• SOBRsafe recently announced that courts in Australia and New Zealand have approved its SOBRsure(TM) technology for use in family law cases
• The company entered the Australian and New Zealand markets earlier this year via an international channel partnership agreement with Drug Testing Business Success
• The recent announcement also contained updates on the company’s opportunity for international expansion across India and Italy
• In India, SOBRsafe’s SOBRcheck(TM) stationary alcohol detection device has been selected for a proof-of-concept installation at a public facility to screen employees
• In Italy, a global employer has selected SOBRsafe’s SOBRsure(TM) continuous alcohol monitoring wristband for proof-of-concept use by its fleet drivers

Early this year, SOBRsafe (NASDAQ: SOBR), a provider of next-generation transdermal alcohol detection solutions, announced that the sale of its SOBRsure(TM) wearable continuous alcohol monitoring device had begun in Australia and New Zealand following a 90-day proof-of-concept. This overseas milestone was made possible through an international channel partnership with Drug Testing Business Success, the leading drug and alcohol testing service provider in the region (https://ibn.fm/3X0AI). .

At the time, Chairman and CEO Dave Gandini expressed the company’s excitement about this “new revenue stream” in both countries, further noting that the company believes “this could accelerate broader global expansion.” SOBRsafe recently issued an update on the expansion into Australia and New Zealand, reporting that courts in both countries have now approved the company’s technology for use in family law cases. In addition, according to the update, the courts have availed economic assistance where necessary (https://ibn.fm/3uufi).

“This legal approval is significant for two reasons,” stated Gandini. “First, it empowers our partner to market to the more than 7,000 family law attorneys in the region. Second, it gives SOBRsafe a template for expansion into the family law vertical here in the U.S. We are pleased with the groundwork now established in Australia and New Zealand. Based on the outcomes of these opportunities, we will evaluate the potential for strategic international expansion at the end of First Quarter 2025.”

The update also discussed the opportunity for international expansion across two other foundational markets: India and Italy. SOBRsafe noted that a critical infrastructure developer, which owns and operates a diverse portfolio of infrastructure assets across India and Southeast Asia, has chosen the company for a paid proof-of-concept installation of its SOBRcheck(TM) stationary alcohol detection device in a public, safety-sensitive facility.

Throughout the proof-of-concept period, the developer will use the device to uniformly screen employees at points of entry and, in the process, evaluate the device’s capabilities. SOBRsafe believes this initial installation will help it establish a new standard for alcohol screening in India, “providing value to employers while saving lives.”

SOBRsafe also reported that a global employer with a fleet of more than 10,000 vehicles has picked the company’s SOBRsure(TM) device for a proof-of-concept application among its drivers in Italy. According to Gandini, SOBRsure(TM) is particularly ideal for remote continuous monitoring of fleet drivers, as it can verify both location and sobriety in real-time and continuously.

The proof of concept in Italy comes amid the European Union’s aggressive push for the “Vision Zero” approach, which seeks to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on EU roads by 2050. “As in many European countries, Italy already has a zero-tolerance law for commercial drivers – no level of alcohol is permitted. SOBRsure can help European employers demonstrate compliance in real-time, in a passive, non-invasive manner,” continued Gandini.

In a Fireside Chat during the Lytham Partners Spring 2024 Investor Conference held in late May, Gandini mentioned that “Companies outside of North America are reaching out to us because they’ve searched our technology” (https://ibn.fm/OgtBT). With the recently announced proofs of concept appearing to be the culmination of fruitful communication between SOBRsafe and the companies that reached out, more partnerships may be in the pipeline.

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

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

Innovation in scientific research, that attempts to address some of the most challenging diseases of the modern era, depends largely on the biopharmaceuticals industry’s ability to establish and sustain viable clinical research trial sites.

Test research sites are often beset by difficulties ranging from high participant dropout rates to funding constraints. Clinical research managers are tasked with addressing stringent regulatory compliance, maintaining data integrity, and ensuring that research staff are adequately trained and supported to keep them engaged in the research and successful in achieving the best outcomes possible.

The BioPharma Nexus Conference series’ Site Solutions Nexus event will directly address solutions to issues surrounding these challenges, drawing on the expertise of professionals working for some of the most significant companies in the pharmaceutical and biotech sphere.

Among the more than a dozen presenters at the two-day event, in the heart of one of the world’s most prestigious research communities, are invited guests from Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, Japan’s giant Daiichi Sankyo, and Botox and autoimmune drug developer AbbVie.

The conference is a critical opportunity to network with peers in the industry amid an environment conducive to scientific advancement. Attendees can build meaningful partnerships with other professionals, connect with networked influencers, and share in discussions about fresh ideas for businesses.

In its third year, the Site Solutions Nexus conference is building a reputation for addressing bottleneck issues that could otherwise stymie effective progress in medical research goals. The Oct. 22-23 conference will feature 18 speaker presentations, four panel discussions, and four roundtable gatherings, during full days of addressing research site needs.

BioPharma Nexus’ conferences build business ties between pharmaceutical and biotech companies and their service providers, addressing a wide array of issues in conference events sited in the United States and Europe to advance the quality of healthcare services available to patients worldwide.

Key takeaways: 

• Located at one of the world’s most renowned research hubs
• Experienced, professional speakers presenting on timely topics
• Roundtable and panel discussions provide forums for networking and group learning

For more information about this event and to register, please visit https://ibn.fm/Kozo6.

• Copper is projected to become even more important as the transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy gains steam.
• Benefits of investing in copper include price appreciation, portfolio diversification and inflation hedging.
• Aston Bay is focused on exploring for high-grade critical and precious metal deposits in both Canada and the United States.

Precious metals have long been investments worth considering, and as renewable energy becomes increasingly important in today’s world, metals connected to that sector will become more essential as well. Aston Bay Holdings (TSX.V: BAY) (OTCQB: ATBDF), a publicly traded mineral exploration company exploring for high-grade critical and precious metal deposits, is focused on becoming a leading player in that space.

“After thousands of years of use, copper continues to play a key role in the global economy and human development,” reported CNN Underscored earlier this year (https://ibn.fm/GtJ48). “That will become even more true as the energy transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy gains steam.”

The report noted that Jason Crawshaw, portfolio manager with investment firm Polaris Capital Management, observed that “copper really is the commodity for the future and particularly for the future of electrification.”

The report provided pros and cons of investing in the red metal, including price appreciation, portfolio diversification and inflation hedging. “The long-term demand side of the equation for copper is a key benefit,” the article noted. “Supply shortages are expected to develop that will likely push copper’s price higher over the long term.

“Copper can also diversify a portfolio by providing an investment that will track higher when the economy is doing well, or expected to do well,” the report continued. “Investors who buy copper slightly ahead of an economic upswing can potentially start making money even while more defensive assets like utilities are still outperforming.”

Finally, the report noted that because copper “tends to do well along with the economy, it can serve as an inflation hedge by providing a cushion against rising prices for consumer goods, which could otherwise eat away at spending power.”

These are among the benefits that Aston Bay is eyeing as it focuses on exploring for high-grade critical and precious metal deposits in both Canada and the United States. The company is aggressively advancing the high-grade Storm Copper Project in Nunavut, Canada, toward development with partner American West Metals. The company is free carried for all expenditures at the project until decision to mine. Aston Bay is looking to replicate the success of Storm with its Epworth Copper Project, also located in Nunavut, where surface samples have yielded up to 61% copper with 5600 g/t silver as well as cobalt, zinc, gold. The company is also exploring the high-grade (up to 62.51 g/t Au) Buckingham Gold Vein and critical metals prospects in central Virginia.

For more information, visit AstonBayHoldings.com.

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

• Company CEO is a geologist with more than four decades of experience and a PhD in petroleum geology.
• Trillion Energy has the SASB Gas Field in the Black Sea and an oil field on shore.
• Currently the company is producing an estimated 6–6.5 million cubic feet per day with projections of reaching an estimated 12–15 million cubic feet of production.

Having an experienced professional run a company is essential for many reasons, and those reasons become even more profound in companies where public safety and welfare is at risk, such as an oil and gas exploration company. The benefits of exceptional leadership, particularly in an industry as complex and resource-intensive as oil and gas exploration, can directly influence a company’s profitability, safety, environmental impact and long-term sustainability. Trillion Energy International (CSE: TCF) (OTCQB: TRLEF), a Canadian oil and gas exploration and production company, is a superb example of a company being led by a true professional.

In a recent episode of the MiningNewsWire Podcast (https://ibn.fm/zXFDl), Trillion Energy CEO and director Dr. Arthur Halleran, PhD, shared his expertise with podcast host Stuart Smith. “I’m a geologist by trade,” noted Halleran, who also founded Canacol Energy Ltd., now the largest natural gas producer in Colombia. “I have about 44 years of experience, and I have a PhD in petroleum geology. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in about 39 other countries. Over half of my experience is on international projects. I started with Trillion Energy in 2011 as a director, and in 2017 I took over as the CEO.”

In addition to CEO Halleran’s impressive resume, Trillion Energy CFO David Thompson brings another five decades of experience to the table. His background includes a stint at Sea Dragon Energy in Egypt as well as numerous other companies.

During the podcast, which features insightful sit-downs with executives who are shaping the future of the global mining industry, Halleran discussed the company’s project portfolio. “Trillion Energy is an oil and gas producer with operations in Türkiye,” he explained. “We have the SASB Gas Field in the Black Sea, and then we also have an oil field on shore. The field has been producing since around 2007, with another series of drilling in 2011. Trillion took over the field in 2017. In 2022–2023, we drilled another five wells to tag into new gas pools and also recompleted one. They were long reach, directionally drilled wells.

“When we acquired the company holding these assets in Türkiye, the gas field didn’t have any economic gas production or a reserve report,” Halleran continued. “The facilities were written off. . . . We got a new reserve report and operated the drilling. . . . Leveraging recent technological advancements, we were able to produce the borehole onto the platforms, into the pipelines, onto our gas facilities, and right to the sales line.”

Halleran noted that currently Trillion Energy is producing about 6–6.5 million cubic feet per day from four of the wells. Following planned refinements, the company anticipates reaching an estimated 12–15 million cubic feet of production per day with plans to maintain that level of constant production for a couple of years.

Trillion Energy International is focused on oil and natural gas production for Europe and Türkiye with natural gas assets in Türkiye. The company is 49% owner of the SASB natural gas field, a Black Sea natural gas development, and has a 19.6% interest (except three wells with 9.8%) in the Cendere oil field.

For more information, visit www.TrillionEnergy.com.

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

• As technological devices used to track criminal suspects and low-risk offenders gain popular usage by law enforcement entities worldwide, the market potential continues to grow
• An ongoing effort to improve electronic monitoring systems for juvenile offenders in New Orleans highlights the potential revenues involved — the municipality is working out a $2 million plan for tracking 200 teens following the discovery of an unused budget for the effort
• Israel-based SuperCom Ltd. is a secured solutions provider for the e-Government, IoT and Cybersecurity sectors that has strategically developed its PureSecurity EM platform as a highly effective solution for the electronic monitoring market
• The company’s approach uses technology that employs RFID and GPS tracking through inconspicuous devices with the aim of helping individuals in the criminal justice system to continue to be productive in society rather than facing costly incarceration

Electronic monitoring (“EM”) technology, such as ankle monitors equipped for remote GPS tracking and car ignition devices fitted with alcohol detection capability, has become increasingly popular as a means of providing some freedom of movement to offenders in the criminal justice system while also helping to ensure public safety (https://ibn.fm/HCJKZ).

EM devices have gained attention as a means of reducing government expenditure by preventing the need for jailing offenders deemed to be low-risk, or juveniles who may be in greater danger of future criminal behavior if they are incarcerated while young.

New Orleans’ criminal justice oversight committee recently hailed the news that funds had been found to support improvements to the municipality’s EM program for juvenile offenders after the city became mired in controversy over a violent crime allegedly committed by a monitored teenager who wasn’t being fully monitored as expected (https://ibn.fm/le3GW).

Officials in the Louisiana community anticipate roughly $2 million will be dedicated to a plan to ensure the effective monitoring of about 200 juveniles (https://ibn.fm/Dn3uG).

Technology innovator SuperCom (NASDAQ: SPCB) has been solidifying its position as a leader in the EM industry through development of its PureSecurity suite of tracking solutions. The company has steadily added new clients in Europe and the United States, where the average daily caseload of all EM-supervised individuals industry-wide ranges from the tens of thousands (Europe) to the hundreds of thousands (North America) (https://ibn.fm/gW2mL).

SuperCom’s end-to-end solution is an improvement on the bulky ankle bracelets, combining sleek design with innovative tracking technologies that can be worn in a covert manner as its PureOne bracelet product to help reduce the possibility that monitored individuals will be subjected to harassment or social stigma.

Similarly, individuals who are at specific risk of victimization, such as in domestic violence cases, can be alerted effectively and discretely through their smartphones if a monitored offender comes near, allowing a potential victim to seek a way to avoid trouble and alerting law enforcement authorities to the concern through the company’s PureProtect app technology.

“Our GPS technology and 24/7 monitoring center services are perfectly aligned to meet the needs of … clients and operations, providing robust and reliable solutions to support their mission,” SuperCom President and CEO Ordan Trabelsi stated in an Aug. 29 news release related to a new SuperCom contract in Maryland (https://ibn.fm/eJptd).

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

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

• Diversification can be an effective way to manage risk, maximize returns.
• Multicommodity properties provide an array of benefits that make them attractive to both individual and institutional investors.
• Canadian-based Renforth Resources offers a diverse portfolio of properties containing valuable commodities such as gold, copper and nickel.

In today’s volatile economic landscape, diversification is a key principle in managing risk and maximizing returns. This can be especially true in the mining and natural resources sector, where fluctuations in commodity prices can significantly impact the profitability of mining projects. One effective way for investors to mitigate these risks and capture upside potential is by investing in companies with multicommodity mineral properties, such as Renforth Resources (CSE: RFR) (OTCQB: RFHRF), an active mineral-exploration company engaged in the exploration and development of polymetallic mineral properties in Canada.

Multicommodity mineral properties, as the name suggests, are sites that contain a variety of valuable minerals, such as gold, copper, silver, zinc and more. These properties offer a wide array of benefits that make them attractive to both individual and institutional investors. These benefits include diversification of revenue streams, broader exposure to different markets, and increased exploration and development potential, along with resilience to commodity price cycles.

By holding assets that contain multiple minerals, mining companies are not solely dependent on the price performance of a single commodity. In addition, different commodities are tied to different industries and economic drivers, so investing in multicommodity entities provides exposure to a broader range of market dynamics, allowing investors to benefit from both the defensive nature of precious metals and the growth potential of industrial metals.

These properties are also often situated in geologically diverse regions that may contain multiple types of deposits, which can lead to further discoveries and increase the overall resource base. This means that the long-term growth potential of a multicommodity property can be higher than a single-commodity site.

Finally, all commodities experience price cycles influenced by factors such as supply, demand, geopolitical issues and economic trends. Multicommodity properties provide a buffer against these sometimes-extreme fluctuations, helps companies weather downturns in individual commodity markets while continuing to generate revenue from other resources.

Renforth Resources has a diverse portfolio of properties containing valuable commodities such as gold, copper and nickel. Renforth’s properties, including the Malartic Metals Package in Quebec, showcase the company’s strong potential for multicommodity production. The Malartic Metals Package is host to a battery-metals system, with significant deposits of nickel, copper, zinc and cobalt. This diversity allows Renforth to capitalize on the growing demand for battery metals, which are critical for the renewable-energy and electric-vehicle sectors, while still maintaining exposure to precious metals like gold.

Investing in multicommodity mineral properties offers significant advantages, including revenue diversification, exposure to various markets and resilience to commodity price cycles. Companies such as Renforth Resources, with its focus on multiple valuable minerals, provide investors with a strategic opportunity to capture value in both the precious and industrial metal markets, offering stability and growth potential in an everchanging economic landscape.

Renforth Resources is an active mineral-exploration company engaged in the exploration and development of the company’s wholly owned multicommodity mineral properties in Canada. In addition to the Malartic Metals Package, the company owns the Parbec gold deposit on the Cadillac Break in Quebec and is currently exploring the Parbec property to increase the gold resource and identify a location to strip and bulk-sample from the surface.

For more information about the company, visit www.RenforthResources.com.

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

• Proceeds from the offerings will support the company’s operations into the first quarter of 2025.
• Clene also amended its existing debt facility with Avenue Venture Opportunities Fund, L.P. to reduce or defer future monthly principal payments and to extend principal amortization period and the final maturity date into the first half of 2025.
• The company’s lead drug candidate, CNM-Au8^® has been shown to restore and protect neurological function, offering new hope for patients with ALS and other neurodegenerative conditions.
• Clene is seeking an accelerated approval pathway for CNM-Au8 for ALS, with a meeting scheduled with the FDA before the end of November.

Clene (NASDAQ: CLNN) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Clene Nanomedicine Inc., a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on improving mitochondrial health and protecting neuronal function to treat neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (“ALS”) multiple sclerosis (“MS”) and Parkinson’s Disease (“PD”), announced the successful closing of a $7.3 million registered direct offering and concurrent private placements, designed to boost its capital position during a crucial phase in its on-going operations.

The registered direct offering and concurrent private placements of common stock and warrants with a healthcare-focused institutional investor and existing shareholders, including insiders, brought total gross proceeds of $7.3 million, with the potential for additional capital in the future through the exercise of warrants (https://ibn.fm/m8dCM).

The offering was led by a healthcare-focused institutional investor with participation from SymBiosis; founding investor Kensington Capital Holdings; Clene’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer and Founder; along with support from several other previously existing shareholders.

Clene also announced an amendment of its existing debt facility with Avenue Venture Opportunities Fund, L.P. such that future monthly principal payments are reduced or deferred, and the principal amortization period and maturity date of the loan will be extended into the first half of 2025.

This financing and debt restructuring is expected to provide Clene with essential funding for its operations into the first quarter of 2025 which will support upcoming regulatory milestones, including the upcoming meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) to discuss the potential to file a new drug application for lead candidate CNM-Au8 for ALS under an accelerated approval pathway.

This financing follows two encouraging Phase 2 clinical trials, RESCUE-ALS and HEALEY ALS Platform Trials, where participants who were administered CNM-Au8, saw significant improvement in survival rates, functional status and combined assessment of function and survival.

Developed as an oral suspension of gold nanocrystals, CNM-Au8 works by improving cellular energy production and utilization, which is critical for maintaining neuronal health. In both clinical trials and compassionate use programs, CNM-Au8 has already been shown to improve central nervous system cells’ survival and function via a mechanism that targets mitochondrial function and the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (“NAD”) pathway while reducing oxidative stress. By targeting mitochondrial dysfunction, CNM-Au8 aims to provide neuroprotection and promote remyelination, potentially altering the course of neurodegenerative conditions.

Commenting on the closing of the financing and upcoming plans, Chairman of the Board David Matlin said the company appreciated the support it obtained from its new healthcare-focused institutional investor as well as existing shareholders. “The capital raised in this offering along with the debt principal deferral from Avenue will allow the company to fund itself while in discussions with the FDA to potentially file an NDA under the accelerated approval pathway by year end,” Matlin added. “Most importantly, this financing also enables people with ALS who currently take CMN-Au8 under our compassionate use programs to continue receiving drug while Clene discusses its data with the FDA.”

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

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

• AI Transforms Mining: AI speeds up mineral discovery by analyzing large datasets, predicting drill targets, and improving operational efficiency.
• A McKinsey report estimates that AI could unlock $290 billion to $390 billion in annual savings for producers of key resources by 2035.
• Emperor Metals’ Advantage: At Duquesne West, Emperor Metals used AI and DomainMCF to develop a 3D geological model, accelerating discovery and unlocking new high-priority exploration targets.

As the global mining industry faces mounting pressures to boost productivity, reduce costs and minimize its environmental impact, artificial intelligence (“AI”) is emerging as a necessary evolution. A 2022 McKinsey report estimates that AI could unlock $290 billion to $390 billion in annual savings for producers of key resources by 2035.

At the forefront of AI-driven exploration is Emperor Metals Inc. (CSE: AUOZ) (OTCQB: EMAUF) (FSE: 9NH), a junior mining firm based in Quebec. The company has integrated AI into its flagship Duquesne West Gold Project in Quebec’s Abitibi Greenstone Belt, a prolific Canadian gold mining distinct currently hosting 15 producing gold mines.

Mining’s Long-Standing Challenges Meet AI’s Potential

The mining industry has long grappled with inefficiencies in resource identification, costly drilling processes and complex geological challenges. While advancements such as LiDAR mapping, drone surveys, and the recently piloted automated drilling have improved certain aspects of mining operations, exploration has remained largely manual and data-heavy.

Traditionally, geologists would spend months painstakingly poring over tens of thousands of meters of drill core and data points, searching for signs of valuable mineral deposits—a process that was slow, labor-intensive and prone to error. In an era where global demand for materials like gold, copper and lithium is rising, these inefficiencies have become major bottlenecks.

Enter AI.

AI is poised to reshape the industry, not only by improving day-to-day operations like predictive maintenance and safety management but also by fundamentally transforming how companies approach exploration and the discovery of new deposits. AI’s ability to process and analyze vast datasets allows it to identify mineralization patterns, predict drill targets and optimize extraction strategies with unprecedented accuracy.

Emperor Metals: A Pioneer in AI-Driven Exploration

For Emperor Metals, AI is not just a tool but the core of their strategy at the Duquesne West Gold Project. They have leveraged Maptek’s DomainMCF machine learning technology and developed the first-ever 3D geological model of the deposit. This software enabled Emperor to analyze large volumes of geological data with unprecedented speed and accuracy.

A major breakthrough from this AI-driven analysis was identifying the potential to shift from a costly underground mining model to a more efficient open-pit approach. This shift could significantly reduce operational costs while providing access to high-grade gold zones that might have otherwise been missed.

“We’re not just drilling blindly anymore,” says John Florek, CEO of Emperor Metals. “AI has given us a roadmap at a rapid pace. Traditional methods would have taken much longer and may not have yielded the same high-grade results. Thanks to AI, we intercepted grades of 15.8 grams per tonne over 10.85 meters—data that reshaped our exploration strategy and confirmed the potential for an open-pit operation.”

The use of DomainMCF allowed the team to quickly develop the first-ever mineralized model within a month, and the full 3D geological model within four months, a process which used to take years. This technology also reanalyzed historical drilling data, uncovering overlooked value and identifying new high-priority targets. These insights not only accelerated Emperor Metals’ discovery process but also fundamentally changed the company’s trajectory by opening up new exploration opportunities.

In 2023, Emperor Metals completed an 8,600-meter drill program, building on historical data from over 100,000 meters of previous drilling. In 2024, they drilled an additional 8,000 meters, further advancing the project’s potential which will further feed the machine learning models.

Looking Ahead: A Bold Vision for the Future

As AI evolves, its importance in mining will only increase. For Emperor Metals, AI is the future of responsible, data-driven exploration. “We’re just getting started,” says CEO John Florek. “It’s about finding gold smarter and more sustainably.” With AI as a cornerstone, Emperor is well-positioned to seize new opportunities, setting a modern standard for mining operations.

For more information, visit www.EmperorMetals.com.

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

• Alcohol detection and monitoring devices have been in use for years, but the need for faster, discreet technology capable of delivering real-time results became more apparent in the mid-2010s
• In 2015 and 2016, the NIAAA announced challenges seeking alcohol monitoring solutions that provide real-time results; the winning entries were wearable wristbands still at the prototype stage
• Fast-forward to today, and SOBRsafe, a company providing next-generation alcohol detection technology, commercializes its market-validated SOBRcheck(TM) stationary alcohol screening device and the SOBRsure(TM) wearable wristband
• SOBRsafe’s devices feature highly precise sensors that are calibrated for early, low alcohol detection, beginning at about 20 minutes, compared to 45-60 minutes for the leading mandatory ankle monitor
• The company believes its disruptive breakthrough technology could become the global standard for alcohol monitoring and detection, replacing legacy products and testing methods

In 2015 and 2016, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (“NIAAA”), a part of the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”), challenged innovators and entrepreneurs to create a “wearable or otherwise discreet device capable of measuring blood alcohol level in real-time.” The challenge aimed to help solve the disadvantages of the then-preferred technologies for alcohol monitoring.

“Current technology for continuous alcohol monitoring takes a reading every 30 minutes. We are seeking a solution that improves on this interval and most closely approximates real-time monitoring and data collection,” stated the circular from NIAAA explaining the rationale behind the 2015 challenge (https://ibn.fm/EhUO8).

The winners designed wearable wrist monitors that measure transdermal alcohol concentrations (“TAC”) (https://ibn.fm/fpXye). While these winning entries were prototypes, the competition perhaps inspired the modern alcohol detection and monitoring landscape. Today, there are validated, commercially available transdermal alcohol monitoring devices available on the market, some more capable than others.

One company in particular, SOBRsafe (NASDAQ: SOBR), commercializes its SOBRcheck(TM) stationary screening and SOBRsure(TM) wearable monitoring solutions, which utilize a proprietary transdermal technology that simplifies the alcohol detection process. According to the company, the SOBRsafe transdermal detection technology pairs a NIAAA-awarded transdermal gas sensor with proprietary algorithms to capture alcohol vapor excreted through skin pores alongside other contents of sweat.

The highly precise sensor is engineered and calibrated for early, low alcohol detection, beginning at about 20 minutes, compared to 45-60 minutes for the leading mandatory ankle monitor. The company’s technology, therefore, detects alcohol 2-3x faster than other transdermal alcohol detection solutions (https://ibn.fm/Vd9GI).

The SOBRcheck(TM) stationary screening device is designed for facility access control, centralized fleets, and monitoring patients in point-of-care behavioral health facilities. It features the aforementioned gas sensor, which determines the presence or absence of alcohol, and a biometric sensor that scans a fingerprint to authenticate a user’s identity. The device provides administrators with real-time, time-stamped results, delivered via the company’s SOBRsafe software. One adopter of the SOBRcheck(TM) solution, Alternatives Inc., in fact, noted that SOBRcheck(TM) is faster and more sanitary than breathalyzers (https://ibn.fm/tM191).

The SOBRsure(TM) remote monitoring device, on the other hand, has the same footprint as a wearable wristband. It is designed to discreetly and continuously monitor the presence of alcohol in the system, freeing users from scheduled testing and building trust faster thanks to its continuous monitoring attribute. It also eliminates the embarrassment that accompanies using blow devices or providing urine samples.

Like the SOBRcheck(TM) device, the SOBRsure(TM) features the award-winning gas sensor, as well as GPS tracking capabilities. It relays the results continuously to an app-based reporting interface and sends notifications to parents or administrators whenever it detects alcohol. It also sends alerts containing location data whenever it is removed.

Since the fourth quarter of 2023, SOBRsafe has been marketing its alcohol detection and monitoring solutions to the behavioral health market. “In 2024, and consistent with our strategy, we have now established our technology, with our first revenue-generating customers in behavioral health growing to 35 accounts in the first and second quarters of this year. In addition, we entered the equivalent verticals in Australia and New Zealand and are gaining traction through a channel partner that we’re very, very excited about,” said SOBRsafe CEO Dave Gandini in a recent video update (https://ibn.fm/My3XB).

The company is also targeting further international expansion and has invested in a marketing campaign that aims to present its solutions to more than 45,000 behavioral health decision-makers in the U.S. “We believe that our approach will increase demand, drive sales and gain market share for us in the fourth quarter and on into 2025,” Gandini continued.

The company believes its disruptive breakthrough technology could become the global standard for alcohol monitoring and detection, replacing legacy products and testing methods. And with its international expansion and robust marketing campaign underway, coupled with the strong adoption in the core behavioral health vertical since late 2023, the company is a worthy consideration for investors.

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

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

The 21st BioPharma Drug Discovery Nexus will be held on October 22-23, 2024, at the Holiday Inn Piscataway – Somerset, in New Jersey. New Jersey was selected as the venue for the event, as this northeastern state has been at the helm of biotech and pharma innovations and research. Experts from the region and all across the globe will grace the event and discuss challenges and opportunities in the field of drug discovery.

The event is organized by BioPharma Nexus, a trusted player in fostering connections between pharmaceutical and biotech companies, along with key service providers. Their goal is to provide the best healthcare to patients all over the globe. Service providers and businesses in biotech, pharma and healthcare, can identify and connect with partners to foster scientific and healthcare collaborations.

The event agenda:

• Automation & Computational Drug Design
• Antibody Therapeutics & Protein Engineering
• Novel Targets: Exploring Modalities in Drug Discovery
• Advancement in Cell & Gene Therapy

The 21st BioPharma Dug Discovery Nexus engages the attendees in interactive discussions, presentations and keynote speaker sessions. The speakers presiding over the keynote sessions are eminent representatives, with important insight and experience in their industry. These stalwarts from the biopharma industry will share critical information and discuss the latest trends in the industry.

New and established entities in the drug discovery spectrum can expand their connections in the pharma space. It is a phenomenal learning experience as they can get answers from top industry experts. The networking breaks offer attendees a comfortable window to connect directly with industry leaders.

To learn more, please visit https://ibn.fm/TKTOR.