Category: Health

Release – Cadrenal Therapeutics Reports First-Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

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Research News and Market Data on CVKD

Leadership appointment strengthens strategic and development capabilities

FDA Type D Meeting provides additional guidance for advancing the clinical development of tecarfarin

Collaboration Agreement with Abbott (NYSE: ABT) validates the need for new anticoagulation options

PONTE VEDRA, Fla. – Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CVKD), a biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for patients with cardiovascular disease, today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, and provided an update on the strategic focus of the company and clinical development of tecarfarin.

“In the first quarter of 2025, Cadrenal continued to build on the momentum we achieved during 2024,” said Quang X. Pham, Chairman & CEO. “The appointment of James Ferguson, M.D., FACC, FAHA, as our Chief Medical Officer positions us for success in reviewing potential assets to add to our portfolio and designing and executing our clinical program for tecarfarin. The finalized Collaboration Agreement with Abbott validates the critical need in the market for a new anticoagulant for patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). And our meeting with the FDA provided additional guidance in the design of a pivotal trial.”

Highlights from the Quarter Ended March 31, 2025, and Other Recent Events:

Leadership Advances

In February 2025, Cadrenal appointed James J. Ferguson, M.D., FACC, FAHA, as Chief Medical Officer to lead the review of business development opportunities to expand the Company’s pipeline and drive the late-stage clinical development of tecarfarin for conditions requiring chronic anticoagulation therapy.

Regulatory Update

In February 2025, Cadrenal met with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a Type D meeting. The FDA provided additional guidance on the appropriate design for a Phase 3 tecarfarin trial and welcomed submission of a final study design for review.

Collaboration Agreement with Abbott

In March 2025, we announced a Collaboration Agreement with Abbott (NYSE: ABT) to support our pivotal TECarfarin Anticoagulation and Hemocompatibility with Left Ventricular Assist Devices (TECH-LVAD) trial. Under the agreement, Abbott will share insights from recent HeartMate 3™ clinical trials and will support Cadrenal with trial design, site identification, trial awareness, and HeartMate 3™ expertise.

Operational Milestones

During the quarter, Cadrenal successfully completed the technical transfer and manufacturing of its tecarfarin drug substance (API) from a CDMO site located in Asia to a CDMO site in the United States. This initiative was done to support the company’s clinical and regulatory development strategy for tecarfarin and to improve supply chain security.

Cadrenal also conducted strategic market opportunity research for multiple indications, including patients with left ventricular assist devices. This research indicates that tecarfarin is uniquely positioned to provide clinical value to patients in the rapidly growing LVAD market, which is projected to nearly double by 2032. This research also showed that tecarfarin has the potential to provide clinical benefit in additional high-need cardiovascular, renal, and mechanical heart valve indications, reinforcing tecarfarin’s potential value proposition for patients.

Participation in Key Investor, Medical, and Business Development Conferences

Cadrenal was active during the first quarter in several significant conferences to build corporate visibility and underscore its commitment to advancing innovation in anticoagulation therapy. Investor interactions included participation at the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, a Company presentation at the BIO CEO and Investor Conference in New York, and, after the close of the quarter, a Company presentation at the Centri Capital Conference at Nasdaq headquarters in New York. Shortly after the quarter’s close, Cadrenal participated in the 18th National Conference on Anticoagulation Therapy in Washington, D.C.

Strategic Development Collaborations

Cadrenal continues to explore opportunities to add to the Company’s clinical pipeline and collaborate with potential development partners to advance the development of tecarfarin for patients with LVADs and for other indications requiring chronic anticoagulation.

First Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights

Research and development expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, were $1.7 million compared to $0.6 million for the same period in 2024. General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, were $2.3 million compared to $1.1 million for the same period in 2024. Cadrenal reported a net loss of $3.8 million for the quarter ending March 31, 2025, compared to $1.7 million for the same period in 2024.

On March 31, 2025, Cadrenal had cash and cash equivalents of $7.3 million, compared to $10.0 million as of December 31, 2024. The Company had approximately 1.9 million shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2025.

About Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc.

Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for patients with cardiovascular disease. Cadrenal’s lead investigational product is tecarfarin, a novel oral vitamin K antagonist anticoagulant that addresses unmet needs in anticoagulation therapy. Tecarfarin is a reversible anticoagulant (blood thinner) designed to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and deaths due to blood clots in patients requiring chronic anticoagulation. Although warfarin is widely used off-label for a number of indications, extensive clinical and real-world data have shown it can have significant, serious side effects. With tecarfarin, Cadrenal is advancing an innovative solution to address the unmet needs in anticoagulation therapy, aiming to reduce the clinical complexities of warfarin and capture value in a market with high demand for safer, more manageable treatment options.

Cadrenal is pursuing a pipeline-in-a-product approach with tecarfarin. Tecarfarin received Orphan Drug designation (ODD) for advanced heart failure patients with implanted mechanical circulatory support devices, including Left Ventricular Assisted Devices (LVADs). The Company also received ODD and fast-track status for tecarfarin in end-stage kidney disease and atrial fibrillation (ESKD+AFib).

Cadrenal is opportunistically pursuing business development initiatives with a longer-term focus on creating a pipeline of cardiovascular therapeutics. For more information, visit https://www.cadrenal.com/ and connect with us on LinkedIn.

Safe Harbor

Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements.” The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potentially,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements include statements regarding the appointment of James Ferguson, M.D., FACC, FAHA, as the Company’s Chief Medical Officer positioning the Company for success in reviewing potential assets to add to its portfolio and designing and executing its clinical program for tecarfarin; the finalized Collaboration Agreement with Abbott validating the critical need in the market for a new anticoagulant for patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs); Abbott sharing insights from recent HeartMate 3™ clinical trials and supporting Cadrenal with trial design, site identification, trial awareness, and HeartMate 3™ expertise; the LVAD market projected to nearly double by 2032; and tecarfarin having the potential to provide clinical benefit in additional high-need cardiovascular, renal, and mechanical heart valve indications, reinforcing tecarfarin’s potential value proposition for patients. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the ability to utilize Abbott’s expertise to advance tecarfarin, the ability to successfully collaborate with Abbott, the initiation of the pivotal clinical trial for tecarfarin in LVAD patients by Cadrenal; for tecarfarin to provide clinical benefit in additional high-need cardiovascular, renal, and mechanical heart valve indications, reinforcing tecarfarin’s potential value proposition for patients; the ability of Cadrenal to build a pipeline of specialized cardiovascular therapeutics and other assets and the other risk factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the Company’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including subsequent periodic reports on Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by federal securities laws, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

View full release here.

Corporate and Investor Relations

Paul Sagan

LaVoieHealthScience

(617) 865-0041

psagan@lavoiehealthscience.com

Media

Andrew Korda

LaVoieHealthScience

(617) 865-0043

akorda@lavoiehealthscience.com

Release – MariMed Reports First Quarter 2025 Earnings

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Research News and Market Data on MRMD

May 07, 2025 5:00pm EDT

NORWOOD, Mass., May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MariMed Inc. (“MariMed” or the “Company”) (CSE: MRMD) (OTCQX: MRMD), a leading multi-state cannabis operator focused on improving lives every day, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

Management Commentary

“We are executing on our vision to build the best consumer packaged goods company in cannabis, and over the past quarter we continued to penetrate more storefronts and capture more market share for our innovative, high-quality portfolio of brands,” said Jon Levine, MariMed Chief Executive Officer. “Our Betty’s Eddies™ cannabis chews remained the top-selling edible in Massachusetts, Maryland, and Delaware, and moved up to the #5 position in Illinois after its launch there just over a year ago. Our other core brands also achieved strong market share growth as we sold our products into 70 new storefronts. Wholesale sales now account for 44 percent of our revenue mix, an upward trend that we anticipate will continue as we further leverage our brands as the primary growth engine for the Company.”

“We are pleased to report sequential revenue growth in the first quarter of 2025, driven by continued strength in wholesale performance,” said Mario Pinho, MariMed Chief Financial Officer. “Wholesale sales helped to offset the financial impact of a soft quarter at retail as well as ramp-up costs associated with our new assets in Illinois and Missouri. We remain confident in delivering enhanced shareholder value through expanded brand distribution into new storefronts; the pursuit of new revenue streams, including through M&A, brand licensing, and potential entry into the hemp space; and a continued focus on disciplined cost management, operational efficiencies, and improved execution.”

Financial Highlights1

The following table summarizes the Company’s consolidated financial highlights (in millions, except percentage amounts):

1 See the reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures and additional information about non-GAAP measures in the section entitled “Discussion of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below and in the financials information included herewith.

CONFERENCE CALL

MariMed management will host a conference call on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time, to discuss these results. The conference call may be accessed through MariMed’s Investor Relations website, or by clicking the following link: Q125 MRMD Earnings Call.

FIRST QUARTER 2025 OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

During the first quarter, the Company announced the following development in the implementation of its strategic growth plan:

  • February 28: Completed its acquisition of First State Compassion Center (“FSCC”), the leading cannabis operator in Delaware, in accordance with the terms of the previously announced Omnibus Agreement entered into with FSCC in July 2023. The acquisition integrates FSCC’s cultivation and processing facilities and two dispensaries into MariMed’s fully vertical operations, further enhancing the Company’s revenue and profitability.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

Subsequent to the end of the first quarter, the Company announced the following further developments:

  • April 1: Commenced distribution of its Nature’s Heritage™-branded cannabis flower, pre-rolls, and vapes in Illinois, marking the first time the brand’s premium products are available in the state.
  • April 3: Expanded the line-up of its top-selling Betty’s Eddies™-branded cannabis chews with the introduction of a new caramel chew, Betty’s Caramelt Away.
  • April 8: Promoted Ryan Crandall to Chief Commercial Officer to lead the Company’s commercial strategy and activities, including Sales, Marketing, Product Development, and Retail Operations. He had served as the Company’s Chief Revenue Officer since July 2022, and prior was its Chief Products Officer and SVP, Sales for four years.

DISCUSSION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

MariMed’s management uses several different financial measures, both GAAP and non-GAAP, in analyzing and assessing the overall performance of its business, making operating decisions, and planning and forecasting future periods. The Company has provided in this release several non-GAAP financial measures: Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA margin, Non-GAAP Gross margin, Non-GAAP Operating expenses and Non-GAAP Net income (loss), as supplements to Revenue, Gross margin, Operating expenses, Income (loss) from operations, Net income (loss) and other financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in reviewing and assessing the performance of the Company, and when planning and forecasting future periods, as they provide meaningful operating results by excluding the effects of expenses that are not reflective of its operating business performance. In addition, the Company’s management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to understand and compare operating results across accounting periods and for financial and operational decision-making. The presentation of these non-GAAP measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Management believes that investors and analysts benefit from considering non-GAAP financial measures in assessing the Company’s financial results and its ongoing business, as it allows for meaningful comparisons and analysis of trends in the business. In particular, non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA is used by many investors and analysts themselves, along with other metrics, to compare financial results across accounting periods and to those of peer companies.

As there are no standardized methods of calculating non-GAAP financial measures, the Company’s calculations may differ from those used by analysts, investors and other companies, even those within the cannabis industry, and therefore may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures used by others.

Management defines non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA as income (loss) from operations, determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding the following items:

  • depreciation and amortization of property and equipment;
  • amortization of acquired intangible assets;
  • impairment or write-downs of acquired intangible assets;
  • inventory revaluation;
  • stock-based compensation;
  • severance;
  • legal settlements; and
  • acquisition-related and other expenses.

For further information, please refer to the publicly available financial filings available on MariMed’s Investor Relations website, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or as filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR website.

ABOUT MARIMED

MariMed Inc. is a leading multi-state cannabis operator, known for developing and managing state-of-the-art cultivation, production, and retail facilities. Our award-winning portfolio of cannabis brands, including Betty’s Eddies™, Bubby’s Baked™, Vibations™, InHouse™, and Nature’s Heritage™, sets us apart as an industry leader. These trusted brands, crafted with quality and innovation, are recognized and loved by consumers across the country. With a commitment to excellence, MariMed continues to drive growth and set new standards in the cannabis industry. For additional information, visit www.marimedinc.com.

IMPORTANT CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

The information in this release contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to several risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this release, including without limitation statements regarding projected financial results for 2025, including anticipated openings of dispensaries and facilities, timing of regulatory approvals, plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “expects”, “expectations”, “intends”, “may”, “plans”, and other similar language, whether in the negative or affirmative, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.

Forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and assumptions regarding our business, timing of regulatory approvals, the ability to obtain new licenses, business prospects and strategic growth plan, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements due to various risks, uncertainties, and other important factors, including, among others, reductions in customer spending, our ability to recruit and retain key personnel, and disruptions from the integration efforts of acquired companies.

These factors are not intended to be an all-encompassing list of risks and uncertainties that may affect our business and results of operations. These statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve risk and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, including, among other factors, changes in demand for the Company’s services and products, changes in the law and its enforcement, and changes in the economic environment. Additional information regarding these and other factors can be found in our reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In providing these forward-looking statements, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update these statements publicly or otherwise, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

All trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

For More Information Contact:

Howard Schacter, Chief Communications Officer
Email: hschacter@marimedinc.com
Phone: (781) 277-0007

View full release here.

Release – GeoVax Expands Gedeptin(R) Patent Portfolio

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Research News and Market Data on GOVX

Allowed Patent Claims Cover the Synergistic Combination of Gedeptin® Therapy with Radiation As a Targeted Approach for Solid Tumors

Atlanta, GA – May 7, 2025 – GeoVax Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: GOVX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing immunotherapies and vaccines against solid tumors and infectious diseases, announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a Notice of Allowance related to U.S. patent application 17/502,101 entitled “Enhanced Therapeutic Usage of a Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase or Nucleoside Hydrolase Prodrug”. The allowed claims further strengthen GeoVax’s intellectual property position in the oncology space.

The allowed claims describe a method for treating solid tumors—including glioblastoma, breast, prostate, head and neck, glioma, and lung cancers—through the direct intratumoral administration of an adenoviral vector encoding purine nucleoside phosphorylase (Ad/PNP), followed by local administration of the prodrug fludarabine phosphate (F-araAMP), and subsequent radiation therapy. This triple-combination strategy is designed to generate local, targeted cytotoxic activity within the tumor microenvironment while minimizing systemic toxicity.

The allowed patent joins the growing Gedeptin intellectual property portfolio, which was exclusively licensed to GeoVax through a prior agreement with PNP Therapeutics, Inc. and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)/Southern Research. Under the agreement, GeoVax has assumed all licensing rights and IP prosecution responsibilities for the Gedeptin platform.

David Dodd, Chairman and CEO of GeoVax, commented, “This allowed patent underscores the clinical and commercial promise of our Gedeptin platform and demonstrates our commitment to expanding therapeutic options for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. While the claims do not directly mirror our ongoing clinical programs, they establish a critical foundation for future directions, including potential integration with advanced delivery systems for tumors that are challenging to access.”

Dodd continued, “The USPTO’s recognition of this therapeutic method further validates our approach and underscores the growing value of our wholly owned, co-owned, and in-licensed intellectual property estate, now standing at over 135 granted or pending patent applications spread across 23 distinct patent families”.

Having successfully completed a Phase 1/2a study, as monotherapy in advanced head and Neck cancer patients, Gedeptin is scheduled to begin a Phase 2 trial in combination with an Immune Check Inhibitor (ICI) for patients with first recurrence of head and neck cancer. The newly allowed claims provide further protection as GeoVax explores expanded applications, including novel device-based delivery approaches in potential partnership with interventional oncology companies.

About Gedeptin

Gedeptin is a viral-vectored gene therapy that employs a non-replicating adenoviral vector encoding the E. coli enzyme purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP). When injected directly into a tumor and followed by systemic administration of the prodrug fludarabine phosphate, PNP enzymatically converts the prodrug into a cytotoxic metabolite (fluoroadenine), resulting in selective killing of tumor cells by disrupting RNA and protein synthesis.

This tumor-targeted approach offers several key advantages:

  • Localized cytotoxicity with reduced systemic side effects,
  • Potential synergy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs),
  • Applicability across multiple solid tumor types, particularly those accessible for intratumoral injection.

Gedeptin will soon be evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical trial for patients with first recurrence of head and neck cancer in combination with an approved ICI. It has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the U.S. FDA for intratumoral treatment of oral and pharyngeal cancers.

About GeoVax

GeoVax Labs, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel vaccines against infectious diseases and therapies for solid tumor cancers. The Company’s lead clinical program is GEO-CM04S1, a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine currently in three Phase 2 clinical trials, being evaluated as (1) a primary vaccine for immunocompromised patients such as those suffering from hematologic cancers and other patient populations for whom the current authorized COVID-19 vaccines are insufficient, (2) a booster vaccine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and (3) a more robust, durable COVID-19 booster among healthy patients who previously received the mRNA vaccines. In oncology the lead clinical program is evaluating a novel oncolytic solid tumor gene-directed therapy, Gedeptin®, having recently completed a multicenter Phase 1/2 clinical trial for advanced head and neck cancers. The Company is also developing GEO-MVA, a vaccine targeting Mpox and smallpox. GeoVax has a strong IP portfolio in support of its technologies and product candidates, holding worldwide rights for its technologies and products. For more information about the current status of our clinical trials and other updates, visit our website: www.geovax.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding GeoVax’s business plans. The words “believe,” “look forward to,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Actual results may differ materially from those included in these statements due to a variety of factors, including whether: GeoVax is able to obtain acceptable results from ongoing or future clinical trials of its investigational products, GeoVax’s immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines can provoke the desired responses, and those products or vaccines can be used effectively, GeoVax’s viral vector technology adequately amplifies immune responses to cancer antigens, GeoVax can develop and manufacture its immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines with the desired characteristics in a timely manner, GeoVax’s immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines will be safe for human use, GeoVax’s vaccines will effectively prevent targeted infections in humans, GeoVax’s immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines will receive regulatory approvals necessary to be licensed and marketed, GeoVax raises required capital to complete development, there is development of competitive products that may be more effective or easier to use than GeoVax’s products, GeoVax will be able to enter into favorable manufacturing and distribution agreements, and other factors, over which GeoVax has no control.

Further information on our risk factors is contained in our periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K that we have filed and will file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. 

Company Contact:                 

info@geovax.com                   

678-384-7220                          

Investor Relations Contact:

geovax@precisionaq.com

212-698-8696

Release – Century Lithium Provides Technical Update on Angel Island

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May 6, 2025 – Vancouver, Canada – Century Lithium Corp. (TSXV: LCE) (OTCQX: CYDVF) (Frankfurt: C1Z) (“Century Lithium” or “the Company”) is pleased to provide an update on its 100%-owned lithium project, Angel Island (“Angel Island”) near Silver Peak, Nevada and the associated Lithium Extraction Facility (“Demonstration Plant”) in Amargosa Valley, Nevada.

“Century Lithium has continued to advance Angel Island through the Company’s Demonstration Plant,” said Bill Willoughby, Century Lithium President and CEO. “Our Demonstration Plant allows us to improve our technology through various avenues of testing, most recently with ARi, where recent results have exceeded our expectations.”

Advancements to the Demonstration Plant

Century Lithium has successfully completed testing at the Demonstration Plant in collaboration with Amalgamated Research, LLC (“ARi”) of Twin Falls, Idaho. This testing focused on new developments within the Direct Lithium Extraction (“DLE”) portion of Century Lithium’s process. These results exceeded expectations for lithium recovery and eluate grade produced from a primary step in the DLE process. The Company believes this could result in a substantial reduction in the estimated capital and operating costs at Angel Island.

Results from DLE Pilot Testing (November 2024–January 2025):

  • 328 milligrams per liter (“mg/L”) lithium feed concentration
  • 91.6% lithium recovery
  • 575 mg/L eluate grade with a low Na:Li ratio of 0.6:1

Additional Technical Progress at the Demonstration Plant

  • An increase of lithium in eluate to 12 to 14 grams per liter (“g/L”) lithium concentration using specialty membranes in the concentration steps following DLE
  • Continued operation of the lithium carbonate (“Li2CO3”) circuit, resulting in 99.87% purity in Li2CO3 samples
  • Third-party evaluation is underway on Li2CO3 samples for use in producing lithium iron phosphate (“LFP”) batteries. LFP batteries have a high energy density and long cycle life and are used in solar, energy storage systems and long-range EV applications
  • Testing is underway for thermal pretreatment of Angel Island clay with the potential to significantly reduce hydrochloric acid use in the leach stage of processing

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 wholly owned Angel Island project in Esmeralda County, Nevada, which hosts one of the largest sedimentary lithium deposits in the United States. The Company has utilized its patent-pending process for chloride leaching combined with direct lithium extraction to make battery-grade lithium carbonate product samples from Angel Island’s lithium-bearing claystone on-site at its Demonstration Plant in Amargosa Valley, Nevada.

Angel Island is one of the few advanced lithium projects in development in the United States to provide an end-to-end process to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate for the growing electric vehicle and battery storage market. Angel Island is currently in the permitting stage for a three-phase feasibility-level production plan expected to yield an estimated life-of-mine average of 34,000 tonnes per year of carbonate over a 40-year mine-life.

To learn more, please visit centurylithium.com

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 – CORRECTION: MAIA Biotechnology Announces $1.08 Million Private Placement

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on MAIA

May 05, 2025 11:45pm EDT Download as PDF

This is a correction of the announcement. The initial exercise date and term of the warrants purchased in the private placement have been corrected to one year following issuance and have a term of six years from the initial issuance date. All other aspects of the announcement remain the same.

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– MAIA Biotechnology, Inc., (NYSE American: MAIA) (“MAIA”, the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer, today announced that it has entered into definitive agreements for the purchase and sale of an aggregate of 719,999 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $1.50 per share, in a private placement to accredited investors and certain Company directors. Each share of common stock is being offered together with a warrant to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $2.05 per share, which price represents the greater of the book or market value of the stock on the date the definitive agreements were executed (subject to customary adjustments as set forth in the warrants). The warrants are exercisable commencing one year following issuance and have a term of six years from the initial issuance date. The securities being sold to the Company directors participating in the offering are being issued pursuant to the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. The private placement is expected to close on or about May 7, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The gross proceeds from the offering are expected to be approximately $1.08 million, prior to offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for to fund the starting cost for Part C of the Phase II trial THIO -101 and for working capital.

The securities described above are being offered in a private placement under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder and, along with the shares of common stock underlying the warrants, have not been registered under the Securities Act, or applicable state securities laws. Accordingly, the warrants and underlying shares of common stock may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and such applicable state securities laws.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

About MAIA Biotechnology, Inc.

MAIA is a targeted therapy, immuno-oncology company focused on the development and commercialization of potential first-in-class drugs with novel mechanisms of action that are intended to meaningfully improve and extend the lives of people with cancer. Our lead program is ateganosine (THIO), a potential first-in-class cancer telomere targeting agent in clinical development for the treatment of NSCLC patients with telomerase-positive cancer cells. For more information, please visit www.maiabiotech.com.

Forward Looking Statements

MAIA cautions that all statements, other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels or activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those anticipated by such statements. The use of words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “future,” “potential,” or “continue,” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that statements are not forward-looking. For example, all statements we make regarding (i) the initiation, timing, cost, progress and results of our preclinical and clinical studies and our research and development programs, (ii) our ability to advance product candidates into, and successfully complete, clinical studies, (iii) the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, (iv) our ability to develop, manufacture and commercialize our product candidates and to improve the manufacturing process, (v) the rate and degree of market acceptance of our product candidates, (vi) the size and growth potential of the markets for our product candidates and our ability to serve those markets, and (vii) our expectations regarding our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidates, are forward looking. All forward-looking statements are based on current estimates, assumptions and expectations by our management that, although we believe to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. Any forward-looking statement expressing an expectation or belief as to future events is expressed in good faith and believed to be reasonable at the time such forward-looking statement is made. However, these statements are not guarantees of future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors beyond our control that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In this release, unless the context requires otherwise, “MAIA,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refers to MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Investor Relations Contact
+1 (872) 270-3518
ir@maiabiotech.com

Source: MAIA Biotechnology, Inc.

Released May 5, 2025

Release – MAIA Biotechnology Announces $1.08 Million Private Placement

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on MAIA

May 05, 2025 4:05pm EDT Download as PDF

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– MAIA Biotechnology, Inc., (NYSE American: MAIA) (“MAIA”, the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer, today announced that it has entered into definitive agreements for the purchase and sale of an aggregate of 719,999 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $1.50 per share, in a private placement to accredited investors and certain Company directors. Each share of common stock is being offered together with a warrant to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $2.05 per share, which price represents the greater of the book or market value of the stock on the date the definitive agreements were executed (subject to customary adjustments as set forth in the warrants). The warrants are exercisable commencing six months following issuance and have a term of five years from the initial exercise date. The securities being sold to the Company directors participating in the offering are being issued pursuant to the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. The private placement is expected to close on or about May 7, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The gross proceeds from the offering are expected to be approximately $1.08 million, prior to offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for to fund the starting cost for Part C of the Phase II trial THIO -101 and for working capital.

The securities described above are being offered in a private placement under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder and, along with the shares of common stock underlying the warrants, have not been registered under the Securities Act, or applicable state securities laws. Accordingly, the warrants and underlying shares of common stock may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and such applicable state securities laws.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

About MAIA Biotechnology, Inc.

MAIA is a targeted therapy, immuno-oncology company focused on the development and commercialization of potential first-in-class drugs with novel mechanisms of action that are intended to meaningfully improve and extend the lives of people with cancer. Our lead program is ateganosine (THIO), a potential first-in-class cancer telomere targeting agent in clinical development for the treatment of NSCLC patients with telomerase-positive cancer cells. For more information, please visit www.maiabiotech.com.

Forward Looking Statements

MAIA cautions that all statements, other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels or activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those anticipated by such statements. The use of words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “future,” “potential,” or “continue,” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that statements are not forward-looking. For example, all statements we make regarding (i) the initiation, timing, cost, progress and results of our preclinical and clinical studies and our research and development programs, (ii) our ability to advance product candidates into, and successfully complete, clinical studies, (iii) the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, (iv) our ability to develop, manufacture and commercialize our product candidates and to improve the manufacturing process, (v) the rate and degree of market acceptance of our product candidates, (vi) the size and growth potential of the markets for our product candidates and our ability to serve those markets, and (vii) our expectations regarding our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidates, are forward looking. All forward-looking statements are based on current estimates, assumptions and expectations by our management that, although we believe to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. Any forward-looking statement expressing an expectation or belief as to future events is expressed in good faith and believed to be reasonable at the time such forward-looking statement is made. However, these statements are not guarantees of future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors beyond our control that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In this release, unless the context requires otherwise, “MAIA,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refers to MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Investor Relations Contact
+1 (872) 270-3518
ir@maiabiotech.com

Source: MAIA Biotechnology, Inc.

Released May 5, 2025

Release – SelectQuote to Release Fiscal Third Quarter 2025 Earnings on May 12

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on SLQT

05/05/2025

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– SelectQuote, Inc. (NYSE: SLQT), a leading distributor of Medicare insurance policies and owner of a rapidly growing Healthcare Services platform, today announced it will release its third quarter 2025 financial results before market open on Monday, May 12, 2025. Chief Executive Officer, Tim Danker, and Chief Financial Officer, Ryan Clement, will host a conference call on the day of the release (May 12, 2025) at 8:30 am ET to discuss the results.

To register for this conference call, please use this link: https://registrations.events/direct/Q4I54780976.

After registering, a confirmation will be sent via email, including dial in details and unique conference call codes for entry. Registration is open through the live call, but to ensure you are connected for the full call, we suggest registering a day in advance or at minimum 10 minutes before the start of the call. The event will also be webcasted live via our investor relations website https://ir.selectquote.com/investor-home/default.aspx or via this link.

About SelectQuote:

Founded in 1985, SelectQuote (NYSE: SLQT) pioneered the model of providing unbiased comparisons from multiple, highly-rated insurance companies, allowing consumers to choose the policy and terms that best meet their unique needs. Two foundational pillars underpin SelectQuote’s success: a strong force of highly-trained and skilled agents who provide a consultative needs analysis for every consumer, and proprietary technology that sources and routes high-quality leads. Today, the Company operates an ecosystem offering high touchpoints for consumers across insurance, pharmacy, and virtual care.

With an ecosystem offering engagement points for consumers across insurance, Medicare, pharmacy, and value-based care, the company now has three core business lines: SelectQuote Senior, SelectQuote Healthcare Services, and SelectQuote Life. SelectQuote Senior serves the needs of a demographic that sees around 10,000 people turn 65 each day with a range of Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans. SelectQuote Healthcare Services is comprised of the SelectRx Pharmacy, a Patient-Centered Pharmacy Home™ (PCPH) accredited pharmacy, SelectPatient Management, a provider of chronic care management services, and Healthcare Select which proactively connects consumers with a wide breadth of healthcare services supporting their needs.

Investor Relations:
Sloan Bohlen
877-678-4083
investorrelations@selectquote.com

Media:
Matt Gunter
913-286-4931
matt.gunter@selectquote.com

Source: SelectQuote, Inc.

Release – GoHealth to Announce First Quarter 2025 Results on May 13, 2025

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on GOCO

May 05, 2025 at 9:00 AM EDT

CHICAGO, May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GoHealth, Inc. (GoHealth) (NASDAQ: GOCO), a leading health insurance marketplace and Medicare-focused digital health company, announced that the company will release its first quarter 2025 financial results on the morning of May 13, 2025.

Chief Executive Officer, Vijay Kotte, and Chief Financial Officer, Brendan Shanahan, will host a conference call and live audio webcast on the day of the release at 8:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss the results.

A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available via GoHealth’s Investor Relations website, https://investors.gohealth.com/. A replay of the call will be available via webcast for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call.

About GoHealth, Inc.

GoHealth is a leading health insurance marketplace and Medicare-focused digital health company whose purpose is to compassionately ensure consumers’ peace of mind when making healthcare decisions so they can focus on living life. For many of these consumers, enrolling in a health insurance plan is confusing and difficult, and seemingly small differences between health plans may lead to significant out-of-pocket costs or lack of access to critical providers and medicines. GoHealth’s proprietary technology platform leverages modern machine-learning algorithms, powered by over two decades of insurance purchasing behavior, to reimagine the process of matching a health plan to a consumer’s specific needs. Its unbiased, technology-driven marketplace coupled with highly skilled licensed agents has facilitated the enrollment of millions of consumers in Medicare plans since GoHealth’s inception. For more information, visit https://www.gohealth.com.

Investor Relations
John Shave
jshave@gohealth.com

Media Relations
Pressinquiries@gohealth.com

Ocugen to Host Conference Call on Friday, May 9 at 8:30 A.M. ET to Discuss Business Updates and First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Research News and Market Data on Ocugen

MALVERN, Pa., May 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (Ocugen or the Company) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a pioneering biotechnology leader in gene therapies for blindness diseases, today announced that it will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss the Company’s first quarter 2025 financial results and provide a business update at 8:30 a.m. ET on Friday, May 9, 2025.

Ocugen will issue a pre-market earnings announcement on the same day. Attendees are invited to participate on the call using the following details:

Dial-in Numbers: (800) 715-9871 for U.S. callers and (646) 307-1963 for international callers
Conference ID: 1773288
Webcast: Available on the events section of the Ocugen investor site

A replay of the call and archived webcast will be available for approximately 45 days following the event on the Ocugen investor site.

About Ocugen, Inc.
Ocugen, Inc. is a pioneering biotechnology leader in gene therapies for blindness diseases. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to address significant unmet medical need for large patient populations through our gene-agnostic approach. Unlike traditional gene therapies and gene editing, Ocugen’s modifier gene therapies address the entire disease—complex diseases that are potentially caused by imbalances in multiple gene networks. Currently we have programs in development for inherited retinal diseases and blindness diseases affecting millions across the globe, including retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, and geographic atrophy—late stage dry age-related macular degeneration. Discover more at www.ocugen.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact:
Tiffany Hamilton
AVP, Head of Communications
Tiffany.Hamilton@ocugen.com

Novartis to Acquire Regulus Therapeutics in $1.7 Billion Biotech Buyout

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com
Key Points:
– Novartis to acquire Regulus for up to $1.7B, including $7/share upfront and $7/share tied to farabursen approval.
– Farabursen, a potential first-in-class ADPKD treatment, heads into Phase 3 with FDA alignment.
– Boosts Novartis’s kidney disease pipeline and commitment to innovation in rare conditions.

Novartis AG announced plans to acquire Regulus Therapeutics Inc. in a transaction valued at up to $1.7 billion, reinforcing the Swiss pharmaceutical giant’s strategy to deepen its portfolio in renal and genetic disease treatments. The deal includes an upfront cash payment of $7.00 per share, representing approximately $800 million in equity value, and an additional $7.00 per share tied to a regulatory milestone via a contingent value right (CVR), pending approval of Regulus’s lead drug candidate, farabursen.

Farabursen is being developed as a novel treatment for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a condition with limited current options and significant unmet clinical need. If approved, farabursen could become the first systemic therapy of its kind in this indication, offering a potentially superior safety and efficacy profile compared to existing treatments.

The acquisition reflects a growing trend in the biopharma sector where large-cap pharmaceutical companies pursue innovative pipelines through targeted M&A. In recent quarters, the industry has seen an uptick in transactions focused on small to mid-sized biotech firms that specialize in high-impact therapies for rare or underserved diseases. Regulus’s focus on microRNA-based therapies, a field once viewed as experimental, is now receiving renewed attention as advances in RNA technology improve target precision and therapeutic delivery.

For Novartis, the move expands its nephrology franchise and bolsters its pipeline in genetic disorders, aligning with the company’s long-term innovation strategy. Financially, the deal signals confidence in both Regulus’s platform and farabursen’s development prospects. The 274% premium to Regulus’s 60-day volume-weighted average price underscores the strategic value Novartis sees in the program.

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to regulatory approval and the successful tender of a majority of Regulus’s outstanding shares. Once finalized, Regulus will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Novartis, with its operations and development programs integrated into Novartis’s global R&D structure.

The deal may also serve as a bellwether for continued consolidation in biotech, particularly among companies advancing oligonucleotide or RNA-based therapeutics. Investors are likely to see the acquisition as further validation of microRNA platforms, potentially reinvigorating interest in similar early-stage biotech firms.

At a time when cost pressures and generic competition are accelerating across the pharmaceutical landscape, acquiring promising assets with a clear regulatory path remains a preferred strategy for growth. For Regulus, integration with Novartis offers the financial and operational muscle needed to take farabursen through the final stages of development and, if approved, to global markets.

As the biotech sector continues to recalibrate from recent valuation contractions, strategic acquisitions like this illustrate the enduring value of focused innovation, especially in areas with limited treatment alternatives and high unmet demand.

Release – Tonix Pharmaceuticals Presented Preclinical Data on Gastric Cancer Models at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2025 Annual Meeting

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Research News and Market Data on Tonix Pharmaceuticals

April 29, 2025 9:05am EDT

Combination treatment of TFF2 with anti-PD1 antibody was associated with the activation of cancer-killing CD8+ T Cells and limiting immune evasion by tumor cells

TNX-1700 is in preclinical development for gastric and colorectal cancers

CHATHAM, N.J., April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP) (Tonix or the Company), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company with marketed products and a pipeline of development candidates, presented data in a poster presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2025 Annual Meeting, held April 25-30, 2025, in Chicago, IL. A copy of the Company’s presentation is available under the Scientific Presentations tab of the Tonix website at www.tonixpharma.com. The presentation titled, “TFF2-mediated CXCR4 partial agonism outperforms CXCR4 antagonism in reducing murine gastric cancer by suppressing PMN-MDSC generation,” demonstrated positive data in gastric cancer animal models. In the AACR presentation, a fusion protein of murine trefoil factor family member 2- murine serum albumin (mTFF2-MSA) was studied. Tonix is developing human TFF2-human serum albumin (hTFF2-HAS) as TNX-1700.

“The combination therapy of mTFF2-MSA with anti-PD1 treatment shows promise in reducing immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME) in animal models,” said Seth Lederman, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Tonix Pharmaceuticals. “We are excited to develop TNX-1700 (TFF2-HAS) as the lead program in our immuno-oncology pipeline, by testing potential dosing strategies, and establishing potential clinical biomarkers through preclinical models.”

Immunosuppressive neutrophils, also known as polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs), are a major component in solid tumors that significantly hinder anti-tumor activity1,2. Despite being short-lived, their continuous replenishment from the bone marrow sustains their potent immunosuppression in the TME3. Stromal cells in the TME promote immunosuppression by recruiting MDSCs via secretion of CXCL12. Trefoil Factor 2 (TFF2), a secreted peptide of the trefoil factor family, has displayed activity as a partial agonist of CXCR44,5. Data presented in the poster demonstrated that TFF2-MSA selectively reduces immunosuppressive neutrophils and cancer-driven granulopoiesis. Treatment with TFF2-MSA, in combination with an anti-PD1 antibody, induced robust anti-tumoral CD8+ T cell responses, inhibiting tumor invasion. TFF2 reduction correlated with elevated PMN-MDSCs in gastric cancer patients, highlighting the potential negative correlation between TFF2 and PMN-MDSCs levels.

About Trefoil Factor Family Member 2 (TFF2)

Human TFF2 is a secreted protein, encoded by the TFF2 gene in humans, that is expressed in gastrointestinal mucosa where it functions to protect and repair mucosa. TFF2 is also expressed at low levels in splenic immune cells and is now appreciated to have intravascular roles in the spleen and in the tumor microenvironment. In gastric cancer, TFF2 is epigenetically silenced, and TFF2 is suggested to be protective against cancer development through several mechanisms. Tonix is developing TNX-1700 (rTFF2-HSA) for the treatment of gastric and colon cancers under a license from Columbia University. The inventor of the core technology at Columbia is Dr. Timothy Wang, who is an expert in the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis whose research has focused on the carcinogenic role of inflammation in modulating stem cell functions. Dr. Wang demonstrated that knocking out the mTFF2 gene in mice leads to faster tumor growth and that overexpression of TFF2 markedly suppresses tumor growth by curtailing the homing, differentiation, and expansion of MDSCs to allow activation of cancer-killing CD8+ T cells. He went on to show that a novel engineered form of recombinant murine TFF2 (mTFF2-CTP) had an extended half-life in vivo and was able to suppress MDSCs and tumor growth in an animal model of colorectal cancer. Later, he showed in gastric cancer models that suppressing MDSCs using chemotherapy enhances the effectiveness of anti-PD1 therapy and significantly reduces tumor growth. Dr. Wang proposed the concept of employing rTFF2 in combination with other therapies in cancer prevention and early treatment.

1Kim W, et al. PD-1 Signaling Promotes Tumor-Infiltrating Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and Gastric Tumorigenesis in Mice. Gastroenterology. 2021 Feb;160(3):781-796
2Veglia F, et al. Analysis of classical neutrophils and polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells in cancer patients and tumor-bearing mice. J Exp Med. 2021 Apr 5;218(4):e20201803.
3Colligan SH, et al. Inhibiting the biogenesis of myeloid-derived suppressor cells enhances immunotherapy efficacy against mammary tumor progression. J Clin Invest. 2022 Dec1;132(23):e158661.
4Dubeykovskaya Z, et al. Secreted trefoil factor 2 activates the CXCR4 receptor in epithelial and lymphocytic cancer cell lines. J Biol Chem. 2009 Feb 6;284(6):3650-62.
5Dubeykovskaya Z, et al. Neural innervation stimulates splenic TFF2 to arrest myeloid cell expansion and cancer. Nat Commun. 2016 Feb 4;7:10517.

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.*

Tonix is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on transforming therapies for pain management and vaccines for public health challenges. Tonix’s development portfolio is focused on central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Tonix’s priority is to advance TNX-102 SL, a product candidate for the management of fibromyalgia, for which an NDA was submitted based on two statistically significant Phase 3 studies for the management of fibromyalgia and for which a PDUFA (Prescription Drug User Fee act) goal date of August 15, 2025 has been assigned for a decision on marketing authorization. The FDA has also granted Fast Track designation to TNX-102 SL for the management of fibromyalgia. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat acute stress reaction and acute stress disorder under a Physician-Initiated IND at the University of North Carolina in the OASIS study funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Tonix’s immunology development portfolio consists of biologics to address organ transplant rejection, autoimmunity and cancer, including TNX-1500, which is an Fc-modified humanized monoclonal antibody targeting CD40-ligand (CD40L or CD154) being developed for the prevention of allograft rejection and for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Tonix also has product candidates in development in infectious disease, including a vaccine for mpox, TNX-801. Tonix recently announced a contract with the U.S. DoD’s Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) for up to $34 million over five years to develop TNX-4200, small molecule broad-spectrum antiviral agents targeting CD45 for the prevention or treatment of infections to improve the medical readiness of military personnel in biological threat environments. Tonix owns and operates a state-of-the art infectious disease research facility in Frederick, Md. Tonix Medicines, our commercial subsidiary, markets Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan injection) 3 mg and Tosymra® (sumatriptan nasal spray) 10 mg for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults.

* Tonix’s product development candidates are investigational new drugs or biologics; their efficacy and safety have not been established and have not been approved for any indication.

Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are registered trademarks of Tonix Medicines. All other marks are property of their respective owners.

This press release and further information about Tonix can be found at www.tonixpharma.com.

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 by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend,” among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Tonix’s current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of 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, risks related to the failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations; risks related to the failure to successfully market any of our products; risks related to the timing and progress of clinical development of our product candidates; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payor reimbursement; limited research and development efforts and dependence upon third parties; and substantial competition. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. Tonix does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 1, 2024, and periodic reports filed with the SEC on or after the date thereof. All of Tonix’s forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date thereof.

Investor Contact

Jessica Morris
Tonix Pharmaceuticals
investor.relations@tonixpharma.com
(862) 799-8599

Peter Vozzo
ICR Healthcare
peter.vozzo@icrhealthcare.com
(443) 213-0505

Media Contact

Ray Jordan
Putnam Insights
ray@putnaminsights.com
(949) 245-5432

Indication and Usage

Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan succinate) injection (Zembrace) and Tosymra® (sumatriptan) nasal spray are prescription medicines used to treat acute migraine headaches with or without aura in adults who have been diagnosed with migraine.

Zembrace and Tosymra are not used to prevent migraines. It is not known if Zembrace or Tosymra are safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

Important Safety Information

Zembrace and Tosymra can cause serious side effects, including heart attack and other heart problems, which may lead to death. Stop use and get emergency help if you have any signs of a heart attack:

  • discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back
  • severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw
  • pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
  • shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
  • breaking out in a cold sweat
  • nausea or vomiting
  • feeling lightheaded

Zembrace and Tosymra are not for people with risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure or cholesterol, smoking, overweight, diabetes, family history of heart disease) unless a heart exam shows no problem.

Do not use Zembrace or Tosymra if you have:

  • history of heart problems
  • narrowing of blood vessels to your legs, arms, stomach, or kidney (peripheral vascular disease)
  • uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • hemiplegic or basilar migraines. If you are not sure if you have these, ask your provider.
  • had a stroke, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or problems with blood circulation
  • severe liver problems
  • taken any of the following medicines in the last 24 hours: almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, ergotamines, or dihydroergotamine. Ask your provider for a list of these medicines if you are not sure.
  • are taking certain antidepressants, known as monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A inhibitors or it has been 2 weeks or less since you stopped taking a MAO-A inhibitor. Ask your provider for a list of these medicines if you are not sure.
  • an allergy to sumatriptan or any of the components of Zembrace or Tosymra

Tell your provider about all of your medical conditions and medicines you take, including vitamins and supplements.

Zembrace and Tosymra can cause dizziness, weakness, or drowsiness. If so, do not drive a car, use machinery, or do anything where you need to be alert.

Zembrace and Tosymra may cause serious side effects including:

  • changes in color or sensation in your fingers and toes
  • sudden or severe stomach pain, stomach pain after meals, weight loss, nausea or vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, fever
  • cramping and pain in your legs or hips; feeling of heaviness or tightness in your leg muscles; burning or aching pain in your feet or toes while resting; numbness, tingling, or weakness in your legs; cold feeling or color changes in one or both legs or feet
  • increased blood pressure including a sudden severe increase even if you have no history of high blood pressure
  • medication overuse headaches from using migraine medicine for 10 or more days each month. If your headaches get worse, call your provider.
  • serotonin syndrome, a rare but serious problem that can happen in people using Zembrace or Tosymra, especially when used with anti-depressant medicines called SSRIs or SNRIs. Call your provider right away if you have: mental changes such as seeing things that are not there (hallucinations), agitation, or coma; fast heartbeat; changes in blood pressure; high body temperature; tight muscles; or trouble walking.
  • hives (itchy bumps); swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • seizures even in people who have never had seizures before

The most common side effects of Zembrace and Tosymra include: pain and redness at injection site (Zembrace only); tingling or numbness in your fingers or toes; dizziness; warm, hot, burning feeling to your face (flushing); discomfort or stiffness in your neck; feeling weak, drowsy, or tired; application site (nasal) reactions (Tosymra only) and throat irritation (Tosymra only).

Tell your provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of Zembrace and Tosymra. For more information, ask your provider.

This is the most important information to know about Zembrace and Tosymra but is not comprehensive. For more information, talk to your provider and read the Patient Information and Instructions for Use. You can also visit https://www.tonixpharma.com or call 1-888-869-7633.

You are encouraged to report adverse effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Primary Logo

Source: Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.

Released April 29, 2025

Release – Ocugen to Present on Modifier Gene Therapy Platform at Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 2025 Annual Meeting and Retina World Congress

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Research News and Market Data on Ocugen

April 29, 2025

MALVERN, Pa., April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (Ocugen or the Company) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a pioneering biotechnology leader in gene therapies for blindness diseases, today announced that the Company will present on its innovative modifier gene therapy platform, including OCU400 for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (Phase 3 LiMeliGhT clinical trial), OCU410ST for the treatment of Stargardt disease (Phase 2/3 pivotal confirmatory clinical trial), and OCU410 for the treatment of geographic atrophy (Phase 2 ArMaDa clinical trial), at The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2025 Annual Meeting at the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah from May 4-8, 2025, and Retina World Congress at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida from May 8-11, 2025.

“We look forward to sharing more about the potential of our modifier gene therapy platform and the meaningful results we are seeing in the clinic during these two important meetings for the retina community,” said Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman, CEO, and Co-founder of Ocugen. “Ocugen remains on track to deliver on our commitment to file three Biologics License Applications (BLAs)/Marketing Authorization Applications (MAAs) in the next three years—potentially addressing significant unmet medical need for large patient populations through our gene-agnostic approach.”

The ARVO Annual Meeting is a premiere gathering for eye and vision scientists from across the globe, students, and those in affiliated fields to share the latest research findings and collaborate on innovative solutions. Retina World Congress brings together leading retina specialists from every continent to achieve a global scientific and clinical exchange in retinal health.

Ocugen’s presence in Utah kicks off with the Company Showcase at Eyecelerator, presented by Dr. Huma Qamar, Chief Medical Officer at Ocugen, and continues through presentations and thought leadership engagement at ARVO.

Eyecelerator @ Park City 2025

Session: Retina—Gene Therapy and Novel Mechanisms of Action Showcase
Location: Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, Strawberry Ballroom, Park City, UT
Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
Time: 2:06 p.m. MDT
Presenter: Dr. Huma Qamar

ARVO

Exhibitor Education Forum
Two-Year Follow-Up of a Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial for the Safety and Efficacy of OCU400 Novel Modifier Gene Therapy for Retinitis Pigmentosa
Location: Exhibitor Floor, Section 1037
Date: Monday, May 5, 2025
Time: 2 p.m. MDT 
Presenter: Benjamin Bakall, MD, Ph.D., Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Arizona, College of Medicine–Phoenix, and Director for Clinical Research, Director for The Inherited Retinal Disease and Visual Function Clinic, Associated Retina Consultants

An Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Novel Modifier Gene Therapy OCU410 for the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Location: Exhibitor Floor, Section 1037
Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Time: 2 p.m. MDT
Presenter: Syed M. Shah, MD, FACS, Vice Chair for Research and Digital Medicine, Director of Retina Service at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Safety and Efficacy of OCU410ST: A Phase 1/2 Trial of a Novel Modifier Gene Therapy for Stargardt Disease (GARDian)
Location: Exhibitor Floor, Section 1037
Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Time: 2 p.m. MDT
Presenter: Neena Haider, Ph.D., Faculty Harvard Medical School and Founder, CEO, Shifa Precision

Paper Session
Preliminary Safety and Efficacy of OCU410 for Treatment of Geographic Atrophy: Phase 1/2 OCU410: The Age-related Macular Degeneration (ArMaDa) Study Update
Presentation Number: 3675 
Session Number and Title: 358/AMD Clinical research II 
Location: Ballroom J 
Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Time: 4:15 p.m. MDT
Presenter: Syed M. Shah, MD, FACS, Vice Chair for Research and Digital Medicine, Director of Retina Service at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Poster Session
A0513: Safety and Efficacy of OCU410ST for the Treatment of Stargardt Disease: Phase 1/2 Study Update
Location: Hall A-E
Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025
Time: 2 p.m. MDT
Presenter: Ramiro Maldonado, MD, Duke Center for Ophthalmic Genetics, Duke Pediatric Retina, Adult vitreo-Retinal diseases

Dr. Qamar will represent Ocugen at Retina World Congress to share the Company presentation and serve alongside notable retinal surgeons and industry peers during a panel discussion.

Retina World Congress

Retina Unplugged
Inherited and Rare Retinal Diseases Session
Moderators: Rishi P. Singh, MD, FASRS and Kourous A. Rezaei, MD
Location: Grand Ballroom
Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025
Time: 10:35 am – 11:12 a.m. EDT

Ocugen is committed to bringing game-changing therapies to treat inherited retinal diseases as well as blindness diseases affecting millions to market and working even harder to provide access to patients globally.

About Ocugen, Inc.
Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patient’s lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs. Discover more at www.ocugen.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding qualitative assessments of available data, potential benefits, expectations for ongoing clinical trials, anticipated regulatory filings and anticipated development timelines, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations, including, but not limited to, the risks that preliminary, interim and top-line clinical trial results may not be indicative of, and may differ from, final clinical data; that unfavorable new clinical trial data may emerge in ongoing clinical trials or through further analyses of existing clinical trial data; that earlier non-clinical and clinical data and testing of may not be predictive of the results or success of later clinical trials; and that that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments, including by regulatory authorities. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact:
Tiffany Hamilton
AVP, Head of Communications
Tiffany.Hamilton@ocugen.com

Merck KGaA to Acquire SpringWorks Therapeutics in $3.9 Billion Deal to Expand Rare Tumor Treatments

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is making a significant move to bolster its healthcare division, announcing plans to acquire U.S.-based SpringWorks Therapeutics for approximately $3.9 billion. The definitive agreement will see Merck pay $47 per share in cash, representing a 26% premium to SpringWorks’ 20-day average stock price before news of the deal first surfaced.

This acquisition fits neatly into Merck’s long-term strategy to expand its global healthcare portfolio, particularly in the area of rare tumors and precision oncology. With this deal, Merck will not only add two groundbreaking FDA-approved therapies to its pipeline but also strengthen its commercial footprint in the United States—the largest pharmaceutical market in the world.

SpringWorks brings to the table a robust portfolio focused on rare diseases and oncology. Its leading products include OGSIVEO® (nirogacestat), the first systemic therapy approved for adults with progressing desmoid tumors, and GOMEKLI™ (mirdametinib), the first FDA-approved treatment for both adults and children with neurofibromatosis type 1-associated plexiform neurofibromas (NF1-PN). Both therapies address underserved patient populations and are expected to drive immediate and sustainable revenue growth for Merck’s healthcare business.

“This acquisition marks a major step in our strategy to position Merck as a global powerhouse in science and technology,” said Belén Garijo, Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “It enhances our rare tumor portfolio, expands our presence in the U.S., and accelerates growth opportunities for our Healthcare sector.”

Financially, the acquisition is expected to be immediately revenue accretive and to contribute to earnings per share (EPS pre) by 2027. Merck plans to finance the acquisition through a combination of cash on hand and new debt while preserving its strong investment-grade credit rating.

SpringWorks’ CEO Saqib Islam expressed optimism about the deal, emphasizing that Merck’s resources and global reach will allow SpringWorks’ innovative therapies to benefit a broader population of patients worldwide. “We believe joining Merck will enable us to accelerate our mission to improve the lives of people affected by devastating rare tumors,” Islam said.

Regulatory approvals and SpringWorks shareholder approval are still pending, but both companies’ boards have unanimously supported the transaction. Closing is expected in the second half of 2025.

Beyond just two approved therapies, SpringWorks also brings a promising pipeline of additional programs targeting solid tumors and hematological cancers. Merck’s move to integrate this pipeline reflects its commitment to diversifying its portfolio while focusing on innovation-driven growth.

The acquisition also fits neatly into Merck’s wider portfolio strategy revealed during its 2024 Capital Markets Day: pursue external innovation through in-licensing and acquisitions that deliver early value. While healthcare remains a priority, Merck maintains ambitions to expand across its life sciences and electronics sectors as well.

For investors and the healthcare community, this deal signals that Merck is serious about building a leadership position in treating rare tumors and is willing to invest heavily to secure future growth. It also promises a significant expansion of treatment options for patients with limited existing therapies.

Take a moment to take a look at more emerging growth healthcare companies by taking a look at Noble Capital Markets’ Research Analyst Robert Leboyer’s coverage list.