Sprout Social (NASDAQ: SPT), a frontrunner in cloud-based social media management software, recently made headlines with the appointment of Mike Wolff as its new Chief Revenue Officer. This strategic move is aimed at bolstering Sprout Social’s global sales, success, and partnerships organization, with a keen focus on accelerating the company’s worldwide growth and expansion. Wolff’s extensive background, notably his transformative tenure at Salesforce, underscores his proficiency in scaling sales operations and driving substantial revenue growth. His transition to Sprout Social is poised to leverage his two decades of experience in steering global sales and technology teams towards achieving ambitious growth targets.

Sprout Social’s commitment to expanding its global footprint and enhancing its software offerings is further emphasized by Wolff’s enthusiasm for the role social media plays in connecting consumers with brands. His ambition to contribute to Sprout Social’s growth and deliver unparalleled value to its customers aligns with the company’s mission to provide top-tier social media management tools. This synergy between Wolff’s vision and Sprout Social’s objectives sets a promising trajectory for the company’s future endeavors.

The financial metrics of Sprout Social reveal a company in a unique position within the market. Despite a negative price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately -26, indicating current unprofitability, the company’s price-to-sales (P/S) and enterprise value to sales (EV/Sales) ratios suggest a market willing to invest in its growth potential. These figures, coupled with a significantly high enterprise value to operating cash flow (EV/OCF) ratio, reflect investor confidence in Sprout Social’s capacity to generate value through its operations over time.

Moreover, the company’s moderate debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio of about 0.29 signals a balanced approach to leveraging debt for growth, while the current ratio of approximately 0.89 points to a slight challenge in managing short-term liabilities with its assets. These financial indicators provide a nuanced understanding of Sprout Social’s operational and financial health, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as it embarks on its next phase of growth under Mike Wolff’s leadership.

In summary, Sprout Social’s strategic appointment of Mike Wolff as Chief Revenue Officer marks a significant step towards achieving its global expansion and growth objectives. His proven track record in scaling sales and technology organizations, combined with Sprout Social’s robust platform serving over 30,000 brands, positions the company for continued success in the dynamic social media management sector. The financial metrics underscore the market’s optimism about Sprout Social’s future, despite the challenges of achieving profitability, highlighting the company’s potential for long-term value creation.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.SproutSocial.com.

• Annovis Bio’s lead drug candidate buntanetap has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for early Alzheimer’s patients
• In a short-term Phase 2/3 study, buntanetap has been shown to work three times better than the standard of care in the market
• The company plans further clinical trials to validate the efficacy and safety of buntanetap in treating both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases

Annovis Bio (NYSE: ANVS), a late-stage clinical drug platform company pioneering transformative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, presented significant data and findings of its Phase 2/3 Alzheimer’s study of lead drug candidate buntanetap at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference(R) 2024 (AAIC(R)) in Philadelphia. Dr. Maria Maccecchini, Ph.D., Founder, President, and CEO of the company detailed these findings, as well as the scientific community’s response and the company’s future plans, during a recent episode of IBN’s Bell2Bell Podcast with Stuart Smith, recorded live at the AAIC.

Dr. Maccecchini explained that this was a short-term study with 360 participants, all in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The response to buntanetap was excellent, as the drug candidate was shown to be at least three times better than the standard of care available in the market. The results were welcomed by the scientific community, (https://ibn.fm/oiZAi).

“Our Phase 2/3 data indicates that buntanetap has the potential to significantly improve learning, memory and quality of life for early Alzheimer’s patients,” said Dr. Maccecchini during the interview. “Being able to share these findings live from AAIC, one of the most prestigious events in Alzheimer’s research, underscores the importance of our work and the promise it holds for patients.”

Annovis now plans to repeat the short-term study with a higher number of participants (600 patients), and to also ask the Food and Drug Administration to approve the extension of the short-term study to 18 months in order to show that buntanetap works both in the short- and long-term. The company is looking to complete the short study and submit a request for approval before the end of next year.

The neurodegenerative disease treatment market is substantial and growing, driven by an aging population and increasing incidence of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly 7 million Americans are currently suffering from Alzheimer’s, a figure projected to rise to almost 13 million by 2050. Alzheimer’s care costs are expected to reach $360 billion in 2024 and escalate to nearly $1 trillion annually by 2050 (https://ibn.fm/AsPB8).

Buntanetap, formerly known as Posiphen, is designed to target neurodegeneration by inhibiting the formation of multiple neurotoxic proteins, including amyloid beta, tau, alpha-synuclein, and TDP43. By improving synaptic transmission, axonal transport, and reducing neuroinflammation, buntanetap aims to reverse neurodegeneration in AD, PD, and other neurodegenerative diseases. This multi-targeted approach positions buntanetap as a potential breakthrough in treating these debilitating conditions.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.AnnovisBio.com, and social channels LinkedIn, X and YouTube.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to ANVS are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/ANVS

• SenesTech, a rodent fertility control product provider and the inventor of the only EPA-registered contraceptive for male and female rats, is offering a sustainable and proactive tool  in the fight against rodent pests
• With New York City reporting an estimated 3 million rats as one of the top five list of the most rat-infested cities in the U.S., it paints a grim picture of the situation at hand
• SenesTech’s Evolve(TM) soft bait products for both rats and mice has been scientifically proven to manage rodent infestations, allowing for a superior proactive approach to addressing the rodent problem
• The product was developed as a minimum risk product as defined by the EPA, posing little or no harm to the environment, people, or non-targeted animals such as birds of prey and cats

In 2023, it was estimated that New York City had roughly 3 million rats, an increase of almost 1 million over the last ten years. The situation has gotten so bad that the city has become almost synonymous with rat infestation problems.

This statistic paints an astonishing picture of the rodent problem in the U.S., and the need to better address it sustainably and effectively. SenesTech (NASDAQ: SNES), a rodent fertility control product provider and the inventor of the only EPA-registered contraceptive for male and female rats, promises an proactive tool that has been tried and tested and could potentially get rid of an entire rat population in only 12 to 18 months.

SenesTech’s flagship product line, Evolve(TM) soft bait for rats and mice has been shown to provide a reliable and safe method for managing infestations. Its high palatability and little to no risk to people, the environment, or non-target animals, makes it ideal for use in public or home environments. The active ingredient in the product, cottonseed oil, effectively interferes with the reproductive mechanisms in both male and female rats, thereby offering a more proactive approach to controlling the rodent population by targeting it at its source (https://ibn.fm/8QmvC).

SenesTech, through its offerings, promises a solution to a problem that so far has been impossible to solve. It offers a product that meets the necessary environmental and health requirements, particularly given the ongoing concerns about the use of poisons and their potential impact on non-targeted animals such as hawks, owls, and domestic cats.

The company has a powerful and much needed product in the market, and is building its share in a market that was valued at $5.6 billion in 2021 and was projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% between 2022 and 2032 (https://ibn.fm/UJ8pP).

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.SenesTech.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SNES are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SNES

• Canada is recognized globally as an oil and gold powerhouse, but the country is also a world leader in other metals, a trend that looks to be gaining steam
• With strategic acquisitions, Fathom Nickel has assembled a dominant land position in Saskatchewan’s Trans-Hudson Corridor, positioning the company to become a leading nickel provider in the sustainable energy market
• Data continues to show mineralization open on strike and at depth, with evidence that the deposits may be interconnected as part of one massive system

A surge in exports in June confounded pundits that called for Canada to experience a fourth straight monthly trade shortfall. Canada unexpectedly posted a C$638 million trade surplus in June, driven primarily by increased crude oil shipments facilitated by the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline and a surge in gold exports.

Canada’s recent export data is a clear indicator of a relentless resource powerhouse. While the expansion of oil pipelines has undoubtedly contributed to this growth, the country’s potential extends far beyond black gold and the long-cherished precious metal.

Nickel, a critical component in the burgeoning electric vehicle (“EV”) industry, is a prime example. Canada is already the world’s largest nickel producer outside of Asia, a position that grants it an unparalleled advantage in supplying the global green transition, particularly as domestic assets increasingly gain importance. While the EV market has faced some headwinds, the long-term trend towards electrification remains undeniable. Beyond batteries, nickel is essential for various other green technologies, ensuring a robust and sustained demand for this critical mineral.

Among the companies vying for a significant share of this growing market, Fathom Nickel (CSE: FNI) (FSE: 6Q5) (OTCQB: FNICF) emerges as a particularly promising contender.

Fathom’s strategic focus on Canada’s prolific nickel-copper belts places it in an enviable position. The company’s exploration and development efforts are concentrated in regions renowned for their high-grade mineralization, a factor that significantly enhances its potential for discovering and developing substantial nickel deposits. This geographic advantage, coupled with the company’s technical expertise and financial prudence, sets Fathom Nickel apart from its peers.

The Calgary-based company has a portfolio of three high-quality exploration projects covering more than 122,000 hectares in the prolific Trans-Hudson Corridor in Saskatchewan:

• Albert Lake Project: a 90,000+ hectare project that was host to the historic and past producing Rottenstone Mine (produced 28,724 tons @3.3% Ni, 1.8% Cu, 9.63 g/t 3E (Pd-Pt+Au) 1965-1969)
• Gochager Lake Project: a 22,000+ hectare that is host to a historic, NI 43-101 non-compliant open pit resource consisting of 4.3 million tons at 0.295% Ni and 0.081% Cu
• Friesen Lake Project: a 10,000+ hectare located 40 kilometers southwest of the historic Rottenstone Mine and 30 kilometers northwest of the historic Gochager Lake deposit

The Trans-Hudson Corridor is renowned for its rich mineral deposits where geological processes over millions of years created ideal conditions for high concentrations of valuable minerals. This orogeny, spanning parts of Canada and the United States, is a hotspot for mining and exploration due to its complex geological history that has produced some of North America’s most recognizable mines, spanning, gold, base metals, and other minerals.

The geological processes that formed the Trans-Hudson Corridor over millions of years created the ideal conditions for the concentration of valuable minerals. This unique setting, combined with the region’s accessibility and political stability, has made it a highly attractive destination for Fathom to assemble the dominant land portfolio in the region.

Fathom’s approach continues to produce data suggesting that the company could be sitting on a massive nickel structure. The collection of recent press releases provides evidence that not only is the nickel deposit large, but it could also be much bigger than initially thought. The latest evidence considers only two areas of interest: Gochager Lake deposit and historic Mal Lake Nickel occurrence, which are about 6 miles apart.

A re-examination of historic data from Mal Lake drill core showed the two have a similar nickel tenor, similar nickel-to-copper ratio, similar nickel-to-cobalt ratio, and similar mineralized mafic intrusions. In non-geologist speak, that means the two may not be two after all, but simply different parts of one connected nickel deposit.

The company is finalizing the next stage of development at Gochager Lake, which will include drilling thanks to the recent receipt of a permit allowing for 60 drillholes and a 25-person camp at the project.

Similar exploration discoveries are happening at the Albert Lake Project, where Fathom’s methodical approach is proving the existence of historic mineralization and expanding it along strike and at depth. With repetitive interpretations of data, it is unsurprising that Fathom made the move to acquire the Friesen Lake Ni-Cu-Pt showing that is nearby Gochager Lake and Albert Lake, as well as adjacent to the Toppings Lake Cu-Ni showing and close to the recent discovery of Ramp Metals that caused the stock to skyrocket.

Add it up and Fathom Nickel’s strategic positioning, combined with its dedication to sustainable practices, makes it a company to watch closely. As the world transitions towards a greener future, the demand for nickel will only continue to grow, and companies like Fathom Nickel, with their focus on exploration and development in prime locations, are ready to capitalize on the opportunity to become a dominant player in the global supply chain of critical minerals.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.FathomNickel.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to FNICF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/FNICF

• ECGI Holdings is a diversified holding company with a unique portfolio in viticulture, hospitality, and luxury fashion
• The company’s subsidiary Pacific Saddlery is looking to introduce technologies that leverage AI capabilities to provide customer fit recommendations amid plans to launch a new line of ready-to-wear apparel under its Allon brand
• The company believes AI-powered solutions will help increase conversion rates, reduce return rates, and enhance customer engagement and loyalties
• Apparel manufacturers and online apparel brands are turning to AI-driven technologies to reduce returns and their impact on the bottom line
• A 2023 study listed size/fit, color, and damage as the top three reasons for online apparel returns

In a 2023 study, Coresight Research surveyed decision makers at U.S.-based apparel brands and retailers, revealing that the average return rate of online apparel orders in the U.S. stood at an estimated 24.4%. This return rate translated to $38 billion in returns – based on the research firm’s estimate of the value of the online apparel and footwear market in 2023, which stood at $155.8 billion (https://ibn.fm/DOjHE).

The returns come at a cost to the apparel companies and retailers, especially considering a majority of them offer free shipping on returns. The shipping cost, coupled with the processing and restocking costs, can significantly impact the companies’ bottom line, leading to an estimated $25.1 billion hit, according to the study. Against this backdrop, apparel companies and retailers hold that reducing the return rate to zero “could improve the bottom line of their online apparel business by at least 20%.”

To reduce the return rate, companies must first understand the reasons customers return the purchased goods, which the Coresight Research study provided. Based on responses from the surveyed brands, the study found that size/fit (53%), color (16%), and damage (10%) are the top three reasons for online apparel returns. Guided by this understanding, the study notes that “Apparel brands and retailers are adopting different approaches, including changing return policies and leveraging virtual try-on technology, to reduce returns.”

For its part, Pacific Saddlery, a subsidiary of diversified holding company ECGI Holdings (OTC: ECGI), plans to introduce technologies that leverage artificial intelligence (“AI”) capabilities to provide personalized fit recommendations. The company, which manufactures and sells equestrian apparel, tack, equipment, and accessories, believes the AI-powered solutions will result in increased conversion rates, reduced return rates, and enhanced customer engagement and loyalties.

The AI-powered solutions can take many forms, from AI-powered precise body measurement apps and AI-powered virtual styling tools to AI-driven augmented and virtual reality solutions that let customers virtually try on clothes. In addition, e-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) recently introduced a feature that uses AI to extract details like size, fabric, style, and fit from customer reviews and then summarize the details in an easy-to-use format that provides relevant information to customers (https://ibn.fm/blAGC).

The AI-driven body measurement apps let apparel companies and online retailers collect individualized digital body measurements for each customer. Armed with this data, the companies can deliver tailored size recommendations for each customer’s body type as well as predict full-body measurements from just a few easy-to-measure dimensions. This enables the companies to display only the best fitting clothes on their online stores.

In addition, the data helps apparel manufacturers to optimize future designs according to body shapes and sizes. This capability enables the companies to cut garments to sizes that actually fit people. According to an article in 3DLook, the result is that “Customers receive products tailored to their bodies, while businesses enjoy fewer returns and less product waste” (https://ibn.fm/ADDQ3).

With Pacific Saddlery’s plans to launch a new collection of ready-to-wear equestrian apparel under its Allon brand now in high gear and given the advantages of AI-powered solutions during retail and manufacturing, it is a no-brainer to incorporate AI into its operations. The company initially intends to use AI measurement on the retail end to recommend apparel that best fits customers. This intervention, the company believes, will help give customers more confidence in the sizes and fits they select and reduce returns. Later, the company plans to use AI in manufacturing, enabling it to capture precise measurements for made-to-measure apparel.

To support its plans to incorporate AI and machine learning into its operations, ECGI recently announced the addition of AI and machine learning (“ML”) expert Mandeep Singh to its Board of Advisors (https://ibn.fm/5xWff). With a distinguished career in AI, ML, and data science, Singh brings a wealth of expertise that promises to drive growth and innovation at ECGI and Pacific Saddlery. And as Jamie Steigerwald, CEO of ECGI Holdings, noted, Mandeep’s cutting-edge expertise in AI and ML positions the company to “achieve extraordinary advancements.”

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ECGIHoldings.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to ECGI are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/ECGI

Connect with the leaders and social media marketing heads from leading colleges and universities at the Social Media Strategies Summit for Higher Education 2024. Attractive early bird offers are available. The tickets include access to the Higher Ed Summit on October 21–22, 2024, and the Corporate Brand Summit on October 24–25. The workshops are optional and require separate registration.

The sessions explore the best social media marketing practices for colleges and universities. Higher education social media marketing experts nationwide will join the event to share insights on the best social media marketing strategies. Executives and professionals in recruitment, admissions, and student experiences, can learn the intricacies of the best social media strategies from industry veterans.

Eminent industry dignitaries will host the speaker sessions discussing case studies and proven practices to position one’s institution as a market leader. Social media marketers can learn the tools, tips, and emerging trends imparted by these leaders. Executives can assess their current scenario based on the narratives provided by the speakers and incorporate the changes for social media transformations.

The experts will walk the attendees through the wide gamut of topics on social media marketing, answering queries and discussing challenges, ideas, and trends. Three expert speakers will also host an “Ask Me Anything” session where they answer questions on a variety of topics in real time.

Experts will navigate the audience through pivotal topics like ‘Impact of AI on Higher Education’ and ‘Power of Alt Text and Captions in Social Media’. Attendees can connect with peers and industry leaders during panel discussions, roundtables, and networking breaks.

To learn more, please visit https://ibn.fm/Ko4lw 

• Operator of flagship Waterberg PGM Project located in South Africa, which is home to 70% of platinum and 35% of palladium global mine production in 2023
• Over $89M invested to date in exploration and feasibility engineering since initial discovery in 2011
• The Waterberg Project has proven and estimated reserves of 19.5 million ounces of PGMs and gold with a projected production life of 45 years
• Partnered with major integrated PGM producer Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. and Japanese consortium HJ Platinum, which includes trading house Hanwa Co. and the government-backed Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security
• A 2019 Definitive Feasibility Study (“DFS”) confirmed Waterberg as one of the largest and lowest cost undeveloped PGM projects globally
• In December 2023, entered an agreement with Ajlan & Bros Mining and Metals to study establishment of a PGM smelter and base metals refinery in Saudi Arabia
• PGM market dynamics are favorable based on growing demand from gasoline hybrid and plug-in hybrid (“PHEV”) technology adoption and expected supply cutbacks from major producers in Southern Africa, North America and Russia
• An update to the 2019 Waterberg Definitive Feasibility Study is expected in 2024
• Founded Lion Battery Technologies Inc. in partnership with Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (AMS: JSE) to research and commercialize the use of PGMs in lithium-sulfur battery chemistry

Platinum Group Metals (NYSE American: PLG) (TSX: PTM) is the operator of the Waterberg Project, a bulk underground platinum group metals (“PGM”) deposit discovered by Platinum Group in 2011 and located on the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. The Waterberg Project is planned as a fully mechanized platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold mine, including by-product copper and nickel production, and is projected to be one of the largest and lowest cost PGM mines globally.

The project is a joint venture between Platinum Group; integrated PGM producer Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (OTCQX: IMPUY); Japanese consortium HJ Platinum, which includes trading house Hanwa Co. and the government-backed Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (“JOGMEC”); and local empowerment partner Mnombo Wethu Consultants (Pty) Ltd. Platinum Group has an effective 50.22% interest in the Waterberg Project.

The company’s primary business objective is to advance the Waterberg Project to a development and construction decision. An update to the 2019 Definite Feasibility Study is expected in 2024.

PGMs are essential and precious metals that include platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium and ruthenium. These metals are known for their purity, high melting points and unique catalytic properties. They are utilized in a number of industrial processes, technologies and commercial applications and play a critical role in autocatalysis and pollution control in the automotive sector. The bulk of global PGMs are mined in Southern Africa and Russia.

The unique properties of PGMs are being applied to various technologies as possible solutions for more efficient energy generation and storage, which may create new demand for PGMs. The company’s battery technology initiative through Lion Battery Technologies Inc., using platinum and palladium in lithium battery technologies, represents one such new opportunity in the high-profile lithium battery research and innovation field.

Platinum Group Metals Ltd. founded Lion Battery Technologies Inc. in partnership with Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (AMS: JNB) to support the use of palladium and platinum in lithium battery applications. Lion Battery has entered into an agreement with Florida International University to further advance a research program that uses platinum and palladium to unlock the potential of Lithium Sulfur (“Li-S”) battery chemistries.

Platinum Group is headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., and Johannesburg, South Africa.

Waterberg Project

Platinum Group’s sole material mineral property, the Waterberg Project, is presently in process with pre-construction permitting; engineering work, including road upgrade and traffic studies; finalization of power and water infrastructure design; and construction camp design.

The company’s principal product from the Waterberg Project is planned to be a PGM-bearing concentrate. The concentrate will contain economic amounts of six elements comprising platinum, palladium, rhodium, gold, copper and nickel. The company’s partner in the Waterberg Project, Impala Platinum Holdings, has acquired a right of first refusal to enter into an offtake agreement, on commercial arm’s-length terms, for the smelting and refining of mineral products from the Waterberg Project.

The Waterberg project has proven and estimated reserves of 19.5 million ounces of PGMs and gold. When fully operational, the mine is projected to produce more than 400,000 ounces of PGMs annually during the peak period of steady state production. The life of the mine is projected at 45 years.

South Africa’s PGM mining sector remains closely tied to economic developments in the global automotive industry, which in 2022 accounted for approximately 43% of the total global demand for platinum and 82% of the total global demand for palladium.

Market Opportunity

According to a report from Straits Research, a global market and business research firm, the worldwide platinum market had an estimated value of $7.72 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $11.95 billion by 2031. That represents a CAGR of 5.13% over the forecast period.

Platinum, one of the rarest of precious metals, is about 30 times scarcer than gold. It is crucial to the automotive and electronics industries and is also used to make jewelry. Stricter emissions regulations around the world have led to an increased demand for platinum to be used in catalytic converters to reduce automotive emission, the report states.

A report from Allied Market Research estimated the global palladium market at $16.3 billion in 2021 and projects the market will reach $28.6 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% over the period.

Palladium is also used in automotive catalytic converters for reducing emissions and in jewelry, dentistry, watchmaking, blood sugar test strips, aircraft spark plugs, surgical instruments, electrical contacts and musical instruments.

An increase in demand for consumer electronics has driven demand for palladium-based multilayer ceramic capacitors (“MLCC”) used to store energy in electronic devices such as broadcasting equipment, mobile telephones, computers, electronic lighting and high voltage circuits, according to the report.

Management Team

Frank R. Hallam is Co-Founder, Director, President and CEO of Platinum Group. He has over 30 years of experience in the mining, minerals and petroleum industry as an operator, principal and founder. He was a co-founder and former CFO of MAG Silver Corp. He was also co-founder and director of West Timmins Mining Inc. and a director of Lake Shore Gold Corp. In addition, he was CFO and director with gold exploration company Tan Range Exploration Corp. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and was formerly an auditor in the public mining practice of PwC. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University.

Greg Blair is CFO of Platinum Group. He has been with Platinum Group since 2010 in various roles, most recently as Interim CFO. Prior to joining Platinum Group, he was at a public accounting firm working on public company (mainly mining) audits. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a degree in Economics from Simon Fraser University and has completed the Canadian Securities Course.

Kris Begic is VP Corporate Development of Platinum Group. He has over 25 years of experience in the mining industry and capital markets and has been involved with the raising of over $500 million for various exploration and development projects globally. His efforts are focused on project generation, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, investor relations and marketing.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.PlatinumGroupMetals.net.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PLG are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/PLG

• Lexaria, a global innovator in drug delivery platforms, is exploring its patented DehydraTECH(TM) technology for the oral delivery of glucagon-like peptide-1 (“GLP-1”) drugs.
• GLP-1 drugs have shown great promise in addressing diabetes and obesity, with nearly all the major brands administered only through injection devices.
• A previous human study by Lexaria evidenced improved bioavailability when semaglutide was administered orally, as compared to standard Rybelsus®.
• Lexaria has several additional R&D studies underway, including both animal and human investigations into semaglutide, liraglutide and tirzepatide. Together, those three drugs represent more than 90% of all revenue in the current global GLP1 market.

Data from the United States shows that 54% of adults and 66% of children consume more added sugars than recommended (https://ibn.fm/W2oXd). On average, it has been noted that adults, young adults, and children in the United States consume 17 teaspoons of added sugar daily, which is more than two to three times the recommended amount for men and women, respectively. Extrapolated annually, this adds up to around 60 pounds of added sugar or six 10-pound bowling balls (https://ibn.fm/Dah7s).

Numerous studies have linked increased sugar consumption to diabetes. While not directly linked, sugar is considered integral to weight gains, which, in turn, increases their risk of type 2 diabetes. The condition cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Recent studies on glucagon-like peptide-1 (“GLP-1”) have shown great promise in addressing the condition. Lexaria Bioscience (NASDAQ: LEXX), a global innovator in drug delivery platforms, recognizes the potential of these GLP-1 drugs, and if any of its recent studies are anything to go by, the company is on track to offer an oral delivery enhancement to current GLP-1 options that are in the market today.

People living with diabetes often require insulin shots to manage their condition. Although many types of insulin are available, including long-acting, rapid-acting, and short-acting, none of those can be taken orally to lower blood sugar. This is because stomach enzymes have been shown to interfere with insulin’s action, prompting the use of needles and syringes, or an insulin pen, to deliver the product to the body (https://ibn.fm/5LCz7). This has also been the case for GLP-1 drugs.

“Most GLP-1 drugs sold today are administered by painful and expensive injection devices. More effective and tolerable oral delivery of GLP-1 could be extremely valuable to patients and to industry,” noted Chris Bunka, Lexaria’s CEO (https://ibn.fm/RxUBh).

Lexaria has explored oral delivery of GLP-1 drugs using its patented DehydraTECH(TM) technology since the beginning of the year. So far, its studies have evidenced increased bioavailability, with its WEIGHT-A24-1 diabetes animal study showing a stark decrease in the rate of body weight gain for specific DehydraTECH-CBD formulations and noticeable weight loss for its DehydraTECH-Liraglutide (https://ibn.fm/iB9NN). All of its studies thus far have highlighted DehydraTECH’s potential in treating diabetes and obesity, and the company looks to double down on this research for the remainder of the year.

As the conversation about added sugars, diabetes, and obesity proliferates, the company’s management is optimistic about its ongoing GLP-1 studies. It is also confident that the studies will yield positive results, demonstrating the superiority of DehydraTECH as a drug delivery technology. As a company, Lexaria has already validated the technology’s usefulness in delivering various orally administered bioactive molecules more effectively. Its focus on GLP-1 drugs for the potential treatment of diabetes and obesity speaks to the company’s confidence in the technology and its commitment to stamping its position as a leader in the market.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.LexariaBioscience.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to LEXX are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/LEXX

• Expanded product roadmap to enhance D-Wave’s Leap(TM) quantum cloud service and bring new Quantum AI solutions to market
• Initiative targets three key development areas: quantum distributions for generative AI, Restricted Boltzmann Machine (“RBM”) architectures, and GPU integration
• CEO Dr. Alan Baratz emphasizes the potential of annealing quantum computing to transform AI/ML by offering more efficient model training, reduced energy consumption, and faster time-to-solution 

D-Wave Quantum (NYSE: QBTS), a leader in quantum computing systems, software and services, and the first commercial provider of quantum computers, has announced a significant expansion of its Leap quantum cloud service, targeting advancements in artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning (“ML”). The newly revealed roadmap outlines strategic initiatives aimed at integrating quantum computing with AI/ML technologies to offer more efficient and powerful computational capabilities (https://ibn.fm/oZpfR).

The product roadmap is designed to support customers in addressing various AI/ML workloads, from pre-training optimization to more accurate model training and new AI business use cases that integrate artificial intelligence and business optimization. The roadmap focuses on three pivotal development areas:

• Quantum distributions for generative AI: The focus in this area is on designing novel, modern generative AI architectures that directly use quantum processing unit (“QPU”) samples from quantum distributions that cannot be generated by classical computers. 
• Restricted Boltzmann Machine (“RBM”) architectures: RBM architectures that directly leverage D-Wave’s QPU for various applications are increasingly being used by customers, potentially leading to reduced energy consumption in training and running AI models. 
• GPU integration with Leap Quantum Cloud Service: D-Wave is incorporating additional graphics processing unit resources in the Leap quantum cloud service for the training and support of AI models, while also working to reduce latency between QPUs and classical computing resources, a critical step in enabling hybrid-quantum technology for AI/ML.

The initiative comes at a time when the AI industry is facing an energy crunch, given the high energy usage and associated costs necessary to satisfy a growing set of use cases. Current AI models, especially large language models (“LLMs”), require extensive amounts of power to train and run. At current rates of growth, AI is expected to account for up to 3.5% of global electricity demand by 2030 (https://ibn.fm/lUbDP).

D-Wave’s Quantum AI solutions have the potential to change that given annealing quantum computing’s unique capability to solve optimization issues and help customers leverage better, faster and more energy efficient AI and ML workloads.

Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave, highlighted the transformative potential of this roadmap, underlining that the company is already seeing early evidence that annealing quantum computing could play a key role in helping AI/ML with more efficient model training, reduced energy consumption and faster time-to-solution.

“With results demonstrating our annealing quantum computer’s ability to outperform classical techniques, coupled with rapidly increasing demand from our customers for Quantum AI solutions that integrate with their business optimization requirements, we believe the impact of D-Wave’s Quantum AI solutions could be transformative, bringing a powerful new set of new computing tools for generative AI,” Dr. Baratz said.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.DWaveQuantum.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to QBTS are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/QBTS

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and may not be indicative of future results. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, various factors beyond management’s control, including the risks set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I of the company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or any updates discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part II of the company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in the company’s other filings with the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release in making an investment decision, which are based on information available to the company on the date hereof. The company undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law.

• Nightfood is blowing up TikTok with its sleep-friendly cookies for nighttime snackers
• 2024 has been a transformational year, as Nightfood Holdings diversifies into new markets, including Robots-as-a-service (“RaaS”)
• Nightfood has acquired Future Hospitality Ventures, providing cutting edge technologies for the hospitality and foodservice industry, and signed a Letter of Intent to acquire CarryOutSupplies.com, a packaging distribution company with sales on the rise after $2 million in 2023

Nightfood Holdings (OTCQB: NGTF) has come a long way since its initial focus on the nighttime snacking market. Recent developments reveal a company actively pursuing diversification and expansion into new and emerging sectors. In addition to their sleep-friendly cookies for nighttime snackers, Nightfood is demonstrating building value by exploring disruptive technologies and capturing new markets.

A Foundation in Sleep-Friendly Snacks

Nightfood’s journey began with a simple yet compelling premise: address the growing nighttime snacking epidemic. The company’s flagship products – a line of sleep-friendly cookies – are formulated to minimize sleep disruption caused by unhealthy nighttime snacking, and nutritionally support sleep quality. This unique offering is aimed at the 93% of American adults who snack before bed at least once a week (the average American adult snacks 3.9 nights per week, resulting in over 1 billion nighttime snacks consumed weekly). The cookies are blowing-up TikTok. Nightfood’s pioneering of this potentially massive snacking sub-category will continue to be a core asset.

Disrupting Hospitality with Robots as a Service (“RaaS”)

Nightfood isn’t content with simply offering snacks. Recent announcements highlight the company’s acquisition of Future Hospitality Ventures, a provider of automation and robotics technology for the hospitality and foodservice industry. Management is understandably keeping the details of the new tech close to the vest, but press releases suggest a focus on improving operational efficiency and addressing labor cost and shortage. This foray into robotics and AI signifies Nightfood’s ambition to become a solutions provider within the hospitality space, moving beyond just a snack supplier.

The company has dropped hints that more information will be forthcoming based upon comments that meetings with management across an array of industries from hotels to restaurants is creating a stir for additional discussions.

CarryOutSupplies.com Acquisition Broadens Horizons

Perhaps the most exciting development is Nightfood’s recent entry into a letter of intent to acquire CarryOutSupplies.com in an all-stock transaction. CarryOut is an established provider of disposable and eco-friendly supplies to restaurants and foodservice establishments, offering a wide range of takeout supplies. This acquisition indicates Nightfood’s desire to build a comprehensive ecosystem within the food service industry.

It also serves to jump-start revenue. CarryOutSupplies.com had a thriving business before the covid pandemic dampened sales. Business is recovering, with sales topping $2 million in 2023, presenting a well-timed opportunity for Nightfood to pull the company under its umbrella.

Diversification: A Calculated Gamble

Can a small holding company effectively and efficiently layer in multiple operating companies to drive investor value?  The timing certainly seems right for each individual subsidiary: Nightfood has reported initial success from the online launch of their sleep-friendly cookies;  Future Hospitality is launching into a very receptive market as California restaurants and hospitality are feeling the crush of a massive minimum wage increase that has been making national news; and CarryOutSupplies seems poised to reach pre-pandemic revenue levels which are multiples higher than the $2 million in sales recorded in calendar 2023.

There are several benefits to Nightfood’s diversification strategy. For starters, while pioneering the sleep-friendly snack category, expansion into automation and foodservice supplies offers access to markets that are already established and on a growth trajectory, easing the heavy lifting. Second, Wall Street likes tech, but loves revenue. Nightfood’s diversification creates multiple revenue streams, and instantly adds millions in revenue with the proposed acquisition of CarryOut. This can provide financial stability and reduce vulnerability to market fluctuations.

Lastly, the potential synergies between the businesses are numerous. For instance, marketing and selling robotic solutions leveraging CarryOutSupplies.com e-commerce, while Nightfood’s ongoing discussions could lead to new distribution channels for its snacks, as well as new sales channels through CarryOutSupplies’ network of customers.

Nightfood’s diversification strategy could certainly deliver strong value to shareholders. While sleep-friendly snacks remain a core product line with potential explosive upside, Nightfood Holdings is evolving into a multifaceted entity with a presence in the hospitality industry, technology, and foodservice. This bold approach, if executed effectively, could deliver exciting growth for investors here in 2024 and beyond.

For more information, visit the company’s website at https://nightfood.com/.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to NGTF are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/NGTF