Disseminated on behalf of SPARC AI Inc. (CSE: SPAI) (OTC: SPAIF) and may include paid advertising.

• Canada has launched its first Defense Industrial Strategy, unlocking $180 billion in procurement opportunities over 10 years
• The strategy prioritizes domestic innovation in artificial intelligence, aerospace, and digital technologies
• Sparc AI’s patented spatial targeting technology and Overwatch navigation platform align with rising demand for advanced software-defined defense systems

Sparc AI (CSE: SPAI) (OTC: SPAIF) operates at the nexus of sensor technology, artificial intelligence, and next-generation target acquisition systems, a convergence increasingly integral to modern defense strategy. As global security dynamics shift and allied nations increase sovereign defense investment, the firm’s proprietary SPARC technology operates within a quickly evolving ecosystem.

Canada’s new Defense industrial strategy represents a generational pivot in national defense procurement. Supported by $81.8 billion in 2025 budget commitments and backed by $180 billion in procurement, as well as $290 billion in defense-related financing opportunities over the next decade, the strategy prioritizes Canadian digital technologies, innovation, and sovereign intellectual property. Autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, aerospace, and advanced sensing are clearly identified as high-value opportunities (ibn.fm/5KHJK).

The shift in policy underscores a wider global trend. Countries are tilting towards a domestically controlled, tech-driven system that can be quickly deployed and adaptable. Modern battlefields are increasingly reliant on real-time intelligence, autonomous platforms, and precision targeting powered by software rather than just hardware-based systems.

Sparc AI’s patented Spatial Predictive Approximation and Radial Convolution technology transforms standard cameras, sensors, and smart devices into precise coordinate acquisition systems. By transforming fixed, airborne, or mobile imaging platforms into intelligent targeting systems, the company enables precision location data without needing sophisticated military hardware. Sparc AI’s Target Acquisition System software platform and autonomous flight module further increase its usability across unmanned aerial systems and surveillance platforms.

In February 2026, the company announced an upgrade to Overwatch, its flagship GPS denied navigation product. Users can now leverage Overwatch’s corrected waypoints, mission plans, and positions and have them exported into the flight software they already use, thereby increasing Overwatch’s use case across defense and commercial fleets (ibn.fm/dN4ER).

As Canada invests in scaling domestic defense innovation and streamlining procurement through its newly created Defense Investment Agency, companies providing practical software-defined solutions may find increased alignment with procurement priorities. Drone innovation hubs, artificial intelligence-driven targeting, and autonomous control of defense-related intellectual property are integral components of the strategy, areas at the core of Sparc AI’s capabilities.

Beyond Canada, NATO countries are boosting their defense budgets to tackle rising security threats. Across the nations, spending targets exceed 2% of the total gross domestic product, implying that demand for advanced digital defense solutions is expected to grow steadily over the next decade. With software-based targeting and autonomous systems, countries and industries are better positioned for cost-efficient force multiplication, offering fiscal discipline and capability.

As governments pay greater attention to economic resilience, national security, and technological independence, AI-driven defense platforms are poised to gain greater relevance. Sparc AI’s proprietary technology and commercialization focus align with the rapidly changing procurement landscape, positioning the company to leverage the evolving defense infrastructure landscape.

For more information, visit the company’s website at https://sparcai.co.

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

• The promise of immunotherapy lies in its ability to harness the body’s own immune defenses to recognize and destroy malignant cells
• LB-100, the lead compound developed by LIXTE Biotechnology, is part of this emerging wave of tumor-sensitizing agents
• The company is advancing LB-100 through clinical development in collaboration with academic and research institutions

Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment over the past decade, yet one of oncology’s most persistent challenges remains: Many tumors simply do not respond. Even breakthrough approaches such as PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors and CAR-T cell therapies can fail in tumors that remain immunologically “cold” or invisible to the immune system. Researchers are increasingly focused on strategies that make tumors more visible and susceptible to immune attack, and LIXTE Biotechnology Holdings (NASDAQ: LIXT) is developing a compound designed to contribute to that effort. Its lead candidate, LB-100, targets a cellular enzyme involved in tumor biology and immune regulation, with the goal of enhancing responsiveness to existing cancer therapies.

The promise of immunotherapy lies in its ability to harness the body’s own immune defenses to recognize and destroy malignant cells. Drugs targeting immune checkpoints such as PD-1 and PD-L1 have delivered durable responses in melanoma, lung cancer and other malignancies. According to the National Cancer Institute, immune checkpoint inhibitors work by blocking proteins that prevent T cells from attacking cancer cells, thereby restoring immune activity against tumors. Yet many tumors do not generate sufficient immune recognition signals, which limits the effectiveness of these treatments. Some cancers are characterized by low levels of tumor neoantigens, reduced T-cell infiltration or immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments, making them resistant to immunotherapy.

CAR-T cell therapy represents another major advance, particularly in certain hematologic malignancies. CAR-T therapy involves engineering a patient’s own T cells to better recognize and attack cancer. While effective in specific settings, CAR-T has shown more limited success in many solid tumors, in part because those tumors may evade immune detection or suppress immune cell activity within the tumor microenvironment.

As a result, oncology researchers are increasingly investigating agents that modify tumor immunogenicity. The idea is to alter tumor biology so that malignant cells produce stronger immune signals, recruit more T cells and become more susceptible to checkpoint inhibitors or cell-based therapies. A growing body of scientific literature supports the concept that increasing tumor neoantigen presentation and improving T-cell activation can enhance immunotherapy outcomes. Studies have shown that tumor mutation burden, neoantigen load and increased CD8+ T-cell infiltration correlate with improved response rates to immune checkpoint inhibitors, highlighting the importance of tumor immunogenicity in determining treatment outcomes. 

LB-100, the lead compound developed by LIXTE Biotechnology, is part of this emerging wave of tumor-sensitizing agents. LB-100 is a small-molecule inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A, or PP2A, an enzyme that plays a role in cell cycle regulation, DNA damage response and immune signaling pathways. According to LIXTE, PP2A inhibition has been shown in preclinical studies to enhance neo-antigen production and increase T-cell proliferation, potentially converting tumors that are nonresponsive to immunotherapy into ones that are more responsive. By inhibiting PP2A, LB-100 may alter the tumor microenvironment in ways that promote immune recognition and enhance the effects of checkpoint inhibitors or other immune-based therapies.

LIXTE describes LB-100 as a first-in-class compound designed to enhance the effectiveness of standard anti-cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. The company’s scientific rationale is based on research demonstrating that PP2A regulates pathways involved in tumor cell survival and immune evasion. Preclinical studies suggest that inhibiting PP2A can increase tumor cell susceptibility to immune attack while also promoting T-cell activity, aligning with the broader scientific interest in boosting tumor immunogenicity.

The company is advancing LB-100 through clinical development in collaboration with academic and research institutions. LB-100 has been evaluated in early-phase clinical trials in patients with advanced solid tumors and other malignancies, both as a monotherapy and in combination regimens. These studies are designed to assess safety, tolerability and preliminary signals of efficacy, particularly in settings where tumors have demonstrated resistance to existing therapies.

Beyond its scientific platform, LIXTE’s development model includes partnerships with research institutions and continued exploration of PP2A inhibition across multiple tumor types. The company has stated that LB-100’s mechanism may have applicability in a variety of solid tumors, reflecting the widespread challenge of immunotherapy resistance. By focusing on the biological processes that limit immune recognition, LIXTE aims to address one of oncology’s most pressing unmet needs.

As immunotherapy continues to reshape cancer treatment, the next frontier may lie not only in discovering new immune agents, but in making resistant tumors visible and vulnerable to the immune system. Agents that enhance tumor immunogenicity could play a pivotal role in expanding the number of patients who benefit from immune-based therapies. Through the development of LB-100 and its focus on PP2A inhibition, LIXTE Biotechnology Holdings is positioning itself within this important and evolving area of cancer research, seeking to help turn immunologically “cold” tumors into ones that can be effectively targeted by the body’s own defenses.

For more information, visit the company website at https://lixte.com.

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

• Beeline Holdings operates a fully digital mortgage and title platform built around AI and automation, with core tools such as AI chatbot Bob and workflow engine Hive designed to shorten mortgage closing timelines.
• The company targets both primary home buyers and real estate investors, with a focus on younger borrowers and equity-rich homeowners, emphasizing self-service access to rates, approvals, and documentation, available online at all times.
• Management has outlined plans to further scale transaction volume and software-based offerings in 2026.

Beeline Holdings (NASDAQ: BLNE), a rapidly growing digital mortgage platform company redefining the path to homeownership, operates at the intersection of mortgage lending, title services, and financial technology, offering a digital-first alternative to a process that has historically been paper-heavy and time-consuming. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Beeline Loans Inc., the company provides mortgage products designed to be originated, processed, and closed largely online.

The company describes itself as a technology-forward mortgage and title platform that uses artificial intelligence and automation to simplify access to home financing. Its stated objective is to reduce friction across the mortgage lifecycle, from rate discovery and pre-approval to underwriting and closing, while lowering costs and shortening timelines.

At the core of Beeline’s platform is “Bob,” an AI-powered mortgage chatbot that interacts directly with borrowers. Available 24/7, Bob is designed to provide rate quotes, answer questions, and guide users through the early stages of the mortgage process. According to the company, Bob has demonstrated that it delivers near-real-time eligibility assessments, offering borrowers a high level of confidence about qualification within minutes rather than days.

Supporting customer-facing automation is Beeline’s internal production engine, Hive. Hive replaces manual workflows with task-based automation across underwriting, processing, title coordination, and closing. The company says this system has reduced average closing times to between 14 and 21 days, compared with industry norms that often exceed a full month.

Another component of the platform is BlinkQC, an AI-driven quality control tool developed by Beeline to replace third-party loan review services. By automating compliance checks internally, the company aims to reduce costs and streamline post-closing processes.

In addition, Beeline operates a dedicated title services unit, Beeline Title, which supports digital collateral transfer and remote closings. Title services are integrated into the broader lending workflow, allowing borrowers and investors to complete transactions without relying on separate vendors. Management has emphasized that tighter integration between lending and title functions is intended to reduce delays and improve transparency.

The company’s product set is aimed at two primary customer segments, younger buyers looking for a personal home, and buyers looking for home investment properties. 

Younger buyers, particularly millennials and gig-economy workers, often face challenges in meeting traditional underwriting criteria. According to data cited by National Mortgage Professional, only 54.9% of millennials and 26.1% of Gen Z owned homes in 2024, with limited access to mortgages cited as a key constraint (https://ibn.fm/hOVfx). Beeline’s platform is built to address that gap by using alternative data and AI-driven assessments to evaluate eligibility more quickly. The goal, management says, is not to loosen standards, but to make decisions faster and more transparent for borrowers who may have non-traditional income profiles.

A second major segment is real estate investors. A significant portion of Beeline’s lending activity supports buyers of investment properties, including short-term rental operators. The company offers products such as debt service coverage ratio (“DSCR”) loans and bank statement loans, which are commonly used by investors whose income does not fit standard wage-based models.

In addition to mortgages, Beeline has introduced BeelineEquity, a blockchain-enabled fractional home equity product. The offering allows homeowners to access liquidity without taking on traditional debt and is currently focused on higher-value ZIP codes where equity levels are substantial. Management reported that initial transactions were completed in 2025, with a pipeline extending into 2026.

From a financial standpoint, Beeline reported  quarterly double digit revenue growth in 2025.  The company ended the year with more than $50 million in total equity and no long-term debt, excluding warehouse credit lines used to fund loan originations. During the year, Beeline expanded its warehouse lending capacity to $25 million, supporting higher origination volume.

Looking ahead, management has outlined priorities centered on scaling transaction activity across its mortgage, title, and equity platforms. Liuzza pointed to improving mortgage market conditions and policy actions aimed at supporting housing liquidity, while stopping short of offering forecasts tied to rate movements.

Operationally, Beeline plans to continue expanding its use of AI across back-office functions, with the stated aim of increasing volume without a proportional rise in headcount or fixed costs. 

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

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

Disseminated on behalf of MAX Power Mining Corp. (CSE: MAXX) (OTC: MAXXF) and may include paid advertising.

• “We’re excited about the potential of this second play concept to deliver meaningful results and demonstrate basin-scale continuity for natural hydrogen in Saskatchewan,” said CEO.
• The Bracken well will test what MAX Power describes as a “stratigraphic play concept.”
• The strategic importance of the Bracken drilling program goes beyond geological exploration.

MAX Power Mining (CSE: MAXX) (OTC: MAXXF) has launched an exciting new phase in its natural hydrogen exploration campaign with the commencement of drilling at its Bracken target. This significant milestone could prove pivotal in demonstrating that natural hydrogen systems in Saskatchewan extend far beyond a single discovery point. This drilling effort not only expands the company’s proof-of-concept but also underscores how strong backing and a disciplined execution strategy can propel emerging energy innovators into a leading role in the clean energy transition.

MAX Power is reporting that, following its groundbreaking success at the Lawson target where it confirmed Canada’s first subsurface natural hydrogen system, the company has now begun drilling a second well at Bracken; the well is located approximately 325 kilometers southwest of Lawson. This next drill target is part of the broader Grasslands Project within the company’s 1.3 million permitted acres in Saskatchewan. Bracken is designed to validate basin-scale continuity of natural hydrogen under a different geological trapping mechanism from the one that produced the Lawson discovery. 

“We’re excited about the potential of this second play concept to deliver meaningful results and demonstrate basin-scale continuity for natural hydrogen in Saskatchewan,” said MAX Power Chief Geoscientist Steve Halabura. “Bracken is also in the heart of a known helium fairway, so this adds to the discovery potential. Total permitted acres covering multiple prospect areas at Grasslands extends 75 kilometers west to east, and 10 kilometers north-south. This is a large area of interest that we are now advancing concurrent with Lawson Discovery follow-up a few hundred kilometers to the northeast.”

The Bracken well will test what MAX Power describes as a “stratigraphic play concept,” targeting the pinch-out of a reservoir interpreted from newly acquired proprietary 2D seismic data combined with legacy seismic information. Stratigraphic trapping mechanisms can potentially support laterally extensive accumulations of natural hydrogen, which if confirmed could significantly enhance the volume potential and continuity of a working hydrogen system. The outcome at Bracken could thus transform a successful proof-of-concept into a more compelling basin-scale story for investors and stakeholders alike. 

The data gathered from Bracken will also play an integral role in refining and advancing the company’s proprietary predictive targeting model known as MAXX LEMI, a Large Earth Model Integration (“LEMI”). This AI-assisted platform integrates large amounts of legacy and proprietary geological data to help identify and rank natural hydrogen targets systematically across extensive geological corridors, potentially evolving into a valuable competitive advantage for the company as natural hydrogen exploration expands globally. 

The strategic importance of the Bracken drilling program goes beyond geological exploration. With natural hydrogen still an emerging energy frontier, solid financial backing and a forward-looking operational plan are essential. Drilling multiple high-impact wells, acquiring data and refining predictive models require sustained capital allocation and disciplined project management. MAX Power’s ability to execute on these fronts, while also engaging respected drilling contractors such as Savanna Drilling, underscores the company’s commitment to operational excellence and disciplined deployment of capital in a high-reward sector. 

Natural hydrogen itself represents a potentially revolutionary addition to the global energy mix. Unlike conventional hydrogen, which is typically produced through energy-intensive methods such as steam methane reforming of natural gas or electrolysis using renewable electricity, natural hydrogen exists in Earth’s subsurface as a naturally occurring resource.

Exploration companies such as MAX Power are at the forefront of the effort to unlock this resource, which could one day provide a cleaner, lower-carbon and potentially lower-cost source of hydrogen for a variety of applications, from industrial energy use to power generation and beyond. Analysts believe that demonstrating repeatable and scalable natural hydrogen systems is a critical step toward commercial viability in this nascent sector, and that basin-scale validation could be a game changer for investors and energy markets alike. 

MAX Power’s broader strategy reflects this multidimensional approach. In addition to exploring natural hydrogen at Bracken and Lawson, the company holds substantial land positions across Saskatchewan and is actively integrating advanced geological and AI tools to enhance its targeting accuracy. The company is positioned as a leader in North America’s rapidly growing natural hydrogen space, with approximately 1.3 million acres of permitted land plus millions of additional acres under application, all prospective for large volumes of natural hydrogen. The company also maintains a portfolio of critical minerals assets in Canada and the United States, including a lithium discovery at the Willcox Playa Project in southeast Arizona.

For investors and industry observers, the Bracken program represents an important test of resource repeatability and scalability. Establishing that natural hydrogen exists under multiple geological trapping mechanisms and over large geographic areas could shift perceptions of natural hydrogen from a scientific curiosity to a commercially relevant energy resource. If Bracken yields encouraging results, it could set the stage for reserve modeling, economic assessment, and eventual strategies aimed at commercialization, milestones that are essential to unlocking long-term valuation in energy markets.

For more information, visit www.MaxPowerMining.com.

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

Disseminated on behalf of Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) and may include paid advertising.

• The prices for the rare earths most critical to automotive and high-tech manufacturing have climbed 37 to 105% since the start of the year.
• “These price differentials . . . underscore the importance of the developing North American supply chain,” said Ucore CEO.
• Demonstration data supports deployment at Ucore’s planned Strategic Metals Complex, where the first commercial RapidSX unit is targeted for commissioning in 2026.

Rare earth element prices have moved sharply higher in recent months, reflecting tightening global supply and sustained demand from clean energy, electric vehicle and defense sectors. These increases have a significant impact on companies operating in the space, including Ucore Rare Metals (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF), which is focused on rare- and critical-metal resources, extraction, beneficiation and separation technologies with the potential for production, growth and scalability. Ucore is focused on becoming a leading advanced technology company, providing best-in-class metal separation products and services to the mining and mineral extraction industry.

“The prices for the rare earths most critical to automotive and high-tech manufacturing have climbed 37 to 105% since the start of the year, strengthening the economic case for building processing and separation capacity in the United States and allied nations,” reports Metal  Tech News. Specifically, the report notes that as of February 24, neodymium is selling for $205 per kilogram, up 37% year to date; praseodymium is selling for $202/kg, up 40%; terbium is selling for $4,029/kg, up 103%; dysprosium is selling for $931/kg, up 105%.

A broader demand backdrop reinforces the price movement. The International Energy Agency (“IEA”) has projected that demand for rare earth elements used in clean energy technologies could increase two to three times by 2040 under stated policy scenarios, driven largely by electric vehicles and wind turbine deployment. Permanent magnets containing neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium are essential to electric motors and generators because of their high magnetic strength and efficiency. Defense demand also remains significant. The Congressional Research Service has reported that a single F-35 fighter jet requires approximately 920 pounds of rare earth materials, underscoring the strategic nature of these elements.

Price increases in rare earth markets tend to have complex impacts. On one hand, higher prices can strain manufacturers reliant on magnet inputs. On the other hand, they can improve project economics for companies investing in separation and processing infrastructure by increasing the value of refined oxides and strengthening the business case for domestic capacity expansion. 

Ucore addressed the price increases in a recent update, noting that rising prices for key magnet materials could further underscore the strategic importance of expanding North American rare earth processing capacity and accelerating commercialization of its RapidSX(TM) technology. “These price differentials, particularly for the heavy rare earth elements, on which the U.S. Department of War (“DoW”) has funded Ucore to focus, underscore the importance of the developing North American supply chain,” said Ucore chair and CEO Pat Ryan. “While markets remain dynamic, the emergence of premium pricing for secure, Western-aligned supply supports the long-term fundamentals underlying our commercial strategy. Capturing the margin upside with a first mover refining strategy centered on the Louisiana SMC at this early stage, is a smart approach.”

The company has been conducting extensive testing to validate the performance of its proprietary RapidSX(TM) platform under simulated commercial conditions. RapidSX is Ucore’s game-changing approach to rare earth element separation, designed to provide superior processing speed and efficiency, along with reduced capital and operating expenses. 

That demonstration data is intended to support deployment at Ucore’s planned Strategic Metals Complex in Alexandria, Louisiana, where the first commercial RapidSX unit is targeted for commissioning in 2026. Ucore previously announced a $22.4 million funding agreement with the U.S. Army Contracting Command–Orlando to advance heavy rare earth separation capabilities in Louisiana, aligning the project with U.S. defense supply chain objectives.

Rising rare earth prices add an additional layer of relevance to these efforts. As magnet-grade oxide values increase, domestic processing projects may become more economically competitive relative to imports. Higher pricing can also encourage long-term supply agreements between refiners and magnet manufacturers seeking stable, nonconcentrated sources of material. 

Ucore has already announced a strategic alliance with Vacuumschmelze and eVAC Magnetics LLC to evaluate collaborative supply agreements for high-purity rare earth oxides intended for permanent magnet production. That alignment between oxide production and magnet manufacturing reflects the company’s broader goal of contributing to a Western-aligned mine-to-magnet supply chain.

As rare earth prices continue to respond to global demand growth and supply concentration, the strategic value of domestic processing infrastructure becomes more apparent. Ucore’s emphasis on separation technology, staged commercialization and government-supported project development positions it within a segment of the rare earth market that directly benefits from structural tightening. While price volatility is a known feature of rare earth markets, sustained demand growth from electrification, renewable energy and defense modernization suggests that the underlying trend remains upward. Against that backdrop, Ucore Rare Metals is working to translate favorable market dynamics into tangible processing capacity that supports North American supply resilience and long-term participation in an increasingly strategic sector.

For more information, visit 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

• Platform-based drug development has gained traction across the biotechnology industry because of its efficiency and risk management advantages.
• Soligenix’s development of synthetic hypericin illustrates this “one drug, multiple diseases” model in action.
• HyBryte is being developed to treat both cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (“CTCL”), a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that primarily affects the skin, and psoriasis.

Modern biopharmaceutical innovation often revolves around a powerful idea: One scientific mechanism can unlock treatments for multiple diseases. Rather than building entirely new molecules for every indication, companies are developing platform technologies that allow a single therapeutic approach to be adapted across conditions. Soligenix (NASDAQ: SNGX) exemplifies this strategy through its use of synthetic hypericin across two distinct dermatologic indications, illustrating how platform science can streamline development and expand clinical impact.

Platform-based drug development has gained traction across the biotechnology industry because of its efficiency and risk management advantages. In drug development, platform technology is a foundational technology or system that serves as a base for the development of multiple products, solutions or applications, particularly in the life sciences, pharmaceutical and biotech industries. By leveraging a shared mechanism of action, manufacturing process or delivery system, companies can reduce redundancy in preclinical work, regulatory documentation and safety validation.

Industry analyses have highlighted that platform approaches can shorten development timelines and reduce overall costs. Bringing a new drug to market can cost billions of dollars and take over a decade in development. When a company reuses a validated molecule or platform in a new indication, it may benefit from existing safety data and manufacturing experience, potentially reducing development risk compared to launching a wholly new compound.

Beyond efficiency, platform strategies also enhance scientific consistency. When researchers understand a mechanism deeply, they can apply that mechanism to multiple disease states that share overlapping biological pathways. The concept is not new to medicine. Advances in immunology, oncology and dermatology have repeatedly shown that targeting a single inflammatory or cellular pathway can yield therapeutic effects across different disorders. 

Soligenix’s development of synthetic hypericin illustrates this “one drug, multiple diseases” model in action. Synthetic hypericin is the active compound used in HyBryte(TM), also known as SGX301, and in the company’s SGX302. Synthetic hypericin is a photodynamic agent activated by visible light that selectively targets diseased cell. The therapy leverages photodynamic principles, in which a photosensitizer accumulates in abnormal tissue and is then activated by a specific wavelength of light, triggering localized cellular destruction.

HyBryte is being developed for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (“CTCL”), a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that primarily affects the skin. Because CTCL lesions are accessible on the skin surface, they are particularly well suited for light-activated therapy. 

The same synthetic hypericin platform is being advanced in SGX302 for the treatment of psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting an estimated 125 million people worldwide. Psoriasis is driven by immune-mediated inflammation in the skin, leading to plaques, scaling and discomfort. By applying synthetic hypericin in a controlled, light-activated manner, Soligenix is exploring whether the same photodynamic mechanism used in CTCL can also reduce inflammatory skin lesions in psoriasis patients.

The advantage of this dual-treatment approach lies in the shared foundation. Manufacturing processes, photodynamic activation protocols and safety profiles developed for HyBryte can inform SGX302 development. This continuity may streamline regulatory submissions and clinical study design, as both therapies are built on the same core molecule. The company’s website notes that synthetic hypericin has been evaluated in clinical settings, providing experience that can be leveraged across indications (https://www.soligenix.com/technology/synthetic-hypericin-platform/).

Soligenix’s broader pipeline reflects similar platform thinking. The company also develops innate defense regulators such as dusquetide, which are being studied in multiple inflammatory contexts, including oral mucositis and Behcet’s disease. By targeting immune modulation pathways rather than single-disease symptoms, the company positions its assets for potential cross-indication expansion.

Platform technology strategies do not eliminate development risk, but they can improve capital efficiency and scientific continuity. When a molecule demonstrates safety and mechanistic validity in one indication, the probability of success in a related disease may improve relative to entirely novel compounds. For smaller biopharmaceutical companies, this model can provide portfolio diversification without proportionally increasing research expenditure.

In the case of Soligenix, synthetic hypericin represents more than a single product candidate. It functions as a technological foundation upon which multiple dermatologic therapies can be constructed. As drug-development costs continue to rise and regulatory pathways grow more complex, the ability to leverage one validated mechanism across multiple diseases may offer both strategic resilience and broader therapeutic reach.

For more information, visit www.Soligenix.com.

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

Disseminated on behalf of Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. (CSE: NOP) (OTCQB: NOPFF) and may include paid advertising.

• Nevada Organic Phosphate, targeting the growing need for phosphate fertilizer for the expanding organic foods market, has received proceeds from the exercise of 14.6 million warrants.
• The company’s cash on hand now totals approximately $1.25 million, and the capital will help support Phase II drilling at the Murdock Mountain Project in Nevada.
• The Murdock Mountain deposit may represent one of the only large-scale organic sedimentary phosphate resources in North America.
• Remaining warrants could generate roughly $2.46 million if exercised.

Nevada Organic Phosphate (CSE: NOP) (OTCQB: NOPFF), a B.C.-based leader in organic sedimentary phosphate exploration, announced that it recently received approximately $807,000 from the exercise of outstanding warrants, strengthening the company’s funding position as it advances its phosphate exploration strategy in Nevada.

The company said the proceeds came from the exercise of 14,636,600 common share purchase warrants, representing roughly 99.7% of the warrants subject to acceleration. The warrants were issued during a series of private placements completed between February and July 2025 and carried exercise prices of $0.05 and $0.08.

The financing significantly improves the company’s near-term liquidity. Following the exercises, Nevada Organic Phosphate reported a cash balance of roughly $1.25 million with approximately 143 million common shares outstanding (https://ibn.fm/fPvet).

For junior exploration companies, warrant exercises can serve as an important source of non-dilutive project funding relative to new equity placements. The proceeds allow companies to move forward with exploration programs while maintaining investor alignment, since warrants are typically exercised by existing shareholders.

Nevada Organic Phosphate’s immediate focus is the advancement of its flagship asset, the Murdock Mountain Project in Elko County, Nevada. Chief executive Robin Dow said the warrant exercises demonstrate continued shareholder backing for the company’s development plans. “NOP would like to thank our shareholders for their continued support and confidence demonstrated through the exercise of the Warrants,” Dow said. “These proceeds further strengthen our balance sheet and support NOP’s continued advancement of the Murdock Mountain Project. In addition, the company is planning its Phase II drill program at Murdock Mountain, with mobilization currently estimated for mid to late March 2026.”

The company’s remaining warrants could also provide an additional funding pathway. Approximately 24.6 million warrants remain outstanding at an exercise price of $0.10. If exercised, they could generate roughly $2.46 million in additional capital.

Phosphate deposits are central to global agriculture because they provide phosphorus, a key nutrient used in fertilizers that support crop yields. While most phosphate used in conventional fertilizers is chemically processed, the company is targeting a niche within the fertilizer market: organic and direct-application phosphate.

Nevada Organic Phosphate is exploring what it describes as a large organic sedimentary phosphate bed stretching approximately 6.6 kilometres across its Murdock Mountain property in Nevada. Additional claim applications extend the potential strike length to more than 30 kilometres. The upcoming drilling campaign represents the next step in defining the scale and continuity of phosphate mineralization at the property.

Early exploration work suggests an exploration target of 10 million to 46 million tonnes of rock phosphate grading between 3% and 15% P₂O₅ across the primary zone. The company has also identified three additional target areas that could increase the exploration target range to between 200 million and 220 million tonnes. These figures represent exploration targets rather than formal mineral resources, meaning further drilling and geological work will be required before compliant resource estimates can be established.

The company noted that its project may represent one of the only large-scale organic sedimentary phosphate deposits currently known in North America. This could provide a regional supply source for phosphate fertilizer products, particularly as supply chains for agricultural inputs have come under scrutiny in recent years. Nevada Organic Phosphate is targeting a relatively simple production concept compared with many mineral projects. The company envisions mining and crushing raw phosphate rock that could be ground and applied directly to agricultural soils without any chemical processing.

The location of the project may also provide logistical advantages. The Murdock Mountain deposit sits in northeastern Nevada near the town of Montello and close to highway infrastructure and rail connections that lead to all major agricultural areas. Such infrastructure can play a meaningful role in the economics of bulk commodities like phosphate rock, which are typically transported in large volumes.

Direct-application phosphate products are used in certain soil management systems and are particularly relevant in organic farming practices, where synthetic chemical fertilizers are restricted. The company believes this positioning aligns with a growing organic food sector in North America, estimated to represent a market worth roughly $35 billion annually.

Nevada Organic Phosphate also noted that its product concept could reduce some environmental impacts associated with conventional phosphate fertilizers, which often involve chemical processing and can contribute to nutrient runoff.

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

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

Disseminated on behalf of Trilogy Metals Inc. (NYSE American: TMQ) (TSX: TMQ) and may include paid advertising.

• Domestic critical minerals production has become a priority for US policymakers seeking to reduce supply-chain vulnerabilities.
• In its fiscal 2025 year-end update, Trilogy highlighted progress tied to broader federal support for domestic critical minerals initiatives.
• Beyond policy alignment, Trilogy’s year-end results provided updates on financial and strategic positioning.

As governments worldwide focus on strengthening supply chains for strategic resources, domestic production of critical minerals has emerged as a central pillar of industrial policy. In the United States, concerns about reliance on foreign sources for metals essential to defense systems, electrification and advanced technologies have accelerated federal initiatives designed to encourage domestic exploration and development. Trilogy Metals (NYSE American: TMQ) (TSX: TMQ) is positioning itself within this trend, highlighting growing government support in its fiscal 2025 year-end results while advancing Alaska’s Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects (“UKMP”) that could contribute to the country’s future mineral supply.

Domestic critical minerals production has become a priority for US policymakers seeking to reduce supply-chain vulnerabilities. According to the US Geological Survey (“USGS”), many minerals essential for energy storage, advanced manufacturing and national security remain heavily imported, creating potential risks in times of geopolitical uncertainty. The USGS notes that the United States relies significantly on foreign sources for several key commodities, underscoring the strategic importance of expanding domestic mining and processing capacity.

Legislative and policy frameworks such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Defense Production Act have been leveraged to support domestic mining projects, infrastructure development and processing capabilities. Federal agencies have increasingly recognized copper, zinc and other base metals as critical to the modern economy due to their roles in electrification, power infrastructure and data centers. The International Energy Agency has also highlighted that demand for critical minerals linked to clean-energy technologies is expected to rise significantly as countries pursue decarbonization goals, reinforcing the importance of diversified and secure supply chains.

Against this backdrop, Trilogy Metals has been advancing its interests in the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects located within Alaska’s Ambler Mining District, an area known for high-grade polymetallic deposits containing copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver. Trilogy holds a 50% interest in Ambler Metals, a joint venture with South32 Limited that manages the development of these assets. The Ambler Mining District is one of the most significant undeveloped copper-dominant mineral belts in North America, positioning it as a major potential contributor to domestic supply chain goals.

In its fiscal 2025 year-end update, Trilogy highlighted progress tied to broader federal support for domestic critical minerals initiatives. The company pointed to increasing US government engagement with projects aimed at strengthening mineral independence, noting that policy momentum aligns with the strategic importance of northwestern Alaska. The release referenced ongoing efforts related to infrastructure planning and permitting, which remain key factors for unlocking development.

The Ambler Access Project is a proposed industrial road intended to provide transportation infrastructure to the mining district. The company’s year-end report suggests that policy support could improve the long-term outlook for infrastructure solutions that enable responsible development.

Beyond policy alignment, Trilogy’s year-end results provided updates on financial and strategic positioning. The company highlighted ongoing collaboration with joint venture partner South32 and noted that exploration and technical work continue to advance project development work and permitting activities.

The broader investment narrative surrounding Trilogy Metals reflects several themes shaping the mining sector today. First is the recognition that copper and other base metals are increasingly viewed as essential to both energy transition infrastructure and traditional industrial applications. Second is the shift toward domestic or allied supply chains driven by geopolitical risk and resource security considerations. Projects located in politically stable jurisdictions, particularly within the United States, may attract heightened investor interest as policymakers seek to reduce dependency on imports.

Ultimately, Trilogy Metals’ fiscal 2025 update highlights how company-level progress intersects with broader structural shifts in resource policy and market demand. As the United States seeks to expand domestic production of critical minerals, companies capable of advancing high-grade deposits while aligning with evolving regulatory frameworks and infrastructure initiatives may play an increasingly important role in shaping the future supply landscape. Trilogy’s continued work in the Ambler Mining District, combined with rising federal support for domestic mineral development, positions the company within a sector that is gaining strategic importance for both investors and policymakers alike.

For more information, visit www.TrilogyMetals.com.

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

Disseminated on behalf of CMX Gold & Silver Corp. (CSE: CXC) (OTC: CXXMF) and may include paid advertising.

• CMX Gold & Silver Corp., an exploration-stage company advancing the historic Clayton Silver Mine in Idaho, is on track to execute a plan this spring for a comprehensive geophysical program at its flagship plant
• The geophysical program will include 3-D DCIP and MT surveys to delineate known structures on the property
• This follows the announced plan to undertake a non-brokered private placement financing to raise CAN$2,000,000 from the sale of 8,000,000 units at CAN$0.25 a unit
• For investors, it’s important to remember that this historic silver producing mine was never fully explored, with a geology that strongly suggests many undiscovered silver-bearing veins similarly formed

CMX Gold & Silver (CSE: CXC) (OTC: CXXMF), an exploration-stage company advancing the historic Clayton Silver Mine in Idaho, is set to execute a plan for a comprehensive geophysical program at its flagship plant. This follows the announcement that the company will undertake a non-brokered private placement financing to raise gross proceeds of up to CAN$2,000,000 through an offering comprising up to 8,000,000 units sold at CAN$0.25 per unit (https://ibn.fm/lk61Q).

The comprehensive geophysical program will include a 3-D Direct Current Induced Polarization (“DCIP”) survey and a Magnetotelluric (“MT”) survey to delineate known structures on the property. In addition, this program will work to identify the extensions of the partially mined ore body, identify potential new ore bodies, and evaluate deeper sources of mineralization, with follow-up drilling to test priority targets.

Historically, the Clayton Silver Mine has only been mined down a single vein, leaving the property essentially unexplored. Given its location in the Bayhorse Mining District of central Idaho (the property spans 1,028 acres, 29 patented mining claims, 2 patented mill sites, and 20 unpatented claims), the consistent geology suggests multiple undiscovered veins in the overall deposit, veins in which minerals would have entered and been deposited just as they were in the original producing vein (https://ibn.fm/lk61Q).

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

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

• Earth Science Tech reported fiscal Q3 2026 revenue of $8.4 million, up 14.1% year over year, with gross margin expanding to 76.3% and adjusted EBITDA rising to $1.2 million
• Management said Peaks, the company’s telemedicine platform, surpassed $2.0 million in revenue in less than a year, while the company pursues additional state licenses to expand its footprint
• ETST engaged Semple, Marchal and Cooper, LLP as its independent PCAOB auditor, a governance move framed as necessary as consolidated accounting complexity increases

Healthcare delivery is being reshaped by two forces that often move at different speeds: consumer demand for faster access and more personalized care, and institutional requirements for stronger compliance, reporting, and audit readiness. Telemedicine adoption has normalized virtual visits, while pharmacy and fulfillment models increasingly compete on speed, service, and regulatory execution. For multi-subsidiary healthcare operators, the differentiator is not simply growth, but the ability to scale responsibly across jurisdictions, products, and clinical workflows without losing control of governance and financial discipline.

Earth Science Tech (OTC: ETST) is executing that playbook as a strategic holding company that builds value by acquiring and actively managing operating businesses in pharmaceuticals, telemedicine, healthcare services, real estate, and select consumer markets. The company’s stated focus is on controlling interests where operational oversight, regulatory compliance, and disciplined scaling can drive durable growth.

A Healthcare-Centered Portfolio with Multiple Operating Units

ETST is a diversified holding company focused on the health and wellness sector. Through wholly owned subsidiaries, it cites a vertically integrated portfolio that includes compounding pharmacies and telemedicine platforms, alongside related clinical support infrastructure. The company has RxCompoundStore.com and Mister Meds as licensed compounding pharmacies, supported by Peaks Curative, DOConsultation.com, and Las Villas Health Care for patient connectivity and clinical services.

The model is built on integration. Telemedicine can serve as the front door to patient access, while pharmacy operations can capture recurring prescription fulfillment and expand patient lifetime value. That integration, however, tends to increase operational complexity, especially as state-by-state licensing expands and consolidated reporting requirements become more demanding.

Fiscal Q3 Results Show Margin Expansion and Improved Profitability

In its third fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2025, Earth Science Tech reported revenue of $8.4 million, up 14.1% compared to $7.4 million in the year-ago quarter. Gross profit totaled $6.4 million, resulting in a 76.3% gross margin, up from 69.2% a year earlier. Net income was $910,000, or $0.003 per diluted share, compared to $206,000, or $0.001, in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA was $1.2 million, compared to $0.3 million in the year-ago quarter.

Management also reported $1.2 million in positive cash from operations fiscal year to date. Operating expenses for the quarter were $5.1 million, compared with $4.9 million a year earlier, reflecting higher advertising and marketing and SG and A costs, partially offset by a decrease in salaries expense.

On the balance sheet, ETST reported total assets of $8.1 million as of December 31, 2025. The company reported cash of $416,000 and working capital of $773,000, and stated it had no bank debt. ETST attributed the cash decrease from earlier periods to inventory investments to support higher sales volumes and improve product availability, alongside increased operating activity.

External Commentary Highlights Seasonality, Supply Issues, and Expense Discipline

A February 18, 2026 earnings review from Zacks Small Cap Research discussed ETST’s reported fiscal Q3 2026 results and the company’s filing of its quarterly report. The review described revenue of $8.4 million as below its $10.0 million forecast, while attributing some of the variance to adverse seasonality and temporary Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients supply issues in India and China during November and December, which it said were subsequently resolved.

The same review noted that operating expenses came in below its model expectations, citing lower compensation as a key driver, partially offset by higher general and administrative costs. It also highlighted adjusted EBITDA of $1.2 million and the company’s share repurchases, including 1,143,000 shares during the quarter and 3,703,296 shares during the first three quarters of fiscal 2026, which management said reduced outstanding shares by 3.6% year over year.

Telemedicine Growth and a Broader State Footprint

ETST has pointed to Peaks Curative as a growth driver, stating the platform surpassed $2.0 million in revenue in less than a year. Management has also emphasized geographic expansion, noting up to 10 additional state licenses pending. If approvals progress, the company’s addressable market could expand materially, but so does the compliance burden, which puts more weight on governance, controls, and audit readiness.

Corporate Governance as a Parallel Investment

On the same day it released quarterly results, ETST announced it engaged Semple, Marchal and Cooper, LLP as its new independent Public Company Accounting Oversight Board auditor. The company framed the change as a strategic upgrade to financial governance infrastructure, stating that the complexity of consolidated accounting has increased as it expands across pharmacy compounding, telemedicine, and real estate.

The decision is notable because auditor selection tends to be a signal of institutional posture. For a company managing multiple subsidiaries, audit capabilities can influence investor confidence, the ability to pursue uplisting goals, and the company’s readiness for more stringent reporting expectations.

The Thread Connecting the Updates

Taken together, the recent updates outline a company that is attempting to scale a healthcare-centered portfolio while strengthening the internal controls that often lag behind rapid expansion. The quarter delivered revenue growth, margin expansion, and materially higher profitability versus the prior year. The external earnings review placed emphasis on the durability of growth drivers, expense rationalization initiatives, and the impact of temporary supply disruptions. Meanwhile, the auditor engagement highlights a management focus on governance as the portfolio becomes more complex.

For more information, visit EarthScienceTech.com.

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