Release – Avivagen Announces Publication of Peer-Reviewed Article in Food and Chemical Toxicology Journal

Research, New, and Market Data on VIVXF

Publication of this Scientific Paper on the Safety of Oxidized Beta Carotene  is a milestone on the path to broader regulatory clearance to market and sell OxC-beta™ Products in the U.S. and supports wide-spread adoption of the technology around the world

Ottawa, ON /Business Wire/ September 7, 2022 /– Avivagen Inc.  (TSXV:VIV, OTCQB:VIVXF) (“Avivagen”), a life sciences corporation focused on developing and commercializing products for livestock, companion animal and human applications that safely enhances feed intake and supports immune function, thereby supporting general health and performance, is pleased to announce that its scientific paper entitled “Safety and uptake of fully Oxidized Beta Carotene” (the active ingredient in the company’s OxC-beta™ product line) has been published in the Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology. A link to the article is provided below.

“With any innovative product, adoption and uptake require a robust understanding of the benefits and safety of that product and necessitate significant scrutiny. Avivagen has been working tirelessly to showcase the multiple, compelling use cases of OxC-beta and concurrent proven safety. This new peer reviewed publication, one of now ten such publications on OxC-beta, represents the cumulative work on the attractive safety profile of our product. This pioneering work by Dr. Graham Burton, co-founder of Avivagen, and his team lays important groundwork to seek further regulatory approvals for OxC-beta in the U.S. and around the world, for multiple use cases and with strong, proven scientific underpinnings expected by our end market customers.”, said Kym Anthony, Avivagen CEO.  “We look forward to sharing these results with existing and new customers and providing this to regulatory bodies around the world as we look to further expand our access to large markets.”

Please refer to the full content of the peer-reviewed publication on the “Safety and uptake of fully oxidized Beta Carotene” by following the link below: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691522005853

About OxC-beta™ Technology
β-carotene has been primarily recognized for the health benefits it provides when it is transformed into vitamin A by biochemical reaction with oxygen in the body. Avivagen discovered that spontaneous oxidation of β-carotene produces a mixture of oxidation compounds other than vitamin A that also provide important health benefits. The mixture of β-carotene oxidation compounds, OxC-beta, a product developed by Avivagen, contains neither β-carotene or vitamin A, indicating its health benefits stem uniquely from the oxidation compounds themselves. Incorporation of OxC-beta into products for livestock, companion animal and humans show a range of practical benefits. A peer reviewed paper just published in the prestigious Food and Chemical Toxicology journal (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2022.113387) has reported that OxC-beta has a very high margin of safety and the discovery that the natural counterpart of OxC-beta is present at significant levels in mouse tissues and blood. A standard toxicology study conducted in rats established a No Observed Adverse Effect Level that is several thousand-fold higher than the level of supplementation with OxC-beta used in livestock, companion animals and humans. These findings are highly significant in establishing the safety of OxC-beta with respect to regulatory approvals of the product in various major jurisdictions.

About Avivagen
Avivagen is a life sciences corporation focused on developing and commercializing products for livestock, companion animal and human applications that, by safely supporting immune function, promote general health and performance.  It is a public corporation traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol VIV and is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, based in partnership facilities of the National Research Council of Canada. For more information, visit www.avivagen.com. The contents of the website are expressly not incorporated by reference in this press release.

About OxC-beta™ Livestock
Avivagen’s OxC-beta™ technology is derived from Avivagen discoveries about β-carotene and other carotenoids, compounds that give certain fruits and vegetables their bright colours. Through support of immune function the technology provides a non-antibiotic means of promoting health and growth. OxC-beta™ Livestock is a proprietary product shown to be an effective and economic alternative to the antibiotics commonly added to livestock feeds. The product is currently available for sale in the United States, Philippines, Mexico, Taiwan, New Zealand, Thailand, Brazil, Australia, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Avivagen’s OxC-beta™ Livestock product is safe, effective and could fulfill the global mandate to remove all in-feed antibiotics as growth promoters. Numerous international livestock trials with poultry and swine using OxC-beta™ Livestock have proven that the product performs as well as, and, sometimes, in some aspects, better than in-feed antibiotics.

Forward Looking Statements
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based upon the current expectations of management. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties associated with the business of Avivagen Inc. and the environment in which the business operates. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking, including those identified by the expressions “aim”, “anticipate”, “appear”, “believe”, “consider”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “if”, “intend”, “goal”, “hope”, “likely”, “may”, “plan”, “possibly”, “potentially”, “pursue”, “seem”, “should”, “whether”, “will”, “would” and similar expressions.

Statements set out in this news release relating to the potential positive impacts expected to arise from the publication of the above referenced article, the possibility for further regulatory approvals and expanded use cases for Avivagen’s products, the future growth and prospects for Avivagen and the possibility for OxC-beta™ Livestock to replace antibiotics in livestock feeds as growth promoters are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. For instance, Avivagen’s products may not gain market acceptance or regulatory approval in new jurisdictions or for new applications and may not be widely accepted as a replacement for antibiotics as growth promoters in livestock feeds due to many factors, many of which are outside of Avivagen’s control.  Readers are referred to the risk factors associated with the business of Avivagen set out in Avivagen’s most recent management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition available at www.SEDAR.com. Except as required by law, Avivagen assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For more information:
Avivagen Inc.
Drew Basek
Director of Investor Relations
100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0R6 Phone: 416-540-0733
E-mail: d.basek@avivagen.com

Kym Anthony
Chief Executive Officer
100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0R6 Head Office Phone: 613-949-8164
Website: www.avivagen.com
Copyright © 2022 Avivagen Inc. OxC-beta™ is a trademark of Avivagen Inc.

Release – Salem Media Updates Third Quarter Revenue Guidance

Research, News, and Market Data on SALM

IRVING, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Salem Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SALM) today announced revisions to its third quarter 2022 revenue. Taking into account the postponement of the forthcoming book, 2000 Mules by Dinesh D’Souza, until the fourth quarter, lower than expected revenue on SalemNOW and the impact on advertising revenue due to the weakening economic environment, the company now expects third quarter 2022 total revenue to be between flat and an increase of 2% over third quarter 2021 total revenue of $66.0 million.

ABOUT SALEM MEDIA GROUP:

Salem Media Group is America’s leading multimedia company specializing in Christian and conservative content, with media properties comprising radio, digital media and book and newsletter publishing. Each day Salem serves a loyal and dedicated audience of listeners and readers numbering in the millions nationally. With its unique programming focus, Salem provides compelling content, fresh commentary and relevant information from some of the most respected figures across the Christian and conservative media landscape. Learn more about Salem Media Group, Inc. at www.salemmedia.comFacebook and Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220906005979/en/

Evan D. Masyr
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(805) 384-4512
evan@salemmedia.com

Source: Salem Media Group, Inc.Released September 6, 2022

Money Moving Out of Foreign Investments is Supporting U.S. Markets

Image Credit: Andrea Piacqadio (Pexels)

Why So Much Money from Overseas is Flowing to Soft U.S. Markets

In 2016, Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic advisor at Allianz, and President of Queens’ College, Cambridge published a book called The Only Game in Town. It was written during a period approximately halfway between the last big stock market sell-off and the 2022 bear market. In it he suggests the only reason investment dollars from overseas are flocking to U.S. markets is because we are “the cleanest dirty shirt.” In other words,  the U.S. economy and financial system may not be great, but it is far more appealing than the alternatives.  

Labor Day 2022 is now behind us, the S&P 500 is down 16% YTD, the economy receded during the first half of the year and its growth is probably still stunted. The U.S. Treasury index indicates that bonds are down 11% YTD, so why are international money flows moving to U.S. markets? Do investors from overseas think this is a buying opportunity, are we the “cleanest dirty shirt,” or is there something else?

There are probably a number of correct answers, which, when taken together, provides the reason. Investors need to be aware of the dynamics as flows into and out of the U.S. impact all of the country’s markets, including real estate and currency.

“The U.S. looks the least challenged in a very challenging world,” Christopher Smart, chief global strategist at Barings and head of the Barings Investment Institute told the Wall Street Journal. “Everybody is slowing down, but the U.S., because of the continuing strength of the jobs market, still seems to be slowing more slowly,” he added.

And the data shows just how much money is reaching our markets. Assets have been withdrawn from international stock funds for 20 consecutive weeks, according to Refinitiv Lipper data. Money flows have been in to U.S. equity-focused stock and mutual funds for four of the past six weeks.

The U.S., relative to large economies outside of the states is better; employment is strong, there are expectations that a long protracted recession isn’t likely, and consumer spending hasn’t faded, while price increases (inflation) have been tapered. 

Recent performance of U.S. markets has been impressive. Since the low point of the year (June 14), the small-cap Russell 2000 index is up 7.2%, the S&P 500 is up 6.5% and even U.S. Treasuries are positive despite the Fed’s stated intention of higher rates.

The S&P 500 has outpaced major stock indexes in Europe and Asia since hitting its low for the year in mid-June, meanwhile the pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 has added only 2.9%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 has advanced 4.5%. Germany’s DAX and the Shanghai Composite have slid 1.3% over the same period.

Source: Koyfin

And there is one other self-fulfilling incentive for U.S. dollar-denominated assets; the dollar has surged to a 20-year high relative to a standard basket of global currencies. To date it is 25.2% stronger than the yen, it increased 12.2% higher versus the euro, and gained 15% above the British pound. Even with the U.S. major indices down, investor conversion back to non-U.S. native currency is a big win compared to what they would have lost. And for U.S. investors that were in international markets, they are better off having repatriated their dollars, even if they are down on the year.

The longer the dollar’s strength continues, the more the strength will feed on itself.

What investors should pay particular attention to now is anything that may trigger a turnaround, and money going back into international markets. This does not seem imminent, but it helps to know what is making “other shirts dirtier.”

Among Europe’s challenges are war-related supply shortages which have led to skyrocketing gas and electricity prices. Recently added to the list, Russia’s Gazprom PJSC said Friday (Sept. 2), that it would suspend the Nord Stream natural-gas pipeline to Germany. Winter is coming and the continent is on the path to a worsening energy problem, one that would add to upward inflation pressures for them.

China the world’s second-largest economy, has been severely weakened by the impact of its response to Covid-19. Other factors weighing on its economy are a real-estate downturn, heightened regulation of technology companies, and unusually bad weather. Weakness in China creates problems for economies around the globe since much of the world’s commodities and manufacturing come from the country.

A turnaround in these factors, such as a friendly resolution to the war, increased productivity from China, or lower inflation across Europe and the tide may turn causing more investment to gravitate away from the U.S., creating less demand for assets here. To date, there is no sign that any of these possibilities are imminent, and the longer the U.S. is the only game in town, the more money will be kept in U.S. dollar assets and the more upward pressure there will be on these assets.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

Sources

https://www.amazon.com/The-Only-Game-in-Town-audiobook/

https://www.refinitiv.com/en/financial-data/fund-data

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_A._El-Erian

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-dollar-strength-lifts-americans-relative-spending-power-11662304836?mod=Searchresults_pos4&page=1

https://www.wsj.com/articles/investors-are-pouring-into-u-s-stocks-to-avoid-greater-turbulence-overseas-11662421967?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1

DWAC Trump Media Merger Deal Update

Source: TMTG

What We Can Learn About SPAC Investments from Trump Media/DWAC

Digital World Acquisition Corp. (DWAC), the special purpose acquisition corporation (SPAC) that agreed to merge with Trump Media (TMTG), and take it public a year ago, needs 65% shareholder approval to extend its acquisition deadline by a year. The uncertainty over whether the SPAC would get the necessary votes to merge with the social media startup caused profit taking in the SPAC which still trades at more than double its IPO price.

Reuters reported late Monday (September 5), there has not been enough votes to reach a 65% threshold of “in favor” shareholder support to extend the merger completion date by one-year. A shareholder meeting Tuesday was adjourned and will resume on Thursday (September 8) where they will take up voting again.

In a federal filing Tuesday, DWAC said that if shareholders do not approve the extension, its sponsor, ARC Global Investments, would contribute about $2.9 million to extend the deadline until Dec. 8, 2022. The purpose of the deadline is to make time for all parties to address government investigations into the deal and make other necessary disclosures. If the three-month extension doesn’t prove to be enough time, another three-month extension is possible. This won’t be necessary if the shareholder vote garners a 65% approval of the extension.

After any SPAC exhausts extension options, it is faced with a final deadline. Should it not make the deadline, it must liquidate and return cash to shareholders. Such deadlines and extensions are commonplace in the world of SPACs. Scrambling for the parties to meet deadlines is not uncommon in SPAC merger deals. What is interesting in the DWAC TMTG acquisition is there are original IPO investors that at the time did not know who Digital World would unearth as a target candidate. They paid the $10 IPO price and, within a month, saw their share price jump up more than 800%. Even today these investors are up 124%, and if the SPAC liquidated tomorrow (near $10 per share) they will have outperformed the S&P 500 by double digits.

Source: Koyfin

No matter the results, the SPAC IPO investors could consider themselves as having done better investing in the SPAC than most alternatives. But there are presumably also shareholders that bought shortly after the merger announcement that if liquidated and all the money held in escrow is returned, could lose several times their investment depending on what price they chased it to.

Shareholder voting is seldom in person and instead takes place by phone, online or via mail. Shareholders are urged to vote as reaching a 65% base of shareholders is difficult enough, reaching a 65% threshold of shareholders voting one way or another is even more difficult. Digital World Chief Executive Patrick Orlando said last week the SPAC was having trouble getting enough individuals to vote through their brokers.

The SPAC is held by a high percentage of retail accounts, this may explain the lack of voting. Failure to approve the extension will almost certainly cost current holders of DWAC money. If the deal falls through, shareholders will get roughly $10 a share, about half of the current share price.

Should the merger succeed, Digital World Acquisition would provide about $290 to the former president’s company. This could go a long way in building the brand and user base. Additionally, it is said that the two sides have investor commitments for roughly $1 billion private investment in public equity (PIPE), that would close alongside the merger.

TMTG raised about $20 million in convertible bonds last year and an additional $15 million in the first quarter of 2022. If the SPAC deal falls through there are options to keep the fledgling media company alive as a private company. On TMTG’s Truth Social on Friday, the former president responded to worries about the SPAC merger by saying, “In any event, I don’t need financing. ‘I’m really rich!’ Private company anyone?”

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

Sources

https://www.reuters.com/markets/companies/DWAC.O/

https://www.investors.com/news/dwac-stock-plunges-as-trump-merger-extension-vote-fails/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-media-spac-deal-faces-new-challenge-its-own-investors-11662477258?mod=latest_headlines

https://www.dwacspac.com/

Will the Dollar and Securities Markets Sink When the War Ends?

Image Credit: Andre Furtado

The Story of War and Peace in the Currency Markets

There is a story of war and peace in the contemporary currency markets. It has a main plot and many subplots. As yet, the story is without end. That may come sooner than many now expect.

The narrator today has a more challenging job than the teller of the story about neutral, Entente, and Central Power currencies during World War I. (See Brown, Brendan “Monetary Chaos in Europe” chapter 2 [Routledge, 2011].)

Today’s Russia war (whether the military conflict in Ukraine or the EU/US-Russia economic war) is not so all-pervasive in global economic and monetary affairs, though it is doubtless prominent. The monetary setting of the story today is much more nuanced than in World War I when the prevailing expectation was that peace would mark the start of a journey where key currencies eventually returned to their prewar gold parities.

In the 1914–18 conflict, any sudden news of a possible end to the conflict—as with the peace notes of President Woodrow Wilson in December 1916—would cause a sharp fall of the neutral currencies (Swiss franc, Dutch guilder, Spanish peseta), a big rise in the German mark and Austrian-Hungarian crown, and lesser rises in sterling and the French franc. Today, in principle, a sudden emergence of peace diplomacy would most plausibly send the euro and British pound higher on the one hand and the Canadian dollar, US dollar, and Swiss franc lower on the other hand.

Mutual exhaustion and military stalemate are a combination from which surprise diplomatic moves to end war can emerge. These circumstances apply today.

Ukraine is falling into an economic abyss—much of its infrastructure reportedly destroyed and its government is resorting to the money printing press to pay its soldiers (see Kenneth Rogoff et al., “Macroeconomic Policies for Wartime Ukraine,” Center for Economic and Policy Research, August 12, 2022). General economic aid from Western donors (as against military aid) is running far short of promises. All these pictures of Russian munitions stores on fire may or may not have excited some potential donors, but they have not heralded any breakthrough.

The human toll—both amongst military personnel and civilians—fans Moscow propaganda that the US and UK are willing to conduct their proxy war against Russia down to the life of the last Ukrainian soldier.

Meanwhile there are these presumably leaked stories in the Washington Post about how President Volodymyr Zelensky betrayed the Ukrainian people by not sharing with them in late 2021 and early 2022 the US intelligence alerts about a looming Russian invasion. According to the stories, many Ukrainians resent that they were not warned by their government and do not accept its shocking excuses (for example, to prevent a flight of capital out of the country).

Is all this preparing ground for a possible power shift in Kiev that might favor an early diplomatic solution even in time for President Joe Biden to claim credit ahead of the midterms? Western Europe will be spared some pain this winter if the initial ceasefire agreement includes a provision that Moscow desist from turning off the gas pipelines.

The purpose here is not to predict the war’s outcome but to describe a peace scenario that is within the mainstream and to map out how the rising likelihood of its realization would influence currency markets.

The main channel of influence on currencies would be the course of the EU/US-Russia economic war. A ceasefire would excite expectations of big relief to the natural gas shortage in Western Europe.

Prices there for natural gas would plunge. In turn, that would lift consumer and business spirits, now depressed by feared astronomic gas bills and even gas rationing this winter. Massive programs to relieve fuel poverty, financed by monetary inflation, would stop in their tracks. The European Central Bank (ECB) could move resolutely to tighten monetary conditions as the depression fears faded.

We could well imagine that the peace scenario would mean the European economies in 2023 would rebound from a winter downturn. That would coincide with the US economy sinking into recession as the “Powell disinflation” works its way through—including continued bubble bursting in the tech space and residential construction sector plus a possible private equity bust.

A big rise of the euro under the peace scenario, though likely, is not a slam-dunk proposition. Russia might delay turning the gas pipelines back on until there is an assurance about its central bank’s frozen deposits in Western Europe. There has been chatter from the top of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) down that a reparations commission would sequester these.

More broadly, it could be that most European households are not cutting back their spending to the extent assumed in the consensus economic forecasts. Many individuals may have never believed that the high natural gas prices would persist beyond this winter. Then they faced, in effect, a transitory rather than permanent tax rise. Economic theory suggests that such transitory taxes, paid in this case to North American natural gas producers, have much less impact than permanent ones on spending.

There are still the deep ailments of the euro. How can the ECB ever normalize monetary conditions when so much of the monetary base is backed by loans and credits to weak sovereigns and banks (see Brendan Brown, “ECB’s Long Journey into Currency Collapse Just Got a Lot Shorter,” Mises Wire, July 23, 2022)?

In principle, the US dollar, and even more so the Canadian dollar, would lose from peace as they have gained from war. Both have obtained fuel from the boom in their issuing country’s energy sector. In neither country has there been aggregate real income loss due to the economic war—in fact, there has been a gain in the case of Canada. A further positive for the US dollar has been the boom in the US armaments sector—and this should continue beyond a ceasefire.

Peace will not deflect Europe from seeking to diversify its energy supplies away from Russia and to North American gas and to renewables. But we can imagine that in the long-run, Germany could have a comparative advantage in the renewable space; and North America could lose potential sales outside Europe to Russian gas at discounted prices. Russia is widely expected to prioritize a vamped-up construction program for LNG (liquid natural gas) terminals. These will enable the export of its natural gas to world markets.

Bottom line: peace is likely to be a negative for the US dollar. But transcending this influence is the huge issue of how and when US monetary inflation regains virulence.

About the Author:

Brendan Brown is a founding partner of Macro Hedge Advisors (www.macrohedgeadvisors.com) and senior fellow at Hudson Institute. He is an international monetary and financial economist, consultant, and author, his roles have included Head of Economic Research at Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and is also a Senior Fellow of the Mises Institute. Brendan authored Europe’s Century of Crises under Dollar Hegemony: A Dialogue on the Global Tyranny of Unsound Money with Philippe Simonnot.

The article was republished with permission from The Mises Institute. The original version can be found here.

Noble on the Road: Comtech (CMTL) Investor Day

Noble on the Road Presents: Comtech Investor Day

Noble Capital Markets is hosting an investor day with Comtech for the New York financial community on Tuesday, October 18th. Ken Peterman, CEO, and Michael Bondi, CFO of Comtech, will present and answer questions. This is a no cost event for investors to get to know the company and management.

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. engages in the design, development, production, and marketing of products, systems, and services for advanced communications solutions in the United States and internationally. It operates in three segments: Telecommunications Transmission, Mobile Data Communications, and RF Microwave Amplifiers. The Telecommunications Transmission segment provides satellite earth station equipment and systems, over-the-horizon microwave systems, and forward error correction technology, which are used in various commercial and government applications, including backhaul of wireless and cellular traffic, broadcasting (including HDTV), IP-based communications traffic, long distance telephony, and secure defense applications. The Mobile Data Communications segment provides mobile satellite transceivers, and computers and satellite earth station network gateways and associated installation, training, and maintenance services; supplies and operates satellite packet data networks, including arranging and providing satellite capacity; and offers microsatellites and related components. The RF Microwave Amplifiers segment designs, develops, manufactures, and markets satellite earth station traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTA) and broadband amplifiers. Its amplifiers are used in broadcast and broadband satellite communication; defense applications, such as telecommunications systems and electronic warfare systems; and commercial applications comprising oncology treatment systems, as well as to amplify signals carrying voice, video, or data for air-to-satellite-to-ground communications. The company serves satellite systems integrators, wireless and other communication service providers, broadcasters, defense contractors, military, governments, and oil companies. Comtech markets its products through independent representatives and value-added resellers. The company was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Melville, New York.

Noble Senior Research Analyst Joe Gomes follows the company and has an Outperform rating with a $15 price target.

To learn more about Comtech, click here. The research is complimentary to you.

For more information on this, and other upcoming roadshows, contact:

Barbara Cohen
Managing Director, Investor Outreach & Distribution
Noble Capital Markets, Inc. Direct – (212) 863-3225
bcohen@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Noble on the Road: Maple Gold Mines (MGMLF) Investor Day

Noble on the Road Presents: Maple Gold Mines Investor Day

Noble Capital Markets is hosting an investor day with Maple Gold Mines for the New York financial community on Thursday, October 13th. Matthew Hornor, CEO of Maple Gold Mines, will present and answer questions. This is a no cost event for investors to get to know the company and management.

Maple Gold Mines Ltd. is a Canadian advanced exploration company in a 50/50 joint venture with Agnico Eagle Mines Limited to jointly advance the district-scale Douay and Joutel gold projects located in Québec’s prolific Abitibi Greenstone Gold Belt. The projects benefit from exceptional infrastructure access and boast ~400 km2 of highly prospective ground including an established gold resource at Douay (SLR 2022) that holds significant expansion potential as well as the past-producing Eagle, Telbel and Eagle West mines at Joutel. In addition, the Company holds an exclusive option to acquire 100% of the Eagle Mine Property.

Noble Senior Research Analyst Mark Reichman follows the company and has an Outperform rating with a $0.30 price target.

To learn more about Maple Gold Mines, click here. The research is complimentary to you.

For more information on this, and other upcoming roadshows, contact:

Barbara Cohen
Managing Director, Investor Outreach & Distribution
Noble Capital Markets, Inc. Direct – (212) 863-3225
bcohen@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Release – Digerati Technologies to List on NASDAQ via Business Combination with Minority Equality Opportunities Acquisition Inc.

Research, News, and Market Data on DTGI

Transaction Results in $105 Million Enterprise Valuation for Digerati Technologies

SAN ANTONIO, TX (GlobeNewswire) – September 6, 2022 – Digerati Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: DTGI) (“Digerati” or the “Company”), a provider of cloud services specializing in UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) solutions for the small to medium-sized business (“SMB”) market, is pleased to announce its signing of a definitive business combination agreement with Minority Equality Opportunities Acquisition Inc. (NASDAQ: MEOA) (“MEOA”), which is the first Minority led special purpose acquisition company to list on NASDAQ with the mission of executing a business combination with a minority owned, led or founded business.

Highlights of the transaction include:

  • Transaction to result in Digerati becoming a listed company on NASDAQ and delisting from OTC Market.
  • Combined company to have an initial equity value of approximately $228 million translating into an enterprise value of approximately $145 million, assuming no redemptions by MEOA stockholders.
  • MEOA currently has approximately $129.9 million cash in trust as of September 2, 2022. 
  • New capital and being a NASDAQ listed company is expected to provide Digerati with flexibility for additional strategic and accretive acquisitions in the UCaaS sector.
  • The current Digerati management team will continue to operate the business.
  • The current Digerati Board of Directors will remain with one additional director to be appointed by the Company and Shawn D. Rochester, CEO of MEOA, joining the Company’s Board of Directors at the closing of the transaction.
  • All existing Digerati shareholders will receive 100% of their equity in the pro forma company.

Arthur L. Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Digerati, stated, “This business combination that results in a NASDAQ listing for our Company positions us for continued growth in a rapidly expanding and highly-fragmented market. We believe being a NASDAQ listed company, along with our financial partnership with Post Road Group, will facilitate acceleration of our M&A strategy in a market with a healthy pipeline of acquisition candidates. This transaction will also contribute to organic growth as we continue providing small to medium-sized businesses with robust solutions and superior customer service tailored for this market segment. We believe this is an ideal transaction for current Digerati shareholders since it avoids a reverse stock split that is customary under a re-IPO event associated with an uplist to NASDAQ or NYSE.”

Shawn Rochester, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MEOA, said, “Digerati is well-positioned as an emerging provider of UCaaS solutions to the small and medium-sized business market. The proposed merger with MEOA capitalizes Digerati and, with improved access to capital, enables the Company to continue with its organic growth and acquisition strategy. The Digerati team has demonstrated operational and M&A expertise over the past few years and this transaction will better equip them to continue on their acquisitive path of increasing shareholder value. This proposed merger is also consistent with MEOA’s mission, vision and purpose because (1) in addition to its operational and M&A expertise, Digerati is a minority founded and led business with a very diverse management team (with its CEO, CFO and EVP being of Hispanic ethnicity) and an employee base that is almost 50% minority, (2) it also provides access to capital at scale to help unleash transformative growth for a minority led and founded business that has assembled a great management team, developed great products and solutions, and staked out a strong competitive position in the marketplace, and (3) Digerati’s UCaaS platform has the ability to help empower to over 20 million small businesses in America that are run by minorities and women through its first-class suite of communication products.”

Transaction Overview

The combined company is expected to have a total pro forma equity value of approximately $228 million translating into an enterprise value of approximately $145 million, with the proposed business combination to provide access to capital of up to approximately $121 million from the cash held in trust by MEOA, assuming no redemptions from MEOA stockholders. All references to available cash from the trust account and retained transaction proceeds are subject to any redemptions by the public stockholders of MEOA and payment of transaction fees and expenses. As part of the transaction, all Digerati shares owned by Digerati’s existing equity holders will be converted to common stock of the pro forma company.

The transaction, which has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both of Digerati and MEOA, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of CY 2022. The transaction remains subject to NASDAQ approving MEOA’s initial listing application in connection with the merger, approval by both MEOA and Digerati shareholders, as well as other customary closing conditions.

Additional information about the proposed transaction, including a copy of the business combination agreement, will be provided in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by both Digerati and MEOA with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Advisors

Maxim Group LLC acted as financial advisor and Lucosky Brookman LLP acted as legal counsel to Digerati in connection with the transaction. PGP Capital Advisors, LLC and Vaughan Capital Advisors, LLC acted as financial advisors to MEOA, and Pryor Cashman LLP acted as legal counsel for MEOA.

About Minority Equality Opportunities Acquisition Inc.

Minority Equality Opportunities Acquisition Inc. is a blank check company, also commonly referred to as a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, organized under the laws of the Delaware and formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with companies that are minority owned, led or founded.

About Digerati Technologies, Inc.

Digerati Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: DTGI) is a provider of cloud services specializing in UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) solutions for the business market. Through its operating subsidiaries NextLevel Internet (NextLevelinternet.com), T3 Communications (T3com.com), Nexogy (Nexogy.com), and SkyNet Telecom (Skynettelecom.net), the Company is meeting the global needs of small businesses seeking simple, flexible, reliable, and cost-effective communication and network solutions including, cloud PBX, cloud telephony, cloud WAN, cloud call center, cloud mobile, and the delivery of digital oxygen on its broadband network. The Company has developed a robust integration platform to fuel mergers and acquisitions in a highly fragmented market as it delivers business solutions on its carrier-grade network and Only in the Cloud™. For more information, please visit www.digerati-inc.com and follow DTGI on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

INVESTMENT IN ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY NOR HAS ANY AUTHORITY PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE OFFERING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Important Information and Where to Find It

This press release is being made in respect of the proposed business combination transaction involving MEOA and Digerati. The parties intend to file a registration statement on Form S-4 (or such other form as they might determine to be applicable) with the SEC, which will include a proxy statement for MEOA and Digerati shareholders and which will also serve as a prospectus related to offers and sales of the securities of the combined entity. MEOA will also file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. A definitive proxy statement/prospectus will also be sent to the stockholders of MEOA and Digerati, seeking required stockholder approval. Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and security holders of MEOA and Digerati are urged to carefully read the entire registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus, when they become available, and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to these documents, because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction. The documents filed with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov

In addition, the documents filed with the SEC may be obtained free of charge from MEOA’s website at https://www.meoaus.com and from Digerati’s website at https://digerati-inc.com.

Participants in the Solicitation

MEOA, Digerati and certain of their respective Directors and Executive Officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders, in favor of the approval of the merger. Information regarding MEOA’s and Digerati’s Directors and Executive Officers and other persons who may be deemed participants in the solicitation may be obtained by reading the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described above.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements that are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. 

These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the terms and conditions of the proposed business combination and related transactions disclosed herein, the timing of the consummation of such transactions, assumptions regarding shareholder redemptions and the anticipated benefits and financial position of the parties resulting therefrom. These statements are based on various assumptions and/or on the current expectations of MEOA or Digerati’s management. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on by any investor or other person as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of MEOA and/or Digerati. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; the amount of redemption requests made by MEOA’s public shareholders; NASDAQ’s approval of MEOA’s initial listing application; changes in the assumptions underlying Digerati’s expectations regarding its future business; the effects of competition on Digerati’s future business; and the outcome of judicial proceedings to which Digerati is, or may become a party.

If the risks materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Digerati and MEOA presently do not know or currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect expectations, assumptions, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. Digerati and MEOA anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause these assessments to change. However, while Digerati and/or MEOA may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, each of Digerati and MEOA specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by applicable law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Digerati’s or MEOA (or their respective affiliates’) assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

Facebook: Digerati Technologies, Inc.

Twitter: @DIGERATI_IR

LinkedIn: Digerati Technologies, Inc.

Investors

ClearThink

Brian Loper

bloper@clearthink.capital

(347) 413-4234 

Release – 2022-23 Le Mans Virtual Series and Motorsport Games Reveal This Season’s Bumper Entry List

Research, News and Market Data on MSGM

ROSTER INCLUDES SOME OF THE MOST ELITE ESPORTS AND MOTORSPORT TEAMS

MIAMI, Sept. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The entry list for the 2022-23 Le Mans Virtual Series – the global, elite endurance esports series and a joint venture between Motorsport Games Inc. (NASDAQ: MSGM) (“Motorsport Games”) and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (“ACO”) – has today been revealed. The list features teams representing some of the most prestigious automotive manufacturers in the world, as well as elite esports squads from around the globe. The biggest full season Le Mans Virtual Series entry list to date, the complete roster can be found HERE.

Individual driver names, including championship-winning superstars from multiple disciplines around the world who will be making an appearance during the season, are due to be released on Monday, September 12, 2022 during a special TV Preview Show. Social media channels will have more news on how to view the show in the coming days. An additional 10 cars are expected to join the entry list for the increasingly popular, high profile 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual on January 14 and 15, 2023 – the final round of the five-race series – attracting even more star names to add to the excitement. No fewer than 15 different nations are represented on the team entry list from Europe, the USA, Africa and the Far East, a 25% increase from last season.

The 40 full season entries are split between two categories of car (LMP2 – 24 cars; LMGTE – 16 cars), which will compete in races that range between four and 24 hours in duration. Top worldwide brands such as Alpine, Aston MartinBMWFerrari, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche return for more top esports action and success, many with multiple entries.

The prestige manufacturer names are joined by the elite of sim racing competition, including LMP and GTE 2021 champions Team Redline and GTE Vice Champions Porsche Coanda Esports, who are stepping up to the prototype class. Among others, Romain Grosjean’s R8G Esports team will be competing alongside, Floyd Vanwall-Burst, Williams Esports, Alpine Esports, YAS Heat Veloce, AMG Team Petronas Esports and Jenson Button’s Rocket Simsport team in the prototype category, and all entries will compete with an ORECA 07 LMP2. Joining them for 2022 are Mexico Racing Team, Pescarolo Esport Monaco, Team Fordzilla and Brabham Esports, the latter of which is new to the Le Mans Virtual Series but bringing with it a name steeped in motorsport history.

Some of endurance racing’s most steadfast teams such as the European Le Mans Series’ Panis RacingGR Vector eSport (a combination of two WEC teams), Proton Competition, D’Station Racing and ARC Bratislava are also featured on the list across the two categories.

The GTE class offers competitors a choice of Aston Martin Vantage GTE, BMW M8 GTE, Ferrari 488 GTE and Porsche 911 RSR GTE cars. Names familiar to both the real and sim racing worlds, such as MAHLE Racing Team, SIMMSA Esports, Oracle Red Bull Racing and Prodrive FYRA Esport, will be among the competitors vying for championship success.

The Le Mans Virtual Series will take place over five rounds, with the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual as its grand finale, as follows:

Round 18 Hours of Bahrain, BahrainSeptember 17, 2022
Round 24 Hours of Monza, ItalyOctober 8, 2022
Round 36 Hours of Spa, BelgiumNovember 5, 2022
Round 4500 Miles of Sebring, USADecember 3, 2022
Round 524 Hours of Le Mans VirtualJanuary 14/15, 2023

The calendar of events features some of the world’s most famous and recognizable racetracks – Monza, Spa, Bahrain, Sebring and Le Mans – which will challenge all the drivers, international FIA-licensed and sim racers alike, and thrill the millions of esports enthusiasts worldwide.

About Motorsport Games:
Motorsport Games, a Motorsport Network company, is a leading racing game developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider of official motorsport racing series throughout the world. Combining innovative and engaging video games with exciting esports competitions and content for racing fans and gamers, Motorsport Games strives to make the joy of racing accessible to everyone. The Company is the officially licensed video game developer and publisher for iconic motorsport racing series across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and mobile, including NASCAR, INDYCAR, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the British Touring Car Championship (“BTCC”), as well as the industry leading rFactor 2 and KartKraft simulations. RFactor 2 also serves as the official sim racing platform of Formula E, while also powering Formula 1™ centers through a partnership with Kindred Concepts. Motorsport Games is an award-winning esports partner of choice for 24 Hours of Le Mans, Formula E, BTCC, the FIA World Rallycross Championship and the eNASCAR Heat Pro League, among others. Motorsport Games is building a virtual racing ecosystem where each product drives excitement, every esports event is an adventure and every story inspires.

About Le Mans Virtual Series
Le Mans Virtual Series is a global, elite esports series made up of five rounds which bring together endurance racing and sim racing’ top teams to compete on some of the world’s most famous racetracks. International FIA-licensed real-world drivers are teamed up with elite esports squads to take on endurance classics for a total prize fund of US$250,000, culminating in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual. Le Mans Virtual Series is a joint venture between leading racing game developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider of official motorsport racing series throughout the world, Motorsport Games, and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) – the creator and organizer of the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans and promoter of the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC).

Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this press release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are provided pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Words such as “continue,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “expected,” “plans,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the timing, participants and expected benefits of the 2022-23 Le Mans Virtual Series. All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, many of which are generally outside the control of Motorsport Games and are difficult to predict. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: difficulties, delays in or unanticipated events that may impact the timing and expected benefits of the le mans Virtual Series, such as due to unexpected changes in the event participants, as well as challenges that may arise from difficulties, delays or less than expected results in achieving the Company’s growth plans, strategies, objectives and expectations, such as due to a slower than anticipated economic recovery and/or the Company’s inability, in whole or in part, to continue to execute its business strategies and plans, such as due to less than anticipated participation in or viewership of the Le Mans Virtual Series events. Factors other than those referred to above could also cause Motorsport Games’ results to differ materially from expected results. Additional examples of such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) Motorsport Games’ ability (or inability) to maintain existing, and to secure additional, licenses and other agreements with various racing series; (ii) Motorsport Games’ ability to successfully manage and integrate any joint ventures, acquisitions of businesses, solutions or technologies; (iii) unanticipated operating costs, transaction costs and actual or contingent liabilities; (iv) the ability to attract and retain qualified employees and key personnel; (v) adverse effects of increased competition; (vi) changes in consumer behavior, including as a result of general economic factors, such as increased inflation, higher energy prices and higher taxes and interest rates; (vii) Motorsport Games’ ability to protect its intellectual property; and/or (viii) local, industry and general business and economic conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements can be found in Motorsport Games’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC during 2022, as well as in its subsequent filings with the SEC. Motorsport Games anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its plans, intentions and expectations to change. Motorsport Games assumes no obligation, and it specifically disclaims any intention or obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing Motorsport Games’ plans and expectations as of any subsequent date. Additionally, the business and financial materials and any other statement or disclosure on, or made available through, Motorsport Games’ website or other websites referenced or linked to this press release shall not be incorporated by reference into this press release.

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

WebsitesSocial Media
motorsportgames.comTwitter: @msportgames & @traxiongg
traxion.ggInstagram: msportgames & traxiongg
motorsport.comFacebook: Motorsport Games & traxiongg
 LinkedIn: Motorsport Games
 Twitch: traxiongg
 Reddit: traxiongg


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

Press Contacts:
US Press: ASTRSK PR, motorsportgames@astrskpr.com
EU/UK Press: Swipe Right PR, motorsport@swipterightpr.com

Release – Cocrystal Pharma to Participate in the H.C. Wainwright Global Investment Conference

Research, News, and Market Data on COCP

BOTHELL, Wash., Sept. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: COCP) announces that management will participate virtually in the hybrid in-person and virtual H.C. Wainwright 24th Annual Global Investment Conference being held September 12-14, 2022.

An on-demand presentation by James Martin, CFO and interim co-CEO, will be available to conference attendees on the H.C. Wainwright platform beginning Monday, September 12 at 7:00 a.m. Eastern time. Management is available throughout the conference for virtual one-on-one meetings. Institutional investors and industry professionals can register to attend the conference virtually or in-person at the Lotte New York Palace. The Cocrystal presentation will be posted to the Company’s website beginning September 12.

About Cocrystal Pharma, Inc.
Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing novel antiviral therapeutics that target the replication process of influenza viruses, coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2), hepatitis C viruses and noroviruses. Cocrystal employs unique structure-based technologies and Nobel Prize-winning expertise to create first- and best-in-class antiviral drugs. For further information about Cocrystal, please visit www.cocrystalpharma.com.

Investor Contact:
LHA Investor Relations
Jody Cain
310-691-7100
jcain@lhai.com

Media Contact:
JQA Partners
Jules Abraham
917-885-7378
Jabraham@jqapartners.com

Source: Cocrystal Pharma, Inc.

Released September 6, 2022

Release – Ocugen, Inc. to Present at H.C. Wainwright 24th Annual Global Investment Conference

Research, News, and Market Data on OCGN

MALVERN, Pa., Sept. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (“Ocugen” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies and vaccines, announced that Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Ocugen, will participate in an in-person fireside chat at the H.C. Wainwright 24th Annual Global Investment Conference being held September 12-14, 2022 in New York, NY.

Details regarding Dr. Musunuri’s fireside chat are as follows:

Event:H.C. Wainwright 24th Annual Global Investment Conference
Date:September 12, 2022
Time:3:30 – 4:00 p.m. ET
Location:Lotte New York Palace Hotel
Webcast:Live Fireside Chat

A live video webcast beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET on the day of the presentation will be available on the events page of the Ocugen investor site. The webcast replay will be archived for 90 days following the event.

About Ocugen, Inc.
Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies 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 Twitter 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
Head of Communications
IR@ocugen.com

Release – Tonix Pharmaceuticals Announces Oral Presentations Involving TNX-1500 (Fc-Modified Anti-CD40L mAb) at the International Congress of The Transplantation Society (TTS 2022)

Research, News, and Market Data on TNXP

CHATHAM, N.J., Sept. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP) (Tonix or the Company), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced three oral presentations by academic collaborators at the 29th International Congress of The Transplantation Society (TTS 2022) being held September 10-14, 2022 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and virtually. Copies of the presentations will be available under the Scientific Presentations tab of the Tonix website at www.tonixpharma.com following the conference.

Oral Presentation Details

Title:Long-term rejection free renal allograft survival with Fc-modified anti-CD154 antibody monotherapy in nonhuman primates
Date:Monday, September 12, 2022
Time:4:35 p.m. EDT (17:35 ART)
Session:Campfire Session: Models, mechanisms & therapies
PresenterGrace Lassiter, M.D., Research Fellow of the Kawai Lab
  
Title:Monotherapy with TNX-1500, a Fc-modified anti-CD154mAb, prolongs cardiac allograft survival in cynomolgus monkeys
Date:Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Time:3:25 p.m. EDT (16:25 ART)
Session:Mini-Oral Abstracts Session: Snap-shots of thoracic transplantation
PresenterKohei Kinoshita, M.D., Research Fellow of the Pierson Lab
  
Title:Long-term (>1 year) rejection/TMA free survival of kidney xenografts with triple xenoantigen knockout and multiple human transgenes in nonhuman primates
Date:Wednesday, September 14, 2022
Time:10:00 a.m EDT (11:00 ART)
Session:Mini-Oral Abstracts Session: Xenotransplantation
PresenterGrace Lassiter, M.D., Research Fellow of the Kawai Lab

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.*

Tonix is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, licensing, acquiring and developing therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease and alleviate suffering. Tonix’s portfolio is composed of central nervous system (CNS), rare disease, immunology and infectious disease product candidates. Tonix’s CNS portfolio includes both small molecules and biologics to treat pain, neurologic, psychiatric and addiction conditions. Tonix’s lead CNS candidate, TNX-102 SL (cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablet), is in mid-Phase 3 development for the management of fibromyalgia with a new Phase 3 study launched in the second quarter of 2022 and interim data expected in the second quarter of 2023. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat Long COVID, a chronic post-acute COVID-19 condition. Tonix initiated a Phase 2 study in Long COVID in the third quarter of 2022 and expects interim data in the first half of 2023. TNX-1300 (cocaine esterase) is a biologic designed to treat cocaine intoxication and has been granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA. A Phase 2 study of TNX-1300 is expected to be initiated in the first quarter of 2023. TNX-1900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin), a small molecule in development for chronic migraine, is expected to enter the clinic with a Phase 2 study in the fourth quarter of 2022. Tonix’s rare disease portfolio includes TNX-2900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin) for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome. TNX-2900 has been granted Orphan Drug designation by the FDA. Tonix’s immunology portfolio includes biologics to address organ transplant rejection, autoimmunity and cancer, including TNX-1500, which is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting CD40-ligand (CD40L or CD154) being developed for the prevention of allograft and xenograft rejection and for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. A Phase 1 study of TNX-1500 is expected to be initiated in the first half of 2023. Tonix’s infectious disease pipeline consists of a vaccine in development to prevent smallpox and monkeypox, next-generation vaccines to prevent COVID-19, and a platform to make fully human monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19. TNX-801, Tonix’s vaccine in development to prevent smallpox and monkeypox, also serves as the live virus vaccine platform or recombinant pox vaccine (RPV) platform for other infectious diseases. A Phase 1 study of TNX-801 is expected to be initiated in Kenya in the first half of 2023. Tonix’s lead vaccine candidate for COVID-19 is TNX-1850, a live virus vaccines based on Tonix’s recombinant pox live virus vector vaccine platform. A Phase 1 study of the COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be initiated in the second half of 2023.

*All of Tonix’s product candidates are investigational new drugs or biologics and have not been approved for any indication.

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; delays and uncertainties caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic; 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, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 14, 2022, 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.

Contacts

Jessica Morris (corporate)
Tonix Pharmaceuticals
investor.relations@tonixpharma.com 
(862) 904-8182

Olipriya Das, Ph.D. (media)
Russo Partners
Olipriya.Das@russopartnersllc.com 
(646) 942-5588

Peter Vozzo (investors)
ICR Westwicke
peter.vozzo@westwicke.com 
(443) 213-0505

Source: Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.Released September 6, 2022

Inflation, Energy Prices, and Public Policy

Image Credit: Robert So (Pexels)

How Long Can the Imbalance of Energy Production and Demand Continue?

During the first 19 months after taking office, the Biden administration has leased fewer acres for oil and gas drilling than any president’s first 19 months since Harry Truman (1945-46). Not long ago, Candidate Biden promised to stop drilling on federal lands to help force a transition to cleaner energy. This promise has mostly been kept. But it is getting more difficult for the 46th POTUS. Demand pressures and reduced output caused oil prices to already be off its pandemic lows when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine gave way to a semi-embargo on Russian goods, which included oil and gas.

President Biden’s Interior Department leased 126,228 acres for drilling through Aug. 20, during his first 19 months in office. Analysts at the Wall Street Journal uncovered that no president since Nixon in 1969-70 leased out fewer than 4.4 million acres at this stage in their occupation of the White House.

Truman was the most recent to lease out fewer acres, 65,658. This was just after WWII at a time when offshore drilling was just beginning and the federal government didn’t yet control the deep-water leases that are the largest portion of the federal oil-and-gas program today.


The leasing program had tapered during the past decade as fracking shale became preferable to drilling offshore or on federal land. Biden’s use of land and deep-sea leases represents a decline of 97% as compared to the same time period of Trump’s stewardship which had declined 39% compared to his predecessor.

A record high number of drilling permits for existing leases were filed last year, according to The Interior Department . Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz told the Wall Street Journal that industry trends have driven most U.S. production to private and state-owned lands, and that of the roughly 35 million acres now leased from the federal government, about 60% aren’t actively producing.

As for offshore leases, the Biden administration has yet to complete a sale. It did hold one, on Nov. 17, offering 80 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico in a sale originally proposed by the Trump administration that would have been the largest offshore sale in U.S. history. It sold 1.7 million acres, but a federal judge invalidated the sale in January, ruling that the administration failed to do a proper environmental analysis.


One can either appreciate the resolve of the current administration in its effort to foster fewer emmited pollutants, or fault him for his role in curbing energy production and its contribution to higher prices and less energy independence.  If the measurement had been made as of the first 17 months of his presidency,  the acreage number would be zero, there were no onshore lease sales. The government then held five June 29-30.

Leases for oil and natural gas drilling is the beginning of the petroleum product supply chain. But, while there is no shortage of federal land, an escalation of lease sales now, or under any successor’s policies, would take years to build and deliver its first barrel.

The increase in gasoline and oil prices has caused the president to take steps to boost oil supplies. In late March the President said he’d be releasing as much as 180 million gallons from the strategic oil reserves over the following 180 days. This was unprecedented in its magnitude and a response to the doubling and tripling of gasoline prices.

Energy independence has been the goal of many of Biden’s predecessors. We live at a time when the call has been to prioritize policy that encourages transitioning to non-fossil fuel. This naturally has caused investors in resources like lithium and uranium to see price increases. Large oil price increases have also come from lower growth of petroleum supplies. Part of the relief valve the administration used, is tapping into the finite supply of strategic oil reserves. The current pace of using this resource is unsustainable.

This could indicate that energy investors, in fossil fuels and alternatives may see strong markets with demand outstripping supply going forward for some time.

Paul Hoffman
Managing Editor, Channelchek

Sources

https://www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/oil-and-gas/leasing/regional-lease-sales

https://www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/oil-and-gas/leasing

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/environment/article261303202.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/03/31/strategic-petroleum-reserve-release-biden/
https://www.wsj.com/articles/federal-oil-leases-slow-to-a-trickle-under-biden-11662230816