• Reichman discusses BiondVax’s 2023 achievements, including the development of innovative NanoAbs in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute targeting interleukin-17 (IL-17) targeting diseases such as psoriasis
• Annual sales for current anti-interleukin-17 monoclonal antibodies now total about $7.5 billion annually – and BiondVax is positioned to penetrate this market with promising results

Investor Brand Network (“IBN”) recently announced the release of its latest episode of The Bell2Bell Podcast, featuring Amir Reichman, CEO of BiondVax Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: BVXV). The Bell2Bell Podcast delivers informative updates and exclusive interviews with executives operating in fast-moving industries – like BiondVax’s innovative platform technology using alpaca-derived nanosized antibodies, known as Nanobodies (NanoAbs) (https://ibn.fm/6TsnQ). These NanoAbs address infectious and autoimmune diseases with large unmet medical needs, such as COVID-19, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, asthma, and macular degeneration.

BiondVax, in collaboration with the prestigious Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences (“MPG”) and the University Medical Center Göttingen (“UMG”), both in Germany, is developing a pipeline of innovative NanoAbs that exhibit multiple significant competitive advantages over existing antibody therapies, including stability at high temperatures, superior binding affinity, more effective and convenient routes of administration, and efficient production. BiondVax is uniquely positioned to advance nanosized antibody innovation from R&D through commercialization.

This recent interview between podcast host Stuart Smith and Reichman is a follow-up from December 2022 – beginning with BiondVax’s recent achievements, as detailed in a letter to shareholders issued late last year. Reichman told Smith that the company successfully executed a round of financing at the end of 2022, raising about $8 million. BiondVax also in-licensed the next antibody from the Max Planck Institute – a NanoAb designed to target interleukin-17 (IL-17) for the treatment of psoriasis, HS, and other important indications. BiondVax is now fast on the trail of developing what could be a very promising drug.

Autoimmune diseases are often chronic and require patients to take drugs for life, with annual sales for current anti-interleukin-17 monoclonal antibodies totaling about $7.5 billion. With their NanoAbs, BiondVax aims to generate a highly potent, highly specific drug that is safe to use for the large and underserved population of mild-to-moderate psoriasis patients. BiondVax expects to complete a proof-of-concept trial later this year, followed by human clinical trials.

Reichman explained that there are currently several treatment options on the market for psoriasis patients, such as, for example, creams and other topical drugs, biologics, and oral drugs for plaque psoriasis patients. However, the topicals are not highly sophisticated drugs, and they come with considerable side effects. “When a person needs to take steroids once in a while for an infection, they can tolerate it, but when you need to take steroids for an autoimmune disease with chronic inflammation, you create tolerance and deal with potential side effects,” the BiondVax CEO explained.

As for biologics, they are highly potent, but they are restricted to moderate and severe cases of psoriasis, which accounts for only 15% of patients with psoriasis. “The 85% that are left have to choose between drugs based on 1960s and 1970s technology. There hasn’t been much breakthrough in recent years to serve these patients,” Reichman added.

Additionally, BiondVax has also begun to offer contract development and manufacturing organization (“CDMO”) services. The CDMO services were designed to keep the BiondVax team abreast of the latest industry developments and trends while building experience and generating revenue to support the company’s primary focus – its potentially blockbuster NanoAb pipeline.

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

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

• FEXD, a company formed to develop a global financial technology ecosystem, continues to develop a diverse portfolio of FinTech-related products and services to consumers and businesses in the United States, South Asia, East Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America
• The goal is to empower underserved populations by providing FinTech solutions that boost and shift purchasing power
• Fintech innovations affect various dimensions of financial services, including domestic payments, credit, remittances, savings, insurance, and investment management
• Access to credit and remittances have been shown to have positive effects on purchasing power
• On its part, FEXD aims to develop products that help consumers buy products and services from anywhere, make payments across borders, remit money to recipients in other countries, and send money to people in remote locations

As early as 2016 – and perhaps even earlier – the signs were emerging of the disruption that financial technology, or FinTech, was set to cause in the market. “FinTech is a dynamic segment at the intersection of the financial services and technology sectors where technology-focused startups and new market entrants innovate the products and services currently provided by the traditional financial services industry. As such, FinTech is gaining momentum and causing disruption to the traditional value chain… Cutting-edge FinTech companies and new market activities are redrawing the competitive landscape, blurring the lines that define players in the financial services sector,” wrote PwC in its 2016 Global Fintech Report (https://ibn.fm/JRcUH).

Years later, FinTech has remained resilient, helping consumers and businesses weather a series of storms that battered the global economy, from the global pandemic and the uncertainty that came thereafter to the rising inflation in 2022 (https://ibn.fm/5RIb5). This resilience stems from the fact that FinTech enabled – and continue to enable – consumers to access their finances from anywhere, receive money sent from anywhere, manage liquidity and payments, use the built-in saving tools to meet short- and long-term goals, and stay on top of their investment holdings (investment management) during both good and bad times. In addition, digital lending platforms have penetrated areas that may be underserved by traditional banks.

To put it simply, FinTech provides stability, accessibility, flexibility, and opportunities to vast swathes of the population, and companies such as Fintech Ecosystem Development (NASDAQ: FEXD), a company formed to develop a global financial technology ecosystem, are watching keenly.

Many dimensions of financial services are affected by fintech innovations, according to a report by the International Monetary Fund (https://ibn.fm/Hl0Mq). These include domestic payments, credit, remittances, savings, insurance, and investment management. According to the report, digital payments have been the most common instrument of financial inclusion and can be expected to accelerate well into the future. Factors such as convenience, safety, and cost favor this acceleration, given their transformational impact on the daily lives of the underprivileged.

And as scores of people continue making digital payments, a lending opportunity emerges. Transacting on digital platforms generates data that, combined with proprietary algorithms, can be used to establish consumers’ creditworthiness, forming the basis upon which digital platforms can provide largely unsecured loans. And while digital payments have long taken much of the FinTech organizations’ attention, many are now alive to the intensifying demand for digital loans and the need to serve the underserved, providing the much-needed capital.

FinTech organizations operate 24/7 and can help SMEs easily access finance outside business hours. And according to the World Bank, a strong positive relationship exists between access to finance and employment or job growth (https://ibn.fm/atDk5). By extension, such organizations can help increase the number of employed people in a country, translating to greater purchasing power. Similarly, just as higher wages boost personal purchasing power, so too does availability of credit for consumers (https://ibn.fm/2zwLU).

At the same time, the IMF report reads, “The potential for FinTech to support affordable cross-border payments – notably for remittance – is high… FinTech combined with strong digital identification and robust money laundering and terrorism finance [controls] could have a great potential in supporting more affordable and remotely accessible cross-border transactions such as remittances that have been an important support for families in low-income countries.”

Such remittances increase the purchasing power of households and are a source of foreign income for many developing countries. From the lens of their impact on livelihoods, the remittances may provide capital for entrepreneurial activities, finance the purchase of basic consumer goods, housing, and children’s education and healthcare (https://ibn.fm/6CEre).

The positive impacts of FinTech for both consumers and businesses have indeed piqued the interest of FEXD. The company plans to offer a diverse portfolio of FinTech-related products and services to consumers and businesses in the United States, South Asia, East Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

These products are intended to help consumers buy products and services from anywhere, make payments across borders, remit money to recipients in other countries, and send money to people in remote locations who may not have access to traditional banking services. Thus, given the role of money transfers in boosting recipients’ purchasing power, FinTech Ecosystem Development aims to empower underserved populations in various regions worldwide.

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

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

• Cepton advances lidar technology that integrates into traffic systems, intersections, and ADAS-powered vehicles to improve passenger and pedestrian safety
• Through partnerships with leading global OEMs, CPTN enables ADAS mass-market commercialization with ultra-compact, high-performance, and cost-effective lidar solutions
• CPTN’s Helius(R) Smart Lidar System was recently deployed in government-funded pedestrian safety projects in Texas and Utah
• Other applications of CPTN’s lidar technology include airport terminal monitoring, security systems, crowd analytics, railway obstacle detection, e-tolling, and traffic management

Lidar – a combination of the words “light detection and ranging” – is a sensing technology that sends out laser pulses and measures the time it takes for them to bounce back after hitting an object. Cepton (NASDAQ: CPTN), a lidar innovator, advances high-performance lidar technology currently being applied by leading global companies and governments to vehicles, smart  infrastructure and more.

Pedestrian fatalities are rising rapidly, according to a report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (“GHSA”) that reveals a 77% increase since 2010 (https://ibn.fm/uu2ZB). CPTN is dedicated to reducing accident risk through a holistic approach that integrates lidar into traffic systems, intersections, and ADAS-powered vehicles to improve safety for passengers and pedestrians.

Through engagements with the world’s leading OEMs, CPTN is taking lidar mainstream by commercializing high-performance, ultra-compact lidar solutions for ADAS that seamlessly integrate into modern vehicle designs. The company is also advancing its Helius(R) Smart Lidar System, which combines its MMT(R) lidar technology with edge computing and advanced perception software to provide anonymized, intelligent 3D perception that improves safety in public spaces.

“Pedestrian safety is essential to people-oriented transportation. We are thrilled that Cepton’s technology has been utilized in such groundbreaking studies and deployments that could revolutionize the way intersections are designed and operated,” said Cepton CEO Dr. Jun Pei (https://ibn.fm/vePh8). “Our advanced lidar perception solution is designed to provide accurate, real-time 3D analytics that ultimately helps improve the walkability of streets. I am excited to see Helius deployed in more U.S. cities to help transform America’s traffic infrastructure, making safe, smart mobility accessible to everyone.”

Helius has been tested in Texas through research funded by the National Institute for Transportation and Communities (“NITC”), which receives support from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Texas-based study, led by researchers from the University of Texas Arlington (“UTA”), deployed the system at two traffic-intensive intersections to collect data and enable an innovative dynamic flashing yellow arrow (D-FYA) system that generates signal operations based on real-time pedestrian analytics. The solution is being implemented in Salt Lake City for further evaluation by the Utah Department of Transportation.

CPTN’s solutions are also being applied to other industries, including airport terminal monitoring, security systems, crowd analytics, railway obstacle detection, e-tolling, and more (https://ibn.fm/CpQF5). In addition to its use in physical environments, the company’s Vista(R)-X120 Plus lidar has also been integrated into NVIDIA’s Omniverse platform to enable real-time simulation and 3D visualization to digitize lidar deployment and testing and reduce implementation cost.

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

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

• McEwen’s 2023 PEA marks a turnaround from the 2017 PEA, which previously focused on the construction of a mine with a conventional mill and floatation concentrator
• The 2023 PEA preparation was guided by three fundamental principles: environmental footprint, reduced permitting risk, and cathode production
• McEwen’s management is optimistic that the new direction will draw the company closer to achieving its full and substantial potential, paying off monetarily while reducing the company’s upstream environmental impacts

McEwen Mining (NYSE: MUX) (TSX: MUX), an asset-rich diversified gold and silver producer in the Americas, just announced its reframed approach to sustainable innovation for its 2023 Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) on its Los Azules Copper Project in San Juan, Argentina. This approach marks a turnaround from the 2017 PEA, which previously focused on the construction of a mine with a conventional mill and flotation concentrator responsible for producing a concentrate for export to international smelters (https://ibn.fm/BdCIa).

This 2023 PEA technical report was prepared by Samuel Engineering Inc., guided primarily by three principles- McEwen’s environmental footprint, reduced permitting risk, and producing cathodes. It proposes a heap leach project using solvent extraction-electrowinning (“SX/EW”) to produce copper cathodes for sale in Argentina and international markets. McEwen aims to obtain 100% of its energy for the facility from renewable sources in a combination of offsite and onsite installations. The project also aims to have long-term net positive impacts on the greater Andean ecosystem, local flora, and fauna, as well as the lives of miners and citizens of nearby communities.

Base highlights for this PEA included the production of 401 million pounds of average annual copper cathode during the first five years of operation and 322 million pounds over the 27-year life of the mine. The PEA also noted that an after-tax net present value of $2.659 billion, with an internal rate of return (“IRR”) of 21.2% and a payback period of 3.2 years, would be realized, in addition to an average C1 cash cost of $1.07 per pound Cu and all-in sustaining costs of $1.64 per pound Cu. Lastly, the PEA noted 1.182 billion tons of mineralized material placed on a heap leach pad with an in-situ total copper grade of 0.46% and in-situ soluble copper grade of 0.31%.

McEwen’s management is optimistic that its new direction will draw it closer to achieving its full potential and ultimately creating incredible value for its shareholders. This follows the recent collaboration agreement with Nuton LLC, a Rio Tinto Venture that provides a significant opportunity to optimize the mine plan and overall mining and processing operations (https://ibn.fm/hb38g). Through Nuton’s ability to provide benefits such as lower overall energy consumption and allowing earlier conversion to renewable energy sources compared to conventional sulfide mineral treatment processes, McEwen looks to draw value and achieve its short-term and long-term objectives.

As it stands, McEwen Copper is positioned to make significant progress in the coming months and years. Its management is confident and optimistic that its current strategy will pay off monetarily while reducing the company’s upstream environmental impacts. By doing so, it also hopes to carve out a significant market share while positioning itself as a leader in its sector.

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

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

Cannabis professionals, business owners, investors, researchers, and industry leaders are invited to attend the Cannabis Drinks Expo to be held in Chicago, IL on August 1, 2023. The much-awaited event is set to bring together the greatest and brightest minds in the cannabis-infused beverages industry.

As the leading event for the cannabis drinks industry, Cannabis Drinks Expo (“CDE”) offers a unique platform for distributors, retailers, and businesses, to network, learn, and grow. The Expo will feature a wide range of product demos, educational seminars, and networking opportunities.

The Cannabis Drinks Expo 2023 will provide a diverse mix of exciting features, including:

• A spacious exhibit hall to enable product exhibition for brands
• An educational session focused on the technology and cannabis industry
• Unlimited networking opportunities for attendees to connect with business leaders
• A product sampling area where participants can sample the newest cannabis drinks

Advancements in the Cannabis Drinks Industry

The Cannabis Drinks Expo 2023 is the perfect event for professionals in the cannabis drinks industry. The Expo will feature an advanced product demo area where participants can sample the latest cannabis drinks. It’s a great opportunity to try different products and experience the latest advancements in the cannabis drinks industry.

By providing unlimited networking opportunities, the CDE 2023 promises to deliver an incredible learning platform for attendees where they can connect, share ideas, and learn from business experts about the latest industry trends and products.

The keynote speakers of the CDE 2023 will include:

• Jeremiah Mosteller, Policy Director at Americans for Prosperity
• Amor Mena, Founder, and CEO of Amada Tea + Co.
• David Dinenberg, CEO of Cannabrand
• Dr. Ethan Russo, Chief Medical Officer of the International Cannabis Association

Registration for the CDE 2023 is now open. Interested participants should register now to avail of the early bird pricing and be a part of the mega Cannabis Drinks Expo.

To learn more, please visit https://ibn.fm/k3bzr.

• New LEH Insurance Group website leverages expertise, coverage options and commitment to direct-sales sector
• SigmaPay delivers a comprehensive enterprise solution designed specifically for companies in the direct-selling industry
• Company is committed to providing premier enterprise-level solutions for every aspect of customer needs

As part of the launch of its new Shared Services Platform (https://ibn.fm/dCsIY), Sharing Services Global (OTCQB: SHRG) has made two key announcements. The company unveiled its Leading Edge Holdings (“LEH”) Insurance Group website (https://ibn.fm/FWKPm) and its new payment-processing company, SigmaPay (https://ibn.fm/rjjFp).

“We are thrilled to embark on this strategic partnership with Leading Edge Holdings Insurance Group,” said Sharing Services CEO John “JT” Thatch. “This collaboration allows us to leverage their industry expertise, expansive coverage options and commitment to tailored solutions to the direct-selling sector. By integrating LEH’s offerings into our service portfolio, we can better cater to the diverse needs of our clients, enhancing their overall risk management strategy.

“LEH’s dedication to innovation and its customer-centric approach aligns seamlessly with SHRG’s core values,” Thatch continued. “Together, the companies will focus on developing customized insurance solutions that address emerging risks and evolving market trends. By combining their respective strengths, Sharing Services Global Corporation and LEH aim to provide enhanced value and peace of mind to their mutual clients.”

According to the announcement, LEH has built an impressive reputation as an insurance provider offering comprehensive commercial and consumer coverage across multiple U.S. states. The new website allows the two companies to partner in leveraging invaluable expertise and resources to focus on developing and customizing optimal insurance solutions designed specifically for direct-selling industry clients.

Specifically, the announcement noted that SHRG can now offer a range of comprehensive coverage options designed to specifically address the unique risks and challenges faced by its clients, including protecting assets, mitigating liability and safeguarding against unforeseen events.

In addition, Sharing Services has added a powerful, full-service payment-processing company to its new Shared Services Platform. SigmaPay delivers a comprehensive enterprise solution designed specifically for companies in the direct-selling industry.

“At Sharing Services, our goal is to provide premier enterprise-level solutions for every aspect of our customers’ needs,” said Thatch. “SigmaPay is one of the key components of our Shared Services Platform, which also includes consulting and financial services for insurance, logistics and even mobile apps. Our Shared Services Platform incorporates the absolute highest-caliber solutions for the companies we partner with.”

Making the most of SHRG’s streamlined technology, SigmaPay delivers cost-effective, integrated payment-processing services that include everything from point-of-sale, virtual and mobile transactions to 3D secure fraud protection — all with competitive transactional rates.

“The launch of SigmaPay is a significant part of the company’s business reorganization plan that will not only reduce our dependency on the sale of health and wellness products but will also generate a sustainable revenue stream that is critical to our ability to improve our overall operating margin,” said Sharing Services chief financial officer Anthony S. Chan. “Companies in the direct sales business need a dependable and cost-effective payment-processing system. Our SigmaPay system is robust and flexible, and we believe it will be a real game changer for our target customers, which include early-stage companies in direct sales.”

Sharing Services Global Corporation is a publicly traded, diversified company dedicated to maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition and development of innovative companies, products and technologies. The Sharing Services combined platform leverages the capabilities and expertise of various companies that market and sell products direct to the consumer.

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

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

• GolfLync’s product operates on a theory that bad golf partners are like bad dates, and a dating network approach to golf outings can help ensure the game remains fun and worthwhile for participants
• Sports app developer GolfLync Inc. reports golf groups are forming with hundreds of local members in cities across the country
• The app is flexibly designed to support everything from mall get-together outings to hosting large club groups with a diverse pool of members
• Popular golf groups on top social media platforms are migrating their members onto the APP as GolfLync continues to grow in popularity

The surge in popularity of golf has opened a window of opportunity for online sports application developer GolfLync, the creator of a social networking app specifically attuned to establishing golf groups with like-minded interests, available for both Android and iOS users as a free download. Although great for finding individual partners and small groups, a surprising benefit is the apps popular ability to build and manage large community groups involving dozens of players.

Golf Digest noted earlier this year that equipment and apparel sales for the sport grew by more than 30 percent over 2019 levels despite challenges arising from supply chain delays (https://ibn.fm/8gleS), and that the late 2020 surge in new golfer interest set records in many places throughout the United States (https://ibn.fm/9c6Pw).

Noteworthy amid the trend has been the sharp rise in interest among women taking up golf clubs for the first time. The National Golf Foundation reported this month that the pool of female golfers has risen by 15 percent during the last three years, as opposed to a 2 percent increase among males (https://ibn.fm/YQp6O).

In Southern California, where golf participation grew by 25 percent during 2020 and 2021, Moorpark retiree Joni Omlor said she was looking to meet new people to share time with and a women’s group has given her friends for the rest of her life, according to a report in The Acorn. And members of the Lucatero family, struggling with the continual restrictions facing their restaurants, sustained a golfing group built from their clientele (https://ibn.fm/ih2IW).

GolfLync designed its product to foster engagement around virtual online golf communities. Whether users aim to build a small team of individuals or larger groups with dozens of members, to golf with neighbors or meet new friends and play on a new course, GolfLync is geared to accommodate such needs.

Spouses who enjoy golfing together can easily find other couples to golf with using GolfLync’s search features. Beginners or experienced players can match up with the right handicaps for a more challenging game. Users can even tailor their searches to find companion preferences while playing like walking or riding a cart, listening to music, friendly wagering, enjoying a favorite beverage at the last hole, and so on.

Part of the theory behind GolfLync’s product is that bad golfing partners are like bad dates. 

“It basically operates like Tinder for golfers,” CEO Noah DiPasquale says in a clip from the Into The Storm podcast shared on corporate communications agency NetworkNewsWire’s client page (https://ibn.fm/3cVk9). “The reason I say the Tinder component is because there is some logic built into it. So if you like to drink on the course, or smoke, or play music, or gamble, you’ll have the opportunity to meet everybody in your area that has similar preferences.”

GolfLync’s community of players extends across the United States with new players and groups streaming across the live feed. The app allows new groups to have multiple hosts, communicate by chat, post private or public tee times, and coordinate events. Players are now discovering the fun of developing large golf groups in the hundreds over the APP, opening all sorts of possibilities, both for the company and the way people connect over golf!

You can download the GolfLync app using the following links:

Android: https://ibn.fm/ns2ri
iPhone: https://ibn.fm/e7XIM

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

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

• Ucore Rare Metals Inc. is dedicated to providing North American independence from China’s near-monopolistic control of the rare earth element (“REE”) production pipeline that supplies metals critical to modern technologies
• The company has developed a trademarked solution that improves on the standard process used worldwide for separating REEs from their host ores, and Ucore is demonstrating its solution’s capabilities at a Canadian facility ahead of a planned commercial operation
• Ucore recently announced acquisition of a U.S.-sourced light REE feedstock that will be its third REE feedstock for the demonstration plant, allowing it to compare its RapidSX(TM) solution side-by-side with standard (“SX”) light and heavy REE separation process output
• Once the demonstration plant’s commissioning process is complete, Ucore will undertake a similar demonstration program for qualification under a U.S. Department of Defense grant that will show the strategic value of the solution

Critical technology metals supply chain innovator Ucore Rare Metals (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) is steadily and quickly developing its infrastructure for North America-based rare earth element (“REE”) processing, strengthening its competitive position and ability to disrupt the People’s Republic of China’s control of the North American REE supply chain.

Ucore began demonstrating the performance of its proprietary RapidSX(TM) solvent extraction process during the spring at an Ontario, Canada facility, and on June 29 the company announced acquisition of a third REE feedstock for the demonstration plant, establishing it as a first-of-a-kind facility in North America.

“We believe that Ucore’s Kingston, Ontario, Demo Plant is currently the largest heavy REE separation plant in North America,” Ucore Vice President and COO Mike Schrider stated in the announcement (https://ibn.fm/OSDto). “It is capable of processing tens of tonnes of light and heavy REEs utilizing the exact same equipment — and represents a unique technological advantage as North America endeavors to compete on the global stage to produce individual rare earth oxides required to support the growing EV industry.”

Ucore is preparing for the construction of a commercial-scale operation at a property it acquired this year in Louisiana, United States. Its RapidSX technology is at least three times more efficient than the standard SX (also known as CSX) process used worldwide to separate REEs from their host ores, according to independent evaluations. RapidSX has also demonstrated advantages in terms of overall processing time, operational costs and environmental impacts (https://ibn.fm/3fi5S).

The Canadian demonstration plant is designed to show RapidSX can process varied light and heavy REE feedstocks through the same circuit and to provide a direct comparison of its output with that of a corresponding standard SX mixer settler pilot plant.

Once that commissioning program is complete, Ucore will further demonstrate RapidSX capability in compliance with a qualification program for the US Department of Defense, which provided the company with a $4 million grant to show that its technology constitutes new innovation capable of supporting North American REE production plants (https://ibn.fm/hQNEd).

Construction of the Louisiana commercial operation — the first of at least three North American Strategic Metals Complex (“SMC”) facilities Ucore has planned — is expected to begin later this year.

REEs have become critical metal elements for use in modern electronics, particularly in electric vehicle batteries as government and industry leaders work to address pollution and climate concerns by developing alternatives to fossil fuels.

Because China controls 36.7 percent of the world’s REE reserves, 63 percent of its mining capacity, and over 90 percent of its refining capacity (https://ibn.fm/vvDan) and has used its market preeminence as leverage during international disputes (https://ibn.fm/xFHTP), American and European nations have come to regard REE pipeline independence as an important part of national defense strategy.

REE importance to modern technologies is not limited to the commercial sector, but also includes military applications in Abrams tanks and F-35 jets, as well as windmill turbine generators that play a role in national energy policies.

“The full-scale production plant (in Louisiana) is scheduled to initially process 2,000 tonnes of total rare earth oxides by the end of 2024, increasing to 5,000 tonnes in 2026,” a NetworkNewsWire editorial states (https://ibn.fm/gz4Ta).

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

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

• Soylent, a division of Starco Brands (a modern-day invention factory), offers a complete protein supplement line, including powders, shakes, and bars
• Known as the “World’s Most Perfect Food,” Soylent protein supplements include 28 immune-supporting vitamins and minerals, protein, fats, and carbohydrates
• Soylent’s Meal Replacement Shake was voted “Product of the Year” by 40,000 participants in a national study conducted in partnership with Kantar, a leading global consumer research firm
• The global protein supplements market is projected to grow from $27.41 billion in 2023 to $51.81 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 9.5% over the forecast period
• Soylent has raised funds from multiple investors, including Google Ventures, The Production Board and Andreessen Horowitz
• Soylent was acquired by Starco Brands in February 2023

Protein supplements used to be the domain of bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts; however, they’re now going mainstream as busy consumers seek nutrient-dense, convenient, and environmentally sustainable meal replacements.

Soylent, a plant-based food technology company and division of Starco Brands (OTCQB: STCB), ticks all the boxes with complete nutrition products that benefit the body while being good for the planet. Available in more than 28,000 stores like Walmart, Target, Publix, and Walgreens, the sustainable protein supplement line stands apart from the rest by providing “complete” nutrition while maximizing taste and minimizing sugar.

Soylent started out as an experiment in 2013 by engineer and entrepreneur Rob Rhinehart, where he aimed to create a powdered mixture that provided all the necessary macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals required for survival. This mixture then became the foundation of Soylent’s product line of powders, shakes, and bars, known as the “World’s Most Perfect Food.”

Soylent is strongly positioned to grow as the overall demand for protein supplements rises globally. According to a report by Fortune Business Insights, the global protein supplements market is projected to increase from $27.41 billion in 2023 to $51.81 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) of 9.5% during the forecast period. Protein powder is expected to continue dominating as the leading product segment, followed by ready-to-drink protein supplements in second place. Other segments include niche products such as capsules, gels, and baked goods like bars, cakes, and cookies.

Soylent covers all primary market segments with its line of powders, bars, and ready-to-drink shakes. Backed by clinical research, all products are formulated with an optimal blend of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to provide complete nutrition. The company also prioritizes sustainability by using soy protein, which generates 50% less CO2 than whey protein, and 25% less than brown rice or pea alternatives.

Soylent’s product line has evolved from a powdered meal replacement for busy Silicon Valley tech workers to a complete nutrition platform ideal for anyone looking to save time with convenient, portable, meal substitutes. The company’s meal replacement shakes come in a range of flavors, including Original, Banana, Cafe Chai, Cafe Mocha, Cafe Latte, Creamy Chocolate, Mint Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla. With 20 grams of protein per serving, each shake provides 28 immune-supporting vitamins and minerals with only one gram of sugar. Besides providing nutritional benefits, they also taste great, according to 40,000 US consumers who voted the shake “Product of the Year” in a national study conducted in partnership with Kantar, a leading global consumer research firm.

Soylent’s ready-to-drink lineup includes Complete Energy and Complete Protein shakes. Complete energy has 180 calories, 100mg of caffeine paired with L-Theanine, and 15g of protein. This shake also has 5 added brain boosting nootropics. For consumers that want an extra hit of protein, Soylent’s Chocolate and Vanilla flavored high-protein shakes offer 30 grams of plant protein per serving, plus 5g of branched-chain amino acids (“BCAAs”) to help build and repair muscles.

Protein bars are another dominant segment of the meal replacement space. Soylent Squared Snack Bars take regular protein bars up a notch with 6 grams of protein per serving and 28 vitamins and minerals. Available in Chocolate Brownie and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, each bar is just 100 calories with just 1 gram of sugar.

Rounding out Soylent’s product line is its classic protein powder in original and cacao flavors. Available in pouches, tubs, and single serves, Soylent Powder provides 20 grams of plant protein per serving, with 28 vitamins and minerals in a convenient dairy, nut, and gluten-free format that can be enjoyed on its own or blended into a smoothie.

Soylent strives to maximize sustainability by using soy as its base protein source and is the only company that has earned the US-Grown Sustainable Soy Certification. The company also aims to improve access to sustainable nutrition for people globally by donating nearly 6 million meals through its Soylent for Good Program and working with 160 non-profit organizations to support food banks, hot meal programs, homeless shelters, and child feeding programs.

Since its inception, the company has raised funds from firms that include Google Ventures, The Production Board, and Andreessen Horowitz. Acquired by Starco Brands in February 2023.

“Soylent is one of those rare brands that successfully transitioned from Silicon Valley tech start-up to mainstream with mass distribution …,” said Starco Brands CEO Ross Sklar. “When combined with Starco Brands’ portfolio of formulas, access to commercial manufacturing facilities, and disruptive marketing, Soylent’s potential to grow its base and expand in adjacent category whitespaces will be game-changing.”

Starco Brands is led by CEO Ross Sklar – a chemical formulator that has acquired dozens of companies with multiple exits since 2004, and COO Darin Brown, who brings over 20 years of experience in business development, chemical manufacturing, and mergers and acquisitions. CMO David Dreyer completes the management team with over 20 years of experience working with iconic brands such as Apple, Pizza Hut, Stamps.com, Dr. Pepper, Pepsi, Snapple, Infiniti, Honda and The Grammy Awards.

Starco Brands aims to disrupt markets by inventing or acquiring innovative products that delight consumers with behavior-changing technologies. Examples from the company’s portfolio include Whipshots(R) vodka-infused whipped cream featuring global artist Cardi B, Skylar hypoallergenic perfumes, Winona Pure(R) theater-style popcorn spray powered by air and the Art of Sport premium skincare line co-founded by Kobe Bryant.

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

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

• The bioavailability enhancement technologies and services market is expected to reach $10 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of approximately 11%
• Drug developers are shifting focus to the development of lipophilic drug compounds, which increases bioavailability
• DehydraTECH-enabled drugs improve the speed of onset, increase bioavailability, increases brain absorption, and reduces drug administration costs
• Lexaria’s DehydraTECH has 34 patents granted worldwide and many more pending across several categories of fat-soluble active molecules and drugs
• The company operates through four separate subsidiaries to explore the potential and options for the use of DehydraTECH in respective industries

Bioavailability is the ability of a drug or other substance to be absorbed and used by the body – and in recent years, it has become an integral part of drug pharmacokinetics. The bioavailability enhancement technologies and services market is expected to reach $10 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of approximately 11%. Drug developers have shifted focus to developing lipophilic drug compounds, undertaking new efforts to identify enhancement techniques that mitigate the challenge of low bioavailability and stability (https://ibn.fm/bgkL3).

Lexaria Bioscience (NASDAQ: LEXX), a global innovator in drug delivery platforms, has developed its patented DehydraTECH(TM) technology to improve how active pharmaceutical ingredients (“APIs”) enter the bloodstream, promoting healthier oral digestion, increasing the effectiveness of lipophilic molecules, and increasing the bioavailability of targeted substances. DehydraTECH promotes fast-acting, less expensive, and more effective oral drug delivery, and it has been thoroughly evaluated through in vivo, in vitro, and human clinical testing.

DehydraTECH is suitable for use with a wide range of product formats, including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and over-the-counter capsules, pills, tablets, oral suspensions and more. The benefits of DehydraTECH include the following:

• Improves the speed of onset, with effects felt in minutes
• Increases bioavailability by more effectively delivering the drug into the bloodstream
• Increases brain absorption, with testing suggesting up to 10x improvement
• Reduces drug administration costs with a higher ratio of drug delivery

To date, Lexaria has been granted 34 patents, with several more pending worldwide, including DehydraTECH-CBD for the potential treatment of hypertension, epilepsy, and more. Lexaria is also exploring food and beverage compositions infused with lipophilic active agents – improving bioavailability through food and drink. Through animal studies, DehydraTECH has shown the ability to elevate the quantity of the drug delivered across the blood-brain barrier by as much as 1,700 percent, which has initiated additional new patent applications and has opened possibilities for improved drug delivery.

Lexaria operates four subsidiary companies to focus on different commercial opportunities in their respective industries: Lexaria Pharma Corp. investigating new products for hypertension, anti-viral treatments, and other drug classes; Lexaria Nicotine Corp. (16.67% owned by Altria Ventures Inc.), investigating oral non-combusted tobacco-derived nicotine formats; Lexaria Hemp Corp. pursuing business-to-business opportunities with cannabinoids such as cannabidiol from hemp; and Lexaria Canpharm Corp. operating a state-of-the-art Health Canada licensed laboratory capable of developing novel psychotropic cannabinoid formulations for potential commercialization in sectors where it is federally legal to do so.

Lexaria’s DehydraTECH is a revolutionary technology that makes it possible to deliver bioactive substances topically or by oral ingestion without the need for unhealthy practices of inhalational dosing where applicable and without the need for co-administration with unhealthy sugars or sweeteners commonly used to mask bitter tastes. It provides power acceleration of intestinal absorption and requires fewer quantities of drugs to achieve desired results.

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