• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated pedestrian crashes accounting for $112.5 billion in total societal impact in 2019
• According to Cepton, “Systems with lidar, camera & radar have been found to have the potential to prevent 98% of pedestrian fatalities”
• Cepton recently unveiled its new Vista(R)-X90 Plus lidar, the world’s smallest high-performance automotive lidar with software definable perception capabilities

Interest in autonomous driving is high, but most drivers still aren’t comfortable with the idea of operating without human involvement. The reason, as with many new technologies, boils down to understanding. The J.D. Power 2022 Mobility Confidence Index report made this clear, showing consumer’s lapse of understanding the difference between the terms assisted driving, drivers assistance, and semi-autonomous. The education process needs to be accelerated, as technology like Cepton (NASDAQ: CPTN) lidar (light detection and ranging) that is instrumental in assisted driving could play a role in reducing the number of accidents on roadways.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) estimates, 42,915 people died on American roads in 2021, the highest number in 16 years, while fatalities surged 10.5 percent over 2020, the largest year-over-year percentage increase in the history of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. That works out for about 118 people per day, or one person every 12 minutes.

On a pedestrian level, fatalities rose 13% over 2020. In May 2022, the Governors Highway Safety Association published a report finding that pedestrian fatalities increased significantly in 2021, reaching their highest level in 40 years. Lighting was clearly a culprit, with 76 percent of facilities happening at night. The cost can be staggering, considering that the NHTSA estimated pedestrian/vehicle accidents accounted for $112.5 billion in total societal impact in 2019, two years before the record-setting number.

One of the issues with current ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) is that the technology depends upon camera and radar sensing. However, cameras have diminished capabilities in low-light and degraded visual environments and radar, while good in the dark, has limited resolution making it difficult to identify objects. Lidar, on the other hand, uses beams of light to create a 3D map of obstacles around the vehicle, including people, regardless of low light situations. Lidar can also be integrated into emergency braking technologies, further removing human error from the equation.

Change may be in the works. The Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”), an office of the White House responsible for reviewing proposed regulations of executive agencies, is currently evaluating a new rule proposed by the NHTSA that sets standards for automatic emergency braking (“AEB”) and pedestrian AEB (“PAEB”). The NHTSA sees implementing new AEB and PAEB standards as a possible solution for reversing the trend of rising fatalities and economic strain.

Cepton is part of the Lidar Coalition that met with the OMB earlier this month to discuss how this technology can address the underperformance of current AEB and PAEB systems. Cepton added “Systems with lidar, camera & radar have been found to have the potential to prevent 98% of pedestrian fatalities.” That’s a compelling number that should command Washington’s attention.

Silicon Valley-based Cepton was formed in 2016 by industry veterans with decades of collective experience across the full spectrum of lidar and imaging technologies. In only a few years, the company is known for its lidar-based solutions for automotive applications, as well as those for smart cities, smart spaces and smart industrial uses, as it aims to bring lidar mainstream. Cepton is doing just that, with its technology being integrated into the cars and trucks of the future in part through an ADAS lidar series production award with Koito on the General Motors business. Along with its roots growing in the Motor City, Cepton also has a presence in Germany, Canada, Japan, India and China to serve a fast-growing global customer base.

Cepton is in the final stages before its products are fully integrated into GM automobiles. The company is committed to safety and believes that with GM’s Ultra Cruise program, it can help contribute to the safe deployment of ADAS. As part of GM’s sensor fusion approach, Cepton’s lidar is integrated (behind the windshield) to enable high-precision perception without disrupting vehicle design. The company is proud to support GM’s vision of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion, with its intelligent lidar solutions being an integral part of the Ultra Cruise program.

This month, Cepton unveiled its latest innovation, its record-breaking new lidar branded Vista(R)-X90 Plus, the world’s smallest high-performance automotive lidar with software definable perception capabilities. The Vista-X90 Plus builds on Cepton’s deep experience in industrializing automotive lidar for volume production. Its precursor, Vista(R)-X90, is launching in vehicles this year, setting a new standard as the world’s first lidar ever deployed behind the windshield. Compared to Vista-X90, Vista-X90 Plus is 62% slimmer and enables over 58% reduction in sensor footprint. Vista-X90 Plus also features enhanced sensor performance while maintaining minimal power consumption. Doubling the data rate of Vista-X90, Vista-X90 Plus can achieve ultra-high resolution for improved perception capabilities. Its added real-time software tunable region of interest (“ROI”) enables the sensor to maintain an optimized balance between performance and power efficiency across different driving scenarios.

If performance is as expected, this is exactly the type of innovation that offers the potential to meaningfully curb death and accidents and make roads across the world a whole lot safer.

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 

• Cybersecurity services and technology provider SideChannel Inc. outsources the expertise of its “virtual chief information security officers” (“vCISOs”) to companies that can’t afford to maintain a full-time, permanent CISO on staff
• SideChannel also offers a product called Enclave that helps companies to manage the microsegmentation of their networks to enhance their cybersecurity, either as a SaaS tool clients can manage or ask SideChannel to manage
• SideChannel has also strengthened its cybersecurity services by partnering with London-based automated supply chain risk management platform developer Darkbeam
• The importance of cybersecurity management was recently underscored by the massive attack on data storage company Western Digital, which disrupted key services and is still being dealt with more than two weeks after the malicious incident was first reported

The massive cyberattack on data storage giant Western Digital that was reported earlier this month demonstrates the persistence of concerns about effectively securing corporate networks against unwanted intrusions. 

Massachusetts-based cybersecurity services and technology provider SideChannel (OTCQB: SDCH) has centered its mission on informing small-to-mid-sized SMB companies about the importance of securing their networks against malicious attacks. SideChannel’s flagship service is the provision of virtual chief information security officers (“vCISOs”) on a contract basis to companies that need help with cybersecurity but are unable to hire a full-time CISO. 

“We’re seeing attacks increase. We’re seeing the costs of these attacks increase over time. And we’re seeing (the nature of the attacks) change,” SideChannel CEO Brian Haugli stated in a live company webcast recently (https://ibn.fm/j3iHu).

Western Digital has a substantial share of the localized-access hard disk drive and solid state drive markets and owns flash drive maker SanDisk, but also operates online-access storage services under the My Cloud and SanDisk brands. 

Hackers responsible for the cyberattack have demanded ransom of a “minimum 8 figures” to inform Western Digital about its cybersecurity vulnerabilities and to forestall their threat to release around 10 terabytes of the company’s data online, according to industry magazine TechCrunch, which claims it has spoken with one of the hackers since the April 3 disclosure of the incident (https://ibn.fm/zEv9v).

The report states the cyberattack was apparently extensive, including internal corporate emails, unpublished administrative personnel information, a back-end platform that helps companies manage e-commerce data, and, perhaps most critically, the company’s code-signing certificate, showing they could now digitally sign files to impersonate Western Digital. 

“Depending on what code and data the hackers got access to, the worst-case scenario is that cyber criminals could create malicious firmware — and signed certificates to vouch for its authenticity. That could make malicious activity on any affected hardware difficult to detect and render it essentially worthless,” IT magazine eSecurity Planet stated in its report on the incident (https://ibn.fm/mDoov).

SideChannel’s vCISOs can work directly with companies’ executive boards, inserted into the administrative operation as a virtual member of the team. In addition to the vCISO service, SideChannel offers a microsegmentation security product named Enclave that clients can either use on their own as a software-as-a-service (“SaaS”) tool on a subscription basis or ask SideChannel to manage. 

“We’re going to continue to develop around Enclave, adding new features and capabilities that make sense for how Enclave is structured — based … on what we’re seeing in our clients, what we’re hearing from our CISOs and what types of attacks or attack surface is out there,” Haugli said. 

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

• The State of Colorado has recently begun work on a bill to promote the development of geothermal energy production within the state
• Currently, geothermal plants provide less than 0.5% of the United States’ electricity output despite lacking the weather-related or sunshine-linked challenges faced by other renewable energy sources
• Companies such as GeoSolar Technologies have sought to capitalize upon geothermal energy’s constant, clean energy output within their home energy systems
• Industry leaders have now called for geothermal energy production to benefit from a similar subsidy programme as was granted to wind and solar power in prior years

In early March, the United States’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report summarizing the key findings of their Sixth Assessment Cycle. Within the report lays a dire warning; world leaders would have to slash greenhouse gas emissions by up to 60 percent by 2035 to have a 50 percent chance of limiting global warming to 15 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, thus staving off sever climate impacts (https://ibn.fm/9gXY0). The State of Colorado is seeking to address that challenge head-on. During a recent workshop held in conjunction with the 22-member Western Governors Association, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis revealed that the state government was exploring how to further promote the use of geothermal energy as source of electricity.

 “Anything we can do to reduce time and cost associated with being able to drill for the purposes of geothermal energy is something that we’re very excited about,” said Polis in an interview with Stateline. “There’s been great interest from other governors in the West” (https://ibn.fm/E6l9s).

Geothermal plants currently provide less than half a percent of the nation’s power, mostly concentrated in California and Nevada. At present, building new geothermal projects is much more expensive than building other renewables such as wind or solar farms; nonetheless, backers of the energy note that wind and solar became commercially competitive after decades of government support.

Geothermal plants provide a source of constant, on-demand electricity, also known as dispatchable generation. Plants pump steam or hot water drawn from wells hundreds or thousands of feet underground to power turbines. Unlike renewable energy technologies such as wind or solar farms however, the energy output from geothermal plants does not vary based on weather conditions or time of day, doing away with the expense of acquiring and maintaining the gargantuan batteries needed to store this power.

“To go all the way to 100% clean at the same time that we’re electrifying transportation, buildings, and industry — if you wanted to do it purely through wind and solar, you’d have to overbuild the system pretty significantly,” said Will Toor, executive director of the Colorado Energy Office. “You need something to complement that, to close that last gap, and geothermal is one of the very promising technologies there.”

GeoSolar Technologies (“GST”), a Colorado-based climate technology company pioneering an approach into clean energy solutions for households has based its technological innovations along a similar logic. Whilst the company’s proprietary SmartGreen™ Home system – an environmentally friendly, renewable energy focused technological innovation which seeks to power homes through carbon free energy sources, makes use of solar technology and panels as part of their home system, the heart of the SmartGreen™ Home system lays within geothermal ground-based energy beneath the average home.

Through a truck-mounted or modular sonic rig, GeoSolar seeks to drill 4–6-inch wells down 300-400 feet below the surface, subsequently inserting high-density polyethylene pipe ground loops that can tap into the unlimited source of geothermal energy available. The ground loops operate the geothermal system function by constantly circulating non-toxic fluid to a high-volume heat/air pump. The heat pump and circulating fluid continuously transfer heat from the home into or out of the ground depending on the season. Moreover, the system can be easily connected to existing air ducts or radiant flooring loops, thereby accounting for all the home’s heating, cooling and hot water requirements.

Historically, the key barrier impeding the broader adoption of geothermal energy has centred around obstacles of a financial nature, given the higher capital costs needed to construct geothermal power plants (thereby leading to longer payback periods) relative to other forms of renewable energy. To address this issue, attendees at the recent Governor-sponsored workshop called for state and federal leaders to broaden the incentive programs and investments that have helped other renewables succeed.

“There are tax benefits for wind and solar that geothermal does not have the ability to enjoy,” said Johanna Ostrum, COO of Transitional Energy, a Denver-based company that produces geothermal power using existing oil and gas wells. “We’d like to see across-the-board support for renewable energy, especially sources that are dispatchable like geothermal.”

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

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

• Europe has recently increased their renewable energy production target to account for 45% of overall energy consumption by 2030, up from 32% previously
• The continent’s renewable energy ambitions will be underpinned by increasing the production capacity of several clean energy sources – including biomethane or renewable natural gas
• EverGen Infrastructure have been at the forefront of growing Canada’s RNG output in recent years, with a goal to expand capacity to 480,000 GJ per annum in the near term
• With RNG potentially classed as a ‘carbon negative’ energy source, expanding output of the gas ranks amongst the Canadian Government’s key energy priorities in coming years

Late in the evening on Thursday 31st March, European lawmakers reached a new consensus; by 2030, 45% of Europe’s overall energy consumption will be powered by renewable energy, a necessary goal for the continent to achieve its climate neutrality target by 2050 (https://ibn.fm/yvlDO). The target, which builds upon the prior goal of 32% set in 2018, will reinforce the need to increase the production output across a wide array of clean energy sources – biogas and biomethane ranking chief amongst them.

Biomethane, which is also known as renewable natural gas, is methane which can be sourced from a number of biological sources, including landfills, sewage, food waste and agricultural waste, among several others. Given that natural gas and renewable natural gas are nearly chemically identical, they can be mixed, processed, stores, transported and utilized in a similar manner. Moreover, and because renewable natural gas ultimately emanates from plants which captured carbon during their lifetime, RNG may theoretically be considered to be carbon neutral when it is burned. Interestingly and relative to other renewable energy sources, a case can even be made that utilizing RNG is carbon negative in nature.

When RNG is burned rather than being released directly into the atmosphere by way of methane emissions, methane is effectively converted into water and carbon dioxide; in effect, generating a greenhouse gas with a much lower carbon footprint than methane itself. Vincent Morales, manager of legislative and regulatory affairs for the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, noted that methane from waste can represent more than five per cent of a country’s greenhouse gas emissions (https://ibn.fm/CrNQE): “RNG is the most viable solution to decarbonize waste,” he said.

British-Columbia based natural gas operator, EverGen Infrastructure (TSX.V: EVGN) (OTCQX: EVGIF), has long operated at the forefront of Canada’s RNG industry, spearheading the effort to expand the nation’s RNG production. The company has publicly announced a goal to own over 20 RNG-generating facilities across the country within five years; with four revenue generating assets already in operation, the company recently reiterated their ambition to grow their cumulative gross RNG generating capacity to 480,000 gigajoules of energy per annum in the near future, a process which can grow the company’s EBITDA by upwards of 300 percent.

“We are a renewable natural gas energy company. We’re a developer, owner and operator of projects that take organic waste and convert that organic waste into renewable energy in the form of renewable natural gas (‘RNG’),” stated Chase Edgelow, Co-Founder and CEO of EverGen Infrastructure Cop. “If you look back at the benefits of bringing in other sources of energy 20 years ago, there wasn’t one silver bullet for the electrical grid to be as renewable as it is today, with wind, solar and hydro,” he continued. I think renewable natural gas can hold its own, and at the same time solve a massive waste problem and emissions problem from waste.”

The Canadian Government has long been a global leader in the move towards developing renewable natural gas assets; whether it involved funding gasification pilot projects across the country, providing carbon credits for the use of RNG by gasoline or diesel producers, or event mandating a minimum usage of RNG in a province’s gas feedstock (i.e. British Columbia will require a minimum 15% of RNG in its gas feedstock by 2030), Canada has put RNG production at the forefront of its mission to lower the nation’s carbon footprint over time. With its ongoing drive towards expanding its production capacity and broadening its geographical footprint, EverGen Infrastructure finds itself remarkably well placed to cater to Canada’s clean energy ambitions.

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

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

• Starco Brands announced in March 2023 that Whipshots has sold over two million cans since its December 2021 launch
• The company announced in February 2023 its acquisition of Soylent Nutrition Inc., which pioneered the plant-based “complete nutrition” and “functional food” categories
• Soylent in March 2023 announced an expanded partnership with Meijer Grocery Stores, making its nutrition shakes available at hundreds of Meijer locations
• Starco Brands in January 2023 entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Skylar, a maker of hypoallergenic fragrances that are safe for sensitive skin

Starco Brands (OTCQB: STCB) is a modern-day invention factory. The company’s unwavering mission is to invent and acquire consumer products and brands with behavior-changing technologies that spark excitement in the everyday.

This consumer product company has grown from a couple million dollars in revenue to approximately $80M in revenue in one year.

The company has succeeded by identifying whitespaces in eight core consumer categories and then either: 1) leveraging its internal R&D capabilities and dedicated manufacturing network to invent new technologies and brands or 2) utilizing the management team’s extensive M&A experience to acquire brands that fill the industry void, delighting consumers and retailers alike.

Whether the brand is developed internally or acquired, the company employs a modern marketing playbook to ensure its brands are at the forefront of culture; garnering unprecedented media attention and engagement that supports a robust sales network.

Starco Brands’ core competencies are inventing technologies, acquiring companies, marketing, building trends, pushing awareness, penetrating media (social and otherwise) and executing cutting edge pull-through strategies with a roster of globally recognized celebrities, influencers and media and distribution partners.

A commitment to changing the way people approach everyday activities is innate in the company’s corporate DNA.

The company is based in Santa Monica, California.

Brands

Whereas other consumer products companies are content with evolution, Starco Brands has its mind set on creating a revolution across the industry. From disrupting the spirits industry with Whipshots, the world’s only vodka-infused whipped cream, to Soylent, the original food tech company, Starco Brands is putting the CPG world on notice. Its portfolio of brands includes:

• Whipshots is a first-of-its-kind alcoholic whipped cream launched in 2021 with celebrity partner Cardi B. Consumers have embraced this boozy concoction, putting it on top of cocktails, coffees and desserts, or enjoying it straight from the can. In just over a year, the brand has sold over 2 MILLION cans, making it one of the fastest growing spirits in history.
• Winona Pure gives consumers movie theatre popcorn in the comfort of their own homes. All the flavor and none of the additives is the story behind these all-natural, non-GMO popcorn seasoning sprays. A simple spray is all it takes to add the perfect pop of flavor to the classic theatre treat.
• Art of Sport, co-founded by the great Kobe Bryant, is the number one body care brand for athletes. With a growing line of personal care products tested by the world’s greatest athletes, these daily skin essentials give consumers everything they need to feel fresh, stay protected and confident and perform at their peak every day.
• Skylar is the first and only line of perfumes on the market that are hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin. With the strong support of industry titan Sephora, the brand has quickly attracted a loyal following.
• Soylent is a technological feat. Originally funded by Google Ventures and Andreessen Horwitz, Soylent is dubbed as the world’s most perfect food. Made from sustainably grown plant-based ingredients, Soylent’s line of products is scientifically developed to provide all the functional ingredients, vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates and protein that the body needs – all in convenient, delicious and affordable packages. Soylent’s innovative product line-up includes complete nutrition powders, ready-to-drink shakes, 100-calorie snack bars, high protein nutrition shakes and energy boosting nutrition shakes. Soylent was also the recipient of the 2023 Product of the Year Award by Kantar, a global leader in consumer research.

With award-winning marketing talent, Starco Brands develops robust, integrated marketing plans for every brand in its portfolio, ensuring an impactful presence across all verticals.

Market Outlook

Starco Brands’ varied brand portfolio gives it access to the growth of numerous product categories that are ripe for innovation.

Through its February 2023 acquisition of complete nutrition pioneer Soylent, Starco Brands is positioned to capitalize on the projected growth of the plant-based nutrition space. Research firm Statista valued the plant-based nutrition market at $29.4 billion in 2020 and forecasts its value at nearly $162 billion by 2030, representing a CAGR of 18.7% for the period.

Likewise, Starco Brands gained improved access to the global fragrance market through its January 2023 acquisition of Skylar. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global perfume market was valued at $50.85 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to a value of nearly $80 billion by 2030, achieving a CAGR of 5.9% over the forecast period.

The company is primed to expand its access to other growth verticals as it advances on its path to invent and acquire behavior-changing technologies and brands.

Management Team

Ross Sklar is the CEO of Starco Brands. A chemical formulator by trade, he started his first company while still in college. Since 2004, he has made over a dozen acquisitions with multiple exits and controls an eclectic collection of industrial, household, personal care and food and beverage manufacturers covering many consumer-packaged goods categories.

Darin Brown is the Chief Operating Officer of Starco Brands. With over 20 years of experience in chemical manufacturing, business development, finance and mergers and acquisitions, he has scaled the company from the ground up. He oversees all internal operations for Starco Brands and is an integral liaison between the company and Mr. Sklar’s manufacturing facilities.

David Dreyer is Chief Marketing Officer of Starco Brands. With over 25 years of experience working with blue chip and startup brands, he oversees all marketing initiatives for the company. Mr. Dreyer comes to Starco having worked with such standout brands as Apple, Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Dr Pepper, Snapple, Infiniti, The GRAMMY’s, Honda and Stamps.com. He is also a Professor of Advertising at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication.

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

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

• 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