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Momo Inc. (NASDAQ: MOMO) is a leading diversified player in China’s burgeoning online social and entertainment space. Formed in 2011, MOMO was listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange in 2014 with a vision to leverage the mobile internet to connect people in unique ways. The company generates multi-billions of revenues through various channels such as live video services, value-added services, virtual gifts, and membership subscriptions, mobile marketing, mobile games, as well as Tantan, a unique mobile social dating platform.
The company announced approximately RMB3,766.7 million (US $554.8 million) total revenues for the third quarter of 2020 with Monthly Active Users on Momo applications at 113.6 million in September 2020 (https://ibn.fm/ixNQP).
Momo’s mobile applications connect people and promote interactions based on location, interests and a variety of recreational activities including live talent shows, short videos, social games as well as other video- and audio-based interactive experiences, such as live chats and mobile karaoke experience. Through Tantan and other properties within Momo’s product portfolio, the company enable users to discover new relationships, expand social connections and build meaningful interactions.
Tantan, which Momo acquired 100% in 2018, is a leading social and dating application for the younger generation. Tantan is designed to help its users find and establish romantic connections as well as meet interesting people. The application is based on geolocation that offers matched up profiles with live group chats using text, voice and video, enabling users to find their perfect match and meet them in real life.
The Tantan app originated in mainland China and has since been used by millions of singles worldwide. Tantan incorporates popular liking through swiping function and a lot of other features such as quizzes, games, and video sharing. It is like having different dating apps’ features compacted into a single app. Tantan lets users browse through swiping – plus play games, add albums, and upload updates on the app. It has more free “swipes” than other dating apps and chatting is more fun with the getting-to-know-you games. Well over 100 million men and women are logged in to Tantan, chatting, making new friends, and finding their perfect match. Not surprising that in the third quarter of 2020, net revenues from Tantan segment increased from RMB310.0 million in the third quarter of 2019 to RMB728.9 million (US$107.4 million).
It’s always a good sign when a company believes enough in itself that it buys back its own shares in the open market. Of import, Momo’s board of directors authorized a share repurchase program under which the company may repurchase up to US$300 million of its shares over the next 12 months (https://ibn.fm/KLjM1). As of November 30, 2020, the company had repurchased approximately 1.66 million ADSs for approximately US$23.3 million.
With the rapid growth at Tantan and a share repurchase in place, Momo Inc. is certainly one to put on the radar.
For more information, visit the company’s website at www.immomo.com.
Pure Extracts Technologies (CSE: PULL) (OTC: PRXTF) (XFRA: A2QJAJ), a plant-based extraction company focused on the cannabis, hemp, and functional mushroom sectors, has recently updated investors following the successful completion of the second tranche of their non-brokered private placement offering of special warrants (https://ibn.fm/11Izm). Following the close of the second tranche, which resulted in Pure Extracts issuing an aggregate 10,839,230 special warrants for gross proceeds of $5,473,811.14, the company will have raised a total of $8,534,632.81 from its private placement.
The special warrants each comprised of one common share and one-half of a purchase warrant (with each warrant entitling the holder to acquire one common share at an exercise price of $0.65 per share for a period of 24 months following the deemed exercise date). The transaction is set to be completed upon the earlier of either a release of the final prospectus for the private placement or four months and a day from the closing date of the private placement, which is set to fall on May 21, 2021. All securities issued through the private placement will be subject to a four-month lock-up, expiring on May 21, 2021.
Pure Extracts will also pay finder’s fees of $139,501.41 cash and 395,817 finder’s warrants (with each finder’s warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.65 per share, until January 20, 2023) as part of the private placement.
Pure Extracts has revealed that it is set to use the net proceeds from the private placement primarily for expansion of capacity for the Company’s extraction business and for general working capital purposes. The Company previously announced that it had recently embarked on a study looking into the formulation and manufacturing of psilocybin-based active treatments, which is being carried out under the auspices of the Toronto Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology.
In conjunction with the study, Pure Extracts recently revealed that the Company had begun construction on a fourth unit within its 10,000 square foot purpose-built facility, to be designated for its research and development into psilocybin and functional mushrooms as a whole (https://ibn.fm/Weggs).
The proceeds raised from the private placement will place Pure Extracts in a well-capitalized position to adequately finance the Company’s ongoing research into the functional and psychedelic mushrooms space while simultaneously building upon its ongoing extraction tolling business – a process through which the Company converts cannabis and hemp biomass into THC and CBD oil for both third parties and for its own-branded products.
For more information, visit the company’s website at www.PureExtractsCorp.com.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PULL are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/PULL
For over 30 years, the standard of visualizing bladder cancer during surgery has been white light illumination through an endoscopic procedure called a cystoscopy. When performing a cystoscopy, the surgeon uses the scope and white light to identify and remove the tumors that protrude above the bladder. Therein lies the problem, as the finer edges that need to be resected are not always clearly defined and tumors that lay flat against the bladder wall are often not visible using this technology. This inability to resect completely may contribute to the over 50% recurrence rate of bladder cancer.
While these limitations can be successfully overcome with the use of blue light and an imaging agent, this type of illumination has the drawback of not showing the cancer in real time. This requires surgeons to switch between white and blue light, making the procedure more challenging.
Imagin Medical (CSE: IME) (OTCQB: IMEXF), a surgical imaging company focused on changing the standards of visualizing cancer during minimally invasive procedures, is intent on addressing these issues through its innovative technology that has the potential to revolutionize the current standard of care for bladder cancer patients. Imagin Medical’s i/Blue Imaging(TM) System eliminates the need to switch between the white and the blue light images by displaying both images side-by-side on a single screen.
The system is based on advanced optics and light sensors and uses patented ultrasensitive imaging technology. It therefore enables better visualization of tumors and margins, allowing for a more accurate resection.
The control unit is state-of-the-art, featuring a dual-wavelength light source, two-channel camera control unit, data recorder, and power supply. Simultaneous white and blue light illumination of the bladder allows for the side-to-side monitor images.
Additionally, Imagin Medical’s system is adaptable to most endoscopes already being used in hospitals. That means healthcare units that want to convert to the i/Blue Imaging(TM) System would not require new endoscopic equipment, resulting in cost savings.
The primary focus of Imagin Medical’s i/Blue Imaging(TM) System is bladder cancer, the sixth most prevalent type of cancer in the United States with one of the highest recurrence rates. The technology has the potential for use in other minimally invasive procedures, with plans already in motion to implement this system for multiple endoscopic procedures in the future, including laparoscopic, colorectal and thoracic procedures that use a variety of contrast dye agents and illumination sources.
Imagin Medical has made the transition from the development stage to manufacturing by contracting the services of Lighthouse Imaging, an FDA-registered and ISO 13485:2016-certified manufacturer, to accelerate production.
For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ImaginMedical.com.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IMEXF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/IMEXF
XPhyto Therapeutics (CSE: XPHY) (OTCQB: XPHYF) (FSE: 4XT) is a bioscience accelerator focused on next-generation drug delivery, diagnostic and new active pharmaceutical ingredient investment opportunities. This includes products that are being readied for commercialization within the coming weeks, such as a rapid COVID-19 PCR test kit that reduces turnaround times to less than 30 minutes.
The company has research and development operations in North America and Europe and an operational focus in Germany. Its regulatory approval and commercialization focus is currently on products for the European market.
XPhyto was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Business Strategy & Milestones for 2021
On January 18, 2021, XPhyto issued a news release detailing its business strategy for the coming year. The company noted that it is “on the cusp of transformational change as product development programs advance from the laboratory to the clinic.” In addition to continuing to leverage its scientific expertise and operations in North America and Europe for product development and optimization, XPhyto intends to pursue growth through the commercialization of existing products and adherence to a focused investment strategy targeting impact-driven innovation with “the potential for extreme value creation.”
In particular, XPhyto is well positioned to execute on opportunities across its current business divisions, including:
“2020 was a very productive year for XPhyto. We made significant progress in all areas of our business,” Hugh Rogers, CEO & Director of XPhyto, stated in the update. “We have ambitious milestones for 2021 with multiple product launches on the horizon, multiple clinical drug programs underway, and an aggressive commitment to psychedelic medicine. I am extremely confident that our team can execute on the company’s business plan for 2021.”
Infectious Disease Diagnostics
XPhyto’s lead diagnostic product, secured through an exclusive global commercialization agreement with 3a-diagnostics GmbH (“3a”), is a rapid and highly portable PCR diagnostic test. Notably, PCR testing “has emerged as the only internationally recognized standard for COVID-19 testing” and is expected to play a key role in facilitating the recovery of the domestic and international travel industries, among others.
Successful validation of the PCR system was achieved in Q4 2020, and XPhyto has expressed confidence that it will achieve European commercial (“CE-IVD”) approval in Q1 2021. In preparation for this milestone and an anticipated Q1 product launch, the company is currently in discussion with manufacturing and distribution partners in Europe and the Middle East.
In addition to COVID-19 products, XPhyto and partner 3a are developing and commercializing a portfolio of low-cost oral biosensors. The company’s lead biosensor product is an oral health screening test for the detection of peri-implantitis for which XPhyto is targeting a late 2021 European commercial approval.
XPhyto does not make any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drug Formulation & Delivery
In 2020, XPhyto’s German subsidiary, Vektor Pharma TF GmbH (“Vektor”), reported significant advancement in four therapeutic programs targeting neurological indications with significant market demand. Vektor also successfully developed a sublingual drug formulation on contract for a major generic drug manufacturer and distributor.
XPhyto will look to build on this progress in 2021, with plans to complete human pilot studies evaluating its four lead therapeutic products:
Per its 2021 business update, the company is currently in “ongoing discussions with multiple potential commercial partners, licensors and distributors and will be reviewing monetization opportunities on a continued basis.”
Psychedelic Medicine
Psychedelic compounds are a highly promising new class of active pharmaceutical ingredient (“API”) demonstrating strong potential for a variety of mental health conditions. XPhyto is positioned to capitalize on this promise through two strategic initiatives:
XPhyto intends to advance and expand its programs focused on the industrial scale production of psychedelic API in 2021. The company also plans to launch new programs for the development of psychedelic drug formulations, with a focus on sublingual and transdermal therapeutics and the integration of these products into established clinical programs relating to mental health indications.
Management Team
Hugh Rogers is the CEO and Director of XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. He is an entrepreneur and lawyer with private and public start-up company experience in various industries and operational roles. His recent advisory work has focused on public listings and corporate restructuring. This restructuring has occurred in the life science (cell therapy and medical device) and natural resources (natural gas co-gen and conventional oil) industries. Mr. Rogers holds a bachelor’s degree in Cellular Biology and Genetics and a law degree. He is a member in good standing of the Law Society of British Colombia.
Christopher Ross is the CFO of XPhyto. He is a professional accountant with broad financial experience across numerous industries, including forestry, distribution, construction, mining and multi-family real estate. He has provided advisory services to private and public companies in the areas of financial accounting, strategic analysis, audit and taxation. Mr. Ross holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce. He is a member in good standing with the Chartered Professional Accountants Association of British Columbia.
Wolfgang Probst serves as Director of XPhyto and Managing Director of BUNKER Pflanzenextrakte GmbH. He is a seasoned management and financial consultant based in Bavaria, Germany. He has consulting experience as branch head working with private clients and corporations of high net worth. In 2017, Mr. Probst assumed the CFO role of BUNKER and continues to play a key role in its operational and financial development.
Professor Dr. Raimar Löbenberg serves as Director of XPhyto. He holds a Bachelor of Science in pharmacy from Johannes Gutenberg-University and a Ph.D. in pharmaceutics from the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University. He is the co-founder of RS Therapeutics Inc., which concentrates on foam-based topical drug delivery systems.
Professor Dr. Thomas Beckert is the Founder and Managing Director of Vektor Pharma TF GmbH. His expertise includes the formulation and machine development of transdermal therapeutic systems and ODFs. Professor Beckert holds a Bachelor of Science in pharmacy from the University of Freiburg and a Ph.D. in pharmacy and economics from the University of Tubingen.
For more information, visit the company’s website at www.XPhyto.com.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to XPHYF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/XPHYF
May 5, 2026
Disseminated on behalf of LaFleur Minerals Inc. (CSE: LFLR) (OTCQB: LFLRF)and may include paid advertising. Near-term gold producer LaFleur Minerals (CSE: LFLR) (OTCQB: LFLRF) is celebrating news of a large-scale gold discovery and expanding gold system at the company’s flagship project in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt of eastern Canada. A series of drill holes, targeting […]
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