryst to broaden its presence in the rare-disease market. The company expects top-line data from the pivotal ALPHA-ORBIT trial in early 2027 and projects a commercial opportunity among more than 5,000 patients currently treated with injectable prophylaxis for HAE.

BioCryst will also acquire STAR-0310, Astria’s early-stage program for atopic dermatitis, though it plans to pursue strategic alternatives for that asset. Financially, the company anticipates that the transaction will maintain its non-GAAP profitability and positive cash flow, while providing meaningful synergies and accretion to operating profit in the first full year following navenibart’s expected launch. BioCryst projects Orladeyo sales of $580 million to $600 million in 2025, up 34% year-over-year in 2024, and expects the acquisition to reinforce a double-digit growth trajectory through the next decade.

Google to Invest $15 Billion in First AI Hub in India

Posted on October 14, 2025October 14, 2025 by cpatches

New Visakhapatnam facility to accelerate AI innovation, expand infrastructure, and strengthen India–U.S. tech collaboration

Google announced plans to establish its first artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh, marking its largest-ever investment in India. The $15 billion (USD) commitment, spread over five years from 2026 to 2030, will create a world-class AI and data center ecosystem designed to advance India’s digital and economic transformation.

The new AI hub will integrate AI infrastructure, data center capacity, clean energy generation, and an expanded fiber-optic network, positioning Visakhapatnam as a major AI and connectivity hub for both India and global markets. Developed in partnership with AdaniConneX and Airtel, the purpose-built data center campus will provide gigawatt-scale compute capacity and support low-latency, high-performance AI workloads.

“This digital infrastructure will go a long way in meeting the goals of our India AI mission,” said Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s Minister for IT. “We thank Google for making this $15 billion investment and for helping re-skill and upskill our IT professionals as part of their agenda.”

Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, described the investment as a “landmark step in India’s digital future,” adding that the project reflects a shared commitment by the Indian and U.S. governments to harness AI responsibly for societal benefit.

The initiative aligns with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, which seeks to drive AI-powered innovation and digital inclusion. According to Google, the hub is expected to generate at least $15 billion in U.S. GDP over five years, reflecting new cross-border economic activity driven by cloud and AI adoption.

The AI hub will also include construction of a new international subsea gateway, connecting multiple subsea cables to Visakhapatnam and integrating with Google’s global network of over two million miles of terrestrial and subsea fiber. The gateway will enhance India’s digital resilience and provide new high-capacity, low-latency pathways that complement existing cable landings in Mumbai and Chennai.

When operational, the Visakhapatnam hub will join Google’s network of AI data centers across 12 countries, benefiting from technology developed by R&D teams in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune. The project will also advance Google’s sustainability goals, incorporating clean energy generation, transmission lines, and storage systems in Andhra Pradesh to power the facility responsibly.

The announcement comes amid ongoing trade tensions between India and the U.S., including recent tariff disputes and calls for boycotts of foreign goods. Despite the backdrop, Indian officials have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting U.S. investment and facilitating ease of business for multinational partners.

Google’s $15 billion plan follows the company’s broader global data center expansion, with $85 billion in infrastructure spending expected this year alone as demand for AI-driven services accelerates worldwide.

Resources Connection (RGP) – Post Call Commentary

Posted on October 13, 2025October 13, 2025 by cpatches

Monday, October 13, 2025

Resources Connection, Inc. provides agile consulting services in North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company offers finance and accounting services, including process transformation and optimization, financial reporting and analysis, technical and operational accounting, merger and acquisition due diligence and integration, audit readiness, preparation and response, implementation of new accounting standards, and remediation support. It also provides information management services, such as program and project management, business and technology integration, data strategy, and business performance management. In addition, the company offers corporate advisory, strategic communications, and restructuring services; and corporate governance, risk, and compliance management services, such as contract and regulatory compliance, enterprise risk management, internal controls management, and operation and information technology (IT) audits. Further, it provides supply chain management services comprising strategy development, procurement and supplier management, logistics and materials management, supply chain planning and forecasting, and unique device identification compliance; and human capital services, including change management, organization development and effectiveness, compensation and incentive plan strategies, and optimization of human resources technology and operations. Additionally, the company offers legal and regulatory supporting services for commercial transactions, global compliance initiatives, law department operations, and law department business strategies and analytics. It also provides policyIQ, a proprietary cloud-based governance, risk, and compliance software application. The company was formerly known as RC Transaction Corp. and changed its name to Resources Connection, Inc. in August 2000. Resources Connection, Inc. was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Irvine, California.

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

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

Some Positives. The Company continues on its transformation path and is seeing encouraging signs, in our opinion. For example, the Company saw a return to growth in revenue for both the Europe & Asia- Pac segment and the Outsourced Services segment, with 5% and 4% growth over the prior year quarter. Revenue from the top 10 clients also grew year-over-year, and the enterprise-wide average bill rate increased to $120 on a constant currency basis, up from $118 a year ago.

Ongoing Cost Focus. The other side of the transformation plan is a focus on cost control. RGP continues to make good progress on its SG&A, as reflected in the quarter’s numbers. Post quarter, on September 30, 2025, in the face of continued end market sluggishness, RGP commenced a global reduction in its management and administrative workforce intended to enhance efficiencies through reduced costs and streamlined operations. Management expects approximately $6 million to $8 million of annual cost savings associated with this effort.

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

NN (NNBR) – Noble Virtual Conference Highlights

Posted on October 13, 2025October 13, 2025 by cpatches

Monday, October 13, 2025

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

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

Noble Virtual Conference. NN CEO Harold Bevis, CFO Chris Bohnert, and COO Tim French presented at the Noble Virtual Conference. Highlights included improving end markets outlook, an on track new business win program, and a focus on de-leveraging. A rebroadcast is available at https://www.channelchek.com/videos/nn-inc-nnbr-noble-capital-markets-virtual-conference-replay-october-2025.

Phase 2. NN is entering Phase 2 of its transformation program. Phase 1 structurally rebuilt NN’s operating performance and efficiency through fixing unprofitable areas, improving margins, and entering new markets. Phase 2 is a growth and de-leverage focus, implementing new business programs, expanding the TAM, and addressing the preferred stock.

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

FAT Brands (FAT) – Some Legal Resolution

Posted on October 13, 2025October 13, 2025 by cpatches

Monday, October 13, 2025

FAT Brands (NASDAQ: FAT) is a leading global franchising company that strategically acquires, markets, and develops fast casual, quick-service, casual dining, and polished casual dining concepts around the world. The Company currently owns 17 restaurant brands: Round Table Pizza, Fatburger, Marble Slab Creamery, Johnny Rockets, Fazoli’s, Twin Peaks, Great American Cookies, Hot Dog on a Stick, Buffalo’s Cafe & Express, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Pretzelmaker, Elevation Burger, Native Grill & Wings, Yalla Mediterranean and Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses, and franchises and owns over 2,300 units worldwide. For more information on FAT Brands, please visit www.fatbrands.com.

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

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

Legal Resolution. In an 8-K filing, FAT Brands disclosed that the Company and certain current and former directors and officers have reached a settlement agreement with stockholders of the Company to resolve two lawsuits known as Harris I and Harris II. The Derivative Actions were filed in June 2021, relating to the Company’s December 2020 merger with Fog Cutter Capital Group, and in March 2022, relating to the Company’s June 2021 recapitalization.

Details. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the Company’s Board of Directors agreed to adopt and implement certain corporate governance modifications. In addition, the Company’s insurers will pay to the Company $10 million, from which fees and expenses of plaintiffs’ counsel will be deducted, and Fog Cutter Holdings LLC will contribute 200,000 Class A shares of Twin Hospitality Group Inc. to the Company.

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

CoreCivic, Inc. (CXW) – Noble Virtual Conference Highlights

Posted on October 13, 2025October 13, 2025 by cpatches

Monday, October 13, 2025

CoreCivic is a diversified, government-solutions company with the scale and experience needed to solve tough government challenges in flexible, cost-effective ways. We provide a broad range of solutions to government partners that serve the public good through high-quality corrections and detention management, a network of residential and non-residential alternatives to incarceration to help address America’s recidivism crisis, and government real estate solutions. We are the nation’s largest owner of partnership correctional, detention and residential reentry facilities, and believe we are the largest private owner of real estate used by government agencies in the United States. We have been a flexible and dependable partner for government for nearly 40 years. Our employees are driven by a deep sense of service, high standards of professionalism and a responsibility to help government better the public good. Learn more at www.corecivic.com.

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

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

Noble Virtual Conference. CoreCivic CFO David Garfinkle and Managing Director of Investor Relations Jeb Bachmann presented at the Noble Virtual Conference. Highlights included increased demand, long-term trends, and return of capital. A rebroadcast is available at https://www.channelchek.com/videos/corecivic-cxw-noble-capital-markets-virtual-conference-replay-october-2025.

Market Share. CoreCivic remains the largest non-government owner of correctional and detention real estate in the U.S., owning approximately 57% of all privately owned correctional and detention capacity. The Company manages approximately 41% of all privately managed correctional and detention capacity.

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

Bloom Energy Soars on $5 Billion AI Infrastructure Partnership with Brookfield Asset Management

Posted on October 13, 2025October 13, 2025 by cpatches

Deal positions Bloom as a preferred power provider for Brookfield’s global AI factories and marks Brookfield’s first investment in its dedicated AI Infrastructure strategy

Shares of Bloom Energy (NYSE: BE) surged more than 20% in early trading Monday after the company announced a $5 billion strategic partnership with Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM, TSX: BAM) to develop and power next-generation AI infrastructure.

Under the agreement, Brookfield will invest up to $5 billion to deploy Bloom’s advanced fuel cell technology as the companies collaborate on the design and construction of “AI factories” — large-scale data centers purpose-built to meet the surging compute and energy demands of artificial intelligence. Bloom Energy will serve as Brookfield’s preferred onsite power provider for these facilities worldwide.

The partnership marks the first phase of a joint AI infrastructure vision and represents Brookfield’s inaugural investment through its newly established AI Infrastructure strategy, which focuses on power, compute, and capital integration for AI data centers. The two companies plan to announce their first European site before the end of the year.

“AI infrastructure must be built like a factory — with purpose, speed, and scale,” said KR Sridhar, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Bloom Energy. “AI factories demand massive power, rapid deployment and real-time responsiveness that legacy grids cannot support. Together with Brookfield, we’re creating a new blueprint for powering AI at scale.”

“Behind-the-meter power solutions are essential to closing the grid gap for AI factories,” added Sikander Rashid, Global Head of AI Infrastructure at Brookfield. “Bloom’s advanced fuel cell technology gives us the unique capability to design and construct modern AI factories with a holistic and innovative approach to power needs.”

A Blueprint for the AI Era

AI data centers are projected to require over 100 gigawatts of power in the U.S. alone by 2035, according to industry estimates. Bloom Energy’s solid oxide fuel cells generate electricity through chemical reactions rather than combustion, providing clean, resilient, and rapidly deployable onsite power — an attractive alternative to traditional grid dependency.

Bloom has already installed hundreds of megawatts of fuel cell systems supporting data centers for American Electric Power, Equinix, and Oracle. The company’s systems can be scaled modularly, reducing construction timelines and improving energy efficiency for high-demand AI applications.

Brookfield, one of the world’s largest alternative asset managers with over $1 trillion in assets under management, has been expanding aggressively into digital and energy infrastructure. Recent commitments include $9.98 billion to develop an AI data center in Sweden and €20 billion for AI projects in France. The firm also holds major stakes in Compass Datacenters, Duke Energy Florida, Colonial Enterprises, and Hotwire Communications, and recently inked a deal to supply Google with up to 3 GW of hydro power in the U.S.

Strategic Implications

The partnership underscores a growing convergence between energy technology and AI infrastructure. As the global race to build AI data centers accelerates, the need for reliable, low-carbon power sources has become a critical bottleneck. Brookfield’s capital and infrastructure expertise, combined with Bloom’s clean power solutions, could provide a scalable model for sustainable AI expansion.

For Bloom Energy, the partnership offers both near-term revenue visibility and long-term positioning at the center of AI-driven energy demand growth. For Brookfield, it establishes a strategic foothold in the AI ecosystem— one that aligns with its global energy transition and infrastructure investment priorities.

IsoEnergy to Acquire Toro Energy, Building a Diversified Uranium Powerhouse Across Canada, the U.S., and Australia

Posted on October 13, 2025October 13, 2025 by cpatches

Transaction strengthens IsoEnergy’s top-tier uranium portfolio with Toro’s flagship Wiluna Project and expands presence in key global jurisdictions amid rising nuclear demand

IsoEnergy Ltd. (NYSE American: ISOU) and Toro Energy Ltd. (ASX: TOE) have entered into a scheme implementation deed under which IsoEnergy will acquire all issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Toro. The all-stock transaction will create a globally diversified uranium developer with significant resources and near-term production potential across Canada, the United States, and Australia.

Under the terms of the agreement, Toro shareholders will receive 0.036 IsoEnergy shares for each Toro share held, representing a 79.7% premium to Toro’s last traded price and a 92.2% premium to its 20-day volume-weighted average price (VWAP). Upon completion, IsoEnergy and Toro shareholders will own approximately 92.9% and 7.1%, respectively, of the combined company on a fully diluted basis. The deal values Toro at approximately AUD 75 million (CAD 68 million / USD 49 million) and is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.

A Strengthened Uranium Platform

The merger will add Toro’s Wiluna Uranium Project in Western Australia — comprising the Centipede-Millipede, Lake Way, and Lake Maitland deposits — to IsoEnergy’s existing portfolio, which includes the ultra-high-grade Hurricane deposit in Canada’s Athabasca Basin, several past-producing U.S. uranium mines, and other exploration assets across North America and Australia.

The combined resource base will include:

55.2 million pounds U₃O₈ (M&I) and 4.9 million pounds U₃O₈ (Inferred) compliant under NI 43-101
78.1 million pounds U₃O₈ (M&I) and 34.6 million pounds U₃O₈ (Inferred) compliant under JORC standards
Historical resources totaling 154.3 million pounds U₃O₈ (M&I) and 88.2 million pounds U₃O₈ (Inferred)

This creates one of the largest and most geographically diversified uranium portfolios among mid-tier developers.

Strategic and Market Rationale

The merger comes amid growing confidence in the uranium market’s long-term outlook. The World Nuclear Association’s 2025 Fuel Report projects uranium demand to rise roughly 30% by 2030 and more than double by 2040. IsoEnergy’s expanded scale and jurisdictional diversification position it to capture value from this structural supply-demand imbalance.

Australia, home to the Wiluna Project, ranks #1 globally for uranium resources and is among the Top 5 producers worldwide. Western Australia is emerging as a key uranium jurisdiction alongside Cameco’s Kintyre and Yeelirrie projects and Deep Yellow’s Mulga Rock development.

“The acquisition of Toro Energy marks another important step in advancing IsoEnergy’s strategy to build a globally diversified, development-ready uranium platform,” said Philip Williams, CEO and Director of IsoEnergy. “The Wiluna Uranium Project strengthens our portfolio with a large, previously permitted asset in a top-tier jurisdiction at a time when global nuclear demand is accelerating.”

Richard Homsany, Executive Chairman of Toro, added, “This transaction creates significant value for our shareholders and provides an opportunity to participate in a larger, leading uranium company listed on the TSX and NYSE. Toro shareholders will gain exposure to a diverse uranium portfolio with strong growth potential and enhanced access to capital.”

Positioned for Growth

The merged entity will have enhanced balance sheet strength, improved access to global capital markets, and a broader platform for value-accretive growth opportunities across the uranium cycle. Following completion, Toro will be delisted from the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), while IsoEnergy will remain publicly traded in Toronto and New York.

The deal follows IsoEnergy’s previously announced — and later terminated — plan to acquire Anfield Energy in early 2024, reflecting the company’s continued pursuit of strategic, scale-building opportunities in the uranium sector. Major Toro shareholders, including Mega Uranium Ltd. (12.7%) and its associate Mega Redport Pty Ltd., have indicated their intention to vote in favor of the scheme, provided no superior proposal emerges.

Bristol Myers Squibb Expands Cell Therapy Reach with $1.5 Billion Acquisition of Orbital Therapeutics

Posted on October 10, 2025October 10, 2025 by cpatches

Deal strengthens BMS’s leadership in cell therapy and adds next-generation RNA platform for in vivo CAR-T development

Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) announced it will acquire Orbital Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company pioneering RNA medicines designed to reprogram the immune system in vivo. The $1.5 billion all-cash deal expands BMS’s industry-leading cell therapy portfolio with Orbital’s proprietary RNA technology and its lead preclinical candidate, OTX-201, a next-generation CAR T-cell therapy for autoimmune diseases.

Orbital’s OTX-201 uses circular RNA encoding a CD19-targeted CAR, delivered via lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), to trigger in vivo expression of CAR T-cells — effectively transforming the patient’s own body into a CAR T-cell manufacturing system. This approach could significantly reduce treatment burden and broaden accessibility compared to traditional ex vivo CAR T-cell therapies.

The transaction, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory review under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, marks Bristol Myers Squibb’s first major acquisition of 2025. The company has been seeking to diversify beyond mature blockbusters such as Eliquis and Revlimid, reinforcing investor confidence in its long-term growth trajectory through next-generation therapies.

“This agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb, a recognized leader in global medicine, marks a transformational moment for Orbital and the advancement of RNA medicine,” said Ron Philip, Chief Executive Officer of Orbital Therapeutics. “The promising early data from our lead program underscore the potential of our integrated RNA technologies to deliver simpler, safer, and more accessible treatments.”

“With the acquisition of Orbital Therapeutics and its next-generation RNA platform, we have an incredible opportunity to make CAR T-cell therapy more efficient and accessible to more patients,” added Lynelle B. Hoch, President of BMS’s Cell Therapy Organization.

Orbital’s RNA platform integrates circular and linear RNA engineering, advanced LNP delivery, and AI-driven design to enable programmable RNA therapies that can be tailored to a wide range of diseases. Beyond its autoimmune focus, the technology could have broad applications across oncology and other immune-mediated disorders.

This move positions BMS alongside other major pharmaceutical companies racing to develop in vivo cell therapies. AbbVie acquired Capstan Therapeutics in a $2.1 billion deal in June, Gilead’s Kite Pharma purchased Interius BioTherapeutics for $350 million in August, and AstraZeneca made a $1 billion buyout of EsoBiotec earlier this year.

BMS has been steadily building its cell therapy capabilities since its 2019 acquisition of Celgene, which brought in CAR T programs from bluebird bio and Juno Therapeutics. Earlier this year, it also acquired 2seventy bio for $286 million, consolidating full ownership of Abecma, a CAR T therapy for multiple myeloma.

Founded in 2022 and backed by Arch Venture Partners and other investors, Orbital Therapeutics raised $270 million in 2023 to advance its RNA platform under the leadership of former Spark Therapeutics CEO Ron Philip. The company identified in vivo CAR T-cell therapies as its first clinical focus — a vision that now aligns with BMS’s strategy to drive innovation in autoimmune and cell-based therapies.