• Leading UK scientists, policy group call for rescheduling of psilocybin amid looming mental health crisis
• Sent to the Home Office with statements of support from leading scientists, paper urges for psilocybin use on a research-only model
• Cybin Corp. to capitalize on international expansion of psilocybin use as a company active in both research, nonclinical spaces

The United Kingdom (“UK”) is joining other countries, including Canada, in a push to facilitate the wider use of psilocybin, a naturally occurring compound found in mushrooms. Focusing on psychedelic and nutraceutical products, Cybin Corp. is poised to leverage the growing global momentum the compound is gaining.

Recent clinical studies suggest that psilocybin may be a safe and effective drug for patients with certain treatment-resistant psychiatric illnesses (https://ibn.fm/dsIEN). Despite that, researchers claim their work is hindered by strict controls on the compound. The Adam Smith Institute and the Conservative Drug Policy Reform Group recently published a joint paper that calls for a review of the Schedule 1 status of psilocybin (https://ibn.fm/TMGvg). That status inhibits research efforts despite the compound’s potential to contribute to the treatment of several highly prevalent mental health disorders.

The paper is co-published and authored by leading researchers from prominent academic institutions including King’s College London and the University of Manchester. The authors of the paper propose the re-classification of psilocybin to Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 on a research-only basis. Doing so would reduce current barriers to research, enabling the enormously needed exploration of novel mental health treatments by the UK’s scientists.

Psilocybin was used in the psychiatric treatment for resistant forms of depression, anxiety, and addictions before 1970. The drug was banned that year as a result of the U.S.-led war on drugs. Decades later, psilocybin is experiencing a slow but steady revival of research interest. Leading academic institutions are advocating for easier use of the compound in the academic and clinical setting (https://ibn.fm/ud5zY).

Consequently, countries around the world are becoming increasingly accepting of psilocybin use in a controlled setting. Recently, Canada’s health department has allowed its use for palliative care of terminally ill patients (https://ibn.fm/ZkBgz).

Big Pharma has scaled back investment in mental health research, failing to offer more effective treatments for health problems plaguing hundreds of millions of people worldwide (https://ibn.fm/jqSV4). Fortunately, innovative companies are stepping up to fill the growing need for novel psychiatric drugs.

Cybin already holds a unique strength in the psychedelics space. The company is responsible for some of the first published research on microdosing; i.e, the action or practice of taking or administering very small amounts of a drug to test or benefit from its physiological action while minimizing its potentially undesirable side effects. Microdosing sub-hallucinogenic amounts of psychedelic drugs including psilocybin has several potentially positive indications. As such, Cybin is ideally positioned to leverage the growing acceptance of psilocybin in mainstream space.

Cybin is active in two critical sectors: nutraceutical and pharmaceutical. In the nutraceutical market, the company’s wholly owned subsidiary Nature’s Journey focuses on adaptogenic mushroom products. Meanwhile, Cybin is an innovator in the stagnant pharmaceutical market, where it aims to become the first life science company to bring psilocybin medicine targeting major depressive disorder to market (https://ibn.fm/4a2Xw).

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

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

• CNS Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies to combat aggressive cancers of the brain and central nervous system
• The company will be applying for approval to launch Phase II trials in the first quarter of 2021 for its leading drug candidate, Berubicin, which targets glioblastoma multiforme (“GBM”) brain cancer
• CNS Pharmaceuticals CEO addressed the company’s achievements and its vision for Berubicin development during the recent 22nd annual Global Investment Conference sponsored by H.C. Wainwright & Co.
• C. Wainwright is a full-service investment bank focused on capital markets and equity research in market sectors that hinge on industries encompassing the healthcare and life sciences, metals and mining, clean tech and technology and telecommunications
• CNS holds a worldwide exclusive license to the Berubicin chemical compound and intends to also launch Phase I trials for its use in pediatric brain tumor patients through its sublicensee partner WPD Pharmaceuticals, as well as to develop a second drug candidate, WP1244, which is a novel agent 500 times more potent than chemotherapy drug daunorubicin in stopping cancer proliferation

CNS Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: CNSP) gained an opportunity to expand the reach of its novel brain tumor-targeting drug candidate when CEO John Climaco presented the company’s achievements and vision to potential financial backers at the 22nd annual Global Investment Conference sponsored by H.C. Wainwright & Co. (https://ibn.fm/Lqryu).

CNS Pharmaceuticals has been developing unique treatments for primary and metastatic cancers of the brain and central nervous system, including lead drug candidate, Berubicin, which the company is advancing for federal approval in trials to treat the aggressive brain cancer glioblastoma multiforme (“GBM”), according to a company news release (https://ibn.fm/5mppw).

Climaco’s appearance at the three-day investment conference Sept. 14-16 granted the biopharmaceutical company access to the life sciences investment bank’s trading clients and delivered opportunities for interested parties to visit one-on-one with management team members through the conference’s virtual technology platform. A replay of the Sept. 16 presentation will be available on CNS Pharmaceuticals’ website for 90 days following the event.

CNS Pharmaceuticals has achieved a number of key milestones as part of its preparations for filing an Investigational New Drug (“IND”) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) later this year to launch Phase II clinical trials for Berubicin.

CNS holds a worldwide exclusive license to the Berubicin chemical compound and has obtained all the data from a Phase I clinical trial completed in 2006 that saw some notable successes. Of 25 patients who could be evaluated, 44 percent experienced a statistically significant improvement in clinical benefit and one person obtained lasting results that has left the patient cancer-free as of the last assessment on Feb. 20, 2020, according to the news release.

When the company begins the anticipated Phase 2 trial in the U.S. in Q1 2021, its sublicensee partner, WPD Pharmaceuticals, also intends to launch in Poland a Phase 2 trial for adult GBM patients along with a Phase 1 trial for pediatric patients with GBM. Meanwhile, CNS continues developing a second drug candidate, WP1244, that is a novel DNA binding agent shown in preclinical studies to be 500 times more potent than the chemotherapeutic agent daunorubicin in stopping tumor cell expansion.

H.C. Wainwright & Co.’s annual Global Investment Conference was an ideal place to attract the financial support necessary to help move the projects forward. The Wainwright company is a full-service, client‐focused organization focused on capital markets and equity research in market sectors that hinge on the healthcare and life science industries, the metals and mining industries, the clean tech industry and technology and telecommunications. The conference’s tracks are divided into those four categories as well as a growth track that tackles scaling, leadership and other aspects of small business success (https://ibn.fm/Rp2o5).

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

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

• SRAX’s BIGtoken’s platform allows companies to gain transparent, instant insights from platform’s 16.7+ million subscribers
• BIGtoken surveyed US user-base in early April and again in August in bid to track changes in US consumer behavior
• Actionable insights gleaned from survey reveal US citizens’ consumption habits

SRAX Inc. (NASDAQ: SRAX), a digital marketing pioneer focused on providing consumer data management services, has recently published the results of a series of surveys carried out by BIGtoken, its proprietary consumer insights platform. BIGtoken enables its platform’s user base of over 16.7 million consumers to both own their data and monetize it in an efficient and transparent manner; in turn, the platform’s customers can submit questionnaires and surveys to BIGtoken’s subscribers, receiving rapid and actionable consumer data in return  to help them better understand and serve their chosen audiences (https://ibn.fm/SZzc8).

In early April, amidst the early throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, BIGtoken surveyed its United States user base to understand how the pandemic had affected their social behaviors. The company subsequently redeployed the same survey in August to compare the results.

The results provided a fascinating insight into the consumption patterns of US-based individuals while also illustrating a remarkable shift in their daily routines over the past few months. The initial feedback regarding social behavior proved to be especially revealing:

• Less people are isolating alone today (29%) than they were four months ago (44%)
• The most popular activities for passing time at home during the pandemic have been streaming movies & TV shows, cooking or baking, playing video games, and using social media
• In April, 43% of respondents said they were exercising more than they were in the prior month. In August however, only 31% said they were exercising more than they were in the previous 4 months
• When asked, in April, “How has social distancing affected the frequency of communication with friends and family?” 42% of respondents said they were communicating more than usual. When asked again in August, only 32% said they were communicating more than usual
• In April, 70% were shopping online, while in August, only 25% were shopping online

Interestingly, while the survey results showed that consumers were less prone to be isolating alone relative to four months prior, consumption of streaming video content has enjoyed an exponential increase (particular in relation to activities such as exercise, which in turn has witnessed a marked decrease in adherents).

• 46% of respondents said in August 2020 that they are video streaming more than they were four months prior.
• More BIGtoken users have subscribed to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu from April to August 2020.
• Before the coronavirus outbreak, 21% of respondents claimed to have watched one movie per week. Currently, 32% of respondents watch two to three movies per week and 20% watch four to six movies per week.
• Generally, 50% of respondents are watching more TV and movies now than four months ago.

The survey results have matched up to actual trends, with the OTT industry seeking a surge of interest in recent months and the likes of Netflix and Disney+ adding 26 million and 54.5 million paid subscribers over the first half of the year, respectively (https://ibn.fm/4cJwS).

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

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

• SGTM entered packaging agreement with Old Castle Lawn & Garden to supply large Midwest home improvement chains
• Old Castle Lawn & Garden parent company CRH employs 80,300 people at more than 3,100 locations across 30 countries
• SGTM dispatched team to assess damage from Hurricane Laura, one of the strongest in history
• SGTMS’s Q2 results nearly doubled from Q1 to $12.3 million in revenue, $3.4 million in gross profit

As nationwide demand for environmentally sustainable solutions for waste increases, Sustainable Green Team (OTC: SGTM) –a leading provider of environmentally beneficial solutions for tree and storm waste disposal—continues to expand its footprint in the U.S. through a packaging agreement between its subsidiary Mulch Manufacturing Inc. and Old Castle Lawn & Garden to supply large home improvement chains in the Midwest. The recent agreement with Old Castle Lawn & Garden is the latest in a series of strategic moves in line with SGTM’s corporate strategy, which combines operation expansion, strategic acquisitions and internal investment—moves that have enabled the company to expand and profit at a time of global economic contraction.

As a wholly-owned subsidiary of CRH, Old Castle Lawn & Garden provides architectural products that include concrete masonry and hardscapes, packaged cement mixes, packaged lawn and garden products. Its parent company CRH is a leading global diversified building materials group that employs over 80,300 people at more than 3,100 locations across 30 countries (https://ibn.fm/tCAtD).

“I am honored to have been engaged by Old Castle Lawn & Garden and to secure a packaging agreement with this global company, increasing our strategic partnerships,” said SGTM CEO and Director Tony Raynor in recent statements (https://ibn.fm/9olTc).

SGTM provides environmentally-beneficial solutions for tree and storm waste disposal created by hurricanes, ice storms and floods into useful organic products that benefit the environment. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides tree services that include debris hauling, biomass recycling, waste removal, mulch manufacturing, packaging and sales, and most recently the production of playground surface material.

Expert predictions forecasting a very active storm season for Florida are coming to fruition (https://ibn.fm/H0Awm), evidenced by the extent of the damage created by Hurricane Laura, considered to be one of the strongest hurricanes on record as measured by maximum sustained winds (https://ibn.fm/s7tBO). SGTM recently reported that it dispatched its National Storm Recovery Ltd. team to assess the damage and is still on site in impacted areas. Live video coverage of the company’s strategic relief efforts can be viewed online through its social media channels (https://ibn.fm/u24kU).

STGM has been rapidly growing despite a worldwide economic slowdown that has seen millions of businesses closed. The company’s impressive Q2 results almost doubled during the quarter and include over $12.3 million in revenue and $3.4 million in gross profit https://ibn.fm/n825Y. As “stewards of the environment” SGTM plans to continue expanding its operations and diversifying revenue streams amid a growing business landscape that is experiencing increased demand for their organic, sustainable and environmentally-friendly products.

To learn more about Sustainable Green Team Ltd., view the investor presentation at https://ibn.fm/177U7.

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

• Sales of wellness supplements surge 35% year on year, while mood enhancers report almost 10% growth
• As health and wellness awareness rises, SHRG ideally positioned to capitalize on growing momentum
• Company features proprietary products that promote well-being, happiness

Recent research conducted by SPINS, a data-driven company delivering insights about the health and wellness industry, reveals that the market for stress-relieving and mood-enhancing supplements are reporting double-digit growth compared to the previous year. With its exclusive wellness supplements product line designed to promote happiness and elevate lives, Sharing Services Global (OTCQB: SHRG) looks to be ideally positioned to leverage this upward trend as people place more importance on health and well-being.

The SPINS research shows that for the first seven months of 2020, the sales of supplements that help consumers manage stress, a category that includes mood support and sleep products, have increased by staggering 35% year on year. At the same time, mood support supplements reported a 9.6% growth for the first seven months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 (https://ibn.fm/obKAV).

Sharing Services is committed to developing brands specially designed to elevate the lives of consumers by delivering exceptional experience through premium products that assist in enhancing mood and reducing levels of stress while increasing levels of energy. With that focus in mind, SHRG looks to be ideally positioned to benefit from the emerging market trend. The company’s functional product lines include beverages and wellness supplements that feature proprietary D.O.S.E. formulation, uniquely developed to increase levels of four essential hormones – dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins –associated with well-being and happiness. The compounds also bring other potential health benefits such as suppressing appetite and boosting the immune system.

SHRG is committed to upgrading its wellness product offering and continually introduces new products. But the company is not stopping there. SHRG branched out to develop an all-natural nootropic supplement called Xanthomax, featuring proprietary formulation uniquely designed to stimulate what the company calls D.O.S.E. response in the brain, boosting energy, motivation and optimism.

Nootropics are novel functional supplements, often called smart drugs, that enhance brain function and cognitive optimization as they allow more effective information processing. As a nutritional supplement, Xanthomax contains xanthohumol, one of the most powerful antioxidants, which also helps the body release oxytocin, a happiness-inducing hormone.

SHRG’s wellness product line is formulated and distributed by the company’s wholly owned subsidiary Elevacity and distributed by its Elepreneurs, a network of independent, home-based entrepreneurs. Elevacity collaborates with a team of scientists, doctors, pharmacists and food experts to develop powerful, all-natural functional beverages and health supplements, while Elepreneurs are tasked with the distribution of these innovative products through health and wellness aware, entrepreneurial community.

For more information, visit www.SHRGInc.com, www.Elevacity.com or www.Elepreneur.com.

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

• PacRoots Cannabis entered into a 60:40 joint-venture with Rock Creek Farms to plant premium hemp CBD plants on 100-acre site in British Columbia
• As of mid-June, approximately 130,000 seedlings have been planted with initial harvest set to take place October 15, 2020
• Initial harvest expected to yield between 500,000-700,000 pounds of biomass
• Totality of harvest yield is already under sale to local processor at fair market rate
• Proceeds from JV will initially go towards repaying PacRoots’ capital contribution with profits thereafter split along terms of the JV

PacRoots Cannabis (CSE: PACR), a Canada-based company dedicated towards producing premium-quality strains and products by leveraging a genetics-focused approach, has recently provided an update on its 100-acre commercial hemp operation located in the ‘Golden Mile’ area in the South Okanagan Valley in British Columbia (https://ibn.fm/xtZNq). Pursuant to a press release published on May 29, 2020, PacRoots entered into a binding letter of intent with Rock Creek Farms to take a 60% stake in a joint venture with the intent to plant hemp CBD seedlings on 100 acres of prime arable land, with PacRoots providing $450,000 in capital and Rock Creek Farms contributing the commercial leases to the growing space.

The agreement was immediately preceded by an industrial hemp license issued by Health Canada on May 22, 2020, which permitted the operational JV to cultivate, sell, import, export, possess and process industrial hemp on the leased land until March 15, 2021.

Planting commenced on the site in mid-June, with approximately 130,000 premium hemp CBD plants currently in the ground across the two 50-acre parcels comprising the site. Seedlings have been planted systematically in rows in the field after spending the first month in greenhouses, which has enabled the Company to ensure optimal growth while minimizing environmental influences during the early stage of the process.

“The Joint Venture team has been extremely busy preparing and planting the 100 acres with Hemp CBD cultivars,” said PacRoots Cannabis Corp. President and CEO Patrick Elliot. “We are thrilled with the short-term progress, making it possible for a 2020 production scenario to cultivate industrial Hemp in the ‘Golden Mile’. Our operational partners at Rock Creek Farms bring decades of generational farming expertise in one of Canada’s pre-eminent growing regions. It will be an exciting outdoor growing season for the Joint Venture as we anticipate a successful harvest in the fall.”

PacRoots and Rock Creek Farms have deployed several traditional and customized hemp farming techniques to help ensure the quality of the end-product being cultivated on the site. A complex irrigation system has been installed to help ensure direct nutrient and spring water delivery to each plant site; cultivars measuring up to 18 inches have been systematically planted to provide the maximum opportunity for growth and resilience, while row compaction procedures and weed control processes have been adopted to enable a successful harvest.

Harvesting is now expected to begin on October 15, 2020 with an initial projected yield of 500,000 – 700,000 pounds of biomass. The totality of the product from the plantation has already been placed under sale contract with a processor at a fair market value.

Profits from the joint venture will be distributed first to PacRoots until its capital contribution has been repaid, and thereafter in accordance with the interest in the join venture held between PacRoots Cannabis and Rock Creek Farms.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.PacRoots.ca.

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

• Mobius partners with UltraPlay to enhance customer engagement
• UltraPlay at forefront of iGaming industry, provides widest eSports betting coverage in industry
• Partnership is clear indication of Mobius’s strong position coming straight out of gate

Mobius Interactive, an online gaming operator providing a variety of unique offerings catering to diverse demographic groups, has partnered with UltraPlay, a leading eSports and iGaming platform, to attract a global network of high-net-worth gamers. The two companies are working together to enhance customer engagement through the use of loyalty and gamification programs.

UltraPlay, an advanced-betting solutions provider, has been at the forefront of the iGaming industry for the past nine years, offering winning turnkey betting solutions and providing global leadership in the eSports B2B market. Awarded six times for its overall eSports betting solutions, the company is known as the leading eSports odds and platform provider.

The first company to offering live betting on eSports, UltraPlay today provides the widest eSports betting coverage in iGaming. Mobius’s partnership with the industry innovator and leader is a clear indication of its strong position coming straight out of the gate.

Slated for a launch this month, Mobius appears anything but new with its three differentiated brand offerings and joint ventures with more than 600 VIP and Master gaming affiliates. The company’s management team has been at the helm of the launch of more than 30 successful products within the last three years, and its partnership with UltraPlay is a key factor in this month’s kickoff.

Currently, Mobius is partnering with UltraPlay to offer more than 34 unique games and sports betting available 24/7. Mobius’ sports betting product has a wide range of functionalities, mystery jackpots, cutting-edge tech and live and pre-match odds. In addition, the company’s live casino games are compatible with desktop, smartphone, laptop and tablet devices and can accommodate any number of players at any time.

Mobius Interactive is an online gaming operator featuring a variety of unique offerings catering to diverse demographic groups. Mobius Interactive’s team has extensive senior-management experience across business-to-consumer (“B2C”) and business-to-business (“B2B”) marketing in the iGaming industry, specializing in eSports, sports betting, casino and live casino. In partnership with leading and award-winning eSports and iGaming platform Ultra Play, Mobius Interactive seeks to attract a network of high-net-worth gamers from around the world through the use of loyalty and gamification programs designed to enhance engagement by leveraging state-of-the-art customer relationship management systems and joint ventures with more than 600 VIP and master-gaming affiliates.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.MobiusInteractive.Ltd.

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

• Pharmaceutical industry services provider Trxade Group Inc. presented an overview of the company’s structure and strategy at this month’s LD 500 invitational microcap investor summit
• The investor summit was a virtual gathering place during the ongoing pandemic, providing brand and industry information through webcasts to more than 20,000 attendees representing hundreds of companies
• Trxade Group is dedicated to helping its growing network of independent pharmacies compete with big box chains through a supply chain trading platform that delivers transparent product pricing and availability information
• Trxade Group is also developing its nascent B2C operations with Telehealth services that link home-bound or office-bound patients to board-certified physicians in a low-cost model

A Kaiser Family Foundation (“KFF”) poll conducted last year found that 24 percent of its respondents had difficulty affording prescription drugs and 29 percent of all adults reported not taking their medicines as prescribed during the previous year because of the cost, relying instead on strategies such as not filling a prescription, taking an over-the-counter drug instead, or cutting pills in half or skipping a dose (https://ibn.fm/1v0gN). As the COVID-19 pandemic was just beginning to explode on American soil this spring, The Hill reported 34 million people knew at least one friend or family member who died in the last five years because they could not afford the medication to treat their condition (https://ibn.fm/ygyYE).

The pandemic has made access to reasonably priced medicine and medical supplies more critical than ever as people seek ways to maintain their care while limiting their exposure to infection from a potentially deadly new virus. Before the virus even appeared on the international scene, pharmaceutical supplies and services provider Trxade Group (NASDAQ: MEDS) was busy building a supply chain trading platform that supports small, community-based pharmacies trying to compete with national chains, and services that help consumers use available smart technology to consult with physicians and obtain their medications without having to leave home.

Trxade Group’s platform thrives on drug pricing and availability transparency for its B2B model while taking advantage of telehealth-friendly insurer policy shifts under its B2C model.

“If you look at a typical independent pharmacy today, it is an owner-operated retail establishment that doesn’t have the bandwidth or resources to shop around for product availability and pricing. Of course, … the Affordable Care Act is today speaking of lowering the reimbursement in an effort to save money. The solution is Trxade,” CEO Suren Ajjarapu said during a webcast company presentation as part of this month’s LD 500 invitational microcap investor summit (https://ibn.fm/oIB8N). “Trxade provides solutions to these independent pharmacies that are losing money or looking for alternatives when it comes to procurement of pharmaceuticals.”

Such services are particularly important when drugs are in short supply, and when demand is driving up the cost of the products.

Ajjarapu said Trxade recognizes it is serving around 15 million patients through the medium of over 11,700 independent pharmacies in its subscription network, which is why its B2C operations, led by its Bonum Health Hub portal, are so vital.

The health hub provides patients with telemedicine access to physicians at a fraction of the cost they would typically incur for doctor visits under their insurance plans, he said. And the company’s network of pharmacy businesses, paired with its app-accessible DelivMeds same-day / mail order pharmaceuticals delivery service, make it easier for patients to have medications delivered without having to go to the store to obtain them (https://ibn.fm/9VbJC).

“Of course our B2C platform is at a nascent stage when compared to other telemedicine portals out there, but (with) the unique nature of same-day drug delivery using our network,” Ajjarapu said. “Our vision there is, for non-emergency services or health needs, patients should never leave the house, should be able to talk to the doctor, get the drugs or meds delivered directly to their home or office.”

Ajjarapu told attendees at the virtual summit that the company’s capital structure enables reasonable earnings per share relatively quickly, and significant potential for return on investment because of the company’s structure and diverse sources of revenue.

“And that’s the key differentiator of us,” he said.

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

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

• World Federation of Direct Selling Associations reports healthy growth
• Wellness continues to be leader in U.S. space, where SHRG continues to attract customers, entrepreneurs with inclusive Blue Ocean strategy
• Strategy proves successful as reflected in robust fundamentals SHRG continues to post

Sharing Services Global (OTCQB: SHRG), a diversified holding company specializing in the direct-selling industry and network marketing is well positioned within the industry, which continues to record healthy growth, as reported by the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (“WFDSA”) (https://ibn.fm/0aA7e). In its latest report, “2019 Direct Selling Business Results,” the WFDSA announced that worldwide retail sales showed a year-over-year sales increase of 1.4% compared to 2018 while growing at a healthy pace in the long term with five-year CAGR of 2.3% (excluding China).

Founded in 1978 as the leading international, nongovernmental, voluntary organization representing the global direct-selling industry in more than 170 countries, WFDSA has been publishing annual reports to inform its members and the general public about the latest trends shaping the industry. Other numbers of note in the report included the global sales force totaling 119.9 million independent representatives/distributors, a figure that includes more than 59 million independent representatives who are actively working to build their direct-selling businesses either as a full-time career or part-time to earn supplemental income.

“U.S. direct selling revenue not only remained stable during the past four years; it also offered many opportunities for growth,” said Ben Gamse, U.S. DSA senior marketing research manager. Direct selling enjoys a broad, diverse appeal, and is especially welcomed among younger generations of Americans who are pursuing flexible entrepreneurial opportunities (https://ibn.fm/xKqkP).

The WFDSA report also shows that wellness —the product category where SHRG operates — continues to be the leader in the U.S. direct-selling landscape with 36% of total sales. The report notes several reasons for this success. Customers are allured by the aspiration to improve their health and wellness, but they also appreciate highly personalized customer experiences that distributors provide as well as their enthusiasm for the products. A sense of community is a big part of that shopping and entrepreneurial experience.

This is precisely the strength of SHRG. The company not only operates in the most lucrative segment of the direct-selling market, but its whole philosophy is also centered around elevating lives of consumers and home-based entrepreneurs by distancing from cut-throat competition and following Blue Ocean strategy based on putting opportunities in the hands of its independent representatives, called Elepreneurs, and empowering them to take the reins on their future. SHRG nurtures people and community and creates high-quality, innovative products and success comes as a result of that. This unique approach is appreciated by consumers as reflected in the healthy financials the company continues to post.

The Sharing Services combined platform currently leverages the capabilities and expertise of various companies that market and sell products direct to the consumer through independent contractors. Two of its primary divisions include Elevacity Holdings LLC., the parent of its wholly owned subsidiary, Elevacity U.S. LLC, a health and wellness products company, and Elepreneurs Holdings LLC., the parent of its wholly owned subsidiary, Elepreneurs U.S. LLC, a sales and marketing company based on utilization of independent contractor distributors who sell the Elevacity product line.

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

• KBL Merger Corp. IV is set to finalize the acquisition of 180 Life Sciences Corp. during Q4 2020
• 180 Life Sciences Corp. has several ongoing programs at different stages of development, with the leading candidate in Phase 2b/3, helping mitigate the risks involved with its drug development
• The merger with 180 Life Sciences will enable KBL Merger Corp. IV to enter a market expected to double in size by 2027
• 180 Life Sciences is growing its patent portfolio through several preclinical studies beginning in two additional areas of inflammatory novel drug studies

Special purpose acquisition corporation KBL Merger Corp. IV (NASDAQ: KBLM) completed its IPO in June 2017. The corporation raised $115 million intending to find and acquire a company with a strong value proposition primarily in the United States healthcare or healthcare-related industry.

In July 2019, KBL Merger Corp. IV signed a definitive business combination agreement for a merger with 180 Life Sciences Corp. (formerly known as CannBioRx Life Sciences Corp.), contingent on approval from KBL Merger Corp. IV. In June 2020, KBL Merger Corp. IV had completed bridge financing for the acquisition of 180 Life Sciences, which was valued by KBL at $175 million. KBL utilized share swapping to carry out the purchase.

The business combination is due to close during the fourth quarter of 2020. After the merger is complete, the company will be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker ‘ATNF.’ The bridge financing completion is expected to be used as working capital to complete the merger and used to advance the company’s clinical programs.

180 Life Sciences Research on Inflammation

180 Life Sciences Corp. is working on research to solve one of the world’s most significant drivers of disease – inflammation. The company currently has three programs developing novel drugs in different areas of study regarding inflammation.

The novel drug developments are currently in the areas of:

• Fibrosis and Anti-TNF
  • Dupuytren’s disease (Phase 2b/3 trial) – top-line data is expected by the fourth quarter of 2021.
  • Frozen Shoulder (Phase 2b trial) – scheduled to be initiated by the third quarter of 2021.
  • Post-Operative Cognitive Deficit (“POCD”) (Phase 2 trial) – anticipated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2021.
  • Liver Fibrosis and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (“NASH”) (Preclinical Study) – set to begin late 2020.
• Inflammatory Pain
  • The research for inflammatory pain is currently in the Preclinical Study status, and aims to discover novel compounds to treat chronic inflammatory pain.
• A7nAChR
  • The research for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in ex-smokers, targeting the A7nAChR nicotine receptor in the body is currently in the Preclinical Study phase.

180 Life Sciences has mitigated the risks of its drug development through multiple programs at various stages of development. The company is actively decreasing costs and expediting the time to market by using grant funding and cost-effective trials internationally. Additionally, it has recruited teams with backgrounds in excellence, setting up the stage for success.

“Our scientific team has unparalleled expertise and a proven track record of developing unique drugs that improved the lives of millions of people and created companies that were later sold for billions of dollars,” KBL Merger Corp. IV CEO Dr. Marlene Krauss said when the closing of bridge financing was announced (https://ibn.fm/IhlKo). “We have assembled this world-class team to build a unique, global biotechnology company dedicated to developing novel drugs in a cost-effective manner.”

There has been an increase in demand for anti-inflammatory medication worldwide, and research indicates the market is expected to more than double within the next seven years. The value of the market in 2019 was $93.88 billion. The amount is expected to rise with a CAGR of 9.3% between 2020 and 2027, to reach $191.42 billion (https://ibn.fm/ohab2). These numbers are projected for the development of drugs for the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Ailments covered include arthritis, asthma, sinusitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions.

For more information, visit the companies’ websites at www.180LifeSciences.com and www.KBLMerger.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to 180 Life Sciences are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/180