• Mortgage services company Mr. Cooper reported a breach in stolen data on approximately 15 million customers concerning names, addresses, social security numbers, account numbers, date of birth, and phone numbers
• Sekur CEO Alain Ghiai hypothesizes that the breach was likely due to an email account within Mr. Cooper
• Sekur’s services include SekurMail(R), with SekurSend/SekurReply, SekurVPN(R), and SekurMessenger(R) utilizing the company’s wholly-owned Swiss-hosted servers

New to the Street’s most recent “Sekur Privacy & Sekur Security – The Weekly Hack” segment between TV host and multi-media journalist Ana Berry and internationally acclaimed internet privacy expert and Sekur Private Data (CSE: SKUR) (OTCQB: SWISF) (FRA: GDT0) CEO Alain Ghiai discusses the recent data breach of Mr. Cooper, one of the largest mortgage lenders (https://ibn.fm/Vp9SA).

Mr. Cooper, a Texas based company in the mortgage services industry, reported a breach in stolen data involving approximately 15 million customers – including names, addresses, social security numbers, account numbers, date of birth, and phone numbers. The mortgage lender sent letters to customers offering free monitoring services to help notify clients if someone is using their stolen data in the future (https://ibn.fm/BJR61).

Mr. Ghiai, CEO of Sekur, believes the breach occurred from an email account within Mr. Cooper. He said 91% of cyber issues stem from emails, especially those on Big Tech platforms. Many large corporations use Big Tech platforms for their IT needs, with limited countermeasure cybersecurity features.

To avoid cyberhackers’ attempts at breaching data, Sekur, a cybersecurity and internet privacy provider of Swiss-hosted solutions for secure and private communications, makes it possible to send information through the most secure methods possible with a Sekur subscription. SekurMail(R), with SekurSend/SekurReply options, sends a link to a recipient to open an email in a closed-loop encrypted military platform. The service protects both subscriber and recipient, even if the recipient is not a Sekur subscriber.

Paired with the company’s SekurVPN(R), subscribers gain an additional layer of encryption that protects the IP addresses and website traffic information. SekurVPN creates a secure, encrypted connection between client’s devices and the internet, giving safe access to the web by routing connections through the company’s wholly-owned Swiss servers. All data sent and received is hidden from prying eyes, including the client’s Internet Service Provider (“ISP”), potential hackers, government surveillance agencies, and more.

Sekur also offers SekurMessenger(R), a Swiss-hosted private and secure private chat, self-deleting chat, voice recording, and file transfer via any mobile device, tablet, or desktop computer. The app is designed to provide military-grade encryption and privacy by ensuring that only the sender and intended recipient can read the messages exchanged.

Sekur’s servers are wholly owned, and the company never sells data, never uses phone numbers, has no third-party cloud applications, and never tracks web traffic. All user data is protected by the Swiss Federal Data Protection Act and the Swiss Federal Data Protection Ordinance, which offers some of the strongest privacy protection in the world for both individuals and organizations.

Monthly subscription amounts range from $12-$20, with business customers having slightly higher pricing due to business email domain migration. Mr. Ghiai offers New to the Street viewers a 15% discount on all Sekur services for up to five years with PROMO CODE: PRIVACY.

New episodes of “Sekur Privacy & Sekur Security – Weekly Hack” can be found each week on the New to the Street YouTube channel (https://ibn.fm/Gf7Ll).

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.SekurPrivateData.com or the company’s product site at www.Sekur.com.

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

• Artificial Intelligence is expected to both, drive global energy consumption whilst simultaneously, increasing the efficiency of global power usage
• Turbo Energy is seeking to harness artificial intelligence in the manufacture and development of their residential energy solutions, which allow households to capture and store solar energy
• The Company has recently entered into an agreement with Solar360, the energy-focused subsidiary of Repsol and Telefonica, in a move to dramatically increase their distribution footprint

The growing demands of artificial intelligence (“AI”) are set to drive a sharp increase in data center storage capacity, with the latter expected to grow from 10.1 zettabytes (“ZB”) in 2023 to 21.0 ZB in 2027, a five-year compound annual growth rate of 18.5%. Whilst this increased storage capacity is set to drive a huge proliferation in data centers, it will similarly drive a significant surge in energy usage, with data centers forecast to consume over 1% of global electricity in the coming years (https://ibn.fm/G8Vaz). Nonetheless, AI is simultaneously being harnessed to reduce energy expenditure – Google recently revealed that its AI-driven approach to data center cooling had led to a reduction of about 40 percent in energy use, the equivalent to taking 64,000 cars off the road annually.

The use of artificial intelligence is gaining increased relevance in terms of tackling carbon emissions, with recent analysis by global consultants McKinsey suggesting that AI-enhanced manufacturing could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 10-20 percent. Similarly, and within the energy sector, the adoption of AI technologies – which range from smart thermostats to more efficient solar panels – are forecast to drive a significant reduction in utility emissions in the coming years.

Turbo Energy (NASDAQ: TURB), a designer, developer and manufacturer of photovoltaic energy generation, management, and storage equipment has sought to capitalize on this growing trend. The Company’s ‘Sunbox Home’ system encompasses an all-in-one AI-powered energy storage solution, designed to assist households in managing their power consumption. Directly linked to a household’s solar panel generation unit, the Sunbox system allows users to choose between settings including ‘maximum consumption’ or ‘maximum savings’, to conserve a portion of its energy reserves in the event of unexpected electricity blackouts or rather, sell excess power back onto the grid. The groundbreaking energy storage system additionally boasts the capacity to track weather forecasts, thus ensuring its batteries are fully charged in the event of a storm (https://ibn.fm/M1cdr).

It is this very focus on renewable energy systems and relentless dedication towards AI-driven technological innovation that Turbo Energy’s CEO Mariano Soria credits as the driver for Turbo Energy’s recent tie-up with Repsol and Telefonica’s energy-oriented subsidiary, Solar360.

“Turbo Energy’s Artificial Intelligence and optimization system is the best on the market,” stated Soria in a recent interview. “Two years ago, we began working on the development of software linked to Artificial Intelligence. The goal was for storage to be smart, that could not only serve the purpose, but save money directly from the end user’s pocket. [In addition to having] the capacity to offer the end customer the best solution in economic savings [our] software is the basis for the continued development of the company [as well as giving us] the ability to incorporate other elements in the future]. We envision the ability to make use of it, not only for individuals but for communities such as energy communities or virtual power plants.”

The global AI in energy market size – which encompasses the deployment of AI technologies towards optimizing energy consumption and reducing costs across buildings, industrial processes, and power grides – is forecast to grow from a value of $4 billion in 2021 to an annual market size of $19.8 billion by 2031, equivalent to a CAGR of 17.4% over the course of the decade. With a focus on technological innovation and now, a growing distribution footprint across Europe and the world, Turbo Energy looks well placed to capitalize on the opportunity at hand.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Turbo-e.com.

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

• Lexaria, a global innovator in drug delivery platforms, just announced the submission of its IND application with the FDA for its HYPER-H23-1 phase 1b hypertension clinical trial
• This study will seek to evaluate the safety and tolerability of Lexaria’s patented DehydraTECH(TM) technology, specifically DehydraTECH-CBD, in hypertensive patients
• Lexaria expects to build on success of its previous studies, which showed positive results and DehydraTECH-CBD’s potential to have broad therapeutic utility

Lexaria Bioscience (NASDAQ: LEXX), a global innovator in drug delivery platforms, just announced the submission of its much-anticipated Investigational New Drug (“IND”) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for its HYPER-H23-1 phase 1b hypertension clinical trial. The submission follows a successful pre-IND meeting with the FDA, an integral step in the IND’s development and filing (https://ibn.fm/eICGt).

Titled “A Phase 1b Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of DehydraTECH-CBD in Subjects with Stage 1 or Stage 2 Hypertension,” this study will seek to evaluate the safety and tolerability of Lexaria’s patented DehydraTECH(TM) and specifically DehydraTECH-CBD in hypertensive patients. Secondary objectives will also include efficacy evaluation in reducing blood pressure and detailed pharmacokinetic testing.

The IND submission was initially set for the end of August 2023 but was delayed by the overdue delivery of required analytical and stability information from one of Lexaria’s core ingredient suppliers. However, the company has since made tremendous progress and looks to commence with its HYPER-H23-1 clinical trial as soon as possible following IND effectiveness, subject to certain conditions, including funding.

Lexaria is optimistic about the study and looks to build on the success of its previous studies that date back to 2018. So far, the company has sponsored five investigator-initiated human clinical studies of its DehydraTECH-CBD in an aggregate total of 134 people and has not recorded a single adverse event. Positive results from these studies included significant reductions in resting blood pressure over both acute and multi-week dosing regimens alone and, in some cases, complementary to standard-of-care medications. These results suggested that DehydraTECH-CBD has the potential to have broad therapeutic utility, and that is something Lexaria is looking to explore more in its HYPER-H23-1 clinical study.

This submission affirms Lexaria’s commitment to creating shareholder value. It also points to its goal to fulfill the promises made to its shareholders, as detailed in its roadmap for the 2024 calendar year. For Chris Bunka, Lexaria’s CEO, this marks a significant milestone in line with his pledge to do all he can to “turn 2024 into the year that Lexaria leaps forward.”

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

• GEMXX expects the growing demand for Ammolite, coupled with the positive outlook for gold prices, to support significant growth over the next 24 months
• Last year, GEMXX moved to complement its Ammolite operations with the purchase of gold assets in Canada
• The price of gold has held steady above US$2,000 per ounce, coming off a record-breaking 2023 when it rallied to a record-high year-end close
• The future looks promising for gold because it is projected to reach new highs in the coming months, according to GEMXX

The price of an ounce of gold rallied to a record high year-end close last year, ending 2023 at US$2,078.4, according to the World Gold Council (“WGC”). To get to this price, the value of the precious metal, which is considered a traditional safe-haven asset, had increased by 15% over 12 months, as indicated by its annual rate of return. Moreover, the average 2023 gold price of US$1,940.54/oz, also a record, was 8% higher than the average 2022 gold price, with the WGC noting that this price rally reflected strong demand (https://ibn.fm/0lSdT).

Today, the gold price has held steady above US$2,000 per ounce and is projected to reach new highs in the coming two years, according to GEMXX (OTC: GEMZ), a market-to-market gold, gemstone, and jewelry producer with global reach that owns mining resources, production facilities, and operating assets. GEMXX used this sustained upward trajectory in gold prices as well as the burgeoning demand for Ammolite jewelry to found an ambitious forecast: the company anticipates robust growth over the next 24 months (https://ibn.fm/qiMCY).

GEMXX expanded into the mining of gold last year to complement its long-standing Ammolite production. In March, GEMXX acquired a 50% interest in Crazy Horse Mining Inc. (“CHMI”), a Canadian exploration company whose assets include a 100% interest in Snow Creek and Rosella Creek gold projects located in British Columbia (https://ibn.fm/09dor). Later in September, the company announced it had signed a letter of intent to acquire a 50% interest in a property that could add up to 4 million ounces of gold to its assets (https://ibn.fm/XtyB7).

In the January 23 press release announcing the forecast of robust growth, GEMXX describes its entry into gold mining as “a new and welcomed asset to the company’s balance sheet,” with gold adding considerable support to its mine-to-market business model in “three core elements affecting long-term sustainable profitability.”

First, GEMXX says it can cut its raw material costs by about 60% by mining its own gold for its jewelry segment. The company expects these cost savings to not only reduce the cost of goods but also lead to higher and more predictable profit margins. Second, GEMXX anticipates that the mining of the gold reserves will enable it to accumulate cash reserves that will fund its future needs, thus helping the company avoid additional dilutive fundraising by issuing stock or taking debt to fund operations. “Third, investors will be able to participate in a stock based on precious metals and gemstones,” the company explains.

The press release also describes the growing demand for Ammolite jewelry, which has been driven by the rapidly growing recognition of Ammolite as a rare gemstone. Ammolite’s rarity stems from its limited availability – it is only found in southern Alberta, Canada – as well as its iridescent characteristics. GEMXX says the company has experienced additional demand throughout India and Asia, given Ammolite “appeals to a discerning clientele seeking exclusive and collectible pieces.”

With GEMXX standing out “as the leading producer of top-quality finished Ammolite, surpassing all other competitors in terms of quality and production capacity,” according to its website (https://ibn.fm/qVlIy), the company is expected to benefit significantly from the burgeoning demand.

“We are excited about the tremendous potential for growth in both the Ammolite and gold markets,” comments GEMXX President Richard Clowater. “Our commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and our ability to adapt to market dynamics position us for sustained success. We are confident we will be able to deliver strong returns to our shareholders.”

The company remains committed to expanding its product offerings, enhancing operational efficiency, and exploring strategic partnerships to maximize shareholder value while capitalizing on the positive market trends that support the realization of its strong financial outlook. Investors and stakeholders are encouraged to stay updated on GEMXX’s performance as it navigates the ever-changing jewelry and precious metals landscape.

Those interested in participating through Reg A financing are encouraged to visit the company’s investor page (https://ibn.fm/l2RhF) or contact company officials for more information (ir@gemxx.com – 702-930-1815).

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.GEMXX.com/investors.

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

• Neurodegenerative diseases pose a significant challenge in healthcare, yet treatment options remain limited
• CNM-Au8(R) has demonstrated remarkable efficacy across various nervous system cell types, with its ability to target fundamental deficiencies associated with dying neurons
• Gold nanocrystals found in CNM-Au8 act as miniature mitochondria, providing neurons with much-needed ATP energy while simultaneously converting toxic reactive oxygen species into harmless compounds

Neurodegenerative diseases pose a significant challenge in healthcare, yet treatment options remain limited. Clene (NASDAQ: CLNN), a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on improving mitochondrial health and protecting neuronal function to treat neurodegenerative diseases, is working on a potentially groundbreaking nanomedicine called CNM-Au8® that aims to revolutionize the approach to addressing nervous system failure associated with these debilitating conditions.

CNM-Au8 has demonstrated remarkable efficacy across various nervous system cell types, including oligodendrocytes, motor neurons, dopaminergic neurons, hippocampal, and cortical neurons. Its effectiveness has been validated in cellular and animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (“ALS”), Parkinson’s Disease (“PD”), and multiple sclerosis (“MS”).

CNM-Au8 achieves widespread efficacy due to its ability to target fundamental deficiencies associated with dying neurons: mitochondrial dysfunction, energy metabolic deficits, and toxic levels of oxidative stress. At the heart of CNM-Au8 lie catalytically active gold particles, meticulously engineered to be about 100th the size of mitochondria. Unlike many chemically synthesized gold nanoparticles, which can exhibit toxicity, CNM-Au8’s patented electrochemical crystal growth techniques ensure high catalytic activity while minimizing harm to living organisms. These gold nanocrystals act as miniature mitochondria, providing neurons with the much-needed energetic molecule ATP while simultaneously converting toxic reactive oxygen species into harmless compounds.

The groundbreaking potential of CNM-Au8 is evident in its application across various neurodegenerative diseases. In ALS, where motor neurons suffer from mitochondrial deficits and oxidative stress, CNM-Au8 has shown promising results in prolonging survival and slowing disease progression in clinical trials. In MS, where the immune system attacks neurons’ protective myelin sheath, CNM-Au8 has demonstrated improvements in visual impairments and cognitive deficits.

The company recently discussed the VISIONARY-MS trial, which was designed to investigate the protection or improvement of neurological function in stable relapsing-remitting MS participants with chronic optic neuropathy. The trial was a Phase 2 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of CNM-Au8 (15 mg or 30 mg daily) versus placebo over 48 weeks of double-blind treatment.

The primary outcome was low contrast letter acuity (“LCLA”) improvement, a measure of vision using a modified eye chart for people with optic neuritis caused by their Multiple Sclerosis. Global neurological improvement, measured by the modified Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (“mMSFC”), a comprehensive measure of vision (eyesight), cognition (thinking ability), upper extremity function (fine motor muscle movement in the hand), and walking speed assessment was the secondary outcome. The trial successfully met both primary and secondary analyses in the prespecified intent-to-treat population, which had to be modified to accommodate an early trial conclusion brought about by the COVID 19 pandemic. Nearly all participants (92%) were treated with highly effective immunomodulatory disease modifying therapies (“DMTs”) as background standard of care. This meant that the benefits observed in the treatment group were benefits that occurred above and beyond the action of the approved treatments taken by participants.

In the double-blind portion of the trial, 73 participants were randomized, with 55 of 69 eligible (80%) participants continuing in the open label long-term extension (“LTE”) of the trial. Clene announced results from the open label long-term extension in early January 2024, demonstrating that the visual and cognitive benefits observed during the double blind period translated to continued improvements in all treated individuals for the duration of the LTE (nearly 2 years from the end of the double blind period, when all participants transitioned to active drug) (https://ibn.fm/O163z).

Benjamin Greenberg, M.D., Head of Medicine at Clene said that despite advances in immunotherapies for MS, there is a significant unmet need for treatments to prevent neurodegeneration and create opportunities for clinical improvement, and that years have been spent investigating neuroprotective therapies for multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases.

“These data continue to build a strong case in favor of pursuing CNM-Au8 in upcoming Phase 3 studies. Clinically significant improvement is rarely seen in MS patients and this trial provides evidence of CNM-Au8’s potential to improve function in this population,” said Dr. Greenberg. “Clene is currently reviewing these data with prospective pharmaceutical partners interested in MS.”

These encouraging outcomes position CNM-Au8 as a frontrunner in neurodegenerative disease treatment. As we look forward to 2024, all eyes are on Clene Nanomedicine’s innovative drug, poised to deliver further breakthroughs in the fight against these devastating conditions.

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

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

Sustain SoCal invites regional leaders, regulatory authorities, individuals, and entities in the food and agriculture spectrum, to gather at the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Event on February 20, 2024, and share their journeys, achievements, failures, and shortfalls in the existing system. With seven years in the agricultural space, the event will be attended by top industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors in Southern California.

For companies looking to maximize their visibility in a crowd of agriculture and food leaders, this Sustain SoCal event offers the perfect avenue. A variety of packages are available to fit every company’s needs that would offer them maximum exposure.

The expert panel of speakers includes veteran leaders and top executives in the agriculture and food fields who have years of experience and knowledge that they will share. They will also discuss the increasing needs, challenges, and growth opportunities. Attendees can put forth their queries and participate in the discussions of vital topics in the changing agriculture and food industry.

The speaker sessions, meetings, and discussion panels held at The Sustainable Agriculture and Food Event will provide the key to arriving at vital solutions for Southern California’s growing agriculture and food requirements and sustainability issues. Sustain SoCal conducts conferences that are huge networking opportunities to establish long-term business connections. The discussions and decisions made at the conference will positively impact the food and agriculture spectrum. Applications for speakers and sponsorships are welcome.

To know more, please visit https://ibn.fm/XPKZX

• SOBRsure sales activities in Australia and New Zealand have been initiated through an international channel partnership with Drug Testing Business Success
• Drug Testing Business Success has a 14-year history representing the world’s most widely-used ankle bracelet for alcohol detection
• The global alcohol sensor market was valued at $2.3 billion in 2022, and is expected to reach $6.3 billion by 2030
• SOBRsafe’s products are geared toward behavioral health, justice, and consumer markets – and well-positioned for licensing and integration

SOBRsafe (NASDAQ: SOBR), a provider of next-generation transdermal alcohol detection solutions, recently announced that it has initiated SOBRsure(TM) sales activities in Australia and New Zealand through an international channel partnership with Drug Testing Business Success – the region’s leading drug and alcohol testing provider. Drug Testing Business Success has extensive experience in the transdermal alcohol detection industry, representing the world’s most widely-used ankle bracelet for 14 years (https://ibn.fm/hjnG5).

The company intends to drive SOBRsure orders through a coalition of suppliers and a dedicated e-commerce website focusing on behavioral health and justice. After the 90-day proof-of-concept, SOBRsure has been launched for sale and is in active client use.

“We believe we are gaining momentum and demonstrating traction in the behavior health and justice markets here in the US, and this most recent agreement with our newest channel partner is a meaningful validation of our technology and approach,” said SOBRsafe Chairman and CEO Dave Gandini. “We’re excited about this new revenue stream in Australia and New Zealand, and we believe that this could accelerate broader global expansion.”

According to Data Bridge Market Research, an international market research and consulting firm, the global alcohol sensor market was valued at $2.3 billion in 2022, and is anticipated to reach $6.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 13.7%. The market is expected to grow due to the rising rates of alcohol consumption, stricter laws pertaining to alcohol consumption, and new, more effective detection technologies (https://ibn.fm/SSfwO).

SOBRsafe has a powerful backend data platform and provides humane, passive, and connected alcohol detection for the behavioral health, justice, and consumer markets. The SOBRsafe technology is integrated within the company’s robust and scalable data platform, producing statistical and measurable user and business data. The company’s products include:

• SOBRsafe(TM) – The company’s scalable, patent-pending platform for non-invasive alcohol detection, real-time reporting, and historical data aggregation for use as a solution with broad application in the behavioral health and justice markets, and for consumer use. 
• SOBRcheck(TM) – The company’s stationary identification and alcohol monitoring product, providing a quick, specific point-in-time test for the presence of alcohol. SOBRcheck provides administrators with immediate results, delivered securely, to aid in efficiently managing an existing substance abuse policy.
• SOBRsure(TM) – The company’s transdermal, alcohol-detecting wearable that provides continuous, mobile alcohol monitoring. The advanced alcohol safety technology discreetly detects and instantaneously reports the presence of alcohol in the body. SOBRsure provides app-based alcohol detection alerts, pinpoint location tracking and band-removal notifications.

SOBRsafe believes its technology is a superior, hygienic alternative to traditional breathalyzers for frontline, preventative applications. Legacy detection technologies are invasive and inefficient, unhygienic, and unconnected. Alcohol detection with SOBRsafe products does not require breath, blood, or urine; it only requires contact with the skin.

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

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

• Lexaria, a global innovator in drug delivery platforms, just announced ambitious plans for the 2024 calendar year
• The letter confirms that the 2024 plans have been made possible by significant strides that were made by the company in 2023
• Lexaria looks to build on the momentum gained from the previous year, ultimately asserting market dominance and making 2024 its best year yet

Lexaria Bioscience (NASDAQ: LEXX), a global innovator in drug delivery platforms, just announced its ambitious plans for the 2024 calendar year. In his annual letter, Chris Bunka, Lexaria’s CEO, noted that this would mark the year that will prove all of the company’s work of producing hard, factual scientific information worth it, accomplishments that were critical given 2023’s challenges in the capital markets (https://ibn.fm/vcLob).

Bunka lauded his team for the strides the company made in 2023. Of note was its high success rate in its research and development (“R&D”), all necessary for the coming year. The company experimented with its patented DehydraTECH(TM) technology using an entirely new class of molecules, opening more possibilities for Lexaria. Most notably, its GLP-1 study yielded positive interim and final human pilot study results, showing that the technology delivered a statistically significant proportion of semaglutide and did so more quickly.

“Frankly, the results surprised us with their level of positivity,” noted Mr. Bunka. “It was found that DehydraTECH processing: delivered a statistically-significant higher proportion of the semaglutide, and did so more quickly; reduced the quantity and severity of unwanted side effects; and had a statistically-significant impact on blood sugar in general and much more effectively after eating a meal, than did Rybelsus,” he added.

Such positive results cut across all of Lexaria’s studies, from hypertension to cholesterol, triglyceride and weight loss management, human hormones, blood glucose, and diabetes, as well as oral nicotine. Bunka noted the challenge of convincing companies active in Consumer Packaged Goods (“CPG”) sectors to pay for technology to improve their product offerings, given thin margins.

Bunka acknowledged Invenomic Capital Management LP, who have been shareholders at Lexaria for a long time and who have accumulated more stock throughout the year.

While dealing with anticipated challenges, Lexaria had many wins for 2023, among which were ten newly granted patents. This brought the total patents granted to 38 and made 2023 the year Lexaria was granted the most patents since its inception. This, in addition to the roughly $800,000 recently received from the exercise of warrants, showed the company’s commitment to growing its position as a leader in its segment. The company looks to build on this momentum for 2024, ultimately asserting market dominance and making it the best year yet.

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

We’ve known this was coming, for a very long time.

For well over a decade, various experts have been warning governments and industry about global over-reliance on China for the supply of rare earth elements (REE). Now, this day of reckoning has arrived.

Beginning in the spring of 2023, China first “threatened” to impose restrictions on the export of some rare earths. Just recently, China passed a law that could reduce its exports of critical REE.

However, you don’t have to be Chinese to see “crisis” and “opportunity” as being two sides of the same coin. Fortunately, a number of mining companies (outside of China) have heeded previous REE warnings and focused their energies on developing rare earth assets.

One of these companies, Appia Rare Earths and Uranium Corp (CSE:API / OTCQX:APAAF), holds multiple REE and uranium projects, with three taking precedence due to their world-class mineralization. Notably, one already holds a defined resource estimate for both REE and uranium. More on this later – REE and their commercial importance.

Before discussing new investment opportunities with rare earths, many investors will need some further education.

What are rare earths? What is their principal use/importance in industry? Once those questions are answered, the significance of China’s export restrictions comes into focus.

The term “rare earth element” is a misnomer, in some respects. Rare earths are, in fact, metals. And they are not actually that rare.
The 17 REE (if scandium is included) are ~200 times more abundant than gold. However, what is rare is to find these REE in sufficient concentrations to permit commercial extraction.

Rare earths are divided roughly equally into light rare earth elements (LREE) and heavy rare earth elements (HREE) based upon their atomic mass, with gadolinium classified as either an LREE or HREE.

In terms of investment opportunities with rare earth elements, this can be summarized with one word: magnets.

Because of their impressive chemical and metallurgical properties, REE have numerous unique applications in both hi-tech and low-tech. These include:

• Clean energy generation
• Lasers
• Phosphors
• Chemical catalysts
• Polishing compounds
• Glass and ceramics
• X-ray tubes
• Data storage
• Numerous hi-tech military applications

In many cases, there are few or no substitutes for REE in the manufacturing of these other products. However, these are generally not large markets for rare earth elements.

The reason that magnets, specifically high-performance permanent magnets, dominate the global market for rare earths can also be summarized in one word: scale.

This becomes apparent once readers become aware of how useful and important these high-performance magnets are. They are essential components of all electric motors, such as those in electric vehicles and wind turbines.

These high-performance magnets, or “super magnets” are also used in most high-end electronics – such as smartphones. In short, these high-performance magnets are used in much of our daily lives.

How A Potential Crisis Becomes An Opportunity

Generally speaking, it is the heavy rare earths (HREE) that are most useful in the production of these high-performance magnets, specifically dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb).

However, two of the LREE are also used extensively in the production of these super magnets: neodymium and praseodymium. Neodymium (Nd) is used to make the strongest magnets, while praseodymium (Pr) can often be substituted for neodymium.

These four rare earths comprise the main magnet rare earths (MRE) that are needed to be produced at a large scale. That’s how the global rare earths market looks in terms of demand.

Then there is the supply of rare earth elements. Here is where the scarcity of REE enters into the equation.

The HREE are decidedly rarer than the LREE. For companies developing rare earth projects, this means that the HREE content in rare earths deposits is viewed as a key factor in project value.

With rare earth elements also being essential ingredients in many high-end military technologies, this explains why a rare earths (supply) “crisis” has been regarded as such a serious issue.

One person who sees the current scenario much more in terms of an opportunity than a crisis is REE industry expert, Jack Lifton. Lifton has previously been quite outspoken on this subject.

North America Doesn’t Need China’s Rare Earths

Thanks to the emergence of REE producers in the Western hemisphere and the growth in the number of advanced-stage REE development projects, Lifton saw the Rest of the World as being ready-and-able to meet its supply needs for rare earth elements.

Indeed, in a subsequent interview, Lifton didn’t even see Chinese policies aimed at reducing global dependence on its REE as being punitive in nature.

My thinking about this has evolved. I think that the Chinese want this to happen [less dependence]. The Chinese are now restructuring their REE production industry and downsizing it to match their internal demand. They will grow the industry in the future, but only to meet their domestic demand. I do not believe that the Chinese are interested in the REE export business.

And that interview was in 2013 – a full decade ago. Flash forward to 2023 and only now do we see China imposing mild restrictions on its exports of REE.

A potential “crisis” is becoming an investment opportunity. For North American-based mining companies, the global market for REE is a tempting target.

China has traditionally attached substantial export duties to its REE exports. If Lifton’s premise is correct and China wants to reduce its global market share of REE, then it is unlikely to relax its export duties as new competitors enter the marketplace.

This translates into the potential for strong margins for North American-based companies that are either already going into production of REE, or have advanced-stage projects which can be moved to production expeditiously.

Enter Appia Rare Earths and Uranium Corp.

Enormous opportunity in rare earths and uranium

When Investor Brands Network sat down for a chat with President Stephen Burega and the Appia management team, two factors immediately shone through: the quality of Appia’s rare earths and uranium assets, and the value opportunity for investors.

Appia doesn’t merely offer investors one project with enormous potential upside. The Company boasts three such projects.

Elliot Lake Uranium & REE Project

This is Appia’s most advanced project to date.

Elliot Lake is a 13,008 hectare property, with a 100% interest held by Appia. It is located in the Elliot Lake uranium camp that has already produced over 300 million pounds of U₃O₈.

Elliot Lake has a large, high-grade uranium resource. This is comprised of 8.0 million pounds of U₃O₈ in the Indicated category (Teasdale Zone), with an average grade of 0.554 lbs/ton U₃O₈.

The Company also has 47.7 million pounds lbs of U₃O₈ in the Inferred category. This is split between the 20.1 million pounds from the Teasdale Zone (average grade 0.474 lbs/ton U₃O₈) and 27.6 million pounds from the Banana Zone, with an average grade of 0.912lbs/ton U₃O₈.

Note that a historical resource estimate for Elliot Lake (not NI 43-101 compliant) reported a contained U₃O₈ resource of 199.2 million pounds. This indicates a strong possibility for substantial U₃O₈ resource expansion at Elliot Lake.

With the uranium sector red-hot at the moment, Investor Brands Network is planning an upcoming feature article focusing on the big uranium opportunity at Elliot Lake.

However, where you find uranium mineralization you will also often find REE mineralization as well. The Elliot Lake resource estimate contains even larger rare earths resources.

The NI 43-101 rare earths resources at Elliot Lake total ~180 million pounds: an Indicated resource of 47.7 million pounds with an average grade of 3.30 lbs/ton TREE (total rare earth elements), and 133.2 million pounds of Inferred resource with an average grade of 3.14 lbs/ton TREE.

Which of the rare earths are present in the Elliot Lake resources? Just about all of them. Elliot Lake contains 15 of the 17 different rare earth elements.

Alces Lake REE Project

The Alces Lake REE Project is a 14,334 hectare project (100% interest) one of five properties held by Appia in Canada’s prolific Athabasca Basin of northern Saskatchewan.

While the Athabasca Basin is primarily known for its world-class uranium deposits, this region is also highly prospective for rare earths exploration. The REE grades in monazite at Alces Lake can only be described as “world class” as well.

Previous drilling has revealed widths of REE mineralization of up to 19 meters. High-grade intercepts include:

• 6.99 meters of 11.70% TREO (total rare earth oxides) including 3.67 meters of 15.81% TREO
• 8.98 meters of 9.46% TREO, including 0.87 meters of 17.1% TREO

However, it’s not only the outstanding grades at Alces Lake that will be of interest to investors.

The Company has discovered multiple zones of shallow and near-surface REE mineralization, in some cases less than 15 meters from the surface. If the Company can unlock a potential open-pit REE resource at Alces Lake, this would greatly improve the Project’s commercial upside.

Then there is the SRC state-of-the-art Monazite/REE Processing Facility that is being constructed in northern Saskatchewan, proximate to the Alces Lake Project.

The Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) is a provincial business development agency that sees a major future for Saskatchewan not only in REE mining but also rare earths processing. The facility being constructed near Alces Lake is its first step in executing on this plan.

For the SRC, the high grades of REE in monazite at Alces Lake would make this Project ideal for proof-of-concept testing of its processing facility.

PCH Ionic Clay REE Project (Brazil)

Last, but certainly not least, among Appia’s premier REE projects is the PCH Ionic Adsorption Clay deposit. This is a 40,963.18 hectare property, located in Goiás State, Brazil. Appia has an option agreement in place to earn up to a 70% interest over a 5-year horizon.

Here, investors need to immediately focus on two important details: the geology and the jurisdiction.

“Ionic adsorption clay” deposits of REE are the most mining-friendly geology in which substantial concentrations of rare earth elements are hosted. This translates into more economical and efficient development of a rare earths project, from drilling right through to mine construction and mine operations.

Then there is Brazil.

As previously noted, Appia is pleased with the government support from the province of Saskatchewan with respect to its Alces Lake Project. But the Company is thrilled by the commitment of Brazil’s government to support the development of its own rare earths industry.

Talk is cheap. Brazil’s government has already committed 5 billion reals in advancing an REE industry.

All of these factors made the PCH Ionic Clay deposit a very exciting REE prospect for Appia Rare Earths and Uranium. Then came the Company’s latest drill results, released on November 28, 2023.

Appia Discovers An Unprecedented High-Grade Mineralization Zone: Total Weighted Average Grade of 7,578 ppm Or 0.76% Total Rare Earth Oxide Across 10 Reverse Circulation Drill Holes At Its PCH Ionic Clay Project, Brazil

“An unprecedented zone of high-grade mineralization.” Match that with the mining-friendly ionic adsorption clays of the PCH Project and what do you have? A game-changer.

This comprehensive drill campaign lays the groundwork for a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and an NI 43-101 report, presently in progress.

InvestorBrandNetwork will delve into these spectacular drill results and the PCH Project in much greater detail in an upcoming full-length feature. We’ll also take a closer look at Alces Lake and Elliot Lake, the Company itself, and Appia’s near-term plans for project development.

Appiareu.com

Appia corporate presentation

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

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