• RMXD news indicates that a synergistic tech-healthcare collaboration with potential to ignite both growth and revenues is in the works
• “Restructuring whiz” takes the helm as CEO, board chair
• Through technology and proven processes, Progressive Care helps simplify chaos, improve care and reduce costs

Recent developments bode well for the future of Progressive Care (OTCQB: RXMD). On a mission to snag ever more market share using data management and analytical tools, the well-established healthcare company might be on the cusp of breaking out of slow-growth mode and into rapid expansion. Several factors are at play that could prove meaningful for the company and its stakeholders.

Recent news from the company indicates that a synergistic tech-healthcare collaboration is in the works that has the potential to ignite both growth and revenues. In a series of rapid-fire announcements, Progressive Care completed a recapitalization of its debt and received a strategic investment of $6 million from NextPlat Corp (NASDAQ: NXPL) (https://ibn.fm/5MlTc), a tech-driven, global e-commerce platform company that collaborates to capitalize on high-growth opportunities. All indications are that NextPlat has identified RXMD as a high-growth opportunity with significant upside potential.

In the transaction, NextPlat CEO Charles M. Fernandez, who “Fortune” Magazine called a “restructuring whiz” (https://ibn.fm/tWlm7), along with other investors, purchased an estimated $2.8 million of convertible debt in Progressive Care. He was also named chairman of the board of Progressive Care and assumed the role of CEO of the company shortly after. Commenting on the move, Fernandez stated in part, “I am taking on this role with the goal of maximizing the synergies that exist between NextPlat and Progressive Care” (https://ibn.fm/g921L).

Clearly, a tech infusion is underway at Progressive Care.

At its heart, Progressive Care is a tech-centric healthcare organization. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, the company delivers personalized healthcare and pharmaceutical services along with technology that helps the managed healthcare industry reduce costs and improve quality of care (https://ibn.fm/lmFDQ). Technology appears be the only solution to administering the patchwork system of government programs and the jumbled maze of laws, rules, regulations, requirements, protocols, and politics that have pushed U.S. healthcare into the stratosphere of complexity and confusion.

Through technology and proven processes, Progressive Care helps simplify the chaos to improve care and reduce costs for patients, prescribers, providers, and managed-care entities. The company delivers these services through its two subsidiaries:

• PharmcoRx, a full-service pharmacy that provides a complete healthcare ecosystem offering a wide range of services to patients and physicians (https://ibn.fm/cvflW). Major healthcare organizations’ customers in Florida give PharmcoRx rave reviews.
• ClearMetrX, a data-management company, provides services that support healthcare organizations across the nation (https://ibn.fm/b2Spn). ClearMetrX recently launched the 340MetrX Platform, a proprietary software product that delivers 340B-covered entities actionable data insights, enabling them to best operate and maximize the benefits of the 340B program.

Information gleaned from Progressive Care’s website and its recent Form 10-K (https://ibn.fm/YZqQ2) suggests that a push into the booming Federal 340B Drug Pricing Program is coming. Seems to make even more sense given the recent backing of tech wizardry from NextPlat. Info from the Form 10-K states, “A key objective within organizations with access to large data collections is to harness the most relevant data and use it to optimize decision making. ClearMetrX developed the 340MetrX platform that retrieves dispensing pharmacy data to provide physicians and 340B covered entities with valuable and insightful reports and analytics to manage their operations.” Sophisticated software that serves a booming market providing actionable intelligence to manage costs and improve care could become quite valuable.

It’s little wonder then that the 340B program could be part of RXMD’s target market. 340B has experienced eye-popping growth, expanding at more than 4.5 times the pharmaceutical market growth rate from 2017 to 2020 (https://ibn.fm/gpY43) — and many expect that trend to continue or even accelerate. The program is so popular because 340B allows eligible healthcare clinics and hospitals to purchase outpatient drugs to treat the uninsured or underinsured at a 20–50% discount (https://ibn.fm/Bdf3D). Growing 76% from 2017, 340B program sales exceeded $80 billion in 2020 with 18.1% year-on-year growth vs. 2019.

Since 2006, Progressive Care has steadily been building its customer base, revenues, and a reputation for excellence. The development of the ClearMetrX software and expansion of PharmcoRx, combined with a synergistic tech-healthcare collaboration with NextPlat, could be the impetus that sparks rapid expansion and unleashes upside potential.

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

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

EF Hutton, a premiere financial company that offers global customized solutions for public and private investment banking, is proud to announce the inaugural EF Hutton Global Conference to be held on May 10-11, 2023, at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. This event will showcase dynamic private and public companies across various sectors, bringing individuals in these spaces together to interact, exchange ideas and discuss ways to take their organizations to the next level.

The two-day invitation-only event will feature approximately 150 public and private companies, with attendees enjoying a unique one-on-one format intended explicitly for engagement, interaction, healthy discussions, and next-level networking. The conference will not feature any general presentations, with meetings split into either 2×1 or 3×1, depending on the demand.

The conference targets institutional investors, corporate clients, high-net-worth individuals, and exclusive members of the press, with investors selecting up to eight meetings to participate in on each of the two days. Up to 75 companies will present in each of the two days.

The inaugural EF Hutton Global Conference promises a platform where public and private companies can convey their unique stories, and investors and executives can interact with each other in a friendly, high-energy environment.

To learn more, please visit https://efhconference.com.

In today’s fast-paced world, effective communication is more important than ever to the success of any company. The right communication solutions are imperative to connect with target markets, improve customer satisfaction and increase corporate productivity. There are a myriad of communication solutions available, but there’s only one that stands out as the most innovative and effective.

IBN is the recognized leader in providing communication solutions for businesses of all sizes. IBN provides a wide range of services that fit the needs of companies large and small – services that cut through the clutter, reach the right target and have impact.

IBN delivers value and results using proven strategies and sophisticated platform solutions. 

1. Versatility

IBN’s versatile communication solutions can be customized to meet the unique needs of each individual company. Companies can pick and choose the products and services that best fit their needs and budget, ensuring they maximize returns on their investment.

2. Reliability

Reliability is essential for effective communication solutions. Business is down if communication systems are down. IBN delivers reliable solutions that are always up and running. IBN’s state-of-the-art solutions are designed to withstand any disruptions or outages, ensuring that companies can communicate with their clients and employees at all times.

3. Scalability

IBN’s communication solutions were purpose built to be scalable, allowing companies to add or remove services as needed. Companies can scale up or down, whatever their needs, without investments in new systems or hardware.

4. Security

Hackers, ransomware – security is a top concern for businesses today. IBN’s solutions are designed with security top-of-mind. IBN ensures that all communications are encrypted, safe and secure. IBN’s solutions are compliant with industry standards, making them ideal for companies in regulated industries.

5. Collaboration

Collaboration can be a powerful business accelerator. IBN’s communication solutions provide a range of collaboration tools, including video conferencing, instant messaging, and file sharing. These tools make collaboration easy regardless of location, increase productivity and maximize corporate efficiencies.

6. Cost-effective

IBN provides cost-effective communication solutions with proven value. Companies can choose the services and products that best fit their needs and budget, ensuring they get the best return from their investment. IBN’s solutions also helps companies save money by reducing expensive hardware and infrastructure costs.

7. Customer support

IBN’s team of dedicated experts is available 24/7 to help client partners with any issues they may face. IBN is committed to ensuring that client partners get the help they need when they need it.

8. Innovation

With multiple industry firsts, IBN is continually innovating its platform solutions to meet the evolving needs of businesses. IBN solutions incorporate the latest technologies, ensuring that our client partners stay ahead of the competition.

A recognized industry leader, IBN has proven to be the best communication solution for companies due to its versatility, reliability, scalability, security, collaboration tools, cost-effectiveness, customer support, and innovation. IBN’s unwavering commitment to innovation and customer service delivers real value and a competitive advantage to each of our client partners.

Let us prove how we can help your company on a live demo.

For more information, visit www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com.

• BMR completes “mutually beneficial agreements” with two Chilean communities
• Company committed to develop productive, ethical and transparent relationships with surrounding neighborhoods
• BMR also finalizes comprehensive policy, strategy and implementation guide

In its ongoing commitment to ESG as well as supporting and partnering with the communities where it operates, Battery Mineral Resources (TSX.V: BMR) (OTCQB: BTRMF) has been announcing key community and social initiatives at its Chile-based Punitaqui Project (https://ibn.fm/Rexrs). Specifically, the company has completed agreements with the Potrerillos Community (Comunidad Agricola Potrerillos) and the Punitaqui Community (Comunidad Agricola Punitaqui).

“We are delighted to have reached these mutually beneficial agreements with both the communities of Potrerillos and Punitaqui,” Battery CEO Martin Kostuik stated. “The agreement with the community of Potrerillos emphasizes the strong regard we have for our neighbors nearest the Cinabrio mine complex and our commitment to engage constructively with all the company’s stakeholders. This agreement will also allow BMR to potentially discover new mineralized areas on our claims near the Cinabrio mine complex.

“The agreement with the Punitaqui Community is very important because it succinctly addresses their main concerns surrounding the restart of operations at Punitaqui,” Kostuik continued. “BMR strives to develop productive, ethical and transparent relationships with our surrounding communities, and we view it as our duty to our shareholders and communities to promote sustainable growth supported by safe and socially responsible business practices while developing long-term resources. We look forward to greatly advancing our relationships with the people of Potrerillos and Punitaqui as we continue working diligently to restart our Punitaqui copper mine in the coming months.”

In part, the Potrerillos community agreement notes that BMR will hire members of the community, will fund the construction of a water well for the people of Potrerillos, and will continue to support payment for the services of the individual in charge of the school nursery of the Cordillera de Potrerillos Alto School.

In Punitaqui, BMR is in the process of establishing a community engagement and meeting office, which will be staffed by individuals paid by the company. The office will allow for all persons in the direct area of influence of BMR operations to interact in person with the company. The office should be opening its doors in the coming weeks.

In addition, Battery has finalized a comprehensive policy, strategy and implementation guide that outlines current and future social and community engagement and reporting strategies and standards (https://ibn.fm/wB2bW). The company worked closely with Integratio Mediação Social e Sustentabilidade, a socio-environmental management, strategic relationship, and stakeholder engagement consultant group, to create the document. According to the company, the guide will act as a foundation for positive, proactive, and mutually beneficial engagement and partnership with local communities and includes a social management manual, a community relations and communication plan and implementation guide, a donation and sponsorship guide, a social management manual and a guide for the preparation of annual sustainability reports.

Battery Mineral Resources is a battery minerals company providing shareholders exposure to the global megatrend of electrification while focusing on growth through cash flow, exploration, and acquisitions in favorable mining jurisdictions. Battery Mineral’s mission is the discovery, acquisition and development of battery metals (namely cobalt, lithium, graphite, and copper), in North America, South America and South Korea and to become a premier and responsible supplier of battery minerals to the electrification marketplace.

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

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

• BMR completes “mutually beneficial agreements” with two Chilean communities
• Company committed to develop productive, ethical and transparent relationships with surrounding neighborhoods
• BMR also finalizes comprehensive policy, strategy and implementation guide

In its ongoing commitment to ESG as well as supporting and partnering with the communities where it operates, Battery Mineral Resources (TSX.V: BMR) (OTCQB: BTRMF) has been announcing key community and social initiatives at its Chile-based Punitaqui Project (https://ibn.fm/Rexrs). Specifically, the company has completed agreements with the Potrerillos Community (Comunidad Agricola Potrerillos) and the Punitaqui Community (Comunidad Agricola Punitaqui).

“We are delighted to have reached these mutually beneficial agreements with both the communities of Potrerillos and Punitaqui,” Battery CEO Martin Kostuik stated. “The agreement with the community of Potrerillos emphasizes the strong regard we have for our neighbors nearest the Cinabrio mine complex and our commitment to engage constructively with all the company’s stakeholders. This agreement will also allow BMR to potentially discover new mineralized areas on our claims near the Cinabrio mine complex.

“The agreement with the Punitaqui Community is very important because it succinctly addresses their main concerns surrounding the restart of operations at Punitaqui,” Kostuik continued. “BMR strives to develop productive, ethical and transparent relationships with our surrounding communities, and we view it as our duty to our shareholders and communities to promote sustainable growth supported by safe and socially responsible business practices while developing long-term resources. We look forward to greatly advancing our relationships with the people of Potrerillos and Punitaqui as we continue working diligently to restart our Punitaqui copper mine in the coming months.”

In part, the Potrerillos community agreement notes that BMR will hire members of the community, will fund the construction of a water well for the people of Potrerillos, and will continue to support payment for the services of the individual in charge of the school nursery of the Cordillera de Potrerillos Alto School.

In Punitaqui, BMR is in the process of establishing a community engagement and meeting office, which will be staffed by individuals paid by the company. The office will allow for all persons in the direct area of influence of BMR operations to interact in person with the company. The office should be opening its doors in the coming weeks.

In addition, Battery has finalized a comprehensive policy, strategy and implementation guide that outlines current and future social and community engagement and reporting strategies and standards (https://ibn.fm/wB2bW). The company worked closely with Integratio Mediação Social e Sustentabilidade, a socio-environmental management, strategic relationship, and stakeholder engagement consultant group, to create the document. According to the company, the guide will act as a foundation for positive, proactive, and mutually beneficial engagement and partnership with local communities and includes a social management manual, a community relations and communication plan and implementation guide, a donation and sponsorship guide, a social management manual and a guide for the preparation of annual sustainability reports.

Battery Mineral Resources is a battery minerals company providing shareholders exposure to the global megatrend of electrification while focusing on growth through cash flow, exploration, and acquisitions in favorable mining jurisdictions. Battery Mineral’s mission is the discovery, acquisition and development of battery metals (namely cobalt, lithium, graphite, and copper), in North America, South America and South Korea and to become a premier and responsible supplier of battery minerals to the electrification marketplace.

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

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

• The company’s highly experienced and successful pharmaceutical industry leadership team includes former senior executives from Novartis, GSK, and Bristol-Myers Squibb
• The team has executed eight clinical trials, including a seven-country, 12,400-participant Phase 3 trial of a prior influenza candidate, and built, owns, and operates its GMP biologics manufacturing facility
• BiondVax has an exclusive collaboration with the prestigious Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences (“MPG”) and the University Medical Center Göttingen (“UMG”), to develop a pipeline of innovative nanosized antibody therapies
• BiondVax’s experience, assets, and pipeline represent a rare opportunity for a company of its size

BiondVax Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: BVXV), a Jerusalem-based biotechnology company, is laser focused on developing, manufacturing, and commercializing innovative NanoAb immunotherapeutic products, primarily for treating infectious and autoimmune diseases. Collaborating with the prestigious Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences and the University Medical Center Göttingen (“UMG”), both in Germany, BiondVax is developing a pipeline of nanosized antibody (NanoAb) therapies addressing diseases underserved by current treatments and with large and growing markets, such as COVID-19, asthma and psoriasis.

NanoAbs, also known as nanobodies and VHH-antibodies, are alpaca-derived nanosized antibodies that exhibit multiple significant competitive advantages over existing antibody therapies, including stability at high temperatures, superior binding affinity, more effective and convenient routes of administration, and efficient production.

BiondVax’s highly experienced and successful pharmaceutical industry leadership team includes former senior executives from Novartis (NYSE: NVS), GSK (NYSE: GSK), and Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY). This team plays a vital role in the company’s pursuit to advance nanosized antibody innovation from R&D through commercialization and includes:

• Mr. Amir Reichman, CEO of BiondVax, was most recently the Head of Global Vaccines Engineering Core Technologies and Asset Management at GSK Vaccines in Belgium. Mr. Reichman earned his M.Sc. in Biotechnology Engineering from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel and an MBA in Finance and Health Care Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, USA.
• Dr. Tamar Ben-Yedidia, Ph.D., CSO of BiondVax, has more than 30 years of experience in the field of immunology, with expertise in the development of vaccines. She started her career with Biotechnology General Ltd, BTG (Rehovot), working on developing a recombinant Hepatitis-B vaccine. Dr. Ben-Yedidia received her Ph.D. from the Weizmann Institute after completing her doctoral thesis entitled “A Peptide-Based Vaccine Against Influenza” in the lab of Professor Ruth Arnon, co-inventor of the blockbuster multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone^®
• Mr. Elad Mark, COO of BiondVax, is an executive leader with over 15 years of biotechnology industry experience encompassing diverse project stages, including feasibility studies, conceptual and detailed design, commissioning qualification, and process validation. Mr. Mark holds a BSc. in Engineering from the Afeka Tel Aviv Academic College of Engineering and an MBA from the Open University of Israel.
• Mr. Uri Ben-Or, CFO of BiondVax, has over 25 years of experience in corporate finance, accounting, M&A transactions, and IPOs. His experience also includes serving as CFO in public life science companies traded on the TASE, OTC, and NASDAQ exchanges. Mr. Ben-Or holds a B.A. in Business, an MBA from Bar-Ilan University, and is a Certified Public Accountant.
• Dr. Dalit Weinstein Fischer, Ph.D., is BiondVax’s Head of Technical R&D. She is the previous Director of Biological Processes at NanoSpun Technologies Ltd. and CTO at VAYU Sense AG, specializing in improving bio-based fermentation processes with an AI-based controller. Dr. Weinstein Fischer holds a Ph.D. from the Hadassah Medical School, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Department, Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
• Mrs. Moran Ahdout Fruchter is the Chief of Staff for BiondVax and brings over ten years of broad legal and international transactional experience. Before joining BiondVax, she served as General Counsel at Miya Group, overseeing legal affairs of the group worldwide, led negotiations, was involved in global growth activities and M&A transactions, and provided legal guidance to senior management and the board. Mrs. Ahdout Fruchter holds an LL.B. in Law and a B.A. in Economics from Tel Aviv University and is admitted to the Israel Bar Association.
• Ms. Merav Kamensky is the Senior Manager of Quality Control for BiondVax. Her experience includes laboratory research from the University of Waterloo, Canada, and in the biopharmaceutical industry, including positions at Abic Biological Laboratories Teva Ltd and InSight Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. Ms. Kamensky earned a BSc. and MSc. in Biotechnology and Agriculture from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
• Mr. Joshua E. Phillipson is the Director of Communications and Investor Relations, leading BiondVax’s business development and communications activities, including marketing, investor, and public relations since 2015. Mr. Phillipson earned an Honours BSc. from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Since the company’s foundation, it has executed eight clinical trials, including a seven-country, 12,400-participant Phase 3 trial of a prior influenza candidate. It built, owns, and operates a 20,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art GMP biologics manufacturing facility housing its laboratories, production facilities, and offices, through which BiondVax drives NanoAb therapeutics development and innovation. To optimize operational efficiency, BiondVax also offers its assets to companies through its CDMO services in Israel.

The combination of BiondVax’s experience, assets, and developing pipeline are rare for a company of its size, positioning it well for a promising future.

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

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

• An estimated 30,000 website data breaches occur each day on average
• Hacker targets include everyone online, ranging from small businesses to large and complex government agencies
• Massachusetts-based SideChannel Inc. delivers the services of chief information security officers (“CISOs”) on a contract basis to companies that don’t have budget capacity to maintain CISOs on staff full-time but desire protection against cyber threats
• SideChannel’s virtual CISOs work alongside company board officers to assess and strategically target operational risks
• SideChannel announced a strategic partnership last month with automated supply chain risk management platform developer Darkbeam that will strengthen SideChannel’s service offering

Cyber threats have become a standard concern for businesses working to maintain their operational integrity, with hackers accounting for an estimated 30,000 websites that are compromised on average each day. Techjury reported that the entire cost of cyberattacks in 2022 was $6 trillion and that the figure is expected to rise to $10.5 trillion by 2025 (https://ibn.fm/TjyS7).

The recent leak of timely international intelligence-related documents classified as not available for public review by the U.S. government’s information-gathering agencies has demonstrated that even government experts in the field are vulnerable to the possibility of data breaches and costly consequences resulting from the breaches, whether cyber-based or not, emphasizing the critical importance of information security (https://ibn.fm/rPEZH).

Cybersecurity services and technology provider SideChannel (OTCQB: SDCH) is building a brand designed to help organizations protect themselves from online threats.

“The cybersecurity profession is now akin to legal, and accounting, and insurance (operational divisions),” SideChannel CEO Brian Haugli stated in a live company webcast recently (https://ibn.fm/XYXl1). “When we look inside of organizations at the enterprise level we see the CISO (chief information security officer) right there with HR (Human Resources), and GC (General Contracting), and Internal Audit and other C-suite members for a reason. Because that’s how important it is for that organization’s success to address cybersecurity as an operational risk at an enterprise level.”

SideChannel’s flagship service is providing “virtual” CISOs as hired cybersecurity guns for companies unable to maintain an experienced cybersecurity leader on staff full-time. The vCISOs can work alongside a company’s officers in the boardroom to provide information and analysis on current threats to the company’s systems.

“We can deliver an entire program and manage that for the mid-market, because that’s how the mid-market buys. That’s what they’re looking for,” Haugli said during the webcast. “They really want, not just the tools, they don’t want just the capability and then (for us to) walk away. They want a partner who can come in and manage and run that for them.”

SideChannel strengthened its offering last month when it announced a strategic partnership with London-based cyber intelligence provider Darkbeam to deliver stronger intelligence-led cyber risk management programs to businesses looking to protect their own operations as well as the provenance of their supply chains (https://ibn.fm/06kZP).

The Darkbeam partnership also helps companies access timely direction on cyber risk management during the merger and acquisition process, and insurance underwriting regarding cyber risks, thanks to Darkbeam’s automated vulnerability assessments service as well as monitoring of the dark web for data exposure.

Darkbeam’s Watchlist feature allows Category Managers to continuously monitor suppliers over time and assess any changes to risk levels within a supplier.

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

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

• Ucore recently announced it is investing $75 million over the next four years to set up the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (“LSMC”) REE separation and oxide production facility
• The facility will cover a footprint of 80,800 square feet and will be located within the England Airpark Community complex in Alexandria, Louisiana
• Ucore expects to produce 7,500 tons per annum of total rare earth oxide (“TREO”) throughput and create 100 family-wage paying jobs
• The facility is one of three strategic metals complexes that Ucore plans to set up across North America as part of efforts to help the continent take charge of REEs and other critical elements that are necessary as the world introduces electric vehicles and electrification

Ucore Rare Metals (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF), a company engaged in the exploration for and separation and scalable production of rare earth elements (“REEs”) in Canada and the United States, recently announced it is investing $75 million in capital expenditure (“CapEx”) over the next four years to establish North America’s first modern technology REE separation and purification facility at the England Airpark Community in Alexandria, Louisiana. The investment will result in the establishment of the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (“LSMC”) REE separation and oxide production facility, whose construction is scheduled to begin this year. Once completed, the facility will create 100 family-wage paying jobs (by 2027).

“This project has been a year in the making from an economic development standpoint,” company Chairman and CEO Pat Ryan, P.Eng., said in his opening remarks during an in-person meeting where the company made the announcement. In fact, according to company Vice President and COO Michael Schrider, MEng, P.E., Ucore began its search for a location by looking at the wider Gulf Coast region before narrowing it down to Louisiana. Here, the company engaged numerous local economic development agencies and communities as it worked on down-selecting twenty potential brownfield facilities that expressed interest in housing the LSMC.

“We started with 20 different facilities on which we did a desktop search. We narrowed those 20 down to 10. Peter Manuel [Ucore’s Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Corporate Secretary] and I actually came down to the state. We visited each of those facilities around the entire state, and since then, we have just been narrowing this down from ten to two, and now, this facility in Alexandria. We are very excited to be here,” Schrider explained in his portion of the presentation.

The facility Ucore finally selected covers a footprint of 80,800 square feet within the England Airpark Community complex, run by the England Authority. Per a recent press release, the selection was based on the fact that the Alexandria facility met four criteria: engineering fitness and expansion capabilities; environmental assessment and permitting; community integration; and commercial terms (https://ibn.fm/AYpOw). Moreover, the facility is larger than Ucore had initially anticipated, and as a result, the company plans to revise its maximum production rate upwards from 5,000 to 7,500 tons per annum of total rare earth oxide (“TREO”) throughput. Initially, however, the company plans a phase one production rate of about 2,000 tons per year, according to Schrider.

The updated maximum production rate has been met with acclaim, with the Louisiana Economic Development (“LED”), a body responsible for strengthening the state’s business environment and creating a more vibrant Louisiana economy, for instance, preparing an amended non-binding Letter of Intent (“LOI”) committing to add a potential $0.9 million grant for infrastructure costs in consideration of the updated facility. The company received and accepted the LOI.

The LSMC is part of Ucore’s efforts to focus on the midstream section of the REE supply chain, in what is aimed at helping wean North America and the world off its dependence on China for REE processing. “Over 90% of the processing takes place in China, and China dominates the REE industry. That’s not a negative; it is just that they have done a much better job of planning their future than we have, and Ucore is trying to change that narrative by focusing on the processing of REE,” Schrider continued.

To beat China at its own game, Ucore is targeting efficiency by using an improved processing method. Presently, Schrider noted, virtually every commercial rare earth plant in the world utilizes the solvent extraction (“SX”) method of separating REEs. However, on its part, the company intends to deploy “a new and highly efficient critical metal separation technology called RapidSX(TM),” which is based on the conventional SX method. One key advantage of the new technology over the conventional method is speed. According to a YouTube video explaining the technology, “RapidSX(TM) is at least three times faster, which significantly reduces plants’ physical and environmental footprint, CapEx, and OpEx. Moreover, any metal that can be separated with SX can be separated with RapidSX(TM)” (https://ibn.fm/2jFYx).

Ucore is in the process of commissioning its RapidSX(TM) Demonstration Plant located within its RapidSX(TM) Commercialization and Demonstration Facility in Kingston, Ontario. In early March, it hosted dozens of industry and government visitors for private tours and presentations in which the company demonstrated the operational advantages of the RapidSX(TM) 52-stage REE separation system (https://ibn.fm/FikgA).

The demonstration plant can process about 80 tons per year of TREO throughput if it is run around the clock, according to Schrider, who added that the plant will act as a copy-and-paste template for what the company plans to set up in Louisiana. Except the Louisiana facility will be slightly larger. The LSMC will, for instance, feature larger equipment, such as 24-inch contactor-separator columns, compared to the 4-inch columns used in the demonstration plant (refer to the March 16 press release for pictorial reference). Once production commences, each large column will be capable of producing a higher annual TREO throughput, with Schrider putting the figure at about 1,750 tons.

Ucore plans to build three SMCs strategically located across North America. “And with that, we are trying to make sure that North America has the ability to take charge of REEs and other critical elements that are necessary as the world introduces electric vehicles and electrification alongside the use of fossil fuels,” Schrider continued. The company intends to manufacture REE oxides from mixed earth concentrates received from US-friendly sources all over the world.

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

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

• As a lidar developer engaged with all Top 10 global automotive OEMs, Cepton is established in the automotive space; but as a technology that allows examination of natural and manmade environments with accuracy and precision, lidar can offer much more
• In addition to its work with leading automotive OEMs, Cepton has been also committed to forging partnerships beyond the automotive sector to improve infrastructure efficiency and safety around the world
• Cepton’s low-cost, high-resolution perception devices that enable scanning of environments have been deployed in projects around the world to transform spaces into smart infrastructure

Often coined as one of the most useful and versatile technologies of our time, lidar use cases go beyond merely enabling driver assistance functions in vehicles – although this is the application the technology is widely known for. As an optical technology that uses infrared light to measure distances, localize objects, or create maps of various areas with accuracy and precision, it can be used in practically any industry, from autonomous driving and logistics to robotics, construction, security, and agriculture, enhancing safety and productivity across a variety of end markets. As a provider of smart 3D-sensing lidar solutions, Cepton (NASDAQ: CPTN) has been collaborating with a number of global partners over the years to bring unique and accurate 3D imaging capabilities of this powerful technology beyond automotive applications to transform spaces into intelligent infrastructure.

Some of the collaborative projects include high-fidelity mapping and smart analytics on the fly for applications such as 3D modeling for building information modeling, historical site mapping, terrain modeling, volumetric mining calculations, power line inspection and forestry mapping (https://ibn.fm/EySVz). Another notable partnership includes security applications in surveillance and facility management, a project where Cepton’s smart lidar was deployed seamlessly with the client’s other sensors to provide a complete image of the monitored space, enabling high-resolution visual capture of the environment and activities within it (https://ibn.fm/tv0WO). In South Africa, Cepton teamed up with partners to enable smart transportation infrastructure in Cape Town by developing vehicle detection solutions deployed across the city (https://ibn.fm/HZAWv).

Vehicle and road safety is at the forefront of modern automotive design, and here, Cepton seeks to take it up a notch again. Instead of just giving drivers an accurate picture of the surrounding environment, Cepton aims to push the current limits to provide an extended field of view for drivers and communicate additional information about road conditions and unseen hazards in real time. Joining forces with its partners committed to building the future of transportation, the company co-developed a system that – true to its name, Periscope – was able to “look around the corner” and warn the driver about five seconds before a pedestrian became visible, providing more time for drivers to react to potentially hazardous situations (https://ibn.fm/ocu4n).

Cepton has also been busy forging partnerships with other leading players across multiple regions – from North America to Europe, Africa and more. For example, Ford has been partnering with Cepton practically since the company’s inception in 2016, both for R&D collaboration and small-scale deployments, where Cepton’s lidars were used in some of Ford’s smart city projects (https://ibn.fm/DBLKE). In the UK, Cepton was part of an innovative project that aimed to help build safer, greener and smarter cities by transforming buses into mobile road inspection tools by equipping them with the tech to create a detailed map of the urban environment (https://ibn.fm/yS80w). Cepton’s most recent partnership lies within America’s tolling infrastructure, as the company scored a contract with one of the largest U.S. tolling system operators. Using Cepton’s Sora lidars, systems are beginning to roll out with high 3D imagery for all vehicles at top speeds in order to provide profiling for traffic congestion and toll leakage (https://ibn.fm/Oxmdd).

The current and future growth in lidar remains exciting, as this technology has the potential to disrupt many traditional industries, leading to higher productivity, safety, and convenience for all end consumers. As lidar deployment continues to advance rapidly, innovators like Cepton will keep forging onwards with new, disruptive applications.

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

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

• EV sales in worldwide and nationwide forecast for “strong acceleration”
• U.S. EV market projected to reach more than $61B this year with an annual growth rate of 22.79% through 2027
• Battery Mineral’s mission is the discovery, acquisition and development of battery metals

In what a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”) article is calling “one of the fastest-growing manufacturing industries in the economy” (https://ibn.fm/Pfv6a), the electrical equipment and manufacturing industry is largely driven by growth in the electric vehicle (“EV”) sector. A growing player in that space, Battery Mineral Resources (TSX.V: BMR) (OTCQB: BTRMF) is positioning itself to benefit from what some experts project to be double-digit CAGR through 2027 (https://ibn.fm/3tdMt).

“Although forecasts for the rate of EV adoption over the next decade vary widely given rapid changes in both government policies and the auto manufacturing industry in recent years, many forecasts expect a strong acceleration in EV adoption,” reports the BLS article. “S&P Global Mobility forecasts electric vehicle sales in the United States could reach 40% of total passenger car sales by 2030, and more optimistic projections foresee electric vehicle sales surpassing 50 percent by 2030.”

The article, titled “Charging into the Future, the Transition to Electric Vehicles,” notes that “employment in the electrical equipment and component manufacturing industry, which includes the production of electric vehicle batteries and battery chargers, is projected to increase 17% over the 2021−31 decade, making it one of the fastest-growing manufacturing industries in the economy.”

Statista projects revenue in the U.S. EV market to reach more than $61 billion this year alone, with an annual growth rate of 22.79%, resulting in a projected market volume of $139.10 billion by 2027. The leading provider of market and consumer data goes on to report that U.S. EV market unit sales are expected to reach 2.13 million vehicles that same year. Globally, Goldman Sachs Research projects that EVs will make up about half of new-car sales by 2035 (https://ibn.fm/8gmbx).

All of this bodes well for Battery Minerals, a company working to provide shareholders with exposure to the global megatrend of electrification while focusing on growth through cash flow, exploration and acquisitions in favorable mining jurisdictions. Battery Mineral’s mission is the discovery, acquisition and development of battery metals (namely cobalt, lithium, graphite, and copper) in North America, South America and South Korea, and the company is committed to becoming a premier, responsible supplier of battery minerals to the electrification marketplace.

BMR is currently working to resume operations of the Punitaqui Mining Complex, a past copper-gold producer in the Coquimbo region of Chile. The company is also the largest mineral claim holder in the historic Gowganda Cobalt-Silver Camp in Ontario, Canada, and continues to pursue a focused program to build on the recently announced, 1-million-pound-plus high-grade cobalt resource at McAra. In addition, Battery Mineral owns 100% of ESI Energy Services Inc., a profitable mainline pipeline and renewable energy equipment rental and sales company with operations in Alberta, Canada, and Arizona.

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

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

• BiondVax participated in the life science industry’s 17th annual Bio-Europe Spring Conference, held this year in Switzerland
• BiondVax was highlighted as one of the “best ideas” in a NASDAQ-published article after the completion of the conference
• The company’s biobetter nanosized antibody therapies promise stability at high temperatures, superior binding affinity, convenient routes of administration, and cost effective production

The EBD Group’s 17th annual Bio-Europe Spring Conference was held March 20-22, 2023, in Basel, Switzerland. The conference showcased three thematic pillars – the business of biotech, therapeutic insight tracks, and ecosystem influencers. The elite European bio-tech conference featured a mix of keynotes from life science executives, fireside chats, panel discussions, and presentations that allowed attendees to hear the latest industry trends, insights, exciting opportunities, and challenges. A featured presentation by BiondVax Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: BVXV), a biotech company engaged in developing, manufacturing, and commercializing innovative immunotherapeutic products for infectious and autoimmune diseases,  highlighted the company’s unique approach to developing biobetter therapeutics targeting diseases with underserved medical needs and large commercial opportunities.

After the Bio-Europe Spring Conference ended, NASDAQ published an article with the best ideas from the event – including BiondVax, who shared a stage with top names like Novartis, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, and Roche. Investors and attendees of the conference gained exceptional insight into the innovations being made within the industry, including BiondVax’s unique offering of a nanosized antibody (nanobody) therapy pipeline (https://ibn.fm/FMEgg).

BiondVax enjoys an exclusive collaboration with the prestigious Max Plank Society and University Medical Center Göttingen (“UMG”) in Germany to develop a pipeline of innovative nanosized antibody (NanoAb) therapies that address diseases underserved by current treatments and with large growing markets, including COVID-19, asthma, and psoriasis. BiondVax’s NanoAbs offer significant advantages over human monoclonal antibody (“mAb”) and oral therapies currently being used in the industry.

NanoAbs, also known as VHH-antibodies or Nanobodies, are alpaca-derived nanosized antibodies that show significant competitive advantages over existing therapies, including stability at high temperatures, superior binding affinity, more effective and convenient routes of administration, and cost effective production. These benefits were highlighted in the company’s presentation at the Bio-Europe Spring Conference. BiondVax stressed that NanoAbs offer a more favorable path to market versus the risks associated with traditional drug development.

Since its founding, BiondVax has executed eight clinical trials, including a seven-country, 12,400-participant Phase 3 trial of a prior influenza vaccine candidate. It built, owns, and operates a 20,000-square-foot state-of-the-art GMP biologics manufacturing facility that houses its laboratories, production facilities, and offices.

The initial focus of BiondVax’s pipeline is COVID-19, a market estimated to be worth well over $8 billion, as well as treatments for asthma, macular degeneration, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis in the future. All treatment areas have validated targets by existing monoclonal antibody therapies and offer large markets growing at attractive compound annual growth rates.

BiondVax’s COVID-19 candidate exhibits a strong competitive edge, neutralizing the omicron variant, while other therapies do not. The treatment created by the company is delivered directly, conveniently, and efficiently to the lungs through inhalation, with preclinical studies showing that the candidate “virtually prevented” COVID-19 in hamsters infected hours later with the virus. BiondVax also reported that its NanoAb candidate “eliminated viral load in the lungs.”

Based on the promising results, BiondVax’s focus on asthma and psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis will begin with the following NanoAbs:

• NanoAbs targeting IL-13 and TSLP as drug candidates for potential asthma treatment
• NanoAbs targeting IL-17 as drug candidates for the potential treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

BiondVax intends to advance its NanoAb innovation from R&D through commercialization leveraging its top-tier pharma leadership team, extensive drug development expertise, GMP biologics manufacturing facility, and its collaboration with the Max Plank Society and UMG. Despite its current small size, with its unique large pharma competencies BiondVax is well-positioned to bring innovative therapies to market.

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

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