• BiondVax’s CDMO services allow the company to partner with pharmaceutical companies to provide contract-based drug development and manufacturing services
• BiondVax showcased its boutique end-to-end CDMO offering at the annual Biomed Conference in Tel Aviv in May
• BiondVax’s cGMP biologics manufacturing facility in Jerusalem is fully equipped with state-of-the-art CDMO capabilities
• The expansion of CDMO services will augment revenue and expand pharma contacts while still maintaining BiondVax’s core focus of NanoAb therapies for significant indications like COVID-19, psoriasis, asthma, and more

BiondVax Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: BVXV), a biotechnology company focused on developing, manufacturing, and commercializing innovative immunotherapeutic products primarily for the treatment of infectious and autoimmune diseases, recently showcased the expansion of its service to begin offering services as a contract development and manufacturing organization (“CDMO”). These CDMO services will allow BiondVax to partner with pharmaceutical companies to provide contract-based drug development and manufacturing services, leveraging its Good Manufacturing Practices (“GMP”) biologics manufacturing facility in Jerusalem.

In May, BiondVax showcased its boutique end-to-end CDMO services and expertise at a leading conference for international Life Science and HealthTech industries, the Biomed Conference, in Tel Aviv. The company’s CDMO services are designed to meet the needs of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies of all sizes, with a commitment to providing customers with the highest levels of quality and service.

BiondVax’s CDMO offers a comprehensive range of services and assets, including:

• cGMP manufacturing of biologics at FDA and EMA standards
• State-of-the-art laboratories for manufacturing process development and scale-up
• Deep pharma experience and leadership to help accelerate products forward

The company’s cGMP manufacturing suites include clean rooms for upstream fermentation, downstream purification, labeling and visual inspection. It has previously passed the required audits for Phase 3 clinical trial production and more – which can be found in BiondVax’s CDMO literature. (https://ibn.fm/25F09).

“Offering CDMO services allows us to use our state-of-the-art facility to generate revenues and offset certain fixed costs while still using it for our NanoAbs,” BiondVax CEO Amir Reichman said in a year-end letter to stakeholders. In a March interview, he also said his team has proven experience with running pre-clinical trials, clinical trials, chemistry, manufacturing and controls [CMC], quality assistance — with everything working like an oiled machine (https://ibn.fm/b9ZHc). “Also, the capacity and the capabilities are there.”

BiondVax’s NanoAbs, also known as VHH-antibodies, are alpaca-derived nanosized antibodies that exhibit multiple significant competitive advantages over existing antibody therapies. These advantages include stability at high temperatures, superior binding affinity, more effective and convenient routes of administration, and efficient production. The company is uniquely positioned to advance nanosized antibody innovation from R&D through commercialization.

BiondVax’s development of NanoAb therapies addresses diseases that are currently underserved by current treatments, with large growing markets. In addition to COVID-19, the growing market outlook for asthma and psoriasis supports BiondVax’s focus on creating efficient therapies for patients in these indications.

Recent company statements on its quarterly financial results noted that it has already begun R&D activities for an innovative NanoAb platform targeting immune system cytokines. The drug candidate development process will focus on cytokines such as IL-17 for their potential in treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Adding the CDMO services will keep the team abreast of the latest industry developments and trends while building experience and generating revenue to support the company’s NanoAb focus – targeting COVID-19, psoriasis, asthma, and more.

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

• Lexaria’s latest peer-reviewed publications were published in June 2023 in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Advances in Therapy, and Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy
• Lexaria’s eight peer-reviewed publications support the company’s pursuit of launching an FDA-registered IND program to formally investigate DehydraTECH(TM)-CBD for hypertension
• The global cardiovascular drug market was worth $146.5 billion and is expected to reach $173.5 billion in 2026 – making patent protection crucial in commercial markets
• To date, Lexaria has a robust intellectual property portfolio with 34 patents granted and many more pending worldwide

Lexaria Bioscience (NASDAQ: LEXX), a global innovator in drug delivery platforms, recently announced the publishing of its groundbreaking research utilizing DehydraTECH(TM)-processed cannabidiol (DehydraTECH-CBD) in eight peer-reviewed articles in six different publications. Since 2016, the company’s patented DehydraTECH(TM) technology has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to increase bio-absorption with cannabinoids, antiviral drugs, PDE5 inhibitors, and more.

These publications build on Lexaria’s growing body of peer-reviewed literature developed on the company’s leading research into the effects of DehydraTECH-CBD on human health, including indications such as hypertension. The most recent paper is entitled, “Differences in Plasma Cannabidiol Concentrations in Women and Men: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study,” which was published in June 2023 in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (https://ibn.fm/DOLxN).

“We’re proud of the impressive amount of research that our company has been able to develop through its HYPER-H21 series of clinical studies that has now been assessed by a variety of our respected peers,” said John Docherty, President of Lexaria (https://ibn.fm/5zp9P). “Lexaria is establishing itself as one of the world’s leaders in the investigation of cannabidiol for the purposes of controlling human blood pressure, and we are now focused on launching an FDA-registered IND program to formally investigate DehydraTECH-CBD for hypertension this year.”

Additional publications include the following, which are also available at PubMed:

• September 2019, “Examination of a New Delivery Approach for Oral Cannabidiol in Healthy Subjects,” published in the journal Advances in Therapy (https://ibn.fm/36rvQ)
• June 2022, “Chronic Effects of Effective Oral Cannabidiol Delivery on 24-h Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Vascular Outcomes in Treated and Untreated Hypertension (HYPER-H21-4): Study Protocol for Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, and Crossover Study,” published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine (https://ibn.fm/B9vW8)
• April 2023, “Trial of a Novel Oral Cannabidiol Formulation in Patients with Hypertension,” published in Pharmaceuticals (https://ibn.fm/HDhBE)
• April 2023, “Chronic Effects of Oral Cannabidiol Delivery on 24-h Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Patients with Hypertension,” published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (https://ibn.fm/2kmuK)
• April 2023, “CBD supplementation reduces arterial blood pressure via modulation of the sympatho-chromaffin system,” published in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy (https://ibn.fm/S2k56)
• June 2023, “The Influence of Oral Cannabidiol on 24-h Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness in Untreated Hypertension,” published in Advances in Therapy (https://ibn.fm/KVM9x)
• June 2023, “Effects of CBD supplementation on ambulatory blood pressure and serum urotensin-II concentrations in Caucasian patients with essential hypertension,” published in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy (https://ibn.fm/tsXZe)

The global cardiovascular drug market was worth $146.5 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $173.5 billion in 2026 (https://ibn.fm/Xmz4z). By region, North America is the biggest market in the world, making US patent protection necessary in the pursuit of commercial markets. The fields of diabetes and heart disease are broad but emerging markets making them two primary areas of interest for Lexaria – where DehydraTECH-CBD has already generated positive study data. Lexaria operates a licensed in-house research laboratory and holds a robust intellectual property portfolio with 34 patents granted and many more pending worldwide.

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

• FRGT just announced its new integration with Samsara, the pioneer of Connected Operations(TM) Cloud
• The move is seen as a “gamechanger,” with Fr8App customers now able to view and leverage insights from Samsara’s vehicle telematics solution
• Fr8App’s management is confident that by connecting with industry leaders like Samsara, the company will continue to pave the way for streamlined logistics processes and improved visibility for customers
• In addition, the move solidifies Fr8App’s position as the most connected and integrable platform for cross-border shipping in North America

Freight Technologies (NASDAQ: FRGT) (“Fr8Tech”), a tech company on a mission to revolutionize cross-border shipping by offering carriers increased growth opportunities and shippers with flexibility, visibility, and simplicity, just announced its new integration with Samsara, a pioneer of the Connected Operations(TM) Cloud. The move has been termed as a significant development for platform users from both sides, with privileges ranging from real-time access to location data which, in turn, allows customers to make informed decisions and attend to unexpected changes or delays while their products are shipping (https://ibn.fm/GA53O).

The move has been lauded by Samsara users, terming it a “game-changer.”

“As a carrier currently using Samsara for track and trace, I can confidently say that the integration with Fr8App has been a game changer for our business,” noted Juan Pablo Villanueva, Operations Director of Transportes Americanos, a transportation company with operations in the U.S. Canada, and Mexico.

“Not only do we continue to benefit from Samsara’s reliable and efficient tracking capabilities, but now we can seamlessly share that information with Fr8App’s digital platform, offering Fr8App’s platform users real-time location updates without any additional steps or downloads required,” he added.

Samsara’s Connected Operations Cloud has helped differentiate the company in its segment by making it easy for organizations to access, analyze and act upon real-time data from tracks, trailers, warehouses, and equipment. In turn, users have enjoyed improved safety, efficiency, and sustainability, allowing for better and even more profitable operations. With the integration, Fr8App customers can now view and leverage insights from Samsara’s vehicle telematics solution, which is integral to optimizing logistics operations and ensuring timely delivery. Some of the vehicle telematics include but are not limited to, GPS tracking, streamlined compliance management, and advanced diagnostic reporting.

“We are very excited to integrate with Samsara to offer our customers an even better and more seamless experience,” noted Javier Selgas, Fr8Tech’s CEO.

“By connecting with industry leaders like Samsara, Fr8App continues to pave the way for streamlined logistics processes and improved visibility for customers,” he added.

This integration proves Fr8App’s distinctive approach to incorporating critical players in the logistics space. It further solidifies the company’s position as the most connected and integrable platform for cross-border shipping in North America while showcasing its commitment to delivering the best possible service to customers.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Fr8Technologies.com, and its freight matching platform information site at www.Fr8.App.

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

Corporate Communications
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• Eloro Resources CEO, Tom Larsen and Executive Vice President, Bill Pearson recently met with Global Business Reports to discuss the company’s ongoing work at the Iska Iska mine
• Since beginning exploratory work in September 2020, the company have carried out over 85,000 m and 122 holds of exploratory drilling within the site, uncovering potential resources boasting extremely high grades of precious metal content
• With the release of the company’s mineral resource estimate now imminent, Larsen and Pearson believe that a re-rating of Eloro Resources’ share price may soon be forthcoming

In 1545, Don Diego Gualpa stumbled – literally – across the site of what would subsequently be known Bolivia’s Potosi silver mine. Gualpa detailed how, whilst hiking on the mountain in search of a religious monument rumoured to be in the area, he was bowled over by a powerful gust of wind. Upon rising, he noticed that the dirt on his hands was rich in ore. The discovery of the Potosi mine was not the first silver mine found in the Americas, however it would become by far the most prolific. During its most active period, Potosi produced almost half of the silver in circulation globally and ultimately accounted for nearly 20 percent of all “the known silver produced in the world across 265 years.” Nearly five centuries later, Eloro Resources (TSX: ELO) (OTCQX: ELRRF) (FSE: P2QM), an exploration and mine development company with a portfolio of gold and base-metal properties in Bolivia, Peru and Quebec have looked to once again explore the potential of Gualpa’s fortuitous discovery.

In a recent interview carried out with Global Business Reports, Eloro Resources CEO, Tom Larsen and Executive Vice President of Exploration, Bill Pearson elaborated on the geological potential of the company’s flagship Iska Iska tin project in Bolivia, a site adjacent to the famed Potosi mine. In early 2019, Dr. Osvaldo Arce, a renown local geologist and former President of the Geological Association of Bolivia explored the Iska Iska project, opting to carry out an initial channel sampling program in the area in conjunction with Eloro Resources. It was quickly apparent that this was no ordinary site – the samples showed strong evidence of a wide spread alteration zone, a potential indicator of mineral resource potential.

Having begun drilling work in September 2020, it was not long until the drill team hit a breccia pipe – a geologically significant formation of ore, cemented together by silica. Shortly thereafter, the team would uncover a further 180 m of mineralized breccia, cementing the geological potential of the site. Just over two years later, Eloro Resources have now carried out over 85,000 m and 122 holes of exploratory drilling within the Iska Iska deposit, with initial results revealing “magnificent core, which is remarkably consistent, continuous, and high grade at 90g/t silver equivalent and greater.”

Eloro Resources are now targeting the publication of their mineral resource estimate, slated for release in the near future. The company are also simultaneously carrying out exploratory work at Mina Casiterita, an adjoining site that Eloro Resources recently acquired, with the hope of defining the tin porphyry potential of the area. In Bill Pearson’s words, the company now face a “remarkable opportunity at Iska iska to outline two world-class deposits.”

With company management foreseeing a potential ‘dramatic rerating’ of Eloro Resources’ market capitalization once the investors contrast Iska Iska’s value per tonne of rock (post the release of the mineral resource estimate) to the company’s current valuation, Eloro Resources – much like Bolivia’s Potosi mine 500 years ago, may yet be the uncovered gem waiting to be stumbled upon.

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

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

• Starco Brands, Inc.’s Whipshots has rapidly emerged as one of the fastest-growing spirits in history
• The alcoholic beverage, launched in collaboration with Cardi B and recently highlighted by Forbes Magazine, has just launched its new summer campaign, entitled “Summer of Whipshots”
• Featuring Cardi B in a 30-second video and showcasing the product used in a number of summer drinks, the campaign has already racked up millions of views and ‘likes’ online

Starco Brands (OTCQB: STCB) has long made it its unwavering mission to create “consumer products with behavior-changing technologies that spark excitement in the everyday.” A modern-day “invention factory” focused around inventing or acquiring novel products and subsequently advancing them using behavior-changing technologies, has recently hit upon yet another breakthrough product offering through Whipshots®, a unique vodka-infused line of whipped cream products used in cocktails, currently making waves throughout the global beverage market.

Figures from Statista have recently forecast the global market size of the alcoholic beverage market to surpass $2.2 trillion by 2025, driven by increasingly discerning customer tastes and preferences. In a bid to differentiate their products from one another, brands have increasingly turned towards celebrities.

Starco Brands, Inc. has partnered with global artist and icon Cardi B to launch their non-dairy, shelf-stable “party in a can” which has a 10% ABV and comes in vanilla, caramel, mocha, and limited-edition lime flavors. The product, which was recently highlighted by Forbes and has been described by Cardi B as “over the top, sexy and unique – kind of like me,” witnessed its initial run of 500 cans sell out within the first five minutes on its launch day. Since then, the product has continued to scale new heights, achieving its first million-can sales after ten months and selling another million cans a mere four months later, making it one of the fastest-growing spirits in history.

Nonetheless, the beverage’s accolades have not just come on the commercial front. Whipshots has rapidly gained widespread industry recognition, recently picking up the “Best of Class Platinum,” “Consumers’ Choice Award” and “Innovation Award” in the 2023 SIP Awards, the “Rising Star” award at the Beverage Dynamics’ 2023 Growth Brands Awards as well as four medals at the 2023 DB&SB Spring Blind Tasting segment of the Global Spirits Masters Competition.

Starco Brands are now embarking on their latest promotional effort, entitled the “Summer of Whipshots” and headlined by the launch of the newest flavor within their beverage line – Lime Whipshots. Currently available in retail stores, Lime Whipshots dropped online on June 14 as part of the brand’s “Whip It, Beaches” campaign. The campaign features Cardi B in a 30-second video and series of images showcasing the product’s use in various summer drinks, including mojitos, margaritas, and daiquiris; having already generated significant buzz amongst Cardi’s 164 million followers, the product’s initial pre-launch post has already garnered nearly 2 million likes.

“We are thrilled to dive headfirst into the ‘Summer of Whipshots’ with Lime as the latest flavor in our Whipshots family,” says Ross Sklar, CEO of Starco Brands, Inc. “Having recently surpassed two million cans sold, Whipshots continues to offer consumers a fun and innovative way to celebrate all year.”

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

• Lexaria Bioscience recently received four new patents granted in Canada and the United States
• In the U.S., the company received two new hypertension-related patents expected to be of particular importance as the company pursues FDA approval for a Phase 1b study evaluating DehydraTECH(TM)-processed CBD
• So far, the company has a robust intellectual property portfolio comprising 34 patents granted worldwide
• The strong portfolio gives the company the necessary impetus and peace of mind to pursue multiple large markets, starting with the multi-billion dollar cardiovascular drugs market
• The company has conducted five human clinical studies that have provided insights into the potential of DehydraTECH-CBD to reduce blood pressure

Lexaria Bioscience’s (NASDAQ: LEXX) intellectual property (“IP”) rests on a strong foundation of granted patents worldwide, a foundation that was recently strengthened by new patents granted in North America. The company, which is developing its patented DehydraTECH(TM) technology platform with the intention of availing it to the masses as an additional step in the manufacturing or processing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (“APIs”) with better bioavailability and bioabsorption properties, celebrated the receipt of four new patents granted in Canada and the United States (https://ibn.fm/rLalk).

In Canada, the company has been granted two new patents, the first for Patent Family #1: Food and Beverage Compositions Infused with Lipophilic Active Agents and Methods of Use Thereof. According to the company, this is the first patent for this Patent Family issued in Canada, but the 18th patent in this family worldwide. The second patent granted falls under the company’s Patent Family #8: Compositions Infused with Nicotine Compounds and Methods of Use Thereof and is the company’s second patent in this Patent Family, following a similar issuance in Australia.

Across the border in the United States, Lexaria received two new hypertension-related patents, both under its Patent Family #21. The first covers Pharmaceutical Compositions and Methods for Treating Hypertension, while the second is for non-pharmaceutical Compositions and Methods for Treating Hypertension. The company expects these two patents to reinforce its commercial opportunities in both pharmaceutical and consumer markets.

The two new hypertension-related patents come at a time when the company is looking to file its Investigational New Drug (“IND”) application seeking approval from the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) to commence the formal and registered study HYPER-H23-1, a Phase 1b evaluation of DehydraTECH-CBD for hypertension, later this year. In fact, Lexaria believes these patents “could be of particular importance related to the company’s pursuit of utilizing DehydraTECH-CBD in relation to our expected upcoming FDA IND application.”

Once approved, the FDA-registered IND program will build on positive data from five hypertension-focused human clinical trials, which evidenced lower blood pressure among participants who received DehydraTECH-processed CBD.

The company’s first human study of 2021, HYPER-H21-1, evidenced a reduction in BP across both male and female volunteers, with the drop most pronounced within the first 10-50 minutes after dosing (https://ibn.fm/JGo0S). HYPER-H21-2, a 16-person study, evidenced up to a 23% average drop in overnight blood pressure and reduced arterial stiffness (https://ibn.fm/DmWci), while HYPER-H21-3, also a 16-person study, showed that DehydraTECH-CBD’s use reduced pulmonary artery systolic pressure by about 5 mmHg or 41% overall among male participants (https://ibn.fm/iytZA).

The company then conducted the HYPER-H21-4 study, its most comprehensive study yet, involving 66 participants. This fifth study evidenced the exceptional safety and tolerability profile of DehydraTECH-CBD, with the formulation resulting in a statistically significant lowering of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure. The company also observed that the formulation lowered patients’ BP throughout the entire study duration (5 weeks) and that it was effective at lowering the BP among patients who were taking other antihypertensive drugs as well as those who were not taking any such drugs (https://ibn.fm/nimwa). The company has also released additional findings from this study, adding to its list of successes announced in 2023.

So far, on the IP front, for example, the company has received seven new granted patents in the current financial year (2023), which commenced September 1, 2022, six of which have been awarded in calendar 2023. As a result, Lexaria now holds 34 granted patents worldwide. The company has achieved considerable intellectual property protection through this existing patent portfolio, giving it the necessary impetus and peace of mind to pursue multiple large markets, including the cardiovascular drugs market, which is projected to grow at a 3.1% CAGR from $153.6 billion in 2022 to $173.48 billion by 2026 (https://ibn.fm/PAZrP).

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

• FEXD is a company working to stay at the forefront of fintech innovations by using the most advanced financial technologies in its platforms and applications
• The company is seeking to acquire and merge with high-growth global fintech organizations that leverage these advanced financial technologies as part of its goal to develop a global fintech ecosystem
• Among these technologies are crypto and the blockchain
• Cryptocurrencies have been known to facilitate faster and lower-cost transactions, increase financial inclusions, and store value, especially in emerging economies where unpredictable inflation substantially weakens the value of their national currencies
• FEXD is committed to supporting the progress of developing countries and cultures, with cryptocurrencies playing a crucial role in helping the company achieve this goal

In a May 2022 report, rating agency Moody’s noted the highest cryptocurrency adoption was among lower-rated sovereigns. A summary of the report (https://ibn.fm/vUIRX) attributed this to the fact that digital currencies can facilitate “faster, more convenient, and lower-cost transactions for households and increase financial inclusion, benefitting countries where large parts of the population lack banking infrastructure.” Moreover, the summary continued, “improved access to cheaper and more reliable internet data, mobile phone usage, and, more broadly, the trend of increased digitization will also drive cryptocurrency adoption in many lower-income emerging markets.”

Moody’s assessment is part of the consensus of opinions around cryptocurrency. Experts and observers alike agree that global crypto adoption has been dominated by emerging markets, with lower-middle and upper-middle-income economies dominating the top 20 entries of the most recent Global Crypto Adoption Index, The index is an objective measure developed by Chainalysis showing countries with the highest level of cryptocurrency adoption (https://ibn.fm/IjEyn). Only the United States and the United Kingdom were outliers. Per Chainalysis, users in lower-middle and upper-middle-income nations often “rely on cryptocurrency to send remittances, preserve their savings in times of fiat currency volatility, and fulfill other financial needs unique to their economies.”

Many people in emerging economies regard cryptocurrencies as an important store of value, a means of exchange, a unit of account, and an alternative to otherwise weak traditional currencies. With the appeal of some national currencies waning, according to Financial Times (https://ibn.fm/MojIM) due to “unpredictable inflation and fast-moving exchange rates, clunky and expensive banking systems, financial restrictions, and regulatory uncertainty, especially the existence or threat of capital controls,” cryptocurrencies are becoming a boon for many users.

Behind the success of cryptocurrencies is the blockchain, which allows these digital currencies to operate without a central authority. Incidentally, McKinsey ranked blockchain second in its list of seven key technologies projected to drive fintech development and shape the competitive landscape of finance over the current decade. The analysis hailed blockchain as a potential disruptor of established financial protocols, further noting that stakeholders have taken a keen interest in this space, elevating the potential of the technology (https://ibn.fm/wumBw).

One such stakeholder is Fintech Ecosystem Development (NASDAQ: FEXD), a company working to stay at the forefront of fintech innovations by using blockchain, crypto, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, some of the most advanced financial technologies, in its platforms and applications. FEXD is guided by the vision to develop financial service applications that allow its customers to move money easily whilst making it more affordable for people to conduct transactions without touching cash.

The company believes this is a moment in history when mobile money services are needed in a world moving to digital money and mobile transactions that are seamless across international borders. And with cryptocurrencies conveniently facilitating cross-border mobile transactions, even for users whose governments have restricted the movement of money out of their countries, FEXD’s focus on this advanced financial technology appears strategic.

FEXD is seeking to acquire and merge with high-growth global fintech organizations that leverage some or all of these advanced financial technologies as part of its goal to develop a global fintech ecosystem, ultimately significantly growing its annual revenues (https://ibn.fm/O60yV). The company aims to provide services that are largely unavailable in many emerging economies, which are home to the largest concentration of the unbanked and underbanked. These populations, nonetheless, represent a large untapped market for FEXD.

“We’re committed to supporting the progress of developing countries and cultures. We have a keen understanding of market needs in many regions of the world where cellphones are in wide use but mobile money services are not yet available,” reads FEXD’s website reads (https://ibn.fm/NFh2a). By channeling its resources and attention into these markets, the company hopes to “ensure that humanity has a path forward from an unhygienic cash system; to reduce poverty; improve lives of the unbanked; offer security and saving options for migrant workers;” and more. Owing to their documented advantages, crypto and blockchain technologies are set to play an integral role in driving FEXD’s vision.

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

• McEwen’s new PEA presents a new strategy that converts from conventional milling to a heap leach process
• Three principal reasons for changing the implementation strategy include the company’s environmental footprint, reduced permitting risk, and the advantages associated with the production of fine copper cathodes
• The copper cathode process eliminates the dependency on third-party smelters, allowing for direct industrial use

McEwen Mining (NYSE: MUX) (TSX: MUX), an asset-rich, diversified gold and silver producer in the Americas with large exposure to copper through its subsidiary, McEwen Copper, owner of the Los Azules copper deposit in Argentina, recently released the results of an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) on a copper leaching phase of development at the Los Azules project. The 2023 PEA evaluates the economic potential of the project from the perspective of heap leaching with cathodes production. PEAs are completed before pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, which are important parts of the developmental process for mining projects (https://ibn.fm/FuvQR).

The 2023 PEA includes an updated independent mineral resource estimate, which increased to 10.9 billion pounds of copper (Cu) indicated at a grade of 0.40% and 26.7 billion pounds of copper inferred at a grade of 0.31%. McEwen Copper’s Los Azules project is 52% owned by McEwen Mining and is expected to be a game changer, turbocharging MUX by creating the world’s next copper unicorn.

Base case highlights of the 2023 PEA include:

• The average annual copper cathode, the amount of pure product in the electrolysis process, production of 401 million pounds during the first five years of operation and 322 million pounds over the 27-year life of the mine.
• After-tax net present value of $2.659 billion, with an internal rate of return of 21.2%, and a payback period of 3.2 years – at $3.75 per pound Cu
• Average C1 cash costs of $1.07 per pound Cu and all-in sustaining costs of $1.64 per pound Cu (AISC Margin of 56%).
• 1.182 billion tonnes 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%

The base case development strategy selected in the 2023 PEA for Los Azules was distinctly different from that presented in the previous PEA, completed in 2017, which was considering a conventional mill and flotation concentrator producing concentrate for export to international smelters. The new PEA proposes a heap leach project using solvent extraction-electrowinning, a two-stage process used to concentrate materials in an organic solution and recover them, to produce copper cathodes for sale in Argentina or international markets.

There are three principal reasons why the implementation strategy was changed to a leaching process in the 2023 PEA – environmental footprint, reduced permitting risk, and producing cathodes.

• Environmental Footprint – Fresh water consumption is reduced by approximately 75%, electricity consumption is reduced by approximately 75%, GHG emissions are reduced by approximately 57%, aligning with the company’s goal of reaching net-zero carbon by 2038 with some offsets. The Los Azules copper cathodes will thus be attractive to environmentally conscious end-users.
• Reduced Permitting Risks – The new project plan will utilize technologies already in use in San Juan today. The process eliminates tailings and tailings dams, conserves water, and reduces the complexity of the mine, all of which optimize the permitting process.
• Producing Cathodes – The leach process produces cathodes that can be directly used in industry, eliminating the need for third-party smelters. Cathodes also eliminate emissions associated with transportation and pollution associated with smelting, and pricing risks are reduced.

The full 2023 PEA report can be found at https://ibn.fm/cldYp.

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

• Automatic Emergency Braking (“AEB”) uses sensors to monitor and detect obstacles and apply the brakes to either prevent the collision or reduce impact severity
• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (“IIHS”) conducted a study revealing that AEB with pedestrian detection was associated with a 29%-30% reduction in pedestrian injury crash risk
• The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) recently announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking requiring AEB on all new passenger cars and light trucks
• Cepton’s Vista(R)-X90 Plus is billed as the “world’s smallest” lidar with extensive integration capabilities allowing manufacturers to seamlessly embed the system without disrupting the vehicle’s design
• Cepton engages with all top 10 global OEMs, develops solutions for ADAS, early-warning intrusion detection, crowd analytics, airport terminal monitoring, railway-level obstacle detection, free-flow e-tolling, and other perception solutions for smart infrastructure

Automatic Emergency Braking (“AEB”) is a vehicle safety feature designed to help prevent or mitigate accidents. This technology uses sensors to monitor, detect obstacles and apply the vehicle’s brakes to avoid collisions or reduce impact severity.

AEB uses various sensors, and there has been a rising trend in the automotive industry to add lidar into the sensor suite for increased accuracy – an acronym for “light detection and ranging”. A lidar sensor emits light pulses, which bounce back when they hit an object, to measure distance based on time of flight. Cepton (NASDAQ: CPTN), a Silicon Valley lidar innovator, advances high-performance lidar technology suitable for advanced driver assistance systems (“ADAS”), including AEB features, that can be easily integrated into automobiles without disrupting the vehicle’s design.

In a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (“IIHS”), AEB with pedestrian detection was associated with a 29%-30% reduction in pedestrian injury crash risk (https://ibn.fm/F6Zvq). Considering the growing evidence supporting the use of AEB, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) recently announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking requiring AEB on all new passenger cars and light trucks (https://ibn.fm/nHdkE) that, specifically, would perform in low-light conditions and at high speeds.

“Today, we take an important step forward to save lives and make our roadways safer for all Americans,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Just as lifesaving innovations from previous generations like seat belts and air bags have helped improve safety, requiring automatic emergency braking on cars and trucks would keep all of us safer on our roads.”

CPTN engages with all top 10 global OEMs and collaborates with numerous worldwide partners to develop lidar solutions that balance performance, reliability, and affordability for mass-market adoption. The Company recently unveiled the Vista-X90 Plus, billed as the “world’s smallest” adaptive long-range lidar (https://ibn.fm/rPZbZ). Compared to its predecessor – the Vista-X90 – the Vista X90 Plus is 62% slimmer and features an expanded Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (“ASIC”) chipset (https://ibn.fm/59SAV).

Lidar sensors can be strategically mounted in numerous locations on the automobile, depending on the manufacturer, model, and type. Placement on the front bumper typically detects objects ahead of the vehicle, while rear bumper placement helps prevent collisions during parking or reverse maneuvers. Lidar sensors placed on side mirrors improves detection in blind spots, and roof placement enables a larger coverage of the automobile’s surroundings.

At just 120(W) x 24(H) x 120(D) mm, the Vista-X90 Plus takes sensor embeddability even further with additional integration options, including the headlamps, vehicle fascia, and behind the windshield. Further, Cepton’s dedicated ASICs improve performance, speed, and digital signal processing while helping manufacturers achieve price points critical for mass-market lidar adoption.

CPTN’s lidar solutions extend beyond AEB and ADAS to include early-warning intrusion detection, crowd analytics solutions, airport terminal monitoring, obstacle detection at railway-level crossings, free-flow e-tolling, and perception solutions for smart transportation infrastructure. Led by lidar pioneer and technologist Dr. Jun Pei, the Company is headquartered in San Jose, California with a center of excellence facility in Troy, Michigan.

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

• Rare earth elements (“REEs”) are metals in high demand for modern technologies ranging from phones to F-35 jets
• China currently maintains a commanding global control over the world’s REE supply chain, from mining to production, and has generated international controversy by introducing price increases and export restrictions
• The European Union imports 98 percent of its REE supply and the United States imports 78 percent of its REE supply from China
• Canada-based Ucore Rare Metals Inc. is demonstrating an REE process technology it regards as an improvement on the standard processing technology used by China, and Ucore intends to use its development for commercial REE processing in Louisiana
• Ucore has received a $4 million award from the U.S. Department of Defense to help demonstrate its capabilities, and is raising further financing through a brokered private placement announced June 16

Critical technology metals supply chain innovator Ucore Rare Metals (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) is continuing to build supportive financing for its push to build a North American base for rare earth element (“REE”) processing.

Ucore announced earlier this month that it had garnered a $4 million project award from the U.S. Department of Defense to demonstrate the capabilities of its RapidSX(TM) solvent extraction process (https://ibn.fm/k7XZ2), and built on that development with the announcement June 16 of a brokered private placement offering for minimum gross proceeds of $4 million and maximum gross proceeds of $5.35 million (https://ibn.fm/vpoHB).

Forbes noted earlier this year that 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, including 85 percent of the world’s REE processing and 92 percent of the REE magnet production that supplies technologies ranging from hybrid and electric vehicle motors and cordless tool motors to wind turbine generators, MRI scanners and military uses in Abrams tanks and F-35 jets.

The report noted that the European Union imports 98 percent of its REE supply from China and the United States imports 78 percent of its supply from the Asian nation (https://ibn.fm/TFtWw), underscoring the concerns Western-allied nations have expressed since China began flexing its REE supply muscle with temporary export restrictions and price increases over a decade ago (https://ibn.fm/AltAc).

Ucore’s RapidSX(TM) solvent extraction process is expected to improve on the industry standard SX solvent extraction process used to separate REEs from their host ores, accelerating their production time and lessening the environmental impact of the process. The company has been demonstrating the RapidSX(TM) technology at a plant in Canada and is preparing to begin construction this year on a Louisiana facility where it will have its first commercial-scale application.

Ucore expects to be processing 2,000 metric tons of total rare earth oxides by the end of 2024 and up to 5,000 metric tons by 2026 (https://ibn.fm/SqQnB).

“Having recently participated in the Critical Minerals Institute Summit in Toronto, we are more confident than ever that Ucore’s planned rare earth separation facility in Louisiana will be a critical component of a North American rare earth supply chain,” Ucore Chairman and CEO Pat Ryan stated in the June 16 news release.

The private placement offering will be available to purchase in all the provinces of Canada except Québec, and may also be offered in the United States, providing funding to complete the demonstration commissioning process in Canada and generating additional working capital for the company.

A second REE extraction facility will eventually be built in Canada and Ucore also controls a rare earth mining prospect in Alaska that it intends to eventually develop. The mine prospect holds more than 4.7 million metric tons of indicated rare earth ore — the equivalent of about 63.5 million pounds of collective rare earth metals (https://ibn.fm/2zVF1).

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